XV
　　THECHASE
　　TheMatabeleitwas，sureenough；therecouldbenodoubtofit，forsoonthreeothermenjoinedthesentryandbegantotalkwithhim，pointingwiththeirgreatspearsatthesideofthehill。Evidentlytheywerearrangingasurprisewhentherewassufficientlighttocarryitout。”Theyhaveseenourfire，”whisperedherfathertoBenita；”now，ifwewishtosaveourlives，thereisonlyonethingtodo——rideforitbeforetheymuster。Theimpiwillbecampedupontheothersideofthehill，sowemusttaketheroadwecameby。””ThatrunsbacktoBambatse，”falteredBenita。”Bambatseisbetterthanthegrave，”saidherfather。”PrayHeaventhatwemaygetthere。”
　　Tothisargumenttherewasnoanswer，sohavingdrunkasupofwater，andswallowingafewmouthfulsoffoodastheywent，theycrepttothehorses，mountedthem，andassilentlyaspossiblebegantoridedownthehill。
　　Thesentrywasaloneagain，theotherthreemenhavingdeparted。Hestoodwithhisbacktowardsthem。Presentlywhentheywerequitecloseontohim，heheardtheirhorses’hoofsuponthegrass，wheeledroundatthesound，andsawthem。Thenwithagreatshoutheliftedhisspearandcharged。
　　Mr。Clifford，whowasleading，heldouthisrifleatarm’slength——toraiseittohisshoulderhehadnotime——andpulledthetrigger。
　　Benitaheardthebulletclapuponthehideshield，andnextinstantsawtheMatabelewarriorlyingonhisback，beatingtheairwithhishandsandfeet。Also，shesawbeyondtheshoulderofthekopje，whichtheywererounding，hundredsofmenmarching，andbehindthemaherdofcattle，thedimlightgleaminguponthestabbingspearsandonthehornsoftheoxen。Sheglancedtotheright，andthereweremoremen。
　　Thetwowingsoftheimpiwereclosinguponthem。Onlyalittlelanewasleftinthemiddle。Theymustgetthroughbeforeitshut。”Come，”shegasped，strikingthehorsewithherheelandthebuttofhergun，andjerkingatitsmouth。
　　Herfathersawalso，anddidlikewise，sothatthebeastsbrokeintoagallop。Nowfromthepointofeachwingsprangoutthinlinesofmen，lookinglikegreathorns，ornippers，whosebusinessitwastomeetandcutthemoff。Couldtheypassbetweenthembeforetheydidmeet？
　　Thatwasthequestion，anduponitsansweritdependedwhetherornotheyhadanotherthreeminutestolive。Tothinkofmercyatthehandsofthesebloodthirstybrutes，aftertheyhadjustkilledoneoftheirnumberbeforetheireyes，wasabsurd。Itwastruehehadbeenshotinself-defence；butwhatcountwouldsavagestakeofthat，orofthefactthattheywerebutharmlesstravellers？WhitepeoplewerenotverypopularwiththeMatabelejustthen，astheyknewwell；also，theirmurderinthisremoteplace，withnotanotheroftheirracewithinacoupleofhundredmiles，wouldneverevenbereported，andmuchlessavenged。Itwasassafeasanycrimecouldpossiblybe。
　　Allthispassedthroughtheirmindsastheygallopedtowardsthoseclosingpoints。Oh！thehorrorofit！Buttwohundredyardstocover，andtheirfatewouldbedecided。Eithertheywouldhaveescapedatleastforawhile，ortimewouldbedonewiththem；or，athirdalternative，theymightbetakenprisoners，inallprobabilityayetmoredreadfuldoom。EventhenBenitadeterminedthatifshecouldhelpitthisshouldnotbefallher。ShehadtherifleandtherevolverthatJacobMeyerhadgivenher。Surelyshewouldbeabletofindamomenttouseoneortheotheruponherself。Sheclenchedherteeth，andstruckthehorseagainandagain，sothatnowtheyflewalong。TheMatabelesoldierswererunningtheirbesttocatchthem，andifthesehadbeengivenbutfivesecondsofstart，caughttheymusthavebeen。
　　Butthatshortfivesecondssavedtheirlives。
　　Whentheyrushedthroughthemtheforemostmenofthenipperswerenotmorethantwentyyardsapart。Seeingthattheyhadpassed，thesehaltedandhurledashowerofspearsafterthem。OneflashedbyBenita’scheek，alineoflight；shefeltthewindofit。Anothercutherdress，andathirdstruckherfather’shorseinthenearhindlegjustabovetheknee-joint，remainingfastthereforastrideortwo，andthenfallingtotheground。Atfirstthebeastdidnotseemtobeincommodedbythiswound；indeed，itonlycausedittogallopquicker，andBenitarejoiced，thinkingthatitwasbutascratch。Thensheforgotaboutit，forsomeoftheMatabele，whohadguns，begantoshootthem，andalthoughtheirmarksmanshipwasvile，oneortwoofthebulletswentnearerthanwaspleasant。Lastlyaman，theswiftestrunnerofthemall，shoutedaftertheminZulu:”Thehorseiswounded。Wewillcatchyoubothbeforethesunsets。”
　　Thentheypassedoverthecrestofariseandlostsightofthemforawhile。”ThankGod！”gaspedBenitawhentheywerealoneagaininthesilentveld；butMr。Cliffordshookhishead。”Doyouthinktheywillfollowus？”sheasked。”Youheardwhatthefellowsaid，”heansweredevasively。”DoubtlesstheyareontheirwaytoattackBambatse，andhavebeenroundtodestroysomeotherwretchedtribe，andstealthecattlewhichwesaw。
　　Yes，Ifearthattheywillfollow。Thequestionis，whichofuscangettoBambatsefirst。””Surelyweoughttoonthehorses，father。””Yes，ifnothinghappenstothem，”andashespokethewordsthemarewhichhewasridingdroppedsharplyuponherhindleg，thesamethathadbeenstruckwiththespear；thenrecoveredherselfandgallopedon。”Didyouseethat？”heasked。
　　Shenodded；thensaid:”Shallwegetoffandlookatthecut？””Certainlynot，”heanswered。”Ouronlychanceistokeephermoving；
　　ifoncethewoundstiffens，there’sanend。Thesinewcannothavebeensevered，oritwouldhavecomebeforenow。”
　　Sotheypushedon。
　　Allthatmorningdidtheycanterforwardwhereverthegroundwassmoothenoughtoallowthemtodoso，andnotwithstandingtheincreasinglamenessofMr。Clifford’smare，madesuchgoodprogressthatbymiddaytheyreachedtheplacewheretheyhadpassedthefirstnightafterleavingBambatse。Heresheerfatigueandwantofwaterforcedthemtostopalittlewhile。Theydismountedanddrankgreedilyfromthespring，afterwhichtheyallowedthehorsestodrinkalso；
　　indeeditwasimpossibletokeepthemawayfromthewater。Thentheyatealittle，notbecausetheydesiredfood，buttokeepuptheirstrength，andwhiletheydidsoexaminedthemare。Bynowherhindlegwasmuchswollen，andbloodstillranfromthegashmadebytheassegai。Moreover，thelimbwasdrawnupsothatthepointofthehoofonlyrestedontheground。”Wemustgetonbeforeitsetsfast，”saidMr。Clifford，andtheymountedagain。
　　Greatheavens！whatwasthis？Themarewouldnotstir。InhisdespairMr。Cliffordbeatitcruelly，whereuponthepoorbrutehobbledforwardafewpacesonthreelegs，andagaincametoastandstill。Eitheraninjuredsinewhadgivenortheinflammationwasnowsointensethatitcouldnotbenditsknee。Understandingwhatthismeanttothem，Benita’snervegaveoutatlast，andsheburstintoweeping。”Don’tcry，love，”hesaid。”God’swillbedone。Perhapstheyhavegivenupthehuntbynow；atanyrate，mylegsareleft，andBambatseisnotmorethansixteenmilesaway。Forwardnow，”andholdingtohersaddle-straptheywentupthelong，longslopewhichledtothepoortinthehillsaroundBambatse。
　　Theywouldhavelikedtoshootthemare，butbeingafraidtofirearifle，couldnotdoso。Sotheylefttheunhappybeasttoitsfate，andwithiteverythingitcarried，exceptafewofthecartridges。
　　Beforetheywent，however，atBenita’sprayer，herfatherdevotedafewsecondstounbucklingthegirthsandpullingoffthebridle，sothatitmighthaveachanceoflife。Foralittlewayithobbledafterthemonthreelegs，then，thesaddlestilluponitsback，stoodwhinnyingpiteously，tillatlast，toBenita’sintenserelief，aturnintheirpathhiditfromtheirsight。
　　Halfamilefurtheronshelookedroundinthefainthopethatitmighthaverecovereditselfandfollowed。Butnomarewastobeseen。
　　Somethingelsewastobeseen，however，forthere，threeorfourmilesawayupontheplainbehindthem，easytobedistinguishedinthatdazzlingair，wereanumberofblackspotsthatoccasionallyseemedtosparkle。”Whatarethey？”sheaskedfaintly，asonewhofearedtheanswer。”TheMatabelewhofollowus，”answeredherfather，”orratheracompanyoftheirswiftestrunners。Itistheirspearsthatglitterso。
　　Now，mylove，thisistheposition，”hewenton，astheystruggledforward:”thosemenwillcatchusbeforeeverwecangettoBambatse；
　　theyaretrainedtorunlikethat，forfiftymiles，ifneedbe。Butwiththisstarttheycannotcatchyourhorse，youmustgoonandleavemetolookaftermyself。””Never，never！”sheexclaimed。”Butyoushall，andyoumust。IamyourfatherandIorderyou。Asforme，whatdoesitmatter？Imayhidefromthemandescape，or——atleastIamold，mylifeisdone，whereasyoursisbeforeyou。Now，good-bye，andgoon，”andheletgoofthesaddle-strap。
　　BywayofanswerBenitapulledupthehorse。”Notoneyard，”shesaid，settinghermouth。
　　Thenhebegantostormather，callingherdisobedient，andundutiful，andwhenthismeansfailedtomoveher，toimploreheralmostwithtears。”Father，dear，”shesaid，leaningdowntowardshimashewalked，fornowtheyweregoingonagain，”ItoldyouwhyIwantedtorunawayfromBambatse，didn’tI？——becauseIwouldratherriskmylifethanstay。Well，doyouthinkthatIwishtoreturnthereandliveinthatplacealonewithJacobMeyer？Also，Iwilltellyouanotherthing。YourememberaboutMr。Seymour？Well，Ican’tgetoverthat；Ican’tgetoveritatall，andtherefore，althoughofcourseIamafraid，itisallonetome。No，wewillescapetogether，ordietogether；thefirstifwecan。”
　　Thenwithagroanhegaveuptheargument，andashefoundbreaththeydiscussedtheirchances。Theirfirstideawastohide，butsaveforafewtreesallthecountrywasopen；therewasnoplacetocoverthem。
　　TheythoughtofthebanksoftheZambesi，butbetweenthemandtheriverroseabare，rock-strewnhillwithseveralmilesofslope。Longbeforetheycouldreachitscrest，evenifahorsewereabletotravelthere，theymustbeovertaken。Inshort，therewasnothingtodoexcepttopushforthenek，andiftheywerefortunateenoughtoreachitbeforetheMatabele，toabandonthehorsethereandtrytoconcealthemselvesamongtheruinsofthehousesbeyond。This，perhaps，theymightdowhenoncethesunwasdown。
　　Buttheydidnotdeceivethemselves；thechanceswereatleastfiftytooneagainstthem，unlessindeedtheirpursuersgrewwearyandletthemgo。
　　Atpresent，however，theywerebynomeansweary，forhavingperceivedthemfromfaraway，thelong-leggedrunnersputonthepace，andthedistancebetweenthemandtheirquarrywaslessening。”Father，”saidBenita，”pleaseunderstandonething。Idonotmeantobetakenalivebythosesavages。””Oh！howcanI——”hefaltered。”Idon’taskyou，”sheanswered。”Iwillseetothatmyself。Only，ifIshouldmakeanymistake——”andshelookedathim。
　　Theoldmanwasgettingverytired。Hepantedupthesteephillside，andstumbledagainstthestones。Benitanotedit，andslippingfromthehorse，madehimmountwhilesheranalongside。Thenwhenhewasalittlerestedtheychangedplacesagain，andsocoveredseveralmilesofcountry。Subsequently，whenbothofthemwerenearlyexhausted，theytriedridingtogether——sheinfrontandhebehind，fortheirbaggagehadlongsincebeenthrownaway。Butthewearybeastcouldnotcarrythisdoubleburden，andafterafewhundredyardsofit，stumbled，fell，struggledtoitsfeetagain，andstopped。
　　Sooncemoretheywereobligedtorideandwalkalternately。
　　Nowtherewasnotmuchmorethananhourofdaylightleft，andthenarrowpasslayaboutthreemilesaheadofthem。Thatdreadfulthreemiles；everthereafteritwasBenita’sfavouritenightmare！AtthebeginningofittheleadingMatabelewereabouttwothousandyardsbehindthem；half-way，aboutathousand；andatthecommencementofthelastmile，sayfivehundred。
　　Natureisawonderfulthing，andgreatareitsresourcesinextremity。
　　Astheactualcrisisapproached，thewearinessofthesetwoseemedtodepart，oratanyrateitwasforgotten。Theynolongerfeltexhausted，nor，hadtheybeenfreshfromtheirbeds，couldtheyhaveclimbedorrunbetter。Eventhehorseseemedtofindnewenergy，andwhenitlaggedMr。Clifforddugthepointofhishuntingknifeintoitsflank。Gasping，panting，nowonemountedandnowtheother，theystruggledontowardsthatcrestofrock，whilebehindthemcamedeathintheshapeofthosesleuth-houndsofMatabele。Thesunwasgoingdown，andagainstitsflamingball，whentheyglancedbacktheycouldseetheirdarkformsoutlined；thebroadspearsalsolookedredasthoughtheyhadbeendippedinblood。Theycouldevenheartheirtauntingshoutsastheycalledtothemtositdownandbekilled，andsavetrouble。
　　Nowtheywerenotthreehundredyardsaway，andthecrestofthepasswasstillhalfamileahead。Fiveminutespassed，andhere，wherethetrackwasveryrough，thehorseblunderedupwardsslowly。Mr。Cliffordwasridingatthetime，andBenitarunningathisside，holdingtothestirrupleather。Shelookedbehindher。Thesavages，fearingthattheirvictimsmightfindshelteroverthehill，weremakingarush，andthehorsecouldgonofaster。Oneman，agreattallfellow，quiteout-distancedhiscompanions。Twominutesmoreandhewasnotoverahundredpacesfromthem，alittlenearerthantheyweretothetopofthepass。Thenthehorsestoppedandrefusedtostiranymore。
　　Mr。Cliffordjumpedfromthesaddle，andBenita，whocouldnotspeak，pointedtothepursuingMatabele。Hesatdownuponarock，cockedhisrifle，tookadeepbreath，andaimedandfiredatthesoldierwhowascomingoncarelesslyintheopen。Mr。Cliffordwasagoodshot，andshakenthoughhewas，atthissuprememomenthisskilldidnotfailhim。Themanwasstrucksomewhere，forhestaggeredaboutandfell；
　　thenslowlypickedhimselfup，andbegantohobblebacktowardshiscompanions，who，whentheymethim，stoppedaminutetogivehimsomekindofassistance。
　　Thathaltprovedtheirsalvation，foritgavethemtimetomakeonelastdespairingrush，andgainthebrowofthepoort。Notthatthiswouldhavesavedthem，however，sincewheretheycouldgotheMatabelecouldfollow，andtherewasstilllightbywhichthepursuerswouldhavebeenabletoseetocatchthem。Indeed，thesavages，havinglaiddownthewoundedman，cameonwithayellofrage，fiftyormoreofthem。
　　Overthepassfatheranddaughterstruggled，Benitariding；afterthem，perhapssixtyyardsaway，rantheMatabele，gatheredinaknotnowuponthenarrow，ancientroad，borderedbysteephillsides。
　　Thensuddenlyfromallaboutthem，asitappearedtoBenita，brokeouttheblazeandroarofrifles，rapidandcontinuous。DownwenttheMatabelebytwosandthrees，tillatlastitseemedasthoughbutquiteafewofthemwereleftupontheirfeet，andthosecameonnomore；theyturnedandfledfromtheneckofthenarrowpasstotheopenslopebeyond。
　　Benitasanktotheground，andthenextthingthatshecouldrememberwashearingthesoftvoiceofJacobMeyer，whosaid:”Soyouhavereturnedfromyourride，MissClifford，andperhapsitwasaswellthatthethoughtcamefromyoutomethatyouwishedmetomeetyouhereinthisveryplace。”
　　XVI
　　BACKATBAMBATSE
　　HowtheyreachedBambatseBenitanevercouldremember，butafterwardsshewastoldthatbothsheandherfatherwerecarrieduponlittersmadeofox-hideshields。Whenshecametoherownmindagain，itwastofindherselflyinginhertentoutsidethemouthofthecavewithinthethirdenclosureofthetemple-fortress。Herfeetweresoreandherbonesached，physicaldiscomfortsthatbroughtbacktoherinaflashalltheterrorsthroughwhichshehadpassed。
　　AgainshesawthefiercepursuingMatabele；againheardtheircruelshoutsandtheansweringcrackoftherifles；again，amidstthedinandthegatheringdarkness，distinguishedthegentle，foreignvoiceofMeyerspeakinghiswordsofsarcasticgreeting。Nextoblivionfelluponher，andafteritadimmemoryofbeinghelpedupthehillwiththesunpouringonherbackandassistedtoclimbthesteepstepsofthewallbymeansofaropeplacedaroundher。Thenforgetfulnessagain。
　　Theflapofhertentwasdrawnasideandsheshrankbackuponherbed，shuttinghereyesforfearlesttheyshouldfalluponthefaceofJacobMeyer。Feelingthatitwasnothe，orlearningitperhapsfromthefootfall，sheopenedthemalittle，peepingathervisitorfrombetweenherlonglashes。Heprovedtobe——notJacoborherfather，buttheoldMolimo，whostoodbesideherholdinginhishandagourdfilledwithgoat’smilk。Thenshesatupandsmiledathim，forBenitahadgrownveryfondofthisancientman，whowassounlikeanyonethatshehadevermet。”Greeting，Lady，”hesaidsoftly，smilingbackatherwithhislipsanddreamyeyes，forhisoldfacedidnotseemtomovebeneathitsthousandwrinkles。”Ibringyoumilk。Drink；itisfreshandyouneedfood。”
　　Soshetookthegourdanddranktothelastdrop，foritseemedtoherthatshehadnevertastedanythingsodelicious。”Good，good，”murmuredtheMolimo；”nowyouwillbewellagain。””Yes，Ishallgetwell，”sheanswered；”butoh！whatofmyfather？””Fearnot；heisstillsick，buthewillrecoveralso。Youshallseehimsoon。””Ihavedrunkallthemilk，”shebrokeout；”thereisnoneleftforhim。””Plenty，plenty，”heanswered，wavinghisthinhand。”Therearetwocupsfull——oneforeach。Wehavenotmanyshe-goatsdownbelow，butthebestoftheirmilkissavedforyou。””Tellmeallthathashappened，Father，”andtheoldpriest，wholikedhertocallhimbythatname，smiledagainwithhiseyes，andsquatteddowninthecornerofthetent。”Youwentaway，yourememberthatyouwouldgo，althoughItoldyouthatyoumustcomeback。Yourefusedmywisdomandyouwent，andI
　　havelearnedallthatbefellyouandhowyoutwoescapedtheimpi。
　　Well，thatnightaftersunset，whenyoudidnotreturn，cametheBlackOne——yes，yes，ImeanMeyer，whomwenamesobecauseofhisbeard，and，”headdeddeliberately，”hisheart。Hecamerunningdownthehillaskingforyou，andIgavehimtheletter。”Hereadit，andoh！thenhewentmad。Hecursedinhisowntongue；hethrewhimselfabout；hetookarifleandwishedtoshootme，butIsatsilentandlookedathimtillhegrewquiet。ThenheaskedwhyIhadplayedhimthistrick，butIansweredthatitwasnotrickofminewhohadnorighttokeepyouandyourfatherprisonersagainstyourwill，andthatIthoughtyouhadgoneawaybecauseyouwereafraidofhim，whichwasnotwonderfulifthatwashowhetalkedtoyou。Itoldhim，too，Iwhoamadoctor，thatunlesshewascarefulhewouldgomad；
　　thatalreadyIsawmadnessinhiseye；afterwhichhebecamequiet，formywordsfrightenedhim。Thenheaskedwhatcouldbedone，andI
　　said——thatnight，nothing，sinceyoumustbefaraway，sothatitwouldbeuselesstofollowyou，butbettertogotomeetyouwhenyoucameback。HeaskedwhatImeantbyyourcomingback，andIansweredthatImeantwhatIsaid，thatyouwouldcomebackingreathasteandperil——althoughyouwouldnotbelievemewhenItoldyouso——forIhaditfromtheMunwaliwhosechildyouare。”SoIsentoutmyspies，andthatnightwentby，andthenextdayandnightwentby，andwesatstillanddidnothing，thoughtheBlackOnewishedtowanderoutaloneafteryou。Butonthefollowingmorning，atthedawn，amessengercameinwhoreportedthatithadbeencalledtohimbyhisbrethrenwhowerehiddenuponhilltopsandinotherplacesformilesandmiles，thattheMatabeleimpi，havingdestroyedanotherfamilyoftheMakalangafardowntheZambesi，wasadvancingtodestroyusalso。Andintheafternooncameasecondspy，whoreportedthatyoutwohadbeensurroundedbytheimpi，buthadbrokenthroughthem，andwereridinghitherwardforyourlives。ThenItookfiftyofthebestofourpeopleandputthemunderthecommandofTamas，myson，andsentthemtoambushthepass，foragainsttheMatabelewarriorsontheplainwe，whoarenotwarlike，donotdaretofight。”TheBlackOnewentwiththem，andwhenhesawhowsorewasyourstrait，wishedtorundowntomeettheMatabele，forheisabraveman。ButIhadsaidtoTamas——’No，donottrytofightthemintheopen，fortheretheywillcertainlykillyou。’Moreover，Lady，Iwassurethatyouwouldreachthetopofthepoort。Well，youreachedit，thoughbutbythebreadthofabladeofgrass，andmychildrenshotwiththenewrifles，andtheplacebeingnarrowsothattheycouldnotmiss，killedmanyofthosehyenasofAmandabele。ButtokillMatabeleislikecatchingfleasonadog’sback:therearealwaysmore。Stillitserveditsturn，youandyourfatherwerebroughtawaysafely，andwelostnoone。””Where，then，aretheMatabelenow？”askedBenita。”Outsideourwalls，awholeregimentofthem:threethousandmenormore，underthecommandoftheCaptainMaduna，heoftheroyalblood，whoselifeyoubegged，butwhoneverthelesshuntedyoulikeabuck。””Perhapshedidnotknowwhoitwas，”suggestedBenita。”Perhapsnot，”theMolimoanswered，rubbinghischin，”forinsuchmattersevenaMatabelegenerallykeepsfaith，andyoumayrememberhepromisedyoulifeforlife。However，theyarehereraveninglikelionsroundthewalls，andthatiswhywecarriedyouuptothetopofthehill，thatyoumightbesafefromthem。””Butareyousafe，myFather？””Ithinkso，”herepliedwithadrylittlechuckleinhisthroat。”Whoeverbuiltthisfortressbuiltitstrong，andwehaveblockedthegates。Also，theycaughtnooneoutside；allarewithinthewalls，togetherwiththesheepandgoats。Lastly，wehavesentmostofthewomenandchildrenacrosstheZambesiincanoes，tohideinplacesweknowofwhithertheAmandabelecannotfollow，fortheydarenotswimariver。Therefore，forthoseofusthatremainwehavefoodforthreemonths，andbeforethentherainswilldrivetheimpiout。””Whydidyounotallgoacrosstheriver，Father？””Fortworeasons，Lady。Thefirstis，thatifweonceabandonedourstronghold，whichwehaveheldfromthebeginning，Lobengulawouldtakeit，andkeepit，sothatwecouldneverre-enterintoourheritage，whichwouldbeashametousandbringdownthevengeanceofthespiritsofourancestorsuponourheads。Thesecondis，thatasyouhavereturnedtouswestaytoprotectyou。””Youareverygoodtome，”murmuredBenita。”Nay，nay，webroughtyouhere，andwedowhatIamtoldtodofromAbove。Troublemaystillcomeuponyou；yes，Ithinkthatitwillcome，butoncemoreIprayyou，havenofear，foroutofthisevilrootshallspringaflowerofjoy，”andherosetogo。”Stay，”saidBenita。”HasthechiefMeyerfoundthegold？””No；hehasfoundnothing；buthehuntsandhuntslikeahungryjackaldiggingforabone。Butthatboneisnotforhim；itisforyou，Lady，youandyouonly。Oh！Iknow，youdonotseek，stillyoushallfind。
　　Onlythenexttimethatyouwanthelp，donotrunawayintothewilderness。HearthewordofMunwaligivenbyhismouth，theMolimoofBambatse！”Andashespoke，theoldpriestbackedhimselfoutofthetent，stoppingnowandagaintobowtoBenita。
　　Afewminuteslaterherfatherentered，lookingveryweakandshaken，andsupportinghimselfuponastick。Happywasthegreetingofthesetwowho，withtheirarmsabouteachother’sneck，gavethanksfortheirescapefromgreatperil。”Yousee，Benita，wecan’tgetawayfromthisplace，”Mr。Cliffordsaidpresently。”Wemustfindthatgold。””Botherthegold，”sheansweredwithenergy；”Ihateitsveryname。
　　WhocanthinkofgoldwiththreethousandMatabelewaitingtokillus？””SomehowIdon’tfeelafraidofthemanymore，”saidherfather；”theyhavehadtheirchanceandlostit，andtheMakalangaswearthatnowtheyhavegunstocommandthegates，thefortresscannotbestormed。
　　Still，Iamafraidofsomeone。””Who？””JacobMayer。Ihaveseenhimseveraltimes，andIthinkthatheisgoingmad。””TheMolimosaidthattoo，butwhy？””Fromthelookofhim。Hesitsaboutmutteringandglowingwiththosedarkeyesofhis，andsometimesgroans，andsometimesburstsintoshoutsoflaughter。Thatiswhenthefitisonhim，forgenerallyheseemsrightenough。Butgetupifyouthinkyoucan，andyoushalljudgeforyourself。””Idon’twantto，”saidBenitafeebly。”Father，Iammoreafraidofhimnowthanever。Oh！whydidyounotletmestopdownbelow，amongtheMakalanga，insteadofcarryingmeuphereagain，wherewemustlivealonewiththatterribleJew？””Iwishedto，dear，buttheMolimosaidweshouldbesaferabove，andorderedhispeopletocarryyouup。Also，Jacobsworethatunlessyouwerebroughtbackhewouldkillme。NowyouunderstandwhyIbelievethatheismad。””Why，why？”gaspedBenitaagain。”Godknows，”heansweredwithagroan；”butIthinkthatheissurethatweshallneverfindthegoldwithoutyou，sincetheMolimohastoldhimthatitisforyouandyoualone，andhesaystheoldmanhassecondsight，orsomethingofthesort。Well，hewouldhavemurderedme——Isawitinhiseye——soIthoughtitbettertogiveinratherthanthatyoushouldbeleftheresickandalone。Ofcoursetherewasoneway——”andhepaused。
　　Shelookedathimandasked:”Whatway？””Toshoothimbeforeheshotme，”heansweredinawhisper，”foryoursake，dear——butIcouldnotbringmyselftodoit。””No，”shesaidwithashudder，”notthat——notthat。Betterthatweshoulddiethanthathisbloodshouldbeuponourhands。NowIwillgetupandtrytoshownofear。Iamsurethatisbest，andperhapsweshallbeabletoescapesomehow。Meanwhile，letushumourhim，andpretendtogoonlookingforthishorribletreasure。”
　　SoBenitarosetodiscoverthat，saveforherstiffness，shewasbutlittletheworse，andfindingallthingsplacedinreadiness，settoworkwithherfather’shelptocooktheeveningmealasusual。OfMeyer，whodoubtlesshadplacedthingsinreadiness，shesawnothing。
　　Beforenightfallhecame，however，assheknewhewould。Indeed，althoughsheheardnostepandherbackwastowardshim，shefelthispresence；thesenseofitfelluponherlikeacoldshadow。Turningroundshebeheldtheman。Hewasstandingcloseby，butaboveher，uponabiggraniteboulder，inclimbingwhichhissoftveldschoons，orhideshoes，hadmadenonoise，forMeyercouldmovelikeacat。Thelastraysfromthesinkingsunstruckhimfull，outlininghisagile，nervousshapeagainstthesky，andintheirintenseredlight，whichflameduponhim，heappearedterrible。Helookedlikeapantherabouttospring；hiseyesshonelikeapanther’s，andBenitaknewthatshewasthepreywhomhedesired。Still，rememberingherresolution，shedeterminedtoshownofear，andaddressedhim:”Good-evening，Mr。Meyer。Oh！IamsostiffthatIcannotliftmynecktolookatyou，”andshelaughed。
　　Heboundedsoftlyfromtherock，likeapantheragain，andstoodinfrontofher。”YoushouldthanktheGodyoubelievein，”hesaid，”thatbynowyouarenotstiffindeed——allthatthejackalshaveleftofyou。””Ido，Mr。Meyer，andIthankyou，too；itwasbraveofyoutocomeouttosaveus。Father，”shecalled，”comeandtellMr。Meyerhowgratefulwearetohim。”
　　Mr。Cliffordhobbledoutfromhishutunderthetree，saying:”Ihavetoldhimalready，dear。””Yes，”answeredJacob，”youhavetoldme；whyrepeatyourself？Iseethatsupperisready。Letuseat，foryoumustbehungry；afterwardsI
　　havesomethingtotellyou。”
　　Sotheyate，withnogreatappetite，anyofthem——indeedMeyertouchedbutlittlefood，thoughhedrankagooddeal，firstofstrongblackcoffeeandafterwardsofsquarefaceandwater。ButonBenitahepressedthechoicestmorselsthathecouldfind，eyeingherallthewhile，andsayingthatshemusttakeplentyofnutrimentorherbeautywouldsufferandherstrengthwane。Benitabethoughtherofthefairytalesofherchildhood，inwhichtheogrefeduptheprincesswhomhepurposedtodevour。”Youshouldthinkofyourownstrength，Mr。Meyer，”shesaid；”youcannotliveoncoffeeandsquareface。””ItisallIneedto-night。Iamastonishinglywellsinceyoucameback。Icanneverrememberfeelingsowell，orsostrong。Icandotheworkofthreemen，andnotbetired；allthisafternoon，forinstance，Ihavebeencarryingprovisionsandotherthingsupthatsteepwall，forwemustprepareforalongsiegetogether；yetIshouldneverknowthatIhadliftedasinglebasket。Butwhileyouwereaway——ah！thenI
　　felttired。”
　　Benitachangedthesubject，askinghimifhehadmadeanydiscoveries。”Notyet，butnowthatyouarebackthediscoverieswillsooncome。Donotbeafraid；Ihavemyplanwhichcannotfail。Also，itwaslonelyworkinginthatcavewithoutyou，soIonlylookedaboutalittleoutsidetillitwastimetogotomeetyou，andshootsomeofthoseMatabele。Doyouknow？——Ikilledsevenofthemmyself。WhenIwasshootingforyoursakeIcouldnotmiss，”andhesmiledather。
　　Benitashrankfromhimvisibly，andMr。Cliffordsaidinanangryvoice:”Don’ttalkofthosehorrorsbeforemydaughter。Itisbadenoughtohavetodosuchthings，withoutspeakingaboutthemafterwards。””Youareright，”herepliedreflectively；”andIapologise，thoughpersonallyIneverenjoyedanythingsomuchasshootingthoseMatabele。Well，theyaregone，andthereareplentymoreoutside。
　　Listen！Theyaresingingtheireveninghymn，”andwithhislongfingerhebeattimetothevolleyingnotesofthedreadfulMatabelewar-
　　chant，whichfloatedupfromtheplainbelow。”Itsoundsquitereligious，doesn’tit？onlythewords——no，Iwillnottranslatethem。
　　Inourcircumstancestheyaretoopersonal。”NowIhavesomethingtosaytoyou。Itwasunkindofyoutorunawayandleavemelikethat，nothonourableeither。Indeed，”headdedwithasuddenoutbreakofthepantherferocity，”hadyoualonebeenconcerned，Clifford，Itellyoufranklythatwhenwemetagain，I
　　shouldhaveshotyou。Traitorsdeservetobeshot，don’tthey？””Pleasestoptalkingtomyfatherlikethat，”brokeinBenitainasternvoice，forherangerhadovercomeherfear。”AlsoitisIwhomyoushouldblame。””Itisapleasuretoobeyyou，”heansweredbowing；”Iwillnevermentionthesubjectanymore。NordoIblameyou——whocould？——notJacobMeyer。Iquiteunderstandthatyoufounditverydulluphere，andladiesmustbeallowedtheirfancies。Alsoyouhavecomeback；sowhytalkofthematter？Butlisten:ononepointIhavemadeupmymind；foryourownsakeyoushallnotgoawayanymoreuntilweleavethistogether。WhenIhadfinishedcarryingupthefoodImadesureofthat。Ifyougotolookto-morrowmorningyouwillfindthatnoonecancomeupthatwall——and，whatismore，noonecangodownit。
　　Moreover，thatImaybequitecertain，infutureIshallsleepnearthestairmyself。”
　　Benitaandherfatherstaredateachother。”TheMolimohasarighttocome，”shesaid；”itishissanctuary。””Thenhemustcelebratehisworshipdownbelowforalittlewhile。Theoldfoolpretendstoknoweverything，butheneverguessedwhatIwasgoingtodo。Besides，wedon’twanthimbreakinginuponourprivacy，dowe？Hemightseethegoldwhenwefindit，androbusofitafterwards。”
　　XVII
　　THEFIRSTEXPERIMENT
　　AgainBenitaandherfatherstaredateachotherblankly，almostwithdespair。Theyweretrapped，cutofffromallhelp；inthepowerofamanwhowasgoingmad。Mr。Cliffordsaidnothing。Hewasoldandgrowingfeeble；foryears，althoughhedidnotknowit，Meyerhaddominatedhim，andnevermoresothaninthishourofstressandbewilderment。Moreover，themanhadthreatenedtomurderhim，andhewasafraid，notsomuchforhimselfasforhisdaughter。Ifheweretodienow，whatwouldhappentoher，leftalonewithJacobMeyer？Theknowledgeofhisownfolly，understoodtoolate，filledhimwithshame。HowcouldhehavebeensowickedastobringagirluponsuchaquestinthecompanyofanunprincipledJew，ofwhosepastheknewnothingexceptthatitwasmurkyanddubious？Hehadcommittedagreatcrime，ledonbyaloveoflucre，andtheweightofitpresseduponhistongueandclosedhislips；heknewnotwhattosay。
　　ForalittlewhileBenitawassilentalso；hopediedwithinher。Butshewasabold-spiritedwoman，andbydegreeshercouragere-asserteditself。Indignationfilledherbreastandshonethroughherdarkeyes。
　　SuddenlysheturneduponJacob，whosatbeforethemsmokinghispipeandenjoyingtheirdiscomfiture。”Howdareyou？”sheaskedinalow，concentratedvoice。”Howdareyou，youcoward？”
　　Heshrankalittlebeneathherscornandanger；thenseemedtorecoverandbracehimself，asonedoeswhofeelsthatagreatstruggleisathand，upontheissueofwhicheverythingdepends。”Donotbeangrywithme，”heanswered。”Icannotbearit。Ithurts——
　　ah！youdon’tknowhowithurts。Well，Iwilltellyou，andbeforeyourfather，forthatismorehonourable。Idare——foryoursake。””Formysake？Howcanitbenefitmetobecoopedupinthishorribleplacewithyou？IwouldrathertrustmyselfwiththeMakalanga，oreven，”sheaddedwithbitterscorn，”evenwiththosebloody-mindedMatabele。””Youranawayfromthemveryfastalittlewhileago，MissClifford。
　　Butyoudonotunderstandme。WhenIsaidforyoursake，Imeantformyown。See，now。Youtriedtoleavemetheotherdayanddidnotsucceed。Anothertimeyoumightsucceed，andthen——whatwouldhappentome？””Idonotknow，Mr。Meyer，”andhereyesadded——”Idonotcare。””Ah！butIknow。Lasttimeitdrovemenearlymad；nexttimeIshouldgoquitemad。””Becauseyoubelievethatthroughmeyouwillfindthistreasureofwhichyoudreamdayandnight，Mr。Meyer——””Yes，”heinterruptedquickly。”BecauseIbelievethatinyouIshallfindthetreasureofwhichIdreamdayandnight，andbecausethattreasurehasbecomenecessarytomylife。”
　　Benitaturnedquicklytowardsherfather，whowaspuzzlingoverthewords，butbeforeeitherofthemcouldspeakJacobpassedhishandacrosshisbrowinabewilderedwayandsaid:”WhatwasItalkingof？Thetreasure，yes，theuncountabletreasureofpuregold，thatlieshidsodeep，thatissohardtodiscoverandtopossess；theuseless，buriedtreasurethatwouldbringsuchjoyandglorytousboth，ifonlyitcouldbecomeatandreckonedout，piecebypiece，coinbycoin，throughthelong，longyearsoflife。”
　　Againhepaused；thenwenton。”Well，MissClifford，youarequiteright；thatiswhyIhavedaredtomakeyouaprisoner，because，astheoldMolimosaid，thetreasureisyoursandIwishtoshareit。Now，aboutthistreasure，itseemsthatitcan’tbefound，canit，althoughIhaveworkedsohard？”andhelookedathisdelicate，scarredhands。”Quiteso，Mr。Meyer，itcan’tbefound，soyouhadbetterletusgodowntotheMakalanga。””Butthereisaway，MissClifford，thereisaway。Youknowwhereitlies，andyoucanshowme。””IfIknewIwouldshowyousoonenough，Mr。Meyer，forthenyoucouldtakethestuffandourpartnershipwouldbeatanend。””Notuntilitisdividedouncebyounceandcoinbycoin。Butfirst——
　　firstyoumustshowme，asyousayyouwill，andasyoucan。””How，Mr。Meyer？Iamnotamagician。””Ah！butyouare。Iwilltellyouhow，havingyourpromise。Listennow，bothofyou。Ihavestudied。Iknowagreatmanysecretthings，andIreadinyourfacethatyouhavethegift——letmelookinyoureyesawhile，MissClifford，andyouwillgotosleepquitegently，andtheninyoursleep，whichshallnotharmyouatall，youwillseewherethatgoldlieshidden，andyouwilltellus。””Whatdoyoumean？”askedBenita，bewildered。”Iknowwhathemeans，”brokeinMr。Clifford。”YoumeanthatyouwanttomesmerizeherasyoudidtheZuluchief。”
　　Benitaopenedherlipstospeak，butMeyersaidquickly:”No，no；hearmefirstbeforeyourefuse。Youhavethegift，thepreciousgiftofclairvoyance，thatissorare。””Howdoyouknowthat，Mr。Meyer？Ihaveneverbeenmesmerizedinmylife。””Itdoesnotmatterhow。Idoknowit；Ihavebeensureofitfromthemomentwhenfirstwemet，thatnightbythekloof。Although，perhaps，youfeltnothingthen，itwasthatgiftofyoursworkinguponamindintune，mymind，whichledmethereintimetosaveyou，asitwasthatgiftofyourswhichwarnedyouofthedisasterabouttohappentotheship——oh！Ihaveheardthestoryfromyourownlips。Yourspiritcanlooseitselffromthebody:itcanseethepastandthefuture；itcandiscoverthehiddenthings。””Idonotbelieveit，”answeredBenita；”butatleastitshallnotbeloosedbyyou。””Itshall，itshall，”hecriedwithpassion，hiseyesblazingonherashespoke。”Oh！Iforesawallthis，andthatiswhyIwasdeterminedyoushouldcomewithus，sothat，shouldothermeansfail，wemighthaveyourpowertofallbackupon。Well，theyhavefailed；Ihavebeenpatient，Ihavesaidnothing，butnowthereisnootherway。Willyoubesoselfish，socruel，astodenyme，youwhocanmakeusallrichinanhour，andtakenohurtatall，nomorethanifyouhadsleptawhile？””Yes，”answeredBenita。”Irefusetodelivermywillintothekeepingofanylivingman，andleastofallintoyours，Mr。Meyer。”
　　Heturnedtoherfatherwithagestureofdespair。”Cannotyoupersuadeher，Clifford？Sheisyourdaughter，shewillobeyyou。””Notinthat，”saidBenita。”No，”answeredMr。Clifford。”Icannot，andIwouldn’tifIcould。Mydaughterisquiteright。Moreover，Ihatethissupernaturalkindofthing。Ifwecan’tfindthisgoldwithoutit，thenwemustletitalone，thatisall。”
　　Meyerturnedasidetohidehisface，andpresentlylookedupagain，andspokequitesoftly。”IsupposethatImustacceptmyanswer，butwhenyoutalkedofanylivingmanjustnow，MissClifford，didyouincludeyourfather？”
　　Sheshookherhead。”Thenwillyouallowhimtotrytomesmerizeyou？”
　　Benitalaughed。”Oh，yes，ifhelikes，”shesaid。”ButIdonotthinkthattheoperationwillbeverysuccessful。””Good，wewillseeto-morrow。Now，likeyou，Iamtired。Iamgoingtobedinmynewcampbythewall，”headdedsignificantly。
　　*****”Whyareyousodeadsetagainstthisbusiness？”askedherfather，whenhehadgone。”Oh，father！”sheanswered，”can’tyousee，don’tyouunderstand？Thenitishardtohavetotellyou，butImust。InthebeginningMr。Meyeronlywantedthegold。Nowhewantsmore，measwellasthegold。I
　　hatehim！YouknowthatiswhyIranaway。ButIhavereadagooddealaboutthismesmerism，andseenitonceortwice，andwhoknows？IfonceIallowhismindtomastermymind，althoughIhatehimsomuch，Imightbecomehisslave。””Iunderstandnow，”saidMr。Clifford。”Oh，whydidIeverbringyouhere？ItwouldhavebeenbetterifIhadneverseenyourfaceagain。”
　　Onthemorrowtheexperimentwasmade。Mr。Cliffordattemptedtomesmerizehisdaughter。AllthemorningJacob，who，itnowappeared，hadpracticalknowledgeofthisdoubtfulart，triedtoinstructhimtherein。Inthecourseofthelessonheinformedhimthatforashortperiodinthepast，havinggreatnaturalpowersinthatdirection，hehadmadeuseofthemprofessionally，onlygivingupthebusinessbecausehefounditwreckedhishealth。Mr。Cliffordremarkedthathehadnevertoldhimthatbefore。”TherearelotsofthingsinmylifethatIhavenevertoldyou，”
　　repliedJacobwithalittlesecretsmile。”Forinstance，onceI
　　mesmerizedyou，althoughyoudidnotknowit，andthatiswhyyoualwayshavetodowhatIwantyouto，exceptwhenyourdaughterisnearyou，forherinfluenceisstrongerthanmine。”
　　Mr。Cliffordstaredathim。”NowonderBenitawon’tletyoumesmerizeher，”hesaidshortly。
　　ThenJacobsawhismistake。”YouaremorefoolishthanIthought，”hesaid。”HowcouldImesmerizeyouwithoutyourknowingit？Iwasonlylaughingatyou。””Ididn’tseethelaugh，”repliedMr。Clifforduneasily，andtheywentonwiththelesson。
　　Thatafternoonitwasputtoproof——inthecaveitself，whereMeyerseemedtothinkthattheinfluenceswouldbepropitious。Benita，whofoundsomeamusementintheperformance，wasseateduponthestonestepsunderneaththecrucifix，onelamponthealtarandothersoneeachsideofher。
　　Infrontstoodherfather，staringatherandwavinghishandsmysteriouslyinobediencetoJacob’sdirections。SoridiculousdidhelookindeedwhilethusengagedthatBenitahadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventingherselffromburstingintolaughter。Thiswastheonlyeffectwhichhisgrimacesandgesticulationsproduceduponher，althoughoutwardlyshekeptasolemnappearance，andevenfromtimetotimeshuthereyestoencouragehim。Once，whensheopenedthemagain，itwastoperceivethathewasbecomingveryhotandexhausted，andthatJacobwaswatchinghimwithsuchanunpleasantintentnessthatshere-closedhereyesthatshemightnotseehisface。
　　ItwasshortlyafterthisthatofasuddenBenitadidfeelsomething，akindofpenetratingpowerflowinguponher，somethingsoftandsubtlethatseemedtocreepintoherbrainlikethesoundofhermother’slullabyinthedimyearsago。Shebegantothinkthatshewasalosttravelleramongalpinesnowswrappedroundbysnow，falling，fallingintenmyriadflakes，everyoneofthemwithalittleheartoffire。Thenitcametoherthatshehadheardthissnow-sleepwasdangerous，thelastofallsleeps，andthatitsvictimsmustrousethemselves，ordie。
　　Benitarousedherselfjustintime——onlyjust，fornowshewasbeingborneovertheedgeofaprecipiceuponthewingsofswans，andbeneathherwasdarknesswhereindimfigureswalkedwithlampswheretheirheartsshouldbe。Oh，howheavywerehereyelids！Surelyaweighthungtoeachofthem，agoldenweight。There，there，theywereopen，andshesaw。Herfatherhadceasedhisefforts；hewasrubbinghisbrowwitharedpocket-handkerchief，butbehindhim，withrigidarmsoutstretched，hisglowingeyesfastenedonherface，stoodJacobMeyer。Byaneffortshesprangtoherfeet，shakingherheadasadogdoes。”Havedonewiththisnonsense，”shesaid。”Ittiresme，”andsnatchingoneofthelampssheranswiftlydowntheplace。
　　BenitaexpectedthatJacobMeyerwouldbeveryangrywithher，andbracedherselfforascene。Butnothingofthesorthappened。Awhileafterwardsshesawthetwoofthemapproaching，engagedapparentlyinamicabletalk。”Mr。MeyersaysthatIamnomesmerist，love，”saidherfather，”andI
　　canquitebelievehim。Butforallthatitisawearyjob。IamastiredasIwasafterourescapefromtheMatabele。”
　　Shelaughedandanswered:”TojudgebyresultsIagreewithyou。Theoccultisnotinyourline，father。Youhadbettergiveitup。””Didyou，then，feelnothing？”askedMeyer。”Nothingatall，”sheanswered，lookinghimintheeyes。”No，that’swrong，Ifeltextremelyboredandsorrytoseemyfathermakinghimselfridiculous。Greyhairsandnonsenseofthatsortdon’tgowelltogether。””No，”heanswered。”Iagreewithyou——notofthatsort，”andthesubjectdropped。
　　Forthenextfewdays，toherintenserelief，Benitaheardnomoreofmesmerism。Tobeginwith，therewassomethingelsetooccupytheirminds。TheMatabele，tiredofmarchingroundthefortressandsingingendlesswar-songs，haddetermineduponanassault。Fromtheirpointofvantageonthetopmostwallthethreecouldwatchthepreparationswhichtheymade。Treeswerecutdownandbroughtinfromagreatdistancethatrudeladdersmightbefashionedoutofthem；alsospieswanderedroundreconnoitringforaweakplaceinthedefences。WhentheycametooneartheMakalangafiredonthem，killingsome，sothattheyretreatedtothecamp，whichtheyhadmadeinafoldofgroundatalittledistance。SuddenlyitoccurredtoMeyerthatalthoughheretheMatabeleweresafefromtheMakalangabullets，itwascommandedfromthegreatereminence，andbywayofrecreationhesethimselftoharassthem。HisriflewasasportingMartini，andhehadanamplesupplyofammunition。Moreover，hewasabeautifulmarksman，withsightlikethatofahawk。
　　Afewtrialshotsgavehimtherange；itwasashadeundersevenhundredyards，andthenhebeganoperations。Lyingonthetopofthewallandrestinghisrifleuponastone，hewaiteduntilthemanwhowassuperintendingthemanufactureoftheladderscameoutintotheopen，when，aimingcarefully，hefired。Thesoldier，awhite-beardedsavage，sprangintotheair，andfellbackwards，whilehiscompanionsstaredupwards，wonderingwhencethebullethadcome。”Pretty，wasn’tit？”saidMeyertoBenita，whowaswatchingthroughapairoffield-glasses。”Idaresay，”sheanswered。”ButIdon’twanttoseeanymore，”andgivingtheglassestoherfather，sheclimbeddownthewall。
　　ButMeyerstayedthere，andfromtimetotimesheheardthereportofhisrifle。Intheeveninghetoldherthathehadkilledsixmenandwoundedtenmore，addingthatitwasthebestday’sshootingwhichhecouldremember。”Whatistheusewhentherearesomany？”sheasked。”Notmuch，”heanswered。”Butitannoysthemandamusesme。Also，itwaspartofourbargainthatweshouldhelptheMakalangaiftheywereattacked。””Ibelievethatyoulikekillingpeople，”shesaid。”Idon’tmindit，MissClifford，especiallyastheytriedtokillyou。”
　　XVIII
　　THEOTHERBENITA
　　Atirregulartimes，whenhehadnothingelsetodo，Jacobwentonwithhisman-shooting，inwhichMr。Cliffordjoinedhim，thoughwithlesseffect。SoonitbecameevidentthattheMatabelewereverymuchannoyedbythefatalaccuracyofthisfire。Lossoflifetheydidnotmindintheabstract，butwhennoneofthemknewbutthattheirownturnmightcomenexttoperishbeneaththesedownwardplungingbullets，thematterworeadifferentfacetothem。Toleavetheircampwasnoteasy，sincetheyhadmadeathorn/boma/roundit，toprotectthemincasetheMakalangashouldmakeanightsally；alsotheycouldfindnootherconvenientspot。Theupshotofitallwastohurrytheirassault，whichtheydeliveredbeforetheyhadpreparedsufficientladderstomakeiteffective。
　　AtthefirstbreakofdawnonthethirddayafterMr。Clifford’sattemptatmesmerism，Benitawasawakenedbythesoundsofshoutsandfiring。Havingdressedherselfhastily，shehurriedinthegrowinglighttowardsthatpartofthewallfrombelowwhichthenoiseseemedtocome，andclimbingit，foundherfatherandJacobalreadyseatedthere，theirriflesinhand。”Thefoolsareattackingthesmallgatethroughwhichyouwentoutriding，MissClifford，theveryworstplacethattheycouldhavechosen，althoughthewalllooksveryweakthere，”saidthelatter。”IfthoseMakalangahaveanyplucktheyoughttoteachthemalesson。”
　　ThenthesunroseandtheysawcompaniesofMatabele，whocarriedladdersintheirhands，rushingonwardsthroughthemorningmisttilltheirsightofthemwasobstructedbytheswellofthehill。Onthesecompaniesthetwowhitemenopenedfire，withwhatresulttheycouldnotseeinthatlight。Presentlyagreatshoutannouncedthattheenemyhadgainedthefosseandweresettinguptheladders。UptothistimetheMakalangaappearedtohavedonenothing，butnowtheybegantofirerapidlyfromtheancientbastionswhichcommandedtheentrancetheimpiwasstrivingtostorm，andsoonthroughthethinningfogtheyperceivedwoundedMatabelestaggeringandcrawlingbacktowardstheircamp。Ofthese，thelightnowbetter，Jacobdidnotneglecttotakehistoll。
　　Meanwhile，theancientfortressrangwiththehideoustumultoftheattack。Itwasevidentthatagainandagain，astheirfiercewar-
　　shoutsproclaimed，theMatabelewerestrivingtoscalethewall，andagainandagainwerebeatenbackbytherakingriflefire。Onceatriumphantyellseemedtoannouncetheirsuccess。ThefireslackenedandBenitagrewpalewithfear。”TheMakalangacowardsarebolting，”mutteredMr。Clifford，listeningwithterribleanxiety。
　　Butifsotheircouragecamebacktothem，forpresentlythegunscrackedlouderandmoreincessantthanbefore，andthesavagecriesof”Kill！Kill！Kill！”dwindledanddiedaway。AnotherfiveminutesandtheMatabelewereinfullretreat，bearingwiththemmanydeadandwoundedmenupontheirbacksorstretchedoutontheladders。”OurMakalangafriendsshouldbegratefultousforthosehundredrifles，”saidJacobasheloadedandfiredrapidly，sendinghisbulletswherevertheclusterswerethickest。”Haditnotbeenforthemtheirthroatswouldhavebeencutbynow，”headded，”fortheycouldneverhavestoppedthosesavageswiththespear。””Yes，andourstoobeforenightfall，”saidBenitawithashudder，forthesightofthisdesperatefrayandfearofhowitmightendhadsickenedher。”ThankHeaven，itisover！Perhapstheywillgiveupthesiegeandgoaway。”
　　But，notwithstandingtheircostlydefeat，fortheyhadlostoverahundredmen，theMatabele，whowereafraidtoreturntoBuluwayoexceptasvictors，didnothingofthesort。Theyonlycutdownaquantityofreedsandscrub，andmovedtheircampnearlytothebanksoftheriver，placingitinsuchapositionthatitcouldnolongerbesearchedbythefireofthetwowhitemen。Heretheysatthemselvesdownsullenly，hopingtostarveoutthegarrisonortofindsomeotherwayofenteringthefortress。
　　NowMeyer’sshootinghavingcometoanendforlackofmentoshootat，sincetheenemyexposedthemselvesnomore，hewasagainabletogivehisfullattentiontothematterofthetreasurehunt。
　　Asnothingcouldbefoundinthecavehedevotedhimselftotheoutsideenclosurewhich，itmayberemembered，wasgrownoverwithgrassandtreesandcrowdedwithruins。Inthemostimportantoftheseruinstheybegantodigsomewhataimlessly，andwererewardedbyfindingacertainamountofgoldintheshapeofbeadsandornaments，andafewmoreskeletonsofancients。ButofthePortuguesehoardtherewasnosign。Thusitcameaboutthattheygrewgloomierdaybyday，tillatlasttheyscarcelyspoketoeachother。Jacob’sangrydisappointmentwaswrittenonhisface，andBenitawasfilledwithdespair，sincetoescapefromtheirgaoleraboveandtheMatabelebelowseemedimpossible。Moreover，shehadanothercauseforanxiety。
　　Theill-healthwhichhadbeenthreateningherfatherforalongwhilenowfelluponhiminearnest，sothatofasuddenhebecameaveryoldman。Hisstrengthandenergylefthim，andhismindwassofilledwithremorseforwhatheheldtobehiscrimeinbringinghisdaughtertothisawfulplace，andwithterrorforthefatethatthreatenedher，thathecouldthinkofnothingelse。Invaindidshetrytocomforthim。Hewouldonlywringhishandsandgroan，prayingthatGodandshewouldforgivehim。Now，too，Meyer’smasteryoverhimbecamecontinuallymoreevident。Mr。Cliffordimploredtheman，almostwithtears，tounblockthewallandallowthemtogodowntotheMakalanga。
　　Heeventriedtobribehimwiththeofferofallhisshareofthetreasure，ifitwerefound，andwhenthatfailed，ofhispropertyintheTransvaal。
　　ButJacobonlytoldhimroughlynottobeafool，astheyhadtoseethethingthroughtogether。Thenhewouldgoagainandbroodbyhimself，andBenitanoticedthathealwaystookhisrifleorapistolwithhim。Evidentlyhefearedlestherfathershouldcatchhimunprepared，andtakethelawintohisownhandsbymeansofasuddenbullet。
　　Onecomfortshehad，however:althoughhewatchedherclosely，theJewnevertriedtomolestherinanyway，notevenwithmoreofhisenigmaticandamorousspeeches。Bydegrees，indeed，shecametobelievethatallthiswasgonefromhismind，orthathehadabandonedhisadvancesashopeless。
　　AweekpassedsincetheMatabeleattack，andnothinghadhappened。TheMakalangatooknonoticeofthem，andsofarasshewasawaretheoldMolimoneverattemptedtoclimbtheblockedwallorotherwisetocommunicatewiththem，athingsostrangethat，knowinghisaffectionforher，Benitacametotheconclusionthathemustbedead，killedperhapsintheattack。EvenJacobMeyerhadabandonedhisdigging，andsataboutalldaydoingnothingbutthink。
　　Theirmealthatnightwasamiserableaffair，sinceinthefirstplaceprovisionswererunningshortandtherewaslittletoeat，andinthesecondnoonespokeaword。Benitacouldswallownofood；shewaswearyofthatsun-driedtrek-ox，forsinceMeyerhadblockedthewalltheyhadlittleelse。Butbygoodfortunethereremainedplentyofcoffee，andofthisshedranktwocups，whichJacobpreparedandhandedtoherwithmuchpoliteness。Ittastedverybittertoher，butthis，Benitareflected，wasbecausetheylackedmilkandsugar。Supperended，Meyerroseandbowedtoher，mutteringthathewasgoingtobed，andafewminuteslaterMr。Cliffordfollowedhisexample。Shewentwithherfathertothehutbeneaththetree，andhavinghelpedhimtoremovehiscoat，whichnowheseemedtofinddifficultyindoingforhimself，badehimgood-nightandreturnedtothefire。
　　Itwasverylonelythereinthesilence，fornosoundcamefromeithertheMatabeleortheMakalangacamps，andthebrightmoonlightseemedtopeopletheplacewithfantasticshadowsthatlookedalive。Benitacriedalittlenowthatherfathercouldnotseeher，andthenalsosoughtrefugeinbed。Evidentlytheend，whateveritmightbe，wasnear，andofitshecouldnotbeartothink。Moreover，hereyeswerestrangelyheavy，somuchsothatbeforeshehadfinishedsayingherprayerssleepfelluponher，andsheknewnomore。
　　Hadsheremainedaswakefulasitwasoftenherfatetobeduringthosefearfuldays，towardsmidnightshemighthaveheardsomelight-
　　footedcreaturecreepingtohertent，andseenthatthemoon-rayswhichflowedthroughthegapingandill-closedflapwerecutoffbythefigureofamanwithglowingeyes，whoseprojectedarmswavedoverhermysteriously。ButBenitaneitherheardnorsaw。Inherdruggedrestshedidnotknowthathersleepturnedgraduallytoamagicswoon。Shehadnoknowledgeofherrising，orofhowshethrewherthickcloakabouther，litherlamp，and，inobediencetothatbeckoningfinger，glidedfromthetent。Sheneverheardherfatherstumblefromhishut，disturbedbythesoundoffootsteps，orthewordsthatpassedbetweenhimandJacobMeyer，while，lampinhand，shestoodnearthemlikeastrengthlessghost。”Ifyoudaretowakeher，”hissedJacob，”Itellyouthatshewilldie，andafterwardsyoushalldie，”andhefingeredthepistolathisbelt。”Noharmshallcometoher——Iswearit！Followandsee。Man，man，besilent；ourfortuneshangonit。”
　　Then，overcomealsobythestrangefiercenessofthatvoiceandgaze，hefollowed。
　　Ontheygotothewindingneckofthecavern，firstJacobwalkingbackwardsliketheheraldofmajesty；thenmajestyitselfintheshapeofthislong-haired，death-likewoman，cloakedandbearinginherhandthelight；andlast，behind，theold，white-beardedman，likeTimefollowingBeautytothegrave。Nowtheywereinthegreatcavern，andnow，avoidingtheopentombs，thewellmouthandthealtar，theystoodbeneaththecrucifix。”Beseated，”saidMeyer，andtheentrancedBenitasatherselfdownuponthestepsatthefootofthecross，placingthelampontherockpavementbeforeher，andbowingherheadtillherhairfelluponhernakedfeetandhidthem。Heheldhishandsaboveherforawhile，thenasked:”Doyousleep？””Isleep，”camethestrange，slowanswer。”Isyourspiritawake？””Itisawake。””Commandittotravelbackwardsthroughtheagestothebeginning，andtellmewhatyouseehere。””Iseearuggedcaveandwildfolkdwellinginit；anoldmanisdyingyonder，”andshepointedtotheright；”andablackwomanwithababeatherbreasttendshim。Aman，itisherhusband，entersthecave。Heholdsatorchinonehand，andwiththeotherdragsabuck。””Cease，”saidMeyer。”Howlongisthisago？””Thirty-threethousandtwohundredandoneyears，”cametheanswer，spokenwithoutanyhesitation。”Passon，”hesaid，”passonthirtythousandyears，andtellmewhatyousee。”
　　Foralongwhiletherewassilence。”Whydoyounotspeak？”heasked。”Bepatient；Iamlivingthroughthosethirtythousandyears；manyalife，manyanage，butnonemaybemissed。”
　　Againtherewassilenceforalongwhile，tillatlengthshespoke:”Theyaredone，allofthem，andnowthreethousandyearsagoIseethisplacechangedandsmoothlyfashioned，peopledbyathrongofworshipperscladinstrangegarmentswithclaspsuponthem。Behindmestandsthegravenstatueofagoddesswithacalmandcruelface，infrontofthealtarburnsafire，andonthealtarwhite-robedpriestsaresacrificinganinfantwhichcriesaloud。””Passon，passon，”Meyersaidhurriedly，asthoughthehorrorofthatscenehadleapttohiseyes。”Passontwothousandsevenhundredyearsandtellmewhatyousee。”
　　Againtherewasapause，whilethespirithehadevokedinthebodyofBenitalivedthroughthoseages。Thenslowlysheanswered:”Nothing，theplaceisblackanddesolate，onlythedeadsleepbeneathitsfloor。””Waittillthelivingcomeagain，”hecommanded；”thenspeak。””Theyarehere，”sherepliedpresently。”Tonsuredmonks，oneofwhomfashionsthiscrucifix，andtheirfollowerswhobowbeforetheHostuponthealtar。Theycome，theygo——ofwhomshallItellyou？””TellmeofthePortuguese；ofthosewhoweredrivenheretodie。””Iseethemall，”sheanswered，afterapause。”Twohundredandthreeofthem。Theyareraggedandwaywornandhungry。Amongthemisabeautifulwoman，agirl。Shedrawsneartome，sheentersintome。Youmustaskher”——thiswasspokeninaveryfaintvoice——”IamInomore。”
　　Mr。Cliffordattemptedtointerrupt，butfiercelyMeyerbadehimtobesilent。”Speak，”hecommanded，butthecrouchingfigureshookherhead。”Speak，”hesaidagain，whereonanothervoice，notthatofBenita，answeredinanothertongue:”Ihear；butIdonotunderstandyourlanguage。””GreatHeaven！”saidMeyer，”itisPortuguese，”andforawhiletheterrorofthethingstruckhimdumb，forhewasawarethatBenitaknewnoPortuguese。Heknewit，however，whohadlivedatLoren？oMarquez。”Whoareyou？”heaskedinthattongue。”IamBenitadaFerreira。IamthedaughteroftheCaptaindaFerreiraandofhiswife，theladyChristinha，whostandbyyounow。Turn，andyouwillseethem。”
　　Jacobstartedandlookedabouthimuneasily。”Whatdidshesay？Ididnotcatchitall，”askedMr。Clifford。
　　Hetranslatedherwords。”Butthisisblackmagic，”exclaimedtheoldman。”BenitaknowsnoPortuguese，sohowcomesshetospeakit？””BecausesheisnolongerourBenita；sheisanotherBenita，BenitadaFerreira。TheMolimowasrightwhenhesaidthatthespiritofthedeadwomanwentwithher，asitseemsthenamehasgone，”headded。”Havedone，”saidMr。Clifford；”thethingisunholy。Wakeherup，orIwill。””Andbringaboutherdeath。Touchordisturbher，andItellyoushewilldie，”andhepointedtoBenita，whocrouchedbeforethemsowhiteandmotionlessthatindeeditseemedasthoughalreadysheweredead。”Bequiet，”hewenton。”Isweartoyouthatnohurtshallcometoher，alsothatIwilltranslateeverythingtoyou。Promise，orIwilltellyounothing，andherbloodbeonyourhead。”