The
horns and drums set up a bray of triumph, the Asika clapped her hands
approvingly, the spectators cheered, and another victim was bundled down
the gangway and submitted to the judgment of the Bonsas, which came
at him like a hungry pike at a frog. Then followed more and more, some
being chosen and some let go, till at last, growing weary, the priests
directed the soldiers to drive the prisoners down in batches until the
pen in the water was full as though with huddled sheep. If the horrible
golden masks swam at them and touched one of their number, they were all
dragged away; if these remained quiescent they were let go.
So the thing went on until at length Alan could bear no more of it.
"Lady," he said to the Asika when she paused for a moment from her
hand-clapping, "I am weary, I would sleep."
"What!" she exclaimed, "do you wish to sleep on such a glorious night
when so many evil doers are coming to their just doom? Well, well, go if
you will, for then my promise is off me and I can hasten this business
and deal with the wicked before the people according to our custom.
Good-night to you, Vernoon, to-morrow we will meet," and she called to
some priests to lead him away, and with him the Ogula cannibals whom she
had given to him as servants.
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