in doing up their few belongings, including the gold rings, some food,
and a native cooking pot, in a bundle surrounded by a couple of bark
blankets.

"Come on, Major," he said, handing Alan one spear and taking another
himself. "Old cannibal quite right, very nice night for a walk. Come on,
Major, river shallow just here. I think this happen and try it before
dark. You just follow Jeekie, that all you got to do."

So leaving the fire burning in front of their bough shelter, they waded
the stream and started up the opposing slope, meeting no man. Dark as
it was, Jeekie seemed to have no difficulty in finding the way, for as
Fahni said, a native does not forget the path he has once travelled. All
night long they walked rapidly, and when dawn broke found themselves at
the edge of the forest.

"Jeekie," said Alan, "what did Fahni mean by that tale about white
people?"

"Don't know, Major, think perhaps he lie to let you down easy. My golly!
what that?"

As he spoke a distant echo reached their ears, the echo of a rifle shot.
"Think Fanny not lie after all," went on Jeekie; "that white man's gun,
sharp crack, smokeless powder, but wonder how he come in this place.
Well, we soon find out. Come on, Major."

Tired as they were they broke into a run; the prospect of seeing a white
face again was too much for them. Half a mile or so further on they
caught sight of a figure evidently engaged in stalking game among the