Nianga Dia Ngenga takes up his gun, saying: "I will go a-hunting." He
has reached the bush; he has hunted; he saw not game; he says: "I will
go."
When he returns home, he finds Mr. Leopard, whom they have stuck up in
the fork of a tree. When he sees Nianga, he says: "Father Nianga, help
me out!" Nianga says: "What has done this to thee?" He says: "Unfork
me first; I shall tell thee."
Nianga took him out; he set him on the ground. He says: "Elephant has
stuck me up in the fork of the tree. Sir, to whom one has given life,
one gives more. I have been two days on the tree; give me a little
food." Nianga says: "Where shall I find food?" He says: "Anywhere."
Nianga takes up his dog; he gives it to Mr. Leopard. Mr. Leopard ate
it and said, "I am not satisfied." Nianga takes up also the other dog;
he gives it to Mr. Leopard. He has eaten, says, "Still I have not
enough." Nianga dia Ngenga took up his cartridge-box; he gives him it.
Mr. Leopard, when he had eaten it, said, "Still I have not enough."
Hare comes; he finds them talking; says: "Why are you quarrelling?"
Nianga says: "Mr. Leopard, I found him in the fork of a tree. Says
he, 'Take me out!' I took him out. Says he, 'Give me to eat!' I gave
him both my dogs and my cartridge-box. He says, 'Give me more to eat.'
That is what we are quarrelling about."
Hare says: "Mr. Leopard, let him be again on the tree, where he was;
that I may see." Mr. Leopard returns to the tree, where he was. Hare
moves off to a distance; he calls Nianga. He says: "Thou, Nianga, art
unwise. Mr. Leopard is a wild beast, he is wont to catch people.
Thou, who didst get him out of there, he wanted to devour thee. Shoot
him."
Nianga then shoots Mr. Leopard.