Against the firelight I saw the gap in his hand where I cut away the finger." "Well, if we want to get any further, you must cultivate him," I answered.

"But the question is, shall we get further than--that grid?
I believe we have been trapped here to be eaten." Before Brother John could reply, Komba arrived, and after inquiring whether our appetites had been good, intimated that the Kalubi and head men were ready to receive us.

So off we went with the exception of Jerry, whom we left to watch our things, taking with us the presents we had prepared.
Komba led us to the feast-house, where the fire in the pit was out, or had been covered over, and the grid and its horrible burden had disappeared.

Also now all the mats were rolled up, so that the clear moonlight flowed into and illuminated the place.

Seated in a semicircle on wooden stools with their faces towards the gateway were the Kalubi, who occupied the centre, and eight councillors, all of them grey-haired men.