mountains showed up clearly
beneath the moon.

Meanwhile Fahni had told his tale. It appeared that when he reached the
bay he found the Asiki headman who dwelt there, and those under him, in
a state of considerable excitement.

Rumours had reached them that someone had escaped from Bonsa Town; they
thought it was the Mungana. Fahni asked who had brought the rumour,
whereon the headman answered that it came "in a dream," and would say no
more. Then he demanded the canoe which had been promised to him and his
people, and the headman admitted that it was ready in accordance with
orders received from the Asika, but demurred to letting him have it. A
long argument followed, in the midst of which Fahni and his men got into
the canoe, the headman apparently not daring to use force to prevent
him. Just as they were pushing off a messenger arrived from Bonsa Town,
reeling with exhaustion and his tongue hanging from his jaws, who called
out that it was the white man who had escaped with his servant and the
Mungana, and that although they were believed to be still hidden in the
holy woods near Bonsa Town, none were to be allowed to leave the bay. So
the headman shouted to Fahni to return, but he pretended not to hear
and rowed away, nor did anyone attempt to follow him. Still it was only
after nightfall that he dared to put the boat about and return to the
headland to pick up Alan and the others as he had promised. That was all
he had to say.

Alan thanked him heartily for his faithfulness and they paddled on
steadily, putting mile after mile of water between them and Asiki-land.
He wondered whether he had seen the last of that country and its
inhabitants. Something within him answered No. He was sure that the
Asika would not allow him to depart in peace without making some
desperate effort to recapture him. Far as he was away, it seemed to him
that he could feel her fury hanging over him like a cloud, a cloud that
would burst in a rain of blood. Doubtless it would have burst already
had it not been for the accident that he and his companions were still
supposed to be hiding in the woods. But that error must be discovered,
and then would come the pursuit.

He looked at the full moon shining upon him and reflected that at this
very hour he should have been seated upon the chair of state, wedding,
or rather being wedded by the Asika in the presence of Big and Little
Bonsa and all the people. His eye fell upon the Mungana, who ha