Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/322

 maledictions of Allah upon that Black Effendi who had removed the treasure, upon the traitors Tombi and Odok who had permitted it.

For a moment Said stood dazed and stupefied, then raged distractedly about the tukul, searching everywhere, until Zack's belongings lay in a trampled pile. Then, with a volley of imprecations, he burst out, waving a long knife and shouting, "Odok! Odok! Odok!" Towards the river he dashed, and went racing past the quarters, in a patter of red shoes, a flutter of striped gown, gaunt, cadaverous and gone mad. McDonald saw him and bounded down the steps, in chase. "What's the matter?" called Lyttleton.

"That Dongalawi carries a knife. Going to be trouble."

Proceedings at the Hot Cat had been methodically conducted. In the beginning Zack made every regular customer stand outside a circle which he drew in the sand. Then he called, fed, decorated, and pushed them back with such impartial promptness that they obeyed. The grand distribution was almost ended; only one plate of fish and a handful of buttons remained when the frantic Said burst into the circle, with Mr. Bim three paces behind.

The first thing Said saw was not their greasy lips, nor grinning black faces, but their jewels,