er cult of five suggested
that the attack be made at dawn; but Bakahenzie, still baited by
uncertainty regarding the reality of the magic of Moonspirit and the
possible influence of Zalu Zako now that he had apparently developed a
will of his own before they could shut him up in the godhead, was for
immediate action, and insisted that they call together the warriors and
make special magic to protect them from the forest demons. Yabolo, as
anxious as Bakahenzie, became his ally in urging that this be done. But
Marufa was not at all of this way of thinking. While the fate of Zalu Zako
was quite immaterial, his attitude to Moonspirit was much the same as the
young man's, but prompted by a different motive; a power possible to
utilize for his benefit. But he said no word, listening indifferently
apparently to the throbbing of the drums summoning the warriors. When the
inner circle broke up he stalked solemnly to his own hut, but when he was
within he took from a gourd a special amulet, slipped through a hole in
the palisade behind the hut, and disappeared into the forest.

CHAPTER 18

Meanwhile the object of Bakahenzie's political perplexities was also
holding a council of war. Mungongo and Bakuma were divided in opinion. The
former had recovered his complete confidence in Moonspirit. After the
repulse of the greatest magician and his warriors he became filled with a
martial ardour and strongly advocated advancing upon the village
immediately. Birnier smiled and considered. As a matter of fact the plan
was not so utterly insane as it appeared. Did he follow up swiftly upon
the heels of the terror-stricken warriors the probability was that the
whole camp would be infected by the spirit of panic and bolt. However, he
could not see any object to be attained by stampeding the village.
Mungongo, ever eager for a miracle, urged that Moonspirit should take upon
him the spirit form and descend upon them at night. To his disgust
Moonspirit refused, so Mungongo retired to the fire and consoled himself
by another vivid description of the powers of his master--growing every
day!--to Bakuma, who sat and listened dully with ever an anxious eye and
ear upon the forest trail.

Bakuma was obsessed by terror inspired by the fact that Bakahenzie had
discovered her presence; the inherent awe of the witch-doctor which had
been temporarily allayed by the presence of the white, was revived, as
well as t