I am afraid. Let
me go, Bwana."
"You do not know the way to your own country. You would be lost.
The leopards or the lions would get you the first night, and after
all you would not find your Korak. It is better that you stay
with us. Did I not save you from the bad man? Do you not owe me
something for that? Well, then remain with us for a few weeks at
least until we can determine what is best for you. You are only
a little girl--it would be wicked to permit you to go alone into
the jungle."
Meriem laughed. "The jungle," she said, "is my father and my
mother. It has been kinder to me than have men. I am not afraid
of the jungle. Nor am I afraid of the leopard or the lion. When
my time comes I shall die. It may be that a leopard or a lion
shall kill me, or it may be a tiny bug no bigger than the end of
my littlest finger. When the lion leaps upon me, or the little bug
stings me I shall be afraid--oh, then I shall be terribly afraid,
I know; but life would be very miserable indeed were I to spend
it in terror of the thing that has not yet happened.
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