That Asiki custom."
"Then what shall we do, Jeekie? Run for it or stop here?"
"Think must stop here, Major. If we bolt, carrying Miss Barbara, who
can't walk much, they follow on spoor and catch us. Best stick inside
this fence and see what happen. Also once outside p'raps porters desert
and leave us."
So as there was nothing else to do they stayed, labouring all day at the
strengthening of their fortifications till at length the boma or fence
of boughs, supported by earth, was so high and thick that while any were
left to fire through the loopholes, it would be very difficult to storm
by men armed with spears.
It was a dreadful and arduous day for Alan, who now had Barbara's safety
to think of, Barbara with whom as yet he had scarcely found time to
exchange a word. By sunset indeed he was so worn out with toil and
anxiety that he could scarcely stand upon his feet. Jeekie, who all
that afternoon had been strangely quiet and reflective, surveyed him
critically, then said:
"You have good drink and go sleep a bit, Major. Very good little
shelter there by Miss Barbara's tent, and you hold her hand if you like
underneath the canvas, which comforting and all correct.
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