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there was something over his face。
〃That confounded Little Bonsa；〃 he thought。 〃Am I expected to spend
the rest of my life with it on my head like the man in the iron mask？〃
Then he put up his hand and felt the thing； to find that it was not
Little Bonsa； but something made apparently of thin； fine linen；
fitted to the shape of his face； for there was a nose on it； and
eyeholes through which he could see； yes； and a mouth whereof the lips
by some ingenious contrivance could be moved up and down。
〃Little Bonsa's undress uniform； I expect；〃 he muttered； and tried to
drag it off。 This； however； proved to be impossible； for it was fitted
tightly to his head and laced or fastened at the back of his neck so
securely that he could not undo it。 Being still weak； soon he gave up
the attempt and began to look about him。
He was in a litter； a very fine litter hung round with beautifully
woven and coloured grass mats； inside of which were a kind of couch
and cushions of soft wool or hair； so arranged that he could either
sit up or lie down。 He peeped between two of these mats and saw that
they were travelling in a mountainous country over a well…beaten road
or trail； and that his litter was borne upon the shoulders of a double
line of white…robed men； while all around him marched numbers of other
men。 They seemed to be soldiers； for they were arranged in companies
and carried large spears and shields。 Also some of them wore torques
and bracelets of yellow metal that might be either brass or gold。
Turning himself about he found an eyehole in the back of the litter so
contrived that its occupant could see without being seen； and
perceived that his escort amounted to a veritable army of splendid…
looking； but sombre…faced savages of a somewhat Semitic cast of
countenance。 Indeed many of them had aquiline features and hair that；
although crisped； was long and carefully arranged in something like
the old Egyptian fashion。 Also he saw that about thirty yards behind
and separated from him by a bodyguard； was borne a second litter。 By
means of a similar aperture in front he discovered yet more soldiers；
and beyond them； at the head of the procession； was what appeared to
be a body of white…robed men and women bearing strange emblems and
banners。 These he took to be priests and priestesses。
Having examined everything that was within reach of his eye； Alan sank
back upon his cushions and began to realize that he was very faint and
hungry。 It was just then that the sound of a familiar voice reached
his ears。 It was the voice of Jeekie； and he did not speak； he chanted
in English to a melody which Alan at once recognized as a Gregorian
tone； apparently from the second litter。
〃Oh； Major；〃 he sang； 〃have you yet awoke from refre…e…eshing sleep？
If so； please answer me in same tone of voice； for remember that you
de…e…evil of a swell； Lord of the Little Bonsa； and must not speak
like co…o…ommon cad。〃
Feeble as he was Alan nearly burst out laughing； then remembering that
probably he was expected not to laugh； chanted his answer as directed；
which having a good tenor voice； he did with some effect； to the
evident awe and delight of all the escort within hearing。
〃I am awake； most excellent Jee…e…ekie； and feel the need of food； if
you have such a thing abou…ou…out you and it is lawful for the Lord of
Little Bonsa to take nu…tri…ment。〃
Instantly Jeekie's deep voice rose in reply。
〃That good tidings upon the mountain tops； Ma…ajor。 Can't come out to
bring you chop because too i…i…infra dig； for now I also biggish bug；
the little bird what sit upon the rose； as poet sa…a…ays。 I tell these
Johnnies bring you grub； which you eat without qualm； for Asiki Al
coo…o…ook。〃
Then followed loud orders issued by Jeekie to his immediate
/entourage/； and some confusion。
As a result presently Alan's litter was halted； the curtains were
opened and kneeling women thrust through them platters of wood upon
which； wrapped up in leaves； were the dismembered limbs of a bird
which he took to be chicken or guinea…fowl； and a gold cup containing
water pleasantly flavoured with some essence。 This cup interested him
very much both on account of its shape and workmanship； which if rude；
was striking in design； resembling those drinking vessels that have
been found in Mycenian graves。 Also it proved to him that Jeekie's
stories of the abundance of the precious metal among the Asiki had not
been exaggerated。 If it were not very plentiful； they would scarcely；
he thought； make their travelling cups of gold。 Evidently there was
wealth in the land。
After the food had been handed to him the litter went on again； and
seated upon his cushions； he ate and drank heartily enough； for now
that the worst of his fatigue had passed away； his hunger was great。
In some absurd fashion this meal reminded him of that which a
traveller makes out of a luncheon basket upon a railway line in Europe
or America。 Only there the cups are not of gold and among the Asiki
were no paper napkins； no salt and mustard； and no three and sixpence
or dollar to pay。 Further； until he got used to it； luncheon in a
linen mask with a moveable mouth was not easy。 This difficulty he
overcame at last by propping the imitation lips apart with a piece of
bone； after which things were easier。
When he had finished he threw the platter and the remains out of the
litter； retaining the cup for further examination； and recommenced his
intoned and poetical converse with Jeekie。
To set it out at length would be wearisome； but in the course of an
hour or so he collected a good deal of information。 Thus he learned
that they were due to arrive at the Asiki city； which was called Bonsa
Town； by nightfall； or a little after。 Also he was informed that the
mask he wore was； as he had guessed； a kind of undress uniform without
which he must never appear； since for anyone except the Asika herself
to look upon the naked countenance of an individual so mysteriously
mixed up with Little Bonsa； was sacrilege of the worst sort。 Indeed
Jeekie assured him that the priests who had put on the headdress when
he was insensible were first blindfolded。
This news depressed Alan very much； since the prospect of living in a
linen mask for an indefinite period was not cheerful。 Recovering； he
chanted a query as to the fate of the Ogula crew and their chief
Fahni。
〃Not de…ad；〃 intoned Jeekie in reply； 〃and not gone back。 A…all alive…
O； somewhere behind there。 Fanny very sick about it； for he think
Asiki bring them along for sacrifice； poo…or beg…gars。〃
Finally he inquired where Little Bonsa was and was answered that he
himself as its lawful guardian； was sitting on the fetish in its tin
box； tidings that he was able to verify by groping beneath the
cushions。
After this his voice gave out； though Jeekie continued to sing items
of interesting news from time to time。 Indeed there were other things
that absorbed Alan's attention。 Looking through the peepholes and
cracks in the curtains； he saw that at last they had reached the crest
of a ridge up which they had been climbing for hours。 Before them lay
a vast and fertile val