Part 25 (1/2)

”I come--break chains,” said the former.

He pointed to the chains which bound our travellers. They were quickly removed by two under-jailors and their chief.

”Now--com vis me.”

To the surprise of the Interpreter, Mark Breezy crossed his arms over his breast, and firmly said--”No!” Swiftly understanding his motive, our seaman and Ebony followed suit with an equally emphatic, ”No!”

The Interpreter looked at them in puzzled surprise.

”See,” said Mark, pointing to the tortured man in the corner, ”we refuse to move a step till that poor fellow's chains are eased off.”

For a moment the Interpreter's look of surprise increased; then an indescribable smile lit up his swarthy features as he turned to the jailor and spoke a few words. The man went immediately to the curled-up wretch in the corner and relaxed his chains so that he was enabled to give vent to a great sigh of relief. Hockins and Ebony uttered sighs of sympathy almost as loud, and Mark, turning to the Interpreter, said, with some emotion, ”Thank you! G.o.d bless you! Now we will follow.”

Note 1. The fetters here described may be seen in the Museum of the London Missionary Society in Blomfield Street, London, along with an interesting collection of Malagasy relics.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

MAMBA IS SUCCOURED BY ONE OF THE ”ANCIENT SOOT,” AND FULFILS HIS MYSTERIOUS MISSION.

When Laihova and Mamba took the reckless ”headers” which we have described in a former chapter, they tumbled into a court-yard which was used as a sort of workshop. Fortunately for them the owner of the house was not a man of orderly habits. He was rather addicted to let rubbish lie till stern necessity forced him to clear it away. Hence he left heaps of dust, shavings, and other things to acc.u.mulate in heaps. One such heap happened to lie directly under the window, through which the adventurous men plunged, so that, to their immense satisfaction, and even surprise, they came down soft and arose unhurt.

Instantly they slipped into an outhouse, and there held hurried converse in low tones.

”What will you do now?” asked Laihova.

”I will remain where I am till night-fall, for I dare not show myself all bruised like this. When it is dark I will slip out and continue my journey to the coast.”

”To Tamatave?” asked Laihova, naming the chief seaport on the eastern side of Madagascar.

”Yes, to Tamatave.”

”Do you go there to trade?”

”No. I go on important business.”

It was evident that, whatever his business might be, Mamba, for reasons best known to himself, resolved to keep his own counsel. Seeing this, his friend said--

”Well, I go to the eastward also, for Ravoninohitriniony awaits me there; but I fear that our English friends will be thrown into prison.”

”Do you think so?” asked Mamba, anxiously. ”If you think I can be helpful I will give up my important business and remain with you.”

”You cannot help us much, I think. Perhaps your presence may be a danger instead of a help. Besides, I have friends here who have power.

And have we not G.o.d to direct us in all things? No, brother, as your business is important, go.”

Mamba was evidently much relieved by this reply, and his friend saw clearly that he had intended to make a great personal sacrifice when he offered to remain.

”But now I must myself go forth without delay,” continued Laihova. ”I am not well-known here, and, once clear of this house, can walk openly and without much risk out of the city. Whatever befalls the Englishmen, Ravoninohitriniony and I will help and pray for them.”