d 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