There on the banks of the water a canoe
is hidden in the bushes, by which the water may be crossed to the
island, where dwells the Mother of the Holy Flower."
Brother John did not seem to be quite satisfied with the information,
and remarked that he, the Kalubi, would be able to show us the road on
the morrow.
"I do not think that I shall ever show you the road," groaned the
shivering wretch.
At that moment the god roared again much nearer. Now the Kalubi's
nerve gave out altogether, and quickened by some presentiment, he
began to question Brother John, whom he had learned was a priest of an
unknown sort, as to the possibility of another life after death.
Brother John, who, be it remembered, was a very earnest missionary by
calling, proceeded to administer some compressed religious
consolations, when, quite near to us, the god began to beat upon some
kind of very large and deep drum. He didn't roar this time, he only
worked away at a massed-band military drum. At least that is what it
sounded like, and very unpleasant it was to hear in that awful forest
with skulls arranged on boxes all round us, I can assure you, my
reader.
Pages:
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442