“No,” he replied, “it was not necessary to threaten me; I know what his pursuit of me means.”
“Tell me all about it, and then I may discover a way to circumvent your enemies.”
“First, I wish you to promise not to disclose any revelations I shall make now or at any other time.”
“Willingly.”
“Well,” said the traveler, “in a jungle near the city of Gondar, which is the chief and capital city of Abyssinia, stands a temple, the existence of which is known to few outside the members of this Order of the Blue Nile. In this temple is an immense wooden idol named Jobu. I never saw a more hideous-looking object than this same idol. His followers say Jobu is over a thousand years old.
“According to their belief, one day or another this monstrosity will be endowed with life, and help his devotees to capture all Africa.
“No European is allowed to gaze upon this idol, in front of whom a fire of perfumed herbs is kept burning night and day. The richest garments and jewels cover the inanimate Jobu. I saw the idol by bribing one of his watchers, for, mind you, Jobu has quite a suite of servants.
“In some way or another the high priest, Ajeeb, heard of the watcher’s infidelity. They have but one manner of punishing their unfortunate victims.
“They are slowly tortured to death!”
Stolburst shivered from head to foot as he finished.