“If I want to let them go free, I can,” said Chief Edem.  “I am chief, don’t forget that.”

“Show that you are a great and wise chief,” said Mary.  “Let them all go free.”

Chief Edem thought a while.  Then he spoke.

“If Bwana Ovens will make a fine box for my son then I will let all go free but Mojo, Otinga, and Obwe,” said Chief Edem.

“But why keep them?” asked Mary.

“Mojo and Otinga are related to Etim’s mother.  They planned bad things against my boy.  Obwe is related to Chief Akpo who has run away because he is guilty.  Now if I let these others go will you build me a box Bwana Ovens?”

“Yes, I will build you a box,” said Mr. Ovens.

“Please let the three go free, too,” said Mary.  “They have done you no wrong.”

“We have done more for you than we have ever done before.  We will do nothing else,” said Chief Edem.  He turned his back on Mary and walked away.

People from other villages came to take part in the wild parties that were always held when there was a funeral.  Mary tried again and again to get Edem to free the three prisoners.  Mary and Mr. Ovens managed to take Mojo and Otinga to the mission house where they were safe.  Again Mary pleaded for Obwe.  Chief Edem was very angry.

“Will you not have me honor my son?  You have run off with my prisoners.  I will burn down the mission house.  I will send you back to Duke Town.  Then you cannot trouble me any longer.”

“Brother, you do not speak wisely,” said Ma Eme, E’dem’s sister.  “The white Ma has done many good things for us.  If we burn down the mission house you will have a bad name among all tribes.  Chain Obwe in the white Ma’s yard so that the village people cannot harm her.  She cannot get away and you can find out later whether she is guilty or not.”

“Very well,” said Chief Edem, “I will do that.  But the three must be killed for the funeral.  What kind of a funeral will that be for a chief’s son if no one is killed?  He will have no one to go with him on the way to the dark land.”

The next day two missionaries came from Duke Town in answer to Mary’s note.  It was a great honor to have so many white people at a funeral.  Chief Edem was no longer as angry as he had been.  The missionaries showed slide pictures.  The natives had never seen anything like it before.  It pleased them very much and it also quieted them down.  The next day when the funeral was held, a cow was killed and put in the coffin with Etim instead of the people who were thought to have worked witchcraft against him.

Mary was glad and thankful to God that she had been able to save the prisoners.  The last of the prisoners was let go free on the promise that if Chief Akpo was caught he would take the poison test.  Mary heard that Etim was the only chief in Okoyong ever to be buried without some people being killed as a human sacrifice.  The people of the jungle thought Mary was wonderful indeed.