“For the rest she set out secretly on this mad journey to Africa, whither both my duty as her trustee and my affection prompted me to follow her.  I found her here recovering from an illness, and since she has dwelt upon the point, in self-defence I must tell you that whatever has taken place between us, has been with her full consent and encouragement.  Of course I allude only to those affectionate amenities which are common between people who purpose to marry as soon as opportunity may offer.”

At this declaration poor Barbara gasped and leaned back against her pillow.  Alan stood silent, though his lips turned white, while Jeekie thrust his big head through the tent opening and stared upwards.

“What are you looking at, Jeekie?” asked Alan irritably.

“Seem to want air, Major, also look to see if clouds tumble.  Believe partickler big lie do that sometimes.  Please go on, O good Lord, for Jeekie want his breakfast.”

“As regards the execution of two of Miss Champers’ bearers and the flogging of some others, these punishments were inflicted for mutiny,” went on Aylward.  “It was obviously necessary that she should be moved back to the coast, but I found out that they were trying to desert her in a body and to tamper with my own servants, and so was obliged to take strong measures.”

“Sure those clouds come down now,” soliloquized Jeekie, “or least something rummy happen.”

“I have only to add, Major Vernon, that unless you make away with me first, as I daresay you will, as soon as we reach civilization again I shall proceed against you and this fellow for the cold-blooded murder of my men, in punishment of which I hope yet to live to see you hanged.  Meanwhile, I have much pleasure in releasing Miss Champers from her engagement to me which, whatever she may have said to you in England, she was glad enough to enter on here in Africa, a country of which I have been told the climate frequently deteriorates the moral character.”

“Hear, hear!” ejaculated Jeekie, “he say something true at last; by accident, I think, like pig what find pearl in muck-heap.”

“Hold your tongue, Jeekie,” said Alan.  “I do not intend to kill you, Lord Aylward, or to do you any harm——­”

“Nor I neither,” broke in Jeekie, “all I do to my Lord just for my Lord’s good; who Jeekie that he wish to hurt noble British ’ristocrat?”

“But I do intend that it shall be impossible that Miss Champers should be forced to listen to more of your insults,” went on Alan, “and to make sure that your gun does not go off again as it did this morning.  So, Lord Aylward, until we have settled what we are going to do, I must keep you under arrest.  Take him to his tent, Jeekie, and put a guard over him.”

“Yes, Major, certainly, Major.  Right turn, march! my Lord, and quick, please, since poor, common Jeekie not want dirty his black finger touching you.”

Aylward obeyed, but at the door of the tent swung round and favoured Alan with a very evil look.