occasional sparse
movement of snuff taking. In the steamy heat a continual mutter and rustle
persisted, punctuated by the harsh scream of a green parrot or the squawks
of a troop of monkeys. In the faintly spattered sunlight percolating
through the bowered roof vivid lizards rivalled in colour the rare finger
of an orchid clinging to the great tree beside the hut. Through the humid
air came the faint chant of carriers at the end of a journey; swelled
louder and ceased. At the mutter of greeting near by Marufa grunted.

"The beaten dog returns to nose in the garbage," he mumbled.

"Maybe he hath news of the doings," commented Zalu Zako after a pause.

"The young dog starts a buck in every tree stump," returned Marufa.

The mumble of voices in the hut of Yabolo near to Zalu Zako's continued.
Neither Zalu Zako nor Marufa knew other than that, after his downfall,
Sakamata had retired to his native village on the southern boundary where
the people, being laymen, had believed the excuse for his absence given by
Sakamata that he had retired to the forest for one moon in the guise of
his totem, the wart hog, which animal became accordingly tabu to their
killing for that period. At length came a young slave from Yabolo who,
after saluting, delivered a message from Yabolo requesting that Zalu Zako
receive him and his relative, Sakamata, who had weighty news for him.

Presently entered the recusant bearing signs of prosperity in the flowered
print about his loins, the ancient cartridge pouch slung around his waist
and a huge revolver of the pin-fire model dangling from a neck which
appeared more tortoise-like than ever. Before Zalu Zako he squatted and
after they had exchanged the usual hostages to hostility, Sakamata
inquired most politely after the health of the Son-of-the-Snake, of his
cattle and of his fortune, and last of all of his women. Sakamata, aware
of the loss of prestige suffered by his old enemy, Bakahenzie, presented
Zalu Zako with a duplicate of the pin-fire revolver. Followed an equally
extensive greeting to Marufa. Only when these ceremonies had been
punctiliously performed did they begin to discuss the news.

At first Sakamata proceeded to repeat the popular saying regarding the
doings of Eyes-in-the-hands. Various chiefs had visited the fort of the
white man bringing presents in their hands, terrified of what might
happen, yet, according to Sakamata, their fears had been dispelled
immediately; for the wise