Page:SheAndAllan.pdf/266

250  ignorance out like a feather to test the winds of hell and watch the while to learn whether these blow him back unscorched, or waft him into fires whence there is no return, perchance it might so be ordered, O Allan. Ask him yourself, O Allan, if he is willing to run this errand for your sake. Or perhaps the little yellow man— and she paused.

At this point Hans, who having a smattering of Arabic understood something of our talk, could contain himself no longer.

No, Baas, he broke in from his corner by the curtain, not me. I don't care for hunting spooks, Baas, which leave no spoor that you can follow and are always behind when you think they are in front. Also there are too many of them waiting for me down there and how can I stand up to them until I am a spook myself and know their ways of fighting? Also if you should die when your spirit is away, I want to be left that I may bury you nicely.

Be silent, I said in my sternest manner. Then, unable to bear more of Ayesha's mockery, for I felt that as usual she was mocking me, I added with all the dignity that I could command,

I am ready to make this journey through the gate of Death, O Ayesha, if indeed you can show me the road. For one purpose and no other I came to Kôr, namely to learn, if so I might, whether those who have died upon the world, live on elsewhere. Now, what must I do?