"
Now there was that in Kari's tone which in my weak state angered me.
Why did he scold me about faith? Why did he address me as "White Man"
instead of "Master"? Was it because he had reached a country where he
was great and I was nothing? I supposed so, and answered;
"And are these your subjects, O noble Kari?" and I pointed to the
crawling turtles. "And is this the rich and wondrous land where gold and
silver are as mud?" and I pointed to the barren rocks and sand around.
He smiled at my jest, and answered more humbly:
"Nay, Master, yonder is my land."
Then I looked, following his glance, and saw many leagues way across the
water two snowclad peaks rising above a bank of clouds.
"I know those mountains," he went on; "without doubt they are one of the
gateways of my land."
"Then we might as well be in London for all the hope we have of passing
that gate, Kari. But tell me what has chanced."
"This, I think. A very great wave caught us and threw us right over
those rocks on to the shore. Look--there is the _balsa_," and he pointed
to a broken heap of reeds and pierced skins.
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