Now, shouting in jubilation, some of the men began to drag away the dead bodies, while others collected the rifles and the remainder, headed by Jeekie, advanced towards Alan and Aylward, waving their red spears. Alan stood staring, for he did not in the least understand the meaning of what had happened, but Aylward, who had turned very pale, addressed Jeekie, saying:
“I suppose that you have come to murder me also, you black villain.”
“No, no, my Lord,” answered Jeekie politely, “not at present. Also that wrong word, execute, not murder, just what you do to some of these poor devils,” and he pointed to the mob of porters. “Besides, mustn’t kill holy white man, poor black chap don’t matter, plenty more where he come from. Think we all go see Miss Barbara now. You come too, my Lord Bart., but p’raps best tie your hands behind you first; if you want scratch head, I do it for you. That only fair, you scratch mine this morning.”
Then at a word from Jeekie some of the natives sprang on Aylward and tied his hands behind his back.
“Is Miss Barbara alive?” said Alan to Jeekie in an agonized whisper, at the same time nodding towards the grave that was so ominously short.
“Hope so, think so, these cards say so, but God He know alone,” answered Jeekie. “Go and look, that best way to find out.”
So they advanced into the camp through a narrow gateway made of a V-shaped piece of wood, to where the two tents were placed in its inner division. Of these tents, the first was open, whereas the second was closed. As the open tent was obviously empty, they went to the second, whereof Jeekie began to loosen the lashings of the flap. It was a long business, for they seemed to have been carefully knotted inside; indeed at last, growing impatient, Jeekie cut the cord, using the curved knife with which the Mungana had tried to kill Alan.
Meanwhile Alan was suffering torments, being convinced that Barbara was dead and buried in that new-made grave beneath the trees. He could not speak, he could scarcely stand, and yet a picture began to form in his numb mind. He saw himself seated in the dark in the Treasure House at Bonsa Town; he saw a vision in the air before him.
Lo! the tent door opened and that vision reappeared.
There was the pale Barbara seated, weeping. There again, as he entered she sprang up and snatching the pistol that lay beside her, turned it to her breast. Then she perceived him and the pistol sank downwards till from her relaxed hand it dropped to the ground. She threw up her arms and without a sound fell backwards, or would have fallen, had he not caught her.