These trees were joined together by a rude platform made
of logs of wood lashed down with _riems_ of hide. Upon this platform
stood three figures; notwithstanding the distance and the spray of the
fall, he could see that they were those of two men and a girl, for their
shapes stood out distinctly against the fiery red of the sunset sky.
One instant there were three, the next there were two--for the girl had
gone, and something dark rushing down the face of the fall, struck the
surface of the pool with a heavy thud, while a faint and piteous cry
broke upon his ear.
"What is the meaning of that?" he asked, horrified and amazed.
"Nothing," answered the Bee with a laugh. "Do you not know, then, that
this is the place where faithless women, or girls who have loved without
the leave of the king, are brought to meet their death, and with them
their accomplices. Oh! they die here thus each day, and I watch them
die and keep the count of the number of them," and drawing a tally-stick
from the thatch of the hut, she took a knife and added a notch to
the many that appeared upon it, looking at Nahoon the while with a
half-questioning, half-warning gaze.
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