Without
a backward look Meriem turned and fled into the open. Several of
the blacks saw her and tried to intercept her flight, but the menace
of the empty weapon kept them at a distance. And so she won beyond
the encircling boma and disappeared into the jungle to the south.
Straight into the branches of a tree she went, true to the arboreal
instincts of the little mangani she had been, and here she stripped
off her riding skirt, her shoes and her stockings, for she knew
that she had before her a journey and a flight which would not
brook the burden of these garments. Her riding breeches and jacket
would have to serve as protection from cold and thorns, nor would
they hamper her over much; but a skirt and shoes were impossible
among the trees.
She had not gone far before she commenced to realize how slight
were her chances for survival without means of defense or a weapon
to bring down meat. Why had she not thought to strip the cartridge
belt from Malbihn's waist before she had left his tent! With
cartridges for the revolver she might hope to bag small game, and
to protect herself from all but the most ferocious of the enemies
that would beset her way back to the beloved hearthstone of Bwana
and My Dear.
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