CURTAIN
The sun was setting. In a few minutes more the swift darkness would
fall. After delivering the astonishing volley the troops wheeled and
under Kingozi's guidance proceeded down the forest path to the great
clearing. It was the close of a long, hard day, but under the
scrutinizing eyes of these thousands of proud _shenzis_ the Sudanese
stepped forth jauntily. Camping places were designated. All was
activity as the tents were raised.
But now rode in the two white men who had closed the rear of the
column, not only of the fighting men, but of the burden bearers as
well. They were covered with dust and apparently very glad to arrive.
One of them rode directly to the group of officers and dismounted
stiffly.
"McCloud!" cried Kingozi.
"The same," replied that efficient surgeon. "And now let's see the
eyes. I have your scrawl." He stumped forward, looking keenly for what
he wanted. "Sit here in this chair. Boy!" he bawled. "_Lete taa_--bring
the lantern. And my case of knives. No, my lad, I'm not going to
operate on you instanter, but I do want my reflector. Hold the light
just here. Now, don't any of you move. Tip your head back a bit, that's
a good chap." He went methodically forward with his examination as
though he were at home in his white office. "H'm. How long this been
going on? Five weeks, eh! Been blind? Oh--why didn't you use that
pilocarpin I gave you--I see." The officers and other white men stood
about in a compact and silent group. A sudden grave realization of the
situation had descended upon them, sobering their careless or laughing
countenances. No one knew exactly what it was all about, but some had
caught the word "blindness" and repeated it to others. Some one yelled
"_kalale_" savagely at the chattering men. Almost a dead stillness fell
on the clearing, so that in the falling twilight the tree hyraxes took
heart and began to utter their demoniac screams. The darkness came down
softly. Soon the group in the centre turned to silhouettes against the
light of the two lanterns held head high on either side the patient.
Absorbedly Doctor McCloud proceeded. Kingozi sat quietly, turning his
head to either side, raising or lowering his chin as he was requested
to do so. At last McCloud straightened his back.
"It is glaucoma right enough," said he; "fairly advanced. The
pilocarpin has been a palliative. An operation is called
for--iridectomy."
He paused, wiping his mirror. Nobody dared ask the question that
Kingozi himself at last propounded.
"Can you do it--have you the necessary instruments?'"
"Fine spade scalpel, small tweezers, scissors--_and_ a lot of
experience. I've got all the former."
"And the latter?"
"I've done the operation before," said McCloud dryly.
"Will it restore my sight permanently."
"If successful the job will be permanent."
"What chance of success?"
"Fair--fair," rejoined McCloud with a touch of impatience. "How can I
tell? But I'll just inform you of this, my lad, without the operation
you're stone blind for the rest of your days, and it must be done now
or not at all. So there's your Hobson's choice; and we'll get at it
comfortably in the morning."
He turned away and stopped with a frank stare of astonishment. The
other men followed his gaze, and also stared.
The Leopard Woman stood just within the circle of illumination. So
intent was she on the examination and on Kingozi that she seemed
utterly unconscious of the men standing over opposite. Her soft silk
robe fell about her body in classic folds; the single jewel on its
chain fillet blazed on her forehead; her hair fell in its braid to her
hips, and her wide, gray-green eyes were fixed on the seated man. A
more startlingly exotic figure for the wilds of Central Africa could
not be imagined. The expressions on the faces of the newcomers were
varied enough, to be sure, but all had a common groundwork of fair
imbecility.
[Illustration: "So intent was the Leopard Woman on the examination that
she seemed utterly unconscious of the men standing over opposite."]
She seemed to be unaware of even their presence. When McCloud had
pronounced his opinion, she glided forward and laid her hand on
Kingozi's shoulder.
"I am glad--but I am afraid," she said softly. Kingozi covered her hand
with one of his own. His eyes twinkled with quiet amusement as he
looked about him at the stricken faces of his friends. She whirled on
the gaping McCloud. "But you must have a care!" she cried at him
vehemently. "You must save his eyes. I wish it!"
McCloud, recovering himself, bowed.
"Madam," said he with a faint, amused irony. "It shall be my pleasure
to do my best in fulfilling your commands."
"It must be," she repeated; and turned to face the rest. "He is a great
man; he must be saved. All this is folly. I have fought him to my best,
for long, and I have used all means--good and bad. He conquered me as
one who--what you call--subdues a child. And he is generous, and brave,
and when the darkness comes to him he does not sit and weep. He is a
great soul, and all things must be done!"
She was superb, her head thrown back. Captain Walsh was the first to
recover from the stunned condition in which all found themselves. He
bowed.
"Madam," said he, "in what you say we heartily concur. We add our
urgence to yours. You must forgive our stupidity to the surprise of
your appearance. Even yet my astonishment has not abated." He turned
easily to Kingozi: "I hope you will afford me the pleasure of naming me
to madam."
Kingozi arose to his feet.
"I do not know your name," he muttered to her.
"I am the Leopard Woman," she smiled back on him enigmatically.
Kingozi paused, embarrassed as to what to do. He could not use that
name in an introduction to these men. She was looking at him
mischievously.
"Captain Walsh--and gentlemen," said Kingozi suddenly, "I want the
pleasure of presenting you to--my future wife!"
Her gasp of astonishment was lost in the chorus of congratulatory
cries. It was all mysterious, profoundly astonishing. Much was to be
explained. But for the moment each man was ready to believe the
evidences of his own senses--that no matter how incongruous the fact of
her presence might be, there she was, beautiful as the night. And every
man facing her had seen the glory that shone from within when Kingozi
had pronounced his introduction. Captain Walsh was speaking.
"This is an occasion," he said, "and the King's African Rifles cannot
have it otherwise than that you become their guests. I see our camp is
in preparation. We have nothing beyond the ordinary stores, but you
must all dine with us." He paused, considering. "Say in an hour," he
continued. "It must be early, for I do not doubt we must receive his
royal highness this evening."
"You're right," said Kingozi, "and unless I miss my guess it will be an
all-night job."
The travel-wearied men groaned.
"No help for it," said Captain Walsh cheerfully.
They pressed forward to shake the hands of this strange couple. The
Leopard Woman carried herself with the ease and poise of one accustomed
to receiving homage. She had drawn near Kingozi again, and managed to
reach out and press his arm.
"Ye'll be married soon, I'm thinking," surmised McCloud.
"Depends," replied Kingozi, his brow darkening. "Part of it's up to
you, you know," he added briefly. "A blind man is a poor man."
"We shall be married soon--now, if there is a priest among you!" cried
the Leopard Woman vehemently, "As for poor man--pouf!" She turned to
Walsh with an engaging smile. "And you, where you came, did you pass
the people who live in the mountains back there, with a _sultani_ who
dressed in black----"
"I know," supplemented Captain Walsh, "very well."
"The _sultani_ whose place has a fortified gate."
"Really? We did not get to his village; too much of a hurry."
The Leopard Woman shot a glance at Kingozi. He saw the triumph in it,
and understood. The ivory stockade was unknown to any but themselves;
still remained there in all its wealth awaiting the first trader. And
that trader should be himself!
"Poor, indeed!" she whispered to him.
At this moment a roar of astonishment came up to them from down the
slope. All turned to see Winkleman, the forgotten Winkleman, standing
at the door of his tent. He was in pajamas, and his thick hair was
tousled about.
"But how I have slept!" he cried, "and the English, they have come!
Well, well!" He came out, stretching his great arms lazily over his
head. They stiffened in surprise as he caught sight of the Leopard
Woman. For a second he stared; then dropped his arms with one of his
big, gusty laughs.
"_Kolossal!_" he roared. "The Countess Miklos! I was wondering! So he
has captured you, too, has he!"
With a simple and unembarrassed gesture she laid her arm across
Kingozi's shoulders.
"But yes," she repeated softly. "He has captured me, too."
At the tiny fire burning before the tent reserved for the headmen of
the camp sat Simba, Cazi Moto, and Mali-ya-bwana. The bone of the
_saurian_ lay before Simba, who was bragging.
"Great is the magic of this bone, which is mine. It has brought us a
long journey; it has won us the friendship of the great chief; it has
revealed to us much riches in the teeth of _tembo_, the elephant,
though that must not be spoken aside from us three; it has restored the
light to _Bwana_ Kingozi, our master; it has captured for us a great
_bwana_ and a rich safari; it has brought to us _Bwana_ Bunduki[20] and
many _bwanas_ and _askaris_; it has brought to our master a woman for
his own--though to be sure there are many women. Great is this magic;
and it is mine. With it I shall be lucky always."
[Footnote 20: The Master of the Rifle--Captain Walsh.]
"A-a-a-a!" agreed Cazi Moto and Mali-ya-bwana respectfully.
From the darkened mysterious forest the tree hyraxes, excited by the
numerous fires and the voices of so large an encampment, were wailing
and shrieking.
"The dead are restless tonight," said Simba, poking the fire.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Leopard Woman, by Stewart Edward White