his followers were
led off to some quarters near by, blessing Alan as they went because he
had saved their lives.

"Jeekie," he said when they were alone, "tell me, what makes that
hellish idol swim about in the water picking out some people and leaving
others alone?"

"Major, I not know, no one know except top priest and Asika. Perhaps
there man underneath, perhaps they pull string, or perhaps fetish
alive and he do what he like. Please don't call him names, Major, or
he remember and come after us one time, and that bad job," and Jeekie
shivered visibly.

"Bosh!" answered Alan, but all the same he shivered also. "Jeekie," he
asked again, "what happens to those people whom the Bonsas smell out?"

"Case of good-bye, Major. Sometimes they chop off nut, sometimes they
spiflicate in gold tub, sometimes priest-man make hole in what white
doctor call _diagram_--and shake hands with heart.--All matter of taste,
Major, just as Asika please. If she like victim or they old friends,
chop off head; if she not like him--do worse things."

More than satisfied with his information Alan went to bed. For hour
after hour that night he lay tossing and turning, haunted by the
recollections of the dreadful sights that he had seen and of the
horrible Asika, horrible and half-naked, glaring at him amorously
through the crystal eyes of Little Bonsa. When at last he fell asleep it
was to dream that he was alone in the water with the god which pursued
him as a shark pursues a shipwrecked sailor. Never did he experience a
nightmare that was half so awful. Only one thing could be more awful,
the reality itself.

CHAPTER XIV

THE MOTHER OF JEEKIE

"Jeekie," said Alan next morning, "I tell you again that I have had
enough of this place, I want to get out."

"Yes, Major, that just what mouse say when he finish cheese in trap,
but missus come along, call him 'Pretty, pretty,' and drown him all the
same," and he nodded in the direction of the Asika's house.

"Jeekie, it has got to be done--do you hear me? I had rather die trying
to get away than stop here till the next two months are up. If I am here
on the night of the next full moon but one, I shall shoot that Asika and
then shoot myself, and you must take your chance. Do you understand?"

"Understand that foolish game and poor lookout for Jeekie, Major, but
can't think of any plan." Then he rubbed his big nose reflectively and
added, "Fahni and his people your slaves now, 'spose w