ry good spirit," exclaimed Jeekie. "Like to see heathen in his
darkness lick white gentleman's boot. He say you his lord and great
magician who save his life, and know all Little Bonsa's secrets, which
many and unrepeatable. He say he die for you twice a day if need be, and
go on dying to-morrow and all next year. He say he take you safe till
you meet Asiki and for your sake, though he hungry, eat no man for one
whole month, or perhaps longer. Now we start at once."

So they started up the river that was called Katsena, Alan and Jeekie
seated in a lordly fashion near the stern of the canoe beneath an awning
made out of some sticks and a grass mat. In truth after their severe
toil and adventures in the forest, this method of journeying proved
quite luxurious. Except for a rapid here and there over or round which
the canoe must be dragged, the river was broad and the scenery on its
banks park-like and beautiful. Moreover the country, perhaps owing
to the appetites of the Ogula, appeared to be practically uninhabited
except by vast herds of every sort of game.

All day they sat in the canoe which the stalwart rowers propelled, in
silence for the most part, since they were terribly afraid of the white
man, and still more so of the renowned fetish which they knew he carried
with him. Then when evening came they moored their craft to the bank
and camped till the following morning. Nor did they lack for food, since
game being so plentiful, it was only necessary for Alan to walk a few
hundred yards and shoot a fat eland, or hartebeest, or other buck
which in its ignorance of guns would allow him to approach quite close.
Elephants, rhinoceros, and buffalo were also common, while great herds
of giraffe might be seen wandering between the scattered trees, but as
they were not upon a hunting trip and their ammunition was very limited,
with these they did not interfere.

Having their daily fill of meat which their souls loved, the Ogula
oarsmen remained in an excellent mood, indeed the chief, Fahni, informed
Alan that if only they had such magic tubes wherewith to slaughter game,
he and his tribe would gladly give up cannibalism--except on feast days.
He added sadly that soon they would be obliged to do so, or die, since
in those parts there were now few people left to eat, and they hated
vegetables. Moreover, they kept no cattle, it was not the custom of that
tribe, except a very few for milk. Alan advised them to increase their