At sundown his lokali brought the fighting men together.
"We go to the Akasava," he said, addressing them briefly, "for I know a village that is fat with corn and the stolen goats of the Ochori. Also the blood of our brothers calls us, though not so loudly as the goats."
He marched away, and was gone three days, at the end of which time he returned minus three men—for the Akasava village had resisted his attentions strenuously—but bringing with him some notable loot.
News travels fast on the river, especially bad news, and this reached Sanders, who, continuing his quest for hut tax, had reached the Isisi.
On the top of this arrived a messenger from the Akasava chief, and Sanders went as fast as the Zaire could carry him to the Ochori city.
Bosambo heard of his coming.
"Bring me, O my life and pride," he said to his wife, "a certain silver box which is under my bed; it is so large and of such a shape."
"Lord," said his wife, "I know the box well."
He slipped the loop of the string that held it over his head, and in all calmness awaited his master's coming.
Sanders was very angry indeed, so angry that he was almost polite to his erring chief.