Nina spoke now, ordering and entreating in turns, and Bulangi was refusing, expostulating, at last consenting.

He went in to take a paddle from the heap lying behind the door.

Outside the murmur of two voices went on, and she caught a word here and there.

She understood that he was fleeing from white men, that he was seeking a hiding-place, that he was in some danger.

But she heard also words which woke the rage of jealousy that had been asleep for so many days in her bosom.