who stood round ceased their jokes and sneers and were
silent. All things were done in order, though Juanna made no reply
to the usual questions. With much sham courtesy the loathsome Pereira
presided over the ceremony--their hands were joined, the ring was set
upon Juanna's finger, the blessing was pronounced, and it was finished.

All this while Leonard stood like a man in a dream. He felt as though he
were really being married; it even came into his mind, as he looked upon
the loveliness of the mock bride at his side, that a worse fate might
befall him. Then of a sudden he woke from his reverie--the farce was
played, now they must strive to escape.

"There, that is done with, Dom Antonio," he said, "and I think I heard
this lady whisper that with your permission we will bid you good-bye. My
canoe----"

"Nonsense, you will stop here to-night," said Pereira.

"Thanks, I think not," answered Leonard. "To-morrow I may return to do a
little business of another kind. I have a commission for about fifty, at
a good price for the right sort."

As Leonard spoke thus, glancing to the east, he saw dense masses of
vapour rising into the air far away. The damp reeds were fired at last.
The Settlement men had not failed in their task, and soon the flames
would be discovered; he must be gone and swiftly.

"Well, if you must, you must," answered Pereira, and Leonard observed
that he looked relieved as he said it. He did not know the reason at the
time. It was this: Juanna had told him that the man who bought her
would find his death in it. He had a superstitious fear of the girl, and
believed her; therefore he was glad that her purchaser should go, lest
it might be said that he had murdered him in order to retain both the
woman and her price. So he bade him farewell, and Leonard turned to
depart, followed by Otter and Juanna, whom he led by the hand.

All might have gone well for that time had it not been for an unlucky
chance. Leonard's scheme was to walk towards the water-gate, but, if no
better plan of reaching it should offer, to turn suddenly and run for
the drawbridge, where Soa and the others would be waiting, and thence,
with or without the people of Mavoom, to escape up the banks of the
Zambesi.

Already he had started when the great Portuguese, Xavier, who was
watching plunged in sullen thought, stepped forward. "At least I will
have a kiss for my trouble," he said, and seizing Juanna round the
waist, he drew her