"Allthatdaywefollowedthethreebulls，nowacrossopenplains，andnowthroughpatchesofbush。Theyseemedtohavetravelledonalmostwithoutstopping，andInoticedthatastheywentthewoundedbullrecoveredhisstrengthalittle。ThisIcouldseefromhisspoor，whichhadbecomefirmer，andalsofromthefactthattheothertwohadceasedtosupporthim。Atlasteveningclosedin，andhavingtravelledsomeeighteenmiles，wecamped，thoroughlytiredout。
　　"Beforedawnonthefollowingdaywewereup，andthefirstbreakoflightfoundusoncemoreonthespoor。Abouthalf—pastfiveo’clockwereachedtheplacewheretheelephantshadfedandslept。Thetwounwoundedbullshadtakentheirfill，astheconditionoftheneighbouringbushesshowed，butthewoundedonehadeatennothing。Hehadspentthenightleaningagainstagood—sizedtree，whichhisweighthadpushedoutoftheperpendicular。Theyhadnotlongleftthisplace，andcouldnotbeveryfarahead，especiallyasthewoundedbullwasnowagainsostiffafterhisnight’srestthatforthefirstfewmilestheothertwohadbeenobligedtosupporthim。Butelephantsgoveryquick，evenwhentheyseemtobetravellingslowly，forshrubandcreepersthatalmoststopaman’sprogressarenohindrancetothem。Thethreehadnowturnedtotheleft，andweretravellingbackagaininasemicircularlinetowardthemountains，probablywiththeideaofworkingroundtotheiroldfeedinggroundsonthefurthersideoftheriver。
　　"Therewasnothingforitbuttofollowtheirlead，andaccordinglywefollowedwithindustry。Throughallthatlonghotdaydidwetramp，passingquantitiesofeverysortofgame，andevencomingacrossthespoorofotherelephants。But，inspiteofmymen’sentreaties，I
　　wouldnotturnasideafterthese。Iwouldhavethosemightytusksornone。
　　"Byeveningwewerequiteclosetoourgame，probablywithinaquarterofamile，butthebushwasdense，andwecouldseenothingofthem，sooncemorewemustcamp，thoroughlydisgustedwithourluck。Thatnight，justafterthemoonrose，whileIwassittingsmokingmypipewithmybackagainstatree，Iheardanelephanttrumpet，asthoughsomethinghadstartledit，andnotthreehundredyardsaway。Iwasverytired，butmycuriosityovercamemyweariness，so，withoutsayingawordtoanyofthemen，allofwhomwereasleep，Itookmyeight—
　　boreandafewsparecartridges，andsteeredtowardthesound。Thegamepathwhichwehadbeenfollowingalldayranstraightoninthedirectionfromwhichtheelephanthadtrumpeted。Itwasnarrow，butwelltrodden，andthelightstruckdownuponitinastraightwhiteline。Icreptalongitcautiouslyforsometwohundredyards，whenitopenedsuddenlyintoamostbeautifulgladesomehundredyardsormoreinwidth，whereintallgrassgrewandflat—toppedtreesstoodsingly。
　　WiththecautionbornoflongexperienceIwatchedforafewmomentsbeforeIenteredtheglade，andthenIsawwhytheelephanthadtrumpeted。Thereinthemiddleofthegladestoodalargemanedlion。
　　Hestoodquitestill，makingasoftpurringnoise，andwavinghistailtoandfro。Presentlythegrassaboutfortyyardsonthehithersideofhimgaveawideripple，andalionesssprangoutofitlikeaflash，andboundednoiselesslyuptothelion。Reachinghim，thegreatcathaltedsuddenly，andrubbedherheadagainsthisshoulder。Thentheybothbegantopurrloudly，soloudlythatIbelievethatinthestillnessonemighthaveheardthemtwohundredyardsormoreaway。
　　"Afteratime，whileIwasstillhesitatingwhattodo，eithertheygotawhiffofmywind，ortheyweariedofstandingstill，anddeterminedtostartinsearchofgame。Atanyrate，asthoughmovedbyacommonimpulse，theyboundedsuddenlyaway，leapbyleap，andvanishedinthedepthsoftheforesttotheleft。Iwaitedforalittlewhilelongertoseeiftherewereanymoreyellowskinsabout，andseeingnone，cametotheconclusionthatthelionsmusthavefrightenedtheelephantsaway，andthatIhadtakenmystrollfornothing。ButjustasIwasturningbackIthoughtthatIheardaboughbreakuponthefurthersideoftheglade，and，rashastheactwas，I
　　followedthesound。Icrossedthegladeassilentlyasmyownshadow。
　　Onitsfurthersidethepathwenton。Albeitwithmanyfears，Iwentontoo。Thejunglegrowthwassothickherethatitalmostmetoverhead，leavingsosmallapassageforthelightthatIcouldscarcelyseetogropemywayalong。Presently，however，itwidened，andthenopenedintoasecondgladeslightlysmallerthanthefirst，andthere，onthefurthersideofit，abouteightyyardsfromme，stoodthethreeenormouselephants。
　　"Theystoodthus：——Immediatelyoppositeandfacingmewasthewoundedone—tuskedbull。Hewasleaninghisbulkagainstadeadthorn—tree，theonlyoneintheplace，andlookedverysickindeed。Nearhimstoodthesecondbullasthoughkeepingawatchoverhim。Thethirdelephantwasagooddealnearertomeandbroadsideon。WhileIwasstillstaringatthem，thiselephantsuddenlywalkedoffandvanisheddownapathinthebushtotheright。
　　"Therearenowtwothingstobedone——eitherIcouldgobacktothecampandadvanceupontheelephantsatdawn，orIcouldattackthematonce。Thefirstwas，ofcourse，byfarthewiserandsafercourse。Toengageoneelephantbymoonlightandsingle—handedisasufficientlyrashproceeding；totacklethreewaslittleshortoflunacy。But，ontheotherhand，Iknewthattheywouldbeonthemarchagainbeforedaylight，andtheremightcomeanotherdayofwearytrudgingbeforeI
　　couldcatchthemup，ortheymightescapemealtogether。
　　"’No，’Ithoughttomyself，’faintheartneverwonfairtusk。I’llriskit，andhaveaslapatthem。Buthow？’Icouldnotadvanceacrosstheopen，fortheywouldseeme；clearlytheonlythingtodowastocreeproundintheshadowofthebushandtrytocomeuponthemso。SoIstarted。Sevenoreightminutesofcarefulstalkingbroughtmetothemouthofthepathdownwhichthethirdelephanthadwalked。Theothertwowerenowaboutfiftyyardsfromme，andthenatureofthewallofbushwassuchthatIcouldnotseehowtogetnearertothemwithoutbeingdiscovered。Ihesitated，andpeepeddownthepathwhichtheelephanthadfollowed。Aboutfiveyardsin，ittookaturnroundashrub。IthoughtthatIwouldjusthavealookbehindit，andadvanced，expectingthatIshouldbeabletocatchasightoftheelephant’stail。Asithappened，however，Imethistrunkcomingroundthecorner。Itisverydisconcertingtoseeanelephant’strunkwhenyouexpecttoseehistail，andforamomentIstoodparalyzedalmostunderthevastbrute’shead，forhewasnotfiveyardsfromme。Hetoohalted，threwuphistrunkandtrumpetedpreparatorytoacharge。I
　　wasinforitnow，forIcouldnotescapeeithertotherightorleft，onaccountofthebush，andIdidnotdareturnmyback。SoIdidtheonlythingthatIcoulddo——raisedtherifleandfiredattheblackmassofhischest。Itwastoodarkformetopickashot；Icouldonlybrownhim，asitwere。
　　"Theshotrungoutlikethunderonthequietair，andtheelephantanswereditwithascream，thendroppedhistrunkandstoodforasecondortwoasstillasthoughhehadbeencutinstone。IconfessthatIlostmyhead；Ioughttohavefiredmysecondbarrel，butIdidnot。Insteadofdoingso，Irapidlyopenedmyrifle，pulledouttheoldcartridgefromtherightbarrelandreplacedit。ButbeforeI
　　couldsnapthebreechto，thebullwasatme。Isawhisgreattrunkflyuplikeabrownbeam，andIwaitednolonger。Turning，Ifledfordearlife，andaftermethunderedtheelephant。RightintotheopengladeIran，andthen，thankHeaven，justashewascomingupwithmethebullettookeffectonhim。Hehadbeenshotrightthroughtheheart，orlungs，anddownhefellwithacrash，stonedead。
　　"ButinescapingfromScyllaIhadrunintothejawsofCharybdis。I
　　heardtheelephantfall，andglancedround。Straightinfrontofme，andnotfifteenpacesaway，weretheothertwobulls。Theywerestaringabout，andatthatmomenttheycaughtsightofme。Thentheycame，thepairofthem——camelikethunderbolts，andfromdifferentangles。Ihadonlytimetosnapmyrifleto，liftit，andfire，almostathaphazard，attheheadofthenearest，theunwoundedbull。
　　"Now，asyouknow，inthecaseoftheAfricanelephant，whoseskullisconvex，andnotconcavelikethatoftheIndian，thisisalwaysamostriskyandveryfrequentlyaperfectlyuselessshot。Thebulletlosesitselfinthemassesofbone，thatisall。Butthereisonelittlevitalplace，andshouldthebullethappentostrikethere，itwillfollowthechannelofthenostrils——atleastIsupposeitisthatofthenostrils——andreachthebrain。Andthiswaswhathappenedinthepresentcase——theballstruckthefatalspotintheregionoftheeyeandtravelledtothebrain。Downcamethegreatbullallofaheap，androlledontohissideasdeadasastone。Iswungroundatthatinstanttofacethethird，themonsterbullwithonetuskthatIhadwoundedtwodaysbefore。Hewasalreadyalmostoverme，andinthedimmoonlightseemedtotowerabovemelikeahouse。Iliftedtherifleandpulledathisneck。Itwouldnotgooff!Then，inaflash，asitwere，Irememberedthatitwasonthehalf—cock。Thelockofthisbarrelwasalittleweak，andafewdaysbefore，infiringatacoweland，theleftbarrelhadjarredoffattheshockofthedischargeoftheright，knockingmebackwardswiththerecoil；soafterthatIhadkeptitonthehalf—cocktillIactuallywantedtofireit。
　　"Igaveonedesperateboundtotheright，and，mylamelegnotwithstanding，Ibelievethatfewmencouldhavemadeabetterjump。
　　Atanyrate，itwasnonetoosoon，forasIjumpedIfeltthewindmadebythetremendousdownwardstrokeofthemonster’strunk。ThenI
　　ranforit。
　　"Iranlikeabuck，stillkeepingholdofmygun，however。Myidea，sofarasIcouldbesaidtohaveanyfixedidea，wastoboltdownthepathwayupwhichIhadcome，likearabbitdownaburrow，trustingthathewouldlosesightofmeintheuncertainlight。Ispedacrosstheglade。Fortunatelythebull，beingwounded，couldnotgofullspeed；butwoundedorno，hecouldgoquiteasfastasIcould。Iwasunabletogainaninch，andawaywewent，withjustaboutthreefeetbetweenourseparateextremities。Wewereattheothersidenow，andaglanceservedtoshowmethatIhadmiscalculatedandovershottheopening。Toreachitnowwashopeless；Ishouldhaveblunderedstraightintotheelephant。SoIdidtheonlythingIcoulddo：I
　　swervedlikeacoursehare，andstartedoffroundtheedgeoftheglade，seekingforsomeopeningintowhichIcouldplunge。Thisgavemeamoment’sstart，forthebullcouldnotturnasquicklyasI
　　could，andImadethemostofit。ButnoopeningcouldIsee；thebushwaslikeawall。Wewerespeedingroundtheedgeoftheglade，andtheelephantwascomingupagain。Nowhewaswithinaboutsixfeet，andnow，ashetrumpetedorratherscreamed，Icouldfeelthefiercehotblastofhisbreathstrikeuponmyhead。Heavens!howitfrightenedme!
　　"Wewerethreepartsroundthegladenow，andaboutfiftyyardsaheadwasthesinglelargedeadthorn—treeagainstwhichthebullhadbeenleaning。Ispurtedforit；itwasmylastchanceofsafety。ButspurtasIwould，itseemedhoursbeforeIgotthere。Puttingoutmyrighthand，Iswungroundthetree，thusbringingmyselffacetofacewiththeelephant。Ihadnottimetolifttherifletofire，Ihadbarelytimetocockit，andrunsidewaysandbackward，whenhewasontome。
　　Crash!hecame，strikingthetreefullwithhisforehead。Itsnappedlikeacarrotaboutfortyinchesfromtheground。FortunatelyIwasclearofthetrunk，butoneofthedeadbranchesstruckmeonthechestasitwentdownandsweptmetotheground。Ifelluponmyback，andtheelephantblunderedpastmeasIlay。MorebyinstinctthananythingelseIliftedtheriflewithonehandandpulledthetrigger。
　　Itexploded，and，asIdiscoveredafterwards，thebulletstruckhimintheribs。Buttherecoiloftheheavyrifleheldthuswasverysevere；
　　itbentmyarmup，andsentthebuttwithathudagainstthetopofmyshoulderandthesideofmyneck，forthemomentquiteparalyzingme，andcausingtheweapontojumpfrommygrasp。Meanwhilethebullwasrushingon。Hetravelledforsometwentypaces，andthensuddenlyhestopped。FaintlyIreflectedthathewascomingbacktofinishme，buteventheprospectofimminentanddreadfuldeathcouldnotrousemeintoaction。Iwasutterlyspent；Icouldnotmove。
　　"Idly，almostindifferently，Iwatchedhismovements。Foramomenthestoodstill，nexthetrumpetedtillthewelkinrang，andthenveryslowly，andwithgreatdignity，hekneltdown。AtthispointIswoonedaway。
　　"WhenIcametomyselfagainIsawfromthemoonthatImusthavebeeninsensibleforquitetwohours。Iwasdrenchedwithdew，andshiveringallover。AtfirstIcouldnotthinkwhereIwas，when，onliftingmyhead，Isawtheoutlineoftheone—tuskedbullstillkneelingsomefive—and—twentypacesfromme。ThenIremembered。SlowlyIraisedmyself，andwasinstantlytakenwithaviolentsickness，theresultofover—exertion，afterwhichIverynearlyfaintedasecondtime。
　　PresentlyIgrewbetter，andconsideredtheposition。Twooftheelephantswere，asIknew，dead；buthowaboutNo。3？Therehekneltinmajestyinthelonelymoonlight。Thequestionwas，washeresting，ordead？Iroseonmyhandsandknees，loadedmyrifle，andpainfullycreptafewpacesnearer。Icouldseehiseyenow，forthemoonlightfellfulluponit——itwasopen，andratherprominent。Icrouchedandwatched；theeyeliddidnotmove，nordidthegreatbrownbody，orthetrunk，ortheear，orthetail——nothingmoved。ThenIknewthathemustbedead。
　　"Icreptuptohim，stillkeepingtheriflewellforward，andgavehimathump，reflectingasIdidsohowverynearIhadbeentobeingthumpedinsteadofthumping。Heneverstirred；certainlyhewasdead，thoughtothisdayIdonotknowifitwasmyrandomshotthatkilledhim，orifhediedfromconcussionofthebrainconsequentuponthetremendousshockofhiscontactwiththetree。Anyhow，therehewas。
　　Coldandbeautifulhelay，orratherknelt，asthepoetnearlyputsit。Indeed，IdonotthinkthatIhaveeverseenasightmoreimposinginitswaythanthatofthemightybeastcrouchedinmajesticdeath，andshoneuponbythelonelymoon。
　　"WhileIstoodadmiringthescene，andheartilycongratulatingmyselfuponmyescape，oncemoreIbegantofeelsick。Accordingly，withoutwaitingtoexaminetheothertwobulls，Istaggeredbacktothecamp，whichinduecourseIreachedinsafety。Everybodyinitwasasleep。I
　　didnotwakethem，buthavingswallowedamouthfulofbrandyIthrewoffmycoatandshoes，rolledmyselfupinablanket，andwassoonfastasleep。
　　"WhenIwokeitwasalreadylight，andatfirstIthoughtthat，likeJoseph，Ihaddreamedadream。Atthatmoment，however，Iturnedmyhead，andquicklyknewthatitwasnodream，formyneckandfaceweresostifffromtheblowofthebutt—endoftheriflethatitwasagonytomovethem。Icollapsedforaminuteortwo。Goboandanotherman，wrappeduplikeacoupleofmonksintheirblankets，thinkingthatI
　　wasstillasleep，werecrouchedoveralittlefiretheyhadmade，forthemorningwasdampandchilly，andholdingsweetconverse。
　　"Gobosaidthathewasgettingtiredofrunningafterelephantswhichtheynevercaught。Macumazahn（thatis，myself）waswithoutdoubtamanofparts，andofsomeskillinshooting，butalsohewasafool。
　　Nonebutafoolwouldrunsofastandfarafterelephantswhichitwasimpossibletocatch，whentheykeptcuttingthespooroffreshones。
　　Hecertainlywasafool，buthemustnotbeallowedtocontinueinhisfolly；andhe，Gobo，haddeterminedtoputastoptoit。Heshouldrefusetoaccompanyhimanyfurtheronsomadahunt。
　　"’Yes，’theotheranswered，’thepoormancertainlywassickinhishead，anditwasquitetimethattheycheckedhisfollywhiletheystillhadapatchofskinleftupontheirfeet。Moreover，heforhispartcertainlydidnotlikethiscountryofWambe’s，whichreallywasfullofghosts。Onlythelastnighthehadheardthespooksatwork——
　　theywereoutshooting，atleastitsoundedasthoughtheywere。Itwasveryqueer，butperhapstheirlunaticofamaster————’
　　"’Gobo，youscoundrel!’Ishoutedoutatthisjuncture，sittingboltuprightontheblankets，’stopidlingthereandmakemesomecoffee。’
　　"UpsprangGoboandhisfriend，andinhalfamomentwererespectfullyskippingaboutinamannerthatcontrastedwellwiththelordlycontemptoftheirpreviousconversation。Butallthetimetheywereinearnestinwhattheysaidabouthuntingtheelephantsanyfurther，forbeforeIhadfinishedmycoffeetheycametomeinabody，andsaidthatifIwantedtofollowthoseelephantsImustfollowthemmyself，fortheywouldnotgo。
　　"Iarguedwiththem，andaffectedtobemuchputout。Theelephantswerecloseathand，Isaid；Iwassureofit；Ihadheardthemtrumpetinthenight。
　　"’Yes，’answeredthemenmysteriously，’theytoohadheardthingsinthenight，thingsnotnicetohear；theyhadheardthespooksoutshooting，andnolongerwouldtheyremaininacountrysovilelyhaunted。’
　　"’Itwasnonsense，’Ireplied。’Ifghostswentoutshooting，surelytheywoulduseair—gunsandnotblackpowder，andonewouldnothearanair—gun。Well，iftheywerecowards，andwouldnotcome，ofcourseIcouldnotforcethemto，butIwouldmakeabargainwiththem。Theyshouldfollowthoseelephantsforonehalf—hourmore，thenifwefailedtocomeuponthemIwouldabandonthepursuit，andwewouldgostraighttoWambe，chiefoftheMatuku，andgivehimhongo。’
　　"Tothiscompromisethemenagreedreadily。Accordinglyabouthalf—an—
　　hourlaterwestruckourcampandstarted，andnotwithstandingmyachesandbruises，IdonotthinkthatIeverfeltinbetterspiritsinmylife。Itissomethingtowakeupinthemorningandrememberthatinthedeadofthenight，single—handed，onehasgivenbattletoandoverthrownthreeofthelargestelephantsinAfrica，slayingthemwiththreebullets。Suchafeattomyknowledgehadneverbeendonebefore，andonthatparticularmorningIfeltavery’tallmanofmyhands’indeed。TheonlythingIfearedwas，thatshouldIevercometotellthestorynobodywouldbelieveit，forwhenastrangetaleistoldbyahunter，peopleareapttothinkitisnecessarilyalie，insteadofbeingonlyprobablyso。[*]
　　[*]ForthesatisfactionofanywhomaybesodisbelievingastotakethisviewofMr。Quatermain’sstory，theEditormaystatethatagentlemanwithwhomheisacquainted，andwhoseveracityhebelievestobebeyonddoubt，notlongagodescribedtohimhowhechancedtokill/four/Africanelephantswithfourconsecutivebullets。Twooftheseelephantswerecharginghimsimultaneously，andoutofthefourthreewerekilledwiththeheadshot，averyuncommonthinginthecaseoftheAfricanelephant。——Editor。
　　"Well，wepassedontill，havingcrossedthefirstgladewhereIhadseenthelions，wereachedtheneckofbushthatseparateditfromthesecondglade，wherethedeadelephantswere。AndhereIbegantotakeelaborateprecautions，amongstothersorderingGobotokeepsomeyardsaheadandlookoutsharp，asIthoughtthattheelephantsmightbeabout。Heobeyedmyinstructionswithasuperiorsmile，andpushedahead。PresentlyIsawhimpullupasthoughhehadbeenshot，andbegintosnaphisfingersfaintly。
　　"’Whatisit？’Iwhispered。
　　"’Theelephant，thegreatelephantwithonetuskkneelingdown。’
　　"Icreptupbesidehim。TherekneltthebullasIhadlefthimlastnight，andtheretoolaytheotherbulls。
　　"’Dotheseelephantssleep？’IwhisperedtotheastonishedGobo。
　　"’Yes，Macumazahn，theysleep。’
　　"’Nay，Gobo，theyaredead。’
　　"’Dead？Howcantheybedead？Whokilledthem？’
　　"’Whatdopeoplecallme，Gobo？’
　　"’TheycallyouMacumazahn。’
　　"’AndwhatdoesMacumazahnmean？’
　　"’Itmeansthemanwhokeepshiseyesopen，themanwhogetsupinthenight。’
　　"’Yes，Gobo，andIamthatman。Look，youidle，lazycowards；whileyousleptlastnightIrose，andaloneIhuntedthosegreatelephants，andslewthembythemoonlight。ToeachofthemIgaveonebulletandonlyone，anditfelldead。Look，’andIadvancedintotheglade，’hereismyspoor，andhereisthespoorofthegreatbullchargingafterme，andthereisthetreethatItookrefugebehind；see，theelephantshattereditinhischarge。Oh，youcowards，youwhowouldgiveupthechasewhilethebloodspoorsteamedbeneathyournostrils，seewhatIdidsingle—handedwhileyouslept，andbeashamed。’
　　"’/Ou!/’saidthemen，’/ou!/Koos!Koosyumcool!’（Chief，greatChief!）Andthentheyheldtheirtongues，andgoinguptothethreedeadbeasts，gazedupontheminsilence。
　　"Butafterthatthosemenlookeduponmewithaweasbeingalmostmorethanmortal。Nomereman，theysaid，couldhaveslainthosethreeelephantsaloneinthenight—time。Ineverhadanyfurthertroublewiththem。IbelievethatifIhadtoldthemtojumpoveraprecipiceandthattheywouldtakenoharm，theywouldhavebelievedme。
　　"Well，Iwentupandexaminedthebulls。SuchtusksastheyhadI
　　neversawandnevershallseeagain。Ittookusalldaytocutthemout；andwhentheyreachedDelagoaBay，astheydidultimately，thoughnotinmykeeping，thesingletuskofthebigbullscaledonehundredandsixtypounds，andthefourothertusksaveragedninety—nineandahalfpounds——amostwonderful，indeedanalmostunprecedented，lotofivory。[*]UnfortunatelyIwasforcedtosawthebigtuskintwo，otherwisewecouldnothavecarriedit。"
　　[*]ThelargestelephanttuskofwhichtheEditorhasanycertainknowledgescaledonehundredandfiftypounds。
　　"Oh，Quatermain，youbarbarian!"Ibrokeinhere，"theideaofspoilingsuchatusk!Why，IwouldhavekeptitwholeifIhadbeenobligedtodragitmyself。"
　　"Ohyes，youngman，"heanswered，"itisallverywellforyoutotalklikethat，butifyouhadfoundyourselfinthepositionwhichitwasmyprivilegetooccupyafewhoursafterwards，itismybeliefthatyouwouldhavethrownthetusksawayaltogetherandtakentoyourheels。"
　　"Oh，"saidGood，"sothatisn’ttheendoftheyarn？Averygoodyarn，Quatermain，bytheway——Icouldn’thavemadeupabetteronemyself。"
　　TheoldgentlemanlookedatGoodseverely，foritirritatedhimtobechaffedabouthisstories。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Good。Idon’tseethatthereisanycomparisonbetweenatruestoryofadventureandthepreposteroustaleswhichyouinventaboutibexhangingbytheirhorns。No，itisnottheendofthestory；themostexcitingpartistocome。ButI
　　havetalkedenoughforto—night；andifyougooninthatway，Good，itwillbesometimebeforeIbeginagain。"
　　"SorryIspoke，I’msure，"saidGood，humbly。"Let’shaveasplittoshowthatthereisnoill—feeling。"Andtheydid。
　　V
　　THEMESSAGEOFMAIWA
　　Onthefollowingeveningweoncemoredinedtogether，andQuatermain，aftersomepressure，waspersuadedtocontinuehisstory——forGood’sremarkstillrankledinhisbreast。
　　"Atlast，"hewenton，"afewminutesbeforesunset，thetaskwasfinished。Wehadlabouredatitallday，stoppingonlyoncefordinner，foritisnoeasymattertohewoutfivesuchtusksasthosewhichnowlaybeforemeinawhiteandgleamingline。Itwasadinnerwortheating，too，Icantellyou，forwedinedofftheheartofthegreatone—tuskedbull，whichwassobigthatthemanwhomIsentinsidetheelephanttolookforhisheartwasforcedtoremoveitintwopieces。Wecutitintoslicesandfrieditwithfat，andInevertastedhearttoequalit，forthemeatseemedtomeltinone’smouth。
　　Bytheway，Iexaminedthejawoftheelephant；itnevergrewbutonetusk；theotherhadnotbeenbrokenoff，norwasitpresentinarudimentaryform。
　　"Well，therelaythefivebeauties，orratherfourofthem，forGoboandanothermanwereengagedinsawingthegrandoneintwo。AtlastwithmanysighsIorderedthemtodothis，butnotuntilbypracticalexperimentIhadprovedthatitwasimpossibletocarryitinanyotherway。Onehundredandsixtypoundsofsolidivory，orrathermoreinitsgreenstate，istoogreataweightfortwomentobearforlongacrossabrokencountry。Isatwatchingthejobandsmokingthepipeofcontentment，whensuddenlythebushopened，andaveryhandsomeanddignifiednativegirl，apparentlyabouttwentyyearsofage，stoodbeforeme，carryingabasketofgreenmealiesuponherhead。
　　"AlthoughIwasrathersurprisedtoseeanativegirlinsuchawildspot，and，sofarasIknew，alongwayfromanykraal，thematterdidnotattractmyparticularnotice；Imerelycalledtooneofthemen，andtoldhimtobargainwiththewomanforthemealies，andaskheriftherewereanymoretobeboughtintheneighbourhood。ThenIturnedmyheadandcontinuedtosuperintendthecuttingofthetusk。
　　Presentlyashadowfelluponme。Ilookedup，andsawthatthegirlwasstandingbeforeme，thebasketofmealiesstillonherhead。
　　"’Marême，Marême，’shesaid，gentlyclappingherhandstogether。ThewordMarêmeamongtheseMatuku（thoughshewasnoMatuku）answerstotheZulu’Koos，’andtheclappingofhandsisaformofsalutationverycommonamongthetribesoftheBasuturace。
　　"’Whatisit，girl？’IaskedherinSisutu。’Arethosemealiesforsale？’
　　"’No，greatwhitehunter，’sheansweredinZulu，’Ibringthemasagift。’
　　"’Good，’Ireplied；’setthemdown。’
　　"’Agiftforagift，whiteman。’
　　"’Ah，’Igrumbled，’theoldstory——nothingfornothinginthiswickedworld。Whatdoyouwant——beads？’
　　"Shenodded，andIwasabouttotelloneofthementogoandfetchsomefromoneofthepacks，whenshecheckedme。
　　"’Agiftfromthegiver’sownhandistwiceagift，’shesaid，andI
　　thoughtthatshespokemeaningly。
　　"’Youmeanthatyouwantmetogivethemtoyoumyself？’
　　"’Surely。’
　　"Irosetogowithher。’Howisitthat，beingoftheMatuku，youspeakintheZulutongue？’Iaskedsuspiciously。
　　"’IamnotoftheMatuku，’sheansweredassoonaswewereoutofhearingofthemen。’IamofthepeopleofNala，whosetribeistheButianatribe，andwholivesthere，’andshepointedoverthemountain。’AlsoIamoneofthewivesofWambe，’andhereyesflashedasshesaidthename。
　　"’Andhowdidyoucomehere？’
　　"’Onmyfeet，’sheansweredlaconically。
　　"Wereachedthepacks，andundoingoneofthem，Iextractedahandfulofbeads。’Now，’Isaid，’agiftforagift。Handoverthemealies。’
　　"Shetookthebeadswithoutevenlookingatthem，whichstruckmeascurious，andsettingthebasketofmealiesontheground，emptiedit。
　　"Atthebottomofthebasketweresomecuriously—shapedgreenleaves，ratherliketheleavesofthegutta—perchatreeinshape，onlysomewhatthickerandofamorefleshysubstance。Asthoughbyhazard，thegirlpickedoneoftheseleavesoutofthebasketandsmeltit。
　　Thenshehandedittome。Itooktheleaf，andsupposingthatshewishedmetosmellitalso，wasabouttoobligeherbydoingso，whenmyeyefelluponsomecuriousredscratchesonthegreensurfaceoftheleaf。
　　"’Ah，’saidthegirl（whosename，bytheway，wasMaiwa），speakingbeneathherbreath，’readthesigns，whiteman。’
　　"WithoutansweringherIcontinuedtostareattheleaf。Ithadbeenscratchedorratherwrittenuponwithasharptool，suchasanail，andwhereverthisinstrumenthadtouchedit，theacidjuiceoozingthroughtheouterskinhadturnedarustybloodcolour。PresentlyI
　　foundthebeginningofthescrawl，andreadthisinEnglish，andcoveringthesurfaceoftheleafandoftwoothersthatwereinthebasket。
　　"’IhearthatawhitemanishuntingintheMatukucountry。ThisistowarnhimtoflyoverthemountaintoNala。Wambesendsanimpiatdaybreaktoeathimup，becausehehashuntedbeforebringinghongo。ForGod’ssake，whoeveryouare，trytohelpme。IhavebeentheslaveofthisdevilWambefornearlysevenyears，andambeatenandtorturedcontinually。Hemurderedalltherestofus，butkeptmebecauseIcouldworkiron。Maiwa，hiswife，takesthis；sheisflyingtoNalaherfatherbecauseWambekilledherchild。TrytogetNalatoattackWambe；Maiwacanguidethemoverthemountain。Youwon’tcomefornothing，forthestockadeofWambe’sprivatekraalismadeofelephants’tusks。ForGod’ssake，don’tdesertme，orIshallkillmyself。Icanbearthisnolonger。
　　"’JohnEvery。’
　　"’Greatheavens!’Igasped。’Every!——why，itmustbemyoldfriend。’
　　Thegirl，orratherthewomanMaiwa，pointedtotheothersideoftheleaf，wheretherewasmorewriting。Itranthus——’IhavejustheardthatthewhitemaniscalledMacumazahn。Ifso，itmustbemyfriendQuatermain。PrayHeavenitis，forIknowhewon’tdesertanoldchuminsuchafixasIam。Itisn’tthatI’mafraidofdying，Idon’tcareifIdie，butIwanttogetachanceatWambefirst。’
　　"’No，oldboy，’thoughtItomyself，’itisn’tlikelythatIamgoingtoleaveyoutherewhilethereisachanceofgettingyouout。Ihaveplayedfoxbeforenow——there’sstilladoubleortwoleftinme。I
　　mustmakeaplan，that’sall。Andthenthere’sthatstockadeoftusks。
　　Iamnotgoingtoleavethateither。’ThenIspoketothewoman。
　　"’YouarecalledMaiwa？’
　　"’Itisso。’
　　"’YouarethedaughterofNalaandthewifeofWambe？’
　　"’Itisso。’
　　"’YouflyfromWambetoNala？’
　　"’Ido。’
　　"’Whydoyoufly？Stay，Iwouldgiveanorder，’——andcallingtoGobo，Iorderedhimtogetthemenreadyforinstantdeparture。Thewoman，who，asIhavesaid，wasquiteyoungandveryhandsome，putherhandintoalittlepouchmadeofantelopehidewhichsheworefastenedroundthewaist，andtomyhorrordrewfromitthewitheredhandofachild，whichevidentlyhadbeencarefullydriedinthesmoke。
　　"’Iflyforthiscause，’sheanswered，holdingthepoorlittlehandtowardsme。’Seenow，Iboreachild。Wambewasitsfather，andforeighteenmonthsthechildlivedandIlovedit。ButWambelovesnothischildren；hekillsthemall。Hefearslesttheyshouldgrowuptoslayonesowicked，andhewouldhavekilledthischildalso，butI
　　beggeditslife。Oneday，somesoldierspassingthehutsawthechildandsalutedhim，callinghimthe"chiefwhosoonshallbe。"Wambeheard，andwasmad。Hesmotethebabe，anditwept。Thenhesaidthatitshouldweepforgoodcause。Amongthethingsthathehadstolenfromthewhitemenwhomheslewisatrapthatwillholdlions。Sostrongisthetrapthatfourmenmuststandonit，twooneitherside，beforeitcanbeopened。’"
　　HereoldQuatermainbrokeoffsuddenly。
　　"Lookhere，youfellows，"hesaid，"Ican’tbeartogoonwiththispartofthestory，becauseInevercouldstandeitherseeingortalkingofthesufferingsofchildren。Youcanguesswhatthatdevildid，andwhatthepoormotherwasforcedtowitness。Wouldyoubelieveit，shetoldmethetalewithoutatremor，inthemostmatter—of—factway。OnlyInoticedthathereyelidquiveredallthetime。
　　"’Well，’Isaid，asunconcernedlyasthoughIhadbeentalkingofthedeathofalamb，thoughinwardlyIwassickwithhorrorandboilingwithrage，’andwhatdoyoumeantodoaboutthematter，Maiwa，wifeofWambe？’
　　"’Imeantodothis，whiteman，’sheanswered，drawingherselfuptoherfullheight，andspeakingintonesashardassteelandcoldasice——’Imeantowork，andwork，andwork，tobringthistopass，andtobringthattopass，untilatlengthitcomestopassthatwiththeselivingeyesIbeholdWambedyingthedeaththathegavetohischildandmychild。’
　　"’Wellsaid，’Ianswered。
　　"’Ay，wellsaid，Macumazahn，wellsaid，andnoteasilyforgotten。Whocouldforget，oh，whocouldforget？Seewherethisdeadhandrestsagainstmyside；soonceitrestedwhenalive。Andnow，thoughitisdead，noweverynightitcreepsfromitsnestandstrokesmyhairandclaspsmyfingersinitstinypalm。Everynightitdoesthis，fearinglestIshouldforget。Oh，mychild!mychild!tendaysagoIheldtheetomybreast，andnowthisaloneremainsofthee，’andshekissedthedeadhandandshivered，butneverateardidsheweep。
　　"’Seenow，’shewenton，’thewhiteman，theprisoneratWambe’skraal，hewaskindtome。Helovedthechildthatisdead，yes，heweptwhenitsfatherslewit，andattheriskofhislifetoldWambe，myhusband——ah，yes，myhusband!——thatwhichheis!Hetooitwaswhomadeaplan。Hesaidtome，"Go，Maiwa，afterthecustomofthypeople，gopurifythyselfinthebushalone，havingtouchedadeadone。SaytoWambethougoesttopurifythyselfaloneforfifteendays，accordingtothecustomofthypeople。Thenflytothyfather，Nala，andstirhimuptowaragainstWambeforthesakeofthechildthatisdead。"Thisthenhesaid，andhiswordsseemedgoodtome，andthatsamenightereIlefttopurifymyselfcamenewsthatawhitemanhuntedinthecountry，andWambe，beingmadwithdrink，grewverywrath，andgaveordersthatanimpishouldbegatheredtoslaythewhitemanandhispeopleandseizehisgoods。Thendidthe"SmiterofIron"（Every）writethemessageonthegreenleaves，andbidmeseektheeout，andshowforththematter，thatthoumightestsavethyselfbyflight；andbehold，thisthinghaveIdone，Macumazahn，thehunter，theSlayerofElephants。’
　　"’Ah，’Isaid，’Ithankyou。AndhowmanymenbethereintheimpiofWambe？’
　　"’Ahundredofmenandhalfahundred。’
　　"’Andwhereistheimpi？’
　　"’Theretothenorth。Itfollowsonthyspoor。Isawitpassyesterday，butmyselfIguessedthatthouwouldstbenighertothemountain，andcamethisway，andfoundthee。To—morrowatthedaybreaktheslayerswillbehere。’
　　"’Verypossibly，’Ithoughttomyself；’buttheywon’tfindMacumazahn。Ihavehalfamindtoputsomestrychnineintothecarcasesofthoseelephantsfortheirespecialbenefitthough。’Iknewthattheywouldstoptoeattheelephants，asindeedtheydid，toourgreatgain，butIabandonedtheideaofpoisoningthem，becauseIwasrathershortofstrychnine。"
　　"Orbecauseyoudidnotliketoplaythetrick，Quatermain？"I
　　suggestedwithalaugh。
　　"IsaidbecauseIhadnotenoughstrychnine。Itwouldtakeagreatdealofstrychninetopoisonthreeelephantseffectually，"answeredtheoldgentlemantestily。
　　Isaidnothingfurther，butIsmiled，knowingthatoldAllancouldneverhaveresortedtosuchanartifice，howeverseverehisstrait。
　　Butthatwashisway；healwaysmadehimselfouttobeamostunmercifulperson。
　　"Well，"hewenton，"atthatmomentGobocameupandannouncedthatwewerereadytomarch。’Iamgladthatyouareready，’Isaid，’becauseifyoudon’tmarch，andmarchquick，youwillnevermarchagain，thatisall。Wambehasanimpiouttokillus，anditwillbeherepresently。’
　　"Goboturnedpositivelygreen，andhiskneesknockedtogether。’Ah，whatdidIsay？’heexclaimed。’FatewalksaboutlooseinWambe’scountry。’
　　"’Verygood；nowallyouhavetodoistowalkalittlequickerthanhedoes。No，no，youdon’tleavethoseelephanttusksbehind——IamnotgoingtopartwiththemIcantellyou。’
　　"Gobosaidnomore，buthastilydirectedthementotakeuptheirloads，andthenaskedwhichwayweweretorun。
　　"’Ah，’IsaidtoMaiwa，’whichway？’
　　"’There，’sheanswered，pointingtowardsthegreatmountainspurwhichtoweredupintotheskysomefortymilesaway，separatingtheterritoriesofNalaandWambe——’there，belowthatsmallpeak，isoneplacewheremenmaypass，andoneonly。Alsoitcaneasilybeblockedfromabove。Ifmenpassnotthere，thentheymustgoroundthegreatpeakofthemountain，twodays’journeyandhalfaday。’
　　"’Andhowfaristhepeakfromus？’
　　"’Allto—nightshallyouwalkandallto—morrow，andifyouwalkfast，atsunsetyoushallstandonthepeak。’
　　"Iwhistled，forthatmeantafive—and—fortymilestrudgewithoutsleep。ThenIcalledtothementotakeeachofthemasmuchcookedelephant’smeatashecouldcarryconveniently。Ididthesamemyself，andforcedthewomanMaiwatoeatsomeaswewent。ThisIdidwithdifficulty，foratthattimesheseemedneithertosleepnoreatnorrest，sofiercelywasshesetonvengeance。
　　"Thenwestarted，Maiwaguidingus。Aftergoingforahalf—hourovergraduallyrisingground，wefoundourselvesonthefurtheredgeofagreatbush—claddepressionsomethinglikethebottomofalake。Thisdepression，throughwhichwehadbeentravelling，wascoveredwithbushtoaverygreatextent，indeedalmostaltogetherso，exceptwhereitwaspittedwithgladessuchasthatwhereinIhadshottheelephants。
　　"AtthetopofthisslopeMaiwahalted，andputtingherhandoverhereyeslookedback。Presentlyshetouchedmeonthearmandpointedacrosstheseaofforesttowardsacomparativelyvacantspaceofcountrysomesixorsevenmilesaway。Ilooked，andsuddenlyIsawsomethingflashintheredraysofthesettingsun。Apause，andthenanotherquickflash。
　　"’Whatisit？’Iasked。
　　"’ItisthespearsofWambe’simpi，andtheytravelfast，’sheansweredcoolly。
　　"IsupposethatmyfaceshowedhowlittleIlikedthenews，forshewenton——
　　"’Fearnot；theywillstaytofeastupontheelephants，andwhiletheyfeastweshalljourney。Wemayyetescape。’
　　"Afterthatweturnedandpushedonagain，tillatlengthitgrewsodarkthatwehadtowaitfortherisingofthemoon，whichlostustime，thoughitgaveusrest。Fortunatelynoneofthemenhadseenthatominousflashingofthespears；iftheyhad，IdoubtifevenI
　　couldhavekeptcontrolofthem。Asitwas，theytravelledfasterthanIhadeverknownloadednativestogobefore，sothorough—pacedwastheirdesiretoseethelastofWambe’scountry。I，however，tooktheprecautiontomarchlastofall，fearinglesttheyshouldthrowawaytheirloadstolightenthemselves，or，worsestill，thetusks；forthesekindoffellowswouldbecapableofthrowinganythingawayiftheirownskinswereatstake。Ifthepious？neas，whosestoryyouwerereadingtometheothernight，hadbeenamongrelDelagoaBaynative，AnchiseswouldhavehadapoorchanceofgettingoutofTroy，thatis，ifhewasknowntohavemadeasatisfactorywill。
　　"Atmoonrisewesetoutagain，andwithshortoccasionalhaltstravelledtilldawn，whenwewereforcedtorestandeat。Startingoncemore，abouthalf—pastfive，wecrossedtheriveratnoon。Thenbeganthelongtoilsomeascentthroughthickbush，thesameinwhichI
　　shotthebullbuffalo，onlysometwentymilestothewestofthatspot，andnotmorethantwenty—fivemilesonthehithersideofWambe’skraal。Thereweresixorsevenmilesofthisdensebush，andhardworkitwastogetthroughit。Nextcameabeltofscatteredforestwhichwaseasiertopass，though，inrevenge，thegroundwassteeper。Thiswasabouttwomileswide，andwepasseditbyaboutfourintheafternoon。Abovethisscatteredbushlayalongsteepslopeofboulder—strewnground，whichranuptothefootofthelittlepeaksomethreemilesaway。Asweemerged，footsoreandweary，ontothisinhospitableplain，someofthemenlookingroundcaughtsightofthespearsofWambe’simpiadvancingrapidlynotmorethanamilebehindus。
　　"Atfirsttherewasapanic，andthebearerstriedtothrowofftheirloadsandrun，butIharanguedthem，callingouttothemthatcertainlyIwouldshootthefirstmanwhodidsoandthatiftheywouldbuttrustinmeIwouldbringthemthroughthemess。Now，eversinceIhadkilledthosethreeelephantssingle—handed，Ihadgainedgreatinfluenceoverthesemen，andtheylistenedtome。Sooffwewentashardaseverwecouldgo——themembersoftheAlpineClubwouldnothavebeeninitwithus。Wemadethebouldersburn，asaFrenchmanwouldsay。
　　"Whenwehaddoneaboutamilethespearsbegantoemergefromthebeltofscatteredbush，andthewhoopoftheirbearersastheyviewedusbrokeuponourears。Quickasourpacehadbeenbefore，itgrewmuchquickernow，forterrorlentwingstomygallantcrew。Buttheyweresorelytired，andtheloadswereheavy，sothatrun，orratherclimb，aswewould，Wambe’ssoldiers，ascrubby—lookinglotofmenarmedwithbigspearsandsmallshields，butwithoutplumes，climbedconsiderablyfaster。Thelastmileofthatpleasingchasewaslikeafoxhunt，webeingthefox，andalwaysinview。WhatastonishedmewastheextraordinaryenduranceandactivityshownbyMaiwa。Sheneverevenflagged。Ithinkthatgirl’smusclesmusthavebeenmadeofiron，orperhapsitwasthestrengthofherwillthatsupportedher。Atanyrateshereachedthefootofthepeaksecond，poorGobo，whowasanexcellenthandatrunningaway，beingfirst。
　　"PresentlyIcameuppanting，andglancedattheascent。Beforeuswasawallofrockaboutonehundredandfiftyfeetinheight，uponwhichthestratawerelaidsoastoformaseriesofprojectionssufficientlyresemblingstepstomaketheascenteasy，comparativelyspeaking，exceptatonespot，whereitwasnecessarytoclimboveraprojectingangleofcliffandbearalittletotheleft。Itwasnotareallydifficultplace，butwhatmadeitawkwardwas，thatimmediatelybeneaththisprojectiongapedadeepfissureordonga，onthebrinkofwhichwenowstood，originallydugout，nodoubt，bytherushofwaterfromthepeakandcliff。Thisgulfbeneathwouldbetryingtothenervesofaweak—headedclimberatthecriticalpoint，andsoitprovedintheresult。Theprojectingangleoncepassed，theremainderoftheascentwasverysimple。Atthesummit，however，thebrowofthecliffhungoverandwaspiercedbyasinglenarrowpathcutthroughitbywater，insuchfashionthatasingleboulderrolledintoitatthetopwouldmakethecliffquiteimpassabletomenwithoutropes。
　　"AtthismomentWambe’ssoldierswereaboutathousandyardsfromus，soitwasevidentthatwehadnotimetolose。Iatonceorderedthementocommencetheascent，thegirlMaiwa，whowasfamiliarwiththepass，goingfirsttoshowthemtheway。Accordinglytheybegantomountwithalacrity，pushingandliftingtheirloadsinfrontofthem。
　　Whenthefirstofthem，ledbyMaiwa，reachedtheprojectingangle，theyputdowntheirloadsuponaledgeofrockandclamberedover。
　　Oncethere，bylyingontheirstomachsuponaboulder，theycouldreachtheloadswhichwereheldtothembythemenbeneath，andinthiswaydragthemovertheawkwardplace，whencetheywerecarriedeasilytothetop。
　　"Butallofthistooktime，andmeanwhilethesoldierswerecomingupfast，screamingandbrandishingtheirbigspears。Theywerenowwithinaboutfourhundredyards，andseveralloads，togetherwithallthetusks，hadyettobegotovertherock。Iwasstillstandingatthebottomofthecliff，shoutingdirectionstothemenabove，butitoccurredtomethatitwouldsoonbetimetomove。Beforedoingso，however，Ithoughtthatitmightbewelltotryandproduceamoraleffectupontheadvancingenemy。InmyhandIheldaWinchesterrepeatingcarbine，butthedistancewastoogreatformetouseitwitheffect，soIturnedtoGobo，whowasshiveringwithterroratmyside，andhandinghimthecarbine，tookmyexpressfromhim。
　　"Theenemywasnowaboutthreehundredandfiftyyardsaway，andtheexpresswasonlysightedtothreehundred。StillIknewthatitcouldbetrustedfortheextrafiftyyards。RunninginfrontofWambe’ssoldiersweretwomen——captains，Isuppose——oneofthemverytall。I
　　putupthethreehundredyardflap，andsittingdownwithmybackagainsttherock，Idrewalongbreathtosteadymyself，andcoveredthetallman，givinghimafullsight。FeelingthatIwasonhim，I
　　pulled，andbeforethesoundofthestrikingbulletcouldreachmyears，Isawthemanthrowuphisarmsandpitchforwardontohishead。Hiscompanionstoppeddead，givingmeafairchance。Irapidlycoveredhim，andfiredtheleftbarrel。Heturnedroundonce，andthensankdowninaheap。Thiscausedtheenemytohesitate——theyhadneverseenmenkilledatsuchadistancebefore，andthoughtthattherewassomethinguncannyabouttheperformance。Takingadvantageofthelull，IgavetheexpressbacktoGobo，andslingingtheWinchesterrepeaterovermybackIbegantoclimbthecliff。
　　"Whenwereachedtheprojectinganglealltheloadswereover，butthetusksstillhadtobepassedup，andowingtotheirweightandthesmoothnessoftheirsurface，thiswasaverydifficulttask。OfcourseIoughttohaveabandonedthetusks；oftenandoftenhaveIsincereproachedmyselffornotdoingso。Indeed，Ithinkthatmyobstinacyaboutthemwasdownrightsinful，butIwasalwaysobstinateaboutsuchthings，andIcouldnotbeartheideaofleavingthosesplendidtuskswhichhadcostmesomuchpainsanddangertocomeby。Well，itnearlycostmemylifealso，anddidcostpoorGobohis，aswillbeseenshortly，tosaynothingofthelossinflictedbymyrifleontheenemy。WhenIreachedtheprojectionIfoundthatthemen，withtheirusualstupidity，weretryingtohandupthetuskspointfirst。Nowtheresultofthiswasthatthoseabovehadnothingtogripexcepttheroundpolishedsurfaceoftheivory，andinthepositioninwhichtheywere，thisdidnotgivethemsufficientholdtoenablethemtolifttheweight。Itoldthemtoreversethetusksandpushthemup，sothattheroughandhollowendscametothehandsofthemenabove。Thistheydid，andthefirsttwoweredraggedupinsafety。
　　"Atthispoint，lookingbehindme，IsawtheMatukusstreaminguptheslopeinaroughextendedorder，andnotmorethanahundredyardsaway。CockingtheWinchesterIturnedandopenedfireonthem。Idon’tquiteknowhowmanyImissed，butIdoknowthatInevershotbetterinmylife。Ihadtokeepshiftingmyselffromoneenemytotheother，firingalmostwithoutgettingasight，thatis，bytheeyealone，afterthefashionoftheexpertswhobreakglassballs。Butquickastheworkwas，menfellthick，andbythetimethatIhademptiedthecarbineofitstwelvecartridges，forthemomenttheadvancewaschecked。Irapidlypushedinsomemorecartridges，andhardlyhadI
　　donesowhentheenemy，seeingthatwewereabouttoescapethemaltogether，cameononcemorewithatremendousyell。Bythistimethetwohalvesofthesingletuskofthegreatbullaloneremainedtobepassedup。Ifiredandfiredaseffectivelyasbefore，butnotwithstandingallthatIcoulddo，somemenescapedmyhailofbulletsandbegantoascendthecliff。Presentlymyriflewasagainempty。Islungitovermyback，and，drawingmyrevolver，turnedtorunforit，theattackersbeingnowquiteclose。AsIdidso，aspearstruckthecliffclosetomyhead。
　　"Thelasthalfofthetuskwasnowvanishingovertherock，andIsungouttoGoboandtheothermanwhohadbeenpushingituptovanishafterit。Gobo，poorfellow，requirednosecondinvitation；indeed，hishastewashisundoing。Hewentattheprojectingrockwithabound。Theendofthetuskwasstillhangingover，andinsteadofgraspingtherockhecaughtatit。Ittwistedinhishand——heslipped——hefell；withonewildshriekhevanishedintotheabyssbeneath，hisfallingbodybrushingmeasitpassed。Foramomentwestoodaghast，andpresentlythedullthudofhisfallsmoteheavilyuponourears。Poorfellow，hehadmettheFatewhich，ashedeclared，walkedaboutlooseinWambe’scountry。Thenwithanoaththeremainingmansprungattherockandclamberedoveritinsafety。Aghastattheawfulnessofwhathadhappened，Istoodstill，tillIsawthegreatbladeofaMatukuspearpassupbetweenmyfeet。Thatbroughtmetomysenses，andIbegantoclamberuptherocklikeacat。Iwashalfwayroundit。AlreadyIhadclaspedthehandofthatbravegirlMaiwa，whocamedowntohelpme，themenhavingscrambledforwardwiththeivory，whenIfeltsomeoneseizemyankle。
　　"’Pull，Maiwa，pull，’Igasped，andshecertainlydidpull。Maiwawasaverymuscularwoman，andneverbeforedidIappreciatetheadvantagesofthephysicaldevelopmentoffemalessokeenly。Shetuggedatmyleftarm，thesavagebelowtuggedatmyrightleg，tillI
　　begantorealizethatsomethingmustgivewayerelong。LuckilyI
　　retainedmypresenceofmind，likethemanwhothrewhismother—in—lawoutofthewindow，andcarriedthemattressdown—stairs，whenafirebrokeoutinhishouse。Myrighthandwasstillfree，andinitIheldmyrevolver，whichwassecuredtomywristbyaleatherthong。Thepistolwascocked，andIsimplypointeditdownwardsandfired。Theresultwasinstantaneous——andsofarasIamconcerned，mostsatisfactory。Thebullethitthemanbeneathmesomewhere，IamsureI
　　don’tknowwhere；atanyrate，heletgoofmylegandplungedheadlongintothegulfbeneathtojoinGobo。InanothermomentIwasonthetopoftherock，andgoinguptheremainingstepslikealamplighter。Asingleothersoldierappearedinpursuit，butoneofmyboysatthetopfiredmyelephantgunathim。Idon’tknowifhehithimoronlyfrightenedhim；atanyrate，hevanishedwhencehecame。I
　　doknow，however，thatheverynearlyhit/me/，forIfeltthewindofthebullet。
　　"Anotherthirtyseconds，andIandthewomanMaiwawereatthetopofthecliffpanting，butsafe。
　　"Mymen，beingdirectedtheretobyMaiwa，hadmostfortunatelyrolledupsomebigboulderswhichlayabout，andwiththesewesoonmanagedtoblockthepassagethroughtheoverhangingridgeofrockinsuchfashionthatthesoldiersbelowcouldnotpossiblyclimboverit。
　　Indeed，sofarasIcouldsee，theydidnoteventrytodoso——theirheartwasturnedtofat，astheZulussay。
　　"Thenhavingrestedafewmomentswetookuptheloads，includingthetusksofivorythathadcostussodear，andinsilencemarchedonforacoupleofmilesormore，tillwereachedapatchofdensebush。Andhere，beingutterlyexhausted，wecampedforthenight，takingtheprecaution，however，ofsettingaguardtowatchagainstanyattemptatsurprise。
　　VI
　　THEPLANOFCAMPAIGN
　　"Notwithstandingallthatwehadgonethrough，perhapsindeedonaccountofit，forIwasthoroughlywornout，IsleptthatnightassoundlyaspoorGobo，roundwhosecrushedbodythehy？naswouldnowbeprowling。RisingrefreshedatdawnwewentonourwaytowardsNala’skraal，whichwereachedatnightfall。ItisbuiltonopengroundaftertheZulufashion，inaringfenceandwithbeehivehuts。Thecattlekraalisbehindandalittletotheleft。Indeed，bothfromtheirhabitsandtheirtalkitwaseasytoseethattheseButianabelongtothatsectionoftheBantupeoplewhich，sinceT’Chaka’stime，hasbeenknownastheZulurace。WedidnotseethechiefNalathatnight。HisdaughterMaiwawentontohisprivatehutsassoonaswearrived，andveryshortlyafterwardsoneofhisheadmencametousbringingasheepandsomemealiesandmilkwithhim。’Thechiefsentusgreeting，’hesaid，’andwouldseeusonthemorrow。’Meanwhilehewasorderedtobringustoaplaceofresting，whereweandourgoodsshouldbesafeandundisturbed。AccordinglyheledthewaytosomeverygoodhutsjustoutsideNala’sprivateenclosure，andherewesleptcomfortably。
　　"Onthemorrowabouteighto’clocktheheadmancameagain，andsaidthatNalarequestedthatIwouldvisithim。Ifollowedhimintotheprivateenclosureandwasintroducedtothechief，afine—lookingmanofaboutfifty，withverydelicately—shapedhandsandfeet，andarathernervousmouth。Thechiefwasseatedonatannedox—hideoutsidehishut。ByhissidestoodhisdaughterMaiwa，andsquattedontheirhaunchesroundhimweresometwentyheadmenorIndunas，whosenumberwascontinuallyaddedtobyfresharrivals。ThesemensalutedmeasI
　　entered，andthechiefroseandtookmyhand，orderingastooltobebroughtformetositon。Whenthiswasdone，withmucheloquenceandnativecourtesyhethankedmeforprotectinghisdaughterinthepainfulanddangerouscircumstancesinwhichshefoundherselfplaced，andalsocomplimentedmeveryhighlyuponwhathewaspleasedtocallthebraverywithwhichIhaddefendedthepassintherocks。I
　　answeredinappropriateterms，sayingthatitwastoMaiwaherselfthatthanksweredue，forhaditnotbeenforherwarningandknowledgeofthecountryweshouldnothavebeenhereto—day；whileastothedefenceofthepass，Iwasfightingformylife，andthatputheartintome。
　　"Thesecourtesiesconcluded，NalacalleduponhisdaughterMaiwatotellhertaletotheheadmen，andthisshedidmostsimplyandeffectively。SheremindedthemthatshehadgoneasanunwillingbridetoWambe——thatnocattlehadbeenpaidforher，becauseWambehadthreatenedwarifshewasnotsentasafreegift。SinceshehadenteredthekraalofWambeherdayshadbeendaysofheavinessandhernightsnightsofweeping。Shehadbeenbeaten，shehadbeenneglectedandmadetodotheworkofalow—bornwife——she，achief’sdaughter。
　　Shehadborneachild，andthiswasthestoryofthechild。Thenamidstadeadsilenceshetoldthemtheawfultalewhichshehadalreadynarratedtome。Whenshehadfinished，herhearersgavealoudejaculation。’/Ou!/’theysaid，’/ou!/Maiwa，daughterofNala!’
　　"’Ay，’shewentonwithflashingeyes，’ay，itistrue；mymouthisasfulloftruthasaflowerofhoney，andfortearsmyeyesarelikethedewuponthegrassatdawn。ItistrueIsawthechilddie——hereistheproofofit，councillors，’andshedrewforththelittledeadhandandhelditbeforethem。
　　"’/Ou!/’theysaidagain，’/ou!/itisthedeadhand!’
　　"’Yes，’shecontinued，’itisthedeadhandofmydeadchild，andI
　　bearitwithmethatImayneverforget，neverforoneshorthour，thatIlivethatImayseeWambedie，andbeavenged。Willyoubearit，myfather，thatyourdaughterandyourdaughter’schildshouldbesotreatedbyaMatuku？Willyebearit，menofmyownpeople？’
　　"’No，’saidanoldInduna，rising，’itisnottobeborne。EnoughhavewesufferedatthehandsoftheseMatukudogsandtheirloud—tonguedchief；letusputittotheissue。’
　　"’Itisnottobeborneindeed，’saidNala；’buthowcanwemakeheadagainstsogreatapeople？’
　　"’Askofhim——askofMacumazahn，thewisewhiteman，’saidMaiwa，pointingatme。
　　"’HowcanweovercomeWambe，Macumazahnthehunter？’
　　"’Howdoesthejackaloverreachthelion，Nala？’
　　"’Bycleverness，Macumazahn。’
　　"’SoshallyouovercomeWambe，Nala。’
　　"Atthismomentaninterruptionoccurred。AmanenteredandsaidthatmessengershadarrivedfromWambe。
　　"’Whatistheirmessage？’askedNala。
　　"’TheycometoaskthatthydaughterMaiwabesentback，andwithherthewhitehunter。’
　　"’HowshallImakeanswertothis，Macumazahn？’saidNala，whenthemanhadwithdrawn。
　　"’Thusshaltthouanswer，’Isaidafterreflection；’saythatthewomanshallbesentandIwithher，andthenbidthemessengersbegone。Stay，Iwillhidemyselfhereinthehutthatthemenmaynotseeme，’andIdid。
　　"Shortlyafterwards，throughacrackinthehut，Isawthemessengersarrive，andtheyweregreattruculent—lookingfellows。Therewerefourofthem，andevidentlytheyhadtravellednightandday。TheyenteredwithaswaggerandsquatteddownbeforeNala。
　　"’Yourbusiness？’saidNala，frowning。
　　"’WecomefromWambe，bearingtheordersofWambetoNalahisservant，’answeredthespokesmanoftheparty。
　　"’Speak，’saidNala，withacurioustwitchofhisnervous—lookingmouth。
　　"’ThesearethewordsofWambe："Sendbackthewoman，mywife，whohasrunawayfrommykraal，andsendwithherthewhitemanwhohasdaredtohuntinmycountrywithoutmyleave，andtoslaymysoldiers。"
　　ThesearethewordsofWambe。’
　　"’AndifIsayIwillnotsendthem？’askedNala。
　　"’ThenonbehalfofWambewedeclarewaruponyou。Wambewilleatyouup。Hewillwipeyouout；yourkraalsshallbestampedflat——so，’andwithanexpressivegesturehedrewhishandacrosshismouthtoshowhowcompletewouldbetheannihilationofthatchiefwhodaredtodefyWambe。
　　"’Theseareheavywords，’saidNala。’LetmetakecounselbeforeI
　　answer。’
　　"Thenfollowedalittlepieceofactingthatwasreallyverycreditabletotheuntutoredsavagemind。Theheraldswithdrew，butnotoutofsight，andNalawentthroughtheshowofearnestlyconsultinghisIndunas。ThegirlMaiwatooflungherselfathisfeet，andappearedtoweepandimplorehisprotection，whilehewrunghishandsasthoughindoubtandtribulationofmind。Atlengthhesummonedthemessengerstodrawnear，andaddressedthem，whileMaiwasobbedveryrealisticallyathisside。
　　"’Wambeisagreatchief，’saidNala，’andthiswomanishiswife，whomhehasarighttoclaim。Shemustreturntohim，butherfeetaresorewithwalking，shecannotcomenow。IneightdaysfromthisdaysheshallbedeliveredatthekraalofWambe；Iwillsendherwithapartyofmymen。Asforthewhitehunterandhismen，Ihavenoughttodowiththem，andcannotanswerfortheirmisdeeds。Theyhavewanderedhitherunbiddenbyme，andIwilldeliverthembackwhencetheycame，thatWambemayjudgethemaccordingtohislaw；theyshallbesentwiththegirl。Foryou，goyourways。Foodshallbegivenyouwithoutthekraal，andapresentforWambeinatonementoftheill—doingofmydaughter。Ihavespoken。’
　　"AtfirsttheheraldsseemedinclinedtoinsistuponMaiwa’saccompanyingthemthenandthere，butonbeingshowntheswollenconditionofherfeet，ultimatelytheygaveupthepointanddeparted。