this chief can row back to it and take us into the canoe."

Alan said that the plan was good, but Jeekie shook his head, asking what
would happen if Fahni, finding himself safe upon the water, thought it
wisest not to come to fetch them.

Alan translated his words to the old chief, whereon Fahni wanted to
fight Jeekie because of the slur that he had cast upon his honour. This
challenge Jeekie resolutely declined, saying that already there were
plenty of ways to die in Asiki-land without adding another to them. Then
Fahni swore by his tribal god and by the spirit of every man he had
ever eaten, that he would come to that promontory after dark, if he were
still alive.

So they separated, Fahni and his men slipping down to the road, which
they did without being seen by anyone, while Alan, Jeekie and the
Mungana bore away to the right towards the promontory. The road was long
and rough and, though by good fortune they met no one, since the few who
dwelt in these wild parts had gone up to Bonsa Town to be present at
the great feast, the sun was sinking before ever they reached the place.
Moreover, this promontory proved to be covered with dense thorn scrub,
through which they must force a way in the gathering darkness, not
without hurt and difficulty. Still they accomplished it and at length,
quite exhausted, crept to the very point, where they hid themselves
between some stones at the water's edge.

Here they waited for three long hours, but no boat came.

"All up a gum-tree now, Major," said Jeekie. "Old blackguard, Fanny,
bolt and leave us here, and to-morrow morning Asika nobble us. Better