Do not kick it with your foot.

Suffice it you to know that my head hangs upon this matter; that I am a rat in a forked stick, and if the stick is pressed on by a heavy hand, then where is the rat ?" "Where all rats go, I suppose, that is, unless they are wise rats that bite the hand which holds the stick before it is pressed down." "What is the rest of this story of yours, Macumazahn, which was told before the Opener-of-Roads gave you that message?
Does it please you to repeat it to me that I may judge of it with my ears ?" "Certainly," I answered, "on one condition, that what the ears hear, the heart shall keep to itself alone." Umslopogaas stooped and laid his hand upon the broad blade of the weapon beside him, saying, "By the Axe I swear it.

If I break the oath be the Axe my doom." Then I told him the tale, as I have set it down already, thinking to myself that of it he would understand little, being but a wild warrior-man.

As it chanced, however, I was mistaken, for he seemed to understand a great deal, perchance because such primitive natures are in closer touch with high and secret things than we imagine; perchance for other reasons with which I became acquainted later.
"It stands thus," he said when I had finished, "or so I think.

You, Macumazahn, seek certain women who are dead to learn whether they still live, or are really dead, but so far have failed to find them.