He assented to this, and in a little while rose and retired, presumably to bring the tusk. For over two hours we waited expectantly, but he did not return, and we were just thinking of sending over to Bei-Munithu for an explanation when that gentleman himself appeared, leading forward a native still more ancient than our former visitor. This latter individual slowly seated himself in front of our tent and solemnly chewed a twig which he drew from a bundle of similar ones carried in his belt.[6] The ancient gentleman munched away for some minutes, and finally condescended to speak. He announced, between chews, that he owned a tusk of ivory which he wished to sell us. We, metaphorically, hugged ourselves. Two tusks in one afternoon! But we received a rude shock when the interpreter informed us that the old gentleman was referring to the same tusk. “Why,” we explained, “the owner has already called upon us, and we have completed the bargain.” “Oh no,” said the old savage, “that was a young man sent to bargain with you” (practically testing the market). “I am the owner.” “Very well,” said we. “We don’t care whom it belongs to so long as it is sold to us; and the sooner the better.” “But,” said the old savage, “I want a cow and _four_ sheep!” We grew heated, and told him to go to Heligoland, or words to that effect; but he refused to depart thither. “The other man,” he said, “like all young men, was very rash, and exceeded his instructions. I myself could not think of letting such a beautiful tusk go for less than one cow, a _good_ cow, and four sheep.” We remained firm, however, and he finally agreed to let us have the tusk at the original price. He then retired, while we wiped our perspiring foreheads and took a nice long drink of brackish water. At that moment a messenger arrived from M’thara with a note to me from George, asking me to return as soon as possible, he being very ill with fever. El Hakim had intended returning on the morrow, since we were still waiting for news from G’nainu of our missing men, though we had lost all hope of their being still alive.