The lad began to mutter excuses and pray for mercy.
"Kill him!" said the Kalubi, whereon the herd flung himself to the ground, and clutching him by the ankles, began to kiss his feet, crying out that he was afraid to die.

The Kalubi tried to kick himself free, and failing in this, lifted his big spear and made an end of the poor boy's prayers and life at a single stroke.
The escort clapped their hands in salute or approval, after which four of them, at a sign, took up the body and started with it at a trot for Rica Town, where probably that night it appeared upon the grid.

Brother John saw, and his big white beard bristled with indignation like the hair on the back of an angry cat, while Stephen spluttered something beginning with "You brute," and lifted his fist as though to knock the Kalubi down.

This, had I not caught hold of him, I have no doubt he would have done.
"O Kalubi!" gasped Brother John, "do you not know that blood calls for blood?
In the hour of your own death remember this death." "Would you bewitch me, white man ?" said the Kalubi, glaring at him angrily.

"If so----" and once more he lifted the spear, but as John never stirred, held it poised irresolutely.