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Those Were the Real Conquests
Itwasindeedawonderfulsightwhichlaybeforeus.Sweepingovertheglassysurfacewasagreatflotillaofcanoescomingstraightfortheshoreuponwhichwestood.Theyweresomemilesoutwhenwefirstsawthem,buttheyshotforwardwithgreatswiftness,andweresoonsonearthattherowerscoulddistinguishourpersons.Instantlyathunderousshoutofdelightburstfromthem,andwesawthemrisefromtheirseats,wavingtheirpaddlesandspearsmadlyintheair.Thenbendingtotheirworkoncemore,theyflewacrosstheinterveningwater,beachedtheirboatsupontheslopingsand,andrusheduptous,prostratingthemselveswithloudcriesofgreetingbeforetheyoungchief.Finallyoneofthem,anelderlyman,withanecklaceandbraceletofgreatlustrousglassbeadsandtheskinofsomebeautifulmottledamber-coloredanimalslungoverhisshoulders,ranforwardandembracedmosttenderlytheyouthwhomwehadsaved.Hethenlookedatusandaskedsomequestions,afterwhichhesteppedupwithmuchdignityandembracedusalsoeachinturn.Then,athisorder,thewholetribelaydownuponthegroundbeforeusinhomage.PersonallyIfeltshyanduncomfortableatthisobsequiousadoration,andIreadthesamefeelinginthefacesofRoxtonandSummerlee,butChallengerexpandedlikeaflowerinthesun.
"Theymaybeundevelopedtypes,"saidhe,strokinghisbeardandlookingroundatthem,"buttheirdeportmentinthepresenceoftheirsuperiorsmightbealessontosomeofourmoreadvancedEuropeans.
