The Witch Doctor and other Rhodesian Studies

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Spelling has not been standardized (e.g. wagon/waggon) or corrected (beginnng). Close quotes have not been added at the end of paragraphs followed by more dialogue. The title on the cover of the book begins with Chiromo unlike on the title page.



The Native Commissioner's Court had, with a very brief interval for luncheon, sat throughout the day. The weather was very hot and thundery, for the breaking of the rains was imminent. A number of cases had been disposed of, and the last was now drawing to a close. Having listened to the arguments of both sides, the Commissioner summed up, gave judgment, and dismissed the litigants, whereupon the native clerk began to collect the papers and put things away.
The official lighted a cigarette, put on his hat, and walked towards the door. He was met by his head messenger.
Tell the man to come to-morrow, he said, and walked off in the direction of his house.
The head messenger turned to the man sitting in the yard and said: The Morena won't hear you to-day; you must sleep in the compound for to-night; to-morrow he will listen.
But my case is a big one, replied the stranger. The father of his people will surely hear my case.
The messenger pointed to the compound: All cases are heavy in the hands of those who bring them; the compound is there.
The man was evidently distressed. Raising his voice in the hope that the Commissioner would hear him, he shouted shrilly: Ma-we! Ma-we! But mine is a big case, it is one of killing—of killing of people; the father of his people must hear me. Oh! Morena, I have a case, a big case, a case of killing.
But the Native Commissioner had reached his house and was out of sight, the native clerk had locked the office door and, heedless of the man's wailing, walked away. If he thought at all, it was that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof; evil meaning work to him.