h a deliberate motion across the
stream until, reaching the man, it seemed to rear itself up and poke
him with its snout in the chest as a turtle might do. Then it sank again
into the water and slowly floated back to its station, directed by some
agency or power that Alan could not discover.

At the touch of the fetish the man screamed like a horse in pain or
terror, and soldiers leaping on him with a savage shout, dragged him up
another gangway opposite to that by which he had descended, whereon, to
all appearances more dead than alive, he departed into the shadows. The
horns and drums set up a bray of triumph, the Asika clapped her hands
approvingly, the spectators cheered, and another victim was bundled down
the gangway and submitted to the judgment of the Bonsas, which came
at him like a hungry pike at a frog. Then followed more and more, some
being chosen and some let go, till at last, growing weary, the priests
directed the soldiers to drive the prisoners down in batches until the
pen in the water was full as though with huddled sheep. If the horrible
golden masks swam at them and touched one of their number, they were all
dragged away; if these remained quiescent they were let go.

So the thing went on until at length Alan could bear no more of it.

"Lady," he said to the Asika when she paused for a moment from her
hand-clapping, "I am weary, I would sleep."

"What!" she exclaimed, "do you wish to sleep on such a glorious night
when so many evil doers are coming to their just doom? Well, well, go if
you will, for then my promise is off me and I can hasten this business
and deal with the wicked before the people according to our custom.
Good-night to you, Vernoon, to-morrow we will meet," and she called to
some priests to lead him away, and with him the Ogula cannibals whom she
had given to him as servants.

Alan went thankfully enough. As he plunged into one of the passages
the sound of frightful yelling reached his ears, followed by loud,
triumphant shouts.

"Now you gone they kill those who Bonsa smell out," said Jeekie. "Why
you no wait and see? Very interesting sight."

"Hold your tongue," answered Alan savagely. "Did you think so years ago
when you were put into that pen to be butchered?"

"No, Major," replied the unabashed Jeekie, "not think at all then, too
far gone. But see other people in there and know it not _you_, quite
different matter."

They reached their room. At the door of it Fahni and