le were very
poor, and that ten goats were at least eight too many, to say nothing
of a new sleeping mat and the copper wire; but Bukawai was adamant.
His medicine was very expensive and he would have to give at least five
goats to the gods who helped him make it. They were still arguing when
Momaya returned with the fire.

Bukawai placed a little on the ground before him, took a pinch of
powder from a pouch at his side and sprinkled it on the embers. A
cloud of smoke rose with a puff. Bukawai closed his eyes and rocked
back and forth. Then he made a few passes in the air and pretended to
swoon. Mbonga and the others were much impressed. Rabba Kega grew
nervous. He saw his reputation waning. There was some fire left in
the vessel which Momaya had brought. He seized the vessel, dropped a
handful of dry leaves into it while no one was watching and then
uttered a frightful scream which drew the attention of Bukawai's
audience to him. It also brought Bukawai quite miraculously out of his
swoon, but when the old witch-doctor saw the reason for the disturbance
he quickly relapsed into unconsciousness before anyone discovered his
FAUX PAS.

Rabba Kega, seeing that he had the attention of Mbonga, Ibeto, and
Momaya, blew suddenly into the vessel, with the result that the leaves
commenced to smolder, and smoke issued from the mouth of the
receptacle. Rabba Kega was careful to hold it so that none might see
the dry leaves. Their eyes opened wide at this remarkable
demonstration of the village witch-doctor's powers. The latter,
greatly elated, let himself out. He shouted, jumped up and down, and
made frightful grimaces; then he put his face close over the mouth of
the vessel and appeared to be communing with the spirits within.

It was while he was thus engaged that Bukawai came out of his trance,
his curiosity finally having gotten the better of him. No one was
paying him the slightest attention. He blinked his one eye angrily,
then he, too, let out a loud roar, and when he was sure that Mbonga had
turned toward him, he stiffened rigidly and made spasmodic movements
with his arms and legs.

"I see him!" he cried. "He is far away. The white devil-god did not
get him. He is alone and in great danger; but," he added, "if the ten
fat goats and the other things are paid to me quickly there is yet time
to save him."

Rabba Kega had paused to listen. Mbonga looked toward him. The chief
was in a quandary. He d