But at night they heard nothing, since beasts
of prey do not come where there is no food. What puzzled Alan was that
all through these impenetrable recesses there ran a distinct road
which they followed. To the right and left rose a wall of creepers, but
between them ran this road, an ancient road, for nothing grew on it, and
it only turned aside to avoid the biggest of the trees which must have
stood there from time immemorial, such a tree as that which he had seen
fall; indeed it was one of those round which the road ran.
He asked Jeekie who made the road.
"People who come out Noah's Ark," answered Jeekie, "I think they run up
here to get out of way of water, and sent them two elephants ahead to
make path. Or perhaps dwarf people make it. Or perhaps those who go up
to Asiki-land to do sacrifice like old Jews."
"You mean you don't know," said Alan.
"No, of course don't know. Who know about forest path made before
beginning of world. You ask question, Major, I answer. More lively
answer than to shake head and roll eyes like them silly fool porters."
It was on the fourth night that the trouble began. As usual they had lit
a huge fire made of the fallen boughs and rotting tree trunks that lay
about in plenty.
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