第2章

Soonitledusintootherspoor，thatofawholeherdofthirtyorfortybeastsindeed，whichmadeourtaskquiteeasy，atleasttillwecametoharderground，fortheanimalshadgonealongway。Anhourormorelater，whenwewereaboutsevenmilesfromtheriver，Iperceivedaheadofus，forwewerenowalmostatthefootofthehills，acoolanddensely-woodedkloof。

“Thatiswheretheywillbe。”Isaid。“Nowcomeoncarefullyandmakenonoise。”

Werodetothewidemouthofthekloofwherethesignsofthebuffalowerenumerousandfresh，dismountedandtiedourhorsestoathorn，soastoapproachthemsilentlyonfoot。Wehadnotgonetwohundredyardsthroughthebushwhensuddenlyaboutfiftypacesaway，standingbroadsideonintheshadowbetweentwotrees，Isawasplendidoldbullwithatremendouspairofhorns。

“Shoot。”IwhisperedtoAnscombe，“youwillnevergetabetterchance。Itisthesentineloftheherd。”

Hekneltdown，hisfacequitewhitewithexcitement，andcoveredthebullwithhisExpress。

“Keepcool。”Iwhisperedagain，“andaimbehindtheshoulder，half-waydown。”

Idon’tthinkheunderstoodme，foratthatmomentoffwenttherifle。Hehitthebeastsomewhere，asIheardthebulletclap，butnotfatally，foritturnedandlumberedoffupthekloof，apparentlyunhurt，whereonhesentthesecondbarrelafterit，acleanmissthistime。Thenofasuddenallaboutusappearedbuffaloesthathad，Isuppose，beensleepinginvisibletous。

These，withsnortsandbellows，rushedofftowardstheriver，forhavingtheirsensesaboutthem，theyhadnomindtobetrappedinthekloof。Icouldonlymanageashotatoneofthem，alargeandlong-hornedcowwhichIknockedoverquitedead。IfIhadfiredagainitwouldhavebeenbuttowound，athingIhate。Thewholebusinesswasoverinaminute。WewentandlookedatmydeadcowwhichIhadcaughtthroughtheheart。

“It’scrueltokillthesethings。”Isaid，“forIdon’tknowwhatusewearegoingtomakeofthem，andtheymustlovelifeasmuchaswedo。”

“We’llcutthehornsoff。”saidAnscombe。

“Youmayifyoulike。”Ianswered，“butyouwillfinditatoughjobwithasheathknife。”

“Yes，IthinkthatshallbethetaskoftheworthyFootsackto-morrow。”hereplied。“Meanwhileletusgoandfinishoffmybull，asFootsack&Co。mayaswellbringhometwopairofhornsasone。”

Ilookedatthedensebush，andknowingsomethingofthehabitsofwoundedbuffaloes，reflectedthatitwouldbeanastyjob。

StillIsaidnothing，becauseifIhesitated，Iknewhewouldwanttogoalone。Sowestarted。Evidentlythebeasthadbeenbadlyhit，forthebloodspoorwaseasytofollow。Yetithadbeenabletoretreatuptotheendofthekloofthatterminatedinacliffoverwhichtrickledastreamofwater。Hereitwasnotmorethanahundredpaceswide，andoneithersideofitwereotherprecipitouscliffs。Aswewentfromoneoftheseawar-horn，suchastheBasutosuse，wasblown。AlthoughIheardit，oddlyenough，Ipaidnoattentiontoitatthetime，beingutterlyintentuponthebusinessinhand。

Followingawoundedbuffalobullupatree-cladandstonykloofisnogameforchildren，asthesebeastshaveahabitofreturningontheirtracksandthenrushingouttogoreyou。SoI

wentonwitheverysensealert，keepingAnscombewellbehindme。

Asithappenedourbullhadeitherbeenknockedsillyorinheritednoguilefromhisparents。Whenhefoundhecouldgonofurtherhestopped，waitedbehindabush，andwhenhesawushechargedinasimpleandprimitivefashion。IletAnscombefire，asIwishedhimtohavethecreditofkillingitalltohimself，butsomehoworotherhemanagedtomissbothbarrels。

Then，troublebeingimminent，Iletdriveasthebeastlowereditshead，andwasluckyenoughtobreakitsspine(toshootattheheadofabuffaloisuseless)，sothatitrolledoverquitedeadatourfeet。

“Youhavegotamagnificentpairofhorns。”Isaid，contemplatingthefallengiant。

“Yes。”answeredAnscombe，withatwinkleofhishumorouseyes，“andifithadn’tbeenforyouIthinkthatIshouldhavegottheminmoresensesthanone。”

Asthewordspassedhislipssomemissile，fromitspeculiarsoundIjudgeditwasthelegoffanironpot，hurtledpastmyhead，firedevidentlyfromasmoothboregunwithalargechargeofbadpowder。ThenIrememberedthewar-hornandallthatitmeant。

“Offyougo。”Isaid，“weareambushedbyKaffirs。”

Wewereindeed，foraswetaileddownthatkloof，fromthetopofbothcliffsaboveuscameacontinuousbutluckilyill-directedfire。Lead-coatedstones，potlegsandbulletswhirredandwhistledallroundus，yetuntilthelast，justwhenwewerereachingthetreetowhichwehadtiedourhorses，quiteharmlessly。ThensuddenlyIsawAnscombebegintolimp。Stillhemanagedtorunonandmount，thoughIobservedthathedidnotputhisrightfootintothestirrup。

“What’sthematter？“Iaskedaswegallopedoff。”

“Shotthroughtheinstep，Ithink。”heansweredwithalaugh，“

butitdoesn’thurtabit。”

“Iexpectitwilllater。”Ireplied。“Meanwhile，thankGoditwasn’tatthetopofthekloof。Theywon’tcatchusonthehorses，whichtheyneverthoughtofkillingfirst。”

“Theyaregoingtotrythough。Lookbehindyou。”

Ilookedandsawtwentyorthirtymenemergingfromthemouthofthekloofinpursuit。

“Notimetostoptogetthosehorns。”hesaidwithasigh。

“No。”Ianswered，“unlessyouareparticularlyanxioustosaygood-byetotheworldpinnedoverabrokenant-heapinthesun，orsomethingpleasantofthesort。”

Thenwerodeoninsilence，IthinkingwhatafoolIhadbeenfirsttoallowmyselftobeoverruledbyAnscombeandcrosstheriver，andsecondlynottohavetakenwarningfromthatwar-horn。

Wecouldnotgoveryfastbecauseofthedifficultandswampynatureoftheground；alsothegreatheatofthedaytoldonthehorses。Thusitcameaboutthatwhenwereachedthefordwewerenotmorethantenminutesaheadofouractivepursuers，goodrunnerseveryoneofthem，andaccustomedtothecountry。I

supposethattheyhadorderstokillorcaptureusatanycost，forinsteadofgivingupthechase，asIhopedtheywould，theystucktousinsurprisingfashion。

Wesplashedthroughtheriver，andluckilyonthefurtherbankweremetbyFootsackwhohadseenuscomingandguessedthatsomethingwaswrong。

“Inspan！“Ishoutedtohim，“andbequickaboutitifyouwanttoseetomorrow’slight。TheBasutosareafterus。”

Offhewentlikeashot，hisfacequitegreenwithfear。

“Now。”IsaidtoAnscombe，asweletourhorsestakeadrinkforwhichtheyweremad，“wehavegottoholdthisforduntilthewagonisready，orthosedevilswillgetusafterall。DismountandI’lltieupthehorses。”

Hedidsowithsomedifficulty，andatmysuggestion，whileI

madethebeastsfast，cutthelaceofhisbootwhichwasfullofblood，andsoakedhiswoundedfoot，thatIhadnotimetoexamine，inthecoolwater。Thesethingsdone，Ihelpedhimtotherearofathorntreewhichwasthickenoughtoshieldmostofhisbody，andtookmyownstandbehindasimilarthornatadistanceofafewpaces。

PresentlytheBasutosappeared，trottingalongclosetogetherwhereonAnscombe，whowasseatedbehindthetree，firedbothbarrelsofhisExpressatthematarangeofabouttwohundredyards。Itwasafoolishthingtodo，firstbecausehemissedthemclean，forhehadover-estimatedtherangeandthebulletswentabovetheirheads，andsecondlybecauseitcausedthemtoscatterandmadethemcareful，whereashadtheycomeoninalumpwecouldhavetaughtthemalesson。HoweverIsaidnothing，asI

knewthatreproacheswouldonlymakehimnervous。Downwentthosescoundrelsontotheirhandsandkneesand，takingcoverbehindstonesandbushesonthefurtherbank，begantofireatus，fortheywereallarmedwithgunsofonesortandanother，andtherewasonlyaboutahundredyardsofwaterbetweenus。AstheyeffectedthismanoeuvreIamgladtosayIwasabletogettwoofthem，whileAnscombe，Ithink，woundedanother。

Afterthisourpositiongrewquitewarm，forasIhavesaidthethorntrunkswerenotverybroad，andthreeorfourofthenatives，whohadprobablybeenhunters，werebynomeansbadshots，thoughtherestofthemfiredwildly。Anscombe，inpokinghisheadroundthetreetoshoot，hadhishatknockedoffbyabullet，whileaslugwentthroughthelappetofmycoat。Thenaworsethinghappened。EitherbychanceordesignAnscombe’shorsewasstruckintheneckandfellstruggling，whereonmybeast，growingfrightened，brokeitsriemandgallopedtothewagon。ThatiswhereIoughttohaveleftthematfirst，onlyI

thoughtthatwemightneedthemtomakeabolton，ortocarryAnscombeifhecouldnotwalk。

Quitealongwhilewentbybefore，glancingbehindme，Isawthattheoxenthathadbeengrazingatalittledistancehadatlengtharrivedandwerebeinginspannedinfurioushaste。TheBasutossawitalso，andfearinglestweshouldescape，determinedtotrytoendthebusiness。Suddenlytheyleaptfromtheircover，andwithmorecouragethanIshouldhaveexpectedofthem，rushedintotheriver，proposingtostormus，which，tospeaktruth，IthinktheywouldhavedonehadInotbeenafairlyquickshot。

Asitwas，findingthattheywerelosingtooheavilyfromourfire，theyretreatedinahurry，leavingtheirdeadbehindthem，andevenawoundedmanwhowasclingingtoarock。He，poorwretch，wasinmortalterrorlestweshouldshoothimagain，whichIhadnotthehearttodo，althoughashislegwasshatteredabovethekneebyanExpressbullet，itmighthavebeentruekindness。Againandagainhecalledoutformercy，sayingthatheonlyattackedusbecausehischief，whohadbeenwarnedofourcoming“bytheWhiteMan。”orderedhimtotakeourgunsandcattle。

“Whatwhiteman？“Ishouted。“SpeakorIshoot。”

Therewasnoanswer，foratthismomenthefaintedfromlossofbloodandvanishedbeneaththewater。ThenanotherBasuto，I

supposehewastheircaptain，butdonotknowforhewashiddeninsomebushes，calledout——

“Donotthinkthatyoushallescape，WhiteMen。Therearemanymoreofourpeoplecoming，andwewillkillyouinthenightwhenyoucannotseetoshootus。”

Atthismoment，too，Footsackshoutedthatthewagonwasinspannedandready。NowIhesitatedwhattodo。Ifwemadeforthewagon，whichmustbeveryslowlybecauseofAnscombe’swoundedfoot，wehadtocrossseventyoreightyyardsofrisinggroundalmostdevoidofcover。If，ontheotherhand，westayedwhereweweretillnightfallashotmightcatchoneofus，orotherBasutosmightarriveandrushus。Therewasalsoathirdpossibility，thatourterrifiedservantsmighttrekoffandleaveusinordertosavetheirownlives，whichverilyIbelievetheywouldhavedone，notbeingofZulublood。IputtheproblemtoAnscombe，whoshookhisheadandlookedathisfoot。Thenheproducedaluckypennywhichhecarriedinhispocketandsaid——

“LetusinvoketheFates。Headswerunlikeheroes；tailswestayherelikeheroes。”andhespunthepenny，whileIstaredathimopen-mouthedandnotwithoutadmiration。

Never，Ithoughttomyself，hadthisprimitivemethodofcuttingagordianknotbeenresortedtoinsuchstrangeandurgentcircumstances。

“Headsitis！“hesaidcoolly。“Now，myboy，doyourunandI’llcrawlafteryou。IfIdon’tarrive，youknowmypeople’saddress，andIbequeathtoyouallmyAfricanbelongingsinmemoryofamostpleasanttrip。”

“Don’tplaythefool。”Irepliedsternly。“Come，putyourrightarmroundmyneckandhoponyourleftlegasyouneverhoppedbefore。”

Thenwestarted，andreallyourtransitwasquitelively。，forallthoseBasutosbeganwhatforthemwasrapidfiring。Ithink，however，thattheirbestshotsmusthavefallen，fornotabullettouchedus，althoughbeforewegotoutoftheirrangeoneortwowentverynear。

“There。”saidAnscombe，asalastamazinghopbroughthimtothewagonrail，“there，youseehowwiseitisgiveProvidenceachancesometimes。”

“Intheshapeofaluckypenny。”IgrumbledasIhoistedhimup。

“Certainly，forwhyshouldnotProvidenceinhabitapennyasmuchasitdoesanyothermundanething？Oh，mydearQuatermain，haveyouneverbeentaughttolooktothepenceandlettheresttakecareofitself？“

“Stoptalkingrubbishandlooktoyourfoot，forthewagonisstarting。”Ireplied。

Thenoffwewentatagoodroundtrot，forneverhaveIseenoxenmorescientificallydriventhantheywerebyFootsackandhisfriendsonthisoccasion，oragreaterpacegotoutofthem。AssoonaswereachedafairlylevelpieceofgroundImadeAnscombeliedownonthecartelofthewagonandexaminedhiswoundaswellascircumstanceswouldallow。Ifoundthatthebulletorwhateverthemissilemayhavebeen，hadgonethroughhisrightinstepjustbeneaththebigsinew，butsofarasIcouldjudgewithoutinjuringanybone。Therewasnothingtobedoneexceptrubinsomecarbolicointment，whichfortunatelyhehadinhismedicinechest，andbindupthewoundasbestIcouldwithacleanhandkerchief，afterwhichItiedatowel，thatwas_not_

clean，overthewholefoot。

Bythistimeeveningwascomingon，soweateofsuchaswehadwithus，whichweneededbadlyenough，withoutstoppingthewagon。Irememberthatitconsistedofcheeseandhardbiscuits。

Atdarkwewereobligedtohaltalittlebyastreamuntilthemoonrose，whichfortunatelyshedidverysoon，asshewasonlyjustpastherfull。Assoonasshewasupwestartedagain，andwithabreathingspaceortwo，trekkedallthatnight，whichI

spentseatedontheafterpartofthewagonandkeepingasharplookout，while，notwithstandingtheroughnessoftheroadandhishurt，Anscombesleptlikeachilduponthecartelinside。

Iwasverytired，sotiredthatthefearofsurprisewastheonlythingthatkeptmeawake，andIrecallreflectinginastupidkindofway，thatitseemedalwaystohavebeenmylotinlifetowatchthus，inonesenseoranother，whileothersslept。

Thenightpassedsomehowwithoutanythinghappening，andatdawnwehaltedforawhiletowatertheoxen，whichwedidwithbuckets，andletthemeatwhatgrasstheycouldreachfromtheiryokes，sincewedidnotdaretooutspanthem。Justaswewerestartingonagainthevoortrekker，whomIhadsettowatchatalittledistance，ranupwithhiseyesbulgingoutofhishead，andreportedthathehadseenaBasutowithanassegaihangingaboutinthebush，asthoughtokeeptouchwithus，afterwhichwedelayednomore。

Allthatdayweblunderedon，thrashingthewearycattlethatateveryhalttriedtoliedown，andbynightfallcametotheoutspanneartothehousecalledtheTemple，wherewehadmettheKaffirsreturningfromthediamondfields。Thisjourneywehadaccomplishedinexactlyhalfthetimeithadtakenontheoutwardtrip。Herewewereobligedtostop，asourteammusthaverestandfood。Soweoutspannedandsleptthatnightwithoutmuchfear，sinceIthoughtitmostimprobablethattheBasutoswouldattempttofollowussofar，aswewerenowwithinaday’strekofPilgrim’sRest，whitherweproposedtoproceedonthemorrow。

ButthatisjustwhereImadeamistake。

CHAPTERIV

DOCTORRODD

Ididgetalittlesleepthatnight，withoneeyeopen，butbeforedawnIwasupagainseeingtothefeedingofourremaininghorsewithsomemealiesthatwecarried，andothermatters。Theoxenwehadbeenobligedtounyokethattheymightfillthemselveswithgrassandwater，sinceotherwiseIfearedthatweshouldnevergetthemontotheirfeetagain。Asitwas，thepoorbrutesweresotiredthatsomeofthemcouldscarcelyeat，andalllaydownatthefirstopportunity。

HavingawakenedFootsackandtheotherboysthattheymightbereadytotakeadvantageofthelightwhenitcame，forIwasanxioustobeaway，IdrankanipofHollandsandwaterandateabiscuit，makingAnscombedothesame。Coffeewouldhavebeenmoreacceptable，butIthoughtitwisernottolightafireforfearofshowingourwhereabouts。

Nowafaintglimmerintheeasttoldmethatthedawnwascoming。

Justbythewagongrewafair-sized，green-leavedtree，andasitwasquiteeasytoclimbevenbystarlight，upitIwentsoastogetabovethegroundmistandtakealookroundbeforewetrekked。Presentlytheskygrewpearlyandlightbegantogather；thentheedgeofthesunappeared，throwinglonglevelraysacrosstheworld。Everywherethemistlaydenseascottonwool，exceptatonespotaboutamilebehinduswheretherewasalittlehillorratherawaveoftheground，overwhichwehadtrekkedupontheprecedingevening。Thetopofthisrisewasabovemistlevel，andonitnotreesgrewbecausethegranitecametothesurface。Havingdiscoverednothing，Icalledtotheboystodriveuptheoxen，someofwhichhadrisenandwereeatingagain，andpreparedtodescendfrommytree。

AsIdidso，outofthecornerofmyeyeIcaughtsightofsomethingthatglitteredfaraway，sofarthatitwouldonlyhaveattractedthenoticeofatrainedhunter。Yes，somethingwasshiningonthebrowoftheriseofwhichIhavespoken。IstaredatitthroughmyglassesandsawwhatIhadfearedtosee。A

bodyofnativeswascrossingtheriseandtheglitterwascausedbytheraysofdawnstrikingontheirspearsandgun-barrels。

Icamedownoutofthattreelikeafrightenedwildcatandrantothewagon，thinkinghardasIwent。TheBasutoswereafterus，meaningtoattackassoonastherewassufficientlight。Intenminutesorlesstheywouldbehere。Therewasnotimetoinspantheoxen，andeveniftherehadbeen，stiffandwearyasthebeastswere，weshouldbeovertakenbeforewehadgoneahundredyardsonthatbadroad。Whatthenwastobedone？Runforit？Itwasimpossible，Anscombecouldnotrun。Myeyefelluponthehorsemunchingthelastofhismealies。

“Footsack。”IsaidasquietlyasIcould，“nevermindaboutinspanningyet，butsaddleupthehorse。Bequicknow。”

Helookedatmedoubtfully，butobeyed，havingseennothing。IfhehadseenIknewthathewouldhavebeenoff。Inippedroundtotheendofthewagon，callingtotheothertwoboystolettheoxenbeawhileandcometome。

“Now，Anscombe。”Isaid，“handouttheriflesandcartridges。

Don’tstoptoaskquestions，butdowhatItellyou。Theyareontherackbyyourside。So。Nowputonyourrevolverandletmehelpyoudown。Man，don’tforgetyourhat。”

Heobeyedquicklyenough，andpresentlywasstandingononelegbymyside，lookingcrampedandtottery。

“TheBasutosareonus。”Isaid。

HewhistledandremarkedsomethingaboutChapterNo。2。

“Footsack。”Icalled，“bringthehorsehere；theBaaswishestoridealittletoeasehisleg。”

Hedidso，stoppingamomenttopullthesecondgirthtight。

ThenwehelpedAnscombeintothesaddle。

“Whichway？“heasked。

Ilookedatthelongslopeinfrontofus。Itwassteepandbadgoing。AnscombemightgetupitonthehorsebeforetheKaffirsovertookus，butitwasextremelyproblematicalifwecoulddoso。ImightperhapsifImountedbehindhimandthehorsecouldbearusboth，whichwasdoubtful，buthowaboutourpoorservants？Hesawthedoubtuponmyfaceandsaidinhisquietway，“Youmayrememberthatourwhite-beardedfriendtoldustomakestraightforhisplaceincaseofanydifficultywiththeBasutos。Itseemstohavearisen。”

“Iknowhedid。”Ianswered，“butIcannotmakeupmymindwhichisthemoredangerous，MarnhamortheBasutos。Iratherthinkthathesetthemontous。”

“Itisimpossibletosolveproblemsatthishourofthemorning，Quatermain，andthereisnotimetotoss。SoIvotefortheTemple。”

“Itseemsourbestchance。Atanyratethat’syourchoice，solet’sgo。”

ThenIsangouttotheKaffirs，“TheBasutosareonus。WegotoTampelforrefuge。Run！“

Myword！theydidrun。Ineversawathletesmakebettertimeoverthefirstquarterofamile。Weran，too，oratleastthehorsedid，IhangingontothestirrupandAnscombeholdingboththeriflesbeneathhisarm。Butthebeastwastired，alsoblownoutwiththatmorningfeedofmealies，soourprogresswasnotveryfast。WhenwewereabouttwohundredyardsfromthewagonI

lookedbackandsawtheBasutosbeginningtoarrive。Theysawusalso，andutteringasortofwhistlingwarcry，startedinpursuit。

Afterthiswehadquiteaninterestingtime。IscrambledontothehorsebehindAnscombe，whereonthatintelligentanimal，feelingthedoubleweight，reduceditspaceproportionately，toaslowtripple，indeed，outofwhichitcouldnotbepersuadedtomove。SoIslippedoffagainoveritstailandwewentonasbefore。MeanwhiletheBasutos，veryactivefellows，werecomingup。Bythistimetheyellow-woodgroveintheswamp，ofwhichI

havealreadywritten，wasclosetous，anditbecamequiteaquestionwhichofuswouldgettherefirst(ImaymentionthatFootsack&Co。hadalreadyattaineditsfriendlyshelter)。

AnscombekickedthehorsewithhissoundheelandIthumpeditwithmyfist，therebypersuadingittoahandgallop。

AswereachedtheoutlyingtreesofthewoodthefirstBasuto，alankfellowwithamouthlikearattrap，arrivedandthrewanassegaiatuswhichpassedbetweenAnscombe’sbackandmynose。

Thenheclosedandtriedtostabwithanotherassegai。Icoulddonothing，butAnscombeshowedhimselfclevererthanIexpected。

Droppingthereins，hedrewhispistolandmanagedtosendabulletthroughthatchildofnature’shead，sothathewentdownlikeastone。

“AndyoutellmeIamabadshot。”hedrawled。

“Itwasafluke。”Igasped，foreveninthesecircumstancestruthwouldprevail。

“Waitandyou’llsee。”hereplied，re-cockingtherevolver。

Asamatteroffacttherewasnoneedformoreshooting，sinceatthevergeoftheswamptheBasutospulledup。Idonotthinkthatthedeathoftheircompanioncausedthemtodothis，fortheyseemedtotakenonoticeofhim。Itwasasthoughtheyhadreachedsomeboundarywhichtheyknewitwouldnotbelawfulforthemtopass。Theysimplystopped，tookthedeadman’sassegaiandshieldfromthebodyandwalkedquietlybacktowardsthewagon，leavinghimwherehelay。Thehorsestoppedalso，orratherproceededatawalk。

“There！“exclaimedAnscombe。“DidInottellyouIhadapresentimentthatIshouldkillamaninthisaccursedwood？“

“Yes。”IsaidassoonasIhadrecoveredmybreath，“butyoumixedupawomanwiththematterandIdon’tseeone。”

“That’strue。”hereplied，“Ihopeweshan’tmeetherlater。”

Thenwewentonasquicklyaswecould，whichwasnotveryfast，forIfearedlesttheBasutosshouldchangetheirmindsandfollowus。Astheriskofthisbecamelessourspiritsrose，sinceifwehadlostthewagonandtheoxen，atleastwehadsavedourlives，whichwasalmostmorethanwecouldhaveexpectedinthecircumstances。Atlastwecametothatgladewherewehadkilledthewildebeestenotaweekbefore。Therelayitsskeletonpickedcleanbythegreatbrownkitesthatfrequentthebush-veld，someofwhichstillsataboutinthetrees。

“Well，IsupposewemustgoontoTampel。”saidAnscomberatherfaintly，forIcouldseethathiswoundwasgivinghimagooddealofpain。

Ashespokefromroundthetreewhencehehadfirstemerged，appearedMr。Marnham，ridingthesamehorseandwearingthesameclothes。Theonlydifferencebetweenhistwoentrieswasthatthefirsttookplaceinthelateeveningandthesecondintheearlymorning。

“Sohereyouareagain。”hesaidcheerfully。

“Yes。”Ianswered，“anditisstrangetomeetyouatthesamespot。Wereyouexpectingus？“

“NotmorethanIexpectmanythings。”herepliedwithashrewdglanceatme，adding，“Ialwaysrisewiththesun，andthinkingthatIheardashotfiredinthedistance，cametoseewhatwashappening。TheBasutosattackedyouatdaybreak，didtheynot？“

“Theydid，buthowdidyouknowthat，Mr。Marnham？“

“Yourservantstoldme。Imetthemrunningtothehouselookingveryfrightened。Youarewounded，Mr。Anscombe？“

“Yes，acoupleofdaysagoontheborderofSekukuni’scountrywherethenativestriedtomurderus。”

“Ah！“herepliedwithoutsurprise。“Iwarnedyouthetripwasdangerous，didInot？Well，comeonhomewheremypartner，Rodd，wholuckilyhashadmedicalexperience，willattendtoyou。Mr。

Quatermaincantellmethestoryaswego。”

Sowewentonupthelongslope，Irelatingouradventures，towhichMr。Marnhamlistenedwithoutcomment。

“IexpectthattheKaffirswillhavelootedthewagonandbeonthewayhomewithyouroxenbynow。”hesaidwhenIhadfinished。

“Areyounotafraidthattheywillfollowushere？“Iasked。

“Ohno，Mr。Quatermain。Wedobusinesswiththesepeople，alsotheysometimescometobedoctoredbyRoddwhentheyaresick，sothisplaceissacredgroundtothem。TheystoppedhuntingyouwhentheygottotheYellow-woodswampwhereourlandbegins，didtheynot？“

“Yes，butnowIwanttohuntthem。Canyougivemeanyhelp？

Thoseoxenaretiredoutandfootsore，sowemightbeabletocatchthemup。”

Heshookhishead。“Wehaveveryfewpeoplehere，andbythetimethatyoucouldgetassistancefromtheCampatBarberton，iftheCommandantisableandwillingtogiveyouany，whichI

ratherdoubt，theywillbefaraway。Moreover。”headded，droppinghisvoice，“letuscometoanunderstanding。YouaremostwelcometoanyhelporhospitalitythatIcanoffer，butifyouwishtodomorefightingImustaskyoutogoelsewhere。AsIhavetoldyou，wearepeacefulmenwhotradewiththesepeople，anddonotwishtobeinvolvedinaquarrelwiththem，whichmightexposeustoattackorbringusintotroublewiththeBritishGovernmentwhichhasannexedbutnotconqueredtheircountry。DoImakemyselfclear？“

“Perfectly。Whilewearewithyouwewilldonothing，butafterwardsweholdourselvesatlibertytoactaswethinkbest。”

“Quiteso。MeanwhileIhopethatyouandMr。Anscombewillmakeyourselvescomfortablewithusforaslongasyoulike。”

InmyownmindIcametotheconclusionthatthiswouldbefortheshortesttimepossible，butIonlysaid——

“Itismostkindofyoutotakeincompletestrangersthus。No，notcomplete。”Iadded，lookingtowardsAnscombewhowasfollowingonthetiredhorseafewpacesbehind，“foryouknewhisfather，didyounot？“

“Hisfather？“hesaid，liftinghiseyebrows。“No。Oh！I

remember，Isaidsomethingtothateffecttheothernight，butitwasamistake。Imixeduptwonames，asoneoftendoesafteralapseofmanyyears。”

“Iunderstand。”Ianswered，butrememberingAnscombe’sstoryI

reflectedtomyselfthatourvenerablehostwasanexcellentliar。Ormoreprobablyhemeanttoconveythathewishedthesubjectofhisyouthfulreminiscencestobetaboo。

Justthenwereachedthehousewhichhadaprettypatchofwell-keptflower-gardeninfrontofit，surroundedbyafencecoveredwithwirenettingtokeepoutbuck。Bythegatesquattedourthreeretainers，lookingveryblownandratherashamedofthemselves。

“Yourmasterwishestothankyouforyourhelpinadarkhour，Footsack，andIwishtocongratulateyouallupontheswiftnessofyourfeet。”IsaidinDutch。

“Oh！Baas，theBasutosweremanyandtheirspearsaresharp。”hebeganapologetically。

“Besilent，yourunningdog。”Isaid，“andgohelpyourmastertodismount。”

Thenwewentthroughthegate，AnscombeleaningonmyshoulderandonthatofMr。Marnham，andupthepathwhichwasborderedwithfencesofthemonthlyrose，towardsthehouse。Reallythiswasalmostascharmingtolookatnearathandasithadbeenfromfaraway。Ofcoursethewholethingwascrudeindetail。

Rough，half-shapedblocksofmarblefromtheneighbouringquarryhadbeenbuiltintowallsandcolumns。Nothingwasfinished，andconsideredbitbybitallwascoarseandugly。Yetthegeneraleffectwasbeautifulbecauseitwasaneffectofdesign，thepictureofanartistwhodidnotfullyunderstandthetechnicalitiesofpainting，theworkofagreatwriterwhohadasyetnoproperskillinwords。NeverdidIseeasmallbuildingthatstruckmemore。ButthenwhatexperiencehaveIofbuildings，and，asAnscomberemindedmeafterwards，itwasbutacopyofsomethingdesignedwhentheworldwasyoung，orratherwhencivilizationwasyoung，andmannewrisenfromtheinfiniteagesofsavagery，sawbeautyinhisdreamsandtriedtosymbolizeitinshapesofstone。

Wecametothebroadstoep，towhichseveralroughblocksofmarbleservedassteps。Onitinalongchairmadeofnativewoodandseatedwithhiderimpis，satorratherlolledamaninadressing-gownwhowasreadingabook。Heraisedhimselfaswecameandthelightofthesun，fortheverandahfacedtotheeast，shonefulluponhisface，sothatIsawhimwell。Itwasthatofamanofsomethingunderfortyyearsofage，dark，powerful，andweary——notagoodface，Ithought。Indeed，itgavemetheimpressionofonewhohadallowedtheevilwhichexistsinthenatureofallofustobecomehismaster，orhadevenencouragedittodoso。

InthePsalmsandelsewherewearealwaysreadingoftherighteousandtheunrighteousuntilthosetermsgrowwearisome。

ItisonlyoflateyearsthatIhavediscovered，orthinkthatI

havediscovered，whattheymean。Ourlivescannotbejudgedbyourdeeds；theymustbejudgedbyourdesiresorratherbyourmoralattitude。Itisnotwhatwedosomuchaswhatwetrytodothatcountsintheformationofcharacter。Allfallshort，allfail，butintheendthosewhoseektoclimboutofthepit，thosewhostrive，howevervainly，tofashionfailuretosuccess，are，bycomparison，therighteous，whilethosewhoarecontenttowallowinournativemireandtoglutthemselveswiththedailybreadofvice，aretheunrighteous。Toturnourbacksthereonwilfullyandwithoutcause，istherealunforgiveablesinagainsttheSpirit。AtleastthatisthebestdefinitionoftheproblematwhichIinmysimplicitycanarrive。

SuchthoughtshaveoftenoccurredtomeinconsideringthecharacterofDr。RoddandsomeotherswhomIhaveknown；indeedthegermofthemaroseinmymindwhich，beingweariedatthetimeandthereforesomewhatvacant，wasperhapsthemoreopentoexternalimpressions，asIlookeduponthefaceofthisstrangeronthestoep。Moreover，asIamproudtorecord，Ididnotjudgehimaltogetherwrongly。Hewasablackguardwho，underotherinfluencesorwithafewaddedgrainsofself-restraintandofthepowerofrecovery，mighthavebecomeagoodorevenasaintlyman。ButbysomemaliceofFateorsomeevilinheritancefromanunknownpast，thosegrainswerelacking，andthereforehewentnotupbutdownthehill。

“Caseforyou，Rodd。”calledoutMarnham。

“Indeed。”heanswered，gettingtohisfeetandspeakinginafullvoice，which，likehispartner’s，wasthatofaneducatedEnglishman。“What’sthematter。Horseaccident？“

Thenwewereintroduced，andAnscombebegantoexplainhisinjury。

“Um！“saidthedoctor，studyinghimwithdarkeyes。“Kaffirbulletthroughthefootsomedaysago。Oughttobeattendedtoatonce。Alsoyoulookprettydone，sodon’ttireyourselfwiththestory，whichIcangetfromMr。Quatermain。ComeandliedownandI’llhavealookatyouwhiletheyarecookingbreakfast。”

ThenheguidedustoaroomofwhichthedoubleFrenchwindowsopenedontothestoep，averyprettyroomwithtwobedsinit。

MakingAnscombeliedownononeoftheseheturneduphistrouser，undidmyroughbandageandexaminedthewound。

“Painful？“heasked。

“Very。”answeredAnscombe，“rightuptothethigh。”

Afterthishedrewoffthenethergarmentsandmadeafurtherexamination。

“Um。”hesaidagain，“Imustsyringethisout。StaystillwhileIgetsomestuff。”

Ifollowedhimfromtheroom，andwhenwewereoutofhearingonthestoepinquiredwhathethought。Ididnotlikethelookofthatleg。

“Itisverybad。”heanswered，“sobadthatIamwonderingIfitwouldn’tbebesttoremovethelimbbelowthekneeandmakeitajob。Youcanseeforyourselfthatitissepticandtheinflammationisspreadinguprapidly。”

“GoodHeavens！“Iexclaimed，“doyoufearmortification？“

Henodded。“Can’tsaywhatwasonthatslugorbitofoldironandhehasn’thadthebestchancesince。Mortification，ortetanus，orboth，aremorethanpossible。Isheatemperateman？“

“SofarasIknow。”Ianswered，andstaredathimwhilehethought。Thenhesaidwithdecision，“Thatmakesadifference。Toloseafootisaseriousthing；

somemightthinkalmostasbadasdeath。I’llgivehimachance，butifthosesymptomsdonotabateintwenty-fourhours，Imustoperate。Youneedn’tbeafraid，IwashousesurgeonataLondonHospital——once，andIkeepmyhandin。Luckyyoucamestraighthere。”

Havingmadehispreparationsandwashedhishands，hereturned，syringedthewoundwithsomeantisepticstuff，anddressedandbandagedtheleguptotheknee。AfterthishegaveAnscombehotmilktodrink，withtwoeggsbrokenintoit，andtoldhimtorestawhileashemustnoteatanythingsolidatpresent。Thenhethrewablanketoverhim，and，signingtometocomeaway，letdownamatoverthewindow。

“Iputalittlesomethingintothatmilk。”hesaidoutside，“whichwillsendhimtosleepforafewhours。Sowewillleavehimquiet。Nowyou’llwantawash。”

“WhereareyougoingtotakeMr。Quatermain？“askedMarnhamwhowasseatedonthestoep。

“Intomyroom。”heanswered。

“Why？There’sHeda’sready。”

“Hedamightreturnatanymoment。”repliedthedoctor。“AlsoMr。

QuatermainhadbettersleepinMr。Anscombe’sroom。Hewillverylikelywantsomeonetolookafterhimatnight。”

Marnhamopenedhismouthtospeakagain，thenchangedhismindandwassilent，asaservantissilentunderrebuke。Theincidentwasquitetrifling，yetitrevealedtometherelativeattitudeofthesetwomen。WithoutadoubtRoddwasthemasterofhispartner，whodidnotevencaretodisputewithhimaboutthematteroftheuseofhisdaughter’sbedroom。Theywereaqueercouplewho，haditnotbeenformyanxietyastoAnscombe’sillness，wouldhaveinterestedmeverymuch，asindeedtheyweredestinedtodo。

Well，Iwenttotidyupinthedoctor’sroom，andasheleftmealonewhileIwashed，hadtheopportunityofstudyingitalittle。Liketherestofthehouseitwaslinedwithnativewoodwhichwasmadetoserveasthebacksofbookshelvesandofcupboardsfilledwithmedicinesandinstruments。Thebooksformedaqueercollection。Thereweremedicalworks，philosophicalworks，histories，novels，mostofthemFrench，andothervolumesofasortthatIimaginearegenerallykeptunderlockandkey；alsosomethathadtodowithoccultmatters。

TherewasevenaBible。Iopeneditthoughtlessly，halfinidlecuriosity，toseewhetheritwaseverused，onlytoreplaceitinhaste。Forattheverypagethatmyeyefellon，IrememberitwasoneofmyfavouritechaptersinIsaiah，wasastampinvioletinkmarkedH。M。’sPrison——well，Iwon’tsaywhere。

Imaystate，however，thattheclueenabledmeinafteryearstolearnanepisodeinthisman’slifewhichhadbroughtabouthisruin。Thereisnoneedtorepeatitortosaymorethanthatgamblingandaneviluseofhismedicalknowledgetoprovidethemoneytopayhisdebts，werethecauseofhisfall。Thestrangethingisthatheshouldhavekeptthebookwhichhadprobablybeengiventobytheprisonchaplain。Stilleverybodymakesmistakessometimes。Oritmayhavehadassociationsforhim，andofcoursehehadneverseenthisstampuponanunreadpage，whichhappenedtoleaptomyeye。

NowIwasabletomakeashrewdguessathislatercareer。AfterhistroublehehademigratedandbegantopractiseinSouthAfrica。Somehowhisidentityhadbeendiscovered；hispastwasdraggedupagainsthim，possiblybyrivalsjealousofhisskill；

hisbusinesswentandhefounditadvisabletoretiretotheTransvaalbeforetheAnnexation，atthattimethehomeofsundrypeopleofbrokenrepute。Eventherehedidnotstopinatown，buthidhimselfupontheedgeofsavagery。Hereheforegatheredwithanothermanofqueercharacter，Marnham，andinhiscompanyentereduponsomedoubtfulbutlucrativeformoftradewhilestillindulginghisloveofmedicinebydoctoringandoperatinguponnatives，overwhomhewouldinthiswayacquiregreatinfluence。Indeed，asIdiscoveredbeforethedaywasover，hehadquitealittlehospitalatthebackofthehouseinwhichwerefourorfivebedsoccupiedbyKaffirsandservedbytwomalenativenurseswhomhehadtrained。Alsonumbersofout-patientsvisitedhim，someofwhomtravelledfromgreatdistances，andoccasionally，butnotoften，heattendedwhitepeoplewhochancedtobeintheneighbourhood。

ThethreeofusbreakfastedinareallycharmingroomfromthewindowofwhichcouldbestudiedaviewasbeautifulasanyI

know。TheKaffirswhowaitedwerewelltrainedanddressedinneatlinenuniforms。Thecookingwasgood；therewasrealsilveronthetable，thenastrangesightinthatpartofAfrica，andamongstengravingsandotherpicturesuponthewalls，hunganoilportraitofaverybeautifulyoungwomanwithdarkhairandeyes。

“Isthatyourdaughter，Mr。Marnham？“Iasked。

“No。”herepliedrathershortly，“itishermother。”

Immediatelyafterwardshewascalledfromtheroomtospeaktosomeone，whereonthedoctorsaid——

“Aforeignerasyousee，aHungarian；theHungarianwomenareverygoodlookingandverycharming。”

“SoIhaveunderstood。”Ianswered，“butdoesthisladylivehere？“

“Oh，no。Sheisdead，orIbelievethatsheisdead。Iamnotsure，becauseImakeitarulenevertopryintopeople’sprivateaffairs。AlllknowaboutheristhatshewasabeautywhomMarnhammarriedlateinlifeupontheContinentwhenshewasbuteighteen。Asiscommoninsuchcaseshewasveryjealousofher，butitdidn’tlastlong，asshedied，orIunderstandthatshedied，withinayearofherdaughter’sbirth。ThelossaffectedhimsomuchthatheemigratedtoSouthAfricawiththechildandbeganlifeanew。IdonotthinkthattheycorrespondwithHungary，andheneverspeaksofhereventohisdaughter，whichsuggeststhatsheisdead。”

Ireflectedthatallthesecircumstancesmightequallywellsuggestseveralotherthings，butsaidnothing，thinkingitwisestnottopursuethesubject。PresentlyMarnhamreturnedandinformedmethatanativehadjustbroughthimwordthattheBasutoshadmadeoffhomewardwithourcattle，buthadleftthewagonanditscontentsquiteuntouched，notevenstealingthesparegunsandammunition。

“That’sluck。”Isaid，astonished，“butextremelystrange。Howdoyouexplainit，Mr。Marnham？“

Heshruggedhisshouldersandanswered——

“Aseveryoneknows，youareamuchgreaterexpertinnativehabitsandcustomsthanIam，Mr。Quatermain。

“ThereareonlytwothingsthatIcanthinkof。”Isaid。“Oneisthatforsomereasonorothertheythoughtthewagontagati，bewitchedyouknow，andthatitwouldbringevilonthemtotouchit，thoughthisdidnotapplytotheoxen。Theotheristhattheysupposedit，butnottheoxen，tobelongtosomefriendoftheirownwhosepropertytheydidnotwishtoinjure。”

Helookedatmesharplybutsaidnothing，andIwentontotellthemthedetailsoftheattackthathadbeenmadeuponus，adding——

“TheoddpartoftheaffairisthatoneofthoseBasutoscalledouttousthatsomeinfernalscoundrelofawhitehadwarnedSekukuniofourcomingandthathehadorderedthemtotakeourgunsandcattle。ThisBasuto，whowaswoundedandprayingformercy，wasdrownedbeforehecouldtellmewhothewhitemanwas。”

“ABoer，Iexpect。”saidMarnhamquietly。“AsyouknowtheyarenotparticularlywellaffectedtowardsusEnglishjustnow。AlsoIhappentobeawarethatsomeofthemareintriguingwithSekukuniagainsttheBritishthroughMakurupiji，his’Mouth’orprime-minister，averycleveroldscampwholikestohavetwostoolstositon。”

“Anddoubtlesswillendbyfallingbetweenthem。Well，yousee，nowthatIthinkofit，thewoundedKaffironlysaidthattheywereorderedtotakeourgunsandoxen，andincidentallyourlives。Thewagonwasnotmentioned。”

“Quiteso，Mr。Quatermain。Iwillsendsomeofourboystohelpyourservantstobringeverythingitcontainsuphere。”

“Can’tyoulendmeateamofoxen。”Iasked，“todragittothehouse？“

“No，wehavenothingbutyoungcattleleft。Bothred-waterandlung-sicknesshavebeensobadthisseasonthatallthehornedstockhavebeensweptoutofthecountry。Idoubtwhetheryoucouldbeg，borroworstealateamofoxenthissideofPretoria，exceptfromsomeoftheDutchmenwhowon’tpart。”

“That’sawkward。Ihopedtobeabletotrekinadayortwo。”

“Yourfriendwon’tbeabletotrekforagoodmanydaysatthebest。”brokeinthedoctor，whohadbeenlisteningunconcernedly，“butofcourseyoucouldgetawayonthehorseafterithasrested。”

“YoutoldmeyouleftaspanofoxenatPretoria。”saidMarnham。

“Whynotgoandfetchthemhere，orifyoudon’tliketoleaveMr。Anscombe，sendyourdriverandtheboys。”

“Thanksfortheidea。Iwillthinkitover。”Ianswered。

ThatmorningafterFootsackandthevoorlooperhadbeensentwithsomeoftheservantsfromtheTempletofetchupthecontentsofthewagon，forIwastootiredtoaccompanythem，havingfoundthatAnscombewasstillasleep，Ideterminedtofollowhisexample。Findingalongchaironthestoep，Isatdownandslumberedinitsweetlyforhours。Idreamtofallsortsofthings，thenthroughmydreamsitseemedtomethatIheardtwovoicestalking，thoseofourMarnhamandRodd，notonthestoep，butatadistancefromit。Asamatteroffacttheyweretalking，butsofarawaythatinmyordinarywakingstateIcouldneverhaveheardthem。Myownbeliefisthatthesenses，andI

mayaddthesemi-spiritualpartofus，aremuchmoreacutewhenweliehalfboundinthebondsofsleep，thanwhenwearewhatiscalledwideawake。Doubtlesswhenwearequiteboundtheyattainthelimitsoftheirpowerand，Ithink，sailattimestotheuttermostendsofbeing。Butunhappilyoftheirexperiencesweremembernothingwhenweawake。Inhalfsleepitisdifferent；

thenwedoretainsomerecollection。

InthiscuriousconditionofminditseemedtomethatRoddsaidtoMarnham——

“Whyhaveyoubroughtthesemenhere？“

“Ididnotbringthemhere。”heanswered。“Luck，Fate，Fortune，GodortheDevil，callitwhatyouwill，broughtthemhere，thoughifyouhadyourwish，itistruetheywouldneverhavecome。Still，astheyhavecome，Iamglad。Itissomethingtome，livinginthishell，togetachanceoftalkingtoEnglishgentlemenagainbeforeIdie。”

“Englishgentlemen。”remarkedRoddreflectively，“Well，Anscombeisofcourse，buthowaboutthatotherhunter？Afterall，inwhatwayishebetterthanthescoresofotherhuntersandKaffirtradersandwandererswhomonemeetsinthisstrangeland？“

“Inwhatwayindeed？“thoughtItomyself，inmydream。

“Ifyoucan’tsee，Ican’texplaintoyou。ButasIhappentoknow，themanisofbloodasgoodasmine——andagreatdealbetterthanyours。”headdedwithatouchofinsolence。

“Moreover，hehasanhonestnameamongwhiteandblack，whichismuchinthiscountry。”

“Yes。”repliedthedoctorinthesamereflectivevoice，“Iagreewithyou，Ilethimpassasagentleman。ButIrepeat，Whydidyoubringthemherewhenwithonemoreworditwouldhavebeensoeasy——“andhestopped。

“Ihavetoldyou，itwasnotI。Whatareyoudrivingat？“

“Doyouthinkitisexactlyconvenient，especiallywhenweareundertheBritishflagagain，tohavetwopeoplewho，webothadmit，areEnglishgentlemen，thatis，clean，clear-eyedmen，consideringusandouraffairsforanindefiniteperiod，justbecauseyouwishforthepleasureoftheirsociety？WoulditnothavebeenbettertotellthoseBasutostoletthemtrekontoPretoria？“

“Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavebeenbetter。Irepeat，whatareyoudrivingat？

“Hedaiscominghomeinadayortwo；shemightbehereanytime。”remarkedRoddasheknockedtheashesoutofhispipe。

“Yes，becauseyoumademewriteandsaythatIwantedher。Butwhatofthat？“

“Nothinginparticular，exceptthatIamnotsurethatIwishhertoassociatewith’anEnglishgentleman’likethisAnscombe。”

Marnhamlaughedscornfully。“Ah！Iunderstand。”hesaid。“Toocleanandstraight。Complicationsmightensueandtherestofit。Well，IwishtoGodtheywould，forIknowtheAnscombes，orusedto，andIknowthegenuscalledRodd。”

“Don’tbeinsulting；youmaycarrythethingtoofaroneday，andwhateverIhavedoneIhavepaidfor。Butyou’venotpaid——yet。”

“Themanisveryill。Youareaskilleddoctor。Ifyou’reafraidofhim，whydon’tyoukillhim？“askedMarnhamwithbitterscorn。

“Thereyouhaveme。”repliedRodd。“Menmayshedmuch，butmostofthemnevershedtheirprofessionalhonour。IshalldomyhonestbesttocureMr。Anscombe，andItellyouthathewilltakesomecuring。”

ThenIwokeup，andasnoonewasinsight，wonderedwhetherornoIhadbeendreaming。TheupshotofitwasthatImadeupmymindtosendFootsacktoPretoriafortheoxen，nottogomyself。

CHAPTERV

AGAMEOFCARDS

IsleptinAnscombe’sroomthatnightandlookedafterhim。Hewasveryfeverishandthepaininhislegkepthimawakeagooddeal。HetoldmethathecouldnotbearDr。Roddandwishedtogetawayatonce。IhadtoexplaintohimthatthiswasimpossibleuntilhisspareoxenarrivedwhichIwasgoingtosendfortoPretoria，butofothermatters，includingthatofthedangerousstateofhisfoot，Isaidnothing。Iwasthankfulwhentowardstwointhemorning，hefellintoasoundsleepandallowedmetodothesame。

Beforebreakfasttime，justasIhadfinisheddressingmyselfinsomeofthecleanthingswhichhadbeenbroughtfromthewagon，Roddcameandmadeathoroughandbusiness-likeexaminationofhispatient，whileIawaitedtheresultwithanxietyonthestoep。Atlengthheappearedandsaid——

“Well，Ithinkthatweshallbeabletosavethefoot，thoughI

can’tbequitesureforanothertwenty-fourhours。Theworstsymptomshaveabatedandhistemperatureisdownbytwodegrees。

Anywayhewillhavetostayinbedandliveonlightfoodtillitisnormal，afterwhichhemightlieinalongchaironthestoep。

Onnoaccountmustheattempttostand。”

IthankedhimforhisinformationheartilyenoughandaskedhimifheknewwhereMarnhamwas，asIwantedtospeaktohimwithreferencetothedespatchofFootsacktofetchtheoxenfromPretoria。

“Notupyet，Ithink。”heanswered。“Ifancythatyesterdaywasoneofhis’wet’nights，excitementofmeetingstrangersandsoon。”

“Wetnights？“Iqueried，wishingforaclearerexplanation。

“Yes，heisagrandoldfellow，oneofthebest，butlikemostotherpeoplehehashislittleweaknesses，andwhenthefitisonhimhecanputawayasurprisingamountofliquor。Itellyousothatyoushouldnotbeastonishedifyounoticeanything，ortrytoarguewithhimwhenheisinthatstate，asthenhistemperisapttobe——well，lively。NowImustgoandgivehimapintofwarmmilk；thatishisfavouriteantidote，andinfactthebestthereis。”

Ithoughttomyselfthatwehadstruckaniceestablishmentinwhichtobetied，literallybytheleg，foranindefiniteperiod。

Iwasnotparticularlyflushatthetime，butIknowIwouldhavepaida#100tobeoutofit；beforetheendIshouldhavebeengladtothrowineverythingthatIhad。Butmercifullythatwashiddenfromme。

RoddandIbreakfastedtogetheranddiscoursedofKaffircustoms，astowhichhewassingularlywellinformed。ThenIaccompaniedhimtoseehisnativepatientsinthelittlehospitalofwhichI

havespoken。BelievingthemantobeathoroughscampasIdid，itwasastonishingtometonotehowgentleandforbearinghewastothesepeople。OfhisskillIneedsaynothing，asthatwasevident。Hewasgoingtoperformaninternaloperationuponaburlyoldsavage，ratheraseriousoneIbelieve；atanyrateitnecessitatedchloroform。HeaskedmeifIwouldliketoassist，butIdeclinedrespectfully，havingnotasteforsuchthings。SoIlefthimboilinghisinstrumentsandputtingonwhatlookedlikeacleannightgownoverhisclothes，andreturnedtothestoep。

HereIfoundMarnham，whoseeyeswereratherbloodshot，thoughotherwise，exceptforashakyhand，heseemedrightenough。Hemurmuredsomethingabouthavingoverslepthimselfandinquiredverypolitely，forhismannerswerebeautiful，afterAnscombeandastowhetherwewerequitecomfortableandsoforth。AfterthisIconsultedhimastothebestroadforourservantstotravelbytoPretoria，andlaterondespatchedthem，givingFootsackvariousnotestoensurethedeliveryoftheoxentohim。AlsoI

gavehimsomemoneytopayfortheirkeepandtoldhimwithmanythreatstogetbackwiththebeastsasquickashecouldtravel。

ThenIsenthimandthetwootherboysoff，notwithoutmisgivings，althoughhewasanexperiencedmaninhiswayandpromisedfaithfullytofulfileveryinjunctiontotheletter。TomeheseemedsocuriouslygladtogothatIinquiredthereason，sinceafterajourneylikeours，itwouldhavebeenmorenaturalifhehadwishedtorest。

“Oh！Baas。”hesaid，“Idon’tthinkthisTampelveryhealthyforcolouredpeople。Iamtoldofsomewhohavediedhere。ThatmanKarlwhogavemethediamond，Ithinkhemusthavediedalso，atleastIsawhisspooklastnightstandingovermeandshakinghishead，andtheboyssawittoo。”

“Oh！beoffwithyourtalkofspooks。”Isaid，“andcomebackquicklywiththoseoxen，orIpromiseyouthatyouwilldieandbeaspookyourself。”

“Iwill，Baas，Iwill！“heejaculatedanddepartedalmostatarun，leavingmeratheruncomfortable。

IbelievednothingofthetaleofthespookofKarl，butIsawthatFootsackbelievedinit，andwasafraidlesthemightbetherebypreventedfromreturning。Iwouldmuchratherhavegonemyself，butitwasimpossibleformetoleaveAnscombesoillinthehandsofourstrangehosts。AndtherewasnooneelsewhomI

couldsend。ImightperhapshaveriddentoPilgrim’sRestandtriedtofindawhitemessengerthere；indeedafterwardsI

regrettednothavingdoneso，althoughitwouldhaveinvolvedatleastaday’sabsenceataverycriticaltime。ButthetruthisIneverthoughtofituntiltoolate，andprobablyifIhad，I

shouldnothavebeenabletodiscoveranyonewhomIcouldtrust。

AsIwalkedbacktothehouse，havingpartedfromFootsackonthetopofaneighbouringridgewhenceIcouldpointouthispathtohim，ImetMarnhamridingaway。HepulledupandsaidthathewasgoingdowntotheGranitestreamtoarrangeaboutsettingsomeoneuptowatchthewagon。Iexpressedsorrowthatheshouldhavethetrouble，whichshouldhavebeenmineifIcouldhavegotaway，whereonheansweredthathewasgladoftheopportunityforaride，asitwassomethingtodo。

“Howdoyoufillinyourtimehere。”Iaskedcarelessly，“asyoudon’tfarm？“

“Oh！bytrading。”hereplied，andwithanodsethishorsetoacanter。

Aqueersortoftrading，thoughtItomyself，wherethereisnostore。Nowwhatexactlydoeshetradein，Iwonder？

AsithappenedIwasdestinedtofindoutbeforeIwasanhourolder。HavinggivenAnscombealookandfoundthathewascomfortable，IthoughtthatIwouldinspectthequarrywhencethemarblecameofwhichthehousewasbuilt，asithadoccurredtomethatiftherewasplentyofit，itmightbeworthexploitingsometimeinthefuture。Ithadbeenpointedouttomeinthemidstofsomethornsinagullythatranatrightanglestothemainkloofnotmorethanafewhundredyardsfromthehouse。

Followingapathoverwhichthestoneshadbeendraggedoriginally，Icametothespotanddiscoveredthatalittlecavityhadbeenquarriedinwhatseemedtometobeapositivemountainofpurewhitemarble。IexaminedtheplaceasthoroughlyasIcould，climbingamongsomebushesthatgrewinsurfaceearthwhichhadbeenwasheddownfromthetop，inordertodoso。

Atthebackofthesebushestherewasaholelargeenoughforamantocreepthrough。Icreptthroughwiththeobjectofascertainingwhetherthemarbleveinscontinued。TomysurpriseIfoundastoutyellow-wooddoorwithinfeetofthemouthofthehole。Reflectingthatnodoubtitwasherethatthequarrymenkept，orhadkepttoolsandexplosives，Igaveitapush。I

supposeithadbeenleftunfastenedaccidentally，orthatsomethinghadgonewrongwiththelock；atanyrateitswungopen。PursuingmyresearchesastothedepthofthemarbleI

advancedboldlyand，theplacebeingdark，struckamatch。

Evidentlythemarbledidcontinue，asIcouldseebytheglitteringroofofacavern，forsuchitwas。Butthefloorattractedmyattentionaswellastheroof，foronitwerenumerouscasesnotunlikecoffins，bearingthestampofawell-knownBirminghamfirm，labelled“fencingiron“andaddressedtoMessrs。Marnham&Rodd，Transvaal，_via_DelagoaBay。

Iknewatoncewhattheywere，havingseenthelikebefore，butifanydoubtremainedinmyminditwaseasytosolve，forasitchancedoneofthecaseswasopenandhalfemptied。Islippedmyhandintoit。AsIthoughtitcontainedtheordinaryKaffirgunofcommerce，costdeliveredinAfrica，say35s。；costdeliveredtonativechiefincashorcattle，say#10，which，whenthemarketiseager，allowsforadecentprofit。Contemplatingthosecases，survivorsprobablyofamuchlargerstock，IunderstoodhowitcameaboutthatSekukunihaddaredtoshowfightagainsttheGovernment。DoubtlessitwashencethatthegunshadcomewhichsentabulletthroughAnscombe’sfootandnearlypolishedoffbothofus。

Moreover，asfurthermatchesshowedme，thatcavecontainedotherstores——item，kegsofgunpowder；item，casksofcheapspirit；

item，barsoflead，alsoaboxmarked“bulletmoulds“andanothermarked“Percussioncaps。”Ithink，too，thereweresomeinnocentbagsfullofbeadsandafewpackagesofBirmingham-madeassegaiblades。Theremayhavebeenotherthings，butifsoIdidnotwaittoinvestigatethem。Gatheringuptheendsofmymatchesand，incasethereshouldbeanydustintheplacethatwouldshowfootmarks，flappingthestonefloorbehindmewithmypockethandkerchief，Iretiredandcontinuedmyinvestigationsofthatwonderfulmarbledepositfromthebottomofthequarry，towhich，havingre-arrangedthebushes，Idescendedbyanotherroute，leapinglikeabuckfromstonetostone。

ItwasjustaswellthatIdidso，forafewminuteslaterDr。

Roddappeared。

“Madeagoodjobofyouroperation？“Iaskedcheerfully。

“Prettyfair，thanks。”heanswered，“althoughthatKaffirtriedtobrainthenurse-manwhenhewascomingoutoftheanesthetic。

Butareyouinterestedingeology？“

“Alittle。”Ireplied，“thatisifthereisanychanceofmakingmoneyoutofit，whichthereoughttobehere，asthismarblelooksalmostasgoodasthatofCarrara。Butflintinstrumentsaremoremyline，thatisinanignorantandamateurway，asI

thinktheyareinyours，forIsawsomeinyourroom。Tellme，whatdoyouthinkofthis。Isitascraper？“andIproducedastoneoutofmypocketwhichIhadfoundaweekbeforeinthebush-veld。

Atonceheforgothissuspicions，ofwhichIcouldseehearrivedveryfullindeed。Thiscuriousman，asithappened，wasreallyfondofflintinstruments，ofwhichheknewagreatdeal。

“Didyoufindthishere？“heasked。

IledhimseveralyardsfurtherfromthemouthofthecaveandpointedouttheexactspotwhereIsaidIhadpickeditupamongstsomequarrydebris。Thenfollowedamostlearneddiscussion，foritappearedthatthiswasaflintinstrumentoftherarestandmostvaluabletype，onethatNoahmighthaveused，orJobmighthavescrapedhimselfwith，andthequestionwashowthedickenshaditcomeamongthatquarrydebris。Intheendwelefttheproblemundecided，andhavingpresentedthearticletoDr。Rodd，agiftforwhichhethankedmewithrealwarmth，I

returnedtothehousefilledwiththeglowthatrewardsonewhohasmadeavaluablediscovery。

OfthefollowingthreedaysIhavenothingparticulartosay，exceptthatduringthemIwasperhapsmoreacutelyboredthaneverIhadbeeninmylifebefore。Thehousewasbeautifulinitsownfashion；thefoodwasexcellent；therewaseverythingI

couldwanttodrink，andRoddannouncedthathenolongerfearedthenecessityofoperationuponAnscombe’sleg。Hisrecoverywasnowamerematteroftime，andmeanwhilehemustnotusehisfootorletthebloodrunintoitmorethancouldbehelped，whichmeantthathemustkeephimselfinarecumbentposition。ThetroublewasthatIhadnothingonearthdoexceptstudythecharactersofourhosts，whichIfounddisagreeableanddepressing。Imighthavegoneoutshooting，butnothingofthesortwasalloweduponthepropertyinobediencetothewishofMissHeda，amysteriousyoungpersonwhowasalwaysexpectedandneverappeared，andbeyonditIwasafraidtotravelforfearofBasutos。ImighthavegonetoPilgrim’sRestorLydenburgtomakereportofthenefariousdeedsofthesaidBasutos，butatbestitwouldhavetakenoneortwodays，andpossiblyIshouldhavebeendetainedbyofficialswhoneverconsideranyone’stimeexcepttheirown。

ThismeantthatIshouldhavebeenobligedtoleaveAnscombealone，whichIdidnotwishtodo，soIjustsatstilland，asI

havesaid，wasintenselybored，hangingabouttheplaceandsmokingmorethanwasgoodforme。

InduecourseAnscombeemergedontothestoep，wherehelaywithhislegup，andwasalsobored，especiallyafterhehadtriedtopumpoldMarnhamabouthispastintheGuardsandcompletelyfailed。Itwasinthismoodofutterdejectionthatweagreedtoplayagameofcardsoneevening。Notthateitherofuscaredforcards；indeed，personally，Ihavealwaysdetestedthembecause，withvarious-colouredcounterstorepresentmoneywhichneverpassed，theyhadformedoneoftheafflictionsofmyyouth。

Itwassoannoyingifyouwon，tobehandedanumberofgreencountersandbeinformedthattheyrepresentedsomanyhundredsorthousandsofpounds，orvice-versaifyoulost，forasitcostnooneanything，mydearfatherinsisteduponplayingforenormousstakes。NeverinanyaspectoflifehaveIcaredforfooling。Anscombealsodislikedcards，Ithinkbecausehisancestorstoohadplayedwithcounters，suchassomethatIhaveseenbelongingtotheCocoa-TreeClubandothergamblingplacesofapastgeneration，markedashighasathousandguineas，whichcountersmustnextmorningberedeemedinhardcash，wherebyhisfamilyhadbeennotalittleimpoverished。

“Ifancyyouwillfindtheyarehigh-fliers。”hesaidwhenthepairhadlefttofetchasuitabletable，forthenightbeingveryhotweweregoingtoplayonthestoepbythelightofthehangingparaffinlampandsomecandles。IrepliedtotheeffectthatIcouldnotaffordtoloselargesumsofmoney，especiallytomenwhoforaughtIknewmightthenbeengagedinmarkingthecards。

“Iunderstand。”heanswered。“Don’tyoubotheraboutthat，oldfellow。Thisismyaffair，arrangedformyspecialamusement。I

shan’tgrumbleifthefuncostssomething，forIamsuretherewillbefun。”

“Allright。”Isaid，“onlyifweshouldhappentowinmoney，it’syours，notmine。”

TomyselfIreflected，however，thatwiththesetwoopponentswehadaboutasmuchchanceofwinningasasnowflakehasofresistingtheatmosphereofthelowerregions。

Presentlytheyreturnedwiththetable，whichhadagreenclothoveritthathungdownhalf-waytotheground。Alsooneofthenativeboysbroughtatraywithspirits，fromwhichIjudgedbyvarioussigns，oldMarnham，whohadalreadydrunkhisshareatdinner，hadhelpedhimselffreelyontheway。Soonwewerearranged，Anscombe，whowastobemypartner，oppositetomeinhislongchair，andthegamebegan。

Iforgetwhatparticularvariantofcardsitwasweplayed，thoughIknowitadmittedofhighandprogressivestakes。Atfirst，however，thesewerequitemoderateandwewon，asI

supposeweweremeanttodo。AfterhalfanhourorsoMarnhamrosetohelphimselftobrandyandwater，agreatdealofbrandyandverylittlewater，whileItookanipofHollands，andAnscombeandRoddfilledtheirpipes。

“Ithinkthisisgettingratherslow。”saidRoddtoAnscombe。“I

voteweputabitmoreon。”

“Asmuchasyoulike。”answeredAnscombewithalittledrawlandtwinkleoftheeye，whichalwaysshowedthathewasamused。

“BothQuatermainandIareborngamblers。Don’tlookangry，Quatermain，youknowyouare。Onlyifweloseyouwillhavetotakeacheque，forIhavepreciouslittlecash。”

“Ithinkthatwillbegoodenough。”repliedthedoctorquietly——“ifyoulose。”

Sothestakeswereincreasedtoanamountthatmademyhairstandupstiffereventhanusual，andthegamewenton。Behold！amarvelcametopass。HowithappenedIdonotknow，unlessMarnhamhadbroughtthewrongcardsbymistakeorhadgrowntoofuddledtounderstandhispartner’stelegraphicsignals，whichI，beingaccustomedtoobserve，sawhimmake，notoncebutoften，stillwewon！Whatismore，withafewset-backs，wewentonwinning，tillpresentlythesumswrittendowntoourcredit，fornoactualcashpassed，wereconsiderable。Andallthewhile，attheendofeachboutMarnhamhelpedhimselftomorebrandy，whilethedoctorgrewmoremadinasuppressed-thunderkindofaway。

FormypartIbecamealarmed，especiallyasIperceivedthatAnscombewasonthevergeofbreakingintoopenmerriment，andhislegsbeingupIcouldnotkickhimunderthetable。

“Mypartneroughttogotobed。Don’tyouthinkweshouldstop？“

Isaid。

“OnthewholeIdo。”repliedRodd，gloweringatMarnham，who，somewhatunsteadily，wasengagedinwipingdropsofbrandyfromhislongbeard。

“D——difIdo。”exclaimedthatworthy。“WhenIwasyoungandplayedwithgentlementheyalwaysgavelosersanopportunityofrevenge。”

“Then。”repliedAnscombewithaflashofhiseyes，“letustrytofollowinthefootstepsofthegentlemenwithwhomyouplayedinyouryouth。Isuggestthatwedoublethestakes。”

“That’sright！That’stheoldform！“saidMarnham。

Thedoctorhalfrosefromhischair，thensatdownagain。

Watchinghim，Iconcludedthathebelievedhispartner，aseasonedvessel，wasnotsodrunkashepretendedtobe，andeitherinanactualorafigurativesense，hadacarduphissleeve。Ifso，itremainedthere，foragainwewon；alltheluckwaswithus。

“Iamgettingtired。”drawledAnscombe。“Lemonandwaterarenotsustaining。Shallwestop？“

“ByHeaven！no。”shoutedMarnham，towhichAnscomberepliedthatifitwaswished，hewouldplayanotherhand，butnomore。

“Allright。”saidMarnham，“butletitbefordoubleorquits。”

Hespokequitequietlyandseemedsuddenlytohavegrownsober。

NowIthinkthatRoddmadeuphismindthathereallywasactingandthathereallyhadthatcarduphissleeve。Atanyratehedidnotobject。I，however，wasofadifferentopinion，havingoftenseendrunkenmensuccumbtoanaccesofsobrietyunderthestressofexcitementandremarkedthatitdidnotlastlong。

“Doyoureallymeanthat？“Isaid，speakingforthefirsttimeandaddressingmyselftothedoctor。“Idon’tquiteknowwhatthesuminvolvedis，butitmustbelarge。”

“Ofcourse。”heanswered。

ThenrememberingthatattheworstAnscombestoodtolosenothing，Ishruggedmyshouldersandheldmytongue。ItwasMarnham’sdeal，andalthoughhewassomewhatintheshadowofthehanginglampandthecandleshadgutteredout，Idistinctlysawhimplaysomehocus-pocuswiththecards，butinthecircumstancesmadenoprotest。Asitchancedhemusthavehocus-pocusedthemwrong，forthough_his_handwasfulloftrumps，Roddheldnothingatall。Thebattlethatensuedwasquiteexciting，buttheendofitwasthatanaceinthehandofAnscombe，whoreallywasquiteagoodplayer，didthebusiness，andwewonagain。

IntheratherawfulsilencethatfollowedAnscomberemarkedinhischeerfuldrawl——

“I’mnotsurethatmyadditionisquiteright；we’llcheckthatinthemorning，butImakeoutthatyoutwogentlemenoweQuatermainandmyself#74910s。”

Thenthedoctorbrokeout。

“Youaccursedoldfool。”hehissed——thereisnootherwordforit——atMarnham。“Howareyougoingtopayallthismoneythatyouhavegambledaway，drunkenbeastthatyouare！“

“Easilyenough，youfelon。”shoutedMarnham。“So。”andthrustinghishandintohispockethepulledoutanumberofdiamondswhichhethrewuponthetable，adding，“there’swhatwillcoverittwiceover，andtherearemorewheretheycamefrom，asyouknowwellenough，mymedicaljailbird。”

“Youdaretocallmethat。”gaspedthedoctorinavoiceladenwithfury，sointensethatithaddeprivedhimofhisreason，“you——you——murderer！Oh！whydon’tIkillyouasIshallsomeday？“andliftinghisglass，whichwashalffull，hethrewthecontentsintoMarnham’sface。

“That’sanicemanforaprospective，son-in-law，isn’the？“

exclaimedtheoldscamp，as，seizingthebrandydecanter，hehurleditstraightatRodd’shead，onlymissinghimbyaninch。

“Don’tyouthinkyouhadbothbettergotobed，gentlemen？“I

inquired。“Youaresayingthingsyoumightregretinthemorning。”

Apparentlytheydidthinkit，forwithoutanotherwordtheyroseandmarchedoffindifferentdirectionstotheirrespectiverooms，whichIheardbothofthemlock。FormypartIcollectedtheI。O。U。’s；alsothediamondswhichstilllayuponthetable，whileAnscombeexaminedthecards。

“Marked，byJove！hesaid。“Oh！mydearQuatermain，neverhaveI

hadsuchanamusingeveninginallmylife。”

“Shutup，yousillyidiot。”Ianswered。“There’llbemurderdoneoverthisbusiness，andIonlyhopeitwon’tbeonus。”