It will be time to use the poison when the worst is with you.' "She heard and understood, for I saw her bow her head slightly, and her hand fell to her side.

Then Pereira spoke again: "'And now, if you are ready,' he said, 'we will be moving, for it is eight days' journey to my little Nest on the coast, and who can tell when the dhows will come to fetch my blackbirds?
Have you anything to say before you go, my dove ?' "Now my mistress spoke for the first time, answering, 'I am in your power, but I do not fear you, for if need be I can escape you.

But I tell you this: that your wickedness shall bring your own death upon you;' and she glanced round at the bodies of those whom the slave-traders had murdered, at the captives upon whom they were setting chains and forks of wood, and the columns of smoke that were rising from her home, for the roof of the Settlement had been fired.
"For a moment the Portuguese looked frightened, then he laughed aloud and said with an oath, crossing himself after the fashion of his people as a protection against the curse, 'What! you prophesy, do you, my dove, and you can escape me at your will, can you?
Well, we shall see.

Bring the other mule for this lady, you fellows.' "The mule was brought, and Juanna, my mistress, was set upon it.

Then the slave-traders shot down such of the captives as they thought to be of no value, the drivers flogged the slaves with their three-thonged _sjambochs_ of hippopotamus-hide, and the caravan moved on down the banks of the river.
"When all had gone I crept from my hiding-place and sought out those men of the Settlement who had escaped the slaughter, praying them to find arms and follow on the Yellow Devil's spoor, waiting for an opportunity to rescue the Shepherdess whom they loved.