Page:Swahili tales.djvu/293

Rh And he said, "To-day my soul feels that it will get three things in the world in the course of to-day. And they asked him, "The first, master?" And he said, "The first, to-day I feel in my soul, I shall die." "The second, master?" "I think to-day I shall strike the nunda." "The third, master?" And he said, "I think I shall meet my mother, I shall meet my father, I shall meet my uncle, I shall meet my aunt, I shall meet my brothers, I shall meet all my friends." And they said, "Good luck, master."

And they sat there and served up the rice, and ate, and ate freely, and were filled. And they arose. And he said to them, "Let us now climb up the mountain. And they said, "All right, master." And he went on in front with his slaves, Shindano and Kiroboto. And they climbed and went on, till when they cast their eyes half way up the mountain, they saw that it was a very long way down, and they saw it was a long way up. And he said, "Don't be afraid, let us go on." They said to him, "Let us go on till we get to the top of the mountain without climbing up the peak."

And they went on till they reached the top of the mountain, and their eyes saw to a great distance. And he said to them, "Let us rest here on the top. Here is plenty of space. This will do for to-day, let us sleep just here till to-morrow, and make our plans." And they said, "Very good, master."

And one of his slaves got up and walked all about on the top of the mountain. And when he cast his eyes down, he saw a great beast, but it was indistinct there below, because of the trees, he did not see it clearly. And he called, "Master! master!" And he answered, "Yes." And he said, "Come and look, master." And he went till he reached the place where Shindano was