They brought her across the lake to Pongo-land
and, the former Mother of the Flower, an albino, having died at a
great age, installed her in the office on this island, which from that
day she had never left. Hither she was led by the Kalubi of the time
and some others who had "passed the god." This brute, however, she had
never seen, although once she heard him roar, for it did not molest
them or even appear upon their journey.
Shortly after her arrival on the island her daughter was born, on
which occasion some of the women "servants of the Flower" nursed her.
From that moment both she and the child were treated with the utmost
care and veneration, since the Mother of the Flower and the Flower
itself being in some strange way looked upon as embodiments of the
natural forces of fertility, this birth was held to be the best of
omens for the dwindling Pongo race. Also it was hoped that in due
course the "Child of the Flower" would succeed the Mother in her
office. So here they dwelt absolutely helpless and alone, occupying
themselves with superintending the agriculture of the island.
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