^ Folklore 



it cooked and the whole eaten together. The Bushbuck having 

 now been cooked and dished in a large bowl, they again agreed that 

 before eating each be tied against a post and that he only should 

 eat who of himself was able to break the string. The Leopard 

 was then tightly tied with great cords against a tree, and in spite 

 of all his force and strength the cords still held him firmly lashed 

 to the tree. But the Man and his wife having tied themselves 

 with a thread soon broke the strings and ate up all the meat. 

 And when the meat had been eaten up, they washed the bowl with 

 pepper and water, and then dashed it in the Leopard's face, 

 and left him there tied against the tree. 



But a Rat passing by was hailed by the Leopard and entreated 

 to come and loose him. Mother Rat consented ; and brought 

 her two children to gnaw the strings. Then the Leopard having 

 been loosed, quickly seized her young ones and ate them up. 



In serving the wicked expect no reward, and be thankful 

 if you escape injury for your pains. 



Mr. Spider and the Boni Girl' 



(^A Vai Story) 



As time went on the farm season soon came round and every- 

 body was seen putting forth some efforts towards making 

 plantations, first in the low marshes and then on the high- 

 land or mountainous regions ; all except Mr. Spider, who 

 was said to have been at the time very ill. Everybody in 

 the town turned out to work but he. Spider laid in bed 

 ailing from the time the bushes were cut down and burnt, 

 and rice began to ripen. When rice was now fully ripe and 

 the people had commenced gathering it, Spider's case became 

 serious ; his decease was momentarily expected. But just 



' " Boni " is the designation of a girl in an initiation school. 

 1087 



