'"
"No, no, Major, that all right. I tell them that when they travel with
Little Bonsa, they must keep Lent like pious Roman Catholic family that
live near Yarleys. They catch plenty fish in river, and perhaps we shoot
game, or rich 'potamus, which they like 'cause he fat."
Evidently the Ogula chief, Fahni by name, not Fanny, as Jeekie called
him, was a man of his word, for before the hour was up he appeared at
the island in command of a large canoe manned by twelve splendid-looking
savages. Springing to land, he prostrated himself before Alan, kissing
his feet as he had done on the previous night, and making a long speech.
"That very good spirit," exclaimed Jeekie. "Like to see heathen in his
darkness lick white gentleman's boot. He say you his lord and great
magician who save his life, and know all Little Bonsa's secrets, which
many and unrepeatable. He say he die for you twice a day if need be, and
go on dying to-morrow and all next year. He say he take you safe till
you meet Asiki and for your sake, though he hungry, eat no man for one
whole month, or perhaps longer. Now we start at once."
So they started up the river that was called Katsena, Alan and Jeekie
seated in a lordly fashion near the stern of the canoe beneath an awning
made out of some sticks and a grass mat.
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