按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
About midday a man whom they had posted in a tree that grew inside the
camp announced that he saw the enemy； and next moment a company of
them rushed towards them across the open and were greeted by a volley
which killed and wounded several men。 At this exhibition of miraculous
power； for none of these soldiers had ever heard the report of
firearms or seen their effect； they retreated rapidly； uttering shouts
of dismay and carrying their dead and wounded with them。
〃Do you suppose they have gone； Jeekie？〃 asked Alan anxiously。
He shook his head。
〃Think not； Major； think they frightened； by big bullet magic； and go
consult priest。 Also only a few of them here； rest of army come later
and try rush us to…morrow morning before dawn。 That Asiki custom。〃
〃Then what shall we do； Jeekie？ Run for it or stop here？〃
〃Think must stop here； Major。 If we bolt； carrying Miss Barbara； who
can't walk much； they follow on spoor and catch us。 Best stick inside
this fence and see what happen。 Also once outside p'raps porters
desert and leave us。〃
So as there was nothing else to do they stayed； labouring all day at
the strengthening of their fortifications till at length the boma or
fence of boughs； supported by earth； was so high and thick that while
any were left to fire through the loopholes； it would be very
difficult to storm by men armed with spears。
It was a dreadful and arduous day for Alan； who now had Barbara's
safety to think of； Barbara with whom as yet he had scarcely found
time to exchange a word。 By sunset indeed he was so worn out with toil
and anxiety that he could scarcely stand upon his feet。 Jeekie； who
all that afternoon had been strangely quiet and reflective； surveyed
him critically； then said：
〃You have good drink and go sleep a bit； Major。 Very good little
shelter there by Miss Barbara's tent； and you hold her hand if you
like underneath the canvas； which comforting and all correct。 Jeekie
never get tired； he keep good lookout and let you know if anything
happen； and then you jump up quite fresh and fight like tom…cat in
corner。〃
At first Alan refused to listen； but when Barbara added her entreaties
to those of Jeekie he gave way； and ten minutes later was as soundly
asleep as he had ever been in his life。
〃Keep eye on him； Miss Barbara； and call me if he wake。 Now I go give
noble lord his supper and see that he quite comfortable。 Jeekie seem
very busy to…night； just like when Major have dinner…party at Yarleys
and old cook get drunk in kitchen。〃
If Barbara could have followed Jeekie's movements for the next few
hours； she would probably have agreed that he was busy。 First he went
to Aylward's tent； and as he had said he would； gave him his supper；
and with it half a bottle of whisky from the stores which he had been
carrying about with him for some time； as he said； to prevent the
porters from getting at it。 Aylward would little； though as his arms
were tied to the tent…pole； Jeekie sat beside him and fed him like a
baby； conversing pleasantly with him all the while； informing him
amongst other things that he had better say 〃big prayer；〃 because the
Asiki would probably cut his throat before morning。
Aylward； who was in a state of sullen fury； scarcely replied to this
talk； except to say that if so； there was one comfort； they would cut
his and his master's also。
〃Yes； my Lord；〃 answered Jeekie； 〃that quite true； so drink to next
meeting； though I think you go different place to me； and when you got
tail and I wing； you horn and I crown of glory； of course we not talk
much together；〃 and he held a mug of whisky and watera great deal of
whisky and a very little waterto his prisoner's mouth。
Aylward drained it； feeling a need for stimulant。
〃There；〃 said Jeekie； holding it upside down； 〃you drink every drop
and not offer one to poor old Jeekie。 Well； he turned teetotaller； so
no matter。 Good…night； my Lord； I call you if Asiki come。〃
〃Who are the Asiki？〃 asked Aylward drowsily。
〃Oh！ you want to know？ I tell you；〃 and he began a long； rambling
story。
Before he ever came to the end of it Aylward had fallen on his side
and was fast asleep。
〃Dear me！〃 said Jeekie； contemplating him； 〃that whisky very strong；
though bottle say same as they drink in House of Common。 That whisky
so strong I think I pour away rest of it；〃 and he did to the last
drop； even taking the trouble to wash out the bottle with water。 〃Now
you no tempt anyone；〃 he said； addressing the said bottle with a very
peculiar smile； 〃or if you tempt； at least do no harmlike kiss down
telephone！〃 Then he laid down the bottle on its side and left the
tent。
Outside of it three of the head porters； who appeared to be friends of
his； were waiting for him； and with these men he engaged in low and
earnest conversation。 Next； after they had arrived at some agreement；
which they seemed to ratify by a curious oath that involved their
crossing and clasping hands in an odd fashion； and other symbols known
to West African secret societies； Jeekie went the round of the camp to
see that everyone was at his post。 Then he did what most people would
have thought a very curious and strange thing； namely climbed the
fence and vanished into the forest； where presently a sound was heard
as of an owl hooting。
A little while later and another owl began to hoot in the distance；
whereat the three head porters nudged each other。 Perhaps they had
heard such owls hoot before at night； and perhaps they knew that
Jeekie； who had 〃passed Bonsa；〃 could only be harmed by the direct
command of Bonsa speaking through the mouth of the Asika herself。
Still they might have been interested in the nocturnal conversation of
those two owls； which； as is common with such magical fowl in West
Africa； had transformed themselves into human shapes； the shape of
Jeekie and the shape of an Asiki priest； who was； as it happened； a
blood relation of Jeekie。
〃Very good； Brother；〃 said Owl No。 1； 〃all you want is this white man
whom the Asika desires for a husband。 Well； I have done my best for
him； but I must think of myself and others； and he goes to great
happiness。 I have given him something to make him sleep； do you come
presently with eight men； no more； or we shall kill you； to the fence
of the camp； and we will hand over the white man； Vernoon； to you to
take back to the Asika； who will give you a wonderful reward； such a
reward as you have never imagined。 Now let me hear your word。〃
Then Owl No。 2 answered：
〃Brother； I make the bargain on behalf of the army； and swear to it by
the double Swimming Head of Bonsa。 We will come and take the white
man； Vernoon； who is to be Mungana； and carry him away。 In return we
promise not to follow or molest you； or any others in your camp。
Indeed； why should we； who do not desire to be killed by the dreadful
magic that you have； a magic that makes a noise and pierces through
our bodies from afar？ What were the words of the Asika？ 'Bring back
Vernoon； or perish。 I care for nothing else； bring back Vernoon to be
my husband。'〃
〃Good；〃 said Owl No。 1； 〃within the half of an hour Vernoon shall be
ready for you。〃
〃Good；