the yellow god-第43章

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cannot　bear　the　sight　of　his　face。　If　you　knew　everything；　you　would
understand。〃

Alan　turned　on　Aylward　and　in　a　cold；　quiet　voice　asked　him　what　he
had　to　say　to　this　story。

〃I　have　to　say；　Major　Vernon；　that　it　is　a　clever　mixture　of　truth　and
falsehood。　It　is　true　that　your　cousin；　Champers…Haswell；　has　been
proved　guilty　of　some　very　shameful　conduct。　For　instance　it　appears
that　he　did　forge；　or　rather　cause　to　be　forged　that　Firman　from　the
Sultan；　although　I　knew　nothing　of　this　until　it　was　publicly
repudiated。　It　is　also　true　that　fearing　exposure　he　entirely　lost　his
head　and　spent　not　only　his　own　great　fortune　but　that　of　Miss
Champers　also；　in　trying　to　support　Sahara　shares。　I　admit　also　that　I
sold　many　hundreds　of　thousands　of　those　shares　in　the　ordinary　way；
having　made　up　my　mind　to　retire　from　business　when　I　was　raised　to
the　peerage。　I　admit　further；　what　you　knew　before；　that　I　was
attached　to　Miss　Champers　and　wished　to　marry　her。　Why　should　I　not；
especially　as　I　had　a　good　deal　to　offer　to　a　lady　who　has　been　proved
to　be　almost　without　fortune？

〃For　the　rest　she　set　out　secretly　on　this　mad　journey　to　Africa；
whither　both　my　duty　as　her　trustee　and　my　affection　prompted　me　to
follow　her。　I　found　her　here　recovering　from　an　illness；　and　since　she
has　dwelt　upon　the　point；　in　self…defence　I　must　tell　you　that
whatever　has　taken　place　between　us；　has　been　with　her　full　consent
and　encouragement。　Of　course　I　allude　only　to　those　affectionate
amenities　which　are　common　between　people　who　purpose　to　marry　as　soon
as　opportunity　may　offer。〃

At　this　declaration　poor　Barbara　gasped　and　leaned　back　against　her
pillow。　Alan　stood　silent；　though　his　lips　turned　white；　while　Jeekie
thrust　his　big　head　through　the　tent　opening　and　stared　upwards。

〃What　are　you　looking　at；　Jeekie？〃　asked　Alan　irritably。

〃Seem　to　want　air；　Major；　also　look　to　see　if　clouds　tumble。　Believe
partickler　big　lie　do　that　sometimes。　Please　go　on；　O　good　Lord；　for
Jeekie　want　his　breakfast。〃

〃As　regards　the　execution　of　two　of　Miss　Champers'　bearers　and　the
flogging　of　some　others；　these　punishments　were　inflicted　for　mutiny；〃
went　on　Aylward。　〃It　was　obviously　necessary　that　she　should　be　moved
back　to　the　coast；　but　I　found　out　that　they　were　trying　to　desert　her
in　a　body　and　to　tamper　with　my　own　servants；　and　so　was　obliged　to
take　strong　measures。〃

〃Sure　those　clouds　come　down　now；〃　soliloquized　Jeekie；　〃or　least
something　rummy　happen。〃

〃I　have　only　to　add；　Major　Vernon；　that　unless　you　make　away　with　me
first；　as　I　daresay　you　will；　as　soon　as　we　reach　civilization　again　I
shall　proceed　against　you　and　this　fellow　for　the　cold…blooded　murder
of　my　men；　in　punishment　of　which　I　hope　yet　to　live　to　see　you
hanged。　Meanwhile；　I　have　much　pleasure　in　releasing　Miss　Champers
from　her　engagement　to　me　which；　whatever　she　may　have　said　to　you　in
England；　she　was　glad　enough　to　enter　on　here　in　Africa；　a　country　of
which　I　have　been　told　the　climate　frequently　deteriorates　the　moral
character。〃

〃Hear；　hear！〃　ejaculated　Jeekie；　〃he　say　something　true　at　last；　by
accident；　I　think；　like　pig　what　find　pearl　in　muck…heap。〃

〃Hold　your　tongue；　Jeekie；〃　said　Alan。　〃I　do　not　intend　to　kill　you；
Lord　Aylward；　or　to　do　you　any　harm〃

〃Nor　I　neither；〃　broke　in　Jeekie；　〃all　I　do　to　my　Lord　just　for　my
Lord's　good；　who　Jeekie　that　he　wish　to　hurt　noble　British
'ristocrat？〃

〃But　I　do　intend　that　it　shall　be　impossible　that　Miss　Champers　should
be　forced　to　listen　to　more　of　your　insults；〃　went　on　Alan；　〃and　to
make　sure　that　your　gun　does　not　go　off　again　as　it　did　this　morning。
So；　Lord　Aylward；　until　we　have　settled　what　we　are　going　to　do；　I
must　keep　you　under　arrest。　Take　him　to　his　tent；　Jeekie；　and　put　a
guard　over　him。〃

〃Yes；　Major；　certainly；　Major。　Right　turn；　march！　my　Lord；　and　quick；
please；　since　poor；　common　Jeekie　not　want　dirty　his　black　finger
touching　you。〃

Aylward　obeyed；　but　at　the　door　of　the　tent　swung　round　and　favoured
Alan　with　a　very　evil　look。

〃Luck　is　with　you　for　the　moment；　Major　Vernon；〃　he　said；　〃but　if　you
are　wise　you　will　remember　that　you　never　have　been　and　never　will　be
my　match。　It　will　turn　again；　I　have　no　doubt；　and　then　you　may　look
to　yourself；　for　I　warn　you　I　am　a　bad　enemy。〃

Alan　did　not　answer；　but　for　the　first　time　Barbara　sprang　to　her　feet
and　spoke。

〃You　mean　that　you　are　a　bad　man；　Lord　Aylward；　and　a　coward　too；　or
otherwise　you　would　not　have　tortured　me　as　you　have　done。　Well；　when
it　seemed　impossible　that　I　should　escape　from　you　except　in　one　way；
I　was　saved　by　another　way　of　which　I　never　dreamed。　Now　I　tell　you
that　I　do　not　fear　you　any　more。　But　I　think；〃　she　added　slowly；　〃that
you　would　do　well　to　fear　for　yourself。　I　don't　know　why；　but　it　comes
into　my　mind　that　though　neither　Alan　nor　I　shall　lift　a　finger
against　you；　you　have　a　great　deal　of　which　to　be　afraid。　Remember
what　I　said　to　you　months　ago　when　you　were　angry　because　I　would　not
marry　you。　I　believe　it　is　all　coming　true；　Lord　Aylward。〃

Then　Barbara　turned　her　back　upon　him；　and　that　was　the　last　time　that
either　she　or　Alan　ever　saw　his　face。

He　was　gone；　and　Barbara；　her　head　upon　her　lover's　shoulder　and　her
sweet　eyes　filled　with　tears　of　joy　and　gratitude；　was　beginning　to
tell　him　everything　that　had　befallen　her　when　suddenly　they　heard　a
loud　cough　outside　the　tent。

〃It's　that　confounded　Jeekie；〃　said　Alan；　and　he　called　to　him　to　come
in。

〃What's　the　matter　now？〃　he　asked　crossly。

〃Breakfast；　Major。　His　lordship　got　plenty　good　stores；　borrow　some
from　him　and　give　him　chit。　Coming　in　one　minutehot　coffee；　kipper
herring；　rasher　bacon；　also　butter　（best　Danish）；　and　Bath　Oliver
biscuit。〃

〃Very　well；〃　said　Alan；　but　Jeekie　did　not　move。

〃Very　well；〃　repeated　Alan。

〃No；　Major；　not　very　well；　very　ill。　Thought　those　lies　bring　down
clouds。〃

〃What　do　you　mean；　Jeekie？〃

〃Mean；　Major；　that　Asiki　smelling　about　this　camp。　Porter…man　what　go
to　fetch　water　see　them。　Also　believe　they　catch　rest　of　those　soldier
chaps　and　polish　them；　for　porter…man　hear　the　row。〃

Alan　sprang　up　with　an　exclamation；　in　his　new…found　joy　he　had
forgotten　all　about　the　Asiki。

〃Keep　hair　on；　Major；〃　said　Jeekie　cheerfully；　〃don't　think　they
attack　yet；　plenty　of　time　for　breakfast　first。　When　they　come　we　make
it　very　hot　for　them；　lots　of　rifle　and　cartridge　now。〃

〃Can't　we　run　away？〃　asked　Barbara。

〃No；　Missy；　can't　run；　must　stop　here　and　do　best。　Camp　well　built；
open　all　round；　don't　think　they　take　it。　You　leave　everything　to
Jeekie；　he　see　you　through；　but　p'raps　you　like　come　breakfast
outside；　where　you　know　all　that　go　on。〃

Barbara　did　like；　but　as　it　happened　they　were　allowed　to　consume
their　meal　in　peace；　since　no　Asiki　appeared。　As　soon　as　it　was
swallowed　she　returned　to　her　tent；　while　Alan　and　Jeekie　set　to　work
to　strengthen　the　defences　of　the　little　camp　as　well　as　they　were
able；　and　to　make　ready　and　serve　out　the　arms　and　ammunition。

About　midday　a　man　whom　they　had　posted　in　a　tree　that　grew　inside　the
camp　announced　that　he　saw　the　enemy；　and　next　moment　a　company　of
them　rushed　towards　them　across　the　open　and　were　greeted　by　a　volley
which　killed　and　wounded　several　men。　At　this　exhibition　of　miraculous
power；　for　none　of　these　soldiers　had　ever　heard　the　report　of
firearms　or　seen　their　effect；　they　retreated　rapidly；　uttering　shouts
of　dismay　and　carrying　their　dead　and　wounded　with　them。

〃Do　you　suppose　they　have　gone；　Jeekie？〃　asked　Alan　anxiously。

He　shook　his　head。

〃Think　not；　Major；　think　they　frightened；　by　big　bullet　magic；　and　go
consult　priest。　Also　only　a　few　of　them　here；　rest　of　army　come　later
and　try　rush　us　to…morrow　morning　before　dawn。　That　Asiki　custom。〃

〃Then　what　shall　we　do；　Jeekie？　Run　for　it　or　stop　here？〃

〃Think　must　stop　here；　Major。　If　we　bolt；　carrying　Miss　Barbara；　who
can't　walk　much；　they　follow　on　spoor　and　catch　us。　Best　stick　inside
this　fence　and　see　what　happen。　Also　once　outside　p'raps　porters
desert　and　leave　us。〃

So　as　there　was　nothing　else　to　do　they　stayed；　labouring　all　day　at
the　strengthening　of　their　fortifications　till　at　length　the　boma　or
fence　of　boughs；　supported　by　earth；　was　so　high　and　thick　that　while
any　were　left　to　fire　through　the　loopholes；　it　would　be　very
difficult　to　storm　by　men　armed　with　spears。

It　was　a　dreadful　and　arduous　day　for　Alan；　who　now　had　Barbara's
safety　to　think　of；　Barbara　with　whom　as　yet　he　had　scarcely　found
time　to　exchange　a　word。　By　sunset　indeed　he　was　so　worn　out　with　toil
and　anxiety　that　he　could　scarcely　stand　upon　his　feet。　Jeekie；　who
all　that　afternoon　had　been　strangely　quiet　and　reflective；　surveyed
him　critically；　then　said：

〃You　have　good　drink　and　go　sleep　a　bit；　Major。　Very　good　little
shelter　there　by　Miss　Barbara's　tent；　and　you　hold　her　hand　if　you
like　underneath　the　canvas；　which　comforting　and　all　correct。　Jeekie
never　get　tired；　he　keep　good　lookout　and　let　you　know　if　anything
happen；　and　then　you　jump　up　quite　fresh　and　fight　like　tom…cat　in
corner。〃

At　first　Alan　refused　to　listen；　but　when　Barbara　added　her　entreaties
to　those　of　Jeekie　he　gave　way；　and　ten　minutes　later　was　as　soundly
asleep　as　he　had　ever　been　in　his　life。

〃Keep　eye　on　him；　Miss　Barbara；　and　call　me　if　he　wake。　Now　I　go　give
noble　lord　his　supper　and　see　that　he　quite　comfortable。　Jeekie　seem
very　busy　to…night；　just　like　when　Major　have　dinner…party　at　Yarleys
and　old　cook　get　drunk　in　kitchen。〃

If　Barbara　could　have　followed　Jeekie's　movements　for　the　next　few
hours；　she　would　probably　have　agreed　that　he　was　busy。　First　he　went
to　Aylward's　tent；　and　as　he　had　said　he　would；　gave　him　his　supper；
and　with　it　half　a　bottle　of　whisky　from　the　stores　which　he　had　been
carrying　about　with　him　for　some　time；　as　he　said；　to　prevent　the
porters　from　getting　at　it。　Aylward　would　little；　though　as　his　arms
were　tied　to　the　tent…pole；　Jeekie　sat　beside　him　and　fed　him　like　a
baby；　conversing　pleasantly　with　him　all　the　while；　informing　him
amongst　other　things　that　he　had　better　say　〃big　prayer；〃　because　the
Asiki　would　probably　cut　his　throat　before　morning。

Aylward；　who　was　in　a　state　of　sullen　fury；　scarcely　replied　to　this
talk；　except　to　say　that　if　so；　there　was　one　comfort；　they　would　cut
his　and　his　master's　also。

〃Yes；　my　Lord；〃　answered　Jeekie；　〃that　quite　true；　so　drink　to　next
meeting；　though　I　think　you　go　different　place　to　me；　and　when　you　got
tail　and　I　wing；　you　horn　and　I　crown　of　glory；　of　course　we　not　talk
much　together；〃　and　he　held　a　mug　of　whisky　and　watera　great　deal　of
whisky　and　a　very　little　waterto　his　prisoner's　mouth。

Aylward　drained　it；　feeling　a　need　for　stimulant。

〃There；〃　said　Jeekie；　holding　it　upside　down；　〃you　drink　every　drop
and　not　offer　one　to　poor　old　Jeekie。　Well；　he　turned　teetotaller；　so
no　matter。　Good…night；　my　Lord；　I　call　you　if　Asiki　come。〃

〃Who　are　the　Asiki？〃　asked　Aylward　drowsily。

〃Oh！　you　want　to　know？　I　tell　you；〃　and　he　began　a　long；　rambling
story。

Before　he　ever　came　to　the　end　of　it　Aylward　had　fallen　on　his　side
and