Now I have little talk with them and find out thing or two." Aylward began to bluster about interference with his servants and so forth.

Jeekie turned on him with a very ugly grin, and showing his white teeth, as was his fashion when he grew fierce.
"Beg pardon, Right Honourable Lord," he said, or rather snarled, "you do what I tell you just to please Jeekie.

Jeekie no one in England, but Jeekie damn big Lord too out here, great medicine man, pal of Little Bonsa.

You remember Little Bonsa, eh! These chaps think it great honour to meet Jeekie, so, Major, if he stir, please shoot him through head; Jeekie 'sponsible, not you.

Or if you not like do it, I come back and see to job myself and don't think those fellows cry very much." There was something about Jeekie's manner that frightened Aylward, who understood for the first time that beneath all the negro's grotesque talk lay some dreadful, iron purpose, as courage lay under his affected cowardice and under his veneer of selfishness, fidelity.