one, I will believe it," Ndair retorted to the amusement of the group.

"It is time for sleep," Kalala said. "No one will ride this brute we hunt tomorrow. But I promise you Ndair, if I find an elephant in the East that can be ridden, I shall do it!" This bold talk brought cheers and laughter.

* * *

Gisco cursed as the beast again tried to attack its tormentors. If the elephant had four good legs, he was sure some of them would be dead. As it was Ddara had broken his arm, leaping from the path of the brute after delivering a daring spear thrust to the elephant’s shoulder. Indeed the animal bled from many wounds, and carried two broken spears embedded in its body. Added to those wounds were half a dozen arrows, but none penetrating deeper than a hand’s width. The worse part, he thought, was that they had been  

 at this for over two hours and were still a mile and a half from the pit. The elephant took one stride backward for every two they drove him forward.

Kalala and Thos finished setting Ddara’s fractured arm, using the spare bow strings and broken spear shafts to splint it. Ddara had let loose one agonizing scream when the arm was straightened, but the sound was lost to the defiant bellows of the elephant. After that he was calm, though sweat poured from him. Kalala was impressed by Thos’ skill, part of the survival training all traders’ and voyagers’ children learnt.

The others would not touch Ddara's hurt when Gisco and Thos said they should mend it. Only a healer would do such among the Buganada, driving the evil spirits away while doing so. Thos being careful not to challenge their religious beliefs, said the healers could chase away the evil spirits when they got him back to Rubaga,

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