"When the first twig of the nest is laid," remarked Marufa, indolently
eyeing the tusk, "it is difficult to entice the hen to another tree."

"Here is a goodly twig with which to tempt spirits of the forest," and
significantly, "Maybe there are others."

"A mighty potion shall be prepared for thee, O son of MBusa," declared
Marufa, moving slightly to conceal the package of beads. "A mighty potion,
infallible; made from the hair of a rutting leopardess, the liver of the
forest rat and the tongue of the Baroto bird; these must she take that she
shall speak thee softly, together with a portion of that which remains
from the ceremony of the lobolo. Infallible is it; never known to fail."

"Ehh!"

Marufa stared interestedly at a wandering hen. MYalu watched him covertly.
Like bronzes sat the two young slaves. From the distance came a faint
chanting and the beat of a drum.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~}

"The tusk is here, Marufa," remarked MYalu casually.

"My eyes see it," observed Marufa, without altering his observation of the
hen.

"Where then is the potion?"

Marufa glanced at the tusk, appraised it again, and fumbling within his
loin-cloth, thrust another tiny package along the ground. MYalu greedily
picked up the amulet and stared in awe, turning it over and about.

"The tusk," murmured Marufa.

MYalu gestured to his slaves. They rose and placed the tusk beside the old
man, shuffled backwards and squatted again. After lifting one end to test
the weight, Marufa examined the grain. Then sliding it behind him as if he
wished to sit upon it, remarked:

"The potion must be eaten at the full moon."

"Ehh!"

MYalu glanced up from an absorbed examination of the amulet.

"And within the quarter shall the fruit be ripe for the plucking." The
whites of MYalu's eyes gleamed. "Unless," continued the old man
uninterestedly, "there be stronger magic made against thee."

"Ehh!"

The two hands holding the amulet came down.

"If," explained Marufa, "another hath tied the grasses of her father's
roof, will there be required a stronger spirit to overcome such magic."

"But thou hast told me," expostulated MYalu, regarding the tusk
regretfully, "that this is a mighty magic, powerful and infallible, never
known to fail."

"Thus is it," asserted the old man imperturbably, "for all save a stronger
magic."

MYalu's eyes wandered from the tusk to Marufa and back. He scowled.

"Why didst thou not tell me?" he demanded sourly,