But like some better people at home these wayward savages could not be good for long. They went back to their evil doings, and were soon away raiding and fighting, leaving only a few women and the children in the village. It was the rum and gin that caused most of the mischief. Every one drank, and often Ma went to bed knowing that there was not one sober person for miles around. The horrible stuff came up from the coast, having been shipped overseas from Christian countries. Ma never ceased to wonder how white men could seek to ruin native people for the sake of money. It made her very angry, and she fought the trade with all her power.
"Do you know," she said one day to her chief, "you drink because you have not enough work? We have a rhyme in our country which says,
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
Why don't you trade with Calabar?"
He grinned. "We do trade with Calabar," he said; "we trade in heads."
"Well, you must trade in palm oil and food instead. And first you must make peace."
"We can't do that, Ma, because Calabar won't come to Okoyong."
"Of course not, because they are afraid, and rightly too. Well, if they won't come to you, you must go to them."
"But, Ma, we would never come back."
"Tuts! I will go with you."