“It is the people of Payekong.  They are to blame.  They put a spell on him,” said the witch doctor.

Chief Edem called for the leader of his soldiers.

“Take my warriors and go to Payekong,” said Chief E’dem.  “Capture the people and burn down the houses.  Quickly now!”

The warriors were too late.  Chief Akpo, the chief of Payekong, had heard the news.  He and his people had run off into the jungle.  Only a few people were left in the village.  Those were captured by Edem’s soldiers and brought to Ekenge.

Mary was sure that Chief Edem would make the people take the poison bean test.  This is how the test was made:  A small brown bean full of poison was crushed and put into water.  The person who was tested had to drink the poison water.  The natives thought that if the person drank the water and died, he was guilty; if he lived, he was innocent.

“That is no way to honor your son, Chief Edem,” said Mary.  “You know it is wrong and sinful to kill people.”

“But they are bad people.  They deserve to die.”

“You do not know that.  That water is poison.  Anyone who drinks it would die.”

“Oh, no, Ma, if the one who drinks it is innocent he will live.”

“I do not agree with you.  Come, let us honor your son in a better way.”

Mary wrapped the young man’s body in silk.  She dressed him in the finest suit she could find.  She wrapped a silk turban around his head and then placed a high red and black hat with bright colored feathers on his head.  No chief had ever been dressed so fine for his burial.  The body was carried out into the yard and seated in a large chair under an umbrella.  A silver-headed stick and a whip was placed in his hand.  This showed he was a chief’s son.  A mirror was also put in his hand so he could see how wonderful he was.  On a table beside him were placed all his treasures.  Those included skulls he had taken in war.  Then the people were let into the yard to see Etim.

The people shouted.  They were so happy they danced around.  They called for whiskey to drink.  Chief Edem gave them much whiskey to drink.  They became wilder and wilder.

Mary and Mr. Ovens took turns watching the prisoners.  They were afraid the people would kill them.  As Mary was going to her house for a little rest, she saw some poison beans on the pounding stone.  This filled her with fear.  She was not afraid for herself, but for the poor prisoners.  She fell on her knees and prayed.

“Dear Father in Heaven,” prayed Mary, “watch over these poor people.  Do not let harm come to these prisoners.  Keep the other people from doing murder.  Give me the courage to face the chiefs and tell them they are wrong.  In all these things may Thy will be done.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.”

After she had prayed Mary got up and went to Chief Edem and his brother Ekponyong.

“You must forbid the poison bean test,” said Mary.  “It is wrong and sinful.  God is watching what you do.  Do not do that sinful thing.”