Next evening, I saddled my horse and rode to Unguan Kanawa. It was a little village some five miles outside the walls of Jado, and in the midst of it was a large mud building, decorated with flags and humming with music. Obviously some big sport was in progress, and the man at the gate knew I was expected.
"Prince Kanemi is inside, he said, with a humbled tone,and taking over the reins of my horse. "He has been asking about you. You are Mallam illa, I suppose?"
Wondering how he knew my name,I bowed and went into the arena. The whole place was in darkness, except for the little spot of light beneath which Zarah sat. I had walked barely a few feet in that direction when strong hands gripped me, and guided me towards her. Then the lights were brought and I saw that I was surrounded by about a dozen youths, all in cloaks and turbans.The scabbard dangling from their hips told me of dangerous work to follow.
Prince Kanemi appeared, dressed in a rich velvet turban embroidered with gold. From his shoulders hung a gay cloak, gathered about the middle with a large piece of jewelry. He waved his gold crowned staff, and the music stopped.
"Welcome my sons," he said. "Tonight, one of you is going to win the hand of my daughter Zarah. But he must be the bravest of you all. We live in time when a man's might is his right." He saused suddenly; and looked at me. "You have all heard of the game called b 'shanchi' I presume?"
We were silent, and he went on:
"It is not a game for faint hearts. But he who thinks that Zarah is not a sufficient prize to induce him to take part, let him leave now."
Nobody moved, and prince Kanemi's face darkened.
"Some of you here will not breathe tommorow's air.
For this night shanchi may claim you." He walked down a number of steps, inviting us to follow him. Kanemi led us an open field, in the middle of which was a ring. "This is where the game will be played. You are all to go in there. The lights will be put out. In the darkness you will try to get your man. Do what you can to disable him. At the end of the game, the man who is left becomes Zarah's husband."
"Your Majesty," said a thick-set man in a week voice. "How do we dsable our man?"
"You have swords, haven't you?"
"Yes," said the man. "I--I was thinking..." He started about him timidly, the sweat standing on his face.
"I was thinking- - if the man died ..."
"If he dies, we remove him."
Kenemi turned to us. "Make a ready men." He waved his staff, and air was at once filled with the blare of trumpets. When the harah notes ceased, Kanemi said something to Zarah and she gave us her own brand of music. Bringing out her gwoje an instrument rather like a violin she played so sweetly and so soft that the night stood still and listen to her. I could not help but feeling that there was something mournful about her music, and that great sorrow would be the outcome of this contest.
"To the ring! shouted Kanemi in an angery voice.