the yellow god-第37章

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again　and　again。

〃Go　now；〃　she　said；　〃go；　and　let　my　love　go　with　you；　through　lives
and　deaths；　and　all　the　dreams　beyond；　oh！　let　my　love　go　with　you；　as
it　shall；　Vernoon。〃

So　he　went；　leaving　her　weeping　on　her　knees。



During　the　dark　hours　that　followed　Alan　and　madness　were　not　far
apart。　What　could　he　do？　Escape　was　utterly　impossible。　For　weeks　he
and　Jeekie　had　considered　it　in　vain。　Even　if　they　could　win　out　of
the　Gold　House　fortress；　what　hope　had　they　of　making　their　way
through　the　crowded；　tortuous　town　where；　after　the　African　fashion；
peopled　walked　about　all　night；　every　one　of　whom　would　recognize　the
white　man；　whether　he　were　masked　or　no？　Besides；　beyond　the　town　were
the　river　and　the　guarded　walls　and　gates　and　beyond　them　open　country
where　they　would　be　cut　off　or　run　down。　No；　to　attempt　escape　was
suicide。　Suicide！　That　gave　him　an　idea；　why　should　he　not　kill
himself？　It　would　be　easy　enough；　for　he　still　had　his　revolver　and　a
few　cartridges；　and　surely　it　was　better　than　to　enter　on　such　a　life
as　awaited　him　as　the　plaything　of　a　priestess　of　a　tribe　of　fetish…
worshipping　savages。

But　if　he　killed　himself；　how　about　Barbara　and　how　about　poor　old
Jeekie；　who　would　certainly　be　killed　also？　Besides；　it　was　not　the
right　thing　to　do；　and　while　there　is　life　there　is　always　hope。

Alan　paused　in　his　walk　up　and　down　the　room　and　looked　at　Jeekie；　who
sat　upon　the　floor　with　his　back　resting　against　the　stone　altar；
reflectively　pulling　down　his　thick　under…lip　and　letting　it　fly　back；
negro…fashion。

〃Jeekie；〃　he　said；　〃time's　up。　What　am　I　to　do？〃

〃Do；　Major？〃　he　replied　with　affected　cheerfulness。　〃Oh！　that　quite
simple。　Jeekie　arrange　everything。　You　marry　Asika　and　by　and　by；　when
you　master　here　and　tired　of　her；　you　give　her　slip。　Very　interesting
experience；　no　white　man　ever　have　such　luck　before。　Asika　not　half
bad；　/if/　she　fond　of　you；　she　like　little　girl　in　song；　when　she
good；　she　very；　very　good。　At　any　rate；　nothing　else　to　do。　Marry
Asika　or　spiflicate；　which　mean；　Major；　that　Jeekie　spiflicate　too；
and；〃　he　added；　shaking　his　white　head　sadly；　〃he　no　like　/that/。　One
or　two　little　things　on　his　mind　that　no　get　time　to　square　up　yet。
Daren't　pray　like　Christian　here；　'cause　afraid　of　Bonsas；　and　Bonsas
come　even　with　him　by　and　by；　'cause　he　been　Christian；　so　poor　Jeekie
fall　down　bump　between　two　stools。　'Postles　kick　him　out　of　heaven　and
Bonsas　kick　him　out　of　hell；　and　where　Jeekie　go　to　then？〃

〃Don't　know；　I　am　sure；〃　answered　Alan；　smiling　a　little　in　spite　of
his　sorrow；　〃but　I　think　the　Bonsas　might　find　a　corner　for　you
somewhere。　Look　here；　Jeekie；　you　old　scamp；　I　am　sorry　for　you；　for
you　have　been　a　good　friend　to　me　and　we　are　fond　of　each　other。　But
just　understand　this；　I　am　not　going　to　marry　that　woman　if　I　can　help
it。　It's　against　my　principles。　So　I　shall　wait　till　to…morrow　and
then　I　shall　walk　out　of　this　place。　If　the　guards　try　to　stop　me　I
shall　shoot　them　while　I　have　any　cartridges。　Then　I　shall　go　on　until
they　kill　me。〃

〃Oh！　But　Major；　they　not　kill　younever；　they　chuck　blanket　over　your
head　and　take　you　back　to　Asika。　It　Jeekie　they　kill；　skin　him
alive…o；　and　all　the　rest　of　it。〃

〃Hope　not；　Jeekie；　because　they　think　we　shall　die　the　same　day。　But
if　so；　I　can't　help　it。　To…morrow　morning　I　shall　walk　out；　and　now
that's　settled。　I　am　tired　and　going　to　sleep；〃　and　he　threw　himself
down　upon　the　bed　and；　being　worn　out　with　weariness　and　anxiety；　soon
fell　fast　asleep。

But　Jeekie　did　not　sleep；　although　he　too　lay　down　upon　his　bed。　On
the　contrary；　he　remained　wide　awake　and　reflected；　more　deeply
perhaps　than　he　had　ever　done　before；　being　sure　the　superstition　as
to　the　dependence　of　Alan's　life　upon　his　own　was　now　worn　very　thin；
and　that　his　hour　was　at　hand。　He　thought　of　making　Alan's　wild
attempt　to　depart　impossible　by　the　simple　method　of　warning　the
Asika；　but；　notwithstanding　his　native　selfishness；　was　too　loyal　to
let　that　idea　take　root　in　his　mind。　No；　there　was　nothing　to　be　done；
if　the　Major　wished　to　start；　the　Major　must　start；　and　he；　Jeekie；
must　pay　the　price。　Well；　he　deserved　it；　who　had　been　fool　enough　to
listen　to　the　secret　promptings　of　Little　Bonsa　and　conduct　him　to
Asiki…land。

Thus　he　passed　several　hours；　for　the　most　part　in　melancholy
speculations　as　to　the　exact　fashion　of　his　end；　until　at　length
weariness　overcame　him　also　and；　shutting　his　eyes；　Jeekie　began　to
doze。　Suddenly　he　grew　aware　of　the　presence　of　some　other　person　in
the　room；　but　thinking　that　it　was　only　the　Asika　prowling　about　in
her　uncanny　fashion；　or　perhaps　her　spirit；　for　how　her　body　entered
the　place　he　could　not　guess；　he　did　not　stir；　but　lay　breathing
heavily　and　watching　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。

Presently　a　figure　emerged　from　the　shadows　into　the　faint　light
thrown　by　the　single　lamp　that　burned　above；　and　though　it　was　wrapped
in　a　dark　cloak；　Jeekie　knew　at　once　that　it　was　not　the　Asika。　Very
stealthily　the　figure　crept　towards　him；　as　a　leopard　might　creep；　and
bent　down　to　examine　him。　The　movement　caused　the　cloak　to　slip　a
little；　and　for　an　instant　Jeekie　caught　sight　of　the　wasted；　half…
crazed　face　of　the　Mungana；　and　of　a　long；　curved　knife　that　glittered
in　his　hand。　Paralyzed　with　fear；　he　lay　quite　still；　knowing　that
should　he　show　the　slightest　sign　of　consciousness　that　knife　would
pierce　his　heart。

The　Mungana　watched　him　a　while；　then　satisfied　that　he　slept；　turned
round　and；　bending　himself　almost　double；　glided　with　infinite
precautions　towards　Alan's　bed；　which　stood　some　twelve　or　fourteen
feet　away。　Silently　as　a　snake　that　uncoils　itself；　Jeekie　slipped
from　between　his　blankets　and　crept　after　him；　his　naked　feet　making
no　noise　upon　the　mat…strewn　floor。　So　intent　was　the　Mungana　upon　the
deed　which　he　had　come　to　do　that　he　never　looked　back；　and　thus　it
happened　that　the　two　of　them　reached　the　bed　one　immediately　behind
the　other。

Alan　was　lying　on　his　back　with　his　throat　exposed；　a　very　easy
victim。　For　a　moment　the　Mungana　stared。　Then　he　erected　himself　like
a　snake　about　to　strike；　and　lifted　the　great　curved　knife；　taking　aim
at　Alan's　naked　breast。　Jeekie　erected　himself　also；　and　even　as　the
knife　began　to　fall；　with　one　hand　he　caught　the　arm　that　drove　it　and
with　the　other　the　murderer's　throat。　The　Mungana　fought　like　a　wild…
cat；　but　Jeekie　was　too　strong　for　him。　His　fingers　held　the　man's
windpipe　like　a　vise。　He　choked　and　weakened；　the　knife　fell　from　his
hand。　He　sank　to　the　ground　and　lay　there　helpless；　whereon　Jeekie
knelt　upon　his　chest　and；　possessing　himself　of　the　knife；　held　it
within　an　inch　of　his　heart。

It　was　at　this　juncture　that　Alan　woke　up　and　asked　sleepily　what　was
the　matter。

〃Nothing；　Major；〃　answered　Jeekie　in　low　and　cheerful　tones。　〃Snake
just　going　to　bite　you　and　I　catch　him；　that　all；〃　and　he　gave　an
extra　squeeze　to　the　Mungana's　throat；　who　turned　black　in　the　face
and　rolled　his　eyes。

〃Be　careful；　Jeekie；　or　you　will　kill　the　man；〃　exclaimed　Alan；
recognizing　the　Mungana　and　taking　in　the　situation。

〃Why　not；　Major？　He　want　kill　you；　and　me　too　afterwards。　Good
riddance　of　bad　rubbish；　as　Book　say。〃

〃I　am　not　so　sure；　Jeekie。　Give　him　air　and　let　me　think。　Tell　him
that　if　he　makes　any　noise；　he　dies。〃

Jeekie　obeyed；　and　the　Mungana's　darkening　eyes　grew　bright　again　as
he　drew　his　breath　in　great　sobs。

〃Now；　friend；〃　said　Alan　in　Asiki；　〃why　did　you　wish　to　stab　me？〃

〃Because　I　hate　you；〃　answered　the　man；　〃who　to…morrow　will　take　my
place　and　the　wife　I　love。〃

〃As　a　year　or　two　ago　you　took　someone　else's　place；　eh？　Well；　suppose
now　that　I　don't　want　either　your　place　or　your　wife。〃

〃What　would　that　matter　even　it　if　were　true；　white　man；　since　she
wants　you？〃

〃I　am　thinking；　friend；　that　there　is　someone　else　she　will　want　when
she　hears　of　this。　How　do　you　suppose　that　you　will　die　to…morrow？　Not
so　easily　as　you　hope；　perhaps。〃

The　Mungana's　eyes　seemed　to　sink　into　his　head；　and　his　face　to
sicken　with　terror。　That　shaft　had　gone　home。

〃Suppose　I　make　a　bargain　with　you；〃　went　on　Alan　slowly。　〃Supposing　I
say：　'Mungana；　show　me　the　way　out　of　this　place；　as　you　can；　now　at
once。　Or　if　you　prefer　it；　refuse　and　be　given　up　to　the　Asika？'　Come；
you　are　not　too　mad　to　understand。　Answerand　quickly。〃

〃Would　you　kill　me　afterwards？〃　he　asked。

〃Not　I。　Why　should　I　wish　to　kill　you？　You　can　come　with　us　and　go
where　you　will。　Or　you　can　stay　here　and　die　as　the　Asika　directs。〃

〃I　cannot　believe　you；　white　man。　It　is　not　possible　that　you　should
wish　to　run　away　from　so　much　love　and　glory；　or　to　spare　one　who
would　have　slain　you。　Also　it　would　be　difficult　to　get　you　out　of
Bonsa…town。〃

〃Jeekie；〃　said　Alan；　〃this　fellow　is　mad　after　all；　I　think　you　had
better　go　to　the　door　and　shout　for　the　priests。〃

〃No；　no；　lord；〃　begged　the　wretched　creature；　〃I　will　trust　you；　I
will　try；　though　it　is　you　who　must　be　mad。〃

〃Very　good。　Stand　over　him；　Jeekie；　while　I　put　on　my　things　and；　yes；
give　me　that　mask。　If　he　stirs；　kill　him　at　once。〃

So　Alan　made　himself　ready。　Then　he　mounted　guard　over　the　Mungana；　as
did　Jeekie；　although　he　shook　his　head　over　their　prospect　of　escape。

〃No　go；〃　he　muttered；　〃no　go！　If　we　get　past　priests；　Asika　catch　us
with　her　magic。　When　I　bolt　with　your　reverend　uncle　last　time；　Little
Bonsa　arrange　business　because　she　go　abroad　fetch　you。　Now　likely　as
not　she　bowl　you　out；　and　then　good…bye　Jeekie。〃

Alan　sternly　bade　him　be　quiet　and　stop　behind　if　he　did　not　wish　to
come。

〃No；　no；　Major；〃　he　answered；　〃I　come　all　right。　Asika　very　prejudiced
beggar；　and　if　she　find　me　here　aloneoh　my！　Better　die　double　after
all；　Two's　company；　Major。　Now；　all　ready；　/March！/〃　and　he　gave　the
unfortunate　Mungana　a　fearful　kick　as　a　hint　to　proceed。

So　utterly　crushed　was　the　poor　wretch　that　even　this　insult　did　not
stir　him　to　resentment。

〃Follow　me；　white　man；〃　he　said；　〃and　if　you　desire　to　live；　be
silent。　Throw　your　cloaks　about　your　heads。〃

They　did　so；　and　holding　their　revolvers　in　their　right　hands；　glided
after　the　Mungana。　In　the　corner　of　the　big　room　they　came　to　a　little
stair。　How　it　opened　in　that　place　where　no　stair　had　been；　they　could
not　see　or　even　guess；　for　it　was　too　dark；　only　now　they　knew　the
means　by　which　the　Asika　had　been　able　to　visit　them　at　night。

The　Mungana　went　first　down　the　stair。　Jeekie　followed；　grasping　him
by　the　arm　with　one　hand；　while　in　the　other　he　kept　his　own　knife
ready　to　stab　him　at　the　first　sign　of　treachery。　Alan　brought　up　the
rear；　keeping　hold　of　Jeekie's　cloak。　They　passed　down　twelve　steps　of
stair；　then　turned　to　the　right　along　a　tunnel；　then　to　the　left；　then
to　the　right　again。　In　the　pitch　darkness　it　was　an　awful　journey；
since　they　knew　not　whither　they　were　being　led；　and　expected　that
every　moment　would　be　their　last。　At　length；　quite　of　a　sudden；　they
emerged　into　moonlight。

Alan　looked　about　him　and　knew　the　place。　It　was　where　the　feast　had
been　held　two　months　before；　when　the　priests　were　poisoned　and　the
Bonsas　cho