Jaeger

“ One pair of jaegers nested in a broad grassy meadow. The female was aggressive and demonstrative and called continually above her young. The male was less demonstrative but joined the female when she began calling. On July 24, four jaegers flew over areas where brown lemmings had been trapped in greatest numbers. Two adult males shot on July 21, weighed 270 and 250 grams. The testes of these two birds were 5.5 and 8.0 mm long. Two adult females from the same area, and shot on the same date as the males, were larger than the males. The females weighed 285 and 298 grams. ”

“ Jimmie's share went into a fund, which is being managed by Yeager and me as trustees. It is 316 enough to keep him and his mother while the boy is being educated and to leave a small nest-egg in addition.
Yeager, of course, put his profits into cattle. Since Evelyn and I moved to Los Angeles we see a good deal of Tom and his wife. At least once during the winter we run across to his Arizona ranch for a week or two. His boy is just old enough to give his name proudly with a lisp as "Tham Blythe Yeager."
Ours is a girl. She has the golden hair and the sparkling spirit of her mother. ”

“ I like the jay, for he is not only a pretty but an affectionate bird, living lovingly in one family till the next breeding-season. They are, however, sadly persecuted by keepers—for what reason I know not. The jackdaw, that cunning bird, has, I see, a nest in a hole of that old and gnarled pollarded beech-tree, setting marauding boys at defiance. He is no great favourite of mine, though I like to hear his tenor when mixed with a flock of rooks, or when he caws on the projections of a church tower. ”

“ He asked Jeekie who made the road.
“People who come out Noah’s Ark,” answered Jeekie, “I think they run up here to get out of way of water, and sent them two elephants ahead to make path. Or perhaps dwarf people make it. Or perhaps those who go up to Asiki-land to do sacrifice like old Jews.”
“You mean you don’t know,” said Alan.
“No, of course don’t know. Who know about forest path made before beginning of world. You ask question, Major, I answer. More lively answer than to shake head and roll eyes like them silly fool porters.” ”

“ The queen sent word to the king, requesting him to come and see the jackal. The king came and saw the jackal, heard him describe the wealth and pomp of the king of his country, and expressed himself not unwilling to give away his daughter in marriage to him.
“The jackal ... opened his bundle of betel-leaves, put some into his mouth, and began chewing them”
The jackal after this returned to the weaver and said to him, “O lord of the loom, you are the luckiest man in the world; it is all settled; you are to become the son-in-law of a great king. ”

“ Chad knew that, somewhere in the Confederate lines, Rebel Jerry was looking for Jake, as Yankee Jake, doubtless, was now looking for Jerry, and he began to think that it might be well for Jerry if neither was ever found. Daws Dillon, so he learned from Caleb Hazel and Jake, was already making his name a watchword of terror along the border of Virginia and Tennessee, and was prowling, like a wolf, now and then, along the edge of the Bluegrass. Old Joel Turner had died of his wound, Rube had gone off to the war and Mother Turner and Melissa were left at home, alone. ”

“ It was Jagger’s misfortune to have been born with a weight on his spirits which it was as difficult to dislodge as the Old Man of the Sea from the shoulders of Sindbad—it is not only the sins of parents that are visited on the children: often it is their sorrows. Like Naaman the Syrian, Jagger combined with many excellencies one outstanding defect—he was a good workman, skilful, painstaking and conscientious, and he was a creditable member of the community ”

“ Then he fumed to Jaafer and said to him, ‘Bring me the accursed slave, who was the cause of this calamity, and if thou bring him not in three days, thou shalt suffer in his stead.’ And Jaafer went out, weeping and saying, ‘Verily, I am beset by deaths; the pitcher does not come off for aye unbroken. ”

“ Only their chief, a great yellow-toothed fellow who wore a necklace of baboon claws, remained erect, staring at them with open mouth.
Alan blew the whistle that was set between the lips of the mask, and they shivered. Then Jeekie spoke to them in some tongue which they understood, saying:
“Do you, O Ogula, dare to offer violence to Little Bonsa and her priests? Say now, why should we not strike you dead with the magic of the god which she has borrowed from the white man?” and he tapped the gun he held. ”

“ Jagger flushed hotly. “I didn’t mean that,” he protested and Maniwel said—“Right, lad; there’s no bones broken.”
“Then would you have me let Inman go his own way, and play any devil’s trick he likes on us?” said Jagger, and his father shook his head.
“Nay, lad,” he said with greater animation; “watch him and best him! You can’t please me better than by showing him you’re t’ best man o’ t’ two, so long as you keep on t’ Straight Road. But spare him a bit o’ pity, for hate’s same as a knife ’at lacks a haft—a tool ’at hurts him ’at tries to stab wi’t.” ”

“ How did I get back here?”
“Like man that walk in his sleep, Major. She go first, you follow, just as little lamb after Mary in hymn.”
“Jeekie, did you really see anything at all?”
“No, Major, nothing partic’lar, except ghost of Mrs. Jeekie and of your reverend uncle, both of them very angry. That magic all stuff, Major. Asika put something in your grub make you drunk, so that you think her very wise. Don’t think of it no more, Major, or you go off your chump. If Jeekie see nothing, depend on it there nothing to see.” ”

“ There ain’t a white man in this house, except you and Miss Barbara and me, Major. Jeekie learnt all that in servant’s hall palaver. No, not now, other time. Everyone tell everything to Jeekie, poor old African fool, and he look up an answer, ‘O law! you don’t say so?’ but keep his eyes and ears open all the same.”
“I’ll be bound you do, Jeekie,” replied Alan, laughing again. ”

“ Jaggers continued that he had been made my guardian, that he would provide me with a sum of money ample for my education and maintenance, and that he should advise my residing in London, and having as tutor one Matthew Pocket, whom I had heard mentioned by Miss Havisham.
"First," continued Mr. Jaggers, "you should have some new clothes. You will want some money. I will leave you twenty guineas, and will expect you in London on this day week."
He produced a purse and counted out the money, then eyeing Joe, he said, "Well, Joe Gargery, you look dumbfounded?" ”

“ Jeekie see to that while she live. Also better that mean white man go call on Bonsas than Major and Missy Barbara and all porters, and Jeekie—specially Jeekie—get throat cut. No, no, Jeekie nothing to be ashamed of, Jeekie do good day’s work, though Jeekie keep it tight as wax since white folk such silly people, and when Major in a rage, he very nasty customer and see everything upside down. Now, Jeekie quite tired, so say his prayers and have nap. No, think not in tent, though very comfortable. ”

“ He gave her passage upon the head of a white man and the Asiki wizards have mourned her ever since, or so I hear.”
“Fool,” answered Jeekie, “as she went, so she returns, on the head of a white man. Yonder I see an elder with grey hair who doubtless knew of Little Bonsa in his youth. Let him come up and look and say whether or no this is the god.”
“Yes, yes,” exclaimed the chief, “go up, old man, go up,” and he jabbed at him with his spear until, unwillingly enough, he went. ”

“ Jaggers, shaking his head and gathering up his skirts. "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule."
"I have no more to say," said I, with a sigh, after standing silent for a little while. "I have verified my information, and there an end."
"And Magwitch—in New South Wales—having at last disclosed himself," said Mr. Jaggers, "you will comprehend, Pip, how rigidly throughout my communication with you, I have always adhered to the strict line of fact. There has never been the least departure from the strict line of fact. ”

“ Thus Dicky, with his hands in his broken pockets, and thought in his small face, whereon still stood the muddy streaks of yesterday's tears, trudged out of Mr Aaron Weech's shop-door, and along Meakin Street.
Now he was beginning the world seriously, and must face the fact. Truly the world had been serious enough for him hitherto, but that he knew not. Now he was of an age when most boys were thieving for themselves, and he owed money like a man. True it was, as Mr Weech had said, that everybody—the whole Jago—was on the look-out for himself. ”

“ Say what thou wilt.’ ‘O my lord,’ answered Jaafer, ‘when I went out from before thee, intending for my house, I saw thy master and teacher and partner, Khelifeh the fisherman, standing at the door, and he was aggrieved at thee and complaining of thee and saying, “Glory be to God! I taught him to fish and he went away to fetch me a pair of frails, but returned not: and this is not the way a partner should use his partner nor an apprentice his master.” So, if thou hast a mind to partnership, well and good ”

“ Jeekie stood a while in front of the empty tent and if any had been there to note him, they might have seen a shadow as of compunction creep over his powerful black face.
“When he wake up he won’t know where he are,” he reflected, “and when he get to Bonsa Town he’ll wonder where he is, and when he meet Asika! Well, he very big blackguard; try to murder Major, whom Jeekie nurse as baby, the only thing that Jeekie care for—except—Jeekie; try to make love to Miss Barbara against will when he catch her alone in forest, which not playing game. ”

“ Still he hung back, looking about him, till to his delight he saw the other litter arrive and out of it emerge Jeekie, still wearing his sun-helmet with its fringe of tattered mosquito curtain.
“Here we are, Major,” he said in his cheerful voice, “turned up all right like a bad ha’penny, but in odd situation.”
“Very odd,” echoed Alan. “Could you persuade these ladies to let go of me?”
“Don’t know,” answered Jeekie. “’Spect they doubtfully your wives; ’spect you have lots of wives here; don’t get white man every day, so make most of him. Best thing you do, kick out and teach them place. ”

“ But, Jeekie, how should I find the way?”
“No trouble, Major, Little Bonsa find way, want to get back home, very hungry by now, much need sacrifice. Think it good thing kill pig to Little Bonsa—or even lamb. She know you do your best, since human being not to be come at in Christian land, and say ‘thank you for life of pig.’”
“Stop that rubbish,” said Alan. “I want a guide; if I go, will you come with me?”
At this suggestion the negro looked exceedingly uncomfortable.
“Not like to, not like to at all,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Asiki-land very funny place for native-born. ”

“ Next instant, with a spring like that of a tiger Jeekie was on Aylward. The weight of his charge knocked him backwards to the ground, and there he lay, pinned fast.
“What for you do that?” exclaimed the indignant Jeekie. “What for you shoot through wool of respectable nigger, Sir Robert Aylward, Bart.? Now I throttle you, you dirty hog-swine. No Magistrates’ Court here in Dwarf Forest,” and he began to suit the action to the word.
“Let him go, Jeekie. Take his rifle and let him go,” exclaimed Alan, who all this while had stood amazed. ”

“ He sprang up, snatching at a spear and shield which Jeekie had provided for him, and ran out to find from the position of the moon that dawn was near.
“Come on, Major,” said Jeekie, “Asiki make night attack; they always like do everything at night who love darkness, because their eye evil. Come on quick, Major,” and he began to drag him off toward the rear.
“But that’s the wrong way,” said Alan presently. “They are attacking over there.”
“Do you think Jeekie fool, Major, that he don’t know that? He take you where they not attacking. ”

“ Jeekie no one in England, but Jeekie damn big Lord too out here, great medicine man, pal of Little Bonsa. You remember Little Bonsa, eh! These chaps think it great honour to meet Jeekie, so, Major, if he stir, please shoot him through head; Jeekie ’sponsible, not you. Or if you not like do it, I come back and see to job myself and don’t think those fellows cry very much. ”

“ Jagger felt that it was good for his self-respect to have that victory to his account, and he had held himself more erect and viewed the world more hopefully ever since.
“I say grannie’s right!” he said. “Shifting gates once a year, and lifting a goose or two for a lark, are just lads’ tricks—mischief ’at means naught. But when grown men plan out Mischief Nights a toathri times a month it looks as if the Old Lad had somebody on his fork, and if I could just catch him I’d shove t’ fork that far in he wouldn’t get off again easy!” ”

“ But how that help poor departed Jeekie who get all kicks, while you have ha’pence?”
“Oh! be quiet,” said Alan; “you are welcome to the halfpence if you would only leave me the kicks. The question is, how am I to get out of this mess? While she was a beautiful savage devil one could deal with the thing, but if she is going to become human it is another matter.”
Jeekie looked at him with pity in his eyes.
“Always thought white man mad at bottom,” he said, shaking his big head. “To benighted black nigger thing so very simple. All you got to do, make love and cut when you get chance. ”