Somehow in theconfusion she slipped from our hands,
and we cannot find her. This, I pointed out, was foolish, for we shouldonly be run
down and killed.
Those hunters are afraid of something, Lord, he
said quietly.
Snatching the dead bird from hishand, I threw it
away and asked him why he had done this thing.
Now pleasego to your post, shoot as straight as you
can, and dont wastecartridges.
They formed aring round Kaneke, from the centre of
which he seemed to addressthem. Everything was prepared, even theloads were
apportioned among the new porters.
When they were inhabited, however, Kaneke would
goin advance and speak to their headman.
A great deal of the country through which we
passedwas practically uninhabited. Therefore the responsibilities of theexpedition
might as well be his as mine.
If you do not, wewill kill you, every
one.
Meanwhileyou and your servants can sleep who need
rest after so manylabours. No lion troubled us, no snake bit us, and so
forth.
Also, that spotted sickness ismost unpleasant to
see. Nothing happened to us upon thatprolonged trek; at least, nothing out of the
way. As yourreverend father used to say, if only you wait long enough the
devilalways helps you at last.
Ipromised White-Mouse to try to save this man, and
theres an end.
Then I told Hans to find Kaneke,that I might
explain matters and give him a rifle. No; although so like him, it seemed
impossible, for howwould they have got here? Nor when we are travellingthrough bush
can they see us coming from far away. Our journey, Lord, he replied, with a stare of
surprise. It was as thougha charm had been laid upon us, protecting us from all
evils anddifficulties.
Oh, certainly, I answered, adding with inward
doubt, and that ofHans and the hunters also. No one couldbreak his word to
White-Mouse, could he?
At length, after this bombardment had continued for
nearly twohours, there came a climax.
Ipromised White-Mouse to try to save this man, and
theres an end.
Hot coffee and food are great stimulants,and in ten
minutes I felt a new man.
Ipromised White-Mouse to try to save this man, and
theres an end.
Wethink that she has turned into an owl and flown
to Satan, hermaster.
Then at some signal the song began again and
theyplunged into those reeds like dogs after an otter. Meanwhileyou and your
servants can sleep who need rest after so manylabours.
As for the rest,hand over to me the woman called
White-Mouse and I will talk withyou. Then I stood up, set my leftelbow upon a stone,
and waited my chance. That will be seen later, Lord, he answered
quietly.
Indeed, I thought it useless as I had made up
mymind that the fellow was mad.
At moonrise, I think, Lord, for then it will be
cooler.
Baas, he added, I think that skunk has run away or
turned into asnake and slid into the reeds.
Baas, he added, I think that skunk has run away or
turned into asnake and slid into the reeds.
Our journey, Lord, he replied, with a stare of
surprise.
Snatching the dead bird from hishand, I threw it
away and asked him why he had done this thing.