Jeekie seem very busy to-night, just like when Major have dinner-party at Yarleys and old cook get drunk in kitchen." If Barbara could have followed Jeekie's movements for the next few hours, she would probably have agreed that he was busy.

First he went to Aylward's tent, and as he had said he would, gave him his supper, and with it half a bottle of whisky from the stores which he had been carrying about with him for some time, as he said, to prevent the porters from getting at it.

Aylward would drink little, though as his arms were tied to the tent-pole, Jeekie sat beside him and fed him like a baby, conversing pleasantly with him all the while, informing him amongst other things that he had better say "big prayer," because the Asiki would probably cut his throat before morning.
Aylward, who was in a state of sullen fury, scarcely replied to this talk, except to say that if so, there was one comfort, they would cut his and his master's also.
"Yes, my Lord," answered Jeekie, "that quite true, so drink to next meeting, though I think you go different place to me, and when you got tail and I wing, you horn and I crown of glory, of course we not talk much together," and he held a mug of whisky and water--a great deal of whisky and a very little water--to his prisoner's mouth.
Aylward drained it, feeling a need for stimulant.
"There," said Jeekie, holding it upside down, "you drink every drop and not offer one to poor old Jeekie.

Well, he turned teetotaller, so no matter.

Good-night, my Lord, I call you if Asiki come." "Who are the Asiki ?" asked Aylward drowsily.
"Oh! you want to know?
I tell you," and he began a long, rambling story.
Before he ever came to the end of it Aylward had fallen on his side and was fast asleep.
"Dear me!" said Jeekie, contemplating him, "that whisky very strong, though bottle say same as they drink in House of Common.