y this ceremony, no one of his tribe
could injure Selim; and Ferodia and Tifum Byah might storm and fret in
vain, for the ceremony of brotherhood with Kalulu could not be
disregarded. We shall see, however, what came of it.

At sunset, Kalulu was asked to seat himself side by side with Selim on
the ground, which he did, taking hold of Selim's right hand, each with
his profile half turned to the other. Simba was the master of the
ceremonies on this occasion, who held a knife with all the solemnity of
one who was about to offer a sacrifice to some horrid deity who
delighted in the blood of youths. Moto stood by as a supernumerary, and
to interpret the words of Simba for Kalulu. The people of Kisari had
also come to witness the ceremony.

Simba advanced as the sun was setting, knife in hand, while the two boys
retained each other's right hands, and said to Kalulu:

"Art thou willing to be a brother to Selim, to be more than a friend to
him, to share what thou hast with him, to defend him against all enemies
to the best of thy power, and to stand by him until death?"

Kalulu answered, "I am."

"With what wilt thou seal thy word?"

"With the blood of my right arm."

"And what wilt thou give him as a sign?"

"I will give him a sheep."

"Art thou willing further to drink his blood, that his blood may pass
unto thee, that the bond of eternal brotherhood may be made strong and
sure?"

"I am."

Then turning to Selim, Simba asked:

"Art thou, Selim, willing to accept Kalulu as a brother, to be more than
a friend to him, to share what thou hast with him, to defend him to the
utmost of thy power against all enemies, and to stand by him to the
death?"

Selim answered, "I am."

"With what wilt thou seal thy promise?"

"With the blood of my right arm."

"And what wilt thou give him as a sign?"

"I will give him my gun."

"Art thou willing, further, to drink his blood, that his blood may pass
unto thee, that the bond of eternal brotherhood may be made strong and
euro?"

"I am."

"Then let it be done!" Simba said; and with that he made a small
incision in the arm of each, and as the blood began to flow, he shouted,
"Drink!" and immediately the youths seized each other's right arms, and
left their right hands free, and putting their lips to the wounds,
sucked a small quantity and swallowed it, and the ceremony was concluded
by a fraternal embrace. During the exchange of presents which followed,
men, wome