est magic, O daughter of the hut thatch?"
demanded Zalu Zako, stepping from the shelter of the tree.

"Ehh!" ejaculated Bakuma. "I--we do but tickle the fronds (jest), O Chief!"

The only sign of her nervousness was the slight swaying of the gourd of
water upon her head as she turned up her eyes to the young chief who
regarded her slowly. She edged away. He moved a pace in front of her. She
clutched at the amulet around her neck as she turned her eyes and said:

"The cooking fires are low, O Chief, and need be tended."

"Thy breasts are like unto small anthills," he said, "and thy belly is as
smooth as yonder river rock."

"Thy tongue is sweeter than the honey of the kinglan tree."

"Thy voice is softer than the muted lyre and thy nose is formed of two
petals of an orchid."

"Thy praise is more refreshing than the morning dew to a thirsty flower."

"And by thy figure am I made more drunken than by the wine of the Soka
palm."

For a full minute they stood, a study in light bronze against the dappled
green foliage. The shrill chatter of the other girls approaching startled
Bakuma into action. She swayed to one side.

"The spirits of the cooking pot cry aloud for me, O Chief."

"Who is thy father, little one?" he demanded.

"I am Bakuma, the daughter of Bakala, O Chief."

"There has been a veil before my eyes that I have not seen thee before."

"The mountains see not the tiny brooks amid the mighty forests," murmured
Bakuma and sped up the path.

Zalu Zako stood motionless watching her form melt into the green, and as
he turned towards the river he met Bayakala and the other women who shrank
aside from the path to allow the Son of the Snake to pass in silence. Yet
at the ford he paused. He had forgotten the omen of the banana eater and
the purpose for which he had come.

As Bakuma sped along in a gliding lope the amulet swayed rhythmically to
the whispered praises of the power of Marufa, mixed with ardent prayers to
the spirits to provide the fat goat with which to propitiate the spirit of
the woods; for had not the love charm already manifested its wondrous
power? As she hastened through the banana plantation she could not resist
diverging a little in the direction of the magician's hut. As she passed,
she saw him seated on the threshold of the compound gathering inspiration
from his favourite wall. But Marufa observed her demeanour, and being
something of a student of men, he deducted that the charm had