ou black villain."

"No, no, my Lord," answered Jeekie politely, "not at present. Also that
wrong word, execute, not murder, just what you do to some of these poor
devils," and he pointed to the mob of porters. "Besides, mustn't kill
holy white man, poor black chap don't matter, plenty more where he come
from. Think we all go see Miss Barbara now. You come too, my Lord Bart.,
but p'raps best tie your hands behind you first; if you want scratch
head, I do it for you. That only fair, you scratch mine this morning."

Then at a word from Jeekie some of the natives sprang on Aylward and
tied his hands behind his back.

"Is Miss Barbara alive?" said Alan to Jeekie in an agonized whisper, at
the same time nodding towards the grave that was so ominously short.

"Hope so, think so, these cards say so, but God He know alone," answered
Jeekie. "Go and look, that best way to find out."

So they advanced into the camp through a narrow gateway made of a
V-shaped piece of wood, to where the two tents were placed in its inner
division. Of these tents, the first, was open, whereas the second was
closed. As the open tent was obviously empty, they went to the second,
whereof Jeekie began to loosen the lashings of the flap. It was a long
business, for they seemed to have been carefully knotted inside; indeed
at last, growing impatient, Jeekie cut the cord, using the curved knife
with which the Mungana had tried to kill Alan.

Meanwhile Alan was suffering torments, being convinced that Barbara was
dead and buried in that new-made grave beneath the trees. He could not
speak, he could scarcely stand, and yet a picture began to form in his
numb mind. He saw himself seated in the dark in the Treasure-house at
Bonsa-Town; he saw a vision in the air before him.

Lo! the tent door opened and that vision reappeared.

There was the pale Barbara seated, weeping. There again, as he entered
she sprang up and snatching the pistol that lay beside her, turned it
to her breast. Then she perceived him and the pistol sank downwards till
from her relaxed hand it dropped to the ground. She threw up her arms
and without a sound fell backwards, or would have fallen, had he not
caught her.

CHAPTER XIX

THE LAST OF THE ASIKI

Barbara had recovered. She sat upon her bed in the tent and by her sat
Alan, holding her hand, while before them stood Aylward like a prisoner
in the dock, and behind him the armed Jeekie.

"Tell me the story, Barbara," sai