I tell these
Johnnies bring you grub, which you eat without qualm, for Asiki Al
coo-o-ook."
Then followed loud orders issued by Jeekie to his immediate _entourage_,
and some confusion.
As a result presently Alan's litter was halted, the curtains were opened
and kneeling women thrust through them platters of wood upon which,
wrapped up in leaves, were the dismembered limbs of a bird which he took
to be chicken or guinea-fowl, and a gold cup containing water pleasantly
flavoured with some essence. This cup interested him very much both on
account of its shape and workmanship, which if rude, was striking
in design, resembling those drinking vessels that have been found in
Mycenian graves. Also it proved to him that Jeekie's stories of
the abundance of the precious metal among the Asiki had not been
exaggerated. If it were not very plentiful, they would scarcely, he
thought, make their travelling cups of gold. Evidently there was wealth
in the land.
After the food had been handed to him the litter went on again, and
seated upon his cushions, he ate and drank heartily enough, for now that
the worst of his fatigue had passed away, his hunger was great.
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