the yellow god-第19章

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and　as　he　spoke　Jeekie　untied　a　string　or　several　strings；　letting　the
little　mattress　fall　to　the　ground。

〃Great　pity　leave　all　those　goods；〃　said　Jeekie；　surveying　the　loads
that　the　porters　had　cast　away；　〃but　what　says　Book？　Life　more　than
raiment。　Also　take　no　thought　for　morrow。　Dwarf　people　do　that　for　us。
Come；　Major；　make　tracks；〃　and　dashing　at　a　bag　of　cartridges　which　he
cast　about　his　neck；　a　trifling　addition　to　his　other　impedimenta；　and
a　small　case　of　potted　meats　that　he　hitched　under　his　arm；　he　poked
his　master　in　the　back　with　the　muzzle　of　his　full…cocked　gun　as　a
signal　that　it　was　time　to　start。

〃Keep　that　cursed　thing　off　me；〃　said　Alan　furiously。　〃How　often　have
I　told　you　never　to　carry　firearms　at　full　cock？〃

〃About　one　thousand　times；　Major；〃　answered　Jeekie　imperturbably；　〃but
on　such　occasion　forget　discreetness。　My　ma　just　same；　it　run　in
family；　but　story　too　long　tell　you　now。　Cut；　Major；　cut　like　hell。
Them　dwarfs　be　back　soon；　but；〃　he　puffed；　〃I　think；　I　think　Little
Bonsa　come　square　with　them　one　day。〃

So　Alan　〃cut〃　and　the　huge　Jeekie　blundered　along　after　him；　the
paraphernalia　with　which　he　was　hung　about　rattling　like　the　hoofs　of
a　galloping　giraffe。　Nor　for　all　his　load　did　he　ever　turn　a　hair。
Whether　it　were　fear　within　or　a　desire　to　save　his　master；　or　a
belief　in　the　virtues　of　Little　Bonsa；　or　that　his　foot　was；　as　it
were；　once　more　upon　his　native　heath；　the　fact　remained　that
notwithstanding　the　fifty　years；　almost；　that　had　whitened　his　wool；
Jeekie　was　absolutely　inexhaustible。　At　least　at　the　end　of　that
fearful　chase；　which　lasted　all　the　day；　and　through　the　night　also；
for　they　dared　not　camp；　he　appeared　to　be　nearly　as　fresh　as　when　he
started　from　Old　Calabar；　nor　did　his　spirits　fail　him　for　one　moment。

When　the　light　came　on　the　following　morning；　however；　they　perceived
by　many　signs　and　tokens　that　the　dwarf　people　were　all　about　them。
Some　arrows　were　shot　even；　but　these　fell　short。

〃Pooh！〃　said　Jeekie；　〃all　right　now；　they　much　afraid。　Still；　no　time
for　coffee；　we　best　get　on。〃

So　they　got　on　as　they　could；　till　towards　midday　the　forest　began　to
thin　out。　Now　as　the　light　grew　stronger　they　could　see　the　dwarfs；　of
whom　there　appeared　to　be　several　hundred；　keeping　a　parallel　course
to　their　own　on　either　side　of　them　at　what　they　thought　to　be　a　safe
distance。

〃Try　one　shot；　I　think；〃　said　Jeekie；　kneeling　down　and　letting　fly　at
a　clump　of　the　little　men；　which　scattered　like　a　covey　of　partridges；
leaving　one　of　its　number　kicking　on　the　ground。　〃Ah！　my　boy；〃　shouted
Jeekie　in　derision；　〃how　you　like　bullet　in　tummy？　You　not　know
Paradox　guaranteed　flat　trajectory　250　yard。　You　remember　that　next
time；　sonny。〃　Then　off　they　went　again　up　a　long　rise。

〃River　other　side　of　that　rise；〃　said　Jeekie。　〃Think　those　tree…
monkeys　no　follow　us　there。〃

But　the　〃monkeys〃　appeared　to　be　angry　and　determined。　They　would　not
come　any　more　within　the　range　of　the　Paradox；　but　they　still　marched
on　either　side　of　the　two　fugitives；　knowing　well　that　at　last　their
strength　must　fail　and　they　would　be　able　to　creep　up　and　murder　them。
So　the　chase　went　on　till　Alan　began　to　wonder　whether　it　would　not　be
better　to　face　the　end　at　once。

〃No；　no；　if　say　die；　can't　change　mind　to…morrow　morning；〃　gasped
Jeekie　in　a　hoarse　voice。　〃Here　top　rise；　much　nearer　than　I　thought。
Oh；　my　aunt！　who　those？〃　and　he　pointed　to　a　large　number　of　big　men
armed　with　spears　who　were　marching　up　the　further　side　of　the　hill
from　the　river　that　ran　below。

At　the　same　moment　these　savages；　who　were　not　more　than　two　hundred
yards　away；　caught　sight　of　them　and　of　their　pursuers；　who　just　then
appeared　on　the　ridge　to　the　right　and　left。　The　dwarfs；　on　perceiving
these　strangers；　uttered　a　shrill　yell　of　terror；　and　wheeled　about　to
fly　to　their　fastnesses　in　the　forest；　which　evidently　they　regretted
ever　having　left。　It　was　too　late。　With　an　answering　shout　the
spearsmen；　who　were　extended　in　a　long　line；　apparently　hunting　for
game；　charged　after　them　at　full　speed。　They　were　fresh　and　their　legs
were　long。　Therefore　very　soon　they　overtook　the　dwarfs　and　even　got
in　front　of　them；　heading　them　off　from　the　forest。　The　end　may　be
guessed；save　a　few　whom　they　reserved　alive；　they　killed　them
mercilessly；　and　almost　without　loss　to　themselves；　since　the　little
forest　folk　were　too　terrified　and　exhausted　to　shoot　at　them　with
their　poisoned　arrows；　and　they　had　no　other　weapons。

In　fact；　as　Alan　discovered　afterwards；　for　generations　there　had　been
war　between　them；　since　all　the　other　tribes　hate　the　dwarfs；　whom
they　look　upon　as　dangerous　human　monkeys；　and　never　before　had　the
big　men　found　such　a　chance　of　squaring　their　account。

When　Jeekie　saw　this　fearful…looking　company；　for　the　first　time　his
spirits　seemed　to　fail　him。

〃Ogula！〃　he　exclaimed　with　a　groan　and　sat　himself　upon　a　flat　rock；
pulling　Alan　down　beside　him。　〃Ogula！　Know　them　by　hair　and　spears；〃
he　repeated。　〃Up　gum　tree　now；　say　good…night。〃

〃Why？　Who　are　they？〃　gasped　Alan。

〃Great　cannibal；　Major；　eat　man；　eat　us　to…night；　or　perhaps　to…morrow
morning　when　we　nice　and　cool。　Say　prayers；　Major；　quick　no　time
waste。〃

〃I　think　I　will　shoot　an　Ogula　or　two　first；〃　said　Alan　grimly；　as　he
stood　up　and　lifted　his　gun。

〃No；　not　shoot；　no　good。　Pretend　not　be　afraid；　best　chance。　Let
Jeekie　think；　let　Jeekie　think；〃　and　he　slapped　his　forehead　with　his
large　hand。

Apparently　the　action　brought　inspiration；　for　next　instant　he　grabbed
his　master　by　the　arm　and　dragged　him　back　behind　the　shelter　of　a　big
boulder　which　they　had　just　passed。　Then　with　really　marvellous
swiftness　he　cut　the　straps　of　the　tin　box　that　Alan　wore　upon　his
back；　and　since　there　was　no　time　to　find　the　key　and　unlock　it；
seized　the　little　padlock　with　which　it　was　fastened　between　his
finger　and　thumb；　and　putting　out　his　great　strength；　with　a　single
wrench　twisted　it　off。

〃What　are　you〃　began　Alan。

〃Hold　tongue；〃　he　answered　savagely；　〃make　you　god；　I　priest。　Ogula
know　Little　Bonsa。　Quick；　quick！〃

In　a　minute　it　was　done；　the　golden　mask　was　clapped　on　to　Alan's
head；　and　the　leather　thongs　were　fastened。　Moreover；　Jeekie　himself
was　arrayed　in　the　solar…tope　to　which　all　this　while　he　had　clung；
allowing　streams　of　green　mosquito　netting　to　hang　down　over　his　white
robe。

〃Come　out　now；　Major；〃　he　said；　〃and　play　god。　You　whistle；　I　do
palaver。〃

Then　hand　in　hand　they　walked　from　behind　the　rock。　By　this　time　the
particular　company　of　the　cannibals　that　was　opposite　to　them；　which
happened　to　include　their　chief；　had　climbed　the　steep　slope　of　the
hill　and　arrived　within　a　distance　of　twenty　yards。　Having　seen　the
two　men　and　guessed　that　they　had　taken　refuge　behind　the　rock；　their
spears　were　lifted　to　kill　them；　since　when　he　beholds　anything
strange；　the　first　impulse　of　a　savage　is　to　bring　it　to　its　death。
They　looked；　they　saw。　Of　a　sudden　down　went　the　raised　spears。

Some　of　those　who　held　them　fell　upon　their　faces；　while　others　turned
to　fly；　appalled　by　the　vision　of　this　strangely　clad　man　with　the
head　of　gold。　Only　their　chief；　a　great　yellow…toothed　fellow　who　wore
a　necklace　of　baboon　claws；　remained　erect；　staring　at　them　with　open
mouth。

Alan　blew　the　whistle　that　was　set　between　the　lips　of　the　mask；　and
they　shivered。　Then　Jeekie　spoke　to　them　in　some　tongue　which　they
understood；　saying：

〃Do　you；　O　Ogula；　dare　to　offer　violence　to　Little　Bonsa　and　her
priests？　Say　now；　why　should　we　not　strike　you　dead　with　the　magic　of
the　god　which　she　has　borrowed　from　the　white　man？〃　and　he　tapped　the
gun　he　held。

〃This　is　witchcraft；〃　answered　the　chief。　〃We　saw　two　men　running；
hunted　by　the　dwarfs；　not　three　minutes　ago；　and　now　we　seewhat　we
see；〃　and　he　put　his　hand　before　his　eyes；　then　after　a　pause　went　on
〃As　for　Little　Bonsa；　she　left　this　country　in　my　father's　day。　He
gave　her　passage　upon　the　head　of　a　white　man　and　the　Asiki　wizards
have　mourned　her　ever　since；　or　so　I　hear。〃

〃Fool；〃　answered　Jeekie；　〃as　she　went；　so　she　returns；　on　the　head　of
a　white　man。　Yonder　I　see　an　elder　with　grey　hair　who　doubtless　knew
of　Little　Bonsa　in　his　youth。　Let　him　come　up　and　look　and　say　whether
or　no　this　is　the　god。〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　exclaimed　the　chief；　〃go　up；　old　man；　go　up；〃　and　he
jabbed　at　him　with　his　spear　until；　unwillingly　enough；　he　went。

The　elder　arrived；　making　obeisance；　and　when　he　was　near；　Alan　blew
the　whistle　in　his　face；　whereon　he　fell　to　his　knees。

〃It　is　Little　Bonsa；〃　he　said　in　a　trembling　voice；　〃Little　Bonsa
without　a　doubt。　I　should　know；　as　my　father　and　my　elder　brother　were
sacrificed　to　her；　and　I　only　escaped　because　she　rejected　me。　Down　on
your　face；　Chief；　and　do　honour　to　the　Yellow　God　before　she　slay
you。〃

Instantly　every　man　within　hearing　prostrated　himself　and　lay　still。
Then　Jeekie　strode　up　and　down　among　them　shouting　out：

〃Little　Bonsa　has　come　back　and　brought　to　you；　Man…eaters；　a　fat
offering；　an　offering　of　the　dwarf…people　whom　you　hate；　of　the
treacherous　dwarf…people　who　when　you　walk　the　ancient　forest　path；
murder　you　with　their　poisoned　arrows。　Praise　Little　Bonsa　who
delivers　you　from　your　foes；　and　hearken　to　her　bidding。　Send　on
messengers　to　the　Asiki　saying　that　Little　Bonsa　comes　home　again　from
across　the　Black　Water　bringing　the　White　Preacher；　whom　she　led　away
in　the　day　of　their　fathers。　Say　to　them　that　the　Asiki　must　send　out
a　company　that　Little　Bonsa　and　the　Magician　with　whom　she　ran　away；
may　be　escorted　back　to　her　house　with　the　state　which　has　been　hers
from　the　beginning　of　time。　Say　to　them　also　that　they　must　prepare　a
great　offering　of　pure　gold　out　of　their　store；　as　much　gold　as　fifty
strong　men　can　carry；　not　one　handful　less；　to　be　given　to　the　White
Magician　who　brings　back　Small　Swimming　Head；　for　if　they　withhold
such　an　offering；　he　and　Little　Bonsa　will　vanish　never　to　be　seen
again；　and　curses　and　desolation　will　fall　upon　their　land。　Rise　and
obey；　Chief　of　the　Ogula。〃

Then　the　man　scrambled　to　his　feet　and　answered：

〃It　shall　be　done；　O　Priest　of　the　Yellow　God。　To…morrow　at　the　dawn
swift　messengers　will　start　for　the　Gold　House　of　the　Asiki。　To…night
they　cannot　leave；　as　we　are　all　very　hungry　and　must　eat。〃

〃What　must　you　eat？〃　asked　Jeekie　suspiciously。

〃O　Priest；〃　answered　the　chief　with　a　deprecatory　gesture；　〃when　first
we　saw　you　we　hoped　that　it　would　be　the　white　man　and　yourself；　for
we　have　never　tasted　white　man。　But　now　we　fear　that　you　will　not
consent　to　this；　and　as　you　are　holy　and　the　guardian　of　the　god；　we
cannot　eat　you　without　your　own　consent。　Therefore　fat　dwarf　must　be
our　food；　of　which；　however；　there　will　be　plenty　for　you　as　well　as
us。〃

〃You　dog！〃　exclaimed　Jeekie　in　a　voice　of　furious　indignation。　〃Do　you
think　that　white　men　and　their　high…born　companions；　such　as　myself；
were　made　to　fill　your　vile　stomachs？　I　tell　you　that　a　meal　of　the
deadly　Bean　would　agree　better　with　you；　for　if　you　dare　so　much　as　to
look　on　us；　or　on　any　of　the　white　race　with　hunger；　agony　shall　seize
your　v