SOOSIE 155 



symmetrical clearing, a circus hemmed in by sullen 

 vegetation, and upon which no plant save blady grass 

 ever invaded. 



The camp was deserted. Save for a few still warm 

 spots indicative of artfully smothered fires, there were 

 few signs to indicate recent occupation. An hour's 

 search revealed definite tracks leading east to the 

 mountain. 



No pains had been taken to baffle pursuers. Ap- 

 parently the blacks had just wandered off aimlessly 

 in obedience to a whim of the moment. There was 

 nothing but conjecture to support the opinion that 

 the decampment had anything to do with the dis- 

 appearance of Soosie. Probably the blacks were aware, 

 in advance of ourselves, that she had stolen away. If 

 so, they would inevitably get her, having, possibly, 

 the advantage of hours of start and being efficient in 

 the art of tracking. Our plan was to hasten so that 

 we might, if fortune favoured, be in time to save the 

 distracted girl from the repulsive and obscene ceremonies 

 to which she would be subject if she fell into the hands 

 of Duckbill. 



An hour's walk brought us to the foothills of the 

 mountain. The tracks turned abruptly north, wind- 

 ing indeterminately as if no special object had been 

 in view. It might be that while the men of the camp 

 had been intent on following Soosie 's tracks, the women 

 and children had straggled after as if the quest was of 

 no special concern to them. 



In the broken country well in to the base of the 

 mountain all traces of the exodus was lost, though 

 bush instinct, supplemented by the actions of the dogs, 

 gave sense of its direction. Blundering down into a 

 ravine where blanched vegetation betokened complete 

 seclusion from the sun, we clambered up the opposing 



