A Legend of the Dead

Chapter Nine

79 A Legend of the Dead: Sequel to The Crown of Thorns Chapter Nine If there’s a lid that does not fit, there’s a lid that does. (Gabriel Buchanan: Japanese Proverb) ABOUT HALF an hour after the Minister gave instructions for Beckongncho to be brought to see him, a tallish man was led into his office. His beard was tangled and unkempt and he wore a twisted, dirty black suit. His hands and nails were black and somewhat grimy, and to the Minister who had an acute sense of smell, his whole body gave off an unpleasant odour. There was in his sunken eyes the look of a man encumbered with nameless fears and doubts, a man completely dispirited. But through this a certain aura of authority or nobility of spirit seemed to radiate in compelling waves. He greeted the Minister but the man did not respond. “Who are you please?” the Minister inquired. “I am Kevin Beckongncho, You Excellency.” “ What do you do for a living?” “I am the co-headmaster of the Government Primary School Ngeung-Ale in Sowa, Your Excellency.” The Minister looked surprised. He did not know much about Beckongncho. Then searching his mind he said: “I guess that Mr. Kevin Beckongncho, as headmaster, is aware, of a Governmental Circular of the Eleventh February 1955 which forbade all persons in the employ of the Civil Service of this Republic to mingle in local politics.” That was something Beckongncho had long forgotten of. “Are you aware of it?” “I am, Your Excellency,” Beckongncho lied. He feared to give the Minister the impression that he had acted in ignorance. The very fact that he had been brought to the Minister instantly suggested to his mind that there might be some other solution to the problem than 80 Linus T. Asong just killing him and throwing away. He must give answers which would permit him to explain himself, and maybe, convince the Minister. “Are you, Kevin Beckongncho, aware of how necessary peace is in this country?” “I am Your Excellency.” There was silence. “The Government of this country has got a lot to tell you. But first, you are being called upon to make available to the state the crown and whatever else in your keeping that pertains to the throne of Small Monje.” *** Aliou Ndam Garga, the Minister of Territorial Administration, was one of the very few of the Cabinet Of Ministers who had established a reputation for fair-dealing among the educated citizens of the republic. He was the only man who was still being believed to know what democracy was and practise it. He was known to believe firmly in dialogue, even with outrageous criminals. The story even went that the only reason the government had not been toppled by a coup d’état was because he was still an active member of it. Beckongncho had heard of him years ago and liked what was said about him. He saw in the demand that he be brought to speak to the man, the working of the hand of God. He was now convinced that even if he was to die the very next minute, he would not die a criminal’s death, that it will be possible for him to leave information which would make the image of Small Monje less dishonourable in the eyes of the Government. He knew about Small Monje, which a man like Aliou Garga would be glad to know. “Do you understand me?” the Minister inquired. “I do, Your Excellency. But I Beg to say that I am not keeping any of those things.” The Minister looked at the Governor in great astonishment. The latter rose to his feet and asked in a voice charged with subdued fury: “You want to deny your own words?” The Minister did not give him time to defend himself. He asked: “Do you know anything about the things at all?” “I do, Your Excellency.” 81 A Legend of the Dead: Sequel to The Crown of Thorns “ What do you know about them?” “I know where they were hidden, Your Excellency.” “Where they were hidden or where they are hidden?” “Where they were hidden, Your Excellency. It is a long time ago, and they might not be there any more.” “Who hid them?” “Ngobefuo, Your Excellency. The caretaker of the tribe. I was with him when he hid them.” The Governor threw...