Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/307



ACK slept in the open air outside his tukul. Said pinned the mosquito curtains around his master's cot, ostensibly to keep out bugs, bats, scorpions—myriads of night creatures with wings and stings and fangs and things. But the Dongalawi's private anxiety was to keep the Black Effendi in. Said lay restlessly upon the ground beside him, for Said did not sleep. Not he. Even Zack's resounding snore failed to assure Said that his master might not arise, and make off with the treasure. When day had fairly come, all went well, even as upon many other mornings. Yet the day must be a day of great import; of this the Dongalawi felt certain when the Black Effendi nonchalantly took a jewel from his pocket, pinned it upon his coat, and ambled towards the quarters.

"Come 'long, Side," he ordered. "Us got to git busy; gwine to be two hundred mo' niggers to feed."

The Colonel was sitting upon the porch, and Said observed that Zack halted behind the corner 293