The
man stopped outside, and Meriem could hear Malbihn profanely issuing
instructions. He was a long time about it, and while he talked
in his bellowing, brutish voice, the girl sought some avenue of
escape. Stooping, she raised the bottom of the canvas and looked
beneath and beyond. There was no one in sight upon that side.
Throwing herself upon her stomach she wormed beneath the tent wall
just as Malbihn, with a final word to his men, entered the tent.
Meriem heard him cross the floor, and then she rose and, stooping
low, ran to a native hut directly behind. Once inside this she
turned and glanced back. There was no one in sight. She had not
been seen. And now from Malbihn's tent she heard a great cursing.
The Swede had discovered the rifling of his box. He was shouting
to his men, and as she heard them reply Meriem darted from the hut
and ran toward the edge of the boma furthest from Malbihn's tent.
Overhanging the boma at this point was a tree that had been too
large, in the eyes of the rest-loving blacks, to cut down. So they
had terminated the boma just short of it.
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