The form of an old man rose out of a hatchway in the ground-floor, and a tall figure, slightly stooping, clad in a garment, and with a head of iron gray hair, stood on the flat roof.

He walked toward a beam leading down into the court, seized its upper end and descended with his face toward the wall, but without faltering.

A few steps along the house brought him in front of Okoya, who had squatted near the doorway of his mother's dwelling.

The youth was so absorbed in gloomy thoughts that the man's appearance was unexpected.

Starting in surprise and hastily rising, Okoya called into the house,-- "Yaya, sa umo,--'Mother, my grandfather!'" The old man gave a friendly nod to his grandchild, and crossed the threshold, stooping low.