Witch-Doctors | Page 3

if Napoleon invented the science of artillery, we invented psychology."
"True, Excellence."
Zu Pfeiffer smiled complacently and stroked his moustaches.
"Now for this animal here. Who and what was he?"
"One of the principal witch-doctors, Excellence, wealthy and powerful. He attempted to overthrow the Chief Witch-doctor, one Bakahenzie, and was discredited."
"How discredited?"
"He attempted some form of magic, Excellence, which failed. Details are not given."
"Who gave the dossier?"
"Ali ben Hassan, Excellence."
"From whom did he get his information?"
"Name given as one Yabolo, another witch-doctor and relative."
"This Saka--Saka"--zu Pfeiffer glanced at the document--"Sakamata. Is he in communication with this Yabolo?"
"Ja, Excellence."
Zu Pfeiffer smoked reflectively.
"When did the last agent come in?"
"But yesterday, Excellence."
"And no report of any other white men in the country? No British missionaries or traders?"
"Nein, Excellence."
"Where is Saunders?"
"On Lake Kivu."
"No report?"
"Not since the last three months ago, Excellence."
"Umph!--Now, pay attention." Schultz leaned forward dutifully. Zu Pfeiffer unrolled a map on the wall beside him. "Here's Ingonya. The Wongolo country is twenty days' march from here, but across the lake it's twenty hours with the launch, and five days from there." The delicate finger-nail indicated a spot on the opposite side of the lake. "From here--what's the place? Ach--Timballa. To hell with the British boundary! We must not give them time to get the news. Always rush the seat of government. Surprise them and they're done."
"But, Excellence, Treitschke says regarding retreat----"
"There will be no retreat. At MFunya MPopo's is the idol, the fetish. We destroy it and they're done!" He brought down his fist with a crash on the table. "Faith unites a people; in unity is strength. Break the faith and you've broken the people."
"But, Excellence!" exclaimed the Lutheran sergeant, aghast.
Zu Pfeiffer's blue eyes hardened.
"Understand, you fool, these are savages. You have an abstract deity--which you cannot break in the concrete--obviously: they have a concrete god which we can and shall smash."
"Excellence, you are right," said the sergeant humbly.
Zu Pfeiffer flicked cigar ash from his sleeve and lolled back.
"Those are your orders. Commandeer the necessary canoes and notify Ludwig to have the men in readiness for the full moon. Work out the details and give them to me to-morrow."
"Ja, Excellence." Schultz stood to attention. "But, Excellence, this creature----"
Zu Pfeiffer glanced casually at Sakamata.
"Oh, that? Take it away!"
Schultz saluted smartly and wheeled about.
"Njoo!" he commanded sharply.
Sakamata rose up quietly and disappeared through the door without glancing to the right or the left.
"The Court awaits your Excellence," reminded the sergeant.
As zu Pfeiffer nodded languidly, a booted foot clopped on the verandah.
"Wa da?" queried Sergeant Schultz, startled at the intrusion of a stranger.
"Oh, only I," responded a soft voice in English.
Through the screen door a tall figure in a Tirai hat was silhouetted in sepia against the yellow glare. A brown hand pushed open the door.
"Mon nom est Birnier, Gerald Birnier--er--Does any one speak English?"
Zu Pfeiffer, in the act of rising, sank back into the chair, placing his left leg in a favourite position and selecting a cigar simultaneously.
"Yes," said he, almost without accent. "What do you want?"
"I wish to see the--the Herr Kommandant."
Zu Pfeiffer struck a match without looking up.
"I am he."
One hand upon the open door, Birnier stroked his shaven chin perplexedly with the other. He glanced from the sergeant, standing rigidly by the table, to the lieutenant engaged in stoking his cigar to a nicety.
"Well, it's usual to invite a white man to sit down, isn't it?" suggested Birnier, with a note of irritation.
Zu Pfeiffer looked across the table.
"Nein. This is the Orderly Room; not a general office."
"Oh, I see. I beg your pardon!" There was a note of laughter in the voice. "Will you kindly instruct me where I am to apply?"
Zu Pfeiffer continued to regard the stranger from head to foot, smoking slowly.
"Please to come in," he said at length, gesturing with his cigar, "and sit down."
"Thanks so much!"
The trace of irony seemed to escape zu Pfeiffer. He gave a guttural order to the sergeant, who saluted and disappeared. The stranger placed his Tirai hat on the table, revealing rumpled brown hair flecked with grey, a high white forehead, and long features; the slight stoop of the shoulders and general carriage rather suggested a professional type than a hunter or trader. He regarded the slim figure staring insolently at him with a hardening look of disapproval.
"What is it you wish?"
"Well, principally I require an elephant licence and the usual permit to trade."
"Where are you going?"
"To the Kivu country."
Zu Pfeiffer regarded his cigar tip interestedly.
"You are going to the Wongolo country," he stated.
Birnier's mouth tightened.
"Quite possibly."
"You have been to the Wongolo country already?"
"Yes, I have been there, but what has that to do with it?"
"We know all about you," stated zu Pfeiffer coldly, twiddling his cigar between slender fingers. He glanced at a gold repeater. "Pardon, but I must request you to return later.