So that danger had gone by
also.
He woke his companions, who slept at his side, and very silently they
rose, stepping from rock to rock till they reached the canoe and entered
it. It was not a large craft, barely big enough to hold them all indeed,
but they found room, and then at a sign from Fahni the oarsmen gave way
so heartily that within half an hour they had lost sight of the accursed
shores of Asiki-land, although presently its mountains showed up clearly
beneath the moon.
Meanwhile Fahni had told his tale. It appeared that when he reached the
bay he found the Asiki headman who dwelt there, and those under him, in
a state of considerable excitement.
Rumours had reached them that someone had escaped from Bonsa Town; they
thought it was the Mungana. Fahni asked who had brought the rumour,
whereon the headman answered that it came "in a dream," and would say no
more. Then he demanded the canoe which had been promised to him and his
people, and the headman admitted that it was ready in accordance with
orders received from the Asika, but demurred to letting him have it. A
long argument followed, in the midst of which Fahni and his men got into
the canoe, the headman apparently not daring to use force to prevent
him.
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