Others it will not
touch. Moreover, no black man can do it hurt. It is white, and it has
been known from of old that if it dies at all, it must be by the hand
of one who is white.'
"'A very strange animal,' I began, suspiciously, for I felt sure that
he was lying to me. But just at that moment I heard the sound of my
men's voices. They were advancing towards me through the giant grass,
singing as they came, but as yet a long way off. The Kalubi heard it
also and sprang up.
"'I must be gone,' he said. 'None must see me here. What fee, O Lord
of medicine, what fee?'
"'I take no payment for my medicine,' I said. 'Yet--stay. A wonderful
flower grows in your country, does it not? A flower with wings and a
cup beneath. I would have that flower.'
"'Who told you of the Flower?' he asked. 'The Flower is holy. Still, O
White Lord, still for you it shall be risked. Oh, return and bring
with you one who can kill the beast and I will make you rich. Return
and call to the reeds for the Kalubi, and the Kalubi will hear and
come to you.
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