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"Ma, Ma," he cried, "the smallpox sickness has come to Ekenge. Chief Ekponyong and Chief Edem are sick and many, many more. Come quick, oh, come to Ekenge or we shall all die." "I will come with you at once," said Mary to the messenger from Ekenge. "I will help your people fight the smallpox sickness." Mary went back to Ekenge. The smallpox sickness was very bad. Nearly the whole village was sick.
"We must have a hospital," said Mary. "I know what we will do. We will make my house here a hospital." Soon the house was filled to overflowing with sick people. She had to be doctor, nurse, and undertaker. Many of her close friends died. Chief Ekponyong, who at first had worked against Mary and then had become her friend, died. Chief Edem, the chief of Ekenge, was very sick.
"I am the chief of this tribe. I will do what seems good to me." Mary argued with the chief, but he would not listen. Ekponyong, his brother, encouraged Edem to make the prisoners take the poison bean test. Mary then went to the yard where the prisoners were kept. She sat down in the gateway. She was not going to let anyone get the prisoners. This made the chiefs very angry.
"No, you must not let them go free," said Ekponyong. "If I want to let them go free, I can," said Chief Edem. "I am chief, don't forget that." "Show that you are a great and wise chief," said Mary. "Let them all go free." Chief Edem thought a while. Then he spoke. "If Bwana Ovens will make a fine box for my son then I will let all go free but Mojo, Otinga, and Obwe," said Chief Edem.
Give me the courage to face the chiefs and tell them they are wrong. In all these things may Thy will be done. I ask this in Jesus' name." After she had prayed Mary got up and went to Chief Edem and his brother Ekponyong. "You must forbid the poison bean test," said Mary. "It is wrong and sinful. God is watching what you do. Do not do that sinful thing." "That is my business," said Chief Edem.
When Mary got back to the other prisoners, the argument with the chiefs started again. "An innocent person will not die if he drinks the poison," said Ekponyong. "Only a bad, guilty person will die." "That is not right," answered Mary. "Poison will kill anyone, good or bad. Chief Edem, you know it was an accident that your son died. It was not the fault of any of these people.
Hearing Etim groaning and crying out, she rushed back to the house where he was. The natives were blowing smoke into his nose. They were rubbing pepper into his eyes. His uncle, Ekponyong, shouted into his ears. They thought they were helping him to get well. Instead they made him die sooner. In a moment he gave a cry and fell back dead. "Etim is dead!" cried the people in the house.
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