the yellow god-第28章

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third。

The　dark　faces　of　the　men　turned　ashen；　but　they　made　no　effort　to
escape　their　doom。　One　of　them　crept　up　the　steps　and　laid　his　neck
upon　the　edge　of　gold；　while　the　other；　uttering　no　word；　threw
himself　on　his　face　at　the　foot　of　them；　waiting　his　turn。　Then　a　door
opened　and　there　appeared　a　great　and　brutal…looking　fellow；　naked
except　for　a　loin　cloth；　who　bore　in　his　hand　a　huge　weapon；　half
knife　and　half　axe。

First　he　looked　at　the　Asika；　who　nodded　almost　imperceptibly；　then
sprang　on　to　a　prolongation　of　the　golden　steps；　bowed　to　Little　Bonsa
on　her　column　behind　and　heaved　up　his　knife。

Now　for　the　first　time　Alan　really　understood　what　was　about　to
happen；　and　that　what　he　had　imagined　a　stage　rehearsal；　was　to　become
a　hideous　murder。

〃Stop！〃　he　shouted　in　English；　being　unable　to　remember　the　native
word。

The　executioner　paused　with　his　axe　poised　in　mid…air；　the　victim
turned　his　head　and　looked；　as　though　surprised；　the　second　victim　and
the　priests　their　companions　looked　also。　Jeekie　fell　on　to　his　knees
and　burst　into　fervent　prayer　addressed　apparently　to　Little　Bonsa。
The　Asika　smiled　and　did　nothing。

Again　the　weapon　was　lifted　and　as　he　felt　that　words　were　no　longer
of　any　use；　even　if　he　could　find　them；　Alan　took　refuge　in　action。
Springing　on　to　the　other　side　of　the　little　platform；　he　hit　out　with
all　his　strength　across　the　kneeling　man。　Catching　the　executioner　on
the　point　of　the　chin；　he　knocked　him　straight　backwards　in　such
fashion　that　his　head　struck　upon　the　floor　before　any　other　portion
of　his　body；　so　that　he　lay　there　either　dead　or　stunned。　Alan　never
learned　which；　since　the　matter　was　not　thought　of　sufficient
importance　to　be　mentioned。

At　this　sight　the　Asika　burst　into　a　low　laugh；　then　asked　Alan　why　he
had　felled　the　executioner。　He　answered　because　he　would　not　stand　by
and　see　two　innocent　men　butchered。

〃Why　not；〃　she　said　in　an　astonished　voice；　〃if　Little　Bonsa；　whose
priests　they　are；　needs　them；　and　I；　who　am　the　Mouth　of　the　gods
declare　that　they　should　die？　Still；　she　has　been　in　your　keeping　for
a　long　while　and　you　may　know　her　will；　so　if　you　wish　it；　let　them
live。　Or　perhaps　you　require　other　victims；〃　and　she　fixed　her　eyes
upon　Jeekie　with　a　glance　of　suggestive　hope。

〃Oh　my　golly！〃　gasped　Jeekie　in　English；　〃tell　her　not　for　Joe；　Major；
tell　her　most　improper。　Say　Yellow　God　my　dearest　friend　and　go　mad　as
hatter　if　my　throat　cut〃

Alan　stopped　his　protestations　with　a　secret　kick。

〃I　choose　no　victims；〃　he　broke　in；　〃nor　will　I　see　man's　blood　shed
to　me　it　is　/orunda/unholy；　I　may　not　look　on　human　blood；　and　if
you　cause　me　to　do　so；　Asika；　I　shall　hate　you　because　you　make　me
break　my　oath。〃

The　Asika　reflected　for　a　moment；　while　Jeekie　behind　muttered　between
his　chattering　teeth：

〃Good　missionary　talk　that；　Major。　Keep　up　word　in　season；　Major。　If
she　make　Christian　martyr　of　Jeekie；　who　get　you　out　of　this
confounded　hole？〃

Then　the　Asika　spoke。

〃Be　it　as　you　will；　for　I　desire　neither　that　you　should　hate　me；　nor
that　you　should　look　on　that　which　is　unlawful　for　your　eyes　to　see。
The　feasts　and　ceremonies　you　must　attend；　but　if　I　can　help　it；　no
victim　shall　be　slain　in　your　presence；　not　even　that　whimpering
hound；　your　servant；〃　she　added　with　a　contemptuous　glance　at　Jeekie；
〃who　it　seems；　fears　to　give　his　life　for　the　glory　of　the　god；　but
who　because　he　is　yours；　is　safe　now　and　always。〃

〃That　/very/　satisfactory；〃　said　Jeekie；　rising　from　his　knees；　his
face　wreathed　in　smiles；　for　he　knew　well　that　a　decree　of　the　Asika
could　not　be　broken。　Then　he　began　to　explain　to　the　priestess　that　it
was　not　fear　of　losing　his　own　life　that　had　moved　him；　but　the
certainty　that　this　occurrence　would　disagree　morally　with　Little
Bonsa；　whose　entire　confidence　he　possessed。

Taking　no　notice　of　his　words；　with　a　slight　reverence　to　the　fetish；
she　passed　on；　beckoning　to　Alan。　As　he　went　by　the　two　prostrate
priests　whose　lives　he　had　saved；　lifted　their　heads　a　little　and
looked　at　him　with　heartfelt　gratitude　in　their　eyes；　indeed　one　of
them　kissed　the　place　where　his　foot　had　trodden。　Jeekie；　following；
gave　him　a　kick　to　intimate　that　he　was　taking　a　liberty；　but　at　the
same　time　stooped　down　and　asked　the　man　his　name。　It　occurred　to　him
that　these　rescued　priests　might　some　day　be　useful。

Alan　followed　her　through　a　kind　of　swing　door　which　opened　into
another　of　the　endless　halls；　but　when　he　looked　for　her　there　she　was
nowhere　to　be　seen。　A　priest　who　was　waiting　beyond　the　door　bowed　and
informed　him　that　the　Asika　had　gone　to　her　own　place；　and　would　see
him　that　evening。　Then　bowing　again　he　led　them　back　by　various
passages　to　the　room　where　they　had　slept。

〃Jeekie；〃　said　Alan　after　their　food　had　been　brought　to　them；　this
time；　he　observed；　by　men；　for　it　was　now　past　midday；　〃you　were　born
in　Asiki…land；　tell　me　the　truth　of　this　business。　What　does　that
woman　mean　when　she　talks　about　her　spirit　having　been　here　from　the
beginning。〃

〃She　mean；　Major；　that　every　time　she　die　her　soul　go　into　someone
else；　whom　priests　find　out　by　marks。　Also　Asika　always　die　young；
they　never　let　her　become　old　woman；　but　how　she　die　and　where　they
bury　her；　no　one　know　'cept　priests。　Sometimes　she　have　girl　child　who
become　Asika　after　her；　but　if　they　have　boy　child；　they　kill　him。　I
think　this　Asika　daughter　of　her　who　make　love　to　your　reverend　uncle。
All　that　story　'bout　her　mother　not　being　married；　lies；　and　all　her
story　lies　too；　she　often　marry。〃

〃But　how　about　the　spirit　coming　back；　Jeekie？〃

〃'Spect　that　lie　too；　Major；　though　she　think　it　solemn　fact。　Priests
teach　her　all　those　old　things。　Still；〃　he　added　doubtfully；　〃Asika
great　medicine…woman　and　know　a　lot　we　don't　know；　can't　say　how。　Very
awkward　customer；　Major。〃

〃Quite　so；　Jeekie；　I　agree　with　you。　But　to　come　to　the　point；　what　is
her　game　with　me？〃

〃Oh！　Major；〃　he　answered　with　a　grin；　〃/that/　simple　enough。　She　tired
of　black　man；　want　change；　mean　to　marry　you　according　to　law；　that　is
when　Mungana　dies；　and　he　die　jolly　quick　now。　She　mustn't　kill　him；
but　polish　him　off　all　the　same；　stick　him　to　sleep　with　those　dead
uns；　till　he　go　like　drunk　man　and　see　things　and　drown　himself。　Then
she　marry　you。　But　till　he　dead；　you　all　right；　she　only　talk　and　make
eyes；　'cause　of　Asiki　law；　not　'cause　she　want　to　stop　there。〃

〃Indeed；　Jeekie；　and　how　long　do　you　think　that　Mungana　will　last？〃

〃Perhaps　three　months；　Major；　and　perhaps　two。　Think　not　more　than
two。　Strong　man；　but　he　look　devilish　dicky　this　morning。　Think　he
begin　see　snakes。〃

〃Very　well；　Jeekie。　Now　listen　to　meyou've　got　to　get　us　out　of
Asiki…land　by　this　day　two　months。　If　you　don't；　that　lady　will　do
anything　to　oblige　me　and　no　doubt　there　are　more　executioners　left。〃

〃Oh！　Major；　don't　talk　like　silly　fool。　Jeekie　always　hate　fools　and
suffer　them　badlylike　holy　first　missionary　bishop。　You　know　very
well　this　no　place　for　ultra…Christian　man　like　Jeekie；　who　only　come
here　to　please　you。　Both　in　same　bag；　Major；　if　I　die；　you　die　and
leave　Miss　Barbara　up　gum　tree。　I　get　you　out　if　I　can。　But　this　stuff
the　trouble；〃　and　he　pointed　to　the　bags　of　gold。　〃Not　want　to　leave
all　that　behind　after　such　arduous　walk。　No；　no；　I　try　get　you　out；
meanwhile　you　play　game。〃

〃The　game！　What　game；　Jeekie？〃

〃What　game？　Why；　Asika…game　of　course。　If　she　sigh；　you　sigh；　if　she
look　at　you；　you　look　at　her；　if　she　squeeze　hand；　you　squeeze　hand；
if　she　kiss；　you　kiss。〃

〃I　am　hanged　if　I　do；　Jeekie。〃

〃Must；　Major；　must　or　never　get　out　of　Asiki…land。　What　all　that
matter？〃　he　added　confidentially。　〃Miss　Barbara　never　know。　Jeekie
doesn't　split；　also　quite　necessary　in　situation；　and　you　can't　be
married　till　that　Mungana　dead。　All　matter　business；　Major；　make　time
pass　pleasant　as　well。　Asika　jolly　enough　if　you　stroke　her　fur　right
way；　but　if　you　put　her　back　upoh　Lor！　No　trouble；　sit　and　smile　and
say；　'Oh；　ducky；　how　beautiful　you　are！'　that　not　hurt　anybody。〃

In　spite　of　himself　Alan　burst　out　laughing。

〃But　how　about　the　Mungana？〃　he　asked。

〃Mungana；　he　got　take　that　with　rest。　Also　I　try　make　friends　with
that　poor　devil。　Tell　him　it　all　my　eye。　Perhaps　he　believe　menot
sure。　If　he　me；　I　no　believe　/him/。　Mungana；〃　he　added　oracularly；
〃Mungana　take　his　chance。　What　matter？　In　two　months'　time　he　nothing
but　gold　figure；　No。　2403；　just　like　one　mummy　in　museum。　Now　I　try
catch　my　ma。　I　hear　she　alive　somewhere。　They　tell　me　she　used　keep
lodging　house　for　Bonsa　pilgrim；　but　steal　grub；　say　it　cat；　all　that
sort　of　thing；　and　get　run　in　as　thief。　Afraid　my　ma　come　down　very
much　in　world；　not　society　lady　now；　shut　up　long　way　off　in　suburb。
Still　p'raps　she　useful　so　best　send　her　message　by　p'liceman；　say　how
much　I　love　her；　say　her　dear　little　Jeekie　turn　up　again　just　to　see
her　sweet　face。　Only　don't　know　if　she　swallow　that　or　if　they　let　her
out　prison　unless　I　pay　for　all　she　prig。〃



CHAPTER　XIII

THE　FEAST　OF　LITTLE　BONSA

It　was　the　night　of　full　moon　and　of　the　great　feast　of　the　return　of
Little　Bonsa。　Alan　sat　in　his　chamber　waiting　to　be　summoned　to　take
part　in　this　ceremony　and　listening　the　while　to　that　/Wow！　Wow！　Wow！/
of　the　death　drums；　whereof　Jeekie　had　once　spoken　in　England；　which
could　be　clearly　heard　even　above　the　perpetual　boom　of　the　cataract
tumbling　down　its　cliff　behind　the　town。　By　now　he　had　recovered　from
the　fatigue　of　his　journey　and　his　health　was　good；　but　the　same　could
not　be　said　of　his　spirits；　for　never　in　his　life　had　he　felt　more
downhearted；　not　even　when　he　was　sickening　for　blackwater　fever；　or
lay　in　bondage　in　the　City；　expecting　every　morning　to　wake　up　and
find　his　reputation　blasted。　He　was　a　prisoner　in　this　dreadful；
gloomy　place　where　he　must　live　like　a　second　Man　in　the　Iron　Mask；
without　recreation　or　exercise　other　than　he　could　find　in　the　walled
garden　where　grew　the　black　cedar　trees；　and；　so　far　as　he　could　see；
a　prisoner　without　hope　of　escape。

Moreover；　he　could　no　longer　disguise　from　himself　the　truth；　Jeekie
was　right。　The　Asika　had　fallen　in　love　with　him；　or　at　any　rate　made
up　her　mind　that　he　should　be　her　next　husband。　He　hated　the　sight　of
the　woman　and　her　sinuous；　evil　beauty；　but　to　be　free　of　her　was
impossible；　and　to　offend　her；　death。　All　day　long　she　kept　him　about
her；　and　from　his　sleep　he　would　wake　up　and　as　on　the　night　of　his
arrival；　distinguish　her　leaning　over　him　studying　his　face　by　the
light　of　the　faintly…burning　lamps；　as　a　snake　studies　the　bird　it　is
about　to　strike。　He　dared　not　stir　or　give　the　slightest　sign　that　he
saw　her。　Nor　indeed　did　he　always　see　her；　for　he　kept　his　eyes
closely　shut。　But　even　in　his　heaviest　slumber　some　warning　sense　told
him　of　her　presence；　and　then　above　Jeekie's　snores　（for　on　these
occasions　Jeekie　always　snored　his　loudest）　he　would　hear　a　soft
footfall；　as　cat…like；　she　crept　towards　him；　or　the　sweep　of　her
spangled　robe；　or　the　tinkling　of　the　scales　of　her　golden
breastplate。　For　a　long　while　she　would　stand　there；　examining　him
greedily