o inform
each other of their mutual passion. However that may be, King Uni,
surprised at the dislike which she manifested towards him, forbore
pressing her for the time, trustfully believing that her sentiments
would change for the better after a more intimate acquaintance with him.
Meantime he built for her a separate apartment, and palisaded its court
closely around with thick cane. His visits were paid to her on
alternate days, and each time he brought some gift of bead or
bark-cloth, or soft, furry hide, in the hope of winning her favour.

In time she discovered that she was pregnant, and, fearing King Uni's
wrath, she made a compact with him that if he would abstain from
visiting her for one month she would repay his kindness with all
affection. Uni gladly consented to this proposal, and confined his
attentions to sending his pages with daily greetings and gifts.
Meantime she endeavoured through her own servants to communicate with
Kalimera, her lover, but, though no effort on her part was wanting, she
could gain no news of him, except a report that soon after she had
entered the harem of Uni, Kalimera had disappeared.

In a few days she was delivered of a fine male child, but as she would
undoubtedly be slain by the king if the child was discovered, she
departed by night with it, and laid it, clad in fur adorned with fine
bead-work, at the bottom of a potter's pit. She then hastened to a
soothsayer in the neighbourhood, and bribed him to contrive in some way
to receive and rear her child until he could be claimed. Satisfied with
his assurance that the child would be safe, Wanyana returned to her
residence at the court in the same secret manner that she had left it.

Next morning Mugema, the potter, was seen passing the soothsayer's door,
and was hailed by the great witch-finder.

"Mugema," said he, "thy pots are now made of rotten clay. They are not
at all what they used to be. They now crumble in the hand. Tell me why
is this?"

"Ah, doctor, it is just that. I thought to bribe thee to tell me, only
I did not wish to disturb thee."

"It is well, Mugema; I will tell thee why. Thou hast an enemy who
wishes evil to thee, but I will defeat his projects. Haste thou to thy
pit, and whatever living thing thou findest there, keep it, and rear it
kindly. While it lives thou art safe from all harm."

Wondering at this news, Mugema departed from the soothsayer's house, and
proceeded to the pit where he ob