Now, Teacher, I have come here that it may
be seen whether you are right or I am right. If your magic is greater
than mine, then I can do nothing and I will eat the dust before you.
But if mine prevails, then perhaps all these will say that you are the
cheat, not I. Also it is true that I am not a great magician as was my
master, Zikali, the Opener-of-Roads, and cannot show you things worthy
to be seen. Nor will I smell out evil-doers, witches and wizards, since
then the people might kill them, and I think that there are some here
who deserve to die in the ancient fashion. No, I will not do this, since
it is not right that those with you," here he glanced at Dorcas and
Tabitha, "should look upon the sight of blood, even in this land where
the White-man's law has no power. Still there are little things that
may serve to amuse you for an hour and hurt no one. Have any of you lost
anything, for instance?"
"Yes, I have," said Tabitha with a laugh.
"Is it so, Little Flower? Then be silent and do not say what you have
lost. Have you told any what you have lost?"
"No," answered Tabitha, "because I was afraid I should be scolded."
"There, _Imba_, there, Little Flower, even that is too much, because you
see the old cheat might guess something from your words.
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