last, and even him I would spare if I could, only while he lives I may
not marry you; it is the one law that is stronger than I am, and if
I broke it I and you would die at once. You shall even teach me your
faith, if you will, for what is good to you is henceforth good to me.
Ask what you wish of me, and as an earnest I will do it if I can."

Now Alan looked at her. There was one thing that he wished above all
others--that she would let him go. But this he did not dare to ask;
moreover, it would have been utterly useless. After all, if the Asika's
love was terrible, what would be the appearance of her outraged hate?
What could he ask? More gold? He hated the very name of the stuff, for
it had brought him here. He remembered the old cannibal chief, Fahni,
who, like himself, languished a prisoner, daily expecting death. Only
that morning he had implored him to obtain his liberty.

"I thank you, Asika," he said. "Now, if your words are true, set Fahni
free and let him return to his own country, for if he stays here he will
die."

"Surely, Vernoon, that is a small thing," she answered, smiling, "though
it is true that when he gets there he will probably make war upon
us. Well, let him, let him." Then she clapped her hands and summoned
priests, whom she bade go at once and conduct Fahni out of Bonsa-Town.
Also she bade them loose certain slaves who were of the Ogula tribe,
that they might accompany him laden with provisions, and send on orders
to the outposts that Fahni and his party should pass unmolested from the
land.

This done, she began to talk to Alan about many matters, however little
he might answer her. Indeed it seemed almost as though she feared to let