ALAN FALLS ILL After the departure of the messengers a deep melancholy fell upon Alan, who was sure that he had now no further hope of communicating with the outside world.

Bitterly did he reproach himself for his folly in having ever journeyed to this hateful place in order to secure--what?
About L100,000 worth of gold which of course he never could secure, as it would certainly vanish or be stolen on its way to the coast.

For this gold he had become involved in a dreadful complication which must cost him much misery, and sooner or later life itself, since he could not marry that beautiful savage Asika, and if he refused her she would certainly kill him in her outraged pride and fury.
Day by day she sent for him, and when he came, assumed a new character, that of a woman humbled by a sense of her own ignorance, which she was anxious to amend.

So he must play the role of tutor to her, telling her of civilized peoples, their laws, customs and religions, and instructing her how to write and read.

She listened and learned submissively enough, but all the while Alan felt as one might who is called upon to teach tricks to a drugged panther.