Part 8 (2/2)
”So me do,” replied Antonio quickly; ”but dat no Portigeese--dat Spanaish, me 'spose.”
”What _can_ you speak, then?” demanded Harold sternly.
”Portigeese, Arbik, Fengleesh, an' two, tree, four, n.i.g.g.e.r lungwiches.”
It was very obvious that, whatever Antonio spoke, he spoke nothing correctly, but that was of no importance so long as the man could make himself understood. Harold therefore asked if he would join his party as interpreter, but Antonio shook his head.
”Why not man--why not?” asked Harold impatiently, for he became anxious to secure him, just in proportion as he evinced disinclination to engage.
”Speak up, Antonio, don't be ashamed; you've no need to,” said Disco.
”The fact is, sir, Antonio tells me that he has just bin married, an' he don't want to leave his wife.”
”Very natural,” observed Harold. ”How long is it since you were married?”
”Von veek since I did bought her.”
”Bought her!” exclaimed Disco, with a broad grin; ”may I ax wot ye paid for her?”
”Paid!” exclaimed the man, starting and opening his eyes very wide, as if the contemplation of the vast sum were too much for him; ”lat me zee--me pay me vife's pairyints sixteen yard ob cottin clothe, an' for me's hut four yard morer.”
”Ye don't say that?” exclaimed Disco, with an extended grin. ”Is she young an' good-lookin'?”
”Yonge!” replied Antonio; ”yis, ver' yonge; not mush more dan baby, an'
exiquitely bootiful.”
”Then, my good feller,” said Disco, with a laugh, ”the sooner you leave her the better. A week is a long time, an' absence, you know, as the old song says, makes the heart grow fonder; besides, Mr Seadrift will give you enough to buy a dozen wives, if 'ee want 'em.”
”Yes, I'll pay you well,” said Harold; ”that is, if you prove to be a good interpreter.”
Antonio p.r.i.c.ked up his ears at this.
”How mush vill 'oo gif?” he asked.
”Well, let me think; I shall probably be away three or four months.
What would you say, Antonio, to twenty yards of cotton cloth a month, and a gun into the bargain at the end, if you do your work well?”
The pleased expression of Antonio's face could not have been greater had he been offered twenty pounds sterling a month. The reader may estimate the value of this magnificent offer when we say that a yard of cotton cloth was at that time sevenpence-halfpenny, so that Antonio's valuable services were obtained for about 12 s.h.i.+llings, 6 pence a month, and a gun which cost Harold less than twenty s.h.i.+llings in Zanzibar.
We may remark here that Antonio afterwards proved to be a stout, able, willing man, and a faithful servant, although a most arrant coward.
From this time Harold's difficulties in regard to men vanished. With Antonio's able a.s.sistance nine were procured, stout, young, able-bodied fellows they were, and all more or less naked. Two of these were half-caste brothers, named respectively Jose and Oliveira; two were half-wild negroes of the Somali tribe named Nakoda and Conda; three were negroes of the Makololo tribe, who had accompanied Dr Livingstone on his journey from the far interior of Africa to the East Coast, and were named respectively Jumbo, Zombo, and Masiko; and finally two, named Songolo and Mabruki, were free negroes of Quillimane. Thus the whole band, including Disco and the leader, formed a goodly company of twelve stout men.
Of course Harold armed them all with guns and knives. Himself and Disco carried Enfield rifles; besides which, Harold took with him a spare rifle of heavy calibre, carrying large b.a.l.l.s, mingled with tin to harden them. This latter was intended for large game. Landing near the East Luavo mouth of the Zambesi, our hero was fortunate enough to procure two serviceable canoes, into which he transferred himself, his men, and his goods, and, bidding adieu to the Arab skipper of the dhow, commenced his journey into the interior of Africa.
CHAPTER FIVE.
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