But the natives would not sell.
Exasperated, Max raised his gun and shot an animal, unfortunately a sacred bull.
He was instantly surrounded by the natives who howled and yelled at him, threatening to tear him in pieces and drink his blood.
He learned that to every herd of cattle, Klatch’s tribe had a sacred bull, who was supposed to exert an influence over the prosperity of the flock.
The horns of the sacred bull were ornamented with tufts of feathers and strings of shells, which jingled as he moved along.
Every morning the natives addressed the bull in the cattle kraal, bidding him keep the cows from straying, and to see that they found the best grass, so that they could give the most milk.
It was one of the sacred bulls that Max had killed.
Klatch, hearing the howling, went to see what had so disturbed his people.
When they saw the chief, they clamored for Max’s death.
“He killed the sacred bull,” said one.