, 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, chante