LEONARD SWEARS ON THE BLOOD OF ACA On the morrow Leonard woke early from a troubled sleep, for his fever would scarcely let him rest.

But, early as it was, the woman Soa had been up before him, and on coming out of the cave the first thing that he saw was her tall shape bending over a little fire, whereon a gourd was boiling, the contents of which she stirred from time to time.
"Good morning to you, White Man," she said; "here is that which shall cure you of your sickness as I promised to do;" and she lifted the gourd from the fire.
Leonard took it and sniffed at the liquor, which smelt abominably.
"It is more likely to poison me, mother," he said.
"No, no," she answered with a smile; "drink half of it now and half at midday, and the fever shall trouble you no more." So soon as the stuff was cool enough Leonard obeyed, though with a doubting heart.
"Well, mother," he said, setting the gourd down with a gasp, "if nastiness is any proof of virtue your medicine should be good." "It is good," she answered gravely; "many have been dragged from the edge of death by it." And here it may be stated, whether it was owing to Soa's medicine or to other causes, that Leonard began to mend from that hour.

By nightfall he felt a different man, and before three days were over he was as strong as he had ever been in his life.

But into the ingredients of the draught he never found the courage to inquire, and perhaps it was as well.
Shortly after he had taken his dose Leonard observed Otter walking up the hill, bearing a huge lump of meat upon his shoulders.
"The old woman has brought us luck," said the dwarf as he loosed himself from his burden.

"Once more the bush is full of game; scarcely had I reached it when I killed a young koodoo, fat, ah! fat, and there are many of them about." Then they prepared breakfast, and ate it, and when the meal was done once more they talked.
"Mother," began Leonard, "last night you asked me to undertake a great venture, and promised a reward in payment.