Still they might have
been interested in the nocturnal conversation of those two owls, which,
as is common with such magical fowl in West Africa, had transformed
themselves into human shapes, the shape of Jeekie and the shape of an
Asiki priest, who was, as it happened, a blood relation of Jeekie.
"Very good, Brother," said Owl No. 1; "all you want is this white man
whom the Asika desires for a husband. Well, I have done my best for him,
but I must think of myself and others, and he goes to great happiness.
I have given him something to make him sleep; do you come presently with
eight men, no more, or we shall kill you, to the fence of the camp, and
we will hand over the white man, Vernoon, to you to take back to the
Asika, who will give you a wonderful reward, such a reward as you have
never imagined. Now let me hear your word."
Then Owl No. 2 answered:
"Brother, I make the bargain on behalf of the army, and swear to it by
the double Swimming Head of Bonsa. We will come and take the white man,
Vernoon, who is to be Mungana, and carry him away. In return we promise
not to follow or molest you, or any others in your camp. Indeed, why
should we, who do not desire to be killed by the dreadful magic that
you have, a magic that makes a noise and pierces through our bodies from
afar? What were the words of the Asika? 'Bring back Vernoon, or perish.
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