Mary thought that this trouble was over, but a short time later Etim’s uncle, who lived in a nearby village, was accused of having killed the young man.  He came to Ekenge and met with the village chiefs.

“I am willing to take the poison bean test,” said the uncle, “if all of the chiefs will take the test.  That means you, too, Edem.  Those who are innocent will not be hurt.  I will take the test, but all the other chiefs must, too.”

When Mary heard that Etim’s uncle was going to take the poison bean test if the other chiefs would, she rushed to the village.  The men were arguing.  They were shaking their swords and guns at one another.  Mary looked around until she found the bag of poison beans.  She took them and ran off with them.

The chiefs could not find the poison beans.  Finally, they quieted down.  Chief Edem went to Mary.

“Give me the poison beans,” he said.  “I know you have taken them.”

“Yes, I took them,” said Mary, “but I will not give them to you.  There has been enough trouble and sadness and fear.  When will you be satisfied that your son’s death was an accident?”

Chief Edem turned around and went back to the village.  He sent all the chiefs home.  Nothing more was said about the poison bean test.

Now Mary began to plead for Akpo, the chief of the village which the witch doctor had said had caused Etim to be killed.

“Chief Edem, let him come home.  Forgive him.  He has done you no wrong.”

God softened Edem’s heathen heart.  After several weeks he agreed to let Akpo come home.

“You may tell him,” Edem said to Mary, “that all thought of revenge is gone from my heart.  If he wishes to return to his own village, he may do so, or he may go anywhere in Okoyong in safety.”

Nothing like that had ever been done before in the jungle.  The heathen people did not forgive.  They always took revenge.  Akpo did not believe Edem had forgiven him.  He did not want to trust Edem.  At last Mary convinced him that Edem meant just what he said and that Akpo could really go home.

Mary and Akpo came to his home village of Payekong.  The houses had been burned.  The cattle had been stolen.  But it was still home.  Tears came to Akpo’s eyes.  Thankfully the chief kneeled at Mary’s feet.

“Oh, Ma, thank you, thank you for what you have done for me and my people.  I and my people will always do whatever you ask.”  Akpo kept his promise.  Other chiefs often argued with Mary and threatened to hurt her, but Akpo and his people always helped her and did whatever she wanted them to do.

Chief Edem now was kind to Akpo and his people.  He built houses for them and helped them get their gardens started again.  He gave them some cattle, too.  After some time had gone by, Chief Edem came to Mary.  He kneeled down before her.

“Thank you, Ma, for being brave.  Thank you for keeping after me until I let those prisoners go.  I am glad that people were not killed at the time of Etim’s death.  Your ways are better than ours.  We are tired of the old ways.”