ISO TROPIC DAYS 



related than folks whose birthplaces were separated 

 by distances bej'ond comprehension. 



Such being the general opinion, fortified b}^ undeviat- 

 ing oral tradition, in Soosie's case the theory was ever 

 so much the more arguable. She was claimed, not 

 alone on the grounds that she was a native of their own 

 land, but because, having been born in their own camp, 

 she must be subject to it. 



Duckbill intercepted me on the edge of the clearing 

 one morning especially to propound the law of the land. 



Soosie, he told in his pidgin English, had been given 

 to him by her uncle. She was to be his gin now that 

 she was grown up. "More better j''ou hunt that fella. 

 Him want sit down alonga camp." 



The bald proposition shook me, for I could not but 

 see the logic of it from Duckbill's standpoint. He was 

 the "big man," a wizard — ugly, old, and villainously 

 dirty. Here was the camp's husband for the coloured 

 girl with the white heart. The idea was revolting, and 

 then and there I resolved at whatever cost to save the 

 girl from such degradation. 



"Clear out !" I shouted, assuming frantic anger. 

 "You fella chuck 'm Soosie away when she little fella 

 piccaninny. That one belonga me now. Suppose you 

 fella kick'm up row big fella government come clear 3'ou 

 fella out. No more let you sit down longa this country." 



"Country belonga me. You no humbug. You bin 

 catch 'm that fella Tchoosie 1-o-n-g time. You bin 

 make'm good fella. Belonga me now." 



The disgusting old fellow went on to explain that he 

 intended to come up to the house that evening. "You 

 hunt'm that fella Tchoosie, me catch 'm. No good 

 belonga you." 



I was to drive the gently nurtured girl out of the house 

 so that this foul creature might seize her as he would a 



