By the evening time, the boys from Mokpo community have caused so much trouble, as they pursued the elderly men and the messenger who came to announce their peace meeting, back to the king's palace of Omuko land. This happened through the thick forest at the back end of their village linking the two villages as they heard the announcement when the messengers approached Mokpo's community. They pant as they ran and fell on the road, for fear of being caught by the violent chasers. In the presence of their king they arrived and prostrated anxiously, ignoring to salute the king properly as they suddenly had speech impairment. What happened? Someone should speak to me! The king asked. "Why are you all terrified that you can't even greet me proper?" Someone manages to speak: These youths are unbearable. They have pursued us down to this place my king! He reported agitating. Another person mustered courage to speak.
"You have to save us by sending another person."
Which youth? The king surprisingly asked in pretense.
From the village you sent us. Someone spoke. Calm down! The King ordered. Calm down!! And explain the matter please. You are men for God's sake.
[Mr. Frank]: When we got there, they said they weren't interested in making peace. Before we could say any other word, they started asking for Rumpey and that we should leave. Suddenly stones from unknown sources started hitting at us. In fact, they came out suddenly from the thick forest demarcating our own boundary from theirs. We least expected to see them. It was as if we were set out for a war and were ambushed. We had no courage to stay back. Yes, we are men. But these youths are unbearable, and more than men. I think our youths should rather face them.
[The messenger]: Stop suggesting anything, tell the king, who they asked for! And as the matter is. He said to Mr. Frank. My king, they were asking of Rumpey! Where is that boy? The messenger contributed after shunning Mr. Frank.
[The King]: No. You should tell me where Rumpey is! They said Rumpey has offended them. That the whole thing was as a result of Rumpey, that Rude boy they call Rudey. And it is debt related. Mr. Frank & the messenger, jointly informed. "But , sincerely I think there is more to it. Mr. Frank added in low tones. Ah! Hands to his chest, slowly relieving his tensed mood. "I hope the father is around. The king said in exclamation. "Go call me Rumpey's father." The king summoned one of the messengers.
[Mr. Frank]: My king, let me go home because those boys are coming to your palace. That I have no doubt. He pants and continues: As we explained our mission-that we were there for peace, they became very agitated and scary. We hope to tell them that the arrangement is being made with our youth for a truce, if they will agree to jointly build the bridge. He paused as he saw the boys coming around. As anticipated the boys in a group arrived with machetes and sticks. Scolobo (Scaley) was their leader. The reporters sighted them and stood up, pausing further explanations to the king. Angry, the King arose: "In my palace?" He uttered.
Here they are king of our land. A group of timid villagers stood aloof and called the king's attention quickly. Where is he? Where are they? The angry youths demanded. Rampaging. "We are here now, come fight us." Rumpey! Where is Rumpey? They asked collectively walking to and fro in anger.
Go to his house. If anyone tries to stop you, cut him or her with your cutlasses. Scaley ordered.
The king perceived and conceived everything was about Rumpey he then applies wisdom:
Young men! Young and gentlemen!! My young friends. The king placates softly but fearfully. "You must have come here for peace. Please sit down and we shall hear each other out. You are in my palace. My community. Are you not scared of your lives?" We are not sitting! No. We are not scared!! Yes, we want peace but there must be war! They screamed jointly.
Also, we heard you (pointing at the king) and you people (pointing at the crowed) blamed us and said we are the cause of the broken bridge. And you want us to fix it. Please, we are here for you, come and deal with us now. We want to say we will not tolerate all the nonsense your boys do to our women, our ladies, more so the debt Rumpey is owing me, must be paid. He blows up too much airs and now I refuse to be dominated by him. Where is he? Where is Rumpey!!!!!!!!?He demanded shouting. "But young man, I am the king not Rumpey's father; besides ...The King tries to say.. So what? King of the universe? Are you the king of the universe? Scolobo yells and mocks the king of Okumu land.
The king continued: I understand you people are friends and play football together. Was that not why you jointly formed a football club, called Common FC, where players are selected from both communities to participate in important tournament of Igboland? To be candid when I heard about your football matches I am usually happy and feel like can this be possible? Even before you came I have narrated to my people that kids must play and with that comes a lot of discomfort like fight, envy and anger. You are adults and I believe all this should and can be taken care of, only for us to understand that there was trouble that escalated even to the point of destroying the bridge connecting us together and some of our boys have died.
We didn't destroy the bridge. We also have wounds and scars on our body. Look at what Rumpey did to him. He pointed at his fellow community friend's head, see what he inflicted on him. As you have mentioned Rumpey is not my son, he is your friend and as a matter of fact his father is here. The King pointed at rumpey's dad. Rumpey's father tries to hide and object to his presence as he hides behind the standing crowd, who gathered to listen to the agitating youths. Two boys grabbed Rumpey's father. We will kill you today, where is your son? Where is Rumpey? Am afraid I have not seen him in a while. I was even of late mentioning that he must have been killed, injured or taken by crocodiles because since that incident he has not been seen. Please spare me. I and his mother have been having sleepless nights. That's my house over there, and my wife, that is his mother, you can go and search everywhere. He spoke with so much fear. Without any order by Scaley, two boys moved inside Rumpey's house while another set of boys grabbed his mum angrily.
Easy! Easy!! The king intervened.
Are you here for this old man and woman or you are here to fight us? We thought you came here for peace, so we can settle the matter on ground.
Only you boys have your ways of entering our land via your hide outs or thick bushes. But not these old men of ours. Let's focus on the bridge, so we can all use it. Let's fix it and then settle this issue once and for all. We are here for Rumpey! They declared angrily. That guy owes a lot of people, me inclusive. Scolobo and Rumpey's enemies complained. "Aside that he always threatens us, fights us, disrupts our football matches, sometimes. We have been waiting for a day like this, to fight back.
Oh I see! The king exclaimed and heaped a sigh of relieve again, as he got a clearer picture of the matter at hand. He, the king and every other person became relieved and then the king addressed the angry youth of the other community of Mokpo village. He told them that he would fish out Rumpey for them within twenty-four hours that should nothing happens within that time they should come back and if possible burn the whole community if they can. Following the king's statement there became a serious outrage.
Boys from the community: Are you joking with us? Is this some kind of joke? You want us to burn the whole community? Are you kidding us, not like we are soldiers?
The King (interjecting): Remember I said if you can. But on my path I shall bring the person you all want to you in due time.
Ah!! The elders revolted. " My king, our king, why give such powers to them? Some objected fearfully, avoiding close contact with the angered youths, deliberately speaking from the opposite distance from the youth. " Why do you have to utter such about burning everyone of Okumu land? The king signals his spokesman very close to him of his intent, who in turn explains, for he is the right hand man to the king:
Spokesman uttered immediately: My people the king has spoken! We have always trusted him and truth be told this is not the time our king shall disappoint us. And young boys and girls from the neighbouring village please be rest assured that we shall do our best to find Rumpey for you people and also make sure he pays all his debt.
Mokpo youths: Better! You had better told him to turn up or else his mother will go in his place. We will kill her!
King (to the youth): I promise
(To his messenger): Now, go quickly announce to all nooks and cranny around the villages that Rumpey if alive is needed at home, that without him his mother won't be released.
So the town crier left immediately to dispatch the news in and out of their community. The angry youth left while some of them who are already so adamant, refusing to accept any plea stayed behind for some time holding on to Rumpey's mother as a captive.