"You'll Have To Live Up To Your Reputation Now," The Dandy Said, And,
Brave In The Knowledge That He Was Within Cooee, I Ordered The Old Men
About Most Unmercifully, Leaving Little Doubt In Their Minds That "Missus
Was Big Mob Cheeky Fellow."
They were most deferential all day, and at sundown I completed my revenge
by offering these rulers of a nation
The insult of a woman's protection.
"If you are still afraid of the wild blacks, you may sleep near me
to-night," I said, and apologised for not having made the offer for the
night before.
"You've got 'em on toast," the Dandy chuckled as the offer was refused
with a certain amount of dignity.
The lubras secretly enjoyed the discomfiture of their lords and masters,
and taking me into their confidence, made it very plain that a lubra's
life at times is anything but a happy one; particularly if "me boy all
day krowl (growl)." As for the lords and masters themselves, the insult
rankled so that they spent the next few days telling great and valiant
tales of marvellous personal daring, hoping to wipe the stain of
cowardice from their characters. Fortunately for themselves, Billy Muck
and Jimmy had been absent from the wood-heap, and, therefore, not having
committed themselves on the subject of wild blacks, bragged excessively.
Had they been present, knowing the old fellows well, I venture to think
there would have been no intimidation scheme floated.
As the Dandy put it, "altogether the time passed pleasantly," and when
the Maluka returned we were all on the best of terms, having reached the
phase of friendship when pet names are permissible.
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