Very
stealthily the figure crept towards him, as a leopard might creep,
and bent down to examine him. The movement caused the cloak to slip
a little, and for an instant Jeekie caught sight of the wasted,
half-crazed face of the Mungana, and of a long, curved knife that
glittered in his hand. Paralyzed with fear, he lay quite still, knowing
that should he show the slightest sign of consciousness that knife would
pierce his heart.
The Mungana watched him a while, then satisfied that he slept,
turned round and, bending himself almost double, glided with infinite
precautions towards Alan's bed, which stood some twelve or fourteen
feet away. Silently as a snake that uncoils itself, Jeekie slipped from
between his blankets and crept after him, his naked feet making no noise
upon the mat-strewn floor. So intent was the Mungana upon the deed which
he had come to do that he never looked back, and thus it happened that
the two of them reached the bed one immediately behind the other.
Alan was lying on his back with his throat exposed, a very easy victim.
For a moment the Mungana stared. Then he erected himself like a snake
about to strike, and lifted the great curved knife, taking aim at Alan's
naked breast.
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