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Updated: June 22, 2025
"Strange!" said Mamba, while the old man gazed at the two soiled leaves as if lost in meditation, "strange that you should show this to me. I have come but tell me," he said, breaking off abruptly, "what do you wish me to do?" "This," said the old man, pointing to the leaves, as though he had not heard the question, "is all that I possess of the Word of God.
"True, I prayed to Jesus," said Mamba, "that I might be made use of to help you, or you to help me." "Then your prayer is doubly answered," returned the old man, "for we can each help the other. I can give you food and lodging. You can carry a message to Tamatave for me." "That is well. I shall be glad to help you. What is your message?"
At last Mamba reached Tamatave, footsore, worn, and weary, and went straight to the house of friend a native of wealth and importance in the town, and one whom he knew to be a Christian. From him he learned, to his great joy, that Mr Ellis had not yet left the place, and that he hoped to be permitted still to remain there for some time.
Wolff and I were working in a steep sided gully which contained small, isolated patches of timber; he was felling a tree about fifty yards above me. It crashed down, its crown striking a patch of scrub. Out of this a large mamba glided and came down the gully, straight for me. I could not climb out, so I made myself as small as possible against the gully-side.
In the course of that day the missionary inquired after his visitor, wishing to have further converse with him, but the Christians of Tamatave told him that Mamba had started off, almost immediately after quitting him, on his long return journey to Betsilio-land doubtless "rejoicing as one that findeth great spoil." Dust was not allowed to accumulate on the Bibles of Madagascar in those days!
He was seated cross-legged upon the floor, was absolutely naked, save for a necklace of snake skin, and was toying with an enormous green mamba one of the most deadly of South African snakes that lay coiled between his legs with its cruel, vindictive eyes fixed immovably upon the visitor.
Mamba spoke encouragingly; nevertheless, he examined the limb with anxious care. Being ignorant of surgery his examination was not of much use, but, fortunately, just then Mark Breezy, who had lingered behind to gather some plants, arrived on the scene. He found the injury to be a bad sprain, and did the best he could for the poor woman in the circumstances.
I tried twice and each time the immamba appeared." "Of course it appeared, Baas, and what is more, if you had taken that Medicine off and thrown it away you would have disappeared, since the 'mamba would have killed you. Zikali wanted to show you that, Baas, and that is why he set the snake at you." "You are a superstitious old fool, Hans."
Mamba had the satisfaction of hearing the two officers chuckle at his little joke, and the boatman growl indignantly, as he leaped ashore and sedately strode away with a sigh of relief and thankfulness for having made what he deemed a narrow escape.
Then he vomited violently, and, fortunately for him, the three pieces of skin which he had swallowed made their appearance. He was at once pronounced innocent and set free. Poor Mamba had to witness all this before his own turn came. Once more he was questioned, but continued dumb. Then he was made to swallow his three pieces of skin and to drink the Tangena.
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