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But when he recognized Alan, he flung himself on his knees and kissed his hand, because to him he owed his liberty. "No time for all that, Fahni," said Alan. "Give us food." Now of this as it chanced there was plenty, since by the Asika's orders the slaves had been laden with as much as they could carry.
For a few seconds he stood back gazing at the mask as a wolf might at an unapproachable bone. Then suddenly he ran forward and sprang into the air. Such an amazing jump Alan had never seen before. So high was it indeed that his head came level with that of the fetish, which he snatched with both hands tearing it from Asika's grasp.
After all, if the Asika's love was terrible, what would be the appearance of her outraged hate? What could he ask? More gold? He hated the very name of the stuff, for it had brought him here. He remembered the old cannibal chief, Fahni, who, like himself, languished a prisoner, daily expecting death. Only that morning he had implored him to obtain his liberty. "I thank you, Asika," he said.
Then the head medicine-man, raising himself upon his knees, crept on to the dais, took the fetish from her hands, and breaking into a wild song of triumph, he and his companions crawled down the hall and vanished through the door, leaving them alone save for the Asika's husband.
But she not always like her husband, and then she make him sit up, poor devil, and he die double quick. Great honour to be Asika's husband, but soon all finished. P'raps " Then he checked himself and suggested that Alan should have a bath while he cleaned his clothes, an attention that they needed.
Now I am going to dress for dinner," and with an anxious glance seaward into the gathering darkness, he turned and went. Jeekie stood alone upon the empty deck, wagging his great white head to and fro and soliloquizing thus: "Wonder if Major see what under lady Asika's feet when she stand out there over nasty deep. Think not or he say something. That noble lord not look nice.
Slave," she added, addressing Jeekie, "set the mask upon your lord's head, for we come where women are." Alan objected, but she stamped her foot and said it must be so, having once worn Little Bonsa, as her people told her he had done, his naked face might not be seen. So Alan submitted to the hideous head-dress and they entered the Asika's house by some back entrance.
That Little Bonsa sit in front room Asika's house, and when she want see things, she put it in big basin of gold, but I no tell you what it float in. Also once or twice every year they take out Little Bonsa; Asika wear it on head as mask, and whoever they meet they kill as offering to Little Bonsa, so that spirit come back to world to be priest of Bonsa.
"Yes, Major, that just what mouse say when he finish cheese in trap, but missus come along, call him 'Pretty, pretty, and drown him all the same," and he nodded in the direction of the Asika's house. "Jeekie, it has got to be done do you hear me? I had rather die trying to get away than stop here till the next two months are up.
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