78 Children of Yayoute

his godmother ran outside and yelled sorrowfully until the
news had reached the ears of everyone. She held a nine
day novena for the repose of the souls of the lambs; and
at the end she took council with her family, who concluded
that a way must be found to get revenge on Bouqui. They
might have to wait a long time, they figured, but they would
have patience. The whole family moved to lambs' country
to wait for an opportunity for revenge.
 In several months Bouqui had finished eating the lambs
he had brought from the lambs' country. The drought was
still at its height, and meat was still scarce. Bouqui thought
that he should go back to the lambs' country maybe there
were a few more lambs left scattered among the bushes.
He would find a way to get those, too. So he started out
as he did before, and it did not take him long to reach his
destination.
 Bonjou' Mesdames, bonjou' Mesdemoiselles, bonjou'
M'sieurs! How is your courage today.,
 4Oh-oh, cried the lambs. (Not good at all, no. Because
of the drought we are dying of hunger.-
 SOh-oh, Bouqui said to himself, (I'm glad there's still
a drought here. It's all the better. Loudly he said, -I know-
I know. That's why I'm here. I bring news from God that
will please you.,
 Winking at one another, the lambs said, -Blessed be
God.o
 Bouqui told the same story to them as he had toldthe
others. All showed much eagerness about the idea. Bouqui
leaped joyously into the pot; and the lambs put the cover
on, and the heavy stones and iron on top of that. The little
ones kindled the fire.