He crept in and between them
they lifted the senseless Aylward and bore him to the V-shaped entrance
of the boma which was immediately opposite to the tent and, oddly
enough, half open. Here the two other porters with whom Jeekie had
performed some ceremony, chanced to be on guard, the rest of their
company being stationed at a distance. Jeekie and the head porter went
through the gap like men carrying a corpse to midnight burial, and
presently in the darkness without two owls began to hoot.
Now Aylward was laid upon a litter that had been prepared, and
eight white-robed Asiki bearers stared at his gold mask in the faint
starlight.
"I suppose he is not dead, brother," said Owl No. 2 doubtfully.
"Nay, brother," said Owl No. 1, "feel his heart and his pulse. Not dead,
only drunk. He will wake up by daylight, by which time you should be far
upon your way. Be good and gentle to the white man Vernoon, who has been
my master. Be careful, too, that he does not escape you, brother, for as
you know he is very strong and cunning. Say to the Asika that Jeekie her
servant makes his reverence to her, and hopes that she will have many,
many happy years with the husband that he sends her; also that she will
remember him whom she called 'Black Dog,' in her prayers to the gods and
spirits of our people.
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