"Come," she said, in a wheedling tone, touching him with a finger, "make medicine for one who carried food to the good white man."
"What would you like to know, mother?"
"Tell me, O son of him who taught us—tell me, O lion's cub—tell me if the chief will find his own kraal."
"That would need strong medicine—very strong."
"Only a little. Consider; it was these hands who carried the good white man water and wood. Only a little word, his son."
"A little word, mother; but it requires much thought, and how can a son make medicine without his father's 'familiar'—the thing he consulted, the thing you promised to bring to me?"
"I will fetch it," said the woman, rising. "In the morning you shall have it;" and she went in the direction of the gorge.
"Seems to me, Dick, the old lady is at the bottom of this mystery.
You'd better be very careful how you deal with her."
"I want to get my father's book," said Compton.
"Of course you do; but you want to get back the Okapi as well, and if you offend her it may turn out more awkward for us."