I should say that the biggest contained quite fifty loads of stones, and the smallest not fewer than twenty or thirty.
Now, Hans, although he had never set foot there before, seemed to have learned all the traditions of the place, and what rites were necessary to avert its curse.

At any rate, when we came to the first heap, he cast a stone upon it, and begged me to do the same.

I laughed and refused, but when we reached the second heap the same thing happened.

Again I refused, whereon, before we came to a third and larger pile, Hans sat down upon the ground and began to groan, swearing that he would not go one step farther unless I promised to make the accustomed offering.
"Why not, you fool ?" I asked.
"Because if you neglect it, baas, I think that we shall stop here for ever.

Oh! you may laugh, but I tell you that already you have brought ill-luck upon yourself.