One day they said to Mbwa, “We want guns.” He went to his father, in the town, and said, “I want two guns.” His father produced two guns for him. He took them, went to his home, and handed them to the twins. Then they tried the guns, and loaded them.
Next day, in the morning, they went out early to hunt; they killed two gazelles; and they took them to their village. Mbwa cut up one of the beasts; and he said to his mother, “Cook it.” Then he took the other one to his father. His father cut it up; and he called Majanga and Inyanji; and, dividing the meat, he said to them, “Go ye, and cook these in the pot, and those in a jomba.” (Mbwa himself was still in the house watching them.) They boiled, and cooked; they put in the salt and pepper; and were about to taste the soup when Mbwa said, “Not so! This meat is not to be eaten by women.”
They took the food to the Reception-house, where their husband Njambu ate; and he laid aside some for them. But, what he laid aside for those women, Mbwa drew away and ate. Then he returned to his home. His mother made food; and they ate, all four of them.
Next morning, the twins returned to their hunting. They killed also three antelopes, and they carried them to take them to their home, and left them in the path on the way outside of the village. In the village, they said to Mbwa, “Go, and bring the beasts from the forest.”
Mbwa started, and brought them to the village. He carried two to his father. His brothers exclaimed, “Where does Mbwa kill all those animals?” His father cut up the animals, and divided one with his children. He cut up the other, saying, “This belongs to myself.” Then he prepared some to be cooked in momba (bundles tied in plantain leaves), and some to be dried, and some to be boiled.
The women boiled the food (Mbwa still watching them). When it was cooked, they lifted up the pot from the fire, and they were about to taste it, when Mbwa said, “No! you must not taste it!” They put it in bowls, and set the food before their husband; and he ate. When he was about to give some to his wives, Mbwa said, “Not so!”
The twins continued with their hunting just the same as at the first. Almost every day they were killing some animal. And Mbwa continued also with carrying meat to the town of his father.
Finally, the twins became full-grown men. Then Mbwa said to himself, “Now, I’m ready to bring this matter to the ears of the people.” When another day came, he said to his father, “Tomorrow, call all the people of the town together, in the afternoon.”
On the next day, his father did so. Mbwa dressed the twins very finely; and brought out three chairs, two for the twins, and one for his mother. All the people collected together. Thereupon, he brought forward his mother, and the twins. The people fixed their eyes on them; for they had not seen them in their little hamlet in the forest. The people exclaimed, “What fine-looking persons!”
Then Mbwa stood up. He said, “Ye people! I have called you all that ye may recognize these two young men.” The people said that they did not know them. He continued, “These are my father’s children. For, my father had married these three women. Also, they had three duties; Majanga, her duty of keeping the house clean; Inyanji, her duty of planting; and Mamĕndi’s was the bearing of twins. Mamĕndi became a mother. On the day of her confinement, her two sisters went to deliver her. They took a napkin and covered her eyes. And she bore these two twins. They threw them inside the pig-pen. And they took two small earthen pillars instead, and they went and showed them to their husband. Then, I entered the pig-pen; and I took these children out; and brought them to my mother. So, these children grew up. And they began hunting. You, my father, you remember when I brought you the wild meat, and you were about to give to these women; but, I went and took away the food. The reason is, because they are the ones who tried to kill the children. I brought them up from childhood to be men as now. So, this caused me to bring this case before the presence of all people; for, I say that those two women were murderesses. So, then, my father, these are your children; but, if you retain those women, these two twins shall not be your sons.”