 Chapter 10 of She and Alan This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Chapter 10 The Attack We won out of the Reeds at last for which I furrantly thank God, since to have crossed that endless march unguided with the loss of only one man seemed little less than miraculous. We emerged from them late in the afternoon, and being weirded out, stopped for a while to rest and eat of the flesh of a buck that I had been fortunate enough to shoot upon their fringe. Then we pushed forward up the slope, proposing to camp for the night on the crest of it a mile or so away where I thought we should escape from the deadly mist in which we had been enveloped for so long, and obtain a clear view of the country ahead. Following the bank of a stream which here ran down into the marsh, we came at length to this crest just as the sun was sinking. Below us lay a deep valley, a fold, as it were, in the skin of the mountain. Well but not densely bushed. The woods of this valley climbed up the mountain flank for some distance above it, and then gave way to grassy slopes that ended in steep sides of rock, which were crowned by a black and frowning precipice of unknown height. There was, I remember, something very impressive about this towering natural wall, which seemed to shut off whatever lay beyond the gaze of man, as though it veiled an ancient mystery. Indeed, the aspect of it thrilled me. I knew not why. I observed, however, that at one point in the mighty cliff there seemed to be a narrow cleft down which, no doubt, lava had flowed in a remote edge, and it occurred to me that up this cleft ran a roadway, probably a continuation of that by which we had threaded the swamp. The fact that through my glasses I could see herds of cattle grazing on the slopes of the mountain went to confirm this view, since cattle imply owners of herdsmen, and search as I would, I could find no native villages on the slopes. The inference seemed to be that those owners dwelt beyond or within the mountain. All of these things I saw and pointed out to Robertson in the light of the setting sun. Meanwhile, umslopogas had been engaged in selecting the spot where we were to camp for the night. Some soldier-league instinct, or perhaps some pre-science of danger, caused him to choose a place particularly suitable to defence. It was on a steep-sided mound that more or less resembled a gigantic anteep. Upon one side, this mound was protected by the stream, which because of a pool, was here rather deep, while at the back of it stood a collection of those curious and piled-up water-worn rocks that are often to be found in Africa. These rocks, lying one upon another like the stones of a clopean wall, curved round the western side of the mound, so that practically it was only open for a narrow space, say thirty or forty feet, upon that face of it which looked onto the mountain. Umslopogas expects battle, remarked Hans to me with a grin. Otherwise, with all this nice plain round us, he would not have chosen to camp in a place which a few men could hold against many. Yes, Bars, he thinks that those cannibals are going to attack us. Stranger things have happened, I answered indifferently, and having seen to the rifles went to lie down, observing as I did so that the tired Sulus seemed already to be asleep. Only Umslopogas did not sleep. On the contrary, he stood leaning on his axe, staring at the deep outlines of the opposing precipice. A strange mountain, Makumasan, he said, compared to it that of the witch beneath which my cry lies, is but a little baby. I wonder what we shall find within it. I've always loved mount in Makumasan. Ever since a dead brother of mine and I lived with the wolves in the witch's lap, for on them I have had the best of my fighting. Perhaps it is not done with yet, I answered wearily. I hope not, Makumasan, since some is due for us after all these days of mud and stench. Sleep a while now, Makumasan, for that head of yours which you use so much must need rest. Fear not. I, and the little yellow man who do not think as much as you do, will keep watch and wake you if there is need, as may help there will be before the dawn. Here none can come at us except in front, and the place is narrow. So I lay down and slept a sound less ever I had done in my life, for a space of four or five hours I suppose. Then, by some instinct perhaps, I awoke suddenly, feeling much refreshed in that sweet mountain air, a new man indeed, and in the moonlight saw Umslupogas striding towards me. Arise, Makumasan, he said, I hear men stirring below us. At this moment, Hans sleep past him, whispering, The cannibals are coming, Bars. A good number of them, I think they mean to attack before dawn. Then he passed behind me to warn the Sulus, as he went by, I said to him, If so, Hans, now is the time for your great medicine to show what it can do. The great medicine will look after you and me, all right, Bars. He replied, pausing and speaking in Dutch, which Umslupogas did not understand. But I expect there will be fewer of those Sulus to cook for, before the sun grows hot. Their spirits will be turned into snakes, and go back into the reeds from which they say they were torn out. He added over his shoulder. I should explain that Hans acted as cook to our party, and it was a grievance with him that the Sulus ate so much of the meat which he was called upon to prepare. Indeed, there is never much sympathy between hotentots and Sulus. What is the little yellow man saying about us? Asked Umslupogas suspiciously. He is saying that if it comes to battle, you and your men will make a great fight. I replied diplomatically. Yes, we will do that, Makumar-san. But I thought he said that we should be killed and that this pleased him. Oh, dear, no, I answered hastily. How could he be pleased if that happened? Since then he would be left defenseless if he were not killed too. Now, Umslupogas, let us make a plan for this fight. So, together with Robinson rapidly we discussed the things. As a result, with the help of the Sulus, we dragged together some loose stones and the tops of three small thorn trees which we had cut down, and with them made a low breastwork sufficient to give us some protection if we lay down to shoot. It was the work of a few minutes since we had prepared the material when we camped, in case an emergency should arise. Behind this breastwork we gathered and waited, Robinson and I being careful to get a little to the rear of the Sulus, who it will be remembered, had the rifles which the Stratmer-Bastos had left behind them when they bolted, in addition to their axes and throwing us agais. The question was how these cannibals would fight. I knew that they were armed with long spears and knives, but I did not know if they used those spears for thrusting or for throwing. In the former case it would be difficult to get at them with the axes because they must have the longer reach. Fortunately, as it turned out, they did both. At length all was ready and there came that long and trying wait. The most disagreeable part of a fight, in which one grows nervous and begins to reflect earnestly upon one's sins, clearly the Armahager, if they really intended business, did not mean to attack till just before dawn after the common native fashion, thinking to rush us in the low and puzzling light. What perplexed me was that they should wish to attack us at all after having let so many opportunities of doing so go by. Apparently these men were now inside of their own home, where no doubt they had many friends and by pushing on could reach its shelter before us, especially as they knew the roads and we did not. They had come out for a secret purpose that seemed to have to do with the abduction of a certain young white woman for reasons connected with their tribal statecraft or ritual, which is the kind of thing that happens not infrequently among obscure and ancient African tribes. Well, they had abducted their young woman and were in sight of safety and success in their objects, whatever these might be. For what possible reason then could they decide to risk a fight with the outraged friends and relatives of that young woman? It was true that they outnumbered us and therefore had a good chance of victory, but on the other hand they must know that it would be very dearly one, and if it were not one, that we should retake their captive so that all their travel would have been for nothing. Further they must be as exhausted and travel-worn as we were ourselves and in no condition to face a desperate battle. The problem was beyond me and I gave it up with a reflection that either this threatened attack was a mere faint to delay us or that behind it was something mysterious, such as a determination to prevent us at all hazards from discovering the secrets of that mountain stronghold. When I put the riddle to Hans, who was lying next to me, he was ready with another solution. They are men-eaters, Bars, he said, and being hungry, wish to eat us before they get to their own land where doubtless they are not allowed to eat each other. Do you think so, I answered, when we are so thin, and I surveyed Hans' scraggie form in the moonlight? Oh yes, Bars, we should be quite good-boiled, like old Hans, Bars. Also, it is the nature of cannibals to prefer thin man to fat beef. The devil that is in them gives them that taste, Bars, just as he makes me like gin, or you turn your head to look at a pretty woman, as those Zulus say you always did in their country, especially at a certain witch who was named Mamina and whom you kissed before everybody. Here I turned my head to look at Hans, proposing to smite him with words, or physically, since to have this Mamina myth, of which I have detailed the origin in the book called Child of Storm, re-arise out of his hideous little mouth was too much. But before I could get out a syllable, he held up his finger and whispered, Hush, the dawn breaks and they come, I hear them. I listened intently, but could distinguish nothing. Only straining my eyes, presently I thought that about a hundred yards down the slope beneath us in the dim light, I caught sight of ghost-like figures flitting from tree to tree, also that these figures were drawing nearer. Look out, I said to Robertson on my right, I believe they are coming. Man, he answered sternly, I hope so, for whom else have I wanted to meet all these days? Now the figures vanished into a little fold of the ground. A minute or so later, they reappeared upon it, hither side, where such light as there was from the fading stars and the gathering dawn fell full upon them. For here were no trees. I looked and a thrill of horror went through me, for with one glance I recognized that these were not the men whom we had been following. To begin with, there were many more of them, quite a hundred, I should think. Also they had painted shields, wore feathers in their hair, and generally so far as I could judge, seemed to be fat and fresh. We have been led into an ambush, I said first in Sulutum's lapogas, immediately in front, and then in English to Robertson. If so, man, we must just do the best we can, answered the latter. But God help my poor daughter, for those other devils will have taken her away, leaving their brethren to make an end of us. It is so, Makumasaan, broke in Sulutum's lapogas. Well, whatever the end of it, we shall have a better fight. Now do you give the word, and we will obey. The savages, for so I call them, although I admit that cannibals or not, they looked more like high-class Arabs than savages, came on in perfect silence, hoping I supposed to catch us asleep. When they were about fifty yards away, running in a treble line with bears advanced, I called out fire in Sulutum, and set the example by losing off both barriers of my express rifle, at men whom I had picked out as leaders, with results that must have been more satisfactory to me than to the two Amahagar, whose troubles in this world came to an end. There followed a tremendous fuselage, the Suluts banging off their guns wildly, but even at that distance managing for the most part to shoot over the enemy's heads. Captain Robertson and Hans, however, did better, and the general result was that the Amahagar, who appeared to be unaccustomed to firearms, retreated in a hurry to a fold of the ground, whence they had emerged. Before the last of them got there, I loaded again, so that two more stopped behind. All together we had put nine or ten of them out of action. Now I hoped that they would give the business up, but this was not so, for being brave fellows, after a pause of perhaps five minutes, once more they charged in a body, hoping to overwhelm us. Again we greeted them with bullets and knocked out several, whereon the rest threw a volley of their long spears at us. I was glad to see them do this, although one of the Suluts got his death from it. While two more were wounded, I myself had a very narrow escape for a spear pass between my neck and shoulder. Each of them carried but one of these weapons, and I knew that if they used them up in throwing, only their big knives would remain to them with which to attack us. After this discharge of spears, which was kept up for some time, they rushed at us, and there followed a great fight. The Suluts, throwing down their guns, rose to their feet and holding their little fighting shields which had been carried in their mats in the left hand, wielded their axes with the right. Umslopurgas, who stood in the center of them, however, had no shield and swung his great axe with both arms. This was the first time that I had seen him fight, and the spectacle was, in a way, magnificent. Again and again the axe crashed down, and every time it fell, it left one dead beneath the stroke, till at length those Amahagar shrank back out of his reach. Meanwhile, Robertson, Hans and I, standing on some stones at the back, kept up a continual fire upon them, shooting over the heads of the Suluts, who were playing their part like men. Yes, they shrank back, leaving many dead behind them. Then a captain tried to gather them for another rush, and once more they moved forward. I killed that captain with a revolver shot, for my rifle had become too hot to hold, and at the sight of his fall, they broke and ran back into the little hollow, where our bullets could not reach them. So far we had held our own, but at a price. For three of the Suluts were now dead, and three more wounded, one of them severely, the other two but enough to cripple them. In fact now there were left of them but three untouched men, and umslipogas, so that in all for fighting purposes we were but seven. What availed it that we had killed a great number of these Amahagar when we were but seven? How could seven men withstand such another onslaught? There in the pale light of the dawn we looked at each other, dismayed. Now, said umslipogas, leaning on his red axe, there remains but one thing to do, make a good end, though I would that it were in a greater cause. At least we must either fight or fly, and he looked down at the wounded. Think not of us, father, murmured one of them, the man who had a mortal hurt. If it is best, kill us and be gone, that you may live to bear the axe in years to come. Well spoken, said umslipogas, and against to still a while, then added, The word is with you, Makuma-san, who are our captain. I set out the situation to Robertson and Hans as briefly as I could, showing that there was a chance of life if we ran, but so far as I could see, none if we stayed. O if you like, quarter-main, answered the captain, But I shall stop and die here, for since my girl is gone, I think I'm better dead. I motioned to Hans to speak. Pass, he answered, the great medicine is here with us upon the earth, and your reverent father, the predicant, is with us in the sky. So I think we had better stop here and do what we can, especially as I do not want to see those reeds any more present. So do I, I said briefly, giving no reasons. So we made ready for the next attack, which we knew would be the last, strengthening our little wall and dragging the dead Amahagar up against it as an added protection. As we were thus engaged, the sun rose, and in its first beam some miles away on the opposite slopes of the mountain, looking tiny against the black background of the precipice, we saw a party of men creeping forward. Lifting my glasses, I studied it, and perceived that in its midst was a litter. There goes your daughter, I said, and handed the glasses to Robertson. O my God, he answered, those villains have outwitted us after all. Another minute and the litter, or rather the chair, with its escort, had vanished into the shadow of the great cliffs, probably up some paths which we could not see. Next moment our thoughts were otherwise engaged, since from various symptoms we gathered that the attack was about to be renewed. Spares upon which shone the light of the rising sun appeared about the edge of the ground fold that I have mentioned, which to the east increased to a deep bush-clad ravine. Also there were voices as of leaders encouraging their men to a desperate effort. They are coming, I said to Robertson. Yes, he answered, they are coming, and we are going. It's a queer end to the thing we call life, isn't it? Quarter main, and hang it all. I wonder what's beyond, not much for me I expect, but whatever it is could scarcely be worse than what I've gone through here below in one way and another. There's hope for all of us, I replied as cheerfully as I could, for the man's deep depression disturbed me. May hap quarter main, for who knows the infinite mercy of whatever made us as we are. My old mother used to preach of it, and I remember her words now. But in my case I expect it will stop at hope or sleep, and if it wasn't for enus I'd not mine so much, for I tell you I've had enough of the world and life. Look, there's one of them. Take that, you black devil. And lifting his rifle he aimed and fired at an amahager who appeared upon the edge of the fold of ground. What is more, he hit him, for I saw the man double up and fall backwards. Then the game began afresh, for the cannibals, I suppose they were cannibals like their brethren, crept out of shelter, advancing on their stomachs or their hands and knees, so as to offer a smaller mark and dragging between them a long and slender tree trunk, with which clearly they intended to batter down our wall. Of course I blazed away at them pretty carefully too, for I was determined that what I believed to be the last exercise of the gift of shooting that has been given to me should prove a record. Therefore I selected my men and even where I would hit them, and a subsequent examination showed I made no mistakes in the seven or eight shots that I fired. But all the while, like poor Captain Robertson, I was thinking of other things, namely, where I was bound for presently, and if I should meet certain forks there, and what was the meaning of this show called life, which unless it leads somewhere according to my judgment has none at all. Until these questions were solved, however, my duty was to kill as many of those ruffians as I could, and this I did with finish and dispatch. Robertson hands were firing also, with more or less success, but there were too many to be stopped by our three rifles. Still they came on till at length their fierce faces were within a few yards of our little parapet, and Ungslapogas had lifted his great axe to give them greeting. They paused a moment before making their final rush, and so did we to slip in fresh cartridges. Die well, Hans, I said, and if you get there first, wait for me on the other side. Yes, boss, I always meant to do that, though not yet. We are not going to die this time, boss. Those who have the great medicine don't die. It is the others who die like that fellow. And he pointed to an amahager, who went reeling round and round with a bullet from his winchester through the middle, for he had fired in the midst of his remarks. Curse! I mean, bless the great medicine, I said, as I lifted my rifle to my shoulder. At that moment all those amahager, there were about sixty of them left, became ceased with a certain perturbation. They stood still, they stared towards the fold of ground out which they had emerged, they called to each other words which I did not catch, and then they turned to run. Umslopoga saw, and with the leader's instinct acted, springing over the parapet followed by his remaining sulus of the axe, he leapt upon them with a roar. Down they went before Incosicas, like corn before a sickle. The thing was marvellous to see. It was like the charge of a leopard. So swift was the rush, and so lightning-like were the strokes or rather the picks of that flashing axe. For now he was tapping at their heads or spines with a goach-like point upon its back, nor were these the only victims, for those brave followers of his also did their part. In a minute all who remained upon their feet of the amahager were in full flight, vanishing this way and that among the trees. Hands fired a parting shot after the last of them, then sat down upon a stone, and finding his corncob pipe proceeded to fill it. The great medicine-boss, he began sententiously, or perhaps your reverend father, the predicant, here he paused and pointed doubtfully with the bowl of the pipe towards the fold in the ground adding, Here it is, but I think it must be your reverend father, not the great medicine. Yes, the predicant himself returned from heaven, the place of fires. Looking vaguely in the direction he indicated, for I could not conceive what he meant, and thought that the excitement must have made him mad. I perceived a venerable old man with a long white beard and clothed in a flowing garment also white, who reminded me of Father Christmas at a child's party, walking towards us and radiating bendignancy. Also behind him I perceived a whole forest of spear points emerging from the gully. He seemed to take it for granted that we should not shoot him, for he came on quite unconcerned, carefully picking his way among the corpses. When he was near enough, he stopped and said in a kind of Arabic which I could understand. I greet you, strangers, in the name of her I serve. I see that I am just in time, but this does not surprise me, since she said it would be so. You seem to have done very well with the yeast-dogs, and he prodded a dead Amahager with his sandaled foot. Yes, very well indeed, you must be great warriors. Then he paused, and we stared at each other. End of Chapter 10 of She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Read by Lars Rolander Chapter 11 of She and Alan This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Chapter 11 Through the Mountain Wall These do not seem to be friends of yours, I said pointing to the fallen. And yet I added nodding toward the sparemen who were now emerging from the gully. They are very like your friends. Puppies from the same litter are often alike, yet when they grow up sometimes they fight each other. Replyed Father Christmas blandly. At least these come to save and not to kill you. Look, they kill the others. And he pointed to them, making an end of some of the wounded men. But who are these? And he glanced with evident astonishment, first at the fearsome looking umslipogas, and then at the grotesquans. Nay, answer not, you must be weary and need rest. Afterwards we can talk. Well, as a matter of fact we have not yet breakfasted, I'd replied. Also I have business to attend to here, and I glanced at our wounded. The old fellow nodded and went to speak to the captain of his force, doubtless as to the pursuit of the enemy, who presently I saw companies bring forward on their tracks, then assisted by hands and the remaining sulus of whom one was Koroko, I turned to attend to our own people. The task proved lighter than I expected, since the badly injured man was dead or dying, and the herds of the two others were in their legs and comparatively slight, such as Koroko could doctor in his own native fashion. After this, taking hands to guard my back, I went down to the stream and washed myself. Then I returned and ate, wondering the while that I could do so with appetite after the terrible dangers which we had passed. Still, we had passed them, and Robinson umslipogas with three of his men, I and Hans, were quite unharmed, a fact for which I returned thanks in silence but sincerely enough to Providence. Hans also returned thanks in his own fashion after he had filled himself, not before, and lit his cornpipe. But Robinson made no remark. Indeed, when he had satisfied his natural cravings, he rose and walking a few paces forward, stood staring at the cleft in the mountain cliff into which we had seen the litter vanish that Boris' daughter to some fate unknown. Even the great fight that we had fought, and the victory we had won against overpowering odds, did not appear to impress him. He only glared at the mountain until the heart of which Ines had been raped away and shook his fist. Since she was gone, all else went for nothing, so much so that he did not offer to assist with the wounded Sulus, or show curiosity about the strange old man by whom he had been rescued. The great medicine-bars, said Hans in a bewildered way, is even more powerful than I thought. Not only has it brought us safely through the fighting and without a scratch, for those Sulus there do not matter, and there will be less cooking for me to do now that they are gone. It has also brought down your reverent father the predicant from the place of fires in heaven, somewhat changed from what I remember him. It is true, but still without doubts the same. When I make my report to him presently, if he can understand my talk, I shall Stop your infernal nonsense, you son of a donkey, I broke in, for at this moment old Father Christmas, smiling more bittingly than before, reappeared from the clue into which he had vanished and advanced to watch us bowing with much politeness. Having seated himself upon the little wall that we had built up, he contemplated us, stroking his beautiful white beard, then said, addressing me, Of a certainty you should be proud, who with a few have defeated so many. Still had I not been ordered to come at speed, I think that by now you would have been as those are. And he looked towards the dead Sulus, who were laid out at a distance like men asleep, while their companions sought for a place to bury them. Ordered by whom, I asked, There is only one who can order, he answered, with mild astonishment. She who commands, she who is everlasting. It occurred to me that this must be some Arabic idiom for the eternal feminine, but I only looked vague and said, It would appear that there are some whom this exalted everlasting she cannot command. Those who attacked us, also those who have fled away yonder, and I waved my hands towards the mountain. No command is absolute. In every country there are rebels, even as I have heard in heaven above us. But, wonderer, what is your name? Watcher by night, I answered. Ah, a good name for one who must have watched well by night, and by day, too, to reach this country living where she who commands says that no man of your color is at foot for many generations. Indeed, I think she told me once that two thousand years had gone by since she spoke to a white man in the city of Korah. Did she indeed, I exclaimed, stifling a calf. You do not believe me? He went on smiling. Well, she who commands can explain matters for herself better than I, who was not alive two thousand years ago, so far as I remember. But what must I call him with the axe? Warrior is his name. Again a good name as to judge by the wounds on them. Certain of those rebels, I think, are now telling each other in hell. And this man, if indeed he be a man, he added, looking doubtfully at hands. Light in darkness is his name. I see. Doubtless because his color is that of the winter sun in thick fog, or a bad egg broken into milk, and the other white man, who mutters and whose brow is like a storm. He is called Avenger. You will learn why later on. I answered impatiently, for I grew tired of this catechus, adding, And what are you called? And, if you are pleased to tell it to us, upon what errand do you visit us in so fortunate an hour? I am Bilali, he answered, the servant and messenger of she who commands, and I was sent to save you and to bring you safely to her. How can this be, Bilali, seeing that none knew of our coming? Yet she who commands knew, he said with a benign and smile. Indeed, I think that she learned of it some moons ago through a message that was sent to her, and so arranged all things that you should be guided safely to her secret home. Since otherwise, how would you have passed a great pathless swamp of the loss? I think, she said, of but one man whom a snake bit. Now I stared at the old fellow, for how could he know of the death of this man, but thought it useless to pursue the conversation further. When you are rested and ready, he went on. We will start. Meanwhile, I leave you that I may prepare letters to carry those wounded men, and you also watch her by night, if you wish. Then, with the dignified bow, for everything about this old fellow was stately, he turned and vanished into the clue. The next hour or so was occupied in the burial of the dead Sulus, a ceremony in which I took no part beyond standing up and raising my hat as they were born away. For, as I have said somewhere, it is best to leave natives alone on these occasions. Indeed, I lay down, reflecting that strangely enough, there seemed to be something in old Sicalis tale of a wonderful white queen who lived in a mountain fastness, since there was the mountain as he had drawn it on the ashes, and the servants of that queen, who, apparently, had knowledge of our coming, appeared in the nick of time to rescue us from one of the tightest fixes in which I ever found myself. Moreover, the antique and courteous individual called Bilali spoke of her as she who is everlasting. What the Jews could he mean by that, I wondered. Probably that she was very old and therefore disagreeable to look on, which I confess to myself would be a disappointment. And how did she know that we were coming? I could not guess, and when I asked Robertson, he merely shrugged his shoulders and intimated that he took no interest in the matter. The truth is that nothing moved the man whose whole soul was wrapped in one desire, namely to rescue or avenge the daughter against whom he knew he had so sorely sinned. In fact, this loose living but reformed semen was becoming a monomaniac, and what is more, one of the religious type. He had a Bible with him that had been given to him by his mother when he was a boy, and in this he read constantly. Also, he was always on his knees, and at night I could hear him groaning and praying aloud. Doubtless now that the change of drink had fallen of him, the instincts and the blood of the dour old Covenanters, from whom he was descended, were asserting themselves. In a way this was a good thing, though for some time past I had feared lest it should end in his going mad, and certainly as a companion he was more cheerful in his unregenerate days. Abandoning speculation is useless and taking my chance of being murdered where I lay, for after all Bilalai's followers were singularly like the men with whom we had been fighting, and for all I knew might be animated by identical objects I just went to sleep, as I can do at any time to wake up an hour or so later feeling wonderfully refreshed. Hence, who when I closed my eyes was already asleep, slumbering at my feet curled up like a dog on a spot where the sun struck hotly, crowed me by saying, Awake, boss, they are here. I sprang up, snatching at my rifle, for I thought that he meant that we were being attacked again, to see Bilalai advancing at the head of a train of four litters made of bamboo with grass mats for curtains and coverings, each of which was carried by stalwart Amahager, as I supposed that they must be. Two of these, the finest, Bilalai indicated, were for Robertson and myself, and the two others for the wounded. Unslopogas and the remaining Sulus evidently were expected to walk, as was Hans. How did you make these so quickly? I asked, surveying their elegant and indeed artistic workmanship. We did not make them watcher by night, we brought them with us folded up, she who commands looked in her glass and said that four would be needed, besides my own, which is gender, two for white lords and two for wounded black men, which you see is the number required. Yes, I answered vaguely, marveling what kind of a glass it was that gave the lady this information. Before I could inquire upon the point Bilalai added, you will be glad to learn that my men caught some of those rebels who dared to attack you, eight or ten of them who had been hurt by your missiles or axe cuts and put them to death in the proper fashion. Yes, quite the proper fashion. And he smiled a little. The rest had gone too far where it would have been dangerous to follow them among the rocks. Enter now, my lord, watcher by night, for the road is steep, and we must travel fast if we would reach the place where she who commands is camped in the ancient holy city before the moon sinks behind the cliffs tonight. So having explained matters to Robert and Unslopogas, who announced that nothing would induce him to be carried like an old woman or a corpse upon a shield, and seeing that the herdsoulas were comfortably accommodated, Robertson and I got into our letters, which proved to be delightfully easy and restful. Then when our gear was collected by the hooked-nosed bearers to whom we were obliged to trust, though we kept with us our rifles and a certain amount of ammunition, we started. First went a number of Bilali sparemen, then came the letters with the wounded alongside of which Unslopogas and his three uninjured soulas talked or trotted, then another letter containing Bilali, then my own by which ran Hans and Robertson's, and lastly the rest of the armor-hugger and the relief bearers. I see now, Bass, said Hans, thrusting his head between my curtains, that Yonder Whitebeard cannot be your reverend father, the predicant after all. Why not, I asked, though the fact was fairly obvious. Because, Bass, if he were, he would not have left Hans, of whom he always thought so well to run in the sun like a dog, while he and the others travel in carriages like great white ladies. You had better save your breath instead of talking nonsense, Hans, I said, since I believe that you have a long way to go. In fact, it proved to be a very long way indeed, especially as after we began to breast the mountain we must travel slowly. We started about ten o'clock in the morning, for the fight which after all did not take long, had, it will be remembered, begun shortly after dawn, and it was three in the afternoon before we reached the base of the towering cliff which I have mentioned. Here at the foot of a remarkable isolated column of rock, on which I was destined to see a strange sight in the after-days, we halted an eight of the remaining food which we had brought with us, while the Amahager consumed their own, that seemed to consist largely of curdled milk, such as the Soulos called Maas and lumps of a kind of bread. I noted that they were a very curious people who fed in silence, and on whose handsome, solemn faces one never saw a smile. Somehow it gave me the creeps to look at them. Robertson was affected in the same way, for in one of the rare intervals of his abstraction, he remarked that they were no cunning. Then he added, Ask John Old Wizard, who might be one of the Bible Prophets, come to life, what those man-eating devils have done with my daughter. I did so, and Bilali answered. Say that they have taken her away to make a queen of her, since having rebelled against their own queen, they must have another who is white. Say, too, that she who commands will wage war on them, and perhaps win her back, unless they kill her first. Ah, Robertson repeated when I had translated, unless they kill her first, or worse. Then he relapsed into his usual silence. Presently we started on again, heading straight for what looked like a sheer wall of black rock, thousand feet or more in height, up a path so steep that Robertson and I got out and walked, or rather scrambled, in order to ease the bearers. Bilali, I noticed, remained in his litter. The convenience of the bearers did not trouble him. He only ordered an extra gang to the Poles. I could not imagine how we were to negotiate this precipice, nor could Umslopogas, who looked at it and said, If we are going to climb that macomasan, I think that the only one who will live to get to the top will be that little yellow monkey of yours. And he pointed with his axe at hands. If I do, replied that worthy much-nettled, for he hated to be called a yellow monkey by the Sulus, be sure that I will roll down stones upon any black butcher whom I see sprawling upon the cliff below. Umslopogas smiled grimly, for he had a sense of humor and could appreciate a repartee, even when it hit him hard. Then we stopped talking, for the climb took all our breath. At length we came to the cliff face, where, to all appearance, our journey must end. Suddenly, however, out of the blind black wall in front of us started the apparition of a tall man armed with a great spear and wearing a white robe, who challenged us hoarsely. Suddenly he stood before us, as a ghost might do, though whence he came we could not see. Presently the mystery was explained. Here in the cliff face there was a cleft, though one invisible even from a few paces away, since its outer edge projected over the inner wall of rock. Moreover, this opening was not about four feet in width, a mere split in the huge mountain mass caused by some titanic convulsion in past ages, for it was a definite split since, once entered. Far, far above could be traced a faint line of light coming from the sky, although the gloom of the passage was such that torches, which were stored at hand, must be used by those who threaded it. One man could have held the place against a hundred, until he was killed. Still it was guarded not only at the mouth where the warrior had appeared, but further along at every turn in the jagged chasp, and these were many. Into this grim place we went. The Sulus did not like it at all, for they are a light-loving people, and I noted that even Umslopogas seemed scared and hung back a little. Nor did Hans, who, with his usual suspicion, feared some trap. Nor, for the matter of that, did I, though I thought it well to appear much interested. Only Robertson seemed quite indifferent, and trudged along stolidly after a man carrying a torch. Old Bilali put his head out of the litter, and shouted back to me to fear nothing, since there were no pitfalls in the path. His voice echoing strangely between those narrow walls of measureless height. For half an hour or more we pursued this dreary winding path round the corner, so which the draught tore in gusts so fierce that more than once the litters with the wounded men and those who bore them were nearly blown over. It was safe enough, however, since on either side of us smooth and without break rose the sheer walls of rock over which lay the tiny ribbon of blue sky. At length the cleft widened somewhat and the light grew stronger, making the torches unnecessary. Then, of a sudden, we came to its end and found ourselves upon a little plateau in the mountain side. Behind us, for a thousand feet or so, rose the sheer rock wall, as it did upon the outer face, while in front and beneath, far beneath, was a beautiful plain, circular in shape, and of great extent, which plain was everywhere surrounded, so far as I could see, by the same wall of rock. In short, notwithstanding its enormous size, without doubt it was neither more nor less than the crater of a vast extinct volcano. Lastly, not far from the center of this plain was what appeared to be a city, since through my glasses I could see great walls, built of stone, and what I thought were houses, all of them of a character more substantial than any I had discovered in the wilds of Africa. I went to Bilali's litter and asked him who lived in the city. No one, he answered. It has been dead for thousands of years, but she who commands his camp there at present, with an army, and there we go at once, forward bearers. So, Roberson and I, having re-entered our litters, we started on downhill at a rapid pace, for the road, though steep, was safe, and kept in good order. All the rest of that afternoon we travelled, and by sunset reached the edge of the plain, where we halted a while to rest and eat, till the light of the growing moon grew strong enough to enable us to proceed. Umslopogas came up and spoke to me. Here is a fortress indeed, Makumasan, he said, since no one can climb that fence of rock in which the hole seemed to be few and small. Yes, I answered, but it is one out of which those who are in would find it difficult to get out. We are buffaloes in a pit, Umslopogas. That is so, he answered. I have thought it already, but if any would meddle with us we still have our horns and can toss for a while. Then he went back to his men. The sunset in that great, solemn place was a wonderful thing to see. First of all, the meshalous crater was filled with light, like a bowl with fire. Then, as the great orb sank behind the western cliff, half of the plain became quite dark, while shadows seemed to rush forward over the eastern part of its surface. Till that too was swallowed up in gloom, and for a little while there remained only a glow, reflected upon the cliff face and from the sky above, while on the crest of the parapet of rock played strange and glorious fires. Presently these two vanished, and the world was dark. Then the half-moon broke from behind a bank of clouds, and by its silver, uncertain light, we struggled forward across the flat plain, rather slowly now, for even the iron muscles of those bears grew tired. I could not see much of it, but I gathered that we were passing through crops, very fine crops to judge by their height, as doubtless they would be upon this lava soil. Also, once or twice, we splashed through streams. At length, being tired and lulled by the swaying of the litter, and by the sound of a weird, loud chant that the bears had set up now that they neared home, and were afraid of no attack, I sank into a dose. When I awoke again, it was to find that the litter had halted, and to hear the voice of Bilali say, Descend, white lords, and come with your companions, the black warrior and the yellow man who is named light in darkness. Shio commands desires to see you at once before you eat and sleep, and must not be kept waiting. Fear not for the others, they will be cared for till you return. Reading by Lars Rolander She and Alan by H. Rider Haggard Chapter 12 The White Witch I descended from the litter and told the others what the old fellow had said. Robertson did not want to come, and indeed refused to do so, until I suggested to him that such conduct might prejudice a powerful person against us. H. Lupogas was indifferent, putting, as he remarked, no faith in a ruler who was a woman. Only hence, although he was so tired, acquiesced with some eagerness, for the fact being that his brain was more alert, and that he had all the curiosity of the monkey tribe, which he so much resembled in appearance, and wanted to see this queen whom Sekali revered. In the end, we started, conducted by Bilali and by men who carried torches, whereof the light showed me that we were passing between houses, or at any rate, walls that had been those of houses, and along what seemed to be a paved street. Walking under what I took to be a great arch or portico, we came into a court that was full of towering pillars, but unroved, for I could see the stars above. At its end, we entered a building, a which the doorway was hung with mats, to find that it was lighted with lamps, and that all down its length, on either side, guards with long spears stood at intervals. "'O pas!' said Hans hesitatingly. "'This is the mouth of a trap!' While H. Lupogas glared about him suspiciously, fingering the handle of his great axe. "'Be silent!' I answered. "'All this mountain is a trap. Therefore another does not matter, and we have our pistols.' Walking forward between the double line of guards who stood immovable as statues, we came to some curtains hung at the end of a long narrow hall, which, although I know little of such things, were I noted made of rich stuff, embroidered in colors and with golden threads. Before these curtains Bilali motioned us to halt. After a whispered colloquy with some beyond carried on through the join of the curtains, he vanished between them, leaving us alone for five minutes or more. At length they opened at a tall and elegant woman with an Arab cast of countenance and clad in white robes appeared and beckoned us to enter. She did not speak or answer when I spoke to her, which was not wonderful as afterwards I discovered that she was a mute. We went in, I wondering very much what we were going to see. On the further side of the curtains was a room of no great size, illumined with lamps of which the light fell upon sculptured walls. It looked to me as though it might once have been the inmost court or a sanctuary of some temple. For at its head was a dais upon which once perhaps had stood the shrine or statue of a god. On this dais there was now a couch and on the couch a goddess. There she sat straight and still, closed in shining white and veiled, but with her drapery so arranged that they emphasized rather than concealed the wonderful elegance of her tall form. From beneath the veil, which was such as a bride wears, appeared two plates of glossy, graven hair of great length, to the end of each of which was suspended a single large pearl. On either side of her stood a tall woman, like her who had led us through the curtains, and on his knees in front, but to the right, Nelt Bilali. About this seated personage there was an heir of singular majesty. Such as might pervade a queen as fancy painter, though she had a nobler figure than any queen I ever saw depicted. Mystery seemed to flow from her. It clothed her like the veil she wore, which of course heightened the effect. Beauty flowed from her also. Although it was shrouded, I knew that it was there. No veil or coverings could obscure it, at least to my imagination. Moreover, she breathed out power also. One felt it in the air as one feels a thunderstorm before it breaks, and it seemed to me that this power was not quite human, that it drew its strength from afar and dwells a stranger to the earth. To tell the truth, although my curiosity always strong, was enormously excited, and though now I felt glad that I had attempted this journey with all its perils, I was horribly afraid, so much afraid that I should have liked to turn and run away. From the beginning I knew myself to be in the presence of an unearthly being, closed in a soft and perfect woman's flesh, something alien to, and different from our human race. What a picture it all made. There she sat, quiet and stately as a perfect marble statue. Only her breast, rising and falling beneath the white robe, showed that she was alive and breathed as others do. Another thing showed it also, her eyes. At first I could not see them through the veil, but presently, either because I grew accustomed to the light, or because they brightened as those of certain animals have power to do. When they watch intently, it ceased to be a covering to them. Distinctly I saw them now, large and dark, and splendid, with a tinge of deep blue in the iris, alluring, and yet awful in their majestic aloofness, which seemed to look through and beyond, to embrace all without seeking and without effort. Those eyes were like windows through which light flows from within, a light of the spirit. I glanced round to see the effect of this vision upon my companions. It was most peculiar. Hands had sunk to his knees. His hands were joined in the attitude of prayer, and his ugly little face reminded me of that of a big fish out of water, and dying from excess of air. Robertson, startled out of his abstraction, stared at the dry-looking woman on the couch with his mouth open. Man, he whispered, I've got them back, although I have touched nothing for weeks. Only this time they are lovely, for yawns no human lady, I feel it in my bones. Umslopogas stood great and grim, his hands resting on the handle of his tall axe, and he stared also, the blood pulsing against the skin that covered the hole in his head. Watcher by night, he said to me in his deep voice, but also speaking in a whisper, This chieftainess is not one woman, but all women. Beneath those robes of hers, I seem to see the beauty of one who has gone beyond of the lily who is lost to me. Do you not feel it thus, Makumasan? Now that he mentioned it, certainly I did. Indeed, I had felt it all along, although amid the rush of sensations, this one had scarcely disentangled itself in my mind. I looked at the draped shape and saw. Well, never mind whom I saw. It was not one only, but several in sequence. Also a woman who at that time I did not know, although I came to know her afterwards too well, perhaps, for at any rate quite enough to puzzle me. The odd thing was that in this hallucination, the personalities of these individuals seemed to overlap and merge, till at last I began to wonder whether they were not parts of the same entity or being, manifesting itself in sundry shapes, yet spring from one center, as different colored rays flow from the same crystal, while the beams from their source of light shift and change. But the fancy is too metaphysical for my poor powers to express as clearly as I would. Also no doubt it was but a hallucination that had its origin, perhaps in the mischievous brain of her who sat before us. At length she spoke and her voice sounded like silver bells, heard of a water in a great calm. It was low and sweet, oh, so sweet, that at its first notes for a moment my senses seemed to swoon and my pulse to stop. It was to me that she addressed herself, my servants here, and ever so slightly she turned her head towards the kneeling Bilali, tells me that you who are named watcher in the night understand the tongue in which I speak to you. Is it so? I understand Arabic of a kind well enough, having learned it on the east coast and from Arabs in past years, but not such Arabic as you use, oh, and I paused. Call me here, she broke in, which is my title here, meaning, as you know, she or woman. Or if that does not please you, call me Asha, it would rejoice me after so long to hear the name I bore, spoken by the lips of one on my collar and of gentle blood. I blushed at the compliment so artfully conveyed and repeated stupidly enough. Not such Arabic as you use, oh, Asha. I thought that you would like the sound of the word better than that of here, though afterwards I will teach you to pronounce it as you should. Oh, have you any other names say watcher by night, which seems also to be a title? Yes, I answered, Alan. Oh, Alan, tell me of these, she went on quickly, indicating my companions with a sweep of her slender hand, for they do not speak Arabic, I think, or stay. I will tell you of them and you shall say if I do so rightly. This one, and she nodded towards Robertson, is a man bemused. There comes from him a color which I see if you cannot, and that color betokens a desire for revenge, though I think that in this time he has decided other things also, as I remember men always did from the beginning to their ruin. Human nature does not change, Alan, and wine and women are ancient snares. Enough of him for this time. The little yellow one there is afraid of me, as are all of you. That is a woman's greatest power, although she is so weak and gentle. Men are still afraid of her just because they are so foolish that they cannot understand her. To them, after a million years, she still remains the unknown, and to us all the unknown is also the awful. Do you remember the proverb of the Romans that says it well and briefly? I nodded, for it was one of the Latin tags that my father had taught me. Good, well, he is a little wild man, is he not, nearer to the apes from whose race our bodies come. But do you know that, Alan? I nodded again and said, there are disputes about the point, Asham. Yes, they had begun in my day, and we will discuss them later. Still I say, nearer to the ape than you or I, and therefore of interest, as the German thinks is always. Yet he has his qualities, I think, cunning and fidelity and love, which in its round is all in all. Do you understand, Alan, that love is all in all? I answered verily that it depended upon what she meant by love, to which she replied that she would explain afterwards, when we had leisure to talk, adding. What this little yellow monk understands, by it at least, has served you well, or so I believe. You shall tell me the tale of it some day, now or the last, this black one. Here I think it's a man indeed a warrior or warriors, such as there used to be in the early world, if a savage. Well, believe me, Alan, savages are often the best. Moreover, all are still savage at heart. Even you and I, for what is deemed culture, is but coat upon coat of paint, laid on to hide our native color, and often there is poison in the paint. That acts of his has drank deep, I think, though always in fair fight, and I say that it shall drink deeper yet. Have I read these men a right, Alan? Not so ill, I answered. I thought it, she said, with a musical love. Although at this place I rust and grow dull like an unused sword, now you would rest. Go, all of you, tomorrow you and I will talk alone. Fear nothing for your safety. You are watched by my slaves, and I watch my slaves. Until tomorrow, then farewell. Go now, eat and sleep. As alas we all must do, who linger on this ball of earth, and cling to a life we should do so well to lose. Pilale, lead them hence. And she waved her hand to signify that the audience was ended. At this sign, hands who apparently was still much afraid, rose from his knees and literally bolted through the curtains. Robertson followed him. Umsloporgas stood a moment, drew himself up, and lifting the great axe cried, Bajete, after which he too turned and went. What does that word mean, Alan? She asked. I explained that it was the salutation, which the Sulla people only give to kings. Did I not say that savages are often the best? She exclaimed in a gratified voice. The white man, your companion, gave me no salute, but the black one knows when he stands before a woman who is royal. He too is of royal blood in his own land, I said. If so, we are akin, Alan. Then I bowed deeply to her in my best manner, and rising from her couch for the first time she stood up, looking very tall and commanding and bowed back. After this, I went to find the others on the further side of the curtains, except hands, who had run down the long narrow hall and threw the mats at its end. We followed, marching with dignity behind Bilali and between the double line of guards, who raced their spears as we passed them, and on the further side of the mats, discovered hands still looking terrified. Bas, he said to me as we threaded our way through the court of columns, in my life I have seen all kinds of dreadful things and faced them, but never have I been so much afraid as I am of that white witch Bas. I think that she is the devil of whom your reverent father, the predican, used to talk so much, or perhaps his wife. If so, Hans, I answered, the devil is not so black as he is painted, but I advise you to be careful of what you say, as she may have long heirs. It doesn't matter at all what one says, Bas, because she reads thoughts before they pass the lips. I felt her doing it there in that room, and do you be careful, Bas, or she will eat up your spirit and make you fall in love with her, who I expect is very ugly indeed, since otherwise she would not wear a veil. Whoever saw a pretty woman tie up her head in a sack, Bas. Perhaps she does this because she is so beautiful, Hans, that she fears the hearts of men who look upon her would melt. Oh, no, Bas, all women want to melt men's hearts, the more the better. They seem to have other things in their minds, but really they think of nothing else until they are too old and ugly, and it takes them a long while to be sure of that. So Hans went on talking his shrewd nonsense till, following so far as I could see the same roads as that by which we had come, we reached our quarters, where we found food prepared for us, broiled goat's flesh with corn cakes and milk, I think it was. Also beds for us two white men, covered with skin rugs and blankets woven a wool. These quarters, I should explain, consisted of rooms in a house built of stone, of which the walls had once been painted. The roof of the house was gone now, for we could see the stars shining above us, but as the air was very soft in this sheltered plain, this was an advantage rather than otherwise. The largest room was reserved for Robertson and myself, while another at the back was given to Umslopogas and Isulus, and a third to the two wounded men. Pilali showed us these arrangements by the light of lamps, and apologized that they were not better, because, as he explained, the place was a ruin, and there had been no time to build as a house. He added that we might sleep without fear as we were guarded, and none would dare to harm the guests of she who commands, on whom he was sure we, or generate, I and the Black Warrior, had produced an excellent impression. Then he bowed himself out, saying that he would return in the morning, and left us to our own devices. Robertson and I sat down on stools that had been set for us, and ate, but he seemed so overcome by his experiences, or by his somber thoughts that I could not draw him into conversation. All he remarked was that we had fallen into queer company, and that those who sucked was Satan, needed a long spoon. Having delivered himself of this sentiment, he threw himself upon the bed, prayed aloud for a while as it become his fashion, to be protected from warlocks and witches, amongst other things, and went to sleep. Before I turned in, I visited Omslopoga's room to see that all was well with him and his people, and found him standing in the doorway, staring at the star-spangled sky. Greetings, Makovarsan, he said. You who are white and wise, and I am Black and a fighter, have seen many strange things beneath the sun, but never such a one as we have looked upon tonight. Who and what is that chief tennis, Makovarsan? I do not know, I said, but it is worthwhile to have lived to see her, even though she is veiled. Nor do I, Makovarsan, nah, I do know, for my heart tells me that she is the greatest of all witches, and that you will do well to guard your spirit, lest she should steal it away. If she were not a witch, should I have seemed to behold the shape of Narda the Lily, who was the wife of my youth, beneath those white robes of hers, and though the tongue in which she spoke was strange to me, to hear the murmur of Narda's voice between her lips, of Narda, who has gone further from me than those stars. It is good that you wear the great medicine of Sikali upon your breast, Makovarsan, for perhaps it will shield you from harm at those hands that are shaped of ivory. Sikali is another of the tribe, I answered laughing, although less beautiful to see. Also I am not afraid of any of them, and from this one if she be more than some white woman whom it pleases to veil herself, I shall hope to gather wisdom. Yes, Makovarsan, such wisdom as spirits and the dead have to give. May happen, Umslopogas, but we came here to seek spirits, and the dead did we not. I answered Umslopogas, these and war, and I think that we shall find enough of all three. Only I hope that war will come the first, lest the spirits and the dead should be which me, and take away my skill and courage. Then we parted, and too tired, even to wonder any more. I threw myself down on my bed and slept. I was awakened when the sun was already high, by the sound of Robertson, who was on his knees, praying aloud as usual, a habit of his which I confess got on my nerves. Prayer, in my opinion, is a private matter between man and his Creator, that is, except in church. Further, I did not in the least wish to hear all about Robertson's sins, which seem to have been many and peculiar. It is bad enough to have to bear the burden of one's own transgressions without learning of those of other people, that is, unless one is a priest and must do so professionally. So I jumped up to escape and make arrangements for a wash, only to butt into old Bilali, who was standing in the doorway, contemplating Robertson with much interest and stroking his white beard. He greeted me with his courteous bow and said, Tell your companion or watcher that it is not necessary for him to go upon his knees to she who commands and must be obeyed. He added with emphasis, when he is not in her presence, and that even then he would do well to keep silent, since so much talking in a strange tongue might trouble her. I burst out laughing and answered, he does not go upon his knees and pray to she who commands but to the great one who is in the sky. Indeed, watcher, well here we only know a great one who is upon the earth, though it is true that perhaps she visits the sky sometimes. Is it so, Bilali? I answered incredulously. And now I would ask you to take me to some place where I can bathe. It is ready, he replied. Come. So I called to Hans, who was hanging about with a rifle on his arm, to follow with a cloth and soap, of which fortunately we had a couple of pieces left, and we started along what had once been a paved roadway running between stone houses, whereover the time-eaten ruins still remained on either side. Who and what is this queen of yours, Bilali? I asked as we went. Surely she is not of the Amahager blood. Ask it of herself, watcher, for I cannot tell you. All I know is that I can trace my own family for ten generations and that my tenth forefather told his son on his deathbed, for the saying has come down through his descendants that when he was young, she who commands had ruled the land for more scores of years than he could count months of life. I stopped and stared at him, since the lie was so amazing that it seemed to deprive me of the power of motion. Noting my very obvious disbelief, he continued blandly. If you doubt, ask. And now here is where you may bathe. Then he led me through an arched doorway and down a record passage to what very obviously once had been a splendid bathhouse, such as some I have seen pictures of that were built by the Romans. Its size was that of a large room. It was constructed of a kind of marble with a sloping bottom that varied from three to seven feet in depth, and water still ran in and out of it through large glazed pipes. Moreover round it was a footway about five feet across, from which opened chambers unroofed now that the bathers used as dressing rooms, while between these chambers stood the remains of statues. One at the end indeed, where an alcove had protected it from sun and weather, was still quite perfect, except for the outstretched arms which were gone. The right hand I noticed lying at the bottom of the bath. It was that of a new young woman in the attitude of diving, a very beautiful bit of work, I thought, though, of course, I am no judge of sculpture. Even the smile mingled with trepidation upon the girl's face was most naturally portrayed. This statue showed me two things, that the bath was used by females and that the people who built it were highly civilized, also that they belonged to an advanced, if somewhat eastern race, since the girl's nose was, if anything, semitic in character, and her lips, though prettily shaped, were full. For the rest the basin was so clean that I presume it must have been made ready for me or other recent bathers, and at its bottom I discovered gratings and broken pipes of earth and ware, which suggested that in the old days the water could be worn by means of furnace. This relic of a long past civilization excited Hans even more than it did myself, since having never seen anything of the sort he thought it so strange that, as he informed me, he imagined that it must have been built by witchcraft. In it I had a most delightful and much needed bath. Even Hans was persuaded to follow my example, a thing I had rarely known him to do before, and seated in its shallowed part, splashed some water over his yellow-wrinkled anatomy. Then we returned to our house, where I found an excellent breakfast had been provided, which was brought to us by tall, silent, handsome women who surveyed us out of the corners of their eyes, but said nothing. Shortly after I had finished my meal, Bilali, who had disappeared, came back again and said that she who commands, decide my presence, as she would speak with me, also that I must come alone. So after attending to the wounded, who both seemed to be getting on well, I went, followed by Hans, armed with his rifle, though I only carried my revolver. Robertson wished to accompany me, as he did not seem to care about being left alone with the Sulus in that strange place, but this Bilali would not allow. Indeed, when he persisted, two great men stepped forward and crossed their spears before him in a somewhat threatening fashion. Then at my entreaty, for I feared less trouble should arise, he gave in and returned to the house. Following our path of the night before, we walked up a ruined street, which I could see was only one of scores in what had once been a very great city, until we came to the archway that I have mentioned, a large one now overgrown with plants that from their yellow, sweet scented bloom I judged to be a species of wallflower, also with a kind of house-league or succifrage. Here Hans was stopped by Guards, Bilali explaining to me that he must await my return, an order which he obeyed unwillingly enough. Then I went on down the narrow passage, lined as before by Guards who stood silent to statues, and came to the curtains at the end. Before these, at a motion from Bilali, who did not seem to dare to speak in this place, I stood still and waited. End of Chapter 12 of She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Read by Lars Rolander