Chapter VIII: Part 8

So he came back to his mother. She rejoiced; and, not knowing that he was cured, she cooked a very large and unusually varied quantity of food, for his unusual hunger, two whole bunches of plantains, and eddoes, and potatoes, and yams, etc. Of this he ate only a little, sufficient for an ordinary hunger. As he had not yet told her of his being cured, she cried out in surprise, "What is this? My son will die, for not eating!" And she asked him, "What is the matter?" He replied, "No, I have eaten, and am satisfied. And, mother, this bundle is what I was cured of." Then he told her of what that old woman had done.

On another day, that great Elephant that had remained in the forest, came and began to eat in the garden. The son said, "Mother! what shall I do? I thought I had killed all the elephants. I did not know there was this great big one left!" (Nor did he just then know there were left a very great many more.)

Taking his Spear, he hurled it, and wounded the elephant. It did not fall, but went away with the Spear in its side. The man followed, followed, followed, pursuing the elephant, not, as the other animals had gone, into the forest, but away toward the sea; and it died on the sea beach. There the man found it and his Spear.

The Sea was new to him; he had not seen it since his childhood. He climbed up on the elephant's body, in order to see all around. As he turned his eyes seaward, he saw a ship coming on the horizon. Also, the people on this ship were looking landward, and they said, "There is something standing on the shore like a person. Let the vessel go there, and see what is ashore."

So, the ship anchored, and a surf-boat was launched into the water to go ashore. When the crew landed, they saw the carcass of the elephant, and a person standing with a spear who warned them, "Do not approach near to me!" But they replied, "We do not want you, nor will we hurt you. But we want these tusks of ivory of this elephant. We want elephants." Wondering at this wish, he cut out the tusks, and gave them to the strangers, adding, "Off in the Forest are very, very many more tusks, more than I can number. You seem to like them; but they are of no use to me." They earnestly said, "But, bring them, bring them! We will buy them of you with abundance of goods." He agreed, and promised, "I am going now; but, let your ship wait, and I will bring all of those things as many as it is possible for me to carry."

So, he went back to his mother; and he and she carried many, many tusks. They filled the ship full; and the crew of the ship sent ashore an immense quantity of goods. When the vessel went away, it left ashore two carpenters, with direction to build a fine house, and have it completed before the vessel should come again.

The man remained there awhile with the carpenters, after the ship had gone.

One day, looking, on a journey down the coast, at a point of land, he was surprised to recognize his father's town, where he and his mother had lived in his childhood. He said to himself, "That's my father's town! I want them to come to me, and live at my town!" He sent word to them; they removed, and all of them came to live with him. And he married one of their young women. (In the meanwhile, he had brought his mother from the forest.)

While he was living at his new home, one day looking seaward, he saw the promised ship coming to get more ivory, and to give more goods. And he went off to the vessel.

Among the women who were still living of his father's people who had known him as a child, was the one who had given him the evil "medicine" long ago; her object in giving it having been to kill him. After he had gone off to the vessel, this woman came to his wife's home, and, seeing the Spear hanging tied from the roof, said, "What is that Thing tied there?" His wife replied, "It is a kind of "medicine" of my husband's. It must not be touched." But the woman said, "I know that Thing; and what it does." Then she seized it, and put into it its handle the man had removed. She hurled the Spear out to sea, and it went on and on, passing over the ship. The man sitting in the saloon, said to the crew, as he recognized the Spear in its flight, "I saw something pass over the ship!" He went up on deck, and called after it, "My Spear! come back! come! come! come back!" And he told all the people of the vessel to go below lest they should be injured. The Spear turned and came back to him; and he took possession of it. Then said he to the crew, "Come! escort me ashore!" They landed him ashore, and waited to see what he intended doing.

He called all his father's family, and asked, "Why is it that you have tried to kill me today with this Spear! For this, I will this day kill all of you." He summoned all the people to come together. When they had come, he had his mother bring out that tumor bundle, and said, "This is the thing of long ago with which that woman (pointing to the one who in childhood had given him the evil disease) tried to injure me. And, for the same reason, she threw the Spear today; thus trying a second time to kill me. None of you have rebuked her. So, I shall kill you all as her associates."

Though they were of his father's family, he attacked and killed them all. The whole town died that day, excepting himself, his wife, his mother, and his sister. These four, not liking to remain at that evil place, went off and took passage on the ship.

So, he journeyed, and came to the country of the white people at Manga-Manene; and never returned to Africa. But, he kept up a trade in Ivory with his native country. But for him, that trade would not have been begun. For, besides his having brought the first elephant to the sea coast, he told the people of Manga-Manene beyond the Great Sea, about the tribes of people, and about the elephants that were so abundant, in Africa. And that is all.

TALE 24

ORIGIN OF THE IVORY TRADE (2nd Version)

Persons

King Njambu, and His Four Wives
Ngwe-Konde (Mother-of-Queens)
Ngwe-Lege (Mother-of-Poverty)
Ivenga (Watching); Ngwe-Sape (Mother of a Lock)
Njambu's Son, Savulaka (Gluttony)
The Spirit of an Uncle; Mekuku (Spirits of the Dead)
A Magic Spear; A Great Elephant (A Metamorphosed Man)
Birds, and Other Beasts

Njambu built a town; and married four women. This one, Ngwe-Konde, that one Ngwe-Lege, another one Ivenga, another Ngwe-Sape.

After Njambu had lived there a short time all his wives were about to become mothers. Then Ngwe-konde took a net, and (by Magic Art) threw it into the womb of Ngwe-lege. The net entered the belly of her child.

At the time of their confinement, they all gave birth. The infants were washed. They were dressed also, and were given suck. Also, they were assigned their names. That of Ngwe-lege's was Savulaka. When he was given the breast, he was not satisfied, he was only crying and crying; for, whoever held him, there were only cries and cries. When his mother would nurse him, there was only crying. His father said, "If it is like this, then, lest he die, feed him the food of adults."

His mother cut down a plantain bunch; she boiled it; it was cooked. The child ate, and finished the plantains; and yet it was crying and crying. They cut down another bunch; it was boiled, it was cooked. At only one eating, he finished the food, with cries in his mouth. Two more bunches were boiled; he ate. All at once, though born only that day, he spoke, "My mother! Hunger!" Four bunches were cut down; they were cooked; he ate, and finished them, but with crying.

Then he was cooked for ten times; he ate; and at once finished. The people cooked, and he ate. The plantains of his father's town were all cleared off, the entire town was left like a prairie. The father spoke to the mother, and said, "No! go away with him to your father's town."

Ngwe-lege picked up her child, carrying him away. She with the child went on, to the town of her father.

Her father asked her, "My child! wherefore the crying, and your carrying the infant?" She replied, "My father! I know not! This one whom you see, since he was born, is not filled. He has made an end to all the plantains of his father's town, leaving the town a prairie. And his father said to me, 'Just go and take him to your father's.' So, I have brought him."

The towns-people all were laughing, "Kye! kye! kye!" They said, "What? Really, food? No! it's something else, not food. But, enter into the house." She says, "You are talking foolishly." The child began to cry. They said, "Let us see!"

Then, at once, they began to cook; the food is ready; he eats; and finishes it. Other food was placed; he ate it at once. Food was cooked again. At once, all of it, and the dishes, and the jars, and the plates, were swallowed up by him. Food is cooked again, and he ate; and then said, "My mother! Hunger!" Food is cooked again; he ate until he finished all the pots. All the food of the town, and all the gardens were done.

Her father spoke to her saying, "My child! Just carry him to the town of your grandfather."

She then carried the child, still crying with hunger, and made her journey, and came to her grandfather's town.

The people there said, "What is it; for the crying?" She told all the whole affair to them. They inquired, "Food?" She replied, "Yes." They cooked, and he ate, and finished. They cooked again; and he finished all, even to the leaves in which the food was wrapped. They said, "Such a kind of child has never been born before!"

Suddenly, the child Savulaka ceased to be a child; and, as a man, said to his mother, "My mother! Wash me some mekima (rolls of mashed boiled plantains)." So, his mother made the mekima.

In the morning, very early, Savulaka starts on a journey. He went stepping very quickly, on, still with his journey; and, as he went, he talked to himself. He said, "This thing which has been done to me, now, what is it?" He still went on with the journey, until, at night, he lay down in the forest. Early in the morning, he starts again for his journey. As he was going in the forest he met with a Person (a brother of his mother, who belonged to a town of the Mekuku). This Person inquired, "Where are you going to?" (Savulaka was still eating the mekima, even its leaves going into his mouth.) This Person also said to him, "Stop at once!" Then he stood still.

The Person said, "I, your Uncle, the brother of your mother, am the one who is inquiring of you." Savulaka answered him, saying, "I'm not able to tell you." But presently he did tell all the matter to him. So, the Uncle said to him, "Come, to my town."

Then both of them returned on the path. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, they are at the town. The Uncle said, "My child, you are cured!" He put for him a medicine in a syringe, and gave him an injection. When he withdrew the syringe, here, at once, a net began to come out quick as ever it could move from the bowels! Then his Uncle spoke and told him, "It is thy father's wife who put the net into your bowels."

Food was cooked for him; he began to eat a little as people usually eat. His Uncle said unto him, "You shall go tomorrow."

On the morrow, early in the morning, his Uncle took all kinds and sorts of vegetables; and he took also a Spear; and malagetta pepper ("Guinea-grains," a species of cardomom), and handed them to him; and told him, "When you reach home, you must plant a garden."

The Uncle said to him, "Close your eyes!" He closed his eyes tight. On opening his eyes, he at once found himself near his home, and his mother on the path, her form bent stooping down seeking for him. He then entered their house, and sat down, and his mother greeted him to her satisfaction.

The mother took food, and boiled it; it was cooked; she removed it from the fire; she sat the food before Savulaka. And he ate only two fingers of plantains. His mother began to wonder.

Then he said to himself, "Now, let me try to do as my Uncle has told me." He said, "Ngalo! (a fetish charm) I want this forest here to be cleared, all of it." (As quickly as I speak here, at once the garden was finished, like the passing of yesterday.) He said to his mother, "Take a list of all the plants I have brought; then let us go and plant them." So, he and his mother went to plant; that very day the garden was completely finished.

Previously to that, his Uncle had warned him, "When the plants are sprung up, you will see Kenene (a kind of small bird) coming to eat them. When they shall arrive, they will be many. Then you take the Spear; fail not to use the cardomoms with it."

The food increased; and the small birds came in countless numbers. Savulaka took up the Spear, and threw it at them; and all, even to the young birds, perished. Then he returned to his mother, and said, "My mother! go and pick up the sele" (another name of kenene). She gathered them; leaving many remaining abandoned in the forest. The village was filled with the sele.

The same thing happened with all other kinds of birds. The same with every Beast.

Then Elephants came to the garden. The man picked up the Spear and the cardomoms. When he came to the garden, he lifted up the Spear, and threw it, and wounded the Elephants. Numbers of Elephants that were eating in the garden, were killed. They were gathered, and the whole village was filled with the smell of the rotting meat; so that hardly any one would come to the village. I am not able to tell you the abundance of tusks; the mendanda (long ones), and the makubu (short thick ones), and the begege ("scrivillers," the small ones), that cannot be counted.

The next morning, other elephants came again. The man took up the Spear, but he forgot the cardomom-pepper. When he arrived where they were, he did not wait, but hastily threw the Spear after an elephant, the leader of the herd, who turned aside, and ran away with the Spear in its body. The man followed him, but he did not reach him. Then he returned to his mother; and said to her, "My mother! mash me some mekima." (Food for a journey.)

In the next morning, the man started on the journey, stepping quickly as ever, until he came to his Uncle's town. He was about to pass his Uncle by, not seeing him (a Spirit). The Uncle said to him, "Stand there!" So he stood. The Uncle directed, "Enter the house!" He entered, and sat down; and his Uncle said to him, "Did I not tell you that when you are going to kill an animal, you must not omit the pepper-grains? Sit down there; wait. Don't you go out. I must go and take for you your Spear."

But, lo! it was the Chief of that very town, whom he had wounded, and who had come back to the town, and died. (That chief had metamorphosed himself into the form of an elephant.) The uncle passed out, and went to the other end of the town; and there he found the Spear. He took it, and gave it to Savulaka, and said, "Go!" Savulaka went; and met his mother on the way, waiting for him. Then they went home to their village.

Next morning, he fastened the Spear handle. Elephants in the plantation shouted, "We have come!" The man stood up, and snatched his Spear. The Elephants stood waiting. The man said, "Here it is!" and flung it at them. And the carcasses of all fell in a heap. He said to the people of the village, "Go ye!" They went, and found dead bodies without number; the tusks the same, without number.

After that, White-Man came with a quantity of goods. The Town of Savulaka was crowded with goods in abundance; every kind of foreign article. White men came to see Ivory. The sailing-vessels and steamers came any day (not only on scheduled dates). Thus it was that Ivory was exported, and goods imported. Business of Trading was made. Savulaka had a great many traders. All his father's brothers, and mother's brothers, all their dwelling was in the town of Savulaka. Rum was drunk constantly, and they were constantly intoxicated. Ivory went to White Man's Land. White men's things came, and were sent up to the Interior.

This Trade is going on to the present days. It was a man who commenced with the thought of Trading; it was commenced by that one man. All the African tribes are now changed from what they were originally.

At first we negroes had no (proper) knowledge. They spoke with wonder over the things that are made in Europe by white men. They said, "These are made by the Spirits of the dead; they are not made by the living." Because our people believed that the departed spirits have their home beyond the Sea. Why? Because Savulaka brought his wonderful Spear (by which so much ivory was obtained) from the Spirit-Town.

TALE 25

DOG AND HIS FALSE FRIEND LEOPARD

Persons

Mbwa (Dog)
Ngiya (Gorilla)
Njâ (Leopard)

NOTE

The origin of the hatred between dogs and leopards. Friends should not have arguments. An argument separates a company.

Dog and Leopard built a town. Dog then begot very many children. Leopard begot his many also. They had one table together. They conversed, they hunted, they ate, they drank.

One day, they were arguing: Leopard said, "If I hide myself, you are not able to see me." Dog replied, "There is no place in which you can hide where I cannot see you."

The next day, at the break of the day, Leopard emerged from his house at Batanga, and he went north as far as from there to Bahabane near Plantation. Dog, in the next morning, emerged. He asked, "Where is chum Njâ?" The women and children answered, "We do not know." Dog also started, and went: and as he went, smelling, until he arrived at Plantation (about 15 miles). He came and stood under the tree up which Leopard was hidden; and he said, "Is not this you?"

Both of them returned, and came to their town. Food had been prepared; and they ate. Leopard said, "Chum! you will not see me here tomorrow." When the next day began to break, Leopard started southward, as far as to Lolabe (about 15 miles). Next day, in the morning, Dog stood out in the street, lifted up his nose, and smelled. He also went down southward, clear on till he came to Lolabe; and standing at the foot of a tree, he said, "Is not this you?"

Leopard came down from the top of the tree; they stood; and then they returned to their town. Food was cooked for them; they ate, and finished.

Leopard said, "Chum! you will not see me tomorrow again, no matter what may take place." Dog asked, "True?" Leopard replied, "Yes!"

In the morning, Leopard started southward, for a distance like from Batanga to Campo River (about 40 miles).

At the opening of the next day, Dog emerged, and, standing and smelling, he said, looking toward the south, "He went this way." Dog also went to Campo. He reached Leopard, and said, "Is not this you?"

They came back to their town; they were made food; and they ate.

The next day, Leopard emerged early. He went northward, as far as from Batanga to Lokonje (about 40 miles). Dog sniffed the air, and followed north also. In a steady race, he was soon there; and he reached Leopard. So, Leopard said, "It is useless, I will not attempt to hide myself again from Mbwa."

Thereupon, Dog spoke to Leopard and said, "It is I, whom, if I hide myself from you, you will not see." Leopard replied, "What! even if you were able to find me, how much more should I be able to find you!" So, Dog said to him, "Wait, till daybreak."

When the next day broke, Dog passed from his house like a flash unseen, vyu! to Leopard's. And, underneath the bed of Leopard in his public Reception-house, he lay down. Then Leopard (who had not seen him) came to the house of Dog; he asked the women, "Where is Mbwa?" They said, "Thy friend, long ago, has gone out hence, very early." Leopard returned to his house, and he said to his children, "That fellow! if I catch him! I do not know what I shall do to him!"

He started southward on the journey, as far as Lolabe; and did not see Dog. So he returned northward a few miles, as far as Boje, and did not see him. Down again south to Campo; and he did not see him. That first day, he did not find him at all. Then he returned toward Batanga, and went eastward to Nkâmakâk (about 60 miles); and he did not see him. He went on northward to Ebaluwa (about 60 miles); did not see him. Up north-west to Lokonje; he did not see him. And Leopard, wearied, went back to his town.

Coming to the bed (not knowing Dog was there) he lay down very tired. He said to his people, "If I had met him today, then you would be eating a good meat now." All these words were said in the ears of Dog, the while that Dog was underneath the bed.

Then Dog leaped out, pwa! Leopard asked, "Where have you been?" Dog answered, "I saw you when you first passed out." Leopard said, "True?" And Dog says, "Yes!"

Then Dog went out far to his end of the town. And, knowing that Leopard intended evil toward him, he said to his children, "Let us go and dig a pit." So they went and dug a pit in the middle of the road.

Then Dog told his wives and children, "Go ye before, at once!" He also said, "I and this little Mbwa, which can run so fast, we shall remain behind." Then the others went on in advance.

(Before that, Leopard, observing some movements of the Mbwa family, had been speaking to himself, "I do not know the place where Mbwa and his children will go today.")

Dog warned this young one, "When you are pursued, you must jump clear across that pit."

Then Dog, to cover the retreat of his family, came alone to Leopard's end of the town. He and his children chased after him. Dog ran away rapidly, and escaped.

When Leopard's company arrived at the house of Dog, they found there only that little dog. So they said, "Come ye! for there is no other choice than that we catch and eat this little thing."

Thereupon, Leopard chased after the little dog; but it leaped away rapidly, and Leopard after him. When the little Dog was near the pit, it made a jump. (Leopard did not know of the pit, nor why the Dog jumped.) When Leopard was come to the pit, he fell inside, tumbling, volom!

His enemy Gorilla was following after Leopard, also in pursuit of Dog. He also fell into the pit, headlong, volom! Finding Leopard there, Gorilla said, "What is this?" Leopard stood at one side, and Gorilla at the other. When the one would be about to go near the other, if the other attempted to go near him, he would begin to growl, saying, "You must not approach here!"

Dog, standing at the edge above, was laughing at them, saying, "Fight ye your own fight! Did you want only me?"

But Leopard and Gorilla were not fighting in the pit. If the one approached, the other retreated.

Dog spoke to them and said in derision. "I have no strength; but as to your fight, was it seeking only me?"

TALE 26

A TRICK FOR VENGEANCE

Persons

Kudu (Tortoise)
Ko (Wild-Rat)
Njâ (Leopard)

NOTE

Because of deaths and sicknesses, African natives are constantly changing the location of their villages, believing the old sites infested by malevolent Spirits.

The whole mass of Beasts were living in one place. They built houses; they cleared the forest for plantations.

After this, Tortoise said, "I'm going to find my own place." So, he went and built in a place which he called Malende-ma-Kudu. The fame of it was spread abroad, people talking about "Malende-ma-Kudu." Leopard arose, came to the town of Tortoise, and said, "I have come to build here." Tortoise consented, "You may build." Leopard said, "I'm going to build at the end of the path, and by the spring." And he built there.

One day, a child of Tortoise was passing by near the spring; and Leopard seized him, ku!

Another day, another one was passing; Leopard seized him, also, ku!

Then Tortoise said, "This is an evil place, I'm going to move from here." So he went and built another town called Jamba. Leopard came also, saying, "Kudu! I'm coming to build!" Then Tortoise said, "Really! what have your affairs to do with me? Nevertheless, come and build." And Leopard built at the end, by the spring.

When the children of Tortoise were passing by the spring, Leopard constantly killed them.

Tortoise wondered, "This thing which is destroying my children, what is it?"

Thus day by day, Leopard was killing the children of Tortoise.

Tortoise prepared again to remove, saying that he would go away and build another town to be called Dang. He went there. And the fame of it was spread around, people saying, "Dang, the town of Kudu!" Everybody was saying, "We are going to the town of Kudu; Dang, the town of Kudu!"

Leopard comes again, and says, "I also have come to build here." Tortoise said to him, "Wait! really; why did you leave the other people?" However, Tortoise said to him, "Build." And Leopard built as usual. Also, when the children of Tortoise were passing to the spring, they were missing. And Tortoise felt sure that Leopard had seized them.

Thereupon Tortoise made a plan for himself. He called Wild-Rat privately, saying, "I have heard that you know how to dig holes." Wild-Rat replied, "It is my work." Tortoise said, "But, I want you to dig me a tunnel from this room here, out to, and up towards the street, by measure." So, Wild-Rat dug a big hole, in size sufficient for Tortoise and his traveling-bag and his spears.

Then Tortoise went and gathered together his spears and his traveling-bag. He went out the next day, early in the morning, and stood and announced in the street, "All the Tribes must come! I want to tell them the news of what I have seen."

Then all the Beasts came to meet in the town of Tortoise. It was full of every kind of beast. Tortoise spoke, and said, "I have called you to say, that really we are not worth anything at all. Actually, the only dwelling we have is in the grave. All those my children who have died here, is it possible that it is my Father (of Spirits) who takes them? I met them sitting down in the Reception-House of that father, playing." The people said to him, "This is a Dream." He replied, "No! it is open to sight." Some said, "It is a lie." But Tortoise said, "You have doubted me? Well, tomorrow you must dig me a grave; and you shall see how I am going." They said, "Yes! let us see!"

On the next day, in the morning, they were called together. He said, "Dig me a pit here." (He pointed to the privately measured spot over the tunnel which Wild-Rat had already made for him.) They dug it wide and deeply. Then, this Tortoise took his spears and his bag; and with these under his arm, he descended into the pit, and bade the people fill in the earth. He went to one side, until he reached and entered that tunnel of his which Wild-Rat had dug for him. And unseen he passed up to his room in his house, and lay down. Before that, he had promised the people, saying, "I shall lie there (in the pit) for six days."

Before Tortoise had disappeared, the people (following his orders) began to throw back the earth into the pit, filling it solidly.

After Tortoise had laid in his house for six days, he suddenly appeared in the street; and he called all the mass of the Beasts, and he told them the news. He said, "Over there is so beautiful! I will not stay in this town any more for as long as ten days. But, as I am here, I shall lie here only for three days, and two days over there." At once Tortoise was regarded as a person of great importance, and his fame was spread abroad.

Thereupon, Leopard, (feeling jealous of the wonderful experience of Tortoise) said to his children, "Even Kudu! How much rather that I should get to that beautiful place! Dig me mine own pit. I also am going to see my forefathers. I and they, we have not seen each other for a long time." So, they dug a big pit. He announced, "I will lie there for seven days; on the eighth, then I shall come."

Then he descended into the pit. And they rapidly filled it up with earth. Leopard, below, sought a cavity by which to pass on (as he thought) to the Land of Spirits; but, there was none. And he died.

His children waited eight days; but they saw not their father. Then they asked Tortoise, "As to our father, up to this day, what has happened to him?" Tortoise answered them, "Why are you asking me this? When I went, what did my family ask of you? Maybe, your father remained to follow the pleasures of over there!"

The women of Leopard had kept him some food, making it ready for him for the eighth day. But (giving up hope of him) they ate it. While they were still waiting, actually Leopard had begun to rot there (in the pit).

Tortoise, fearing possible difficulty, gathered together his wives and remaining children, and fled with them into the forest afar off.

TALE 27

NOT MY FAULT!

Persons

Yongolokodi (Chameleon)
Ko (Wild Rat)
Men, Hunters

Chameleon and all the other Beasts built their villages near together, making a large town. And there was a time of great hunger. After that, there came a harvest time of large fruitage. The great produce could not be gathered for abundance.

Then came Chameleon to the village of Wild-Rat, and he said to him, "Chum, Ko! this harvest is a great thing!" Rat said, "Don't speak about it!"

Not long afterward, Mankind laid their snares, and the hunters prepared their bows. For, beasts and birds had come in crowds to eat of the abundance; and Man had overhead them speaking of it. Gunners came; the shots resounded; bows were twanged; the snares caught.

Rat fell into one of the traps. Chameleon seeing him, and desiring to justify himself, reminded Rat that Rat himself had told him not to let others know of the great abundance, and that he himself had obeyed; that therefore he was not the cause of Rat's misfortune. So, Chameleon said, "I did not speak of it."

TALE 28

DO NOT IMPOSE ON THE WEAK

Persons

Yongolokodi (Chameleon)
Njâ (Leopard)

NOTE

Chameleons move very slowly. This story is given as a reason why, even if one is small in body, he should not be despised, as though he had no strength, or as though he could with impunity be deprived of his rights, e.g., in a race or in wrestling, or in any other circumstances.

Leopard and Chameleon lived apart. This one had his village, and that one his. This one did his own business; that one his. And they were resting quietly in their abodes.

Chameleon had a herd of sheep and of goats.

Leopard came to the village of Chameleon on an excursion; and he saw the herd of sheep and of goats. He said to Chameleon, "Chum! give me a loan of sheep to raise on shares." Chameleon made food for him; and, when they had eaten, he said to Leopard, "You can send children tomorrow, to come and take the loan of sheep on shares." They had their conversation, talking, and talking. When they had ended, Leopard said, "My Fellow! I'm going back." His friend said to him, "Very good."

Leopard went on to his village. He said, "My wife! I came on an excursion, to the town of Yongolokodi. He treated me with hospitality to the very greatest degree. Also he has given me sheep on shares."

The next day, in the morning, he sent his children to the town of Chameleon to take the herd of sheep. They went; and they brought them; and goats also. (A "day" in an Ekano Tale is without limit as to length or shortness.)

The goats and sheep increased, until the village of Leopard was positively full of them crowded in abundance.

About three years passed, and Chameleon said to himself, "Our herd with Chum must be about sufficient for division." Thereupon he started on his journey crawling, naka, naka, naka, until he came to the house of his friend Leopard. Leopard said to his wife, "Make food!" It was cooked, they ate, and rested.

Chameleon said to Leopard, "Chum! I have come, that we should divide the shares of the herd." Leopard replied, "Good! but, first go back today. Who can catch goats and sheep on a hot day like this? Come tomorrow morning." Chameleon said, "Very good." And he went back to his village.

The next day, in the morning, he rose to go to the village of Leopard. (Actually, after midnight, Leopard had already opened the pens, and all the animals were scattered outside.) He protested regret to Chameleon, and said, "Chum! go back! I don't know how those fellows have opened their pens. I was expecting you, for this day; I had let my herdman know that a person was coming on the morrow. So, go back. And, as I am going tomorrow to the swamp for bamboo, you must come only on the second day." Chameleon submissively replied, "Very good."

Chameleon continued coming; and his treatment was just so every time, with excuses.

Leopard, hoping, said to himself, "Perhaps he will die on the way," because he saw him walking so slowly, naka, naka. And Chameleon kept on patiently going back and forth, back and forth.

One night, Leopard and his wife were lying down; whereupon his wife asked him, "What is the reason that you and Yongolokodi have not divided the shares of the herd? Do you think he will die of this weakness?" Leopard answered, "No! it is not weakness, Njambe is the one who created him so; it is his own way of walking."

Finally, Chameleon said to himself, "I must see what Njâ intends to do to me; whether he thinks that he shall eat my share." He went by night and waited outside of Leopard's. Next day, in the morning, as Leopard rose to go out, he found, unexpectedly, as he emerged from the house, Chameleon sitting on the threshold. There was no other deception that Leopard could seek; for, the animals were still in their pens. So, he called his children, and said, "Tie the goats and sheep with cords." So they tied them all. And he and Chameleon divided them. Then this one returned to his place; and that one to his.

TALE 29

BORROWED CLOTHES

Persons

Koho (Parrot)
Kuba (Chicken)

NOTE

A story of the cause of the enmity between chickens and parrots. When a chicken comes near to a parrot, the latter turns to one side, saying, "wâ!"; for fear that the chicken will take his fine feathers from him.

Parrot and Chicken were fowls living in a village of Mankind near a town; which they had built together. They were living there in great friendship.

Then Parrot said to Chicken, "Chum! I'm going to make an engagement for marriage." So, he prepared his journey. And he asked Chicken, "Chum! give me now thy fine dress!" (For the occasion.) Chicken, said, "Very good!" and he handed his tail feathers to him. Thereupon, Parrot went on his marriage journey.

When he came home again, he said to himself, "These feathers become me. I will not return them to Kuba."

So, when Chicken said to him, "Return me my clothes," he replied, "I will not return them!" Chicken, seeing that Parrot was retaining the feathers, said sarcastically, "Accept your clothing!" Thereupon, Parrot, pretending to be wronged, said, "Fellow! why do you put me to shame? I did not say that I would take your clothing altogether, only that we should exchange clothes."

At night, then, Parrot took all his family, and they flew up in the air away. At once, he decided to stay there, and did not come to live on the ground again. Chicken was left remaining with Mankind in the town.

Whenever Chicken began to call to Parrot up in the treetops, asking for his clothes, Parrot only screamed back "wâ! wâ!" That was a mode of speech by which to mock at Chicken.

TALE 30

THE STORY OF A PANIC

Persons

Edubu (Adder)
Ikingi (Fly)
Ko (Wild-Rat)
Ngomba (Porcupine)
Njâku (Elephant)
Ngubu (Hippopotamus)
Nyati (Ox)
Bejaka (Fishes)
Ngando (Crocodile)

NOTE

Native Africans after bathing, rub more or less of some oil, either native palm, or foreign pomade, on their bodies.

In the Dry Seasons, when the rivers are low, fish are caught by building dams across the streams, and then bailing out the water from the enclosed spaces. Observe flies, as carriers of disease.

Adder went to bathe. He returned, and anointed himself with nyimba oil (oil of bamboo-palm nuts), and then climbed out on to a branch of a cayenne-pepper bush.

Fly came and settled upon Adder's back. Adder, being annoyed, drove Fly away. Then Fly said to Adder, in anger, "Know you not that it is I who cause even Njâku, with his big tusks, to rot? And that I can cause Nyati and Ngubu to rot? And I can cause Mankind to rot! Then how much more you, this Thing who has only ribs and ribs!"

When Adder heard this, he was alarmed, and he entered into the hole of Wild-Rat. Wild-Rat asked him, "Chum Adder! where do you come from in such haste?" He answered, "I have seen a Being which does not hesitate to cause Beasts and even Mankind to rot. Therefore, I am fled, by reason of fear of Ikingi."

Whereupon Wild-Rat, frightened, arose, and entered hastily into the town of Porcupine. Porcupine, alarmed, asked Wild-Rat, "What is it?" He answered, "I'm afraid of Ikingi; Edubu says that it is he who causes both Mankind and Beasts to rot."

Then Porcupine, in fear went out, running, going to the town of Hog. Whereupon Hog, being startled, asked him, "Chum! what is it?" He answered him, "I'm afraid of Ikingi. Ngomba says that he is the one who causes both Beasts and Mankind to rot."

Hog at once ran out in terror, and went to a river with all his family. And the water of the river was promptly crowded out, leaving its channel dry.

Then the Fishes (mistaking this motion of the water) arose in haste, saying, "The people who bail the river have come!" And they fled.

Then Crocodile opened his mouth wide; and the fishes in their flight began to enter into his stomach. Among them was ingongo-Kenda (a young kenda; a fish with spines like a catfish). When Crocodile was about to swallow, the spines caught fast in his throat. And Crocodile died at once.

Then the Fishes sang a song of rejoicing.

"Ngando, with stealing,
Ngando died by a sting in his throat."

Such was the death that Crocodile died, on account of his attempt to swallow Fishes, who had rushed into his open mouth, as they fled, alarmed by the confusion raised by the panic of the other animals.

TALE 31

A FAMILY QUARREL

Persons

Iheli (Gazelle)
Njâ (Leopard)

NOTE

Among native Africans, in the case of a man and his wife, even if they fight together, her father or her brother usually do not interfere. For, every man who is married knows that his own wife will some day offend himself.

Gazelle and Leopard built a town; living this one at his end of it; that one at the other end. After they had built; they cleared the forest for plantations; they married wives; and they sat down, resting in their seats.

Gazelle had married the sister of Leopard who was of a proud disposition. And Leopard had publicly threatened, "The person who makes trouble for my sister, I will show him a thing."

One day, the sister of Leopard began to give Gazelle some impertinence. Gazelle said to her, "Shut your mouth!" She replied, "I won't shut it!" Gazelle threatened, "Lest I beat you!" She dared him, "Come and beat me! You will see my brother coming to chew you!" Gazelle ran after her, struck her, ndo! and knocked her to the ground, ndi! As she lay there, he kept on beating her, and beating her, and shouting, "Who has married! Who has not married?"

Leopard bristled up his whole mane, full of anger, and was about to go to Gazelle's end of the town to fight. But the older people said to him, "You hear what Iheli says, 'Who has not married'?"

Leopard was at once disheartened. He saw there was no place for his bravery in a matter of marriage.

TALE 32

THE GIANT GOAT

Persons

Kudu (Tortoise)
Njâ (Leopard)
A Giant Goat (Mbodi)
Ngweya (Hog)
Betoli (Rats)
Ngwai (Partridge)

NOTE

Tortoise and Leopard had lived in peace in the same town, until their mutual use and abuse of the great Goat, the gift of Njambe, the Creator. A leopard is not satisfied unless he first takes the heart of the animal he has killed.

Tortoise and Leopard built a town together. There they stayed. After they had built, they cleared plantations. Their food was only vegetables; for, they had no meat. Their hunger for meat became great. Their hunters killed nothing.

One day, Tortoise, as he went in search of food, going and penetrating in the forest, came upon the Goat of Njambe (a mythical, enormous animal) in the forest by itself, and tied. It told Tortoise who and what it was, and invited him to enter. He said to It, "Mbodi, Friend-of-Njambe! open for me your house!" The Goat opened an aperture of its body; Tortoise entered in; and It closed the aperture. Inside of the Goat, Tortoise cut pieces of fine fat, and tied them into two bundles. Then he said, "Mbodi, friend of Njambe! open for me the house!" It opened the aperture; Tortoise at once went out; and It shut it.

Tortoise returned to his town, and cut up the meat. He said to his women, "Make ready leaves for momba!" (bundles of green plantain leaves in which meats are cooked over hot coals). They at once plucked the leaves, tied up the momba, and put them over the fireplace. They set soup also on the fireplace. When it was boiled, they spread the table, sat down together, and ate.

The children of Leopard, smelling a tempting odor, came to Tortoise's end of the town. The children of Tortoise showed their food to them, saying, exultingly, "Ye! do you eat such as that?" A child of Leopard said, "Chum! let me taste it!" And he allowed him to taste it.

The children of Leopard went off hurriedly to their father, saying, "Father! such an animal as your friend has killed! Perhaps it is Ngweya; we do not know."

Then Leopard went to where Tortoise was, and he asked him, "Chum! as to this meat-hunger, what shall we do? Let us arrange for the town." Tortoise responded. "Yes, I am willing." So, in the evening, he invited his friend Leopard that he should come and eat food. Leopard came; they sat down together; and they ate. When Leopard had tasted, he exclaimed, "Man! what animal is this?" But Tortoise would not tell him. When they had finished eating, Leopard said to himself, "I must know where Tortoise goes!"

On the next day, before the Ngwai (a Bird, that announces the first coming of daylight) had sounded, Tortoise went out clear on to where was that giant Goat. He spoke, as on his previous journey, "O! Mbodi! Friend of the Creator! open for me the house!" It at once opened the aperture; he entered in; and began to slice pieces of meat from the Goat's inside. When he had finished, he said, "Open for me the house!" It opened the aperture; and he emerged and went back to his town. There he spoke to his women, saying, "Cook ye!" They boiled the meat; it was cooked; he invited Leopard; they ate; and finished. And Leopard went back to his house.

But, when night came, Leopard took ashes, and, going to the house of Tortoise, thrust the ashes into Tortoise's traveling-bag, and stabbed holes in it. Said he to himself, "When Tortoise carries it, then the ashes will fall down." This he did, so that he might follow to the place where Tortoise would go.

Next day, Tortoise was up at the same time with the first Ngwai. And at daybreak, Leopard followed, observing the ground closely with his eyes; and he saw the ashes. The fellow, at once, went on his journey, striding quickly, quickly, until he reached to where the great Goat was standing. It explained to him, as it had to Tortoise, its use, and invited him to enter. Said he, "O! Mbodi of my father Njambe! open to me the house!" And It opened the hole. He entered; and he discovered Tortoise cutting meat. Tortoise was displeased, and said to him, "Chum! is that the way you do?" They cut pieces of meat, they got ready, and they went back to town.

The next day, although Tortoise was vexed at Leopard, they started together on their journey; and they arrived at the Goat. They said as before, "O! Mbodi! Friend! open to us the house!" It opened the aperture; and they entered. Tortoise warned Leopard, "Chum! Njâ! don't touch the heart!" They cut meat. Then Leopard said that he was going to lay hold of the heart. But Tortoise said, "No!" Leopard cut and cut, and was going on to the heart. Tortoise again said to him, "Not so!" They went on cutting. Finally Leopard laid hold of the heart! The Goat at once made a great outcry, "Ma-a! Mba-a!" and died instantly.

The people of the town that was near by, heard, and they said, "The Mbodi! what has happened to it? Young men! go ye! Hasten ye! for, that Mbodi is crying!" They went, and discovered the body of the Goat stretched out. They went back to the town and told the people that, "The Mbodi is dead!"

While this was going on, as soon as Tortoise inside the body knew that the Goat was dying, he began to seek for a hiding-place. He said, "I am for the stomach!" Leopard said, "No! that is the hiding-place of the elder one" (himself). Then Tortoise said, "I will go and hide in the bowels." Leopard said, "That also is the hiding place of the elder." Then Tortoise said, "Well! I'm going to hide in the fountain of the water of the belly" (the urinary bladder). Leopard said, "Yes! that is the share of the younger." Tortoise thrust himself in there. Leopard jumped into the stomach.

When the people came, they discovered the Goat lying flat, and they said, "Tie ye it!" (to carry it away). Others said, "No! let it be butchered here." They all said, "Yes!" And they cut it in pieces. They took out the entire stomach, and laid it aside. They took that fountain, and flung it out in the bushes.

Concealed by the bushes, Tortoise crawled out of the sac, and, pretending to be displeased, called out, "Who dashed that dirty water in my face, as I was coming here, seeking for my fungi here in the forest?" They apologized, saying. "Chum! we did not know you were in those bushes. But, come, and join us." So, he went there; and he, in pretence, exclaimed, "What thing can so suddenly have killed Friend-Creator his Mbodi there? Alas! But, Ime! what a large stomach that is! Would you say that it was not it that killed Mbodi? Let us send some children to pierce that stomach. But ye! when ye shall go to pierce it, first bring spears, then jab the spears through it. I have not seen such a stomach as that!"

They finished the cutting in pieces; and they gave Tortoise his share of the animal. He left, bidding them await his return. He went hastily with the meat to his town, and sat down to rest for only a little while. Then he rapidly went back again to see what would happen to Leopard.

The family of Njambe had taken that stomach and laid it in the water of a stream. Then they took spears, and they stabbed it. Leopard, being wounded, struggled up and down as he tried to emerge from inside the stomach. The people, when they saw this, shouted, "Aw! lâ! lâ! lâ!" And there was Leopard lying dead! For, in stabbing that stomach, the spears had reached Leopard.

Tortoise said to them, "Give me the skin of Leopard!" So they handed it to him. He went off with it to his house. When it was dried, he took it into his inner room, and hung it up. He said to his children, "Let no person bring any of the children of Njâ into this room."

Before that time, the children of Tortoise and of Leopard always hunted small animals; and they were accustomed daily to kill rats in their houses.

On another day, the children of Leopard having no meat, and not knowing that their father was dead said, "A hunt for Betoli tomorrow!" The children of Tortoise replied, "Yes!"

Early in the next day then, the children of Leopard made ready and called for those of Tortoise; and they all started together.

They began at first at Leopard's end of the town; and, going from house to house, opened the houses and killed rats. They passed on toward Tortoise's end of the town, opening houses, and killing rats. When they came to the room of Tortoise himself, his children said to the others, "No!" The children of Leopard asked them, "Why?" As they arrived at the door, the children of Tortoise said, "Our father said that, even for catching rats, we should not enter that room." But the children of Leopard broke down the door, and entered into the room. There they lifted their eyes, and discovered the skin of their father Leopard hanging! At once, they all hasted out of the house. But, suppressing their sorrow and indignation, shortly after this, they all said, "To go to throw wheels on the beach!" (a game; solid wheels, about eight or ten inches in diameter, and some three inches thick, chopped out of an enormous tuber). They made ready their little spears, and they all went in a company. Their challenge was, "To the beach!" These arranged themselves on one side, and those on the other.