His enthusiasm was even greater
than Gordon's, because he did not appreciate the difficulties.
He thought Gordon a semi-god, a worker of miracles, and urged
the putting up of a monument to him at once in the public
plaza, to which Albert objected, on the ground that it would
be too suggestive of an idol; and to which Stedman also objected,
but for the less unselfish reason that it would "be in
the way of the pitcher's box."
They were feverishly discussing all these great changes, and
Stedman was translating as rapidly as he could translate, the
speeches of four different men--for the two counsellors had
been called in--all of whom wanted to speak at once when there
came from outside a great shout, and the screams of women, and
the clashing of iron, and the pattering footsteps of men
running.
As they looked at one another in startled surprise, a native
ran into the room, followed by Bradley, Jr., and threw himself
down before the King. While he talked, beating his hands and
bowing before Ollypybus, Bradley, Jr., pulled his forelock to
the consul, and told how this man lived on the far outskirts
of the village; how he had been captured while out hunting, by
a number of the Hillmen; and how he had escaped to tell the
people that their old enemies were on the war-path again, and
rapidly approaching the village.
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