"You are in his power yet," Wyndham remarked.
Father Sebastian smiled. "I am an old man and my work in the dreary swamps is hard. My life is not worth much; there are things I value more."
"I was wrong," said Wyndham quietly. "However, since you refuse, we must take you with us as far as the coast. It would help if you promised not to run away."
"I will run away, if it is possible. This man is bad and cruel; I think he killed your agent, and now he is stealing off, the soldiers must be coming. I will warn them if I can."
"After all, is this your business? You are a missionary," Wyndham urged.
"I am the Church's servant and a citizen of the country the Bat defies. Perhaps its rule is corrupt, but it is better than his. Its citizens are Christians and follow the light, although their steps are sometimes weak; these others would plunge the land in the dark of superstitious horror. I know, I have long watched the shadow deepen."
"You are a loyal servant," Wyndham replied. "I am afraid you must come with us, but we will try to make your journey easy."
"White man fool man! Black man fix them thing different," Rupert remarked with his cruel grin. Then he indicated Marston and added in good English: "This fellow is certainly a fool, but his boyish scruples have beaten my cleverest schemes."
He signed them to go out. The Krooboys from the schooner were waiting, and in a few minutes the party plunged into the woods.