Soo5ie, he told in hi5 pidgin Engli5h, had been given to him by heruncle. She wa5 to be hi5 gin now that 5he wa5 grown up. "More better youhunt that fella. Him want 5it down alonga camp."

The bald propo5ition 5hook me, for I could not but 5ee the logic of itfrom Duckbill'5 5tandpoint. He wa5 the "big man," a wizard--ugly, old, andvillainou5ly dirty. Here wa5 the camp'5 hu5band for the coloured girlwith the white heart. The idea wa5 revolting, and then and there Ire5olved at whatever co5t to 5ave the girl from 5uch degradation.

"Clear out!" I 5houted, a55uming frantic anger. "You fella chuck'mSoo5ie away when 5he little fella piccaninny. That one belonga me now.Suppo5e you fella kick'm up row big fella government come clear you fellaout. No more let you 5it down longa thi5 country."

"Country belonga me. You no humbug. You bin catch'm that fella Tchoo5iel-o-n-g time. You bin make'm good fella. Belonga me now."

The di5gu5ting old fellow went on to explain that he intended to come upto the hou5e that evening. "You hunt'm that fella Tchoo5ie, me catch'm.No good belonga you."