is plantation of bananas and plantains, his
plots of beans, yams, manioc, potatoes, ground-nuts, his slaves, spears,
shields, knives, paddles and canoes. When he had given up all, the
hearts of the people became softened towards him, and they forgave him
the rest.

After the elder's property had been equally divided among the sufferers
by the fire, the people gained new courage, and set about rebuilding
their homes, and before long they had a new village, and they had made
themselves as comfortable as ever.

Then King Masama made a law, a very severe law--to the effect that, in
future, no fire should be lit in the houses during the day or night; and
the people, who were now much alarmed about fire, with one heart agreed
to keep the law. But it was soon felt that the cure for the evil was as
cruel as the fire had been. For the houses had been thatched with green
banana-leaves, the timbers were green and wet with their sap, the floor
was damp and cold, the air was deadly, and the people began to suffer
from joint aches, and their knees were stiff, and the pains travelled
from one place to another through their bodies. The village was filled
with groaning.

Masama suffered more than all, for he was old. He shivered night and
day, and his teeth chattered sometimes so that he could not talk, and
after that his head would burn, and the hot sweat would pour from him,
so that he knew no rest.

Then the king gathered his chiefs and principal men together, and said:

"Oh, my people, this is unendurable, for life is with me now but one
continuous ague. Let us leave this country, for it is bewitched, and if
I stay longer there will be nothing left of me. Lo, my joints are
stiffened with my disease, and my muscles are withering. The only time
I feel a little ease is when I lie on the hot ashes without the house,
but when the rains fall I must needs withdraw indoors, and there I find
no comfort, for the mould spreads everywhere. Let us hence at once to
seek a warmer clime. Behold whence the sun issues daily in the morning,
hot and glowing; there, where his home is, must be warmth, and we shall
need no fire. What say you?"

Masama's words revived their drooping spirits. They looked towards the
sun as they saw him mount the sky, and felt his cheering glow on their
naked breasts and shoulders, and they cried with one accord: "Let us
hence, and seek the place whence he comes."

And the people got ready and piled their