'What about the purification you mentioned ?' I had missed this before and listened earnestly.
'The vows we take in the holy place bind us till we are purged of them at Inanda's Kraal.

Till then no blood must be shed and no flesh eaten.
It was the fashion of our forefathers.' 'Well, I think you've taken on a pretty risky job,' Henriques said.
'You propose to travel a hundred miles, binding yourself not to strike a blow.

It is simply putting yourself at the mercy of any police patrol.' 'There will be no patrol,' Laputa replied.

'Our march will be as secret and as swift as death.

I have made my preparations.' 'But suppose you met with opposition,' the Portugoose persisted, 'would the rule hold ?' 'If any try to stop us, we shall tie them hand and foot, and carry them with us.