Копи царя Соломона
Before the Battle
JustaboutdawnwewereawakenedbyInfadoos,whocametosaythatgreatactivitywastobeobservedinLoo,andthatpartiesoftheking’sskirmishersweredrivinginouroutposts.
Weroseanddressedourselvesforthefray,eachputtingonhischainarmourshirt,forwhichgarmentsatthepresentjuncturewefeltexceedinglythankful. SirHenrywentthewholelengthaboutthematter,anddressedhimselflikeanativewarrior. "WhenyouareinKukuanaland,doastheKukuanasdo,"heremarked,ashedrewtheshiningsteeloverhisbroadbreast,whichitfittedlikeaglove. Nordidhestopthere. AthisrequestInfadooshadprovidedhimwithacompletesetofnativewaruniform. Roundhisthroathefastenedtheleopard-skincloakofacommandingofficer,onhisbrowsheboundtheplumeofblackostrichfeatherswornonlybygeneralsofhighrank,andabouthismiddleamagnificentmoochaofwhiteox-tails. Apairofsandals,alegletofgoat’shair,aheavybattle-axewitharhinoceros-hornhandle,aroundironshieldcoveredwithwhiteox-hide,andtheregulationnumberoftollas,orthrowing-knives,madeuphisequipment,towhich,however,headdedhisrevolver. Thedresswas,nodoubt,asavageone,butIamboundtosaythatIseldomsawafinersightthanSirHenryCurtispresentedinthisguise. Itshowedoffhismagnificentphysiquetothegreatestadvantage,andwhenIgnosiarrivedpresently,arrayedinasimilarcostume,IthoughttomyselfthatIhadneverbeforeseentwosuchsplendidmen.
