ief about the strange white Ma at Ekenge.

"Let her be sent for," said the chief. "Send swift runners to ask her to
come."

All day long the men hurried through the jungle along the narrow
paths. They went through many villages but they did not stop. At last
after eight hours, they came to the village of Ekenge.

"We are the men of Chief Okurike," said the men to Chief Edem. "Chief
Okurike is very sick. We want the white Ala who lives in your village to
come and heal him."

"She will say for herself what she will do," said Chief Edem. He sent a man
to tell Mary some men from Chief Okurike wanted to see her. Mary came at
once to see what was wanted.

"Ma," said the men, "Chief Okurike sent us. He is very sick. Come and bring
your magic medicines and make him well."

"What kind of sickness does your chief have?" asked Mary. "Maybe I can send
the medicine with you."

They shook their heads. They did not know what the sickness was.

"I must help," said Mary to herself. "If the chief dies, then according to
their heathen way the tribe will kill all his wives and slaves so he will
have company on the long trip to the spirit-world. I must go and teach them
about the Good Shepherd who is with us even in the valley of the shadow of
death. If the chief should die and the tribe think that it is because of
witchcraft it will be even worse. Many people will be killed because the
tribe will think they used witchcraft to kill the chief."

"I will go with you," said Mary.

"There are warriors out in the jungle and you will be killed. You must not
go," said Chief Edem.

"It is a long journey," said Ma Eme. "There are deep rivers to cross. It
is raining very hard. You will never get there."

"If Chief Okurike dies, there will be fighting and killing. You will be in
great danger," said Chief Edem. "Don't go."

Mary knew that if anything happened to her, Chief Edem would go to war
against the tribe of Chief Okurike, because she was his guest, and a chief
must protect his guest. Mary prayed to God about it. Then she said to
Chief Edem, "I am sure that God wants me to go. It will be a chance to tell
these people about Jesus who heals the soul-sickness. God will take care of
me."

"Well, Ma, I do not like it, but you may go if you wish. I will send women
with you to look after you. I will send men to protect you."

Early the next morning they started on the journey. It was raining
hard. After they had left Ekenge, it beg