the yellow god-第44章

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story。

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

〃Dear　me！〃　said　Jeekie；　contemplating　him；　〃that　whisky　very　strong；
though　bottle　say　same　as　they　drink　in　House　of　Common。　That　whisky
so　strong　I　think　I　pour　away　rest　of　it；〃　and　he　did　to　the　last
drop；　even　taking　the　trouble　to　wash　out　the　bottle　with　water。　〃Now
you　no　tempt　anyone；〃　he　said；　addressing　the　said　bottle　with　a　very
peculiar　smile；　〃or　if　you　tempt；　at　least　do　no　harmlike　kiss　down
telephone！〃　Then　he　laid　down　the　bottle　on　its　side　and　left　the
tent。

Outside　of　it　three　of　the　head　porters；　who　appeared　to　be　friends　of
his；　were　waiting　for　him；　and　with　these　men　he　engaged　in　low　and
earnest　conversation。　Next；　after　they　had　arrived　at　some　agreement；
which　they　seemed　to　ratify　by　a　curious　oath　that　involved　their
crossing　and　clasping　hands　in　an　odd　fashion；　and　other　symbols　known
to　West　African　secret　societies；　Jeekie　went　the　round　of　the　camp　to
see　that　everyone　was　at　his　post。　Then　he　did　what　most　people　would
have　thought　a　very　curious　and　strange　thing；　namely　climbed　the
fence　and　vanished　into　the　forest；　where　presently　a　sound　was　heard
as　of　an　owl　hooting。

A　little　while　later　and　another　owl　began　to　hoot　in　the　distance；
whereat　the　three　head　porters　nudged　each　other。　Perhaps　they　had
heard　such　owls　hoot　before　at　night；　and　perhaps　they　knew　that
Jeekie；　who　had　〃passed　Bonsa；〃　could　only　be　harmed　by　the　direct
command　of　Bonsa　speaking　through　the　mouth　of　the　Asika　herself。
Still　they　might　have　been　interested　in　the　nocturnal　conversation　of
those　two　owls；　which；　as　is　common　with　such　magical　fowl　in　West
Africa；　had　transformed　themselves　into　human　shapes；　the　shape　of
Jeekie　and　the　shape　of　an　Asiki　priest；　who　was；　as　it　happened；　a
blood　relation　of　Jeekie。

〃Very　good；　Brother；〃　said　Owl　No。　1；　〃all　you　want　is　this　white　man
whom　the　Asika　desires　for　a　husband。　Well；　I　have　done　my　best　for
him；　but　I　must　think　of　myself　and　others；　and　he　goes　to　great
happiness。　I　have　given　him　something　to　make　him　sleep；　do　you　come
presently　with　eight　men；　no　more；　or　we　shall　kill　you；　to　the　fence
of　the　camp；　and　we　will　hand　over　the　white　man；　Vernoon；　to　you　to
take　back　to　the　Asika；　who　will　give　you　a　wonderful　reward；　such　a
reward　as　you　have　never　imagined。　Now　let　me　hear　your　word。〃

Then　Owl　No。　2　answered：

〃Brother；　I　make　the　bargain　on　behalf　of　the　army；　and　swear　to　it　by
the　double　Swimming　Head　of　Bonsa。　We　will　come　and　take　the　white
man；　Vernoon；　who　is　to　be　Mungana；　and　carry　him　away。　In　return　we
promise　not　to　follow　or　molest　you；　or　any　others　in　your　camp。
Indeed；　why　should　we；　who　do　not　desire　to　be　killed　by　the　dreadful
magic　that　you　have；　a　magic　that　makes　a　noise　and　pierces　through
our　bodies　from　afar？　What　were　the　words　of　the　Asika？　'Bring　back
Vernoon；　or　perish。　I　care　for　nothing　else；　bring　back　Vernoon　to　be
my　husband。'〃

〃Good；〃　said　Owl　No。　1；　〃within　the　half　of　an　hour　Vernoon　shall　be
ready　for　you。〃

〃Good；〃　answered　Owl　No。　2；　〃within　half　an　hour　eight　of　us　will　be
without　the　east　face　of　your　camp　to　receive　him。〃

〃Silently？〃

〃Silently；　my　brother　in　Bonsa。　If　he　cries　out　we　will　gag　him。　Fear
not；　none　shall　know　your　part　in　this　matter。〃

〃Good；　my　brother　in　Bonsa。　By　the　way；　how　is　Big　Bonsa？　I　fear　that
the　white　man；　Vernoon；　hurt　him　very　much；　and　that　is　why　I　give　him
upbecause　of　his　sacrilege。〃

〃When　I　left　the　god　was　very　sick　and　all　the　people　mourned；　but
doubtless　he　is　immortal。〃

〃Doubtless　he　is　immortal；　my　brother；　a　little　hard　magic　in　his
stomachif　he　has　onecannot　hurt　/him/。　Farewell；　dear　brother　in
Bonsa；　I　wish　that　I　were　you　to　get　the　great　reward　that　the　Asika
will　give　to　you。　Farewell；　farewell。〃

Then　the　two　owls　flitted　apart　again；　hooting　as　they　went；　till　they
came　to　their　respective　camps。



Jeekie　was　in　the　tent　performing　a　strange　toilet　upon　the　sleeping
Aylward　by　the　light　of　a　single　candle。　From　his　pouch　he　produced
the　mask　of　linen　painted　with　gold　that　Alan　used　to　be　forced　to
wear；　and　tied　it　securely　over　Aylward's　face；　murmuring：

〃You　always　love　gold；　my　Lord　Aylward；　and　Jeekie　promise　you　see
plenty　of　it　now。〃

Then　he　proceeded　to　remove　his　coat；　his　waistcoat；　his　socks；　and
his　boots　and　to　replace　these　articles　of　European　attire　by　his　own
worn　Asiki　sandals　and　his　own　dirty　Asiki　robe。

〃There；〃　he　said；　〃think　that　do；〃　and　he　studied　him　by　the　light　of
the　candle。　〃Same　height；　same　colour　hair；　same　dirty　clothes；　and　as
Asiki　never　see　Major's　face　because　he　always　wear　mask　in　public；
like　as　two　peas　on　shovel。　Oh　my！　Jeekie　clever　chap；　Jeekie　devilish
clever　chap。　But　when　Asika　pull　off　that　mask　to　give　him　true　lover
kiss；　OH　MY！　wonder　that　happen　then？　Think　whole　of　Bonsa…Town　bust
up；　think　big　waterfall　run　backwards；　think　she　not　quite　pleased；
think　my　good　Lord　find　himself　in　false　position；　think　Jeekie　glad
to　be　on　coast；　think　he　not　go　back　to　Bonsa…Town　no　more。　Oh　my
aunt！　no；　he　stop　in　England　and　go　church　twice　on　Sunday；〃　and
pressing　his　big　hands　on　the　pit　of　his　stomach　he　rocked　and　rolled
in　fierce；　silent　laughter。

Then　an　owl　hooted　again　immediately　beneath　the　fence　and　Jeekie；
blowing　out　the　candle；　opened　the　flap　of　the　tent　and　tapped　the
head　porter；　who　stood　outside；　on　the　shoulder。　He　crept　in　and
between　them　they　lifted　the　senseless　Aylward　and　bore　him　to　the
V…shaped　entrance　of　the　boma　which　was　immediately　opposite　to　the
tent　and；　oddly　enough；　half　open。　Here　the　two　other　porters　with
whom　Jeekie　had　performed　some　ceremony；　chanced　to　be　on　guard；　the
rest　of　their　company　being　stationed　at　a　distance。　Jeekie　and　the
head　porter　went　through　the　gap　like　men　carrying　a　corpse　to
midnight　burial；　and　presently　in　the　darkness　without　two　owls　began
to　hoot。

Now　Aylward　was　laid　upon　a　litter　that　had　been　prepared；　and　eight
white…robed　Asiki　bearers　stared　at　his　gold　mask　in　the　faint
starlight。

〃I　suppose　he　is　not　dead；　brother；〃　said　Owl　No。　2　doubtfully。

〃Nay；　brother；〃　said　Owl　No。　1；　〃feel　his　heart　and　his　pulse。　Not
dead；　only　drunk。　He　will　wake　up　by　daylight；　by　which　time　you
should　be　far　upon　your　way。　Be　good　and　gentle　to　the　white　man
Vernoon；　who　has　been　my　master。　Be　careful；　too；　that　he　does　not
escape　you；　brother；　for　as　you　know　he　is　very　strong　and　cunning。
Say　to　the　Asika　that　Jeekie　her　servant　makes　his　reverence　to　her；
and　hopes　that　she　will　have　many；　many　happy　years　with　the　husband
that　he　sends　her；　also　that　she　will　remember　him　whom　she　called
'Black　Dog；'　in　her　prayers　to　the　gods　and　spirits　of　our　people。〃

〃It　shall　be　done；　brother；　but　why　do　you　not　return　with　us？〃

〃Because；　brother；　I　have　ties　across　the　Black　Waterdear　children；
almost　whitewhom　I　love　so　much　that　I　cannot　leave　them。　Farewell；
brethren；　the　blessings　of　the　Bonsas　be　on　you；　and　may　you　grow　fat
and　prosper　in　the　love　and　favour　of　our　lady　the　Asika。〃

〃Farewell；〃　they　murmured　in　answer。　〃Good　fortune　be　your　bedfellow。〃

Another　minute　and　they　had　lifted　up　the　litter　and　vanished　at　a
swinging　trot　into　the　shadow　of　the　trees。　Jeekie　returned　to　the
camp　and　ordered　the　three　men　to　re…stop　the　gateway　with　thorns；
muttering　in　their　ears：

〃Remember；　brethren；　one　word　of　this　and　you　die；　all　of　you；　as
those　die　who　break　the　oath。〃

〃Have　we　not　sworn？〃　they　whispered；　as　they　went　back　to　their　posts。

Jeekie　stood　a　while　in　front　of　the　empty　tent　and　if　any　had　been
there　to　note　him；　they　might　have　seen　a　shadow　as　of　compunction
creep　over　his　powerful　black　face。

〃When　he　wake　up　he　won't　know　where　he　are；〃　he　reflected；　〃and　when
he　get　to　Bonsa…Town　he'll　wonder　where　he　is；　and　when　he　meet　Asika！
Well；　he　very　big　blackguard；　try　to　murder　Major；　whom　Jeekie　nurse
as　baby；　the　only　thing　that　Jeekie　care　forexceptJeekie；　try　to
make　love　to　Miss　Barbara　against　will　when　he　catch　her　alone　in
forest；　which　not　playing　game。　Jeekie　self　not　such　big　blackguard　as
that　dirt…born　noble　Lord；　Jeekie　never　murder　no　onenot　quite；
Jeekie　never　make　love　to　girl　what　not　want　himno　need；　so　many
what　do　that　he　have　to　shove　them　off；　like　good　Christian　man。　Mrs。
Jeekie　see　to　that　while　she　live。　Also　better　that　mean　white　man　go
call　on　Bonsas　than　Major　and　Missy　Barbara　and　all　porters；　and
Jeekiespecially　Jeekieget　throat　cut。　No；　no；　Jeekie　nothing　to　be
ashamed　of；　Jeekie　do　good　day's　work；　though　Jeekie　keep　it　tight　as
wax　since　white　folk　such　silly　people；　and　when　Major　in　a　rage；　he
very　nasty　customer　and　see　everything　upside　down。　Now；　Jeekie　quite
tired；　so　say　his　prayers　and　have　nap。　No；　think　not　in　tent；　though
very　comfortable。　Major　might　wake　up；　poke　his　nose　in　there；　and　if
he　see　black　face　instead　of　white　one；　ask　ugly　question；　which　if
Jeekie　half　asleep　he　no　able　to　answer　nice　and　neat。　Still　he　just
arrange　things　a　little　so　they　look　all　right。〃



CHAPTER　XX

THE　ASIKA'S　MESSAGE

Dawn　began　to　break　in　the　forest　and　Alan　woke　in　his　shelter　and
stretched　himself。　He　had　slept　soundly　all　the　night；　so　soundly　that
the　innocent　Jeekie　wondered　much　whether　by　any　chance　he　also　had
taken　a　tot　out　of　that　particular　whisky　bottle；　as　indeed　he　had
recommended　him　to　do。　People　who　drink　whisky　after　long　abstinence
from　spirits　are　apt　to　sleep　long；　he　reflected。

Alan　crept　out　of　the　shelter　and　gazed　affectionately　at　the　tent　in
which　Barbara　slumbered。　Thank　Heaven　she　was　safe　so　far；　as　for　some
unknown　reason；　evidently　the　Asiki　had　postponed　their　attack。　Just
then　a　clamour　arose　in　the　air；　and　he　perceived　Jeekie　striding
towards　him　waving　one　arm　in　an　excited　fashion；　while　with　the　other
he　dragged　along　the　captain　of　the　porters；　who　appeared　to　be
praying　for　mercy。

〃Here　pretty　go；　Major；〃　he　shouted；　〃devil　and　all　to　pay！　That　my
Lord；　he　gone　and　bolted。　This　silly　fool　say　that　three　hours　ago　he
hear　something　break　through　fence　and　think　it　only　hy？na　what　come
to　steal；　so　take　no　notice。　Well；　that　hy？na；　you　guess　who　he　is。
You　come　look；　Major；　you　come　look；　and　then　we　tie　this　fellow　up
and　flog　him。〃

Alan　ran　to　Aylward's　tent　to　find　it　empty。

〃Look；〃　said　Jeekie；　who　had　followed；　〃see　how　he　do　business；　that
jolly　clever　hy？na；〃　and　he　pointed　to　a　broken　whisky　bottle　and　some
severed　cords。　〃You　see　he　manage　break　bottle　and　rub　rope　against
cut　glass　till　it　come　in　two。　Then　he　do　hy？na　dodge　and　hook　it。〃

Alan　inspected　the　articles；　nor　did　any　shadow　of　doubt　enter　his
mind。

〃Certainly　he　managed　very　well；〃　he　said；　〃especially　for　a　London…
bred　man；　but；　Jeekie；　what　can　have　been　his　object？〃

〃Oh！　who　know；　Major？　Mind　of　man　very　strange　and　various　thing；
p'raps　he　no　bear　to　see　you　and　Miss　Barbara　together；　p'raps　he　bolt
coast；　get　ear　of　local　magistrate　before　you；　p'raps　he　sit　up　tree
to　shoot　you；　p'raps　nasty　temper　make　him　mad。　But　he　gone　any　way；
and　I　hope　he　no　meet　Asiki；　poor