blood, he lay back upon the pillow of furs, watching Nanea's face while
with a native salve of pounded leaves she busied herself dressing the
wounds that the leopard had made.

It almost seemed as though something of what was passing in his mind
communicated itself to that of the girl. At least, her hand shook a
little at her task, and getting done with it as quickly as she could,
she rose from her knees with a courteous "It is finished, _Inkoos_," and
once more took up her position by the roof-tree.

"I thank you, Lady," he said; "your hand is kind."

"You must not call me lady, _Inkoos_," she answered, "I am no
chieftainess, but only the daughter of a headman, Umgona."

"And named Nanea," he said. "Nay, do not be surprised, I have heard of
you. Well, Nanea, perhaps you will soon become a chieftainess--up at the
king's kraal yonder."

"Alas! and alas!" she said, covering her face with her hands.

"Do not grieve, Nanea, a hedge is never so tall and thick but that it
cannot be climbed or crept through."

She let fall her hands and looked at him eagerly, but he did not pursue
the subject.

"Tell me, how did I come here, Nanea?"

"Nahoon and his companions carried you, _Inkoos_."