Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-05
the Series d. IL
uICe of JunghT OF D1 ZuYH ALCe burroughs

| his medicine VIII not bring the
child back-that l know, and I also
know that when you find him it will
bs too late for any medicine to bring
him back, for he will be dead. This
have l just found out, the ghost of
my fathers sister but now came to
me and told me-"
Now Mbonga and Rabba Kega
might not take much stock in their
own magic, and they might even
be skeptical as to the magic of an
other, but there was always a chance
of something being in 1t, especially
II 1t were not their own. Was it
not well known that old Bukawai
had speech with the demons them
selves and that two even lived with
him in the forms of hyenas! Still
they must not accede too hastily.
There was the price to be considered,
and Mbonga had no intention of
parting lightly with ten goats to OBJ
tain the return of single little boy
who might die Of smallpox long be-
fore he reached warriors stage.
"Wait," said Mbonga. "Let us
see some of your magic, that we may
know if it be good magic. Then
we can talk about payment. Rabba
, Kega will make some magic, too. We
will see who makes the best magic.
Sit down, Bukawai."
"The payment will be ten goats
fat goats--a new sleeping mat and
,wo pieces of copper wire the length
of a tall mans arm from the shoul-
der to the ends of his fingers, and
it will be made in advance, the goats
being driven to my cave. Then will
l make the medicine, and on the sec
ond day the boy will be returned to
his mother. 1t cannot be done more
quickly than that because it takes
time to make such strong medicine
make us some medicine now"
said Mbonga. "Let US see what sort
of medicine you make"
Bring me fire." replied Buka-
wal, "and I will make you a little
magic"
Momaya was dispatched for the
fire, and while she was away Mbonga
dickered with Bukawai about the
price. Ten goats, he said, was high
price for an able-bodied warrior.
He also called Bukawai's attention
to the fact that he, Mbonga, was
very poor, that his people were very
poor, and that ten goats were at
least eight too many, to say nothing
Of new sleeping mat and the cop
per wire; but Bukawai was ada
mant. His medicine was very ex-
pensive and he would have to give at
least five goats to the gods who
helped him make it. They were
still arguing when Momaya returned
with the fire.
Buakwai placed a little on the
ground before him, took pinch of
powder from a pouch at his side and
sprinkled it on the embers. A cloud
of smoke rose with a puff. Bukawai
closed his eyes and rocked back and
forth. Then he made a few passes
in the air and pretended to swoon.
Mbonga and the others were much
impressed. Rabba Kega grew nerv-
Gus. He saw his reputation wan.
ing. There was some fire left in
the vessel which Momaya had
brought. He seized the vessel, drop
ped a handful of dry leaves into it
while no one was watching and then
uttered frightful scream which
drew the attention of Bukawai's
audience to him. 1t also brought
Bukawai miraculously out of his
swoon, but when the old witch-doc-
tor saw the reason for the disturb.
ance he quickly relapsed into un.
consciousness before any one discov-
cred his faux pas.
Rabba Kega, seeing that he had
the attention of Mbonga, 1beto ano
Momaya, blew suddenly into the
vessel, with the result that the leaves
commenced to smolder, and smoke
issued from the mouth of the recep
tacle. Rabba Kega was careful to
hold it so that none might see the
dry leaves. Their eyes opened wide
at this remarkable demonstration OF
the village witch-doctor's powers
The latter, greatly elated, let him
self out. He shouted, jumped ur
and down, and made frightful grim
aces; then he put his face close ovel
the mouth of the vessel and ap,
peared to be communing with the
spirits within.
1t was while he was thus engaged
that Bukawai came out of his trance
his curiosity finally having gotter
the better of him. No one was pay
ing him the slightest attention. HI
blinked his one eye angrily, then he
too, let out a loud roar, and wher
he was sure that Mbonga had turn
ed toward him, he stiffened rigidl!
and made spasmodic movement.
. with his arms and legs.
81 see him" he cried. "He is fal
away. The white devil-god did no
, get him. He is alone and in grea
: danger; but" he added, eff the ter
, fat goats and the other things ar,
paid to me quickly there is yet tim,
r to save him."
Rabba Kega had paused to listen