Tierno Diagne had adapted well to his new life and had even started working in market gardening. He was doing quite well.
Salif, whose business had begun to succeed, bought two tons of goods and stored them in his home. Later, he went to see his father to discuss his plans.
"Father," Salif said.
"Salif?" replied Abdoulaye.
"I need to talk to you about something important."
"Yes? Go ahead."
"I bought two tons of merchandise."
"Ah, a great merchant already!" Abdoulaye joked.
"Some of them are agricultural products," Salif continued.
"You want to go into farming?" Abdoulaye asked.
"Yes," Salif replied. "We have vast cultivable lands. Why not use them?"
"Trade suits you well," Abdoulaye said thoughtfully. "But we lose nothing by trying."
"Thank you," Salif replied.
"Good. Be courageous," Abdoulaye said. "Go see Maguette. I want you to join the delegation going to Watch Dal. Tierno Diagne knows the way. Take your friends with you, and above all, be careful."
"Yes," Salif said as he stood up. "I'm going."
Salif left his father and gathered his companions: Modou, Ibra, Thiam, Babam Ba, and Nder.
They rode to the house of Madiaw Thiam on horseback. They had even brought an extra horse for Tierno Diagne.
When they arrived, they found Tierno deep in thought. Madiaw greeted them and wished them good luck.
Salif noticed Tierno's expression.
"Are you alright?"
"Who, me?" Tierno asked.
"Yes. What's wrong?"
"Soukeyna is pregnant," Tierno said quietly.
"Take your horse," Nder said quickly, holding Tierno's mount. "We'll talk about it on the way."
"And Soukeyna?" Salif asked. "Shouldn't we greet her?"
"That wouldn't be a good idea," Tierno replied.
Without waiting any longer, Salif and his group set off toward Watch Dal.
Meanwhile, in her room, Soukeyna was in distress.
"My child will never be the son of a criminal," she said desperately.
"Stop it!" ordered Amina, who was exhausted from trying to comfort her. "It will be alright. He will never know who his real father is."
"What's done is done," said Madiaw Thiam. "After the child is born, I will marry you to Tierno Diagne. The child will live happily, and you will take care of him together."
On the road, Salif asked Tierno:
"Who got her pregnant?"
"During the trouble at the market, she was chased by Neub and Mong Dal. It must have been one of them," Tierno answered.
"Who are they?" Thiam asked.
"They used to be my companions," Tierno said. "And by the way, I asked Madiaw Thiam for Soukeyna's hand. I love her. Her child will be mine."
"I truly admire you," Modou said. "So I can call you brother-in-law now?"
"Yes," Tierno replied with a smile. "You already can."
As they approached Watch Dal, they noticed a drunkard staring at them.
When they arrived, the man welcomed them and guided them straight to Dof Dal.
The drunkard kept glancing at Tierno during the walk.
"Come in," Dof Dal said when he heard the knock on his door.
The drunkard entered with Salif's group.
"Good morning," Salif greeted.
When Dof Dal saw Tierno, he stared at him in astonishment, as if he could hardly believe his eyes.
"Incredible!" he exclaimed before regaining his composure.
"Sit down," he added, still observing Tierno.
"Thank you," Salif said.
"You are welcome here," Dof Dal replied before turning to Tierno. "You left us just like that. We even thought you were dead… and yet you were living among them."
"Now it's Diagne," Tierno said calmly. "No longer Dal."
"I see," Dof Dal replied. "Does your new life suit you?"
"Perfectly."
"I'm happy for you," Dof Dal said.
"Thank you," Tierno replied, surprised by Dof Dal's calm attitude.
"We came as collaborators," Salif explained.
"A man came here before," Dof Dal said thoughtfully. "You resemble him — the same gestures."
"Yes. That must be my father."
"I know why you are here," Dof Dal said. "And I thank your village for keeping its promise."
"Thank you," Salif and the others replied.
"The rainy season is coming," Tierno added. "We will show you all the techniques for market gardening and help you throughout the season."
"I hope they won't be foolish enough to refuse," Dof Dal said. "Soulard, go through every district and inform them that the help is real and that the people of Deuk Wolof truly intend to support us."
The drunkard left to carry out his task.
Several minutes later, he returned with a large crowd gathered in front of Dof Dal's house.
Dof Dal invited his guests to step outside.
Facing the crowd, he began speaking.
"I only told him to inform people," Dof Dal said with a smile. "But that man is always overexcited. I don't know what he told you to bring such a crowd here… but you know him. With him, nothing is surprising."
The crowd laughed loudly.
Taking advantage of the moment, Dof Dal continued:
"And since you are all here, let me tell you something important. The people of Deuk Wolof have kept their promise. They even sent young men to prove it."