"Run, Ma, run and stop them!" cried the women, who feared what would happen; and she rushed breathlessly up and down steep tracks and through streams until she caught up with the warriors, who were making ready to attack and uttering their wild war whoops.
She walked into their midst.
"Don't go on like beardless boys," she said in scorn. "Be quiet."
Then she went on until she came upon the enemy drawn up in line across the path.
"I salute you," said she.
There was no reply. Why was this white woman interfering with them at such a moment?
"Oho! I see you are gentlemen and have nice manners."
They frowned. Things were looking dangerous, but Ma was never at a loss, and she began to smile and joke. Then stepped forward an old man and came and knelt at her feet.
"Ma, you know me? You remember you nursed and healed me?"
It was the sick chief she had gone to see after she arrived at Ekenge.