squeeze to the Mungana's throat, who turned black in the face and rolled
his eyes.

"Be careful, Jeekie, or you will kill the man," exclaimed Alan,
recognizing the Mungana and taking in the situation.

"Why not, Major? He want kill you, and me too afterwards. Good riddance
of bad rubbish, as Book say."

"I am not so sure, Jeekie. Give him air and let me think. Tell him that
if he makes any noise, he dies."

Jeekie obeyed, and the Mungana's darkening eyes grew bright again as he
drew his breath in great sobs.

"Now, friend," said Alan in Asiki, "why did you wish to stab me?"

"Because I hate you," answered the man, "who to-morrow will take my
place and the wife I love."

"As a year or two ago you took someone else's place, eh? Well, suppose
now that I don't want either your place or your wife."

"What would that matter even it if were true, white man, since she wants
you?"

"I am thinking, friend, that there is someone else she will want when
she hears of this. How do you suppose that you will die to-morrow? Not
so easily as you hope, perhaps."