第6章

ThenMr。Cliffordgroanedandsaid:”Ipromise。””Tellmeyourstory，BenitadaFerreira。Howcameyouandyourpeoplehere？””ThetribesofMonomotaparoseagainstourrule。Theykilledmanyofusinthelowerland，yes，theykilledmybrotherandhimtowhomI

wasaffianced。Therestofusflednorthtothisancientfortress，hopingthencetoescapebytheriver，theZambesi。TheMambo，ourvassal，gaveusshelterhere，butthetribesbesiegedthewallsinthousands，andburntalltheboatssothatwecouldnotflybythewater。Manytimeswebeatthembackfromthewall；theditchwasfulloftheirdead，andatlasttheydaredtoattacknomore。”Thenwebegantostarveandtheywonthefirstwall。Wewentonstarvingandtheywonthesecondwall，butthethirdwalltheycouldnotclimb。Sowedied；onebyonewelaidourselvesdowninthiscaveanddied，tillIalonewasleft，forwhileourpeoplehadfoodtheygaveittomewhowasthedaughteroftheircaptain。Yes，aloneI

kneltatthefootofthiscrucifixbythebodyofmyfather，prayingtotheblessedSonofMaryforthedeaththatwouldnotcome，andkneelingthereIswooned。WhenIawokeagaintheMamboandhismenstoodaboutme，fornow，knowingustobedead，thetribeshadgone，andthosewhowereinhidingacrosstheriverhadreturnedandknewhowtoclimbthewall。Theyboremefromamongthedead，theygavemefoodsothatmystrengthcameback；butinthenightI，whoinmywickednesswouldnotlive，escapedfromthemandclimbedthepillarofblackrock，sothatwhenthesunrosetheysawmestandingthere。Theybeggedofmetocomedown，promisingtoprotectme，butIsaid’No，’

whointheevilofmyheartonlydesiredtodie，thatImightjoinmyfatherandmybrother，andonewhowasdearertomethanall。Theyaskedofmewherethegreattreasurewashidden。”

AtthesewordsJacobgasped，thenrapidlytranslatedthem，whilethefigurebeforethembecamesilent，asthoughitfeltthatforthemomentthepowerofhiswillwaswithdrawn。”Speakon，Ibidyou，”hesaid，andshecontinued，therich，slowvoicedroppingwordafterwordfromthelipsofBenitainthealienspeechthatthisBenitaneverknew。”Iansweredthatitwaswhereitwas，andthatiftheygaveituptoanysavetheoneappointed，thenthatfatewhichhadbefallenmypeoplewouldbefalltheirsalso。Yes，IgaveitintotheirkeepinguntilIcameagain，sincewithhisdyingbreathmyfatherhadcommandedmetorevealittonone，andIbelievedthatIwhowasabouttodieshouldnevercomeagain。”ThenImademylastprayer，IkissedthegoldencrucifixthatnowhangsuponthisbreastwhereinIdwell，”andthehandofthelivingBenitawaslifted，andmovinglikethehandofadeadthing，slowlydrewoutthesymbolfrombeneaththecloak，helditforamomentinthelamplight，andletitfalltoitsplaceagain。”IputmyhandsbeforemyeyesthatImightnotsee，andIhurledmyselffromthepinnacle。”

Nowthevoiceceased，butfromthelipscameadreadfulsound，suchasmightbeutteredbyonewhosebonesareshattereduponrocks，followedbyothersoundslikethoseofonewhochokesinwater。TheyweresohorribletohearthatMr。Cliffordnearlyfainted，andevenJacobMeyerstaggeredandturnedwhiteasthewhitefaceofBenita。”Wakeher！ForGod’ssake，wakeher！”saidherfather。”Sheisdying，asthatwomandiedhundredsofyearsago。””Nottillshehastolduswherethegoldis。Bequiet，youfool。Shedoesnotfeelorsuffer。Itisthespiritwithinherthatlivesthroughthepastagain。”

Oncemoretherewassilence。Itseemedasthoughthestorywerealltoldandthetellerhaddeparted。”BenitadaFerreira，”saidMeyeratlength，”Icommandyou，tellme，areyoudead？””Oh！wouldthatIweredead，asmybodyisdead！”wailedthelipsofBenita。”Alas！Icannotdiewhosufferthispurgatory，andmustdwellonherealoneuntilthedestinedday。Yes，yes，thespiritofherwhowasBenitadaFerreiramusthauntthisplaceinsolitude。Thisisherdoom，tobetheguardianofthataccursedgoldwhichwaswrungfromtheearthbycrueltyandpaidforwiththelivesofmen。””Isitstillsafe？”whisperedJacob。”Iwilllook；”thenafterapause，”Ihavelooked。Itisthere，everygrainofit，inox-hidebags；onlyoneofthemhasfallenandburst，thatwhichisblackandred。””Whereisit？”hesaidagain。”Imaynottellyou；never，never。””Isthereanyonewhomyoumaytell？””Yes。””Whom？””HerinwhosebreastIlie。””Tellherthen。””Ihavetoldher；sheknows。””Andmayshetellme？””Letherguardthesecretasshewill。OmyGuardian，Ithankthee。Myburdenisdeparted；mysinofself-murderisatoned。””BenitadaFerreira，areyougone？”

Noanswer。”BenitaClifford，doyouhearme？””Ihearyou，”saidthevoiceofBenita，speakinginEnglish，althoughJacob，forgetting，hadaddressedherinPortuguese。”Whereisthegold？””Inmykeeping。””Tellme，Icommandyou。”

Butnowordscame；thoughhequestionedhermanytimesnowordscame，tillatlastherheadsankforwarduponherknees，andinafaintvoiceshemurmured:”Looseme，orIdie。”

XIX

THEAWAKING

StillJacobMeyerhesitated。Thegreatsecretwasunlearned，and，ifthisoccasionpassed，mightneverbelearned。Butifhehesitated，Mr。

Clifforddidnot。Theknowledgeofhischild’sdanger，thesensethatherlifewasmysteriouslyslippingawayfromherunderpressureoftheghastlyspellinwhichshelayenthralled，stirredhimtomadness。Hisstrengthandmanhoodcamebacktohim。HesprangstraightatMeyer’sthroat，grippeditwithonehand，andwiththeotherdrewtheknifehewore。”Youdevil！”hegasped。”Wakeheroryoushallgowithher！”andheliftedtheknife。

ThenJacobgavein。ShakingoffhisassailanthesteppedtoBenita，andwhileherfatherstoodbehindhimwiththeliftedblade，begantomakestrangeupwardpassesoverher，andtomutterwordsofcommand。

Foralongwhiletheytooknoeffect；indeed，bothofthemwerealmostsurethatshewasgone。Despairgrippedherfather，andMeyerworkedathisblackartsofuriouslythatthesweatburstoutuponhisforeheadandfellingreatdropstothefloor。

Oh，atlast，atlastshestirred！Herheadlifteditselfalittle，herbreastheaved。”LordinHeaven，Ihavesavedher！”mutteredJacobinGerman，andworkedon。

NowtheeyesofBenitaopened，andnowshestoodupandsighed。Butshesaidnothing；onlylikeapersonwalkinginhersleep，shebegantomovetowardstheentranceofthecave，herfathergoingbeforeherwiththelamp。Onshewent，andoutofitstraighttohertent，whereinstantlyshecastherselfuponherbedandsankintodeepslumber。Itwasasthoughthepowerofthedrug-inducedoblivion，whichforawhilewasover-masteredbythatotherstrongerpowerinvokedbyJacob，hadreasserteditself。

Meyerwatchedherforawhile；thensaidtoMr。Clifford:”Don’tbeafraidanddon’tattempttodisturbher。Shewillwakenaturallyinthemorning。””Ihopesoforbothoursakes，”heanswered，glaringathim，”forifnot，youorI，orthetwoofus，willneverseeanother。”

Meyertooknonoticeofhisthreats；indeedthemanseemedsoexhaustedthathecouldscarcelystand。”Iamdone，”hesaid。”Now，assheissafe，Idon’tcarewhathappenstome。Imustrest，”andhestaggeredfromthetent，likeadrunkenman。

Outside，attheplacewheretheyate，Mr。Cliffordheardhimgulpingdownrawginfromthebottle。Thenheheardnomore。

Alltherestofthenight，andforsomehoursoftheearlymorning，didherfatherwatchbythebedofBenita，although，lightlycladashewas，thecoldofdawnstrucktohisbones。Atlength，whenthesunwaswellup，sheroseinherbed，andhereyesopened。”Whatareyoudoinghere，father？”shesaid。”Ihavecometoseewhereyouwere，dear。Youaregenerallyoutbynow。””IsupposethatImusthaveoversleptmyselfthen，”sherepliedwearily。”Butitdoesnotseemtohaverefreshedmemuch，andmyheadaches。Oh！Iremember，”sheaddedwithastart。”Ihavehadsuchahorriddream。””Whatabout？”heaskedascarelesslyashecould。”Ican’trecallitquite，butithadtodowithMr。Meyer，”andsheshivered。”ItseemedasthoughIhadpassedintohispower，asthoughhehadtakenpossessionofme，bodyandsoul，andforcedmetotellhimallthesecretthings。””Whatsecretthings，Benita？”

Sheshookherhead。”Idon’tknownow，butwewentawayamongdeadpeople，andItoldhimthere。Oh！father，Iamafraidofthatman——terriblyafraid！Protectmefromhim，”andshebegantocryalittle。”OfcourseIwillprotectyou，dear。Somethinghasupsetyournerves。

Come，dressyourselfandyou’llsoonforgetitall。I’lllightthefire。”

AquarterofanhourlaterBenitajoinedhim，lookingpaleandshaken，butotherwisemuchasusual。Shewasravenouslyhungry，andateofthebiscuitsanddriedmeatwitheagerness。”ThecoffeetastesquitedifferentfromthatwhichIdranklastnight，”shesaid。”Ithinktheremusthavebeensomethinginitwhichgavemethosebaddreams。WhereisMr。Meyer？Oh，Iknow！”andagainsheputherhandtoherhead。”Heisstillasleepbythewall。””Whotoldyouthat？””Ican’tsay，butitisso。Hewillnotcomeheretilloneo’clock。

There，Ifeelmuchbetternow。Whatshallwedo，father？””Sitinthesunandrest，Ithink，dear。””Yes，letusdothat，onthetopofthewall。WecanseetheMakalangafromthere，anditwillbeacomforttobesurethatthereareotherhumanbeingsleftintheworldbesidesourselvesandJacobMeyer。”

Sopresentlytheywent，andfromthespotwhenceMeyerusedtoshootattheMatabelecamp，lookeddownupontheMakalangamovingaboutthefirstenclosurefarbelow。BytheaidoftheglassesBenitaeventhoughtthatsherecognisedTamas，althoughofthisitwasdifficulttobesure，fortheywereallverymuchalike。Still，thediscoveryquiteexcitedher。”IamsureitisTamas，”shesaid。”Andoh！howIwishthatweweredowntherewithhim，althoughitistruethatthenweshouldbenearertotheMatabele。ButtheyarebetterthanMr。Meyer，muchbetter。”

Nowforawhiletheyweresilent，tillatlengthshesaidsuddenly:”Father，youarekeepingsomethingbackfromme，andthingsbegintocomeback。Tellme；didIgoanywherelastnightwithMr。Meyer——youandheandItogether？”

Hehesitatedandlookedguilty；Mr。Cliffordwasnotagoodactor。”Iseethatwedid；Iamsurethatwedid。Father，tellme。Imustknow，Iwillknow。”

Thenhegaveway。”Ididn’twanttospeak，dear，butperhapsitisbest。Itisaverystrangestory。Willyoupromisenottobeupset？””IwillpromisenottobemoreupsetthanIamatpresent，”sheanswered，withasadlittlelaugh。”Goon。””YourememberthatJacobMeyerwantedtomesmerizeyou？””Iamnotlikelytoforgetit，”sheanswered。”Well，lastnighthedidmesmerizeyou。””What？”shesaid。”/What？/Oh！howdreadful！NowIunderstanditall。

Butwhen？””Whenyouweresoundasleep，Isuppose。Atleast，thefirstIknewofitwasthatsomenoisewokeme，andIcameoutofthehuttoseeyoufollowinghimlikeadeadwoman，withalampinyourhand。”

Thenhetoldherallthestory，whileshelistenedaghast。”Howdaredhe！”shegasped，whenherfatherhadfinishedthelongtale。”Ihatehim；Ialmostwishthatyouhadkilledhim，”andsheclenchedherlittlehandsandshookthemintheair。”ThatisnotveryChristianofyou，MissClifford，”saidavoicebehindher。”Butitispastoneo’clock，andasIamstillaliveI

havecometotellyouthatitistimeforluncheon。”

Benitawheeledrounduponthestoneonwhichshesat，andthere，standingamidstthebushesalittlewayfromthefootofthewall，wasJacobMeyer。Theireyesmet；herswerefullofdefiance，andhisofconsciouspower。”Idonotwantanyluncheon，Mr。Meyer，”shesaid。”ButIamsurethatyoudo。Pleasecomedownandhavesome。Pleasecomedown。”

Thewordswerespokenhumbly，almostpleadingly，yettoBenitatheyseemedasacommand。Atanyrate，withslowreluctancesheclimbeddowntheshatteredwall，followedbyherfather，andwithoutspeakingtheywentbacktotheircampingplace，allthreeofthem，Jacobleadingtheway。

Whentheyhadeaten，ormadepretencetoeat，hespoke。”Iseethatyourfatherhastoldyoueverything，MissClifford，andofthatIamglad。Asforme，itwouldhavebeenawkward，whomustaskyourforgivenessforsomuch。ButwhatcouldIdo？Iknew，asIhavealwaysknown，thatitwasonlypossibletofindthistreasurebyyourhelp。SoIgaveyousomethingtomakeyousleep，andtheninyoursleepIhypnotizedyou，and——youknowtherest。Ihavegreatexperienceinthisart，butIhaveneverseenorheardofanythinglikewhathappened，andIhopeInevershallagain。”

HithertoBenitahadsatsilent，butnowherburningindignationandcuriosityovercamehershameandhatred。”Mr。Meyer，”shesaid，”youhavedoneashamefulandawickedthing，andItellyouatoncethatIcanneverforgiveyou。””Don’tsaythat。Pleasedon’tsaythat，”heinterruptedintonesofrealgrief。”Makeallowancesforme。Ihadtolearn，andtherewasnootherway。Youareabornclairvoyante，oneamongtenthousand，myarttoldmeso，andyouknowallthatisatstake。””Bywhichyoumeansomanyouncesofgold，Mr。Meyer。””BywhichImeanthegreatnessthatgoldcangive，MissClifford。””Suchgreatness，Mr。Meyer，asaweekoffever，oraMatabelespear，orGod’swillcanrobyouof。Butthethingisdone，andsoonorlatethesinmustbepaidfor。NowIwanttoaskyouaquestion。Youbelieveinnothing；youhavetoldmesoseveraltimes。Yousaythatthereisnosuchthingasaspirit，thatwhenwedie，wedie，andthere’sanend。Doyounot？””Yes，Ido。””Thentellme，whatwasitthatspokeoutofmylipslastnight，andhowcameitthatI，whoknownoPortuguese，talkedtoyouinthattongue？”

Heshruggedhisshoulders。”Youhaveputadifficultquestion，butoneIthinkthatcanbeanswered。Thereisnosuchthingasaspirit，anidentitythatsurvivesdeath。Butthereissuchathingasthesubconsciousself，whichispartoftheanimatingprincipleoftheuniverse，and，ifonlyitsknowledgecanbeunsealed，knowsallthathaspassedandallthatispassinginthatuniverse。Onedayperhapsyouwillreadtheworksofmycompatriot，Hegel，andthereyouwillfinditspokenof。””Youexplainnothing。””Iamabouttoexplain，MissClifford。LastnightIgavetoyoursub-

consciousself——thatwhichknowsall——thestrengthofliberty，sothatitsawthepastasithappenedinthisplace。Alreadyyouknewthestoryofthedeadgirl，BenitadaFerreira，andthatstoryyoure-enacted，talkingthetonguesheusedasyouwouldhavetalkedGreekoranyothertongue，haditbeenhers。Itwasnotherspiritthatanimatedyou，althoughatthetimeIcalleditsoforshortness，butyourownburiedknowledge，trickedoutandfurnishedbytheeffortofyourhumanimagination。Thathername，Benita，shouldhavebeenyoursalsoisnodoubtastrangecoincidence，butnomore。Alsowehavenoproofthatitwasso；onlywhatyousaidinyourtrance。””Perhaps，”saidBenita，whowasinnomoodforphilosophicalargument。”Perhapsalsoonedayyouwillseeaspirit，Mr。Meyer，andthinkotherwise。””WhenIseeaspiritandknowthatitisaspirit，thendoubtlessI

shallbelieveinspirits。Butwhatisthegoodoftalkingofsuchthings？Idonotseekspirits；IseekPortuguesegold。Now，Iamsureyoucantellwherethatgoldlies。Youwouldhavetolduslastnight，hadnotyournervousstrengthfailedyou，whoareunaccustomedtothestateoftrance。SpeakingasBenitadaFerreira，yousaidthatyousawitanddescribeditscondition。Thenyoucould，orwould，saynomore，anditbecamenecessarytowakenyou。MissClifford，youmustletmemesmerizeyouonceagainforafewminutesonly，forthenwewillwastenotimeonpasthistories，andweshallfindthegold。Unless，indeed，”headdedbyanafterthought，andlookingathersharply，”youknowalreadywhereitis；inwhichcaseIneednottroubleyou。””Idonotknow，Mr。Meyer。Iremembernothingaboutthegold。””Whichprovesmytheory。WhatpurportedtobethespiritofBenitadaFerreirasaidthatithadpassedthesecretontoyou，butinyourwakingstateyoudonotknowthatsecret。Infact，shedidnotpassitonbecauseshehadnoexistence。Butinyoursub-consciousstateyouwillknow。ThereforeImustmesmerizeyouagain。Notatonce，butinafewdays’time，whenyouhavequiterecovered。LetussaynextWednesday，threedayshence。””Youshallnevermesmerizemeagain，Mr。Meyer。””No，notwhileIlive，”brokeinherfather，whohadbeenlisteningtothisdiscussioninsilence。

Jacobbowedhisheadmeekly。”Youthinksonow，butIthinkotherwise。WhatIdidlastnightIdidagainstyourwill，andthatIcandoagain，onlymuchmoreeasily。ButIhadratherdoitwithyourwill，whoworknotformyownsakeonly，butforthesakeofallofus。Andnowletustalknomoreofthematter，lestweshouldgrowangry。”Thenheroseandwentaway。

ThenextthreedayswerepassedbyBenitainastateofconstantdread。SheknewinherselfthatJacobMeyerhadacquiredacertaincommandoverher；thataninvincibleintimacyhadsprungupbetweenthem。Shewasacquaintedwithhisthoughts；thus，beforeheaskedforit，shewouldfindherselfpassinghimsomearticleattableorelsewhere，oransweringaquestionthathewasonlyabouttoask。

Moreover，hecouldbringhertohimfromalittledistance。Thus，ontwoorthreeoccasionswhenshewaswanderingabouttheirprisonenclosure，asshewaswonttodoforthesakeofexercise，shefoundherfeetdrawtosomespot——nowoneplaceandnowanother——andwhenshereachedittherebeforeherwasJacobMeyer。”Forgivemeforbringingyouhere，”hewouldsay，smilingafterhiscrookedfashion，andliftinghishatpolitely，”butIwishtoaskyouifyouhavenotchangedyourmindastobeingmesmerized？”

Thenforawhilehewouldholdherwithhiseyes，sothatherfeetseemedrootedtotheground，tillatlengthitwasasthoughhecutaropebysomeactionofhiswillandsetherfree，and，chokedwithwrathandblindwithtears，Benitawouldturnandrunfromhimasfromawildbeast。

Butifherdayswereevil，oh！whatwerehernights？Shelivedinconstantterrorlestheshouldagaindrugherfoodordrink，and，whilesheslept，throwhismagicspelluponher。Toprotectherselffromthefirstdangershewouldswallownothingthathadbeennearhim。Nowalsoshesleptinthehutwithherfather，wholaynearitsdoor，aloadedrifleathisside，forhehadtoldJacoboutrightthatifhecaughthimathispracticeshewouldshoothim，athreatatwhichtheyoungermanlaughedaloud，forhehadnofearofMr。

Clifford。

Throughoutthelonghoursofdarknesstheykeptwatchalternately，oneofthemlyingdowntorestwhiletheotherpeeredandlistened。NordidBenitaalwayslisteninvain，fortwiceatleastsheheardstealthyfootstepscreepingaboutthehut，andfeltthatsoftanddreadfulinfluenceflowinginuponher。Thenshewouldwakeherfather，whispering，”Heisthere，Icanfeelthatheisthere。”Butbythetimethattheoldmanhadpainfullydraggedhimselftohisfeet——

fornowhewasbecomingveryfeebleandacuterheumatismorsomesuchillnesshadgotholdofhim——andcreptfromthehut，therewasnoonetobeseen。Onlythroughthedarknesshewouldhearthesoundofaretreatingstep，andoflow，mockinglaughter。

Thusthosemiserabledayswentby，andthethirdmorningcame，thatdreadedWednesday。BeforeitwasdawnBenitaandherfather，neitherofwhomhadclosedtheireyesthatnight，talkedovertheirstraitlongandearnestly，andtheyknewthatitscrisiswasapproaching。”IthinkthatIhadbettertrytokillhim，Benita，”hesaid。”Iamgrowingdreadfullyweak，andifIputitoffImayfindnostrength，andyouwillbeathismercy。Icaneasilyshoothimwhenhisbackisturned，andthoughIhatethethoughtofsuchadeed，surelyIshallbeforgiven。Orifnot，Icannothelpit。Imustthinkofmydutytoyou，notofmyself。””No，no，”sheanswered。”Iwillnothaveit。Itwouldbemurder，althoughhehasthreatenedyou。Afterall，father，Ibelievethatthemanishalfmad，andnotresponsible。WemusttakeourchanceandtrusttoGodtosaveus。IfHedoesnot，”sheadded，”attheworstI

canalwayssavemyself，”andshetouchedthepistolwhichnowsheworedayandnight。”Sobeit，”saidMr。Clifford，withagroan。”Letusprayfordeliverancefromthishellandkeepourhandscleanofblood。”

XX

JACOBMEYERSEESASPIRIT

Forawhiletheyweresilent，thenBenitasaid:”Father，isitnotpossiblethatwemightescape，afterall？Perhapsthatstairontherampartisnotsocompletelyblockedthatwecouldnotclimboverit。”

Mr。Clifford，thinkingofhisstifflimbsandachingback，shookhisheadandanswered:”Idon’tknow；Meyerhasneverletmenearenoughtosee。””Well，whydoyounotgotolook？Youknowhesleepstilllatenow，becauseheisupallnight。Taketheglassesandexaminethetopofthewallfrominsidethatoldhousenearby。Hewillnotseeorhearyou，butifIcamenear，hewouldknowandwakeup。””Ifyoulike，love，Icantry，butwhatareyougoingtodowhileIamaway？””Ishallclimbthepillar。””Youdon’tmean——”andhestopped。”No，no，nothingofthatsort。IshallnotfollowtheexampleofBenitadaFerreiraunlessIamdriventoit；Iwanttolook，thatisall。Onecanseefarfromthatplace，ifthereisanythingtosee。

PerhapstheMatabelearegonenow，wehaveheardnothingofthemlately。”

Sotheydressedthemselves，andassoonasthelightwassufficientlystrong，cameoutofthehutandparted，Mr。Clifford，rifleinhand，limpingofftowardsthewall，andBenitagoingtowardsthegreatcone。

Sheclimbediteasilyenough，andstoodinthelittlecup-likedepressiononitsdizzypeak，waitingforthesuntoriseanddispersethemistswhichhungovertheriveranditsbanks。

Nowwhatevermayhavebeentheexactceremonialusetowhichtheancientsputthispinnacle，withoutdoubtithadsomethingtodowithsun-worship。This，indeed，wasprovedbythefactthat，atanyrateatthisseasonoftheyear，thefirstraysoftherisenorbstruckfulluponitspoint。Thusitcameaboutthat，asshestoodtherewaiting，Benitaofasuddenfoundherselfsuffusedinlightsovividandintensethat，clothedasshewasinadresswhichhadoncebeenwhite，itmusthavecausedhertoshinelikeasilverimage。Forseveralminutes，indeed，thisgoldenspearoffireblindedhersothatshecouldseenothing，butstoodquitestill，afraidtomove，andwaitinguntil，asthesungrewhigher，itslevelrayspassedoverher。Thistheydidpresently，andplungingintothevalley，begantodriveawaythefog。Nowshelookeddown，alongthelineoftheriver。

TheMatabelecampwasinvisible，foritlayinahollowalmostatthefootofthefortress。Beyondit，however，wasarisingswellofground；itmayhavebeenhalfamilefromwhereshestood，andonthecrestofitsheperceivedwhatlookedlikeawaggontentwithfiguresmovingroundit。Theywereshoutingalso，forthroughthesilenceoftheAfricanmornthesoundoftheirvoicesfloateduptoher。

AsthemistclearedoffBenitasawthatwithoutdoubtitwasawaggon，fortherestoodthelongrowofoxen，alsoithadjustbeencapturedbytheMatabele，forthesewereaboutitinnumbers。Atthemoment，however，theyappearedtobeotherwiseoccupied，fortheywerepointingwiththeirspearstothepillaronBambatse。

ThenitoccurredtoBenitathat，placedasshewasinthatfiercelightwithonlytheskyforbackground，shemustbeperfectlyvisiblefromtheplainbelow，andthatitmightbeherfigureperchedlikeaneaglebetweenheavenandearthwhichexcitedtheirinterest。Yes，andnottheirsonly，fornowawhitemanappeared，wholiftedwhatmighthavebeenagun，oratelescope，towardsher。Shewassurefromtheredflannelshirtandthebroadhatwhichheworethathemustbeawhiteman，andoh！howherheartyearnedtowardshim，whoeverhemightbe！ThesightofanangelfromheavencouldscarcelyhavebeenmorewelcometoBenitainherwretchedness。

Yetsurelyshemustbedreaming。Whatshouldawhitemanandawaggonbedoinginthatplace？AndwhyhadnottheMatabelekilledhimatonce？Shecouldnottell，yettheyappearedtohavenomurderousintentions，sincetheycontinuedtogesticulateandtalkwhilsthestaredupwardswiththetelescope，ifitwereatelescope。Sothingswentonforalongtime，formeanwhiletheoxenwereoutspanned，until，indeed，moreMatabelearrived，wholedoffthewhiteman，apparentlyagainsthiswill，towardstheircamp，wherehedisappeared。

Thentherewasnothingmoretobeseen。Benitadescendedthecolumn。

Atitsfootshemetherfather，whohadcometoseekher。”Whatisthematter？”heasked，notingherexcitedface。”Oh！”shesaidorrathersobbed，”thereisawaggonwithawhitemanbelow。IsawtheMatabelecapturehim。””ThenIamsorryforthepoordevil，”answeredthefather，”forheisdeadbynow。Butwhatcouldawhitemanhavebeendoinghere？Somehunter，Isuppose，whohaswalkedintoatrap。”

ThefaceofBenitafell。”Ihoped，”shesaid，”thathemighthelpus。””Aswellmighthehopethatwecouldhelphim。Heisgone，andthereisanend。Well，peacetohissoul，andwehaveourowntroublestothinkof。Ihavebeentolookatthatwall，anditisuselesstothinkofclimbingit。Ifhehadbeenaprofessionalmason，Meyercouldnothavebuiltitupbetter；nowonderthatwehaveseennothingmoreoftheMolimo，foronlyabirdcouldreachus。””WherewasMr。Meyer，”askedBenita。”Asleepinablanketunderalittleshelterofboughsbythestair。Atleast，Ithoughtso，thoughitwasratherdifficulttomakehimoutintheshadow；atanyrate，Isawhisriflesetagainstatree。Come，letusgotobreakfast。Nodoubthewillturnupsoonenough。”

Sotheywent，andforthefirsttimesincetheSundayBenitaateaheartymealofbiscuitssoakedincoffee。AlthoughherfatherwassosurethatbynowhemusthaveperishedontheMatabelespears，thesightofthewhitemanandhiswaggonhadputnewlifeintoher，bringingherintotouchwiththeworldagain。Afterall，mightitnotchancethathehadescaped？”

AllthiswhiletherehadbeennosignofJacobMeyer。This，however，didnotsurprisethem，fornowheatehismealsalone，takinghisfoodfromalittlegeneralstore，andcookingitoverhisownfire。WhentheyhadfinishedtheirbreakfastMr。Cliffordremarkedthattheyhadnomoredrinkingwaterleft，andBenitasaidthatshewouldgotofetchapailfulfromthewellinthecave。Herfathersuggestedthatheshouldaccompanyher，butsheansweredthatitwasnotnecessaryasshewasquiteabletowindthechainbyherself。Soshewent，carryingthebucketinonehandandalampintheother。

Asshewalkeddownthelastofthezigzagsleadingtothecave，Benitastoppedamomentthinkingthatshesawalight，andthenwenton，sinceonturningthecornertherewasnothingbutdarknessbeforeher。

Evidentlyshehadbeenmistaken。Shereachedthewellandhungthepailontothegreatcopperhook，wonderingasshedidsohowmanyfolkhaddonelikewiseinthefar，farpast，forthemassivemetalofthathookwaswornquitethinwithuse。Thenshelettherollerrun，andthesoundofthetravellingchainclankeddismallyinthatvaulted，emptyplace。Atlengththepailstruckthewater，andshebegantowindupagain，pausingattimestorest，forthedistancewaslongandthechainheavy。Thebucketappeared。Benitadrewittothesideofthewell，andlifteditfromthehook，thentookupherlamptobegone。

Feelingorseeingsomething，whichshewasnotsure，sheheldthelampaboveherhead，andbyitslightperceivedafigurestandingbetweenherandtheentrancetothecave。”Whoareyou？”sheasked，whereonasoftvoiceansweredoutofthedarkness，thevoiceofJacobMeyer。”Doyoumindstandingstillforafewminutes，MissClifford？IhavesomepaperhereandIwishtomakeasketch。Youdonotknowhowbeautifulyoulookwiththatlightaboveyourheadilluminatingtheshadowsandthethorn-crownedcrucifixbeyond。Youknow，whateverpathsfortunemayhaveledmeinto，bynatureIamanartist，andneverinmylifehaveIseensuchapicture。Onedayitwillmakemefamous。

’Howstatue-likeIseetheestand！

Theagatelampwithinthyhand。’

That’swhatIshouldputunderit；youknowthelines，don’tyou？””Yes，Mr。Meyer，butIamafraidyouwillhavetopaintyourpicturefrommemory，asIcannotholdupthislampanylonger；myarmisachingalready。Idonotknowhowyoucamehere，butasyouhavefollowedmeperhapsyouwillbesokindastocarrythiswater。””Ididnotfollowyou，MissClifford。AlthoughyouneversawmeI

enteredthecavebeforeyoutotakemeasurements。””Howcanyoutakemeasurementsinthedark？””Iwasnotinthedark。IputoutmylightwhenIcaughtsightofyou，knowingthatotherwiseyouwouldrunaway，andfatestoodmeingoodstead。Youcameon，asIwilledthatyoushoulddo。Nowletustalk。

MissClifford，haveyouchangedyourmind？Youknowthetimeisup。””Ishallneverchangemymind。Letmepassyou，Mr。Meyer。””No，no，notuntilyouhavelistened。Youareverycrueltome，verycruelindeed。Youdonotunderstandthat，ratherthandoyoutheslightestharm，Iwoulddieahundredtimes。””Idonotaskyoutodie；Iaskyoutoleavemealone——amucheasiermatter。””ButhowcanIleaveyoualonewhenyouareapartofme，when——Iloveyou？There，thetruthisout，andnowsaywhatyouwill。”

Benitaliftedthebucketofwater；itsweightseemedtosteadyher。

Thensheputitdownagain，sinceescapewasimpracticable；shemustfacethesituation。”Ihavenothingtosay，Mr。Meyer，exceptthat/I/donotlove/you/

oranylivingman，andInevershall。Ithankyouforthecomplimentyouhavepaidme，andthereisanend。””Anylivingman，”herepeatedafterher。”Thatmeansyouloveadeadman——Seymour，hewhowasdrowned。NowonderthatIhatedhimwhenfirstmyeyesfellonhimyearsago，longbeforeyouhadcomeintoourlives。Prescience，thesub-consciousselfagain。Well，whatistheuseoflovingthedead，thosewhonolongerhaveanyexistence，whohavegonebackintotheclayoutofwhichtheywereformedandarenot，norevermoreshallbe？Youhavebutonelife；turn，turntotheliving，andmakeithappy。””Idonotagreewithyou，Mr。Meyer。Tomethedeadarestillliving；

onedayIshallfindthem。Nowletmego。””Iwillnotletyougo。Iwillpleadandwrestlewithyouasintheoldfablemynamesakeofmyownracewrestledwiththeangel，untilatlengthyoublessme。YoudespisemebecauseIamaJew，becauseIhavehadmanyadventuresandnotsucceeded；becauseyouthinkmemad。ButI

tellyouthatthereistheseedofgreatnessinme。GiveyourselftomeandIwillmakeyougreat，fornowIknowthatitwasyouwhomI

neededtosupplywhatislackinginmynature。Wewillwinthewealth，andtogetherwewillrule——””UntilafewdayshencewestarveortheMatabelemakeanendofus。

No，Mr。Meyer，no，”andshetriedtopushpasthim。

Hestretchedouthisarmsandstoppedher。”Listen，”hesaid，”Ihavepleadedwithyouasmanwithwoman。Now，asyourefusemeandasyoualonestandbetweenmeandmadness，Iwilltakeanothercourse。Iamyourmaster，yourwillisservanttomywill；Ibidyouobeyme。”

Hefixedhiseyesuponhers，andBenitafeltherstrengthbegintofail。”Ah！”hesaid，”youaremyservantnow，andtoshowitIshallkissyouonthelips；thenIshallthrowthesleepuponyou，andyouwilltellmewhatIwanttoknow。Afterwardswecanbewedwhenitpleasesme。Oh！donotthinkthatyourfatherwilldefendyou，forifheinterferesIshallkillthatfoolisholdman，whomuntilnowIhaveonlysparedforyoursake。Rememberthatifyoumakemeangry，Ishallcertainlykillhim，andyourfather’sbloodwillbeonyourhead。NowIamgoingtokissyou。”

Benitaliftedherhandtofindthepistolatherwaist。Itfellbackagain；shehadnostrength；itwasasthoughshewereparalysedasabirdisparalysedbyasnakesothatitcannotopenitswingsandflyaway，butsitsthereawaitingdeath。Shewasgivenoverintothehandsofthismanwhomshehated。CouldHeavenallowsuchathing？shewondereddimly，andallthewhilehislipsdrewnearertoherface。

Theytouchedherown，andthen，whyorwhereforeBenitaneverunderstood，thespellbroke。Allhispowerwasgone，shewasasshehadbeen，afreewoman，mistressofherself。Contemptuouslyshethrustthemanaside，and，noteventroublingtorun，liftedherpailofwaterandwalkedaway。

Soonshesawthelightagain，andjoyfullyextinguishedherlamp。

Indeed，thebreastofBenita，whichshouldhavebeensotroubledafterthescenethroughwhichshehadpassed，strangelyenoughwasfilledwithhappinessandpeace。Asthatglorioussunlighthadbrokenonhereyes，sohadanotherlightoffreedomariseninhersoul。ShewasnolongerafraidofJacobMeyer；thatcowardkissofhishadstruckofftheshackleswhichboundhertohim。Hermindhadbeensubjecttohismind，butnowthathisphysicalnaturewasbroughtintotheplay，hismentalparthadlostitsholduponher。

Assheapproachedthehutshesawherfatherseatedonastoneoutsideit，sincethepooroldmanwasnowsoweakandfullofpainthathecouldnotstandforverylong，andseeing，rememberedMeyer’sthreatsagainsthim。Atthethoughtallhernew-foundhappinessdeparted。

Shemightbesafe；shefeltsurethatshewassafe，buthowaboutherfather？IfMeyercouldnotgethiswayprobablyhewouldbeasgoodashisword，andkillhim。Sheshiveredatthethought，then，recoveringherself，walkedforwardsteadilywithherbucketofwater。”Youhavebeenalongwhilegone，mylove，”saidMr。Clifford。”Yes，father，Mr。Meyerwasinthecave，andkeptme。””Howdidhegetthere，andwhatdidhewant？””Idon’tknowhowhegotthere——creptinwhenwewerenotlooking，I

suppose。Butasforwhathewanted——listen，dear，”andwordforwordshetoldhimwhathadpassed。

Beforeshehadfinished，herfatherwasalmostchokingwithwrath。”ThedirtyJew！Thevillain！”hegasped。”Ineverdreamedthathewoulddaretoattemptsuchanoutrage。Well，thankHeaven！Icanstillholdarifle，andwhenhecomesout——””Father，”shesaidgently，”thatmanismad。Heisnotresponsibleforhisactions，andtherefore，exceptinself-defence，youmustnotthinkofsuchathing。Asforwhathesaidaboutyou，Ibelieveitwasonlyanemptythreat，andformeyouneedhavenofear，hispowerovermeisgone；itwentlikeaflashwhenhislipstouchedme，”andsherubbedherownasthoughtowipeawaysomestain。”Iamafraidofnothingmore。Ibelieve——yes，IbelievetheoldMolimowasright，andthatallwillendwell——”

AsshewasspeakingBenitaheardashufflingsoundbehindher，andturnedtolearnitscause。Thenshesawastrangesight。JacobMeyerwasstaggeringtowardsthem，draggingonefootaftertheotherthroughthegrassandstones。Hisfacewasghastlypale，hisjawhaddroppedlikethatofadeadman，andhiseyesweresetwideopenandfullofhorror。”Whatisthematterwithyou，man？”askedMr。Clifford。”I——I——haveseenaghost，”hewhispered。”Youdidnotcomebackintothecave，didyou？”headded，pointingatBenita，whoshookherhead。”Whatghost？”askedMr。Clifford。”Idon’tknow，butmylampwentout，andthenalightbegantoshinebehindme。Iturned，andonthestepsofthatcrucifixIsawawomankneeling。Herarmsclaspedthefeetofthefigure，herforeheadresteduponthefeet，herlongblackhairfloweddown，shewasdressedinwhite，andthelightcamefromherbodyandherhead。Veryslowlysheturnedandlookedatme，andoh，Heaven！thatface——”andheputhishandbeforehiseyesandgroaned。”Itwasbeautiful；yes，yes，butfearfultosee，likeanavengingangel。Ifled，andthelight——onlythelight——camewithmedownthecave，evenatthemouthofittherewasalittle。Ihaveseenaspirit，Iwhodidnotbelieveinspirits，Ihaveseenaspirit，andItellyouthatnotforallthegoldintheworldwillIenterthatplaceagain。”

Thenbeforetheycouldanswer，suddenlyasthoughhisfearhadgotsomefreshholdofhim，Jacobsprangforwardandfledaway，crashingthroughthebushesandleapingfromrocktorocklikeafrightenedbuck。

XXI

THEMESSAGEFROMTHEDEAD”Meyeralwayssaidthathedidnotbelieveinspirits，”remarkedMr。

Cliffordreflectively。”Well，hebelievesinthemnow，”answeredBenitawithalittlelaugh。”But，father，thepoormanismad，thatisthefactofit，andwemustpaynoattentiontowhathesays。””TheoldMolimoandsomeofhispeople——Tamas，forinstance——declaredthattheyhaveseentheghostofBenitadaFerreira。Aretheymadalso，Benita？””Idon’tknow，father。Whocansay？Allthesethingsareamystery。

AllIdoknowisthatIhaveneverseenaghost，andIdoubtifIevershall。””No，butwhenyouwereinthattrancesomethingthatwasnotyouspokeoutofyourmouth，whichsomethingsaidthatitwasyournamesake，theotherBenita。Well，asyousay，wecan’tfathomthesethings，especiallyinahauntedkindofplacelikethis，buttheupshotofitisthatIdon’tthinkwehavemuchmoretofearfromJacob。””Iamnotsosure，father。Madpeoplechangetheirmoodsverysuddenly。”

AsithappenedBenitawasquiteright。TowardssuppertimeJacobMeyerreappeared，lookingpaleandshaken，butotherwisemuchasusual。”Ihadakindoffitthismorning，”heexplained，’theresultofanhallucinationwhichseizedmewhenmylightwentoutinthatcave。I

rememberthatIthoughtIhadseenaghost，whereasIknowverywellthatnosuchthingexists。Iwasthevictimofdisappointment，anxieties，andotherstillstrongeremotions，”andhelookedatBenita。”Therefore，pleaseforgetanythingIsaidordid，and——wouldyougivemesomesupper？”

Benitadidso，andheateinsilence，withsomeheartiness。Whenhehadfinishedhisfood，andswallowedtwoorthreetotsofsquareface，hespokeagain:”Ihavecomehere，whereIknowIamnotwelcome，uponbusiness，”hesaidinacalm，matter-of-factvoice。”Iamtiredofthisplace，andI

thinkitistimethatweattainedtheobjectofourjourneyhere，namely，tofindthehiddengold。That，asweallknow，canonlybedoneinacertainway，throughtheclairvoyantpowersofoneofusandthehypnoticpowersofanother。MissClifford，Irequestthatyouwillallowmetothrowyouintoastateoftrance。Youhavetolduseverythingelse，butyouhavenotyettolduswherethetreasureishidden，andthisitisnecessarythatweshouldknow。””AndifIrefuse，Mr。Meyer？””ThenIamsorry，butImusttakemeanstocompelyourobedience。

Underthosecircumstances，muchagainstmywill，Ishallbeobliged”——

herehiseyeblazedoutwildly——”toexecuteyourfather，whoseobstinacyandinfluencestandbetweenusandsplendidfortunes。No，Clifford，”headded，”don’tstretchoutyourhandtowardsthatrifle，forIamalreadycoveringyouwiththepistolinmypocket，andthemomentyourhandtouchesitIshallfire。Youpooroldman，doyouimagineforasinglesecondthat，sickasyouare，andwithyourstifflimbs，youcanhopetomatchyourselfagainstmyagility，intellect，andstrength？Why，Icouldkillyouinadozenwaysbeforeyoucouldliftafingeragainstme，andbytheGodIdonotbelievein，unlessyourdaughterismorecompliant，killyouIwill！””Thatremainstobeseen，myfriend，”saidMr。Cliffordwithalaugh，forhewasabraveoldman。”IamnotcertainthattheGod——whomyoudonotbelievein——willnotkillyoufirst。”

NowBenita，whohadbeentakingcounselwithherself，lookedupandsaidsuddenly:”Verywell，Mr。Meyer，Iconsent——becauseImust。To-morrowmorningyoushalltrytomesmerizeme，ifyoucan，inthesameplace，beforethecrucifixinthecave。””No，”heansweredquickly。”Itwasnotthere，itwashere，andhereitshallbeagain。Thespotyoumentionisunpropitioustome；theattemptwouldfail。””ItisthespotthatIhavechosen，”answeredBenitastubbornly。”AndthisisthespotthatIhavechosen，MissClifford，andmywillmustprevailoveryours。””Becauseyouwhodonotbelieveinspiritsareafraidtore-enterthecave，Mr。Meyer，lestyoushouldchance——””NevermindwhatIamoramnotafraidof，”herepliedwithfury。”Makeyourchoicebetweendoingmywillandyourfather’slife。

To-morrowmorningIshallcomeforyouranswer，andifyouarestillobstinate，withinhalfanhourhewillbedead，leavingyouandmealonetogether。Oh！youmaycallmewickedandavillain，butitisyouwhoarewicked，you，you，/you/whoforcemetothisdeedofjustice。”

Thenwithoutanotherwordhesprangupandwalkedawayfromthembackwards，ashewentcoveringMr。Cliffordwiththepistolwhichhehaddrawnfromhispocket。Thelastthattheysawofhimwerehiseyes，whichgloweredatthemthroughthedarknesslikethoseofalion。”Father，”saidBenita，whenshewassurethathehadgone，”thatmadmanreallymeanstomurderyou；thereisnodoubtofit。””Nonewhatever，dear；ifIamaliveto-morrownightIshallbelucky，unlessIcankillhimfirstorgetoutofhisway。””Well，”shesaidhurriedly，”Ithinkyoucan。Ihaveanidea。Heisafraidtogointothatcave，Iamsure。Letushideourselvesthere。

Wecantakefoodandshallhaveplentyofwater，whereas，unlessrainfalls，hecangetnothingtodrink。””Butwhatthen，Benita？Wecan’tstopinthedarkforever。””No，butwecanwaitthereuntilsomethinghappens。Somethingmustandwillhappen。Hisdiseasewon’tstandstill。Hemaygoravingmadandkillhimself。Orhemayattempttoattackus，thoughthatisnotlikely，andthenwemustdowhatwecaninselfdefence。Orhelpmayreachusfromsomewhere。Attheworstweshallonlydieasweshouldhavediedoutside。Come，letusbequick，lestheshouldchangehismind，andcreepbackuponus。”

SoMr。Cliffordgaveway，knowingthatevenifhecouldsteelhimselftodothedeedofattemptingtokillJacob，hewouldhavelittlechanceagainstthatstrongandagileman。Suchastrugglewouldonlyendinhisowndeath，andBenitamustthenbeleftalonewithMeyerandhisinsanepassions。

Hurriedlytheycarriedtheirfewbelongingsintothecave。Firsttheytookmostofthelittlestoreoffoodthatremained，thethreehand-

lampsandalltheparaffin；therewasbutonetin。Thenreturningtheyfetchedthebucket，theammunition，andtheirclothes。Afterwards，astherewasstillnosignofMeyer，theyevendaredtodraginthewaggontenttomakeashelterforBenita，andallthewoodthattheyhadcollectedforfiring。Thisprovedawearisomebusiness，forthelogswereheavy，andinhiscrippledstateMr。Cliffordcouldcarrynogreatburden。Indeed，towardstheendBenitawasforcedtocompletethetaskalone，whilehelimpedbesideherwithhisrifle，lestJacobshouldsurprisethem。

Whenatlengtheverythingwasdoneitwaslongpastmidnight，andsoexhaustedweretheythat，notwithstandingtheirdanger，theyflungthemselvesdownuponthecanvastent，whichlayinaheapattheendofthecavenearthecrucifix，andfellasleep。

WhenBenitawokethelamphadgoneout，anditwaspitchdark。

Fortunately，however，sherememberedwhereshehadputthematchesandthelanternwithacandleinit。Shelitthecandleandlookedatherwatch。Itwasnearlysixo’clock。Thedawnmustbebreakingoutside，withinanhourortwoJacobMeyerwouldfindthattheyhadgone。

Supposethathisrageshouldovercomehisfearandthatheshouldcreepuponthem。Theywouldknownothingofituntilhisfaceappearedinthefaintringoflight。Orhemightevenshootherfatheroutofthedarkness。Whatcouldshedothatwouldgivethemwarning？A

thoughtcametoher。

Takingoneofthetentropesandthelantern，forherfatherstillsleptheavily，shewentdowntotheentranceofthecave，andattheendofthelastzigzagwhereonceadoorhadbeen，managedtomakeitfasttoastonehingeabouteighteeninchesabovethefloor，andontheothersidetoaneyeoppositethatwascutinthesolidrocktoreceiveaboltofwoodoriron。Meyer，sheknew，hadnolampsoroil，onlymatchesandperhapsafewcandles。Thereforeifhetriedtoenterthecaveitwasprobablethathewouldtripovertheropeandthusgivethemwarning。Thenshewentback，washedherfaceandhandswithsomewaterthattheyhaddrawnonthepreviousnighttosatisfytheirthirst，andtidiedherselfasbestshecould。Thisdone，asherfatherstillslept，shefilledthelamps，litoneofthem，andlookedabouther，forshewaslothtowakehim。

Trulyitwasanawfulplaceinwhichtodwell。Thereabovethemtoweredthegreatwhitecrucifix；thereinthecornerwerepiledtheremainsofthePortuguese。Askullwithlonghairstillhangingtoitgrinnedather，awitheredhandwasthrustforwardasthoughtoclutchher。Oh，nowonderthatinsuchaspotJacobMeyerhadseenghosts！Infront，too，wastheyawninggravewheretheyhadfoundthemonk；

indeed，hisboneswrappedindarkrobesstilllaywithin，forJacobhadtumbledthembackagain。Thenbeyondandallarounddeep，dark，anduttersilence。

Atlastherfatherwoke，andgladenoughwassheofhishumancompany。

Theybreakfasteduponsomebiscuitsandwater，andafterwards，whileMr。Cliffordwatchedneartheentrancewithhisrifle，Benitasettoworktoarrangetheirbelongings。Thetentshemanagedtopropupagainstthewallofthecavebyhelpofsomeofthewoodwhichtheyhadcarriedin。Beneathitshespreadtheirblankets，thatitmightserveasasleepingplaceforthemboth，andoutsideplacedthefoodandotherthings。

Whileshewasthusengagedsheheardasoundatthemouthofthecave——JacobMeyerwasenteringandhadfallenoverherrope。Downitsheran，lanterninhand，toherfather，who，withhisrifleraised，wasshouting:”Ifyoucomeinhere，Iputabulletthroughyou！”

ThencametheanswerinJacob’svoice，whichranghollowinthatvaultedplace:”Idonotwanttocomein；Ishallwaitforyoutocomeout。Youcannotlivelonginthere；thehorrorofthedarkwillkillyou。I

haveonlytositinthesunlightandwait。”

Thenhelaughed，andtheyheardthesoundofhisfootstepsretreatingdownthepassage。”Whatarewetodo？”askedMr。Clifforddespairingly。”Wecannotlivewithoutlight，andifwehavelighthewillcertainlycreeptotheentranceandshootus。Heisquitemadnow；Iamsureofitfromhisvoice。”

Benitathoughtaminute，thensheanswered:”Wemustbuildupthepassage。Look，”andshepointedtothelumpsofrockthattheexplosionoftheirminehadshakendownfromtheroof，andtheslabsofcementthattheyhadbrokenfromthefloorwiththecrowbar。”Atonce，atonce，”shewenton；”hewillnotcomebackforsomehours，probablynottillnight。”

Sotheysettowork，andneverdidBenitalabourasitwasherlottodothatday。Suchofthefragmentsastheycouldlifttheycarriedbetweenthem，otherstheyrolledalongbyhelpofthecrowbar。Forhourafterhourtheytoiledattheirtask。Luckilyforthem，thepassagewasnotmorethanthreefeetwidebysixfeetsixhigh，andtheirmaterialwasample。Beforetheeveningtheyhadblockeditcompletelywithawallseveralfeetinthickness，whichwalltheysupportedontheinsidewithlengthsofthefirewoodlashedacrosstotheoldhingesandbolt-holes，orsetobliquelyagainstitsface。

Itwasdone，andtheyregardedtheirworkwithpride，althoughitseemedprobablethattheywerebuildinguptheirowntomb。Becauseofitspositionatanangleofthepassage，theyknewthatMeyercouldnotgettoitwithapoletobatteritdown。Also，therewasnoloosepowderleft，sohisonlychancewouldbetopullittopieceswithhishands，andthis，theythought，mightbebeyondhispower。Atleast，shouldheattemptit，theywouldhaveamplewarning。Yetthatdaywasnottopasswithoutanothertrouble。

Justastheyhadrolledupandleveredintoplacealongfragmentofrockdesignedtopreventtheendsoftheirsupportingpiecesofwoodfromslippingonthecementfloor，Mr。Cliffordutteredanexclamation，thensaid:”Ihavewrungmybackbadly。Helpmetothetent。Imustliedown。”

Slowlyandwithgreatpaintheystaggeredupthecave，Mr。CliffordleaningonBenitaandastick，till，reachingthetentatlast，healmostfellontotheblanketsandremainedtherepracticallycrippled。

NowbeganBenita’sterribletime，theworstofallherlife。Everyhourherfatherbecamemoreill。Evenbeforetheytookrefugeinthecavehewascompletelybrokendown，andnowafterthisaccidenthebegantosufferverymuch。Hisrheumatismorsciatica，orwhateveritwas，seemedtosettleuponthehurtmusclesofhisback，causinghimsomuchpainthathecouldscarcelysleepfortenminutesatastretch。Moreover，hewouldswallowbutlittleoftheroughfoodwhichwasallBenitawasabletoprepareforhim；nothing，indeed，exceptbiscuitsoakedinblackcoffee，whichsheboiledoverasmallfiremadeofwoodthattheyhadbroughtwiththem，andoccasionallyalittlebroth，tastelessstuffenough，foritwasonlytheessenceofbiltong，orsun-driedflesh，flavouredwithsomesalt。

Thenthereweretwootherterrorsagainstshemustfight，thedarknessandthedreadofJacobMeyer。Perhapsthedarknesswastheworseofthem。Toliveinthathideousgloominwhichtheirsinglelamp，forshedaredburnnomorelesttheoilshouldgiveout，seemedbutasonestartothewholenight，ah！whothathadnotendureditcouldknowwhatitmeant？Therethesickman，yonderthegrinningskeletons，aroundtheblacknessandthesilence，andbeyondtheseagainamiserabledeath，orJacobMeyer。ButofhimBenitasawnothing，thoughonceortwiceshethoughtthatsheheardhisvoiceravingoutsidethewallwhichtheyhadbuilt。Ifso，eitherhedidnottrytopullitdown，orhefailedintheattempt，orperhapshefearedthatshouldhesucceed，hewouldbegreetedbyabullet。Soatlastshegaveupthinkingabouthim。Shouldheforcehiswayintothecaveshemustdealwiththesituationasbestshecould。Meanwhile，herfather’sstrengthwassinkingfast。

Threeawfuldayswentbyinthisfashion，andtheenddrewnear。

Althoughshetriedtoforceherselftoit，Benitacouldnotswallowenoughfoodtokeepupherstrength。Nowthatthepassagewasclosedtheatmosphereofthisoldvault，foritwasnothingmore，thickenedbythesmokeofthefirewhichshewasobligedtoburn，grewpoisonousandchokedher。Wantofsleepexhaustedher，dreadofwhatthemorrowmightbringforthcrushedherstrongspirit。Shebegantobreakdown，knowingthatthehourwasnearwhensheandherfathermustdietogether。

Once，asshesleptawhileathisside，beingwakenedbyhisgroaning，Benitalookedatherwatch。Itwasmidnight。Sherose，andgoingtotheembersofthelittlefire，warmedupsomeofherbiltongbrothwhichshepouredintoatinpannikin。Withdifficultysheforcedhimtoswallowafewmouthfulsofit，then，feelingasuddenweakness，dranktherestherself。Itgaveherpowertothink，andherfatherdozedoffintoanuneasysleep。

Alas！thinkingwasofnouse，nothingcouldbedone。Therewasnohopesaveinprayer。RestlessnessseizedBenita，andtakingthelanternshewanderedroundthecave。Thewallthattheyhadbuiltremainedintact，andoh！tothinkthatbeyonditflowedthefreeairandshonetheblessedstars！Backshecameagain，skirtingthepitsthatJacobMeyerhaddug，andthegraveoftheoldmonk，tillshereachedthestepsofthecrucifix，andholdinguphercandle，lookedatthethorn-crownedbrowoftheChristabove。

Itwaswonderfullycarved；thatdyingfacewasfullofpity。WouldnotHeWhomitrepresentedpityher？Shekneltdownonthetopmoststep，andclaspingthepiercedfeetwithherarms，begantoprayearnestly，notforherselfbutthatshemightsaveherfather。Sheprayedasshehadneverprayedbefore，andsopraying，sankintoatorpororaswoon。

ItseemedtoBenitathatthissleepofherssuddenlybecamealive；initshesawmanythings。Forinstance，shesawherselfseatedinastateoftranceuponthatverystepwherenowsheknelt，whilebeforeherstoodherfatherandJacobMeyer。Moreover，somethingspokeinher；shecouldnothearavoice，butsheseemedtoseethewordswrittenintheairbeforeher。Thesewerethewords:——”/ClaspthefeetoftheChristanddrawthemtotheleft。Thepassagebeneathleadstothechamberwherethegoldishid，andthencetotheriverbank。ThatisthesecretwhichereIdepart，I

thedeadBenita，passontoyou，thelivingBenita，asIamcommanded。Inlifeanddeathpeacebetoyoursoul。/”

ThricedidthismessageappeartorepeatitselfintheconsciousnessofBenita。Then，suddenlyasshehadslept，shewokeagainwitheveryletterofitimprintedonhermind。Doubtlessitwasadream，nothingbutadreambredbythefactthatherarmswereclaspingthefeetofthecrucifix。Whatdiditsay？”Drawthemtotheleft。”

Shedidso，butnothingstirred。Againshetried，andstillnothingstirred。Ofcourseitwasadream。Whyhadsuchbeensenttomockher？

Inakindofmadirritationsheputoutallherremainingstrengthandwrestledwiththosestonyfeet。/Theymovedalittle/——thenofasudden，withoutanyfurthereffortonherpart，swungroundashighasthekneeswheredraperyhung，concealingthejoininthem。Yes，theyswunground，revealingtheheadofastair，upwhichblewacoldwindthatitwassweettobreathe。

Benitarose，gasping。Thensheseizedherlanternandrantothelittletentwhereherfatherlay。