Something refreshed but not interrupted by
sleep.
A constant dismal screeching went up from the
treetopspunctuated by the howls of the monkey.
Theywould drain a beach pool and fill a basket with
mullet. Then one would have both the god and the man who kept him,too. Two days
later the swelling suddenly subsided and he was shortlyable to get about a little.
There was a white fungous growth over its eyes.
Finally he thrust his hands into her breast and
pulled outsomething on a chain. Anthony and Juan were sharing the same tree with a
young Dianamonkey. They waited for him with theirspears thrust into the
sand.
It wasthe cherished abode of scorpions and a
caravanserai for crocodiles. Herhusbands soul, he said, would stay even at night as
long as shekept the figure safely. Those on board would be looking for a
light.
In the morning the place seemed to be washed and
scoured by light. One of the boys could kill theselittle fawn-coloured animals with
his assegai. They were freed, he had heard, from the spells ofthe forest and
river.
Would Mnombibi provide a charmto keep Anthonys soul
in him while he slept?
His eyes widened and felt comfortable
again.
The snapping and tearing and the whirling
wouldrapidly become universal.
They dined on beach-birds, and the roastedcarcass
of one of the small deer speared that afternoon. It was possible to see where they
were now. He faced south and began to retrace hisfootsteps. BeforeAnthony returned
from the islands she was resolved to do somethingabout him.
After somepalaver the trouble was explained. The
white surf-mist became suddenly ghostly andmagical. He would beat me, insisted
Neleta,if he knew I was here now. Two bottles of Malaga brought a faint sensation of
sorrow. Then one would have both the god and the man who kept him,too.
Arrived in the room where Anthony and Neleta slept,
Mnombibi wasdoubly particular. She sat up, and glancing in her mirror renewed the
circles of whitepaint about her eyes. A gay challenge to heaven it was, a kind of
triumph inthe light over the silly shadows of things.
It was possible to see where they were now. From
time to time he caught sight of the black figure glidingthrough the plantation. She
left thestool and going over to a chest took out Anthonys hair brushes.
They wrapped their blankets about them anddropped
off to sleep. Its leaves whirled around with the sun in a greatascending
spiral.
To be battered over the fallen trunks and
root-knees in theshallows was sure destruction.
The thingcracked open and a colossal tawny spider
darted out.
She sat up, and glancing in her mirror renewed the
circles of whitepaint about her eyes. The feeling in his body was equivalentto a
long wordless prayer.