Many of the women eagerly held forward their native mats, which Mali took from them, and, pressing them for a second against Muriel's eyes, handed them back with just a suspicion of wet tears left glistening in the corner.

The happy recipients leaped and shouted with joy.

"No more drought!" they cried merrily, with loud shouts and gesticulations.

"The Queen of the Clouds is good: she will weep well from heaven upon my yam and taro plots!" Muriel looked up, all dazed, and saw, to her intense surprise, the crowd was now nothing but affection and sympathy.

Slowly they gathered in closer and closer, till they almost touched the hem of her robe; then the men stood by respectfully, laying their fingers on whatever she had wetted with her tears, while the women and girls took her hand in theirs and pressed it sympathetically.