"Are there many wizards in the forest, Muata ?" he asked with a smile.
"By day and night, many; but most by night.

Our people will not venture forth in the darkness of the forest for fear of the wizards and the bad spirits that watch from behind the trees and follow stealthily; but a spell was given to Muata.

He could walk in the night." "Have you seen these--eh--spirits, Muata ?" Muata put the question aside.

He rose and pointed to the east.
"The sun dies away and the hunters return." "I don't hear them.

Where are they ?" "The birds cry out and fly.
That is the sign that man is on the move; for hear, you who split up the shining boat, birds will scold at a leopard or a great snake, hovering around as they scold; but they fly from man.