y master, and of the
great ones he has left behind to fulfil the law. Say this to M'bisibi
from me, that I think he is very wise and understands ghosts and
such-like palavers. Also say that if he puts curses upon my huts I will
come with my spearmen to him, and if aught follows I will hang him by
the ears from a high tree, though he sleeps with ghosts and commands
whole armies of devils; this palaver is finished."

The messenger carried the word back to M'bisibi and the council of the
chiefs and the eldermen who sat in the palaver house, and old as he was
and wise by all standards, M'bisibi shivered, for, as he explained, that
which Bosambo said would he do. For this is peculiar to no race or
colour, that old men love life dearer than young.

"Bogolono, you shall bring the child," he said, turning to one who sat
at his side, string upon string of human teeth looped about his neck and
his eyes circled with white ashes, "and it shall be sacrificed according
to the custom, as it was in the days of my fathers and of their
fathers."

They chose a spot in the forest, where four young trees stood at corners
of a rough square. With their short bush knives they lopped the tender
branches away, leaving four pliant poles that bled stickily. With great
care they drew down the tops of these trees until they nearly met,
cutting the heads so that there was no overlapping. To these four ends
they fastened ropes, one for each arm and for each ankle of the devil
child, and with other ropes they held the saplings to their place.

"Now this is the magic of it," said M'bisibi, "that when the moon is
full to-night we shall sacrifice first a goat, and then a fowl, casting
certain parts into the fire which shall be made of white gum, and I will
make certain marks upon the child's face and upon his belly, and then I
will cut these ropes so that to the four ends of the world we shall cast
forth this devil, who will no longer trouble us."

That night came many chiefs, Iberi of the Akasava, Tilini of the Lesser
Isisi, Efele (the Tornado) of the N'gombi, Lisu (the Seer) of the Inner
Territories, but Lilongo[12] (as they called Bosambo of the Ochori), did
not come.

[Footnote 12: "Lilongo" is from the noun "balongo"--blood, and means
literally "he-who-breaks-blood-friendships."--E. W.]

* * * * *

III

Bones reached the village two hours before the time of sacrifice and
landed a force of twenty Houssas and