When the towns-people saw the young man standing in the street, they advanced as many as a hundred all at once. He laid his hands upon them, and they all went back; he also went back. Soon he advanced again, and his single opponent advanced. They two laid their hands on each other’s shoulders. The townspeople began another song, as if in derision. “O! O! A! O! O! A! O! O! A!”
At once, he seized his opponent, and threw him into the pit. Thereupon, his father-in-law shouted in commendation, “Iwâ!”
Another one came forward; Mbuma-tyĕtyĕ advanced; and as they met together, he took him, and threw him into the pit. Again the shout, “Iwâ!”
The sisters of the two men in the pit began to cry. The others said to the girls, “What are you doing? He shall die today! It is we who shall eat those entrails today!” (Among cannibals, a choice portion.)
Another one was coming, and, as they met together, again the shout of derision, “O! O! O! A! O! O! O! A! O! O! O! A!” But, at one fling, Mbuma-tyĕtyĕ cast him into the pit. “Iwâ” was repeated.
The sister of him who was thrown thus into the pit began to cry. The people rebuked her, “Mbâbâ! mbâbâ! Join in the singing!”
Another one was coming; Mbuma-tyĕtyĕ advanced; and as they came together, he lifted him, holding him by the foot. The singers, to encourage their man, said responsively, “Dikubwe! Dikubwe! Fear not an elephant with his tusks! Take off! take off!” Mbuma-tyĕtyĕ lifted him, and promptly pushed him down into the pit, with a thud, ‘kodom’!
The people began to call out anxiously, “Wĕ-e! wĕ-e! O! They are overcome! They are overcome! O! Some one must go hastily, and call Ekwamekwa, and tell him that people are being destroyed in the town, and he must come quickly.”
Some one got up, and ran to call Ekwamekwa, wailing as he went, “Iyâ! Iyâ! Iyâ! Ekwamekwa, iyâ-O! Come! People are exterminated in the town!”
He heard with one ear (i.e. at once). He snatched up his machete and axe, saying, “What is it?” The messenger repeated, “Come! a being from above has destroyed many a one in the town!”