he great curved knife, taking aim at Alan's
naked breast. Jeekie erected himself also, and even as the knife began
to fall, with one hand he caught the arm that drove it and with the
other the murderer's throat. The Mungana fought like a wild-cat, but
Jeekie was too strong for him. His fingers held the man's windpipe like
a vise. He choked and weakened; the knife fell from his hand. He sank to
the ground and lay there helpless, whereon Jeekie knelt upon his chest
and, possessing himself of the knife, held it within an inch of his
heart.

It was at this juncture that Alan woke up and asked sleepily what was
the matter.

"Nothing, Major," answered Jeekie in low and cheerful tones. "Snake
just going to bite you and I catch him, that all," and he gave an extra
squeeze to the Mungana's throat, who turned black in the face and rolled
his eyes.

"Be careful, Jeekie, or you will kill the man," exclaimed Alan,
recognizing the Mungana and taking in the situation.

"Why not, Major? He want kill you, and me too afterwards. Good riddance
of bad rubbish, as Book say."

"I am not so sure, Jeekie. Give him air and let me think. Tell him that
if he makes any noise, he dies."

Jeekie obeyed, and the Mungana's darkening eyes grew bright again as he
drew his breath in great sobs.

"Now, friend," said Alan in Asiki, "why did you wish to stab me?"

"Because I hate you," answered the man, "who to-morrow will take my
place and the wife I love."

"As a year or two ago you took someone else's place, eh? Well, suppose
now that I don't want either your place or your wife."

"What would that matter even it if were true, white man, since she wants
you?"

"I am thinking, friend, that there is someone else she will want when
she hears of this. How do you suppose that you will die to-morrow? Not
so easily as you hope, perhaps."

The Mungana's eyes seemed to sink into his head, and his face to sicken
with terror. That shaft had gone home.

"Suppose I make a bargain with you," went on Alan slowly. "Supposing
I say: 'Mungana, show me the way out of this place, as you can, now at
once. Or if you prefer it, refuse and be given up to the Asika?' Come,
you are not too mad to understand. Answer--and quickly."

"Would you kill me afterwards?" he asked.

"Not I. Why should I wish to kill you? You can come with us and go where
you will. Or you can stay here and die as the Asika directs."

"I cannot believe you, white man. It is not possible t