DitchinghamHouse，Norfolk，May，1917。
　　MydearRoosevelt，——
　　Youare，Iknow，aloverofoldAllanQuatermain，onewhounderstandsandappreciatestheviewsoflifeandtheaspirationsthatunderlieandinformhismanifoldadventures。
　　Therefore，sincesuchisyourkindwish，inmemoryofcertainhourswhereinbothofusfoundtruerefreshmentandcompanionshipamidsttheterribleanxietiesoftheWorld’sjourneyalongthatbloodstainedroadbywhichalone，soitisdecreed，thepurePeakofFreedommustbescaled，Idedicatetoyouthistaletellingoftheeventsandexperiencesofmyyouth。
　　Yoursincerefriend，H。RIDERHAGGARD。
　　ToCOLONELTHEODOREROOSEVELT，SagamoreHill，U。S。A。
　　Thisbook，althoughitcanbereadasaseparatestory，isthethirdofthetrilogyofwhich_Marie_and_ChildofStorm_arethefirsttwoparts。Itnarrates，throughthemouthofAllanQuatermain，theconsummationofthevengeanceofthewizardZikali，aliasTheOpenerofRoads，or“The-Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”upontheroyalZuluHouseofwhichSenzangaconawasthefounderandCetewayo，ourenemyinthewarof1879，thelastrepresentativewhoruledasaking。Although，ofcourse，muchisaddedforthepurposesofromance，themainfactsofhistoryhavebeenadheredtowithsomefaithfulness。
　　Withthesetheauthorbecameacquaintedafullgenerationago，FortunehavinggivenhimapartintheeventsthatprecededtheZuluWar。IndeedhebelievesthatwiththeexceptionofColonelPhillips，who，asalieutenant，commandedthefamousescortoftwenty-fivepolicemen，heisnowthelastsurvivorofthepartywho，undertheleadershipofSirTheophilusShepstone，orSompesuasthenativescalledhimfromtheZambesitotheCape，wereconcernedintheannexationoftheTransvaalin1877。RecentlyalsohehasbeencalleduponasapublicservanttorevisitSouthAfricaandtooktheopportunitytotravelthroughZululand，inordertorefreshhisknowledgeofitspeople，theircustoms，theirmysteries，andbettertopreparehimselfforthewritingofthisbook。HerehestoodbythefatalMountofIsandhlawanawhich，withsomedetailsofthebattle，isdescribedinthesepages，amongthegravesofmanywhomonceheknew，ColonelsDurnford，Pulleineandothers。AlsohesawUlundi’splainwherethetracesofwarstillliethick，andtalkedwithanoldZuluwhofoughtintheattackingImpiuntilitcrumbledawaybeforethefireoftheMartinisandshellsfromtheheavyguns。ThebattleoftheWallofSheetIron，hecalledit，perhapsbecauseoftheflashingfenceofbayonets。
　　Lastly，inamealiepatch，hefoundthespotonwhichthecorngrowsthin，whereKingCetewayobreathedhislast，poisonedwithoutadoubt，ashehasknownformanyyears。ItistobeseenattheKraal，ominouslynamedJazior，translatedintoEnglish，“Finished。”Thetragedyhappenedlongago，butevennowthequiet-facedZuluwhotoldthetale，lookingabouthimashespoke，wouldnottellitall。“Yes，asayoungman，Iwasthereatthetime，butIdonotremember，Idonotknow——theInkoosiLundandai。e。thisChronicler，sonamedinpastyearsbytheZulusstandsontheveryplacewherethekingdied——Hisbedwasontheleftofthedoor-holeofthehut。”andsoforth，butnocertainwordastotheexactreasonofthissuddenandviolentdeathorbywhomitwascaused。Thenameofthatdestroyerofakingisforeverhid。
　　InthisstorytheactualandimmediatecauseofthedeclarationofwaragainsttheBritishPowerisrepresentedastheappearanceofthewhitegoddess，orspiritoftheZulus，whois，orwas，calledNomkubulwanaorInkosazana-y-Zulu，i。e。thePrincessofHeaven。Theexactcircumstanceswhichledtothisdecisionarenotnowascertainable，thoughitisknownthattherewasmuchdifferenceofopinionamongtheZuluIndunasorgreatcaptains，andlikethewriter，manybelievethatKingCetewayowaspersonallyaversetowaragainsthisoldallies，theEnglish。
　　Theauthor’sfriend，Mr。J。Y。Gibson，atpresenttherepresentativeoftheUnioninZululand，writesinhisadmirablehistory：“TherewasagooddealofdiscussionamongsttheassembledZulunotablesatUlundi，butofhowcounselwasswayeditisnotpossiblenowtoobtainareliableaccount。”
　　ThelateMr。F。B。Fynney，F。R。G。S。，whoalsowashisfriendindaysbygone，and，withtheexceptionofSirTheophilusShepstone，whoperhapsknewtheZulusandtheirlanguagebetterthananyotherofficialofhisday，speakingofthisfabledgoddesswrote：
　　“IrememberthatjustbeforetheZuluWarNomkubulwanaappearedrevealingsomethingorotherwhichhadagreateffectthroughouttheland。”
　　TheusemadeofthisstrangetraditionalGuardianAngelinthefollowingtaleisnotthereforeanunsupportedflightoffancy，andthesamemaybesaidofmanyotherincidents，suchastheaccountofthereadingoftheproclamationannexingtheTransvaalatPretoriain1877，whichhavebeenintroducedtoservethepurposesoftheromance。
　　Mameena，whohauntsitspages，inaliteralaswellasfigurativesense，istheheroineof_ChildofStorm，_abooktowhichshegaveherownpoetictitle。
　　1916。
　　THEAUTHOR。
　　CHAPTERI
　　ALLANQUATERMAINMEETSANSCOMBE
　　You，myfriend，intowhosehand，ifyoulive，Ihopethesescribblingsofminewillpassoneday，mustwellrememberthe12thofApriloftheyear1877atPretoria。SirTheophilusShepstone，orSompesu，forIprefertocallhimbyhisnativename，havinginvestigatedtheaffairsoftheTransvaalforacoupleofmonthsorso，hadmadeuphismindtoannexthatcountrytotheBritishCrown。ItsohappenedthatI，AllanQuatermain，hadbeenonashootingandtradingexpeditionatthebackoftheLydenburgdistrictwheretherewasplentyofgametobekilledinthosetimes。HearingthatgreateventsweretowardImadeupmymind，curiositybeingoneofmyweaknesses，tocomeroundbyPretoria，whichafterallwasnotveryfaroutofmyway，insteadofstrikingstraightbacktoNatal。AsitchancedI
　　reachedthetownabouteleveno’clockonthisverymorningofthe12thofApriland，trekkingtotheChurchSquare，proceededtooutspanthere，aswasusualintheSeventies。Theplacewasfullofpeople，EnglishandDutchtogether，andInotedthattheformerseemedveryelatedandweretalkingexcitedly，whilethelatterforthemostpartappearedtobesullenanddepressed。
　　PresentlyIsawamanIknew，atall，darkman，averygoodfellowandanexcellentshot，namedRobinson。Bythewayyouknewhimalso，forafterwardshewasanofficerinthePretoriaHorseatthetimeoftheZuluwar，thecorpsinwhichyouheldacommission。Icalledtohimandaskedwhatwasup。
　　“Agooddeal，Allan。”hesaidasheshookmyhand。“Indeedweshallbeluckyifallisn’tup，orsomethinglikeit，beforethedayisover。Shepstone’sProclamationannexingtheTransvaalisgoingtobereadpresently。”
　　Iwhistledandasked，“HowwillourBoerfriendstakeit？Theydon’tlookverypleased。”
　　“That’sjustwhatnooneknows，Allan。BurgersthePresidentissquared，theysay。Heistohaveapension；alsohethinksittheonlythingtobedone。MostoftheHollandersupheredon’tlikeit，butIdoubtwhethertheywillputouttheirhandsfurtherthantheycandrawthemback。Thequestionis——whatwillbethelineoftheBoersthemselves？Therearealotofthemabout，allarmed，yousee，andmoreoutsidethetown。”
　　“Whatdoyouthink？“
　　“Can’ttellyou。Anythingmayhappen。TheymayshootShepstoneandhisstaffandthetwenty-fivepolicemen，ortheymayjustgrumbleandgohome。Probablytheyhavenofixedplan。”
　　“HowabouttheEnglish？“
　　“Oh！weareallcrazywithjoy，butofcoursethereisnoorganizationandmanyhavenoarms。Alsothereareonlyafewofus。”
　　“Well。”Ianswered，“Icameheretolookforexcitement，lifehavingbeendullformeoflate，anditseemsthatIhavefoundit。StillIbetyouthoseDutchmendonothing，exceptprotest。
　　TheyareslimandknowthattheshootingofanunarmedmissionwouldbringEnglandontheirheads。”
　　“Can’tsay，Iamsure。TheylikeShepstonewhounderstandsthem，andthemoveissoboldthatittakestheirbreathaway。ButastheKaffirssay，whenastrongwindblowsasmallsparkwillmakethewholeveldburn。Itjustdependsuponwhetherthesparkisthere。IfanEnglishmanandaBoerbegantofightforinstance，anythingmighthappen。Goodbye，Ihavegotamessagetodeliver。
　　IfthingsgorightwemightdineattheEuropeantonight，andiftheydon’t，goodnessknowswhereweshalldine。”
　　Inoddedsagelyandhedeparted。ThenIwenttomywagontotelltheboysnottosendtheoxenofftograzeatpresent，forI
　　fearedlesttheyshouldbestolenifthereweretrouble，buttokeepthemtiedtothetrek-tow。AfterthisIputonthebestcoatandhatIhad，feelingthatasanEnglishmanitwasmydutytolookdecentonsuchanoccasion，washed，brushedmyhair——withmeaceremonywithoutmeaning，foritalwayssticksup——andslippedaloadedSmith&Wessonrevolverintomyinnerpoacherpocket。ThenIstartedouttoseethefun，andavoidingthegroupsofsurly-lookingBoers，mingledwiththecrowdthatIsawwasgatheringinfrontofalong，lowbuildingwithabroadstoep，whichIsupposed，rightly，tobeoneoftheGovernmentoffices。
　　PresentlyIfoundmyselfstandingbyatall，ratherloosely-builtmanwhosefaceattractedme。Itwasclean-shavenandmuchbronzedbythesun，butnotinanywaygood-looking；thefeaturesweretooirregularandthenosewasatrifletoolongforgoodlooks。Stilltheimpressionitgavewaspleasantandthesteadyblueeyeshadthattwinkleinthemwhichsuggestshumour。Hemighthavebeenthirtyorthirty-fiveyearsofage，andnotwithstandinghisroughdressthatconsistedmainlyofapairoftrousersheldupbyabelttowhichhungapistol，andacommonflannelshirt，forheworenocoat，IguessedatoncethathewasEnglish-born。
　　Forawhileneitherofussaidanythingafterthetaciturnhabitofourpeopleevenontheveld，andindeedIwasfullyoccupiedinlisteningtothetruculenttalkofalittlepartyofmountedBoersbehindus。Iputmypipeintomymouthandbegantohuntformytobacco，takingtheopportunitytoshowthehiltofmyrevolver，sothatthesemenmightseethatIwasarmed。Itwasnottobefound，Ihadleftitinthewagon。
　　“IfyousmokeBoertobacco。”saidthestranger，“Icanhelpyou。”
　　andInotedthatthevoicewasaspleasantastheface，andknewatoncethattheownerofitwasagentleman。
　　“Thankyou，Sir。Ineversmokeanythingelse。”Ianswered，whereonheproducedfromhistrouserspocketapouchmadeoflionskinofunusuallydarkcolour。
　　“Ineversawalionasblackasthis，exceptoncebeyondBuluwayoonthebordersofLobengula’scountry。”Isaidbywayofmakingconversation。
　　“Curious。”answeredthestranger，“forthat’swhereIshotthebruteafewmonthsago。Itriedtokeepthewholeskinbutthewhiteantsgotatit。”
　　“Beentradingupthere？“Iasked。
　　“Nothingsouseful。”hesaid。“Justidlingandshooting。CametothiscountrybecauseitwasoneoftheveryfewIhadneverseen，andhaveonlybeenhereayear。IthinkIhavehadaboutenoughofit，though。CanyoutellmeofanyboatsrunningfromDurbantoIndia？IshouldliketoseethosewildsheepinKashmir。”
　　ItoldhimthatIdidnotknowforcertainasIhadnevertakenanyinterestinIndia，beinganAfricanelephant-hunterandtrader，butIthoughttheydidoccasionally。JustthenRobinsonpassedbyandcalledtome——
　　“They’llbeherepresently，Quatermain，butSompesuisn’tcominghimself。”
　　“DoesyournamehappentobeAllanQuatermain？“askedthestranger。“IfsoIhaveheardplentyaboutyouupinLobengula’scountry，andofyourwonderfulshooting。”
　　“Yes。”Ireplied，“butasfortheshooting，nativesalwaysexaggerate。”
　　“Theyneverexaggeratedaboutmine。”hesaidwithatwinkleinhiseye。“AnyhowIamverygladtoseeyouintheflesh，thoughinthespirityouratherboredmebecauseIheardtoomuchofyou。WheneverImadeaparticularly，badmiss，mygun-bearer，whoatsometimeseemstohavebeenyours，wouldsay，’Ah！ifonlyithadbeentheInkosiMacumazahn，howdifferentwouldhavebeentheend！’MynameisAnscombe，MauriceAnscombe。”headdedrathershyly。AfterwardsIdiscoveredfromabookofreferencethathewasayoungersonofLordMountford，oneoftherichestpeersinEngland。
　　Thenwebothlaughedandhesaid——
　　“Tellme，Mr。Quatermain，ifyouwill，whatthoseBoersaresayingbehindus。Iamsureitissomethingunpleasant，butastheonlyDutchIknowis’GutenTag’and’Vootsack’Good-dayandGetoutthattakesmenoforwarder。”
　　“Itoughtto。”Ianswered，“forthesubstanceoftheirtalkisthattheyobjecttobe’vootsacked’bytheBritishGovernmentasrepresentedbySirTheophilusShepstone。Theyaredeclaringthattheywontheland’withtheirblood’andwanttokeeptheirownflagflyingoverit。”
　　“Averynaturalsentiment。”brokeinAnscombe。
　　“TheysaythattheywishtoshootalldamnedEnglishmen，especiallyShepstoneandhispeople，andthattheywouldmakeabeginningnowweretheynotafraidthatthedamnedEnglishGovernment，beingangered，wouldsendthousandsofdamnedEnglishrooibatjes，thatis，red-coats，andshoot_them_outofevilrevenge。”
　　“Averynaturalconclusion。”laughedAnscombeagain，“whichI
　　shouldadvisethemtoleaveuntested。Hush！Herecomestheshow。”
　　IlookedandsawabodyofblackcoatedgentlemenwithoneofficerintheuniformofaColonelofEngineers，advancingslowly。I
　　rememberthatitremindedmeofafuneralprocessionfollowingthecorpseoftheRepublicthathadgoneonaheadoutofsight。
　　Theprocessionarriveduponthestoepoppositetousandbegantosortitselfout，whereontheEnglishpresentraisedacheerandtheBoersbehinduscursedaudibly。Inthemiddleappearedanelderlygentlemanwithwhiskersandastoop，inwhomIrecognizedMr。Osborn，knownbytheKaffirsasMalimati，theChiefoftheStaff。Byhissidewasatallyoungfellow，yourself，myfriend，scarcelymorethanaladthen，carryingpapers。Thereststoodtorightandleftinaformalline。_You_gaveaprinteddocumenttoMr。Osbornwhoputonhisglassesandbegantoreadinalowvoicewhichfewcouldhear，andInoticedthathishandtrembled。Presentlyhegrewconfused，losthisplace，foundit，lostitagainandcametoafullstop。
　　“Anervous-naturedman。”remarkedMr。Anscombe。“Perhapshethinksthatthosegentlemenaregoingtoshoot。”
　　“Thatwouldn’ttroublehim。”Ianswered，whoknewhimwell。“Hisfearsarepurelymental。”
　　ThatwastruesinceIknowthatthissameSirMelmothOsbornasheisnow，asIhavetoldinthebookIcalled_ChildofStorm_，swamtheTugelaalonetowatchthebattleofIndondakasukaragingroundhim，andonanotheroccasionkilledtwoKaffirsrushingathimwitharightandleftshotwithoutturningahair。Itwasreadingthispaperthatparalyzedhim，notanyfearofwhatmighthappen。
　　Therefollowedaveryawkwardpausesuchasoccurswhenamanbreaksdowninaspeech。ThemembersoftheStafflookedathimandateachother，thenbehold！you，myfriend，grabbedthepaperfromhishandandwentonreadingitinaloudclearvoice。
　　“Thatyoungmanhasplentyofnerve。”saidMr。Anscombe。
　　“Yes。”Irepliedinawhisper。“Quiterightthough。Wouldhavebeenabadomenifthethinghadcometoastop。”
　　Well，therewerenomorebreakdowns，andatlastthelongdocumentwasfinishedandtheTransvaalannexed。TheBritishersbegantocheerbutstoppedtolistentotheformalprotestoftheBoerGovernment，ifitcouldbecalledagovernmentwheneverythinghadcollapsedandtheofficialswerebeingpaidinpostagestamps。Ican’trememberwhetherthiswasreadbyPresidentBurgershimselforbytheofficerwhowascalledStateSecretary。Anyway，itwasread，afterwhichtherecameanawkwardpauseasthoughpeoplewerewaitingtoseesomethinghappen。IlookedroundattheBoerswhoweremutteringandhandlingtheirriflesuneasily。HadtheyfoundaleaderIreallythinkthatsomeofthewilderspiritsamongthemwouldhavebeguntoshoot，butnoneappearedandthecrisispassed。
　　Thecrowdbegantodisperse，theEnglishamongthemcheeringandthrowinguptheirhats，theDutchwithverysullenfaces。TheCommissioner’sstaffwentawayasithadcome，backtothebuildingwithbluegumsinfrontofit，whichafterwardsbecameGovernmentHouse，thatisallexceptyou。Youstartedacrossthesquarealonewithabundleofprintedproclamationsinyourhandwhichevidentlyyouhadbeenchargedtoleaveatthevariouspublicoffices。
　　“Letusfollowhim。”IsaidtoMr。Anscombe。“Hemightgetintotroubleandwantafriend。”
　　Henoddedandwestrolledafteryouunostentatiously。Sureenoughyounearlydidgetintotrouble。Infrontofthefirstofficedoortowhichyoucame，stoodagroupofBoers，twoofwhom，bigfellows，drewtogetherwiththeevidentintentionofbarringyourway。
　　“Mynheeren。”yousaid，“IprayyoutoletmepassontheQueen’sbusiness。”
　　Theytooknoheedexcepttodrawclosertogetherandlaughinsolently。Againyoumadeyourrequestandagaintheylaughed。
　　ThenIsawyouliftyourleganddeliberatelystampuponthefootofoneoftheBoers。Hedrewbackwithanexclamation，andforamomentIbelievedthatheorhisfellowwasgoingtodosomethingviolent。Perhapstheythoughtbetterofit，orperhapstheysawustwoEnglishmenbehindandnoticedAnscombe’spistol。Atanyrateyoumarchedintotheofficetriumphantanddeliveredyourdocument。
　　“Neatlydone。”saidMr。Anscombe。
　　“Rash。”Isaid，shakingmyhead，“veryrash。Well，he’syoungandmustbeexcused。”
　　ButfromthatmomentItookagreatlikingtoyou，myfriend，perhapsbecauseIwonderedwhetherinyourplaceIshouldhavebeendaredevilenoughtoactinthesameway。ForyouseeIamEnglish，andIliketoseeanEnglishmanholdhisownagainstoddsandkeepupthecreditofthecountry。Although，ofcourse，IsympathizedwiththeBoerswho，throughtheirownfault，werelosingtheirlandwithoutablowstruck。Asyouknowwell，foryouwerelivingnearMajubaatthetime，plentyofblowswerestruckafterwards，butofthatbusinessIcannotbeartowrite。
　　IwonderhowitwillallworkoutafterIamdeadandifIshalleverlearnwhathappensintheend。
　　NowIhaveonlymentionedthisbusinessoftheAnnexationandthepartyouplayedinit，becauseitwasonthatoccasionthatI
　　becameacquaintedwithAnscombe。ForyouhavenothingtodowiththisstorywhichisaboutthedestructionoftheZulus，theaccomplishmentofthevengeanceofZikalithewizardatthekraalnamedFinished，andincidentally，theloveaffairsoftwopeopleinwhichthatoldwizardtookahand，asIdidtomysorrow。
　　IthappenedthatMr。AnscombehadriddenonaheadofhiswagonswhichcouldnotarriveatPretoriaforadayortwo，andashefounditimpossibletogetaccommodationattheEuropeanorelsewhere，Iofferedtolethimsleepinmine，orratheralongsideinatentIhad。Heacceptedandsoonwebecameverygoodfriends。BeforethedaywasasoutIdiscoveredthathehadservedinacrackcavalryregiment，butresignedhiscommissionsomeyearsbefore。Iaskedhimwhy。
　　“Well。”hesaid，“Icameintoagoodlotofmoneyonmymother’sdeathandcouldnotseeaprospectofanyactiveservice。WhiletheregimentwasabroadIlikedthelifewellenough，butathomeitboredme。Toomuchsocietyformytaste，andthatsortofthing。AlsoIwantedtotravel；nothingelsereallyamusesme。”
　　“Youwillsoongettiredofit。”Ianswered，“andasyouarewelloff，marrysomefineladyandsettledownathome。”
　　“Don’tthinkso。IdoubtifIshouldeverbehappilymarried，I
　　wanttoomuch。Onedoesn’tpickupanearthlyangelwithacast-ironconstitutionwhoadoresyou，whicharethebarenecessitiesofmarriage，undereverybush。”HereIlaughed。
　　“Also。”headded，thelaughtergoingoutofhiseyes，“Ihavehadenoughoffineladiesandtheirways。”
　　“Marriageisbetterthanscrapes。”Iremarkedsententiously。
　　“Quiteso，butonemightgetthembothtogether。No，Ishallnevermarry，althoughIsupposeIoughtasmybrothershavenochildren。”
　　“Won’tyou，myfriend。”thoughtItomyself，“whentheskingrowsagainonyourburntfingers。”
　　ForIwassuretheyhadbeenburnt，perhapsmorethanonce。How，Ineverlearned，forwhichIamrathersorryforitinterestsmetostudyburntfingers，iftheydonothappentobemyown。Thenwechangedthesubject。
　　Anscombe’swagonsweredelayedforadayortwobyabrokenaxleoraboghole，Iforgetwhich。So，asIhadnothingparticulartodountiltheNatalpost-cartleft，wespentthetimeinwanderingaboutPretoria，whichdidnottakeuslongasitwasbutalittledorpinthosedays，andchattingwithallandsundry。AlsowewentuptoGovernmentHouseasitwasnowcalled，andleftcards，orratherwroteournamesinabookforwehadnocards，beingtoldbyoneoftheStaffwhomwemetthatweshoulddoso。Anhourlateranotearrivedaskingusbothtodinnerthatnightandtellingusverynicelynottomindifwehadnodressthings。Ofcoursewehadtogo，Anscomberiggedupinmysecondbestclothesthatdidnotfithimintheleast，ashewasamuchtallermanthanIam，andablacksatinbowthathehadboughtatBecket’sStoretogetherwithapairofshinypumps。
　　Iactuallymetyou，myfriend，forthefirsttimethatevening，andintroubletoo，thoughyoumayhaveforgottentheincident。
　　Wehadmadeamistakeaboutthetimeofdinner，andarrivinghalfanhourtoosoon，wereshownintoalongroomthatopenedontotheverandah。Youwereworkingthere，beingIbelieveaprivatesecretaryatthetime，copyingsomedespatch；IthinkyousaidthatwhichgaveanaccountoftheAnnexation。Theroomwaslitbyaparaffinlampbehindyou，foritwasquitedarkandthewindowwasopen，oratanyrateunshuttered。Thegentlemanwhoshowedusin，seeingthatyouwereverybusy，tookustothefarendoftheroom，wherewestoodtalkingintheshadow。Justthenadooropenedoppositetothatwhichledtotheverandah，andthroughitcameHisExcellencytheAdministrator，SirTheophilusShepstone，astoutmanofmediumheightwithaveryclever，thoughtfulface，asIhavealwaysthought，oneofthegreatestofAfricanstatesmen。Hedidnotseeus，buthecaughtsightofyouandsaidtestily——
　　“Areyoumad？“Towhichyouansweredwithalaugh——
　　“Ihopenotmorethanusual，Sir，butwhy？“
　　“HaveInottoldyoualwaystoletdowntheblindsafterdark？
　　Yetthereyousitwithyourheadagainstthelight，aboutthebesttargetforabulletthatcouldbeimagined。”
　　“Idon’tthinktheBoerswouldtroubletoshootme，Sir。IfyouhadbeenhereIwouldhavedrawntheblindsandshuttheshutterstoo。”youanswered，laughingagain。
　　“Gotodressoryouwillbelatefordinner。”hesaidstillrathersternly，andyouwent。Butwhenyouhadgoneandafterwehadbeenannouncedtohim，hesmiledandaddedsomethingwhichI
　　willnotrepeattoyouevennow。IthinkitwasaboutwhatyoudidontheAnnexationdayofwhichthestoryhadcometohim。
　　ImentionthisincidentbecausewheneverIthinkofShepstone，whomIhadknownoffandonforyearsinthewaythatahunterknowsaprominentGovernmentofficial，italwaysrecurstomymind，embodyingasitdoeshiscautionandappreciationofdangerderivedfromlongexperienceofthecountry，andthesternnesshesometimesaffectedwhichcouldneverconcealhislovetowardshisfriends。Oh！therewasgreatnessinthisman，althoughtheydidcallhiman“AfricanTalleyrand。”IfithadnotbeensowouldeverynativefromtheCapetotheZambesihaveknownandreveredhisname，asperhapsthatofnootherwhitemanhasbeenrevered？
　　ButImustgetonwithmytaleandleavehistoricaldiscussionstoothersmorefittedtodealwiththem。
　　Wehadaverypleasantdinnerthatnight，althoughIwassoashamedofmyclotheswithsmartuniformsandwhitetiesallaboutme，andAnscombekeptfidgetinghisfeetbecausehewassufferingagonyfromhisnewpumpswhichwereasizetoosmall。
　　Everybodywasinthebestofspirits，forfromalldirectionscamethenewsthattheAnnexationwaswellreceivedandthatthedangerofanytroublehadpassedaway。Ah！ifwehadonlyknownwhattheendofitwouldbe！
　　ItwasonourwaybacktothewagonthatIchancedtomentiontoAnscombethattherewasstillaherdofbuffalowithinafewdays’trekofLydenburg，ofwhichIhadshottwonotamonthbefore。
　　“Arethere，byJove！“hesaid。“AsithappensInevergotabuffalo；alwaysIjustmissedtheminonesenseoranother，andI
　　can’tleaveAfricawithapairofboughthorns。Let’sgothereandshootsome。”
　　IshookmyheadandrepliedthatIhadbeenidlinglongenoughandmusttrytomakesomemoney，newsatwhichheseemedverydisappointed。
　　“Lookhere。”hesaid，“forgivemeformentioningit，butbusinessisbusiness。Ifyou’llcomeyoushan’tbealoser。”
　　AgainIshookmyhead，whereathelookedmoredisappointedthanbefore。
　　“Verywell。”heexclaimed，“thenImustgoalone。ForkillabuffaloIwill；thatisunlessthebuffalokillsme，inwhichcasemybloodwillbeonyourhands。”
　　Idon’tknowwhy，butatthatmomenttherecameintomymindaconvictionthatifhedidgoaloneabuffaloorsomethingwouldkillhimandthatthenIshouldbesorryallmylife。
　　“Theyaredangerousbrutes，muchworsethanlions。”Isaid。
　　“Andyetyou，whopretendtohaveaconscience，wouldexposemetotheirrageunprotectedandalone。”herepliedwithatwinkleinhiseyewhichIcouldseeevenbymoonlight。”Oh！Quatermain，howIhavebeenmistakeninyourcharacter。
　　“Lookhere，Mr。Anscombe。”Isaid，“it’snouse。Icannotpossiblygoonashootingexpeditionwithyoujustnow。Onlyto-dayIhaveheardfromNatalthatmyboyisnotwellandmustundergoanoperationwhichwilllayhimupforquitesixweeks，andmaybedangerous。SoImustgetdowntoDurbanbeforeittakesplace。AfterthatIhaveacontractinMatabelelandwhenceyouhavejustcome，totakechargeofatradingstorethereforayear；alsoperhapstotrytoshootalittleivoryformyself。SoIamfullybookeduptill，letussay，October，1878，thatisforabouteighteenmonths，bywhichtimeIdaresayIshallbedead。”
　　“Eighteenmonths。”repliedthiscoolyoungman。“Thatwillsuitmeverywell。IwillgoontoIndiaasIintended，thenhomeforabitandwillmeetyouonthe1stofOctober，1878，afterwhichwewillproceedtotheLydenburgdistrictandshootthosebuffalo，oriftheyhavedeparted，otherbuffalo。Isitabargain？“
　　Istaredathim，thinkingthattheAdministrator’schampagnehadgotintohishead。
　　“Nonsense。”Iexclaimed。“Whoknowswhereyouwillbeineighteenmonths？Why，bythattimeyouwillhaveforgottenallaboutme。”
　　“IfIamaliveandwell，onthe1stofOctober，I878，IshallbeexactlywhereIamnow，uponthisverysquareinPretoria，withawagon，orwagons，preparedforahuntingtrip。Butasnotunnaturallyyouhavedoubtsuponthatpoint，IampreparedtopayforfeitifIfail，orevenifcircumstancescauseyoutofail。”
　　Herehetookacheque-bookfromhisletter-caseandspreaditoutonthelittletableinthetent，onwhichtherewereinkandapen，adding——
　　“Now，Mr。Quatermain，willitmeetyourviewsifIfillthisupfor#250？“
　　“No。”Ianswered；“takingeverythingintoconsiderationthesumisexcessive。Butifyoudonotmindfacingtherisksofmynon-appearance，tosaynothingofyourown，youmaymakeit#50。”
　　“Youareverymoderateinyourdemands。”hesaidashehandedmethechequewhichIputinmypocket，reflectingthatitwouldjustpayformyson’soperation。
　　“Andyouareveryfoolishinyouroffers。”Ireplied。“Tellme，whydoyoumakesuchcrack-brainedarrangements？“
　　“Idon’tquiteknow。Somethinginmeseemstosaythatwe_shall_makethisexpeditionandthatitwillhaveaveryimportanteffectuponmylife。Mindyou，itistobetotheLydenburgdistrictandnowhereelse。AndnowIamtired，solet’sturnin。”
　　Nextmorningwepartedandwentourseparateways。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MR。MARNHAM
　　Somuchforpreliminaries，nowforthestory。
　　Theeighteenmonthshadgoneby，bringingwiththemtometheirshareofadventure，wealandwoe，withallofwhichatpresentI
　　havenoconcern。Beholdmearrivingveryhotandtiredinthepost-cartfromKimberley，whitherIhadgonetoinvestwhatIhadsavedoutofmyMatabelelandcontractinaverypromisingspeculationwhereof，today，thepromiseremainsandnomore。I
　　hadbeenobligedtoleaveKimberlyinagreathurry，beforeI
　　oughtindeed，becauseofthesillybargainwhichIhavejustrecorded。OfcourseIwassurethatIshouldneverseeMr。
　　Anscombeagain，especiallyasIhadheardnothingofhimduringallthiswhile，andhadnoreasontosupposethathewasinAfrica。StillIhadtakenhis#50andhe_might_come。AlsoI
　　havealwayspridedmyselfuponkeepinganappointment。
　　Thepost-carthaltedwithajerkinfrontoftheEuropeanHotel，andIcrawled，dustyandtired，fromitsinterior，tofindmyselffacetofacewithAnscombe，whowassmokingapipeuponthestoep！
　　“Hullo，Quatermain。”hesaidinhispleasant，drawlingvoice，“hereyouare，uptotime。Ihavebeenmakingbetswiththesefivegentlemen。”andhenoddedatagroupofloungersonthestoep。”astowhetheryouwouldorwouldnotappear，Iputtingtentooneonyouindrinks。Thereforeyoumustnowconsumefivewhiskiesandsodas，whichwillsavethemfromconsumingfiftyandasubsequentappearanceatthePoliceCourt。”
　　IlaughedandsaidIwouldbetheirdebtortotheextentofone，whichwasdulyproduced。
　　AfteritwasdrunkAnscombeandIhadachat。HesaidthathehadbeentoIndia，shot，orshotatwhatevergamehemeanttokillthere，visitedhisrelationsinEnglandandthenceproceededtokeephisappointmentwithmeinAfrica。AtDurbanhehadfittedhimselfoutinaregalwaywithtwowagons，fullteams，andsomespareoxen，andtrekkedtoPretoriawherehehadarrivedafewdaysbefore。NowhewasreadytostartfortheLydenburgdistrictandlookforthosebuffalo。
　　“But。”Isaid，“thebuffaloprobablylongagodeparted。AlsotherehasbeenawarwithSekukuni，theBasutochiefwhorulesallthatcountry，whichremainsundecided，althoughIbelievesomekindofapeacehasbeenpatchedup。Thismaymakehuntinginthisneighborhooddangerous。Whynottrysomeotherground，tothenorthoftheTransvaal，forinstance？“
　　“Quatermain。”heanswered，“IhavecomeallthewayfromEngland，Iwillnotsaytokill，buttotrytokillbuffalointheLydenburgdistrict，withyouifpossible，ifnot，withoutyou，andthitherIamgoing。Ifyouthinkitunsafetoaccompanyme，don’tcome；IwillgetonasbestIcanalone，orwithsomeotherskilledpersonifIcanfindone。”
　　“IfyouputitlikethatIshallcertainlycome。”Ireplied，“withtheprovisothatshouldthebuffaloprovetobenon-existentorthepursuitofthemimpossible，weeithergiveupthetrip，orgosomewhereelse，perhapstothecountryatthebackofDelagoaBay。”
　　“Agreed。”hesaid；afterwhichwediscussedterms，hepayingmemysalaryinadvance。
　　Onfurtherconsiderationwedetermined，astwowerequiteunnecessaryforatripofthesort，toleaveoneofmywagonsandhalfthecattleinchargeofaveryrespectableman，afarmerwholivedaboutfivemilesfromPretoriajustoverthepassneartothefamousWonder-boomtreewhichisoneofthesightsoftheplace。Shouldweneedthiswagonitcouldalwaysbesentfor；
　　or，ifwefoundtheLydenburghunting-ground，whichhewassosetuponvisiting，unproductiveorimpossible，wecouldreturntoPretoriaoverthehigh-veldandpickitupbeforeproceedingelsewhere。
　　Thesearrangementstookusacoupleofdaysorso。Onthethirdwestarted，withoutseeingyou，myfriend，oranyoneelsethatI
　　knew，sincejustatthattimeeveryoneseemedtobeawayfromPretoria。You，Iremember，hadbynowbecometheMasteroftheHighCourtandwere，theyinformedmeatyouroffice，absentoncircuit。
　　Themorningofourdeparturewasparticularlylovelyandwetrekkedawayinthebestofspirits，assooftenhappenstopeoplewhoaremarchingintotrouble。Ofourjourneythereislittletosayaseverythingwentsmoothly，sothatwearrivedattheedgeofthehigh-veldfeelingashappyasthecountrywhichhasnohistoryisreportedtodo。OurroadleduspastthelittleminingsettlementofPilgrim’sRestwhereanumberofadventurousspirits，mostofthemEnglish，wereengagedinwashingforgold，ajobatwhichIoncetookaturnnearthisveryplacewithoutanystartlingsuccess。OfthelocalityIneedonlysaythatthemountainoussceneryisamongthemostbeautiful，thehillsarethesteepestandtheroadsare，orwere，theworstthatIhaveevertravelledoverinawagon。
　　However，“goingsoftly“asthenativessay，wenegotiatedthemwithoutaccidentand，leavingPilgrim’sRestbehindus，begantodescendtowardsthelow-veldwhereIwasinformedaherdofbuffalocouldstillbefound，since，owingtothewarwithSekukuni，noonehadshotatthemoflate。Thiswarhadbeensuspendedforawhile，andtheLand-drostatPilgrim’sResttoldmehethoughtitwouldbesafetohuntonthebordersofthatChief’scountry，thoughheshouldnotcaretodosohimself。
　　Gameofthesmallersortbegantobeplentifulabouthere，sonotmorethanadozenmilesfromPilgrim’sRestweoutspannedearlyintheafternoontotrytogetabluewildebeesteortwo，forI
　　hadseenthespoorofthesecreaturesinapatchofsoftground，orfailingthemsomeotherbuck。Accordingly，leavingthewagonbyacharmingstreamthatwoundandgurgledoverabedofgranite，wemountedoursaltedhorses，whichwerepartofAnscombe’soutfit，andsetforthrejoicing。RidingthroughthescatteredthornsandfollowingthespoorwhereIcould，withinhalfanhourwecametoalittleglade。There，notfiftyyardsaway，Icaughtofasinglebluewildebeestebullstandingintheshadowofthetreesonthefurthersideoftheglade，andpointedouttheuglybeast，foritisthemostgrotesqueofalltheantelopes，toAnscombe。
　　“Offyouget。”Iwhispered。“It’salovelyshot，youcan’tmissit。”
　　“Oh，can’tI！“repliedAnscombe。“Doyoushoot。”
　　Irefused，sohedismounted，givingmehishorsetohold，andkneelingdownsolemnlyandslowlycoveredthebull。Bangwenthisrifle，andIsawaboughaboutayardabovethewildebeestefallontoitsback。Offitwentlikelightning，whereonAnscombeletdrivewiththeleftbarreloftheExpress，almostathazardasitseemedtome，andbysomechancehititabovethenearfore-knee，breakingitsleg。
　　“Thatwasagoodshot。”hecried，jumpingontohishorse。
　　“Excellent。”Ianswered。“Butwhatareyougoingtodo？“
　　“Catchit。Itiscrueltoleaveawoundedanimal。”andoffhestarted。
　　OfcourseIhadtofollow，buttheensuingrideremainsamongthemorepainfulofmyhuntingmemories。Wetorethroughthorntreesthatscratchedmyfaceanddamagedmyclothes；westruckapatchofantbearholes，intooneofwhichmyhorsefellsothatmystomachbumpedagainstitshead；weslithereddowngranitekoppies，andthiswastheworstofit，attheendofeachchapter，sotospeak，alwayscaughtsightofthataccursedbullwhichIfondlyhopedwouldhavevanishedintospace。Atlengthafterhalfanhourorsoofthisgamewereachedastretchofopen，rollingground，andtherenotfiftyyardsaheadofuswastheanimalstillgoinglikeahare，thoughhowitcoulddosoonthreelegsIamsureIdonotknow。Wecourseditlikegreyhounds，tillatlastAnscombe，whosehorsewasthefaster，camealongsideoftheexhaustedcreature，whereonitturnedsuddenlyandcharged。
　　Anscombeheldouthisrifleinhisrighthandandpulledthetrigger，which，ashehadforgottentoreloadit，wasameretheatricalperformance。Nextsecondtherewassuchamix-upthatforawhileIcouldnotdistinguishwhichwasAnscombe，whichwasthewildebeeste，andwhichthehorse。Theyallseemedtobegoingroundandroundinacloudofdust。WhenthingssettledthemselvesalittleIdiscoveredthehorserollingontheground，Anscombeonhisbackwithhishandsupinanattitudeofprayerandthewildebeestetryingtomakeupitsmindwhichofthemitshouldfinishfirst。Isettledthepoorthing’sdoubtsbyshootingitthroughtheheart，whichIflattermyselfwasrathercleverofmeunderthecircumstances。ThenIdismountedtoexamineAnscombe，who，Ipresumed，wasdonefor。Notabitofit。Therehesatuponthegroundblowinglikeablacksmith’sbellowsandpantingout——
　　“Whatagloriousgallop。Ifinisheditverywell，didn’tI？Youcouldn’thavemadeabettershotyourself。”
　　“Yes。”Ianswered，“youfinisheditverywellasyouwillfindoutifyouwilltakethetroubletoopenyourrifleandcountyourcartridges。ImayaddthatifwearegoingtohunttogetherIhopeyouwillneverleadmesuchafool’schaseagain。”
　　Herose，openedtherifleandsawthatitwasempty，foralthoughhehadneverre-loadedhehadthrownoutthetwocartridgeswhichhehaddischargedintheglen。
　　“ByJingo。”hesaid，“youmusthaveshotit，thoughIcouldhaveswornthatitwasI。Quatermain，hasiteverstruckyouwhatastrangethingisthehumanimagination？“
　　“Dratthehumanimagination。”Ianswered，wipingawaythebloodthatwastricklingintomyeyefromathornscratch。“Let’slookatyourhorse。IfitislamedyouwillhavetorideImaginationbacktothewagonwhichmustbesixmilesaway，thatisifwecanfinditbeforedark。”
　　Sighingoutsomethingaboutapainfullypracticalmind，heobeyed，andwhenthebeastwasprovedtobenothingmorethanblownandalittlebruised，maderemarksastotheinadvisabilityofdwellingonfutureevilevents，whichIremindedhimhadalreadybeenbettersummedupintheNewTestament。
　　Afterthiswecontemplatedthecarcasseofthewildebeestewhichitseemedapitytoleavetorot。JustthenAnscombe，whohadmovedafewyardstotherightoutoftheshadowofanobstructingtree，exclaimed——
　　“Isay，Quatermain，comehereandtellmeifIhavebeenknockedsilly，orifIreallyseeaquiteuncommonkindofhousebuiltinancientGreekstylesetinadivinelandscape。”
　　“TempletoDiana，Iexpect。”IremarkedasIjoinedhimonthefurthersideofthetree。
　　Ilookedandrubbedmyeyes。There，abouthalfamileaway，situatedinabayofthesweepinghillsandoverlookingthemeasurelessexpanseofbush-veldbeneath，wasaremarkablehouse，atleastforthosedaysandthatpartofAfrica。Tobeginwiththesituationwassuperb。Itstoodonagreenandswellingmoundbehindwhichwasawoodedkloofwhereranastreamthatatlastprecipitateditselfinawaterfalloveragreatcliff。Theninfrontwasthatgloriousviewofthebush-veld，atwhichamanmightlookforalifetimeandnotgrowtired，stretchingawaytotheOliphant’sriverandmeltingatlastintothedimlineofthehorizon。
　　Thehouseitselfalso，althoughnotlarge，wasofakindnewtome。Itwasdeep，butnarrowfronted，andbeforeitwerefourcolumnsthatcarriedtheroofwhichprojectedsoastoformawideverandah。Moreoveritseemedtobebuiltofmarblewhichglistenedlikesnowinthesettingsun。Inshortinthatlonelywilderness，atanyratefromthisdistance，itdidlooklikethedesertedshrineofsomeforgottengod。
　　“Well，I’mbothered！“Isaid。
　　“SoamI。”answeredAnscombe，“toknowthenameoftheLydenburgdistrictarchitectwhomIshouldliketoemploy；thoughIsuspectitisthesurroundingsthatmaketheplacelooksobeautiful。
　　Hullo！herecomessomebody，buthedoesn’tlooklikeanarchitect；helookslikeawickedbaronetdisguisedasaBoer。”
　　Trueenough，roundaclumpofbushappearedanunusuallookingperson，mountedonaverygoodhorse。Hewastall，thinandold，atleasthehadalongwhitebeardwhichsuggestedage，althoughhisfigure，sofarasitcouldbeseenbeneathhisroughclothes，seemedvigorous。Hisfacewascleancutandhandsome，witharatherhookednose，andhiseyesweregrey，butasIsawwhenhecameuptous，somewhatbloodshotatthecorners。Hisgeneralaspectwasrefinedandbenevolent，andassoonasheopenedhismouthIperceivedthathewasapersonofgentlebreeding。
　　Andyettherewassomethingabouthim，somethinginhisatmosphere，sotospeak，thatIdidnotlike。BeforewepartedthateveningIfeltsurethatinonewayoranotherhewasawrong-doer，notstraight；alsothathehadaviolenttemper。
　　Herodeuptousandaskedinapleasantvoice，althoughthemannerofhisquestion，whichwasputinbadDutch，wasnotpleasant，“Whogaveyouleavetoshootonourland？“
　　“Ididnotknowthatanyleavewasrequired；itisnotcustomaryintheseparts。”IansweredpolitelyinEnglish。“Moreover，thisbuckwaswoundedmilesaway。”
　　“Oh！“heexclaimedinthesametongue，“thatmakesadifference，thoughIexpectitwasstillonourland，forwehavealot；itischeapabouthere。”Thenafterstudyingalittle，headdedapologetically，“Youmustn’tthinkmestrange，butthefactismydaughterhatesthingstobekillednearthehouse，whichiswhythere’ssomuchgameabout。”
　　“Thenpraymakeherourapologies。”saidAnscombe，“andsaythatitshallnothappenagain。”
　　Hestrokedhislongbeardandlookedatus，forbynowhehaddismounted，thensaid——
　　“MightIaskyougentlemenyournames？“
　　“Certainly。”Ireplied。“IamAllanQuatermainandmyfriendistheHon。MauriceAnscombe。”
　　Hestartedandsaid——
　　“OfAllanQuatermainofcourseIhaveheard。Thenativestoldmethatyouweretrekkingtothoseparts；andifyou，sir，areoneofLordMountford’ssons，oddlyenoughIthinkImusthaveknownyourfatherinmyyouth。IndeedIservedwithhimintheGuards。”
　　“Howverystrange。”saidAnscombe。“He’sdeadnowandmybrotherisLordMountford。DoyoulikelifeherebetterthanthatintheGuards？IamsureIshould。”
　　“Bothofthemhavetheiradvantages。”heansweredevasively，“ofwhich，if，asIthink，youarealsoasoldier，youcanjudgeforyourself。Butwon’tyoucomeuptothehouse？MydaughterHedaisaway，andmypartnerMr。Rodd“ashementionedthisnameI
　　sawabluevein，whichshowedabovehischeekbone，swellasthoughunderpressureofsomesecretemotion“isaretiringsortofaman——indeedsomemightthinkhimsulkyuntiltheycametoknowhim。Still，wecanmakeyoucomfortableandevengiveyouadecentbottleofwine。”
　　“No，thankyouverymuch。”Ianswered，“wemustgetbacktothewagonorourservantswillthinkthatwehavecometogrief。
　　Perhapsyouwillacceptthewildebeesteifitisofanyusetoyou。”
　　“Verywell。”hesaidinavoicethatsuggestedregretstrugglingwithrelief。Tothebuckhemadenoallusion，perhapsbecauseheconsideredthatitwasalreadyhisownproperty。“Doyouknowyourway？IbelieveyourwagoniscampedouttheretotheeastbywhatwecalltheGranitestream。IfyoufollowthisKaffirpath。”andhepointedtoatracknearby，“itwilltakequiteclose。”
　　“Wheredoesthepathrunto？“Iasked。“Therearenokraalsabout，arethere？“
　　“Oh！totheTemple，asmydaughtercallsourhouse。MypartnerandIarelabouragents，werecruitnativesfortheKimberleyMines。”hesaidinexplanation，adding，“Wheredoyouproposetoshoot？“
　　Itoldhim。
　　“Isn’tthatratherariskydistrict？“hesaid。“IthinkthatSekukuniwillsoonbegivingmoretrouble，althoughthereisatrucebetweenhimandtheEnglish。Stillhemightsendaregimenttoraidthatway。”
　　IwonderedhowourfriendknewsomuchofSekukuni’spossibleintentions，butonlyansweredthatIwasaccustomedtodealwithnativesanddidnotfearthem。
　　“Ah！“hesaid，“well，youknowyourownbusinessbest。Butifyoushouldgetintoanydifficulty，makestraightforthisplace。
　　TheBasutoswillnotinterferewithyouhere。”
　　AgainIwonderedwhytheBasutosshouldlookuponthisparticularspotassacred，butthinkingitwisesttoasknoquestions，I
　　onlyanswered——
　　“Thankyouverymuch。We’llbearyourinvitationinmind，Mr——“
　　“Marnham。”
　　“Marnham。”Irepeatedafterhim。“Good-byeandmanythanksforyourkindness。”
　　“Onequestion。”brokeinAnscombe，“ifyouwillnotthinkmerude。Whatisthenameofthearchitectwhodesignedthatmostromantic-lookinghouseofyourswhichseemstobebuiltofmarble？“
　　Mydaughterdesignedit，oratleastIthinkshecopieditfromsomeolddrawingofaruin。Alsoit_is_marble；there’sawholehillofthestuffnotahundredyardsfromthedoor，soitwascheapertousethananythingelse。Ihopeyouwillcomeandseeitonyourwayback，thoughitisnotasfineasitappearsfromadistance。ItwouldbeverypleasantafteralltheseyearstotalktoanEnglishgentlemanagain。”
　　Thenweparted，Iratheroffendedbecausehedidnotseemtoincludemeinthedescription，hecallingafterus——
　　“Stickclosetothepaththroughthepatchofbigtrees，forthegroundisratherswampythereandit’sgettingdark。”
　　Presentlywecametotheplacehementionedwherethetimber，althoughscattered，wasquitelargeforSouthAfrica，oftheyellow-woodspecies，andinterspersedwhereverthegroundwasdrywithhugeeuphorbias，ofwhichthetallfinger-likegrowthsandsadgreycolouringlookedunrealandghostlikeinthewaninglight。Followingtheadvicegiventous，werodeinsinglefilealongthenarrowpath，fearinglestotherwiseweshouldtumbleintosomeboghole，untilwecametohigherlandcoveredwiththescatteredthornsofthecountry。
　　“Didthatbushgiveyouanyparticularimpression？“askedAnscombeaminuteortwolater。
　　“Yes。”Ianswered，“itgavemetheimpressionthatwemightcatchfeverthere。Seethemistthatliesoverit。”andturninginmysaddleIpointedwiththerifleinmyhandtowhatlookedlikeamassofcottonwooloverwhich，withoutpermeatingit，hungthelastredglowofsunset，producingacuriousandindeedratherunearthlyeffect。“Iexpectthatthousandsofyearsagotherewasalakeyonder，whichiswhytreesgrowsobigintherichsoil。”
　　“Youarecuriouslymundane，Quatermain。”heanswered。“Iaskyouofspiritualimpressionsandyoudilatetomeofgeologicalformationsandthegrowthoftimber。Youfeltnothinginthespiritualline？“
　　“Ifeltnothingexceptachill。”Ianswered，forIwastiredandhungry。“Whatthedevilareyoudrivingat？“
　　“HaveyougotthatflaskofHollandsaboutyou，Quatermain？“
　　“Oh！thosearethespiritsyouarereferringto。”IremarkedwithsarcasmasIhandedittohim。
　　Hetookagoodpullandreplied——
　　“Notatall，exceptinthesensethatbadspiritsrequiregoodspiritstocorrectthem，astheBibleteaches。Tocometofacts。”headdedinachangedvoice，“Ihaveneverbeeninaplacethatdepressedmemorethanthatthriceaccursedpatchofbush。”
　　“Whydiditdepressyou？“Iasked，studyinghimaswellasI
　　couldinthefadinglight。TotellthetruthIfearedlesthehadknockedhisheadwhenthewildebeesteupsethim，andwassufferingfromdelayedconcussion。
　　“Can’ttellyou，Quatermain。Idon’tlooklikeacriminal，doI？
　　Well，Ienteredthosetreesfeelingafairlyhonestman，andI
　　cameoutofthemfeelinglikeamurderer。Itwasasthoughsomethingterriblehadhappenedtomethere；itwasasthoughI
　　hadkilledsomeonethere。Ugh！“andheshiveredandtookanotherpullattheHollands。
　　“Whatbosh！“Isaid。“Besides，evenifitweretocometrue，I
　　amsorrytosayI’vekilledlotsofmeninthewayofbusinessandtheydon’tbothermeovermuch。”
　　“Didyoueverkillonetowinawoman？“
　　“Certainlynot。Why，thatwouldbemurder。Howcanyouaskmesuchathing？ButIhavekilledseveraltowincattle。”I
　　reflectedaloud，rememberingmyexpeditionwithSadukoagainstthechiefBangu，andsomeotherincidentsinmycareer。
　　“Iappreciatethedifference，Quatermain。Ifyoukillforcows，itisjustifiablehomicide；ifyoukillforwomen，itismurder。”
　　“Yes。”Ireplied，“thatishowitseemstoworkoutinAfrica。
　　Yousee，womenarehigherinthescaleofcreationthancows，thereforecrimescommittedfortheirsakeareenormouslygreaterthanthosecommittedforcows，whichjustmakesthedifferencebetweenjustifiablehomicideandmurder。”
　　“Goodlord！whatanargument。”heexclaimedandrelapsedintosilence。Hadhebeenaccustomedtonativesandtheirwayshewouldhaveunderstoodthepointmuchbetterthanhedid，thoughI
　　admititisdifficulttoexplain。
　　Induecoursewereachedthewagonwithoutfurthertrouble。
　　WhilewewereshieldingourpipesafteranexcellentsupperI
　　askedAnscombehisimpressionsofMr。Marnham。
　　“Queercove，Ithink。”heanswered。“Beenagentleman，too，andstillkeepsthemanners，whichisn’tstrangeifheisoneoftheMarnhams，fortheyareagoodfamily。Iwonderhementionedhavingservedwithmyfather。”
　　“Itslippedoutofhim。Menwholivealotaloneareapttobesurprisedintosayingthingstheyregretafterwards，asInoticedhedid。Butwhydoyouwonder？“
　　“Becauseisithappens，althoughIhaveonlyjustrecalledit，myfatherusedtotellsomestoryaboutamannamedMarnhaminhisregiment。Ican’trememberthedetails，butithadtodowithcardswhenhighstakeswerebeingplayedfor，andwiththestrikingofasuperiorofficerinthequarrelthatensued，asaresultofwhichthestrikerwasrequestedtosendinhispapers。”
　　“Itmaynothavebeenthesameman。”
　　“Perhapsnot，forIbelievethatmorethanoneMarnhamservedinthatregiment。ButIremembermyfathersaying，bywayofexcuseforthepersonconcerned，thathehadamostungovernabletemper。
　　Ithinkheadded，thatheleftthecountryandtookserviceinsomearmyontheContinent。Ishouldratherliketoclearthethingup。”
　　“Itisn’tprobablethatyouwill，forevenifyoushouldevermeetthisMarnhamagain，Ifancyyouwouldfindheheldhistongueabouthisacquaintancewithyourfather。”
　　“IwonderwhatMissHedaislike。”wentonAnscombeafterapause。“Iamcurioustoseeagirlwhodesignsahouseonthemodelofanancientruin。”
　　“Well，youwon’t，forshe’sawaysomewhere。Besideswearelookingforbuffalo，notgirls，whichisagoodthingastheyarelessdangerous。”
　　IspokethusdecisivelybecauseIhadtakenadisliketoMr。
　　Marnhamandeverythingtodowithhim，anddidnotwishtoencouragetheideaoffurthermeetings。
　　“No，never，Isuppose。AndyetIfeelasthoughIwerecertainlydestinedtoseethataccursedyellow-woodswampagain。”
　　“Nonsense。”IrepliedasIrosetoturnin。Ah！ifIhadbutknown！
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEHUNTERSHUNTED
　　WhileIwastakingoffmybootsIheardanoiseofjabberinginsomenativetonguewhichItooktobeSisutu，andnotwishingtogotothetroubleofputtingthemonagain，calledtothedriverofthewagontofindoutwhatitwas。ThismanwasaCapeColonyKaffir，aFingoIthink，withatouchofHottentotinhim。Hewasanexcellentdriver，indeedIdonotthinkIhaveeverseenabetter，andbynomeansabadshot。AmongEuropeansherejoicedinthenameofFootsack，aBoerDutchtermwhichisgenerallyaddressedtotroublesomedogsandmeans“Getout。”Totellthetruth，hadIbeenhismasterhewouldhavegotout，asI
　　suspectedhimofdrinking，andgenerallydidnotaltogethertrusthim。Anscombe，however，wasfondofhimbecausehehadshowncourageinsomehuntingadventureinMatabeleland，Ithinkitwasattheshootingofthatverydark-colouredlionwhoseskinhadbeenthemeansofmakingusacquaintednearlytwoyearsbefore。
　　IndeedhesaidthatonthisoccasionFootsackhadsavedhislife，thoughfromallthatIcouldgatherIdonotthinkthiswasquitethecase。Alsotheman，whohadbeenonmanyhuntingtripswithsportsmen，couldtalkDutchwellandEnglishenoughtomakehimselfunderstood，andthereforewasuseful。
　　HewentasIbadehim，andcomingbackpresently，toldmethatapartyofBasutos，aboutthirtyinnumber，whowerereturningfromKimberley，wheretheyhadbeenatworkinthemines，undertheleadershipofaBastardnamedKarl，askedleavetocampbythewagonforthenight，astheywereafraidtogoonto“Tampel“inthedark。
　　AtfirstIcouldnotmakeoutwhat“Tampel“was，asitdidnotsoundlikeanativename。ThenIrememberedthatMr。MarnhamhadspokenofhishouseasbeingcalledtheTemple，ofwhich，ofcourse，Tampelwasacorruption；alsothathesaidheandhispartnerwerelabouragents。
　　“Whyaretheyafraid？“Iasked。
　　“Because，Baas，theysaythattheymustgothroughawoodinaswamp，whichtheythinkishauntedbyspooks，andtheymuchafraidofspooks；“thatisofghosts。
　　“Whatspooks？“Iasked。
　　“Don’tknow，Baas。Theysayspookofsomeonewhohasbeenkilled。”
　　“Rubbish。”Ireplied。“Tellthemtogoandcatchthespook；wedon’twantalotofnoisyfellowshowlingchantieshereallnight。”
　　ThenitwasthatAnscombebrokeininhishumorous，ratherdrawlingvoice。
　　“Howcanyoubesohard-hearted，Quatermain？Afterthesupernaturalterrorwhich，asItoldyou，Iexperiencedinthatveryplace，Iwouldn’tcondemnakickingmuletogothroughitinthisdarkness。Letthepoordevilsstay；Idaresaytheyaretired。”
　　SoIgavein，andpresentlysawtheirfiresbeginningtoburnthroughtheendcanvasofthewagonwhichwasunlacedbecausethenightwashot。AlsolateronIwokeup，aboutmidnightIthink，andheardvoicestalking，oneofwhichIreflectedsleepily，soundedverylikethatofFootsack。
　　Wakingveryearly，asismyhabit，Ipeepedoutofthewagon，andthroughthemorningmistperceivedFootsackinconversewithaparticularlyvillainous-lookingperson。IatonceconcludedthismustbeKarl，evidentlyaBastardcompoundedofaboutfifteenpartsofvariousnativebloodstooneofwhite，who，toaddtohisattractions，wasdeeplyscarredwithsmallpoxandpossessedareallyalarmingsquint。ItseemedtomethatFootsackhandedtothismansomethingthatlookedsuspiciouslylikeabottleofsquarefaceginwrappedupindriedgrass，andthatthemanhandedbacktoFootsacksomesmallobjectwhichheputinhismouth。
　　Now，Iwonderedtomyself，whatisthereofvaluethatonewhodoesnoteatsweetswouldstowawayinhismouth。Goldcoinperhaps，oraquidoftobacco，orastone。Goldwastoomuchtopayforabottleofgin，tobaccowastoolittle，buthowaboutthestone？Whatstone？Whowantedstones？ThensuddenlyI
　　rememberedthatthesepeopleweresaidtocomefromKimberley，andwhistledtomyself。StillIdidnothing，principallybecausethemistwasstillsodensethatalthoughIcouldseethemen’sfaces，Icouldnotclearlyseethearticleswhichtheypassedtoeachotherabouttwofeetlower，whereitstilllayverythickly，andtobringanyaccusationagainstanativewhichhecanprovetobefalseisapttodestroyauthority。SoIheldmytongueandwaitedmychance。Itdidnotcomeatonce，forbeforeIwasdressedthoseBasutoshaddepartedtogetherwiththeirleaderKarl，fornowthatthesunwasuptheynolongerfearedthehauntedbush。
　　Itcamelater，thus：WeweretrekkingalongbetweenthethornsuponalevelandeasytrackwhichenabledthedriverFootsacktosituponthe“voorkisse“ordrivingboxofthewagon，leavingtheladwhoiscalledthevoorloopertoleadtheoxen。Anscombewasridingparalleltothewagoninthehopeofkillingsomeguineafowlforthepotthoughaverypoorshotwithariflehewasgoodwithashot-gun。I，whodidnotcareforthissmallgame，wasseatedsmokingbythesideofFootsackwho，Inoted，smeltofginandgenerallyshowedsignsofdissipation。SuddenlyIsaidtohim——
　　“ShowmethatdiamondwhichtheBastardKarlgaveyouthismorninginpaymentforthebottleofyourmaster’sdrink。”
　　Itwasabowdrawnataventure，buttheeffectoftheshotwasremarkable。HadInotcaughtit，thelongbamboowhipFootsackheldwouldhavefallentotheground，whilehecollapsedinhisseatlikeamanwhohasreceivedabulletinhisstomach。
　　“Baas。”hegasped，“Baas，howdidyouknow？“
　　“Iknew。”Irepliedgrandly，“inthesamewaythatIknoweverything。Showmethediamond。”
　　“Baas。”hesaid，“itwasnottheBaasAnscombe’sgin，itwassomeIboughtinPilgrim’sRest。”
　　“Ihavecountedthebottlesinthecaseandknowverywellwhoseginitwas。”Irepliedambiguously，forthereasonthatIhaddonenothingofthesort。“Showmethediamond。”
　　Footsackfumbledabouthisperson，hishair，hiswaistcoatpocketsandevenhismoocha，andultimatelyfromsomewhereproducedastonewhichhehandedtome。Ilookedatit，andfromthepurityofcolourandsize，judgedittobeadiamondworth#200，orpossiblymore。AftercarefulexaminationIputitintomypocket，saying，“Thisisthepriceofyourmaster’sginandthereforebelongstohimasmuchasitdoestoanybody。Nowifyouwanttokeepoutoftrouble，tellme——whencecameitintothehandsofthatman，Karl？“
　　“Baas。”repliedFootsack，tremblingallover，“howdoIknow？Heandtheresthavebeenworkingatthemines；Isupposehefounditthere。”
　　“Indeed！Anddidhefindothersofthesamesort？“
　　“Ithinkso，Baas。AtleasthesaidthathehadbeenbuyingbottlesofginwithsuchstonesallthewaydownfromKimberley。
　　Karlisagreatdrunkard，Baas，asIamsure，whohaveknownhimforyears。”
　　“Thatisnotall。”Iremarked，keepingmyeyesfixedonhim。
　　“Whatelsedidhesay？“
　　“Hesaid，Baas，thathewasverymuchafraidofreturningtotheBaasMarnhamwhomtheKaffirscallWhite-beard，withonlyafewstonesleft。”
　　“Whywasheafraid？“
　　“BecausetheBaasWhitebeard，hewhodwellsatTampel，is，hesays，averyangrymanifhethinkshimselfcheated，andKarlisafraidlestheshouldkillhimasanotherwaskilled，hewhosespookhauntsthewoodthroughwhichthosesillypeoplefearedtopasslastnight。”
　　“Whowaskilledandwhokilledhim？“Iasked。
　　“Baas，Idon’tknow。”repliedFootsack，collapsingintosullensilenceinawaythatKaffirshavewhensuddenlytheyrealizethattheyhavesaidtoomuch。NordidIpressthematterfurther，havinglearnedenough。
　　WhathadIlearned？This：thatMessrs。Marnham&Roddwereillicitdiamondbuyers，I。D。B。’sastheyarecalled，whohadcunninglysituatedthemselvesatagreatdistancefromthesceneofoperationspracticallybeyondthereachofcivilizedlaw。
　　ProbablytheywereengagedalsoinothernefariousdealingswithKaffirs，suchassupplyingthemwithgunswherewithtomakewarupontheWhites。Sekukunihadbeenfightingusrecently，sothattherewouldbeaverybriskmarketforrifles。This，too，wouldaccountforMarnham’sapparentknowledgeofthatChief’splans。
　　Possibly，however，hehadnoknowledgeandonlymadeapretenceofittokeepusoutofthecountry。
　　LateronIconfidedthewholestoryandmysuspicionstoAnscombe，whowasmuchinterested。
　　“Whatpicturesquescoundrels！“heexclaimed，“WereallyoughttogobacktotheTemple。IhavealwayslongedtomeetsomerealliveI。D。B。’s。”
　　“Itisprobablethatyouhavedonethatalreadywithoutknowingit。Fortherest，ifyouwishtovisitthatdenofiniquity，youmustdosoalone。”
　　“Wouldn’twhitedsepulchrebeabetterterm，especiallyasitseemstocoverdeadmen’sbones？“herepliedinhisfrivolousmanner。
　　ThenIaskedhimwhathewasgoingtodoaboutFootsackandthebottleofgin，whichhecounteredbyaskingmewhatIwasgoingtodowiththatdiamond。
　　“GiveittoyouasFootsack’smaster。”Isaid，suitingtheactiontotheword。“Idon’twishtobemixedupindoubtfultransactions。”
　　Thenfollowedalongargumentastowhowastherealownerofthestone，whichendedinitsbeinghiddenawaybeproducedifcalledfor，andinFootsack，whooughthavehadarounddozen，receivingascoldingfromhismaster，coupledwiththethreatthatifhestolemoreginhewouldbehandedovertoamagistrate——whenwemetone。
　　Onthefollowingdaywereachedthehot，low-lyingveldwhichtheherdofbuffalowassaidtoinhabit。Nextmorning，however，whenweweremakingreadytobeginhunting，aBasutoKaffirappearedwho，onbeingquestioned，saidthathewasoneofSekukuni’speoplesenttothisdistricttolookfortwolostoxen。Ididnotbelievethisstory，thinkingitmoreprobablethathewasaspy，butaskedhimwhetherinhishuntforoxenhehadcomeacrossbuffalo。
　　Herepliedthathehad，aherdofthirty-twoofthem，countingthecalves，butthattheywereovertheOliphant’sRiveraboutfive-and-twentymilesaway，inavalleybetweensomeoutlyinghillsandtheruggedrangeofmountains，beyondwhichwassituatedSekukuni’stown。Moreover，inproofofhisstoryheshowedmespoorofthebeastsheadinginthatdirectionwhichwasquiteaweekold。
　　Nowformypart，asIdidnotthinkitwisetogettooneartoSekukuni，Ishouldhavegiventhemupandgonetohuntsomethingelse。Anscombe，however，wasofadifferentopinionandpleadedhardthatweshouldfollowthem。Theyweretheonlyherdwithinahundredmiles，hesaid，ifindeedtherewereanyothersthissideoftheLebomboMountains。AsIstilldemurred，hesuggested，inthenicestpossiblemanner，thatifIthoughtthebusinessrisky，Ishouldcampsomewherewiththewagon，whilehewentonwithFootsacktolookforthebuffalo。IansweredthatI
　　waswellusedtorisks，whichinasenseweremytrade，andthatashewasmoreorlessinmychargeIwasthinkingofhim，notofmyself，whowasquitepreparedtofollowthebuffalo，notonlytoSekukuni’sMountainsbutoverthem。Thenfearingthathehadhurtmyfeelings，heapologized，andofferedtogoelsewhereifI
　　liked。TheupshotwasthatwedecidedtotrektotheOliphant’sRiver，campthereandexplorethebushontheothersideonhorseback，nevergoingsofarfromthewagonthatwecouldnotreachitagainbeforenightfall。
　　This，then，wedid，outspanningthateveningbythehotbutbeautifulriverwhichwasstillhauntedbyafewhippopotamusandmanycrocodiles，oneofwhichweshotbeforeturningin。Nextmorning，havingbreakfastedoffcoldguineafowl，wemounted，crossedtheriverbyafordthatwasquiteasdeepasIliked，towhichtheKaffirpathledus，and，leavingFootsackwiththetwootherboysinchargeofthewagon，begantohuntforthebuffalointheratherswampybushthatstretchedfromthefurtherbanktotheslopeofthefirsthills，eightortenmilesaway。Ididnotmuchexpecttofindthem，astheBasutohadsaidthattheyhadgoneoverthesehills，buteitherheliedortheyhadmovedbackagain。
　　Nothalfamilefromtheriverbank，justasIwasabouttodismounttostalkafinewaterbuckofwhichIcaughtsightstandingamongsomecoarsegrassandbushes，myeyefelluponbuffalospoorthatfromitsappearanceIknewcouldnotbemorethanafewhoursold。Evidentlythebeastshadbeenfeedinghereduringthenightandatdawnhadmovedawaytosleepinthedrybushnearerthehills。BeckoningtoAnscombe，whofortunatelyhadnotseenthewaterbuck，atwhichhewouldcertainlyhavefired，therebyperhapsfrighteningthebuffalo，Ishowedhimthespoorthatweatoncestartedtofollow。