So Telinga took a sip, and leaped off into the grass. And, apparently, he immediately returned, and took another sip and leaped back into the grass; and, apparently, immediately returned again. And apparently--(They were his companions who had come one by one to help him!) Thus the barrelful of firewater was rapidly sipped away. King Gorilla announced Telinga as the winner of the prize. What the young woman thought of the loss of her graceful lovers, the Antelopes and others, is not known. For, when Telinga advanced to take her, Leopard and others dashed at him, shouting, "You miserable little snip of a fellow! You've won her; but if we can't have her you shan't. There! take that! and that! and that!" as they began to beat and kick and bite him. In terror, he jumped into the trees, abandoning his bride. And he and his tribe have remained in the trees ever since, afraid to come down to the ground. TALE 15 LEOPARD OF THE FINE SKIN Place Town of King Mborakinda Persons King Mborakinda Ilâmbe, His Daughter Ra-Marânge, A Doctor And Other People Njegâ (Leopard) Kabala (A Magic Horse) Ogula-Ya-Mpazya-Vazya, A Sorcerer NOTE Leopards can swim if compelled to, but they do not like to enter water, or wet their feet in any way. At the town of Ra-Mborakinda, where he lived with his wives and his children and his glory, this occurred. He had a beloved daughter, by name Ilâmbe. He loved her much; and sought to please her in many ways, and gave her many servants to serve her. When she grew up to womanhood, she said that she did not wish any one to come to ask her in marriage; that she herself would choose a husband. "Moreover, I will never marry any man who has any, even a little bit of, blotch on his skin." Her father did not like her to speak in that way; nevertheless, he did not forbid her. When men began to come to the father and say, "I desire your daughter Ilâmbe for a wife," he would say, "Go, and ask herself." Then when the man went to Ilâmbe's house, and would say, "I have come to ask you in marriage," her only reply was a question, "Have you a clear skin, and no blotches on your body?" If he answered, "Yes," Ilâmbe would say, "But, I must see for myself; come into my room." There she required the man to take off all his clothing. And if, on examination, she saw the slightest pimple or scar, she would point toward it, and say, "That! I do not want you." Then perhaps he would begin to plead, "All my skin is right, except--." But she would interrupt him, "No! for even that little mark I do not want you." So it went on with all who came, she finding fault with even a small pimple or scar. And all suitors were rejected. The news spread abroad that Ra-Mborakinda had a beautiful daughter, but that no one was able to obtain her, because of what she said about diseases of the skin. Still, many tried to obtain her. Even animals changed themselves to human form, and sought her, in vain.