CH. X MYTHOLOGY OF THE MINAHA88EB8 253 



to try to remedy the evil ; but when they arrived and he 

 wished to count them, he was embarrassed, for the number 

 was so extremely large. In order to form an approximate 

 estimation of the numbers of his host, he adopted a method 

 which has been in use from the oldest times. A large 

 waringin tree was feUed in full leaf, and then as they passed 

 by every warrior plucked one leaf from it. Only a portion 

 of the warriors had done this when the supply of leaves came 

 to an end, so the remaining ones each took up a handful of 

 earth and threw it on the ground. Before the counting was 

 over a mountaia of earth had arisen from the plain. 



Such a great multitude could weU engage in conflict 

 with any enemy, however cunning, so when everything was 

 prepared they challenged the sakit to commence the war 

 wherever and whenever he pleased. 



The enemy, notwithstanding his bloodthirsty nature, 

 was not without a certain pride, and before beginning the 

 conflict he gave them a piece of salutary advice. 



' It is not possible,' se sakit cried, ' for you to combat 

 with us here as if we were like men. We can see you, and 

 you cannot see us, so that the combat would not be fair and 

 we should most certainly win. Go therefore out in the 

 open plain and wait until you see the assa (a species of 

 reed) trembhng, and then you will know by that sign that 

 I am present and you can wage war on me. Moreover the 

 best weapons you can use are not your swords, but the rere 

 (leaf- stalks of the seho — a palm).' 



Thereupon Kiolor commanded the people to gather the 

 reres, and when the warriors were aU armed with these 

 the host started out once more to meet the enemy. When 

 the sign was given the Tombulus fell to, and with shouts 

 and screams they thrashed the waving reeds. At last drops 

 of blood appeared on the rere and the assa, and then Kiolor 

 knew that the sakit had been struck. 



