he give half baby to woman what wouldn't have it. Well, so be, Major,
specially as it no matter, for he not stop with us long."

"You mean that he will run away, Jeekie?"

"Oh! no, he not run away, he in too blue funk for that. But something
run away with him, because he ought die to-morrow night. Oh! yes, you
see, you see, and Jeekie hope that something not run away with you too,
Major, because you ought be married at same time."

"Hope not, I am sure," answered Alan, and bethinking him of Big Bonsa
wallowing and screaming on the water and bleeding out white blood, he
shivered a little.

By this time, advancing at a trot, the Mungana running after them like a
dog, they had entered the bush pierced with a few wandering paths. Along
these paths they sped for hour after hour, Jeekie leading them without
a moment's hesitation. They met no man and heard nothing, except
occasional weird sounds which Alan put down to wild beasts, but Jeekie
and the Mungana said were produced by ghosts. Indeed it appeared that
all this jungle was supposed to be haunted, and no Asiki would enter it
at night, or unless he were very bold and protected by many charms, by
day either. Therefore it was an excellent place for fugitives who sorely
needed a good start.

At length the day began to dawn just as they reached the main road where
it crossed the hills, whence on his journey thither Alan had his first
view of Bonsa Town. Peering from the edge of the bush, they perceived a
fire burning near the road and round it five or six men, who seemed
to be asleep. Their first thought was to avoid them, but the Mungana,