human
How is it that this side of the valley is deserted, while beyond there are so many? The ground looks rich, and the grass is good.
gpt
It is some folly of the witch-doctors, from what I have heard.
human
I thought, she said,
gpt
Oh, they were old women. They came, but I shook my fingers at them, and they ran.
human
Ho, ho! if they'd been old women they would not have run. So they ran; and you--why did you not run also?
gpt
We have come for the stone of fire, old mother.
human
Yinny! That is where the _amapagati_ dance and make their medicine. No one can touch the rock and live.
gpt
We have touched it. The _amapagati_ are fools; but surely if they touch it now that we claim it, they will die.
human
See, she said.
gpt
I know. You cannot frighten me with such things. But, as you say, the wise men are fools; they have made this side of the valley a fear to the people. Oh, I know their tricks--how they would prick cattle, when they strayed on this side, with a snake's tooth, and then tell the people the deed was done by the fetich, the great snake-spirit. Ay, they have slain men too, and girls who went to the river for water have disappeared.
human
If that is so, said Hume,
gpt
Eweh, O red eyes--and the _amapagati_ as well. They have beaten me. Let them die, I say.
human
It is not well for an old woman to be here without good food and warm shelter. You should have a hut in the kraal,
gpt
They killed my son when he brought me food one night, she said hoarsely;
human
Soh! we will talk over this in the morning. In the meantime go you to the river, and call out that we have gone.
gpt
But you will stay and slay them?
human
We have said it.
gpt
Oh ay, I will go. They have grown fat on lies; now I will repay them. I will show you this night where they keep their girls, all young and fat, the he-goats that they are.
human
Well, for my part, said Sirayo,
gpt
I am curious about these girls. If they have put up long with the company of snuffy old men, they will know how to receive a man and a warrior;