In Search of the Okapi - A Story of Adventure in Central Africa by Ernest Glanville
page 49 of 421 (11%)
page 49 of 421 (11%)
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recover his arrow. And your quiver is empty.' So Muata returned
and recovered his arrows, for the men lay where they fell, the living having gone into the kraals in fear. "So Muata and the chiefs wife went slowly back to the place of hiding. And because Muata had slain the man-ape and the robbers-- they who slay children--the chief's wife sought out the headmen, and spoke: 'Oh, listen! This is Muata, the son of a chief. He has slain the man-ape, and for each arrow that was in his quiver a man-robber. It is fit that he be your chief.' But they laughed, and the chiefs wife held her peace. "And again, after the crops were gathered, Muata went again on the war-trail alone--went to the river, followed it down the bank, and the little people led him to a kraal in the wood by the river bank-- a kraal with a high fence, the kraal of the yellow men-robbers. Muata dived beneath the fence with a short spear in his hand. With his spear he slew the man who watched by the gate, opened the gate, and put fire to the huts. The yellow men ran, some into the forest, and there the little people found them; others fled into a canoe to cross; Muata swam after, and with his spear ripped open the bottom, so that it filled and sank. "And again, when the place of hiding was reached, the chief's wife sought out the headmen and spoke, saying that Muata was a chief's son. They put her aside with words, saying there was no proof of this last thing he had done. But Muata whistled, and the little people came forward, saying the chiefs son had destroyed the kraal of the evil-doers. Then the headmen took counsel, and again put the chief's wife off. |
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