Zu Pfeiffer had fairly precise information from spies of the
movements of the Wongolo since the return of Sergeant Ludwig, who had
burned the village of Yagonyana, but shortage of men and the serious
disadvantage of traversing and fighting in the forest had prevented him
from sending another punitive expedition. Also had he heard of a white man
who had passed through the country. Sakamata, native-like, eager to
placate, asserted that he had actually seen the white man who was called
Moonspirit, and from the same motive, ever wishing to flatter, announced
positively that he had no magic at all, was dark and small and a trader,
the only kind of white man other than the military at Ingonya of whom
Sakamata had ever seen.

Zu Pfeiffer stroked his left moustache and reflected. He had at first
thought that the man might possibly be Saunders, a trader who was in his
pay, but now decided that he was probably some new trader or hunter from
the Tanganyika district. He instructed Sakamata that he was to send a
messenger to this white man and command him to come to him immediately.
Then waving the imperious jewelled hand, he dismissed them. But noticing
the sullen countenance of MYalu, he drew Sergeant Schultz's attention,
ordering him to mark the man and if the tax was not forthcoming quickly,
to have him given fifty lashes. Silently Schultz saluted.

So it was that MYalu, sulky, smouldering with anger against Sakamata, for
he felt that he had been betrayed into a trap, followed Yabolo out into
the sun. Not only had he not gotten back his ivory left in the village,
but he was ordered to pay much more than he actually possessed.

But when he had descended the hill to the guest house he came to the
weeping and wailing of his people, who informed him that Bakuma had been
taken away by three of the demon keepers of the coughing monsters.

CHAPTER 23

Upon the site of Birnier's old camp in the forest was a high palisade
built from tree to tree. Inside of the gate beside a small conical hut
burned the sacred fires tended by Mungongo; before a green canvas tent
stood the new idol, which differed from the original in having a better
perspective and proportion of features and body, yet lacked the master
touch of expression given by the subconscious fingers of the native
artist.

Against the wall were stacked uniform cases to make a table, upon which
were a hand-mirror and toilet articles; abov