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Updated: June 27, 2025
I understand, end in police court and severe magistrate, or perhaps even 'Gentlemen of Jury'; etcetera." "Well, Jeekie, then what remains? Now last night when you told us that amazing yarn of yours, you said something about a mountain full of gold, and houses full of gold, among your people. Jeekie, do you think " and he paused, looking at him.
Veiled women with torches before and behind, Jeekie stalking ahead carrying the battered tin box, long passages lined with gold, a vision of black water edged with a wide promenade, and finally a large lamp-lit room whereof the roof was supported by gilded columns, and in the room couches of cushions, wooden stools inlaid with ivory, vessels of water, great basins made of some black, hard wood, and in the centre a block of stone that looked like an altar.
Alan stopped his protestations with a secret kick. "I choose no victims," he broke in, "nor will I see man's blood shed to me it is orunda unholy; I may not look on human blood, and if you cause me to do so, Asika, I shall hate you because you make me break my oath." The Asika reflected for a moment, while Jeekie behind muttered between his chattering teeth: "Good missionary talk that, Major.
They haled up a lad as though for sacrifice, for a priest flourished a great knife above his head, but Jeekie said something that caused them to let him go. Alan thought it was to the effect that Little Bonsa had changed her habits across the Black Water, and wanted no blood, only food. Then he remembered no more; again the darkness fell upon him.
Just then a clamour arose in the air, and he perceived Jeekie striding towards him waving one arm in an excited fashion, while with the other he dragged along the captain of the porters, who appeared to be praying for mercy. "Here pretty go, Major," he shouted, "devil and all to pay! That my Lord, he gone and bolted.
In three minutes it was over without another shot being fired. Most of them were despatched, and the others, throwing down their guns, had fled wounded into the forest. Now, shouting in jubilation, some of the men began to drag away the dead bodies, while others collected the rifles and the remainder, headed by Jeekie, advanced towards Alan and Aylward, waving their red spears.
As there was nothing else to be done Alan took Jeekie's advice and in time fell fast asleep, nor did he wake again till the faint light which for the want of a better name they called dawn, was filtering down to them through the canopy of boughs. "Been to look," said Jeekie as he handed him his coffee. "Hit that dwarf man, see his blood, but think others carry him away.
"Sit down," said Jeekie to them in their own tongue, "a leopard was stalking us and I fired to frighten it away. Don't go near the place, as it may be wounded and angry, but drag up some boughs and make a fence round the fire, for fear of others."
"I mean Barbara and myself," he answered slowly. Alan's jaw dropped, he shook upon his feet. "Barbara and yourself!" he said. "Do I understand " "Don't you understand nothing, Major," broke in Jeekie. "Don't you believe one word what this pig dog say. If Miss Barbara marry him he no want shoot you; he ask you to tea to see the Missus and how much she love him, ducky!
"Don't feel nothing, Major," he answered, "best cork mattress, 25/3 at Stores, very good for poisoned arrow, but leave him behind now, because perhaps points work through as I run, one scratch do trick," and as he spoke Jeekie untied a string or several strings, letting the little mattress fall to the ground. Life more than raiment. Also take no thought for morrow. Dwarf people do that for us.
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