Page:Swahili tales.djvu/301

Rh All the people of the town hastened one another to go, and they found the youth singing—

When his father heard that his son was come, and had killed the nunda, he felt that there was not a son at his gate greater than this one. And all the people who were in the town, free and slave, women and men, small and great, went to make presents to him. And he got much wealth, and he was in great favour in the town, and his father loved him much.

When the third day came, his father descended from his dignity, and gave it to his son. And he said, "As for me and your mother, give us only our food and clothing; we want no more, for we have seen of you that you are a youth of understanding. The trouble that came upon you, and all the difficulties, your sun, and your rain, and your darkness in the forest, and people told you you would die. But you have come back, my son. Now for my gift and your mother's: we have given you this your country, this is your gift, my son, and do not say that I jest with you; consent to me, my son."

And he gave orders about the nunda, and it was carried and put into a pit, and it was filled in well. And he built a house over the pit of the nunda, and placed a soldier, and told him, "Every one that passes here by this road let him give the usual present, and lay it up; and if he gives nothing, kill him." So every one that