A fertile spot of ground had been selected, only a few hundred yards from the nwana-tree.

It had been turned up with the spade, for want of a plough, and the seeds planted at proper distances.
Many an hour had been given to the weeding and hoeing of it, and around every plant a little hill of soft mould had been raised, to nourish the roots, and protect them from the heat of the sun.

The plants were even watered now and then.
Partly on account of this attention, and partly from the richness of the virgin soil, a splendid growth was the result; and the stalks stood full twelve feet high, with ears nearly a foot long.

They had almost ripened; and the field-cornet intended in about a week or ten days to gather in the crop.
Both he and all his people were anticipating pleasant feasts of maize-bread, and "hominy," with "mash and milk" and various other dishes, that with Totty's skill could be manufactured out of the Indian corn.
About this time an incident occurred that nearly deprived them, not only of their whole plot of maize-plants, but also of their valuable housekeeper, Totty.

It was as follows.
Totty was on the platform in the great nwana-tree, which commanded a view of the corn-patch, and also of the plain beyond, as far as the bottom of the cliffs.