Komba

"Have no fear," answered the cold Komba, "in our holy town of Rica we do not tie innocent guests to stakes to be shot to death with arrows."

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

(This was a lie, but somehow I was not afraid of lying to Komba.) "How do you know that he was here?"

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

At any rate, I heard one of them, pointing to Hans, ask Komba whether the ape-man was our god or only our captain.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

These words Komba spoke very slowly and with much emphasis, his piercing eyes fixed upon my face as though to read the thoughts it hid.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

Standing in the prow of the first of these, and roaring curses and vengeance at us, was Komba, the new Kalubi, who shook a great spear above his head.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

I looked at it and said it was a fine boat, whereon Komba replied that there were a hundred such at Rica

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

"Then, white lord," answered Komba, "you will do well to stop in this place in the midst of your family, since, if you try to bring it with you to Pongo-land, you will be killed as you set foot upon the shore."

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

I noted that these all resembled Komba and his companions in build and features; they were so like each other that, except for the difference of their ages, it was difficult to tell them apart.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

A number of the soldiers, including Komba, who acted as steersman, also sprang into the canoe that was instantly pushed out from beneath the bridge or platform on which the Motombo sat and down the little creek into the still water of the canal or estuary, or whatever it may be, that separates the wall of rock which the cave pierces from the base of the mountain.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890

The charge exploded sweetly and almost at the instant; as the smoke drifted to one side, I saw Komba throw up his arms and fall backwards into the canoe.

Allan and the Holy Flower Henry Rider Haggard 1890