I believe that she is hidden away among some of these wild peoples." "Then perhaps it would be as well not to find her," I answered, bethinking me of the fate which had overtaken sundry white women in the old days, who had escaped from shipwrecks on the coast and become the wives of Kaffirs.
"Not so, Allan.

On that point I fear nothing.

If God has preserved my wife, He has also protected her from every harm.

And now," he went on, "you will understand why I wish to visit these Pongo--the Pongo who worship a white goddess!" "I understand," I said and left him, for having learned all there was to know, I thought it best not to prolong a painful conversation.

To me it seemed incredible that this lady should still live, and I feared the effect upon him of the discovery that she was no more.