that I will tell you to-morrow, after I have cured you of your fever.
And now I pray, Black One, show me a place where I may sleep, for I am
very weary."

CHAPTER VII

LEONARD SWEARS ON THE BLOOD OF ACA

On the morrow Leonard woke early from a troubled sleep, for his fever
would scarcely let him rest. But, early as it was, the woman Soa had
been up before him, and on coming out of the cave the first thing that
he saw was her tall shape bending over a little fire, whereon a gourd
was boiling, the contents of which she stirred from time to time.

"Good morning to you, White Man," she said; "here is that which shall
cure you of your sickness as I promised to do;" and she lifted the gourd
from the fire.

Leonard took it and sniffed at the liquor, which smelt abominably.

"It is more likely to poison me, mother," he said.

"No, no," she answered with a smile; "drink half of it now and half at
midday, and the fever shall trouble you no more."

So soon as the stuff was cool enough Leonard obeyed, though with a
doubting heart.

"Well, mother," he said, setting the gourd down with a gasp, "if
nastiness is any proof of virtue your medicine should be good."

"It is good," she answered gravely; "many have been dragged from the
edge of death by it."

And here it may be stated, whether it was owing to Soa's medicine or to
other causes, that Leonard began to mend from that hour. By nightfall he
felt a different man, and before three days were over he was as strong
as he had ever been in his life. But into the ingredients of the draught
he never found the courage to inquire, and perhaps it was as well.

Shortly after he had taken his dose Leonard observed Otter walking up
the hill, bearing a huge lump of meat upon his shoulders.

"The old woman has brought us luck," said the dwarf as he loosed himself
from his burden. "Once more the bush is full of game; scarcely had I
reached it when I killed a young koodoo, fat, ah! fat, and there are
many of them about."

Then they prepared breakfast, and ate it, and when the meal was done
once more they talked.

"Mother," began Leonard, "last night you asked me to undertake a
great venture, and promised a reward in payment. Now, as you said, we
Englishmen will do much for gold, and I am a poor man who seeks wealth.
You demand of me that I should risk my life; now tell me of its price."

The woman Soa looked at him awhile, and answered:

"White Man, have you ever heard of th