They arrived too late. Elmer was leaning on his staff, as though needing it for support, and explaining mildly to two men who evidently were friends of a third who was stretched out on the ground, dead to the world and with a nasty lump on his shaven head.
Homer came up and said to Elmer, in Songhai, "What has transpired, O Holy One?" He made a sign of obeisance to the Jamaican.
The two Africans were taken aback by the term of address. They were unprepared to continue further debate, not to speak of physical action, against a holy man.
Elmer said with dignity, "He spoke against El Hassan, our great leader."
For a moment the two Africans seemed to be willing to deny that, but Abe Baker took up the cue and turned to the crowd that was beginning to gather. He held his hands out, palms upward questioningly, "And why should these young men beset a Holy One whose only crime is to love El Hassan?"
The crowd began to murmur and the two hurriedly picked up their fallen companion and took off with him.
Homer said in English, "What really happened?"
"Oh, this chap was one of the hot heads," Elmer explained. "Wanted some immediate action. I gave it to him."
Abe chuckled, "Holy One, yet."
Spotted through the square, holding forth to various gatherings of the mob were Jake Armstrong, Kenny Ballalou and Cliff Jackson. Even as Homer Crawford sized up the situation and the temper of the throngs of tribesmen, Bey entered the square from the far side at the head of two or three thousand more, most of whom were already beginning to look bored to death from talk, talk, talk.