ide, Simba, far be it from Abdullah, son of
Sheikh Mohammed, to say thou hast done wrong in this fearful thing. I
think thou hast done right," answered Abdullah gravely.

"Then, if the Kuran says so, I, Selim, son of Amer, am convinced thou
hast done right," said Selim, as he hastened up, and, with an apologetic
look, begged Simba's pardon.

"I, Niani, the mtuma (slave) of Selim, the son of Amer, do pronounce
that Simba did right," cried the little negro, with an assurance which
made all smile, and for a moment forget their previous mood.

"But what art thou going to do with the head, Keklu?" asked Selim.

"I am going to take medicine from it," replied Kalulu, "to make my arm
strong against Ferodia, when we get to the camp," folding it up in the
cloth again as he spoke.

"Ah, don't, Kalulu, for my sake," pleaded Selim with earnest eyes;
"don't, it is bad; only the lowest and most degraded do that. Cast the
ugly thing away, and let it be food for the fowls of the air and the
beasts of prey."

"It has been the custom of the Watuta to do such things, and if I do not
do it Kalulu will never be king," replied the young chief, resolutely
moving forward.

"It has been the custom of the Warundi too, and of all the tribes around
here that I have met," said Simba. "Let Kalulu do as he will with it,
young master."

"But thou art a Moslem, Simba; thou art not a Mrundi infidel now;" urged
Selim, whose feelings revolted at such a degraded idea.

"Ay, I am a Moslem in name, but a Mrundi in heart, master; and when I
think of all that Tifum the Wicked has done, and would have done, I
myself should like to take medicine from it," replied Simba, with a
vengeful look.

"But Simba," said Abdullah, "the Kuran says we `_are forbidden to eat
that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine's flesh, and that on
which the name of any beside God hath been invoked, and that which hath
been strangled_.'"

"Al Forkan" (the Kuran) "is a holy book, Simba, that may not be
disregarded, and he that turneth his back to it shall surely perish,"
added Selim.

"I am not going to eat Tifum's head; the Warundi do not eat men. They
only take medicine from them; but if the good book says it is wicked, I
give you my word I shall not do it," responded Simba. "But let us
march, we have no time to talk," and setting the example, by vigorous
strides, he induced the little party to strain themselves to keep up
with him; and from this time until su