He could see
nothing except their naked, copper-coloured arms and long thin hands
stretched out to assist him.
Alan descended from the litter as slowly as he could, for somehow he
shrank from the quaint, carved portal which he saw before him. He did
not wish to pass it; its aspect filled him with reluctance. The women
drew him on, their hands pulled at his arms, their shoulders pressed him
from behind. Still he hung back, looking about him, till to his delight
he saw the other litter arrive and out of it emerge Jeekie, still
wearing his sun-helmet with its fringe of tattered mosquito curtain.
"Here we are, Major," he said in his cheerful voice, "turned up all
right like a bad ha'penny, but in odd situation."
"Very odd," echoed Alan. "Could you persuade these ladies to let go of
me?"
"Don't know," answered Jeekie. "'Spect they doubtfully your wives;
'spect you have lots of wives here; don't get white man every day, so
make most of him. Best thing you do, kick out and teach them place.
Rub nose in dirt at once and make them good, that first-class plan with
female. I no like interfere in such delicate matter."
Terrified by this information, Alan put out his strength and shook the
women off him, whereon without seeming to take any offence they drew
back to a little distance and began to bow, like automata.
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