If she make Christian martyr of Jeekie, who get you out of this confounded hole ?" Then the Asika spoke.
"Be it as you will, for I desire neither that you should hate me, nor that you should look on that which is unlawful for your eyes to see.

The feasts and ceremonies you must attend, but if I can help it, no victim shall be slain in your presence, not even that whimpering hound, your servant," she added with a contemptuous glance at Jeekie, "who it seems, fears to give his life for the glory of the god, but who because he is yours, is safe now and always." "That _very_ satisfactory," said Jeekie, rising from his knees, his face wreathed in smiles, for he knew well that a decree of the Asika could not be broken.

Then he began to explain to the priestess that it was not fear of losing his own life that had moved him, but the certainty that this occurrence would disagree morally with Little Bonsa, whose entire confidence he possessed.
Taking no notice of his words, with a slight reverence to the fetish, she passed on, beckoning to Alan.

As he went by the two prostrate priests whose lives he had saved, lifted their heads a little and looked at him with heartfelt gratitude in their eyes; indeed one of them kissed the place where his foot had trodden.

Jeekie, following, gave him a kick to intimate that he was taking a liberty, but at the same time stooped down and asked the man his name.