"He heard the man's message and saw me cut his head off, and he said he would go into the fields and search for herbs and charms to keep the village safe."
"And you let him go?"
"What could I do, master? Mabruki is a strong man, and the people would have grumbled if I had not let him go on such a good errand."
"Always a moral coward, Msala," said Tom to himself. "Well, what then?"
"He came back at dead of night with his herbs. Next day came the messenger from you, showing me the rag with the mark. I sent him back to you. I did not wish to send him, I thought he was tired, but Mabruki said send him, for he would know the way, and would tell you himself that his errand was fulfilled."
"I sent no messenger; that man never reached me. Go on."
"Then I sent the second message to say how weak I should be without the eight hundred. I did not tell Mabruki, for I thought he would be offended."
"No doubt."
"And then I sent the eight hundred men to the burning mountain, as you bade me. And that is all I know till I saw the Arabs coming from the north and making their camp. I was ready to fight. I sent off another messenger to you; but you came, O Kuboko, and you have smitten them like hares."
"I do not understand it yet. Where is Mabruki now?"