r the head he burned the quick of the
nail, but not a muscle quivered. He would not even admit that the white
man's devil stick had bitten him. But he was still more impressed.

At a sign from Birnier, Mungongo brought from the tent a nickel-plated
revolver and cartridges, which he placed at the feet of Bakahenzie without
comment. Apparently Bakahenzie did not notice the action or the gift. He
held out the matches to return to the white man. Birnier requested him to
keep them. He wrapped up the box in his loin-cloth and fell to further
contemplation of the cases. He was cogitating. The value of this white had
suddenly increased. Evidently he could make small magic. Perhaps he could
make as much big magic as Eyes-in-the-hands. Who knew? But then if that
was so he could make greater magic than he, Bakahenzie, could. Bakahenzie
saw that if Moonspirit were such a great magician he would be difficult or
impossible to control. Naturally Bakahenzie could only understand his own
motives in others. His problem now was to discover some means by which he
could control Moonspirit, make of him a familiar to work to his own ends.
Why was he so insistent upon seeing Zalu Zako? Bakahenzie became more and
more suspicious. He saw another reason why the white man must be kept away
from Zalu Zako. To refuse to purify him would give a valid excuse that he
may not look upon the Son-of-the-Snake. But he did not wish to displease
him; also Marufa could perform the purification.

Again Birnier repeated the question regarding the overthrow of
Eyes-in-the-hands. Bakahenzie took snuff, regarded the revolver lying at
his feet idly, and deigned to reply.

"When that which must be hath come to pass, then shall the children of the
Snake eat up their enemies as a lizard eats flies."

"And what is that which must come to pass?"

Bakahenzie sat silent awhile, slightly shocked at the directness of the
question; then as if to humour the white man, he replied:

"When the Bridegroom hath taken the Bride."

The ceremony of purification could not take place until the following day,
because such things may not be hurried; and moreover, various potent
charms had to be sent for to the native village. Meanwhile Bakahenzie
squatted by the fire, contemplating the nickel-plated revolver and affairs
of policy, and opposite him sat the meditative Marufa.

From the hour of the monkey, Bakahenzie, unconscious of the small face and
anxious eyes watching the camp fr