to and fro steadily increased in

But his speech was cut short by an uproar from the camp. Cries, shrieks, shouts, yells, and the sound of running to and fro steadily increased in volume. It was a riot. In vain Kingozi called for Cazi Moto and Simba. Finally he grasped his _kiboko_ and started in the direction of the disturbance. The Leopard Woman sprang to his side, and guided him. He laid about him blindly with the _kiboko_, and in time succeeded in getting some semblance of order. "Cazi Moto! Simba!" he shouted angrily. "Bwana?" "Sah?" two panting voices answered. "What is this?" They both began to speak at once. "You, Cazi Moto," commanded Kingozi. "These men are liars," began Cazi Moto. "What men?" "These men who brought the _barua_. They tell lies, bad lies, and we beat them for it." "Since when have you beaten liars? And since when have I ceased to deal punishment? And since when has it been permitted that such a _kalele_ be raised in my camp?" pronounced Kingozi coldly. "For attending to such things you are my man; and Simba is my man; and Mali-ya-bwana is my man; and Jack is my man. Because you have done these things I fine you six rupees each one." "Yes, _bwana_," said Cazi Moto submissively. "These other men--what manner of 'lie' do they tell? Bring them here." The messengers were produced. "What is it you tell that my men beat you for telling lies? They must be bad lies, for it is not the custom of men to beat men for telling lies." "We tell no lies, _bwana_" said one of the messengers earnestly. "We tell the truth." "What is it you tell?"