CHAPTER XV.
Such was the wrath of Oboo, great monkey from beyond the Swamp, which, kindled by defeated love, against all mortals, sent many souls of heroes to the Shades, and gave their bodies a prey to beasts and birds. Unappeased it flamed in wars unquenchable, and almost sent the human race out of history, and gave back the earth to monkeys, snakes and wide-spreading marshes.
Instigated by the woman who had lost her child, and who was for a second time bereaved by the loss of its substitute, Oboo proposed the next day that Sosee be given back to the Ammi, in exchange for the child first captured. This was suggested, not because he cared for the child, but because he desired to punish the ape who had got possession of Sosee. If he could not himself have the girl, he did not want another to have her. Such jealousy was in the minds of sub-mortals.
This the swift-footed Ilo, captor of Sosee, stoutly resisted. “If you touch a hair of that maiden,” he said, “I will jump with both feet against your belly and scratch out all monkeydom. To your licking of last night I will add your death to-day. Hear me, O Shoozoo, if ever monkey was so wronged as I, and help me to avenge myself upon this insolent gusher, who has already made love to all the apes, and now wants my little and dear prize, which alone is to comfort my home, and gather my plantains in the far off forests of the uplands.”
And he walked along the shore of the loud-roaring frog pond.
In the meantime Koree, who had eluded his pursuers, was picking his way through the Swamp, carrying Orlee in his arms and Sosee in his heart, hoping that his beloved was likewise threading her way by another route to the Ammi, where they would soon meet to enjoy perpetually their love. This consummation, however, was not to be reached so soon; but many adventures must first be encountered by both.
As he journeyed on he saw a great cloud spreading over the Swamp, darkening the skies, so that he supposed that Night had suddenly settled down upon Day. Great swarms of bats came out and filled the air with their dull beatings, which added terror to the mystery.