Turning suddenly round upon the sleek, caressing hand, he darted his beak with a vicious peck at his assailant, and bit the divine finger of the Pillar of Heaven as carelessly as he would have bitten any child on Boupari.

Tu-Kila-Kila, thunder-struck, drew back his arm with a start of surprise and a loud cry of pain.

The bird had wounded him.

He shook his hand and stamped.

Blood was dropping on the ground from the man-god's finger.