cklaces broken. Having studied him a while Jeekie kicked
him meditatively till he got up, then asked him to set out the exact
situation. The Mungana answered that they were safe for a while, since
that torrent could only be crossed by the broken bridge and was too
rapid to swim. The Asiki, he added, must go a long journey round through
the city in order to come at them, though doubtless they would hunt them
down in time.

Here Jeekie cut him short, since he knew all that country well and
only wished to learn whether any more bridges had been built across the
torrent since he was a boy.

"Now, Major," he said, "you get up and follow me, for I know every inch
of ground, also by and by good short cut over mountains. You see
Jeekie very clever boy, and when he herd sheep and goat he made note of
everything and never forget nothing. He pull you out of this hole, never
fear."

"Glad to hear it, I am sure," answered Alan as he rose. "But what's to
become of the Mungana?"

"Don't know and don't care," said Jeekie; "no more good to us. Can go
and see how Big Bonsa feel, if he like," and stretching out his big hand
as though in a moment of abstraction, he removed the costly necklaces
from their guide's neck and thrust them into the pouch he wore. Also he
picked up the gilded linen mask which Alan had removed from his head and
placed it in the same receptacle, remarking, that he "always taught that
it wicked to waste anything when so many poor in the world."

Then they started, the Mungana following them. Jeekie paused and waved
him off, but the poor wretch still came on, whereon Jeekie produced the
big, crooked knife, Mungana's own knife.

"What are you going to do," said Alan, awaking to the situation.

"Cut off head of that cocktail man, Major, and so save him lot of
trouble. Also we got no grub, and if we find any he want eat a lot. Chop
what do for two p'raps, make very short commons for three. Also he might
play dirty trick, so much best dead."

"Nonsense," said Alan sternly; "let the poor devil come along if he
likes. One good turn deserves another."

"Just so, Major; that hello-swello want cut our throats, so I want cut
his--one good turn deserve another, as wise king say in Book, when
he give half baby to woman what wouldn't have it. Well, so be, Major,
specially as it no matter, for he not stop with us long."

"You mean that he will run away, Jeekie?"

"Oh! no, he not run away, he in too blue funk for that.