* * *

Bukawai came upon Momaya outside the palisade of Mbonga,the chief. At sight of him the woman drew back in revulsion,then she flew at him, tooth and nail; but Bukawaithreatening her with a spear held her at a safe distance.

"Where is my baby?" she cried. "Where is my little Tibo?"

Bukawai opened his eyes in well-simulated amazement. "Your infant!" he exclaimed. "What should I know of him,other than that I rescued him from the black godof the jungle and have not yet received my pay. I come for the goats and the sleeping mat and the pieceof copper wire the length of a tall man's arm from theshoulder to the tips of his fingers." "0ffal of a hyena!"shrieked Momaya. "My child has been stolen, and you,rotting fragment of a man, have taken him. Return himto me or I shall tear your eyes from your head and feedyour heart to the ferocious hogs."

Bukawai shrugged his shoulders. "What do I know aboutyour kid?" he asked. "I have not taken him. If he isstolen again, what should Bukawai know of the matter? DidBukawai steal him before? No, the black jungle god stole him,and if he stole him once he would steal him again. It is nothing to me. I returned him to you before and Ihave come for my pay. If he is gone and you wouldhave him returned, Bukawai will return him--for twelvefat goats, a recent sleeping mat and two pieces of copperwire the length of a tall man's arm from the shoulderto the tips of his fingers, and Bukawai will say nothingmore about the goats and the sleeping mat and the copperwire which you were to pay for the first medicine."