We are sorry she is to be sacrificed!" But when all their preparations were finished, the chief among them raised a calabash with a little scented oil in it, and poured a few drops solemnly on Muriel's head.

"Oh, great god!" she said, in her own tongue, "we offer this sacrifice, a goddess herself, to you.

We obey your words.
You are very holy.

We will each of us eat a portion of her flesh at your feast.

So give us good crops, strong health, many children!" "What does she say ?" Muriel asked, pale and awestruck, of Mali.
Mali translated the words with perfect _sang-froid_.