"Bad business, I am afraid, Jeekie. Shouldn't have brought you here, or
those poor beggars either," and he looked at the scared, frozen Ogula.
"I begin to wonder----"
"Never wonder, Major," broke in Jeekie in alarm. "If wonder, not
live, if wonder, not be born, too much wonder about everywhere. Can't
understand nothing, so give it up. Say, 'Right-O and devil hindermost!'
Very good motto for biped in tight place. Better drown here than in City
bucket shop. But no drown. Should be dead long ago, but Little Bonsa
play the game, she not want to sink in stinking swamp when so near her
happy home. Come out all right somehow, as from dwarf. Every cloud have
silver lining, Major, even that black chap up there. Oh! my golly!"
This last exclamation was wrung from Jeekie's lips by a sudden
development of "forces of Nature" which astonished even him. Instead of
a silver lining the "black chap" exhibited one of gold. In an instant it
seemed to turn to acres of flame; it was as though the heavens had taken
fire. A flash or a thunderbolt struck the water within ten yards of
their canoe, causing the boatmen to throw themselves upon their faces
through shock or terror.
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