e and after him he adopted
a policy of "wait and see." To provide an exciting distraction to keep his
constituents amused and from thinking too much, he borrowed another
political tactic of abusing some one vigorously. He called a meeting of
the faculty and the warriors. There he solemnly denounced MYalu as a
traitor and accused him of the crime of having abducted the Bride of the
Banana, and consequently as the cause of the continuance of the
misfortunes of the tribe.

The move was successful, inasmuch that it afforded discussion and absorbed
wrath for two whole days. Various chiefs proposed as many plans. But none
was taken. Everybody was discontented and quarrelsome, as fearful of
Eyes-in-the-hands as he was of his tribal god; many were impressed by the
propaganda of Sakamata and Yabolo and the impunity with which Yabolo and
Sakamata and company had quietly gone over to the enemy. Meanwhile
Bakahenzie squatted in oracular silence, murmuring incantations that were
prayers to the Unmentionable One interlarded with promises of the things
he would accomplish for the said Deity, with solemnity and sincerity, for
he felt that the result of Marufa's intrigue with the magician Moonspirit
would mature very shortly. What that would be he had no notion; only he
strained every nerve to be alert when the crisis came to snatch from
Marufa the advantage that wily old man had gained.

On the third day two more chiefs followed in the wake of Yabolo.
Bakahenzie made no comment, but he realised that before long, unless the
unknown happened, he would be unable to retain any of his followers;
realised that his one chance lay in procrastination. In his despair he
began to contemplate an alliance with Marufa, even if he had to take a
subordinate role--which would at any rate give him his only ally, time, to
help checkmate his colleague.

On the next day yet another chief and his men departed. Bakahenzie knew
that they were like a herd of goats and that to stop the stampede he must
adopt desperate measures. To quell the restlessness which murmured
ominously throughout the camp he called another meeting as soon as the
news had come of the last desertion. While the drum tapped out the summons
Bakahenzie sat muttering his most impressive spells alone, endeavouring to
discover a plausible excuse for some sort of excitement to distract the
public mind.

Slowly and sulkily the remainder of the brethren of the craft and those
lay chiefs that w