rtridge away.
His first thought had been to have all the chambers filled.

'Do you remember that two months ago I hanged a man to the nearest tree
because he'd murdered one of the natives?'

George sprang up in terror, and he began to tremble.

'You wouldn't do that to me.'

A wild prayer went up in his heart that mercy might be shown him, and
then bitter anger seized him because he had ever come out to that
country.

'You need not be afraid,' answered Alec coldly. 'In any case I must
preserve the native respect for the white man.'

'I was half drunk when I saw the woman. I wasn't responsible for my
actions.'

'In any case the result is that the whole tribe has turned against us.'

The chief was Alec's friend, and it was he who had sent him the exploded
cartridge. The news came to Alec like a thunderclap, for the Turkana
were the best part of his fighting force, and he had always placed the
utmost reliance on their fidelity. The chief said that he could not hold
in his young men, and not only must Alec cease to count upon them, but
they would probably insist on attacking him openly. They had stirred up
the neighbouring tribes against him and entered into communication with
the Arabs. He had been just at the turning point and on the verge of a
great success, but now all that had been done during three years was
frustrated. The Arabs had seized the opportunity and suddenly assumed
the offensive. The unexpectedness of their attack had nearly proved
fatal to Alec's party, and since then they had all had to fight for bare
life.

George watched Alec as he stared at the ground.

'I suppose the whole damned thing's my fault,' he muttered.

Alec did not answer directly.

'I think we may take it for certain that the natives will go over to the
slavers to-morrow, and then we shall be attacked on all sides. We can't
hold out against God knows how many thousands. I've sent Rogers and
Deacon to bring in all the Latukas, but heaven knows if they can arrive
in time.'

'And if they don't?'

Alec shrugged his shoulders, but did not speak. George's breathing came
hurriedly, and a sob rose to his throat.

'What are you going to do to me, Alec?'

MacKenzie walked up and down, thinking of the gravity of their position.
In a moment he stopped and looked at Walker.

'I daresay you have some preparations to make,' he said.

Walker got up.

'I'll be off,' he answered, with a slight smile.

He was glad to go, for it mad