r creatures. You
will watch by day, and I will watch by night, and we may save them yet."

So time and time about these two sat on guard. They had no weapons, they
were alone in the midst of a drunken mob, and yet they had no fear, for
they trusted God and believed that He would take care of them.

Because they were there, Edem and his brother chiefs did not touch the
prisoners. Some days passed. Then one afternoon Ma saw little brown
objects lying on a stone. "Eser['e] beans!" she exclaimed in alarm. These
beans grow on a wild vine, and are very poisonous. She knew they were
to be crushed and put in water, and given to the prisoners with the idea
of finding out who was guilty of the death of Etim. Of course all who
drank the water would die, and the people would believe that justice had
been done. That was the only kind of justice they knew.

[Illustration: THE ESER['E] BEAN.]

Ma sought out the chiefs and told them they must not do this wicked
thing, and when they put her aside she followed them about and begged
and worried them until they became angry.

"Let us alone," they cried. "What does it matter? Your God will not let
the innocent die."

Their followers grew excited, and some of them lost control of
themselves and hustled Ma and threatened her.

"Make the dead live," they snarled, "and we shall give you the
prisoners."

Ma's reply was to sit down and look at them with stern eyes.

"I will not move from here," she said firmly, "until you set all these
poor people free."

It was night. Stealthy steps came into the yard. In the darkness Ma saw
two men take away one of the mothers. She looked at the woman going to
her death, and at the others, who pled with her to remain, for they
feared this was a trick to get her away. What should she do? Praying and
hoping that she was right, she ran after the mother, and was just in
time, for the woman was raising the poisoned water to her lips.

"Don't," cried Ma, and giving her a push she said, "Run." In an instant
both jumped into the bush and made for Ma's hut.

"Quick," Ma cried to Mr. Ovens, "hide this woman."

He drew her in and piled up boxes against the door, and Ma ran swiftly
back to the yard, where, to her joy, she found the other prisoners still
safe. The warriors had been so astonished at what she had done that they
had forgotten all about them.

Through more weary and exciting days the struggle went on. The chiefs at
last said gloomily, "We will