"I can't even guess," Lucile whispered back. "Something terrible though, I am sure."
By this time the entire group were circling the house, and their wild shrill cadent song rose high and loud:
"Ki—yi—yi—um—Ah! Ah! Ah! I—I—I!"
The single dancer tore his hair again and again, and repeated his mad gesticulations.
Only one figure stood back impassive—not singing and not taking any part in the weird demonstration.
Suddenly, at a sign from the wild-haired leader, all the singing ceased. He uttered a few words apparently of command, then waved his scrawny arms toward the house.
A wild shout rent the air. All the natives, save the impassive one, sprang to their feet and started toward their village. But now the impassive one leaped up and tried to check them, to drive them back. As well attempt to stop a torrent with the open hand. They pushed him aside and hurried on.
The next moment the girls heard a pounding at the door, but dared not open it.
"What does it mean? What can it mean?" They kept asking one another.
Presently the mad group came racing back. Some bore on their shoulders poles and boards hastily torn from their caches. Two others were staggering under a load which appeared to be a sealskin filled with some liquid.