"Takehim？youshouldkillhim。Iwillguideyoutothecavebynight，andthenyoucanshoothimashesitsbythefire。"
Langley，althoughnocoward，wasnotparticularlybrave。HedidnotmuchrelishtheideaofalonetacklingtheredoubtableUmhlonhlo，asavageofmuscle，whowasreportedtobealwaysarmedtotheteeth。
Moreover，hehadnogun，andwasbutanindifferentshotwitharevolver。Sohethoughtoverthematterforafewmomentsandthensaid：
"Lookhere，Ghamba；Idonotcaretotacklethisjobalone，butifI
cantakeanothermanwithme，Iamon。"
"Thenyouwillonlygethalfofthefivehundredpounds，andwillnotbeabletobuythefarm。Youneednotbeafraid；youcanshoothimwithouthisseeingyou。"
"No，"saidLangley，afterapause；"Iwillnotgoalone，butifyouwillletmetakeanothermanwithmeitcanbemanaged。Itwillmakenodifferencetoyou；youwillgetyourtwenty-fivepounds。"
"Andhowaboutmygoingtoliveonthefarmwithyou？"
"Well，Icouldnotbuythefarmfortwohundredandfiftypounds。
Come，wewillgiveyoufiftypoundsinsteadoftwenty-five。"
Ghambathoughtforawhileandthensaid：
"Verywell，Iconsent。Butthereneedbeonlyoneotherman，andyouwillwritedownonapieceofpaperthatyouwillgivemefiftypounds。Whencanwestart？"
"Imustspeaktotheotherman，andthenwewillapplyforleave。Wehadbetterstartsoon，orelseUmhlonhlomayhavegonetosomeotherplaceofhiding。"
"Yes，wemustlosenotime。"
"Allright！Meetmehereto-morrowandIwillbringmyfriend。Wewillthensettleallaboutit。"
"Youmustnotmentionthismattertoanyoneelse，andyoumustmakeyourfriendpromisetokeepthesecret。"
"Oh，that’sallright！"saidLangley。"Meetmehereto-morrow，justafterdinner。"
Langleywentbacktocamp，Ghambalookingafterhisretreatingfigurewithasmilethatrevealedhisteethinaverystrikingmanner。
Langleywasintenselyexcited，andexacted（quiteunnecessarily）themostsolemnpromisesfromWhitsonnottodivulgethegreatsecretwhichheconfidedtohim。Whitsonagreedatoncetojoinintheenterprise，whichwasoneafterhisownheart。
Nextdaythethreemetatthebigant-heap，andWhitsonwasverymuchimpressedbyGhamba’steeth。HetoldLangleyafterwardthattheyremindedhimofapictureofthedevilwhichhehadseeninacopyof"Pilgrim’sProgress。"Theoldman’sstoryappeared，however，consistentenough，inspiteofhispeculiardentition。
So，afterashortconversation，LangleyandWhitsonreturnedtocamp，havingmadeanappointmenttomeetGhambaagainonthefollowingmorningatsunrise，soastofinallyarrangeastotimeofstarting，etc。Theywentatoncetotheofficerinchargeofthedetachmentandappliedfortendays’leaveofabsenceforthepurposeofproceedingtoPietermaritzburg，whichwasatoncegranted。
NextmorningtheymetGhambaagain，andagreedtostartontheirexpeditionthatevening。Heexplainedthattheymustdoalltheirtravelingbynight，andliebyduringtheday；becauseitwouldneverdoforhim，Ghamba，toruntheriskofbeingrecognisedbypersonswhomtheymightmeet。ForthesakeofhisHlubirelationswhowerelivingamongthePondomiseatQumbu，itwasabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldnotappearinthetransactionatall。Wereitevertobeevensuspectedthathehadbetrayedthechief，notalonewouldhebecertainlykilled，butallhisrelationswouldbeshunnedbytheothernatives。Hewasanoldman，soforhim，personally，nothingmatteredverymuch，butamanisboundtoconsidertheinterestsofhisfamily。
Travellingonlybynight，andlyingstillandhiddenduringtheday，werethereforeabsolutelynecessarystipulations，andLangleyandWhitsonagreedtothemasintelligibleandreasonable。Allbeingsettled，thelatterstartedforthecamp，Ghambabaringhisteethexcessivelyastheywalkedaway。
Atduskontheeveningofthesameday，LangleyandWhitsonmetGhambaoncemoreatthelargeant-heap，andthethreeatonceproceededontheircourse。Theonlyarmstakenwererevolversofthegovernmentregulationpattern（breech-loadingcentralfire）。Theycarriedprovisionscalculatedtolasteightdays，buttooknoblanketsonaccountofhavingtotravelatnight。WhenGhambavolunteeredtorelievethemofaconsiderableshareoftheirrespectiveloads，LangleyandWhitsonwerefilledwithgratefulsurprise。
Theplanwasasfollows：WhitsonwastoshootUmhlonhlo，andthenremaininthecavewhileLangleyreturnedtothecamptoreportwhathadbeendone，andcausepersonswhocouldidentifythebodytobesentfor。Theyseemtohavehadnoscruplesastothedeedtheymeanttodo；certainlyUmhlonhlodeservednomoremercythanabeastofprey。Nordoesitseemtohavestruckthemthatpossiblytheymightshootthewrongman。ButtherewasanairofconvictionaboutthemannerinwhichGhambashowedhisteethwhenaskedwhetherhewaspositiveastotheidentityofthemaninthecave，thatwouldhavedissipatedthedoubtsofmostmen。Besidesthis，hedrewoutthewrittenundertakingwhichtheyhaddeliveredtohim，andsaid，withaprofoundlybusinesslikelook：
"DoInotwantthemoney？ShouldItakeallthistroubleifIdidnotknowwhatIweredoing？"
Theywalkedallnight，onlyrestingonceortwiceforafewminutes。
ItwasfoundthatGhamba，inspiteofhisage，wasanextremelygoodwalker；andwhentheyhaltedatdaylight，Langleywassodoneupthathecouldnothaveheldoutforanotherhalf-hour。Whitson，thewiry，hadnotyetfelttheleastfatigue。
ThismarchhadtakenthemtotheveryfootoftheDrakensbergrange，andtheyrestedinavalleybetweentwoofitsmainspurs。Heretheyremainedallday，comfortablylocatedinashelterednookwheretherewasplentyofdrygrass。Theirresting-placewasencircledbyimmenserocks。Althoughthesurroundingcountrywasdesolatetoadegree，andneitherahumanbeingnorananimalwastobeseen，Ghambawouldnothearoftheirlightingafirenorleavingthespotwheretheyrested。
Theweatherwasclear，andneithertoowarmnortoocold。Theysleptatintervalsduringtheday，andateveningfeltquiterecoveredfromtheirfatigue。
Atnightfalltheyagainstarted，theircourseleadingsteeplyupthegorgeinwhichtheyhadrested。Althoughthepathwaybecamemoreandmoreindistinct，Ghambaappearednevertobeataloss。Langleyseveraltimesshuddered，whentheypassedbytheveryedgeofsomeimmenseprecipice，orclamberedalongsomesteepmountain-side，whereafalsestepwouldhavemeantdestruction。Hebegantoshowsignsoffatiguesoonaftermidnight，soatGhamba’ssuggestionaconsiderableportionofhisloadwastransferredtotheshouldersofWhitson，whoseemedtobeastirelessasGhambahimself。
Atdaybreaktheyhaltedinthedepthsofanothertremendousgorgewithprecipitoussides。ThesceneryinthisparticularareaoftheDrakensbergrange，theneighbourhoodoftheMontauxSources，isindescribablygrandandimpressive，andisquiteunlikeanythingelseinSouthAfrica。Enormousandfantasticallyshapedmountainsareherehuddledtogetherindiscriminately，andbetweenthemwindanddoubledeepgloomygorges，alongthebottomsofwhichmightybouldersarethicklystrewn。Ondizzyledgeandsteepslopedensethicketsofwildbamboogrow，andafewstuntedtreesfillsomeofthelessdeepclefts，whereverthesunshinecanpenetrate。Splendidasisthescenery，itsgloom，itsstillness，itsnakedcragsandpeaks，itsdarkdepthsthatseemtocleavetotheveryvitalsoftheearth，becomesooppressivethat，afterafewdaysspentamongthem，thetravellerisfilledwithrepulsionandalmosthorror。Fewlivingthingshavetheirhomethere。Youmightmeetanoccasional"klipspringer"（anantelope，inhabitsandappearancesomewhatlikethechamois），awanderingtroopofbaboons，andnowandthenaherdofelandinthemoregrassyareas。
TherearesaidtobeafewBushmenstillhauntingthecaves，buttheyareseldomorneverseen。
Intheafternoonthesunshoneintothegorgeinwhichthetravellerswereresting，andforafewhourstheheatwasveryoppressive。
Whitsonexaminedhisrevolver，removingthecartridgesandreplacingthembyothers。Hethenlaydowntosleep，askingLangleytoremainawakeandkeepalookout。Hehadavaguefeelingofuneasinesswhichhecouldnotovercome。Langleypromisedtokeepawake，buthewastootiredtodoso。Hesatwithhisbackagainstarock，and，aftersomefutileeffortstokeephiseyesopen，fellfastasleep。By-and-byGhambawokehimgently，and，pointingtoWhitson，whoserevolverlayintheleathercaseclosetohishand，whispered：
"Didhenottellyoutokeepawake？"
Langleywasgratefulforthisevidenceofconsideration，buthecouldnotquitemakeouthowGhambahadbeenabletounderstandwhatWhitsonhadsaid。However，whenthelatterawoke，Langleysaidnothingtohimabouthavingdisobeyedinstructions。
Ghambasaidthatabouttwohours’walkwouldnowbringthemtoUmhlonhlo’scave，sotheystartedoffbrisklyatdusk。Theircoursenowledforsomedistancealongamountainledgecoveredwithwildbamboo，throughwhichthepathwaywound。Thentheycrossedasteepsaddlebetweentwoenormouspeaks，afterwhichtheyplungedintoanotherdeepandwindinggorge。Thistheyfolloweduntiltheyreachedapartwhereitwassonarrowthatthesidesseemedalmosttotouchovertheirheads。Beyondthecliffsfellapart，andthenapparentlycurvedtowardeachotheragain，thusforminganimmenseamphitheatre。
AttheentrancetothisGhambastopped，andsaidinawhisperthattheywerenowclosetothecave。
Theynowheldaconsultation，intermsofwhichitwasdecidedthatGhambashouldgoforwardandreconnoitre。SoWhitsonandLangleysatdownclosetogetherandwaited，conversinginlowtones。
Whitsonfeltveryuneasy，butLangleytriedtoarguehimoutofhisfears。ThemoreWhitsonsawofGhamba，themorehedislikedanddistrustedhimandhisteeth。Theinstinctwhichdetectsdangerintheabsenceofanyapparentevidenceofitsexistenceisafacultydevelopedinsomemenbyanadventurouslife。ThisfacultyWhitsonpossessedinahighdegree。
"DidyoukeepawakeallthetimeIsleptthisafternoon？"heasked。
LangleyfearedWhitsonandfeltinclinedtolie，butsomethingimpelledhim，almostagainsthiswill，tospeakthetruthnow。
"No，"hereplied；"Isleptforafewminutes。"
Whitsondrewhisrevolverandopenedthebreech。
"ByGod！"hesaid，"thecartridgesaregone！"
Langleytookhisweaponoutoftheleathercaseandopenedit。Hefoundthecartridgeswerethererightenough。
"Haveyouanysparecartridges？"askedWhitson。
Whitsonhadalreadyloadedhisrevolverwiththefivecartridgeswhichhehadremovedintheafternoon，butheagaintooktheseoutandreplacedtheminhiswaistcoatpocket，andthenhereloadedwithsomewhichLangleypassedovertohimwithatremblinghand。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，inahoarsewhisper，"weareinatrapofsomekind。Whenthatoldscoundrelcomesback，donotlethimknowthatwehavefoundoutanything。Wewillwalkonwithhimforashortdistance，atallevents，andthenbeguidedbycircumstances。Standbywhenyouseemecollarhim，andslipasackoverhishead。"
"Canwenotgobacknow？"saidLangley。
"Certainlynot；wewouldneverfindourwayatnight。Iguesswemustseethiscircusout。Ifyouhavetoshoot，aimlow。"
InafewminutesGhambareturned。
"Comeon，"hesaid。"Heissittingatthefireinfrontofthecave。I
havejustseenhim。"
"Whereisthecave？"askedWhitson。"Isitfarfromhere？"
"Wewillreachitverysoon；youcanseethelightofthefirefromafewpacesahead。"
Theywalkedonforaboutfiftyyards，andthere，sureenough，overarockyslopetotheirleft，andatthefootofacragaboutthreehundredyardsaway，couldbeseenthebrightandfitfulglowfromafirewhichwashiddenfromtheirviewbyalowridgeofpiled-uprocks。
WhitsonstoodstillandquestionedGhamba：
"Nowtellme，"heasked，throughLangleyasinterpreter，"howwearetoapproach。"
"Thepathwayleadsupontheleftside，"repliedGhamba。"Wewillwalkcloseuptothecrag，wherethereisanarrowpassagebetweenitandthatbigblackrockwhichyouseeagainstthelight。Youtwocanlead，andIwillbeclosebehind。Ihavejustseenhim。Heissittingatthefire，eating，andonlythewomenarewithhim。"
Thelastwordswerehardlyoutofthespeaker’smouthbeforeWhitsonhadseizedhimbythethroatwithavice-likegrasp。
"Seizehishandsandholdthem，"hehissedtoLangley。
Ghambastruggleddesperately，butcouldnotreleasehimself。Whitsoncompressedhisthroatuntilhebecameunconscious，andthengaggedhimwithapocket-handkerchief。Ghamba’shandswerethentiedtightlybehindhisbackwithanotherpocket-handkerchief，andhisfeetwerefirmlysecuredwithabelt。Anemptysack（fromwhichtheyhadremovedtheirprovisions）wasthendrawnoverhisheadandshoulders，andsecuredroundthewaist。
"Comeonnow，quickly，"whisperedWhitson，andheandLangleystartedoffinthedirectionofthefire，afterfirsttakingofftheirboots。
TheydidnotapproachbythecoursewhichGhambahadindicated，butmadetheirwayquietlyuptheslope，straightagainstthefaceofthecrag。Theyreachedtheheapofrocks，andcreptinamongthembymeansofanothernarrowpassage，closetotheinnerendofwhichthefirewas；andthisiswhattheysawthroughthetwigsofascrubbybushwhicheffectuallyconcealedthem：
Alargecaveopenedintothesideofthemountain，andjustbeforethemouthwasanopenspaceabouttwentyyardsindiameter，surroundedonallsides，exceptthatofthemountainitself，byawalloflooselypiledrocks，throughwhichpassagesledoutindifferentdirections。
Justinfrontofthecaveburnedabrightfire，aroundwhichcrouchedfourmosthideousandfilthy-lookingoldhags，andagainstwhichwereproppedseverallargeearthenwarepotsofnativemake，fullofwater。
Standingbehindrocks，oneateachsideoftheinnerentrancetothepassage，whichwasevidentlythatcommunicatingwiththepathwayindicatedbyGhambaastheonetheyweretoapproachby，weretwopowerful-lookingmen，starknaked，andasblackasebony，theirskinsshininginthelightofthefire。Eachmanheldacoiledthonginhishands，afterthemannerofasailorabouttoheavealine。Whiletheywerelooking，awoman，somewhatyoungerinappearancethananyofthosewhosatbythefire，cameoutofthecavecarryingastrongclubaboutthreefeetlong。Shecroucheddownclosetothemanstandingontheleft-sideofthepassage，who，aswellashiscompanion，stoodasstillasamarblestatue，andinanexpectantattitude。
WhitsonandLangley，withtheirrevolversdrawn，suddenlysteppedoutoftheirconcealment，andwalkedtowardthefire。Thisevidentlydisconcertedthemenwiththethongs，whoapparentlydidnotexpecttheirintendedpreytoapproachbyanycourseexceptthepassagenearwhichtheywerestanding；butafteraslightpauseofhesitancythethongswerewhirlingintheair，anddescending，lasso-fashion，upontheshouldersoftheintruders。ThenoosecaughtLangleyoverhisarms，whichwereinstantlydrawncloseagainsthisbodyasthethongtightened，sohewasthusrenderedcompletelypowerless；butWhitsonsprang，quickaslightning，tooneside，andescaped。Threeshotsfromhisrevolverrangoutinasmanyseconds，andthetwomenandthewoman——whowasintheactofliftingherclubtobrainLangley——layrollingontheground，eachwithabulletthroughthehead。
Thefouroldhagsatthefirebegantomowandscream，andgotupandhobbledintothecave。WhitsondrewhisknifeandcutthethongwithwhichLangleywasvainlystruggling，andthenthetwomen，paleasdeath，lookedsilentlyateachotherwithstaringeyes。
Whitsonreplacedhisrevolver，andthenmadeasortoftorchoutofdryreeds，apileofwhichlaycloseathand。Hethen，leavingLangleytoguardthecave，carefullyexaminedallthepassagesandspacesbetweentherocks，buthecouldfindnotraceofanyone。Thetwomenthereuponenteredthecave，Whitsonholdingthetorchhighoverhishead。Theyfoundthatitranstraightinforaboutfifteenpaces，andthencurvedsharplytotheleft。
Itwasaboutfourpacesinwidth，andabouteightfeethigh，theroofbeingroughlyarched。Thewallsandroofwerecoveredwiththickblackgreasysoot；andanindescribablyhorriblestench，whichincreasedthefarthertheyadvanced，madethemalmostvomit。Theyfoundthatwherethecavecurvedtotheleftitendedinacircularchamberabouteightpacesindiameter，andatonesideofthiscrouchedthefouroldhags，huddledtogether，andmowingandchatteringhorribly。
Acrossacleftabouttwofeetwide，intheright-handwallofthecave，astickwasfixedtransversely，andhangingtothisweresomelumpsofhalf-driedandsmokedflesh。Whitsonwentupcloseandexaminedthesecarefully。Hedrewbackwithashudder，andhisfacechangedfrompaletoashengray。
HeandLangleythenwentoutsideandstoodforawhileinthefreshair。Theycouldendure，justthen，nomoreofthefetidatmosphereinside。Afterashorttimetheygatheredupsomedrytwigsandreeds，andsetseverallittleheapsalightatdifferentspotsinside。Thishadtheeffectofmakingtheatmospheremorebearableinthecourseofafewminutes。Theythenmadealargerfireinthemiddleofthecave，andproceededtoexamineitmoreclosely。
Theyfoundseveraloldironpicks，suchasareusedbynativesincultivatingtheirfields，someveryfilthyskins，anumberofearthenwarepots，afewknives，andanaxe；butnothingmore。
Thefloorofthecavewasofclay，andatonespotitappearedtohavebeenrecentlydisturbed。HereLangleybegantodigwithapick，which，justbelowthesurface，struckagainstsomehardsubstance。This，whenuncovered，provedtobeabone。Hethrewittoonesideanddugdeeper，uncoveringmorebones——someold，andotherscomparativelyfresh，butemittingahorriblesmell。Hestoopedandpickedoneup，butdroppeditimmediately，asifitburnedhim。Itwasthelowerjawboneofahumanbeing。
"GreatGod！"hegasped。"Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
"Itmeans，"saidWhitson，"thatweareinanestofbloodycannibals！"
Langleydroppedlikeastone，inadeadfaint；soWhitsondraggedhimoutside，and，leavinghimtorecoverintheopenair，returnedtothecave。Hethenseizedthepickandbegandigging，unearthingsomenewhorrorateverystroke。Aglitteringobjectcaughthiseye；hepickedthisupandfoundittobethesteelbuckleofawoman’sbelt。Heglancedtowardthecleftintherockwherethelumpsoffleshwerehanging，andcaughthisbreathshort。Goingoutsidehemadeanothertorch，whichhelit；andthenhereturnedandcarefullyexaminedtheloosenedsurface。Anotherglitteringobjectcaughthiseye。This，whenexamined，provedtobeanoldsilverwatch，theappearanceofwhichseemedfamiliar。Heforcedopenthecase，andsaw，roughlyscratchedontheinside，theletterD。Henowrecognisedit；herememberedhavingoncefixedaglassinthisverywatchforDollond，aboutamonthbeforethelatter’sdisappearance。ContinuinghissearchWhitsonfoundtheironheel-plateofaboot，andasmallbunchofkeys。
Whitsondrewhisrevolver，andpickingupthetorchwentintotheterminalchamber。Fourshots，firedinquicksuccession，reverberatedimmediatelyafterwardthroughthecavern。
WhitsonthenwentoutsidetoLangley，whomhefoundsittingdownnearthefire，lookingifpossible，moreghastlythanbefore。ThepresenceofWhitsonseemed，however，toactonhimasakindoftonic，andhesoonpulledhimselftogethersufficientlytoassistinpilingaquantityoffueluponthealreadysinkingfire，whichsoonblazedbrightly，lightingupthemouthofthecavernandthespaceinfrontofit。Oneofthebodiesofthemenwhohadbeenshotwaslyingonitsside，withthefacetowardthefire。Whitsonexaminedthemouth，pushingbacktheupperlipwithapieceofstick。HefoundthattheshapeofthemouthandthedevelopmentoftheteethwerethesameasGhamba’s。Theotherbodieswerelyingontheirfaces，sohedidnottroubletoexaminethem。
WhitsonthentoldLangleytofollowhim，andthetwowalkeddownthefoot-pathtowardwheretheyhadleftGhamba。Himtheyfoundlyingmotionlessinthepositioninwhichhehadbeenleftaboutanhourpreviously。Theyremovedthesackandthegaganduntiedhisfeet，firsttakingtheprecautiontofastenthebeltbyoneendtohisboundhands，Whitsonholdingtheother。Theythensignedtohimtoproceedtowardthecave，andthishesilentlydid，withoutmakinganyresistance。Helookedcalmlyatthethreedeadbodies，butsaidnotaword。Langleyheldhim，whileWhitsonagaintiedhisfeettogetherwiththebelt，andthentheyplacedhimwithhisbackagainstarock，facingthefire，whichwasstillblazingbrightly。Hislipsweredrawnbackinaghastly，mirthless，grin，andthetuskswererevealedfrompointtoinsertion。
LangleyquestionedGhamba，buthewouldnotspeak。Afterseveralattemptstoforcehimtoanswerhadbeenvainlymade，Whitsonsaid：
"Nowtellhimthatifhespeaksandtellsthewholetruthhewillonlybeshot，butifhedoesnotspeakhewillbeburnedalive。"
Thiswasinterpreted，butthethreathadnoapparenteffect。SoWhitsonseizedGhambaanddraggedhimtothefire，whereheflunghimdownontheveryedgeoftheglowingembers。
"Now，"saidWhitson，holdinghimdownwithhisfoot，sothathegotseverelyscorched，"forthelasttime，willyouspeak？"
"Takemeawayfromthefire，andIwillspeak，"saidGhamba，inEnglish。
Sotheyliftedhim，andsethimagainwithhisbacktotherock。
"Now，"saidWhitson，"goahead，andnononsense！"
"IfItellthewholetruth，"saidGhamba，stillspeakingEnglish，andwithafairaccent，"willyouswearnottoburnme，buttoshootme，sothatIshalldieatonce？"
"Iwill，"saidWhitson。
"Youtoomustswear，"saidGhamba，lookingatLangley。
"Yes，Iswear。"
"Verywell，"saidGhamba，"Iwilltellyoueverything，butyoumustbothrememberwhatyouhaveswornto。"
"Yes，allright，"saidWhitson。GhambathenlookedatLangley，whorepeatedthewords。
"Iwilltellyou，"saidGhamba，"allIcanremember，andyoucanaskquestions，whichIshallanswertruly。YouhaveheardofUmdava，whousedtoeatmeninNatallongago，afterthewarsofTshaka——well，hewasmyuncle。AfterUmdavahadbeenkilledandhispeoplescattered，myfather，withafewfollowers，cametoliveamongthesemountains。
Butwefoundthatafterhavingeatenhumanfleshwecouldenjoynootherfood，sowecaughtpeopleandatethem。Thesetwomenlyingdeadaremysons，andthatwomanismydaughter。Myfourwiveswerehereto-night。Theyareveryoldwomen。Haveyounotseenthem？"heasked，lookingatWhitson。
"Theyareinthere；Ishotthem，"saidWhitson，pointingtothecave。
"Ihadotherchildren，"continuedGhamba，quiteunmoved，"butweatethemwhenfoodwasscarce。"
"Haveyoualwayslived，alltheseyears，onhumanflesh？"askedWhitson。
"No，notalways；butwheneverwecouldobtainitwedidso。Thereisotherfoodinthesemountains——honey，ants’eggs，roots，andfruit；
besidesgame，whichis，however，notveryeasytocatch。Butwehaveoftenallhadtogoawayandworkwhentimeshavebeenbad。Besides，I
haveaherdofcattleataBasutokraal，andIhavebeeninthehabitoftakingsomeofthesenowandthen，andexchangingthemforcorn，whichthewomenthenwenttofetch。Butwehavealwaystriedtogetpeopletoeat，becausewecouldenjoynootherkindoffood。Sometimeswegotthemeasily；andwhenwewereveryfortunateweusedtodrypartofthemeatbyhangingitupandlightingafireunderneath，withgreenwood，soastomakeplentyofsmoke。"
"Haveyoukilledmanywhitepeople？"askedWhitson。
"Yes，agoodnumber；butnot，ofcourse，asmanyasblack。Latelywehavealwaystriedtocatchwhites，becausewhenyouhaveeatenwhitefleshforsometime，thefleshofanativenolongersatisfiesyou。"
"Whynot？"
"Theflavourisnotsostrong。"
"DidyouinducetheothertwopolicementocomeupbymeansofthestoryaboutUmhlonhlo？"
"Yes，theycameupjustasyoudid，andmysonscaughtthemwiththethongs。Umhlonhlohasbroughtusplentyoffood。"
"Wereyouabletotakethecartridgesoutoftheirrevolversasyoudidoutofmine？"
"No，Ihadnoopportunity；butitwasnotnecessary，becausemysonsweresoexpertatthrowingthethongsthattheycouldalwayscatchpeopleoverthearms，andthusrenderthemunabletoshoot。"
"Howdidtheymanagetobecomesoexpert？"
"Bycontinuedpractice。Iusedtowalkupthepathoverandoveragain，andletthemthrowthethongoverme。Thenthewomanwasalwaystherewiththeclub，sothat，ifoneofthethongsmissed，shewasreadytostrike。I，also，wasusuallyreadytohelp，incaseofnecessity。"
"Whydidyouthinkitnecessarytotakethecartridgesoutofmyrevolver？"
"BecauseIfearedyoufromthefirst，andwereitnotthathe"——baringhisteethandglancingatLangley，whoshuddered——"lookedsonice，andthatwewantedfreshmeatsobadly，Iwouldnothaveriskedbringingyou。ButitwouldhavebeenallrightifIhadonlyletyourrevolveralone。"
"YousayUmhlonhlohasbroughtyouplentyoffood；didyouevergetanyonebesidesourselvesandtheothertwopolicementocomeupherebytellingthemthatstory？"
"Yes，twoothers——oneamanwhowassearchingforgoldontheFreeStatesideofthemountains，andtheotheratraderwhomImetatMaseru。Buttheseeachcamealone。"
"Iseethebuckleofawoman’sbeltinthere。Whomdidthatbelongto？
Yousurelynevergotawhitewomanuphere？"
"Yes，wedid，"saidGhamba，withahorriblehalf-smilewhichbaredthegumshighabovethesocketsofhistusks。"ShewasayounggirlwhohadstrayedfromawaggonpassingoverthemountainbytheLadysmithroad，onlyaday’swalkfromhere。Ipretendedtoshowhertheshortestwaytoherwaggon，andthusbroughtherasfarasshecouldwalkinthisdirection。Ithenkilledher，andcameuphereandfetchedmysons。Wecarriedherupinthenight。Shewasveryyoungandplump，andIhavenevereatenanythingthatIenjoyedsomuch。"
（Whitsonturnedcoldwithhorror。Herememberedthegirl’smysteriousdisappearance，andthefruitlesssearchesundertakeninconsequence。）
"Hisflesh"——glancingagainatLangley——"lookssomethinglikehersdid，andIamsureitwouldtastejustasnice。TherewasstillalittleofherleftwhenIwentawaylastweek。Ifyouwillgointhereandlookwheretherockissplitontheright-handside，youwill——"
Buthedidnotfinishthesentence，forabulletfromWhitson’srevolvercrushedthroughhisbrain，andhetumbledforwardonhisfaceintothefire。
ItwasonlyaftertremendousdifficultythatWhitsonandLangleysucceededinescapingfromthemountains。However，ontheeveningofthethirddayaftertheiradventureinthecave，theycameinsightofthepolicecamp。Whitsonsatdownonastone，andmotionedhiscompaniontodothesame。
"Seehere，sonny，"hesaid，"Iwanttohaveashorttalkwithyou。I
amabitcrosswithyouasthecauseofmyhavingbeensuckedinbythatd——dmurderingoldwalrus。Yououghttoknowtheinhabitantsofthiscountrybetterthanasimplestrangerlikeme，andsoItookyourlead。Now，anotherthing：younearlybustusbothbyyourblastedfoolishnessingoingtosleepthatday；butletthatpass，becauseperhapsitwouldhavebeenworseifwehadnotbeenputonourguard；
notbutthatitwouldtakead——dsmartcannibaltoeatHiramWhitson。
ButthisiswhatIamcomingto：you，myboy，areadarnedsighttoofondofhearingyourowntongueclack。Now，takeawarningfromme，anddon’tletawordofwhathashappenedsinceweleftcampforPietermaritzburgpassyourlips。Ididalltheshooting，andI’mnotabitashamedofit；but，bytheeternalGod，ifyouopenyourlipstoasoul，I’llshootyoulikeadogoracannibal！Rememberthat，sonny，andsayitquietlyovertoyourselfthefirsttimeyoufeelthatyouwanttoblab。Now，shakehands。"
ThiswasprobablythelongestspeechthatWhitsonhadevermade。
Abouttwoyearsaftertheeventsnarrated，WhitsontookhisdischargeandreturnedtoAmerica。Heleftbehindhimasealedpacketaddressedtohiscommandingofficer，andwhichwasnottobedeliveredfortwelvemonthsafterhisdeparture。
Owing，however，toastrangecombinationoffortuitouscircumstances，thispacketneverreacheditsproperdestination；itswrapper，bearingtheaddress，havingbeenscorchedoffinafirewhichtookplaceinthehousewhereitwasleft。
NOTE
ManypeoplehaveheardorreadofthecannibalsofNatal，whoturnedlargetractsofcountryintoashamblesintheearlypartofthiscentury，afterTshaka’simpishadsweptoffallthecattle，andthenkeptthemiserablepeoplecontinuallyonthemovesothattheywereunabletocultivate。OneUmdavaoriginatedthepracticeofeatinghumanflesh。Gatheringtogetherthefragmentsoffourscatteredtribes，hetrainedthemtohunthumanbeingsasothershuntedgame。
ThisgangwasagreaterscourgetothecountrysurroundingthepresentsiteofPietermaritzburgthanevenTshaka’smurderinghordes。Itwasbrokenupinorabouttheyear1824，whentheEuropeansfirstcametothecountry，andtheremnantsofmanyscatteredtribesreturnedandsettledundertheirprotection。
AllthisishistorywithwhichmostpeopleinSouthAfricaarefamiliar，butmanydonotknowthatsomeofthecannibalsfledtoBasutoland，where，amongalmostinaccessiblemountains，theycarriedontheirhorriblepracticesformanyyears。
Itisawell-knownfactthatwhenmenoncesurrenderthemselvestoanyunnaturalandbrutalvice，thegratificationoftheabnormalinstinctthusacquiredbecomesthemostimperativeneedoftheirnature。TheFalklandIslandscase，asbearingspeciallyupontheforegoingnarrative，maybementioned。SomeconvictsescapedfromtheFalklandIslandconvictstation，andsucceededinreachingthecoastofPatagonia。TheythenendeavoredtomaketheirwaytoMontevideo，buthavingtokeepalongtheshoresoastoavoidthenatives，whowouldhavekilledthemhadtheyventuredinland，wereeasilyinterceptedbythegovernmentcutter，whichwasalwaysdespatchedincasesofthekindtoheadofffugitivesupontheironlypossiblecourse。Ofthepartyonlyonemanwasfoundalive。Intheirdreadfulneedthemenhadcastlotsastowhoshouldbekilledandeatenbytheothers，andthiswentonuntilonlytheonemanremained。Hissufferingshadbeensohorriblethathewasletoffanyfurtherpunishment，andsimplybroughtbacktotheislandtocompletethetermofhissentence。Somemonthsafter，thismaninducedanothertoescapewithhiminaboat，and，whentheboatwasovertaken，itwasfoundthathehadkilledhiscompanionforthepurposeofeatingthelatter’sflesh。Thiswasapparentfromthefactthatthesupplyoffoodwhichthefugitiveshadtakenwiththemwasnotexhausted。
MARYMUSGRAVE
BY
ANONYMOUS
"Ninecaretsefit’sablessedone。"
"Scale’im，an’ye’llfindhe’sahalfbetter。Clearesabottleo’
gin，an’flawlessesthepope！TommyDartmoor，ye’reinluck，s’welpmeneverefyeain’t，an’that’sabrilliantyercanshowthepolisan’notgettimefer。"
TommyDartmoor，whoowedhissurnametoacrownestablishmentwithintherestrainingwallsofwhichhehadonceenjoyedatemporaryresidence，growledoutarecommendationto"stowthat，"andthenadded，"Boys，we’llwetthis。TrektoWerstein’s。"
Forthwithacrowdofdirty，tanneddiggersturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionofGustavWerstein’sAmericanBar，andwalkedtowarditasbrisklyastheheatandtheirwearinesswouldadmitof。TheIsraelitesawthemcoming，straightenedhimselfoutofthehalf-dozeinwhichhehadpassedthebakingafternoon，stoppeddownthetobaccointheporcelainbowlofhislong-stemmedpipewithstumpyforefinger，and，twistingacorkoffhiscorkscrew，stoodinreadiness。
"Nameyerpizons，boys，an’getoutside’em，wishin’allgoodlucktoR’yalStraight；R’yalStraightbein’thenameo’thisyerstonegivenbyThomasD。Hesquire，originaldiskivereran’presentperprietor。"
Theordersweregiven，——bassatfiveshillingsabottle，champagne（neegooseberry）atfivepounds，Capesmokeattwoshillingspertwofingers，——and，atagivensignal，therewasaninarticulateroarfromdustythroats，aninversionoftumblersoverthirstymouths，andasecondinversionoverthegroundtoshowthatallthecontentshaddisappeared。
Satan，theonecatandonlydomesticpetofthecamp，sawthattherewasageneraltreatgoingon，andbustlingupforhisdrinktookacanofcondensedmilkatsixshillings。Otherdiggerscametroopinginasthenewsspread，andTommyDartmoor，whowasrapidlybecomingmellow，forhedrankhalfatumblerofrawwhiskywitheveryonewhonoddedtohim，stoodthemrefreshmentsgalore，whilethegreasyJewbegantoseevisionsofhisadoptedfatherlandintheneardistance。
SotheKaffirs，exceptthosewhohadsuppliesoftheirown，keptsoberandpeaceful，whilethehigherorderofthehumanraceatBigStoneHole，afterthemanneroftheirkind，begantosquabble。Itwasnaturalforthemtodoso，perhaps，fortheweatherwassohot，andtheliquors，forthemostpart，moreso；andunderthesecircumstancesmendonotalwayscastaboutthemlongforacasusbelli。Oneortwominorbrawlsopenedtheball，andHerrGustav，scentingbattleintheair，drewfromalockeracard，whichhebalancedagainstthebottlesonashelfabovehishead。Itreadthus：
GENTSISREKESTEDTOSHOOT
CLEAROFTHEBARR-KEP。
BROKINGLASMAYBEPADEFOR
ATCOSTPRISE。
andhadbeenwrittenfortheGermanbyagentlemanwhohadhadsomeexperienceinFortyRodGulch，Nevada。Theactionelicitedacontemptuouslaughfromoneortwoofthenewhands，buttheoldstersbeganshiftingsundryarticleswhichdependedfromtheirbeltsintopositionsfromwhichtheymightbehandledattheshortestnotice；andtheblackcat，morewisethananyofthem，havingdrunkhisfill，stalkedsolemnlyoutintothesecurityofthedarkness。
Thesunwentdown，——wentoutwithaclick，someonedeclared，——and，asnotwilightinterposedbetweendaylightanddarknessinthecountrywhichBigStoneHoleornamented，HerrGustavlithistwoparaffin-
lamps。Neitherboastedmorethanaone-inchwick，and，astheirglasseswereextremelysmoky，theilluminationwasnotbrilliant；butitsufficedtoshowtheflushed，angryfacesofacoupleofmenstandinginthecentreoftheroom，withalltheothersclusteredround，watchingeagerly。OnewastheScholar。Theotherwasaburlygiant，whosemissingleftlittlefingercausedhimtobenicknamedtheCripple。Aboutwhattheyhadoriginallyfallenoutwasnotcleartoanyone，tothemselvesleastofall。Asthecasestoodwhenthesecondlampwaslit，ScholarhadcalledCrippleasomething-or-otherliar，andCripple，whowasnotinventive，hadretortedbystigmatisingScholarasanother。Furtherrecriminationsfollowed，andtheirpistolsweredrawn；butastheaudiencehadastrongobjectiontoindiscriminateshooting，bywhichitwasnotlikelytobenefit，thebelligerentswereseized。Noonewasunsportsmanlikeenoughtowishtostopthefight，andJockeyBill，givingvoicetothegeneralwishofthemeeting，proposedthatthegentsbefixedupagin’acoupleo’
postsoutside，wheretheymightletdaylightintoeachotherwithoutlead-poisoningcasualspectators。
Themotionwasactedon，andafterrectifyingaslightomissionontheCripple’spart——hehadforgottentoputcapsonthenipplesofhisrevolver——thepairofthemwereseateduponupturnedbarrelssometenyardsapart，eachwithalampathisfeet，andtoldtobeginwhentheysawfittodoso。Theswarthy，beardeddiggersgroupedthemselvesoneitherside，andthecat，emergingfromhisretreat，scrambledontotheshoulderofoneofthem，fullyascuriousastherestto"seetheshootin’。"Itwasaweirdsight，——dust，scorchedgrass，emptytins，rudehovels，pilesofdebris，Africanmoonlight，——yet，except，perhaps，intheeyesofthenewestcomers，therewasnothingstrangeinit。Theothersweretoowrappedupinwhatwasgoingtotakeplacetoseeanythingquaintintheirevery-daysurroundings。Therewasnotheatreinthecamp。Thelittleimpromptudramarivetedallattention。
Butbeforetheduelcommenced，agallopinghorse，whichhadapproachedoverthegrassyveldtunnoticedduringtheexcitement，drewupwithacrashbetweenthetwocombatants，anditsrider，raisinghishandtocommandattention，cried：
"Boys，there’sawhitewomancomin’！"
"Awhitewoman！"waschorusedinvarioustonesofdisbelief。"What，here？Whitewomancomin’here，Dan？"
AndthensomeoneinquiredifshewasaBoer。
"Boer——no，"repliedDan；"English——EnglishasIam；leastwaysEnglisher，bein’Amurrican-bornmyself。OvertookheretHottentotDrift。ThortI’dspuronan’tellyer。We’ddowi’aclean-up，someonus。"
Danspokeindistinctly，asabullethadlatelydisarrangedsomeofhisteeth；buthiswordshadawonderfuleffect。
Eachmanbeganinstinctivelytotidyhimself。Thewould-beduellists，forgettingtheirquarrel，stucktherevolversintheirbeltsandfollowedthegeneralexample。TheCripplehiedhimtothestore，andafterbreakingdownthedoorabstractedtheonlyblacking-brushinthecamp，——puttingdownasovereignonthecounterinexchangeforit，——
andsettopolishinghishighbootsasifafortunedependedontheirbrightness。TheScholarboughtHerrGustav’swhiteshirtforafiver，threateningtomurderitsownerifhedidnotrenderitup。AndPartridge，agoodmanfromNorfolk，witharegrettableweaknessforshootingotherpeople’sgame，inducedafriendtodenudehimofhisflowinglocksbymeansofaclasp-knifeandahunkofwood，asnoscissorswereprocurable。
ThewardrobesofBigStoneHolewerestockedmorewithaviewtostrictutilitythanvarietyorornamentation，andtheslenderresourcesofthestoreutterlygaveoutunderthesuddenstrainthatwasputuponthem。Ineverydirectiongrimy，unkemptmenmightbeseenattemptingtobeautifythemselves。Herewasoneenduringagoniesfromarazorthatwouldscarcelywhittleastick；hereanotherrecallingthefeelofacakeofsoap；thereagreatfellowpullingfacesashestruggledtogettheteethofacombintohisshockofhair；thereanotherbrushingtheclayfromhismoleskintrouserswithatuftofstiffgrass。
Itseemedtothesemenagessincetheyhadlastseenawomanintheflesh，——Kaffirwomendon’tcount；theyarenotwomen，merelyKaffirs，——and，withthenaturalinstinctofmalesofeveryspecies，theysetaboutplumingtheirfeathers。
Theseoperations，thoughspeedyasmightbe，werenecessarilyprolonged，formostofthemenrequiredseveralbucketsofwaterovertheheadbeforetheyfeltfitforsuchunaccustomedexercises，andtheywerescarcelyfinishedbeforethecreakingofwheelsandthecriesofthevoorlooperasheurgedhisoxenannouncedthatthewagonwaswithinearshot。Upitcame，thegreattiltgleamingwhiteinthemoonlight，andeveryeyewasfixedexpectantlyonthedarkchasmwithin。Thedriver，puffedupwithhisownimportance，crackedhislongwhipanddeignednottonoticethemenwhomheusuallygreetedwithafriendlyhail，andtheHottentotboyahead，imitatinghismaster，vouchsafednoexplanation。WithmoredeathlyslownessthanusualdidthelumberingvehiclecrawlalonguntilthetiredcattlepulledupbeforethedooroftheAmericanBar。Thentherewasarushandabitofascuffleforthehonourofhandingthewomanout。TheCripplewasthefortunateman，and，afterassistinghertotheground，wavedhistatteredhattowardthegleamingopendoorway。Buthedidnotspeak。Wordswerebeyondhim。Indeed，thediggers，whowerenoneofthemparticularlyremarkablefortaciturnityasageneralthing，seemed，withoneexception，tobestrickendumb。ButtheScholarprovedhimselfequaltotheoccasion，andwithcourtlyphrasebadethenew-comerwelcometothecamp。Hehadalwaysbeenapopularmanamongwomeninhispalmierdays，thoughopenlyholdingratherapooropinionofthem；andastheonebeforehimnowwasneatofspeechandcomelyofform，hewasnotatallaversetoenjoyinghersocietyandconversation。
"Ishouldbemuchobligedifyouwoulddirectmetoahotel，"shesaid，aftertakingalookaroundthecheapgaudinessofthesaloon。
"I’msorrytosaythatwehavenohotelhereasyet，Miss——er——？"
"Musgrave。MissMaryMusgrave"——withalittlebow。"ButIheardthataGermanhadstartedahotelhere。"
"No；thereisnothingbutthis。That"——pointingtoHerrGustave，whowasregardingthenewcomerwithanevileye——"thatistheGerman。"
MissMusgraveappeareddistressed。
"ThenwherecanIgo？"sheasked。"Arethereanylodgingstobehad？"
"Theladymayhavemyplace，"chorusedthreeeagervoices，andeverymanintheroomrepeatedtheoffer。
Shethankedthemwithaprettysmileandonecomprehensivebow，andlookedupattheScholarforhelp。
"Iwouldofferyoumyhutifitwerenotsuchawretchedone。But，asitis，Ishouldadviseyoutotakethisman’s"——andhepointedtoTommyDartmoor。
"Why，mine’stwentycaratsbetterthanhisn！"exclaimedtheCripple。
"Andminebetter’neither，"growledDan。
"Mine’sthebestofthelot。"
"No，itisn’t；mineis，"yelledothers，tilltherewasageneralroar，whichcausedMissMusgravetolookfrightenedandshrinknearertotheScholar，andthatgentlemantoraisehishandforsilence。
"Lookhere，"saidhe，"we’llpickoutthetwelvebest，andtheirownerscancutwithoneanotherfromapackofcards。"
Aftersomediscussiontwelveweresettledupon，butthenumberwasimmediatelyraisedtothirteentopreventJockeyBilldisgracingthecampbyshootingbeforealady。Apackofcardswasplacedonthebar，andeachmanchoseone，holdinghisselectionfacedownwardtillallwereready。ThentheScholarsaid，"Turn，"andtherewereexhibitedfiveaces，twokings，aqueen，threeknaves，andtwosmallercards。
Thiswasawkward，tosaytheleastofit，and，whilesarcasticlaughterrippledamongthespectators，therewasaninstinctivemovementofrighthandstowardthebackofthebeltonthepartofeachofthethirteen。
ButtheScholar’svoice，fullofremonstrance，said，"Boys，you’rebeinglookedat，"andtherewasaregretfulsighortwo，butnobloodshed。
MissMusgravegazedinquiringlyfromonetoanother，andtheScholar，layinghishandonherarm，whisperedsomethinginherear。Shesmiled，whisperedback，andwasanswered，andthen，strippingoffapairofwell-fittingfawngloves，shetookthecardsinaprettylittlewhitehand，anddealtoutonetoeachofthecompetitorswithcharmingclumsiness。
"Ain’ttouchedakeardafore，blessher，"whisperedEuchreBuck，givinghisneighborDananudgeintheribstocallattentiontothiswonderfulpieceofgirlishinnocence。"SquareadealesGeorgeWashingtonmoughtha’made。"Then，asthegreasypasteboardswereturnedup，andhisneighbourwashandedtheaceofclubs，heraisedhisvoiceandyelledout，"Bullyforyou，Dan！Cutawayan’claryercabinout。"
AwayscamperedDanoutintothedarkness，withtherestofthecrewathisheels。Theirhomecomfortswereverysmall，poorfellows；buteachgaveofhisbest，thoughthegiftswereoftenincongruousenough。Inhalfanhourthecabinwasfittedoutwithasmallcrackedlooking-
glass，twocombs，anoldhair-brush，——stillwetfromthewash，——apail，afrying-pan，threekettles，twothree-leggedstools，andsomanyblanketsthatsomewererequisitionedtocarpetthefloor。ThewholecrowdaccompaniedMissMusgravetoherdoorandgaveheracheerbywayofgood-night。Shebowedtothem，smilingherthanks，andlooking，astheythought，entrancinglylovelyasshestoodthere，withthepalemoonbeamsfallingfullonher。
Thensheturnedtogoin，butasEuchreBucksteppedforwardwithanadmonishingcough，shewaitedandlookedroundathim。
"Miss，"saidhe，holdingoutabigrevolverinhishardfist，"youtakethisyergun，an’efanyonewhistles，orotherwisedisturbsyou，letaholeintohimstraightaway，an’we’llseehimburieddecent。"
ButMissMusgravecourteously，andwithprofusethanks，refusedtheoffer，and，sayingthatshehadperfectconfidenceinallwhowerearoundher，gaveEuchreBuckabewitchingsmile，wentinside，andclosedthedoorafterhe。
ThenthediggersreturnedtoGustavWerstein’sAmericanBaranddiscussedthenewarrival。
"IknownNoomarketan’Hascotan’Hepson，an’alltheplaceswhereswellsgoesinEngland，"saidJockeyBill，enthusiastically；"butneveronecomethereasprettyasshe，stopmylicenseifther’did。"
"Grandeyes，hain’tshe？"saidTommyDartmoor。"Regularfust-water’uns。Here’sto’em！"
"And-a-hoof！Seeitpeepbelowhergownd。S’welpmeefitwer’esbigasmy’bacca-box！"
"An’’erclose，gentlemen！Madetomeasure，everythreadon’em，I
allow。"
"She’salady，boys，"exclaimedhewhohadofferedtoseeafterafuneral，"areg’larslap-up，high-toned，blow-yer-eyes-don’t-touch-melady；an’assheseesfittodotheciviltothisfellar"——strikinghimselfonthechest——"he’sjustgoingtodrophisprofessionalname，an’arskyertocallhimMisterSamuelK。Gregson，Esquire。Playonthat。"
NextmorningtheinhabitantsofBigStoneHolewerestartledbyreadingthisannouncementoutsidethecabinwhichDanhadresignedtoMissMusgrave：
SINGINGANDMUSICTAUGHT。
LITERARYWORKDONE。
Itwasprintedonacard，whichwasaffixedtothedoorbymeansofadrawing-pin，andfromwithincamethesoundofacontraltovoicesingingtoaguitaraccompaniment。OnebyonethemaleresidentsofBigStoneHoledrewneartothatiron-roofedhutandstoppedtolisten；butaftercommentingontheinnovationingleefulwhispers——
forguitarhadnevertwangedinthatpartofAfricabefore——theymovedontotheirwork。Noconsiderationcouldcausethemtoneglectthat。
Theymightfritterawaythedull，roughgemswhentheyhadfoundthem，butthelustofhandlingdiamondsoncewasthestrongestpassiontheyknew。Andsotheday’stoilwasnotcurtailed；butattheconclusionMissMusgravehadanapplicationforinstructioninmusicfromeverymaninthecamp，withoneexception。ThisonedefaulterwasEuchreBuck。Heownedtohavingnoearformusic——therebyexhibitingmorehonestythanmanyoftheothers——andconfessedtoknowingonlytwotunes，oneofwhichwas"HailColumbia，"andtheother——wasn’t；andsohesaidhewantedsome"literaryworkdone。"HeproposedtoMissMusgravethatsheshouldwriteahistoryofhislifeathalfaguineaapage，thereby——cuteYankeethathewas——thinkingtoappropriatethewholeofhertime。
Butembarrassedbyallthesecallsuponher，andobviouslyunabletosatisfyeachofthem，MissMusgraveturnedforhelptotheScholar，whomsheappearedtoregardasherspecialadviser；andhe，promisingasolutionofthedifficultyinhalfanhour，drewoffthewholecrowdtotheAmericanBar，wherethequestionwasthrashedoutinallitspoints。
ItwasclearlyevidentthatMissMusgravecouldnotsurrendertoeachindividualthewholeofherevening，evenifanyonehadbeenwillingtolethisneighbormonopoliseit，whichnoonewas；andthereforeitwasnecessarytoformulatesomeschemebywhichhertalentsmightbedistributedoveralargerarea。Butwhattheschemeshouldbewasnotsettledallinaminute。Onemanwantedtohearhersing，anothertohearhertalk，anotherwaswillingtogivefivepoundsanhourfortheprivilegeoftalkingtoher。Afteralengtheneddiscussion，whichwasexcitedthroughout，andattimesvergedonthewarlike，itwasdecidedtoeffectacompromise——subject，ofcourse，toMissMusgrave’sinclinations；andadeputationwassenttolearnherviewsonthesubject。
Therewasnoassembly-roomintheplace，exceptingWerstein’ssaloon，——which，ofcourse，wasnotavailableforsuchapurpose，——andsoitwasproposedtoher，withmuchhumility，thatsheshouldtakeupherpositionintheeveningsonachairoutsideherhut，andtherediscoursesuchvocalandinstrumentalmusicasshesawfit，interlardingthesamewithfriendlyconversation。Whatwasshetotalkabout？Anything——absolutelyanything。Theydidn’tmindwhatitwas，solongastheyheardhervoice。Fiveshillings，thecommitteehaddecided，wastobepaidbyeverymanwhocamewithinearshot。AndanyonewhowantedafreelistwasrequestedtoarguethematteroutwithEuchreBuck。
ThiscalluponherpowersseemedtotakeMissMusgraveaback。
"Ihaveneversunginpublic，"shepleaded，rathernervously。"Indeed，myvoiceisnotgoodenoughforit；reallyitisn’t。OnlyIthoughtI
couldteachalittleperhaps，andthatiswhyIcamehere。Yousee，mother，isaninvalid，andweweresoverypoorthat——"
"Miss，"brokeinJockeyBill，"callittenboba’ead，an’just’umtous。"
"Ohno，Mr。William，itwasnotthemoneythatIthoughtabout；
indeed，fiveshillingswouldbefartoomuch。ButifyouthinkthatI
shouldbeabletoamuseyouatall，Iwoulddomyverybest——believeme，Iwould。"
"Miss，"growledDan，withaclumsyendeavourtochaseawayherdiffidence，"allweasksisferyoutositnearusferaspell。Efyousingsorplays，we’dbeproud；efyoujustlooksan’talks，we’dbepleased。"
SointheendMissMusgraveyieldedtothewishesofthecommunity，andthenightlyconclaveintheAmericanBarbecamesomuchathingofthepastthatGustavWersteinwasheardtothreatenanotheremigration。Thesongsweretothediggersnew，andyetnotnew。Therewasnothingofthemusic-halltypeaboutthem；theywerenearlyallold-fashionedditties。Shesangtothemof"BarbaraAllen"and"SallyinourAlley"；shegavethem"Cheer，Boys，Cheer，"andcalledforachorus；shesang"TheMessage，""TheArrowandtheSong"；andshebroughtbackmemoriesofotherdayswhenAfricawastothemameregeographicalexpression——ofdayswhenthatsomethinghadnothappenedwhichhadsentthemawayfromhome。
Sundaycame，thefifthdayafterherarrival，anditdifferedfromtheusualSabbathofBigStoneHole。Sundayhadbeenobservedbeforebythebiggestdrinkingboutoftheweek，andasummarysettlementoftheprevioussixdays’disputes。Now，tothehugesurpriseoftheKaffirs，andtothestillgreatersurpriseofthemselves，thesediamond-diggerssanghymnsatintervalsduringtheday，andrefrainedfromindulgingintheorthodoxcarousetillafterMissMusgravehadretiredforthenight。Itwasawonderfulchange。
DuringthenextweekafallofearthtookplaceinTommyDartmoor’sclaim。TwoKaffirswerekilled；andwhentheproprietorhimselfwasextricatedfromthedebrisofblueclaywhichheldhimdown，hewasfoundtohaveabrokenarm，besidesotherseriousinjuries。
"Don’tletontoher，"hemanagedtogaspouttohisrescuers，wishingtospareMissMusgrave’snervesashock。
Butshesawthemenbearinghimtohishut，joinedthem，andinsistedonbeinginstalledassolenurseforthwith。