Part 18 (1/2)
They proceeded a little further, and a bouncing buffalo came up and bellowed fiercely. ”You, Rabbit, stop,” said he. ”Where are you taking that cow to?”
”I am taking it to Muga.s.sa, don't you know. How would a little fellow like me have the courage to go so far from home if it were not that I am on service for Muga.s.sa? I am charged also to tell you, Buffalo, that if you like to join in the feast Muga.s.sa is about to give, he will be glad to have you as a guest.”
”Oh, well, that is good news indeed. I will come along now, Rabbit, and am very glad to have met you. How do you do, Lion?”
A short distance off the party met a huge rogue elephant, who stood in the middle of the road, and demanded to know where the cow was being taken, in a tone which required a quick answer.
”Now, Elephant, get out of the way. This cow is being taken to Muga.s.sa, who will be angry with you if I am delayed. Have you not heard of the feast he is about to give? By the bye, as you are one of the guests, you might as well help me to drive this cow, and let me get on your back, for I am dreadfully tired.”
”Why, that's grand,” said the Elephant, ”I shall be delighted to feast with Muga.s.sa, and--come get on my back. I will carry you with pleasure.
And, Rabbit,” whispered Elephant, as he lifted him by his trunk, ”don't forget to speak a good word for me to Muga.s.sa.”
Soon a leopard and then a hyena were met, but seeing such a powerful crowd behind the cow, they affected great civility, and were invited to accompany Rabbit's party to Muga.s.sa's feast.
It was quite dark by the time they arrived at Rabbit's village. At the gate stood two dogs, who were Rabbit's chums, and they barked furiously; but hearing their friend's voice, they came up and welcomed Rabbit.
The party halted, and Rabbit, after reaching the ground, whispered to Dogs how affairs stood, and Dogs wagged their tails approvingly, and yauped with fun as they heard of Rabbit's wit. It did not take long for Dogs to understand what was required of them, and one of them bounded off to the village, and after a short time returned with a pretended message from the great Muga.s.sa.
”Well, my friends, do you hear what Muga.s.sa says?” cried Rabbit, with a voice of importance.
”Dogs are to lay mats inside the village by the gate, and the cow is to be killed, and the meat prepared nicely and laid on the mats. And when that is done, Muga.s.sa himself will come and give each his portion. He says that you are all very welcome.
”Now listen to me before I go in to Muga.s.sa, and I will show you how you can all help to hurry the feast, for I am sure you are all anxious to begin.
”You, Hyena, you must kill the cow, and dress the meat, and Dogs will carry it in and lay it on the mats; but remember, if a bit is touched before Muga.s.sa commands, we are all ruined.
”You, Elephant, you take this bra.s.s hatchet of Muga.s.sa's, and split wood nicely for the hearth.
”Buffalo, you go and find a wood with a smooth bark and which burns well, and bring it to Elephant.
”Leopard, you go to the banana plantation, and watch for the falling leaf and catch it with your eyelids, in order that we may have proper plates.
”Lion, my friend, do you go and fill this pot from the spring, and bring water that Muga.s.sa may wash his hands.”
Having issued his instructions, Rabbit went strutting into the village; but after he had gone a little way he darted aside, and pa.s.sing through a side door, went out and came creeping up towards an ant-hill. On the top was a tuft of gra.s.s, and from his hiding-place he commanded a view of the gate, and of all who might come near it.
Now Buffalo could only find one log with smooth bark, and Dogs shouted out to Buffalo that one log was not enough to roast or to boil the meat, and he returned to hunt up some more.
Elephant struck the log with his bra.s.s hatchet, which was broken at the first blow, and there was nothing else with which to cut the wood.
Leopard watched and watched for falling leaves, but failed to see any.
Lion's pot had a hole in the bottom, and he could never keep it full, though he tried ever so many times.
Meanwhile Hyena having killed the cow and dressed the meat beautifully, said to Dogs, ”Now, my friends, the meat is ready. What shall I do?”
”You can help us carry the meat in, and lay it on the mats, if you like, for Muga.s.sa must see it before anybody can touch it.”
”Ah, but I feel extremely hungry, and my mouth waters so that I am sick with longing. May we not go shares and eat a little bit? It looks very nice and fat,” whined the Hyena.