human
Soh! it is you, said Sirayo;
gpt
and, seizing the man by the leg, he jerked him over the fire to his side.
human
The beer is good--drink, man, drink.
gpt
Nay, cried the old dame,
human
Drink, said Sirayo, with a frightful grimace;
gpt
No, chief, said Hume;
human
As you say, Hu-em. Let us leave him to the old woman; but this tuft on your hair let me have it, and this necklet of teeth, and this bag of old bones; and Sirayo stripped from the cowering man all the ornaments and trappings of his office.
gpt
Now, Noenti, fix them on me; I will to-night play the part of witch-doctor.
human
There is a place in the hut here for you,
gpt
Keep it warm for me, then, but to-night I will cross the river and listen to their talk. Is it not well, Hu-em?
human
No, the plan is wild; they will detect you at once.
gpt
I will crouch under a blanket and keep in the shadow. Moreover, I see there is a good time for me if I can keep them on their side. I will frighten them with a tale of the spirit of the snake; and is it not said among the tribes that in council Sirayo is as cunning as the jackal? though it is a mangy beast. Yes, I will go.
human
If you will go, warn them that when the sun is up they must collect the dead on the field, and bury them well and deep, lest a pestilence strike them.
gpt
Ho, ho! I see you would work by the rock. Good! I will say the spirit is offended by the dead.