Thereon I bowed to them and, drawing
my sword--at the sight of which I saw them stare and shiver, for to
these people steel was unknown--held it straight up in front of me in my
right hand, the shield with the cognizance of the three arrows being on
my left arm.
Now all the men rose, and some of them of the humbler sort, creeping
to the _balsa_, suddenly seized it and lifted it on to their shoulders,
which, being but a light thing of reeds and blown-out skins, they could
do easily enough. Then, preceded by the chiefs, they advanced up the
beach into the town, I still remaining seated in the boat with Kari
crouching behind me. So strange was the business that almost I laughed
aloud, wondering what those grave merchants of the Cheap whom I had
known in London would think if they could see me thus.
"Kari," I said, without turning my head, "what are they going to do with
us? Set us in yonder temple to be worshipped with nothing to eat?"
"I think not, Master," answered Kari, "since there the lady Quilla could
not come to speak with you if she would.
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