s, short petticoats or skirts about
their middles, and sandals. Such was their attire which, scanty as it
might be, was yet becoming enough and extremely rich. Thus the cape was
fastened with a brooch of worked gold, so were the sandal straps,
while the petticoat was adorned with beads of gold that jingled as they
walked, and amongst them strings of other beads of various and beautiful
colours, that might be glass or might be precious stones. Moreover,
these women were young and handsome, having splendid figures and
well-cut features, soft, dark eyes and rather long hair worn in the
formal and attractive fashion that has been described.

Advancing to Alan two of them knelt before him, holding out the trays
upon which was the food. So they remained while he ate, like bronze
statues, nor would they consent to change their posture even when
he told them in their language to be pleased to go away. On hearing
themselves addressed in the Asiki language, they seemed surprised, for
their faces changed a little, but go they would not. The result was
that Alan grew extremely nervous and ate and drank so rapidly that he
scarcely noted what he was putting into his mouth. Then before Jeekie,
to whom the women did not kneel, had half finished his dinner, Alan
rose and walked away, whereon two of the women gathered up everything,
including the dishes that had been given to Jeekie, and in spite of his
remonstrances carried them out of the room.

"I say, Major," said Jeekie, "if you gobble chop so fast you go ill
inside. Poor nigger like me can't keep up with you and sleep hungry
to-night."

"I am sorry, Jeekie," said Alan with a little laugh, "but I can't eat
off living tables, especially when they stare at one like that. You tell
them that to-morrow we will breakfast alone."

"Oh, yes, I tell them, Major, but I don't know if they listen. They mean
it great compliment and only think you not like those girls and send
others."

"Look here, Jeekie," exclaimed Alan, turning his masked face towards the
two who remained, "let us come to an understanding at once. Clear them
out. Tell them I am so holy that Little Bonsa is enough for me. Say
I can't bear the sight of females, and that if they stop here I will
sacrifice them. Say anything you like, only get rid of them and lock the
door."

Thus adjured, Jeekie began to reason with the women, and as they treated
his remarks with lofty disdain, at last seized first one and then the
other