a pull off that mask to give him true lover kiss, OH
MY! wonder that happen then? Think whole of Bonsa-Town bust up; think
big waterfall run backwards; think she not quite pleased; think my good
Lord find himself in false position; think Jeekie glad to be on coast;
think he not go back to Bonsa-Town no more. Oh my aunt! no, he stop in
England and go church twice on Sunday," and pressing his big hands on
the pit of his stomach he rocked and rolled in fierce, silent laughter.

Then an owl hooted again immediately beneath the fence and Jeekie,
blowing out the candle, opened the flap of the tent and tapped the head
porter, who stood outside, on the shoulder. He crept in and between them
they lifted the senseless Aylward and bore him to the V-shaped entrance
of the boma which was immediately opposite to the tent and, oddly
enough, half open. Here the two other porters with whom Jeekie had
performed some ceremony, chanced to be on guard, the rest of their
company being stationed at a distance. Jeekie and the head porter went
through the gap like men carrying a corpse to midnight burial, and
presently in the darkness without two owls began to hoot.

Now Aylward was laid upon a litter that had been prepared, and
eight white-robed Asiki bearers stared at his gold mask in the faint
starlight.

"I suppose he is not dead, brother," said Owl No. 2 doubtfully.

"Nay, brother," said Owl No. 1, "feel his heart and his pulse. Not dead,
only drunk. He will wake up by daylight, by which time you should be far
upon your way. Be good and gentle to the white man Vernoon, who has been
my master. Be careful, too, that he does not escape you, brother, for as
you know he is very strong and cunning. Say to the Asika that Jeekie her
servant makes his reverence to her, and hopes that she will have many,
many happy years with the husband that he sends her; also that she will
remember him whom she called 'Black Dog,' in her prayers to the gods and
spirits of our people."

"It shall be done, brother, but why do you not return with us?"

"Because, brother, I have ties across the Black Water--dear children,
almost white--whom I love so much that I cannot leave them. Farewell,
brethren, the blessings of the Bonsas be on you, and may you grow fat
and prosper in the love and favour of our lady the Asika."

"Farewell," they murmured in answer. "Good fortune be your bedfellow."

Another minute and they had lifted up the litter and vanished at a
swing