第2章

CHAPTERIV—— THESQUALL HowdifferentisthescenethatIhavenowtotellfromthatwhichhasjustbeentold！Gonearethequietcollegerooms，gonethewind-swayedEnglishelmsandcawingrooks，andthefamiliarvolumesontheshelves，andintheirplacethererisesavisionofthegreatcalmoceangleaminginshadedsilverlightsbeneaththebeamsofthefullAfricanmoon。Agentlebreezefillsthehugesailsofourdhow，anddrawsusthroughthewaterthatripplesmusicallyagainstoursides。 Mostofthemenaresleepingforward，foritisnearmidnight，butastout，swarthyArab，Mahomedbyname，standsatthetiller，lazilysteeringbythestars。 Threemilesormoretoourstarboardisalowdimline。ItistheeasternshoreofCentralAfrica。Wearerunningtothesouthward，beforethenortheastmonsoon，betweenthemainlandandthereefthatforhundredsofmilesfringesthatperilouscoast。Thenightisquiet，soquietthatawhispercanbeheardforeandaftthedhow;soquietthatafaintboomingsoundrollsacrossthewatertousfromthedistantland。 TheArabatthetillerholdsuphishand，andsaysoneword：“Simba(lion)！” Weallsitupandlisten。Thenitcomesagain，aslow，majesticsound，thatthrillsustothemarrow。 “To-morrowbyteno’clock，“Isay，“weought，ifthecaptainisnotoutinhisreckoning，whichIthinkveryprobable，tomakethismysteriousrockwithaman’shead，andbeginourshooting。” “AndbeginoursearchfortheruinedcityandtheFireofLife，“correctedLeo，takinghispipefromhismouth，andlaughingalittle。 “Nonsense！”Ianswered。“YouwereairingyourArabicwiththatmanatthetillerthisafternoon。Whatdidhetellyou？Hehasbeentrading(slave-tradingprobably)upanddowntheselatitudesforhalfofhisiniquitouslife，andoncelandedonthisvery’man’ rock。Didheeverhearanythingoftheruinedcityorthecaves？” “No，“answeredLeo。“Hesaysthatthecountryisallswampbehind，andfullofsnakes，especiallypythons，andgame，andthatnomanlivesthere。ButthenthereisabeltofswampallalongtheEastAfricancoast，sothatdoesnotgoformuch。” “Yes，“Isaid，“itdoes——itgoesformalaria。Youseewhatsortofanopinionthesegentryhaveofthecountry。Notoneofthemwillgowithus。Theythinkthatwearemad，anduponmywordIbelievethattheyareright。IfeverweseeoldEnglandagainIshallbeastonished。However，itdoesnotgreatlymattertomeatmyage，butIamanxiousforyou，Leo，andforJob。 It’saTomFool’sbusiness，myboy。” “Allright，UncleHorace。SofarasIamconcerned，I amwillingtotakemychance。Look！Whatisthatcloud？”andhepointedtoadarkblotchuponthestarrysky，somemilesasternofus。 “Goandaskthemanatthetiller，“Isaid。 Herose，stretchedhisarms，andwent。Presentlyhereturned。 “Hesaysitisasquall，butitwillpassfarononesideofus。” JustthenJobcameup，lookingverystoutandEnglishinhisshooting-suitofbrownflannel，andwithasortofperplexedappearanceuponhishonestroundfacethathadbeenverycommonwithhimsincehegotintothesestrangewaters。 “Please，sir，“hesaid，touchinghissunhat，whichwasstuckontothebackofhisheadinasomewhatludicrousfashion，“aswehavegotallthosegunsandthingsinthewhale-boatastern，tosaynothingoftheprovisionsinthelockers，IthinkitwouldbebestifIgotdownandsleptinher。Idon’tlikethelooks“ (herehedroppedhisvoicetoaportentouswhisper) “oftheseblackgentry;theyhavesuchawonderfulthievishwayaboutthem。Supposingnowthatsomeofthemweretoslipintotheboatatnightandcutthecable，andmakeoffwithher！Thatwouldbeaprettygo，thatwould。” Thewhale-boat，Imayexplain，wasonespeciallybuiltforusatDundee，inScotland。Wehadbroughtitwithus，asweknewthatthiscoastwasanetworkofcreeks，andthatwemightrequiresomethingtonavigatethemwith。Shewasabeautifulboat，thirtyfeetinlength，withacentre-boardforsailing，copper-bottomedtokeepthewormoutofher，andfullofwatertightcompartments。Thecaptainofthedhowhadtoldusthatwhenwereachedtherock，whichheknew，andwhichappearedtobeidenticalwiththeonedescribeduponthesherdandbyLeo’sfather，hewouldprobablynotbeabletorunuptoitonaccountoftheshallowsandbreakers。Thereforewehademployedthreehoursthatverymorning，whileweweretotallybecalmed，thewindhavingdroppedatsunrise，intransferringmostofourgoodsandchattelstothewhale-boat，andplacingtheguns，ammunition，andpreservedprovisionsinthewater-tightlockersspeciallypreparedforthem，sothatwhenwedidsightthefabledrockweshouldhavenothingtodobutstepintotheboatandrunherashore。AnotherreasonthatinducedustotakethisprecautionarystepwasthatArabcaptainsareapttorunpastthepointthattheyaremaking，eitherfromcarelessnessorowingtoamistakeinitsidentity。Now，assailorsknow，itisquiteimpossibleforadhowwhichisonlyriggedtorunbeforethemonsoontobeatbackagainstit。 Thereforewegotourboatreadytorowfortherockatanymoment。 “Well，Job，“Isaid，“perhapsitwouldbeaswell。 Therearelotsofblanketsthere，onlybecarefultokeepoutofthemoon，oritmayturnyourheadorblindyou。” “Lord，sir！Idon’tthinkitwouldmuchmatterifitdid;itisthatturnedalreadywiththesightoftheseblackamoorsandtheirfilthy，thievingways。Theyareonlyfitformuck，theyare;andtheysmellbadenoughforitalready。” Job，itwillbeperceived，wasnoadmirerofthemannersandcustomsofourdark-skinnedbrothers。 Accordinglywehauleduptheboatbythetow-ropetillitwasrightunderthesternofthedhow，andJobbundledintoherwithallthegraceofafallingsackofpotatoes。Thenwereturnedandsatdownonthedeckagain，andsmokedandtalkedinlittlegustsandjerks。Thenightwassolovely，andourbrainsweresofullofsuppressedexcitementofonesortandanother，thatwedidnotfeelinclinedtoturnin。Fornearlyanhourwesatthus，andthen，Ithink，webothdozedoff。AtleastIhaveafaintrecollectionofLeosleepilyexplainingthattheheadwasnotabadplacetohitabuffalo，ifyoucouldcatchhimexactlybetweenthehorns，orsendyourbulletdownhisthroat，orsomenonsenseofthesort。 ThenIremembernomore;tillsuddenly——afrightfulroarofwind，ashriekofterrorfromtheawakeningcrew，andawhiplikestingofwaterinourfaces。 Someofthemenrantoletgothehalyardsandlowerthesail，buttheparraljammedandtheyardwouldnotcomedown。Isprangtomyfeetandhungontoarope。 Theskyaftwasdarkaspitch，butthemoonstillshonebrightlyaheadofusandlituptheblackness。 Beneathitssheenahugewhite-toppedbreaker，twentyfeethighormore，wasrushingontous。Itwasonthebreak——themoonshoneonitscrestandtippeditsfoamwithlight。Onitrushedbeneaththeinkysky，drivenbytheawfulsquallbehindit。Suddenly，inthetwinklingofaneye，Isawtheblackshapeofthewhale-boatcasthighintotheaironthecrestofthebreakingwave。Then——ashockofwater，awildrushofboilingfoam，andIwasclingingformylifetotheshroud，aye，sweptstraightoutfromitlikeaflaginagale。 Wewerepooped。 Thewavepassed。ItseemedtomethatIwasunderwaterforminutes——reallyitwasseconds。Ilookedforward。Theblasthadtornoutthegreatsail，andhighintheairitwasflutteringawaytoleewardlikeahugewoundedbird。Thenforamomenttherewascomparativecalm，andinitIheardJob’svoiceyellingwildly，“Comeheretotheboat。” BewilderedandhalfdrownedasIwas，Ihadthesensetorushaft。Ifeltthedhowsinkingundermeshewasfullofwater。Underhercounterthewhale-boatwastossingfuriously，andIsawtheArabMahomed，whohadbeensteering，leapintoher。Igaveonedesperatepullatthetowropetobringtheboatalongside。 WildlyIsprangalso，andJobcaughtmebyonearmandIrolledintothebottomoftheboat。Downwentthedhowbodily，andasshedidsoMahomeddrewhiscurvedknifeandseveredthefibre-ropebywhichwewerefasttoher，andinanothersecondweweredrivingbeforethestormovertheplacewherethedhowhadbeen。 “GreatGod！”Ishrieked，“whereisLeo？Leo！Leo！” “He’sgone，sir，Godhelphim！”roaredJobintomyear;andsuchwasthefuryofthesquallthathisvoicesoundedlikeawhisper。 Iwrungmyhandsinagony。Leowasdrowned，andIwasleftalivetomournhim。 “Lookout;“yelledJob，“herecomesanother。” Iturned;asecondhugewavewasovertakingus。Ihalfhopedthatitwoulddrownme。WithacuriousfascinationIwatcheditsawfuladvent。Themoonwasnearlyhiddennowbythewreathsoftherushingstorm，butalittlelightstillcaughtthecrestofthedevouringbreaker。Therewassomethingdarkonit——apieceofwreckage。Itwasonusnow，andtheboatwasnearlyfullofwater。Butshewasbuiltinair-tightcompartments——Heavenblessthemanwhoinventedthem！ andliftedupthroughitlikeaswan。ThroughthefoamandturmoilIsawtheblackthingonthewavehurryingrightatme。Iputoutmyrightarmtowarditfromme，andmyhandclosedonanotherarm，thewristofwhichmyfingersgrippedlikeavise。lamaverystrongman，andhadsomethingtoholdto，butmyarmwasnearlytornfromitssocketbythestrainandweightofthefloatingbody。HadtherushlastedanothertwosecondsImusteitherhaveletgoorgonewithit。Butitpassed，leavingusuptoourkneesinwater。 “Bailout！bailout！”shoutedJob，suitingtheactiontotheword。 ButIcouldnotbailjustthen，forasthemoonwentoutandleftusintotaldarkness，onefaint，flyingrayoflightlituponthefaceofthemanIhadgripped，whowasnowhalflying，halffloatinginthebottomoftheboat。 ItwasLeo。Leobroughtbackbythewave——back，deadoralive，fromtheveryjawsofDeath。 “Bailout！bailout！”yelledJob，“orweshallfounder。” Iseizedalargetinbowlwithahandletoit，whichwasfixedunderoneoftheseats，andthethreeofusbailedawayfordearlife。Thefurioustempestdroveoverandroundus，flingingtheboatthiswayandthat，thewindandthestormwreathsandthesheetsofstingingsprayblindedandbewilderedus，butthroughitallweworkedlikedemonswiththewildexhilarationofdespair，forevendespaircanexhilarate。Oneminute！threeminutes！sixminutes！ Theboatbegantolighten，andnofreshwaveswampedus。Fiveminutesmore，andshewasfairlyclear。Then，suddenly，abovetheawfulshriekingsofthehurricanecameaduller，deeperroar。Greatheavens！Itwasthevoiceofbreakers！ Atthatmomentthemoonbegantoshineforthagain—— thistimebehindthepathofthesquall。Outfaracrossthetornbosomoftheoceanshottheraggedarrowsofherlight，andthere，halfamileaheadofus，wasawhitelineoffoam，thenalittlespaceofopenmouthedblackness，andthenanotherlineofwhite。 Itwasthebreakers，andtheirroargrewclearerandyetmoreclearaswespeddownuponthemlikeaswallow。Theretheywere，boilingupinsnowyspoutsofspray，smitingandgnashingtogetherlikethegleamingteethofhell。 “Takethetiller，Mahomed！”IroaredinArabic。“Wemusttryandshootthem。”AtthesamemomentIseizedanoar，andgotitout，motioningtoJobtodolikewise。 Mahomedclamberedaft，andgotholdofthetiller，andwithsomedifficultyJob，whohadsometimespulledatubuponthehomelyCam，gotouthisoar。Inanotherminutetheboat’sheadwasstraightontotheever- nearingfoam，towardswhichsheplungedandtorewiththespeedofaracehorse。Justinfrontofusthefirstlineofbreakersseemedalittlethinnerthantotherightorleft——therewasagapofratherdeeperwater。Iturnedandpointedtoit。 “Steerforyourlife，Mahomed！”Iyelled。Hewasaskilfulsteersman，andwellacquaintedwiththedangersofthismostperilouscoast，andIsawhimgripthetillerandbendhisheavyframeforward，andstareatthefoamingterrortillhisbigroundeyeslookedasthoughtheywouldstartoutofhishead。Thesendoftheseawasdrivingtheboat’sheadroundtostarboard。Ifwestruckthelineofbreakersfiftyyardstostarboardofthegapwemustsink。Itwasagreatfieldoftwisting，spoutingwaves。Mahomedplantedhisfootagainsttheseatbeforehim，and，glancingathimIsawhisbrowntoesspreadoutlikeahandwiththeweightheputuponthemashetookthestrainofthetiller。Shecameroundabit，butnotenough。IroaredtoJobtobackwater，whileIdraggedandlaboredatmyoar。Sheanswerednow，andnonetoosoon。 Heavens，wewereinthem！AndthenfollowedacoupleofminutesofheartbreakingexcitementsuchasI cannothopetodescribe。AllIrememberisashriekingseaoffoam，outofwhichthebillowsrosehere，there，andeverywhere，likeavengingghostsfromtheiroceangrave。Oncewewereturnedrightround，buteitherbychance，orthroughMahomed’sskilfulsteering，theboat’sheadcamestraightagainbeforeabreakerfilledus。Onemore——amonster。Wewerethroughitoroverit——morethroughthanover——andthen，withawildyellofexultationfromtheArab，weshotoutintothecomparativelysmoothwaterofthemouthofseabetweentheteethlikelinesofgnashingwaves。 Butwewerehalffullofwateragain，andnotmorethanhalfamileaheadwasthesecondlineofbreakers。Againwesettoandbailedfuriously。 Fortunatelythestormhadnowquitegoneby，andthemoonshonebrightly，revealingarockyheadlandrunninghalfamileormoreoutintothesea，ofwhichthissecondlineofbreakersappearedtobeacontinuation。Atanyrate，theyboiledarounditsfoot。Probablytheridgethatformedtheheadlandranoutintotheocean，onlyatalowerlevel，andmadethereefalso。Thisheadlandwasterminatedbyacuriouspeakthatseemednottobemorethanamileawayfromus。Justaswegottheboatprettyclearforthesecondtime，Leo，tomyimmenserelief，openedhiseyesandremarkedthattheclotheshadtumbledoffthebed，andthathesupposeditwastimetogetupforchapel。Itoldhimtoshuthiseyesandkeepquiet，whichhedidwithoutintheslightestdegreerealizingtheposition。Asformyself，hisreferencetochapelmademereflect，withasortofsicklonging，onmycomfortableroomsatCambridge。WhyhadIbeensuchafoolastoleavethem？Thisisareflectionthathasseveraltimesrecurredtomesince，andwithever- increasingforce。 Butnowagainwearedriftingdownonthebreakers，thoughwithlessenedspeed，forthewindhadfallen，andonlythecurrentorthetide(itafterwardsturnedouttobethetide)wasdrivingus。 Anotherminute，andwithasortofhowltoAllahfromtheArab，apiousejaculationfrommyself，andsomethingthatwasnotpiousfromJob，wewereinthem。Andthenthewholescene，downtoourfinalescape，repeateditself，onlynotquitesoviolently。 Mahomed’sskilfulsteeringandtheair-tightcompartmentssavedourlives。Infiveminuteswewerethrough，anddrifting——forweweretooexhaustedtodoanythingtohelpourselvesexceptkeepherheadstraight——withthemoststartlingrapidityroundtheheadlandwhichIhavedescribed。 Roundwewentwiththetide，untilwegotwellundertheleeofthepoint，andthensuddenlythespeedslackened，weceasedtomakeway，andfinallyappearedtobeindeadwater。Thestormhadentirelypassed，leavingaclean-washedskybehindit;theheadlandinterceptedtheheavyseathathadbeenoccasionedbythesquall，andthetide，whichhadbeenrunningsofiercelyuptheriver(forwewerenowinthemouthofariver)，wassluggishbeforeitturned，sowefloatedquietly，andbeforethemoonwentdownmanagedtobailouttheboatthoroughlyandgetheralittleship- shape。Leowassleepingprofoundly，andonthewholeI thoughtitwisenottowakehim。Itwastruehewassleepinginwetclothes，butthenightwasnowsowarmthatIthought(andsodidJob)thattheywerenotlikelytoinjureamanofhisunusuallyvigorousconstitution。Besides，wehadnodryonesathand。 Presentlythemoonwentdown，andleftusfloatingonthewaters，nowonlyheavinglikesometroubledwoman’sbreast，givingusleisuretoreflectuponallthatwehadgonethroughandallthatwehadescaped。 Jobstationedhimselfatthebow，Mahomedkepthispostatthetiller，andIsatonaseatinthemiddleoftheboatclosetowhereLeowaslying。 Themoonwentslowlydowninchastenedloveliness;shedepartedlikesomesweetbrideintoherchamber，andlong，veil-likeshadowscreptuptheskythroughwhichthestarspeepedshylyout。Soon，however，theytoobegantopalebeforeasplendorintheeast，andthenthequiveringfootstepsofthedawncamerushingacrossthenew-bornblue，andshooktheplanetsfromtheirplaces。Quieterandyetmorequietgrewthesea，quietasthesoftmistthatbroodedonherbosom，andcovereduphertroubling，astheillusivewreathsofsleepbrooduponapain-rackedmind，causingittoforgetitssorrow。Fromtheeasttothewestspedtheangelsofthedawn，fromseatosea，frommountain-toptomountain-top，scatteringlightwithboththeirhands。Ontheyspedoutofthedarkness，perfect，glorious，likespiritsofthejustbreakingfromthetomb;on，overthequietsea，overthelowcoast-line，andtheswampsbeyond，andthemountainsbeyondthem; overthosewhosleptinpeace，andthosewhowokeinsorrow;overtheevilandthegood;overthelivinganddead;overthewideworldandallthatbreathesorhasbreathedthereon。 Itwasawonderfullybeautifulsight，andyetsad，perhapsfromtheveryexcessofitsbeauty。Thearisingsun;thesettingsun！Therewehavethesymbolandthetypeofhumanity，andallthingswithwhichhumanityhastodo。Thesymbolandthetype，yes，andtheearthlybeginning，andtheendalso。 Andonthatmorningthiscamehometomewithapeculiarforce。Thesunthatroseto-dayforushadsetlastnightforeighteenofourfellowvoyagers！—— hadsetforeverforeighteenwhomweknew！ Thedhowhadgonedownwiththem，theyweretossingaboutnowamongtherocksandseaweed，somuchhumandriftonthegreatoceanofdeath！Andwefourweresaved。Butonedayasunrisewillcomewhenweshallbeamongthosewhoarelost，andthenotherswillwatchthosegloriousrays，andgrowsadinthemidstofbeauty，anddreamofDeathinthefullglowofarisingLife！ Forthisisthelotofman。 CHAPTERV—— THEHEADOFTHEETHIOPIAN ATlengththeheraldsandforerunnersoftheroyalsunhaddonetheirwork，and，searchingouttheshadows，causedthemtofleeaway。Thenuphecameingloryfromhisocean-bed，andfloodedtheearthwithwarmthandIsatthereintheboatlisteningtothegentlelappingofthewaterandwatchedhimrise，tillpresentlytheslightdriftoftheboatbroughttheoddshapedrock，orpeak，attheendofthepromontorywhichwehadweatheredwithsomuchperil，betweenmeandthemajesticsight，andblotteditfrommyview。I stillcontinuedtostareattherock，however，absentlyenough，tillpresentlyitbecameedgedwiththefireofthegrowinglightbehindit，andthenI started，aswellImight，forIperceivedthatthetopofthepeak，whichwasabouteightyfeethighbyonehundredandfiftythickatitsbase，wasshapedlikeanegro’sheadandface，whereonwasstampedamostfiendishandterrifyingexpression。Therewasnodoubtaboutit;therewerethethicklips，thefatcheeks，andthesquatnosestandingoutwithstartlingclearnessagainsttheflamingbackground。There，too，wastheroundskull，washedintoshapeperhapsbythousandsofyearsofwindandweather，and，tocompletetheresemblance，therewasascrubbygrowthofweedsorlichenuponit，whichagainstthesunlookedforalltheworldlikethewoolonacolossalnegro’shead。Itcertainlywasveryodd;sooddthatnowIbelievethatitisnotamerefreakofnature，butagiganticmonumentfashioned，likethewell-knownEgyptianSphinx，byaforgottenpeopleoutofapileofrockthatlentitselftotheirdesign，perhapsasanemblemofwarninganddefiancetoanyenemieswhoapproachedtheharbor。Unfortunatelywewereneverabletoascertainwhetherornotthiswasthecase，inasmuchastherockwasdifficultofaccessbothfromthelandandthewater-side，andwehadotherthingstoattendto。Myself，consideringthematterbythelightofwhatweafterwardssaw，Ibelievethatitwasfashionedbyman;butwhetherornotthisisso，thereitstands，andsullenlystaresfromagetoageoutacrossthechangingsea——thereitstoodtwothousandyearsandmoreago，whenAmenartas，theEgyptianprincess，andthewifeofLeo’sremoteancestorKallikrates，gazeduponitsdevilishface——andthereI havenodoubtitwillstillstandwhenasmanycenturiesasarenumberedbetweenherdayandourownareaddedtotheyearthatboreustooblivion。 “Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Job？”Iaskedofourretainer，whowassittingontheedgeoftheboat，tryingtogetasmuchsunshineaspossible，andgenerallylookinguncommonlywretched，andIpointedtothefieryanddemoniacalhead。 “OhLord，sir，“answeredJob，whonowperceivedtheobjectforthefirsttime，“Ithinkthattheoldgentlemanmusthavebeensittingforhisportrait，onthemrocks。” Ilaughed，andthelaughwokeupLeo。 “Hullo，“hesaid，“What’sthematterwithme？Iamallstiff——whereisthedhow？Givemesomebrandy，please。” “Youmaybethankfulthatyouarenotstiffer，myboy，“Ianswered。“Thedhowissunk，andeverybodyonboardherisdrowned，withtheexceptionofusfour，andyourownlifewasonlysavedbyamiracle;“andwhileJob，nowthatitwaslightenough，searchedaboutinalockerforthebrandyforwhichLeoasked，Itoldhimthehistoryofournight’sadventure。 “Greatheavens！”hesaid，faintly;“andtothinkthatweshouldhavebeenchosentolivethroughit！” Bythistimethebrandywasforthcoming，andweallhadagoodpullatit，andthankfulenoughwewereforit。Alsothesunwasbeginningtogetstrength，andwarmourchilledbones，forwehadbeenwetthroughforfivehoursormore。 “Why，“saidLeo，withagaspasheputdownthebrandybottle，“thereistheheadthewritingtalksof，the’rockcarvenliketheheadofanEthiopian。’“ “Yes，“Isaid，“thereitis。” “Well，then，“heanswered，“thewholethingistrue。” “Idon’tatallseethatthatfollows，“Ianswered。 “Weknewthisheadwashere，yourfathersawit。Verylikelyitisnotthesameheadthatthewritingtalksof;orifitis，itprovesnothing。” Leosmiledatmeinasuperiorway。“YouareanunbelievingJew，UncleHorace，“hesaid。“Thosewholivewillsee。” “Exactlyso，“Ianswered，“andnowperhapsyouwillobservethatwearedriftingacrossasandbankintothemouthoftheriver。Getholdofyouroar，Job，andwewillrowinandseeifwecanfindaplacetoland。” Theriver-mouthwhichwewereenteringdidnotappeartobeaverywideone，thoughasyetthelongbanksofsteamingmistthatclungaboutitsshoreshadnotliftedsufficientlytoenableustoseeitsexactwidth。Therewas，asisthecasewithnearlyeveryEastAfricanriver，aconsiderablebaratthemouth，which，nodoubt，whenthewindwasonshoreandthetiderunningout，wasabsolutelyimpassableevenforabeatdrawingonlyafewinches。Butasthingswereitwasmanageableenough，andwedidnotshipacupfulofwater。Intwentyminuteswewerewellacrossit，withbutslightassistancefromourselves，andbeingcarriedbyastrongthoughsomewhatvariablebreezewelluptheharbor。Bythistimethemistwasbeingsuckedupbythesun，whichwasgettinguncomfortablyhot，andwesawthatthemouthofthelittleestuarywashereabouthalfamileacross，andthatthebankswereverymarshy，andcrowdedwithcrocodileslyingaboutonthemudlikelogs。Aboutamileaheadofus，however，waswhatappearedtobeastripoffirmland，andforthiswesteered。Inanotherquarterofanhourwewerethere，and，makingtheboatfasttoabeautifultreewithbroad，shiningleaves，andflowersofthemagnoliaspecies，onlytheywererose-coloredandnotwhite，whichhungoverthewater，wedisembarked。Thisdone，weundressed，washedourselves，andspreadourclothesandthecontentsoftheboatinthesuntodry，whichtheyveryquicklydid。Then，takingshelterfromthesunundersometrees，wemadeaheartybreakfastoffa“Paysandu“ pottedtongue，ofwhichwehadbroughtagoodquantitywithusfromtheArmyandNavyStores，congratulatingourselvesloudlyonourgoodfortuneinhavingloadedandprovisionedtheboatonthepreviousday，beforethehurricanedestroyedthedhow。Bythetimethatwehadfinishedourmealourclotheswerequitedry，andwehastenedtogetintothem，feelingnotalittlerefreshed。Indeed，withtheexceptionofwearinessandafewbruises，noneofusweretheworsefortheterrifyingadventurewhichhadbeenfataltoallourcompanions。Leo，itistrue，hadbeenhalfdrowned，butthatisnogreatmattertoavigorousyoungathleteoffive-and-twenty。 Afterbreakfastwestartedtolookaboutus。Wewereonastripofdrylandabouttwohundredyardsbroadbyfivehundredlong，borderedononesidebytheriver，andontheotherthreebyendlessdesolateswamps，thatstretchedasfarastheeyecouldreach。 Thisstripoflandwasraisedabouttwenty-fivefeetabovetheplainofthesurroundingswampsandtheriverlevel;indeed，ithadeveryappearanceofhavingbeenmadebythehandofman。 “Thisplacehasbeenawharf，“saidLeo，dogmatically。 “Nonsense，“Ianswered。“Whowouldbestupidenoughtobuildawharfinthemiddleofthesedreadfulmarshesinacountryinhabitedbysavages，thatisifitisinhabitedatall？” “Perhapsitwasnotalwaysmarsh，andperhapsthepeoplewerenotalwayssavage，“hesaid，dryly，lookingdownthesteepbankforwewerestandingbytheriver。“Lookthere，“hewenton，pointingtoaspotwherethehurricaneofthepreviousnighthadtornuponeofthemagnolia-trees，whichhadgrownontheextremeedgeofthebankjustwhereitslopeddowntothewater，bytheroots，andliftedalargecakeofearthwiththem。“Isnotthatstonework？Ifnot，itisverylikeit。” “Nonsense，“Isaid，again，andweclambereddowntothespot，andgotbetweentheupturnedrootsandthebank。 “Well？”hesaid。 ButIdidnotanswerthistime。Ionlywhistled。Forthere，laidbarebytheremovaloftheearth，wasanundoubtedfacingofsolidstonelaidinlargeblocksandboundtogetherwithbrowncement，sohardthatI couldmakenoimpressiononitwiththefileinmyshooting-knife。Norwasthisall;seeingsomethingprojectingthroughthesoilatthebottomofthebaredpatchofwalling，Iremovedthelooseearthwithmyhands，andrevealedahugestonering，afootormoreindiameter，andaboutthreeinchesthick。Thisfairlystaggeredme。 “Looksratherlikeawharfwheregood-sizedvesselshavebeenmoored，doesitnot，UncleHorace？”saidLeo，withanexcitedgrin。 Itriedtosay“Nonsense“again，butthewordstuckinmythroat——theringspokeforitself。Insomepastagevessels_i_had_i_beenmooredthere，andthisstonewallwasundoubtedlytheremnantofasolidlyconstructedwharf。Probablythecitytowhichithadbelongedlayburiedbeneaththeswampbehindit。 “Beginstolookasthoughthereweresomethinginthestoryafterall，UncleHorace，“saidtheexultantLeo; and，reflectingonthemysteriousnegro’sheadandtheequallymysteriousstonework，Imadenodirectreply。 “AcountrylikeAfrica，“Isaid，“issuretobefulloftherelicsoflongdeadandforgottencivilizations。NobodyknowstheageoftheEgyptiancivilization，andverylikelyithadoffshoots。ThenthereweretheBabyloniansandthePhoenicians，andthePersians，andallmannerofpeople，allmoreorlesscivilized，tosaynothingoftheJews，whomeverybody’wants’nowadays。Itispossiblethatthey，oranyoneofthem，mayhavehadcoloniesortrading- stationsabouthere。RememberthoseburiedPersiancitiesthattheconsulshowedusatKilwa。” “Quiteso，“saidLeo，“butthatisnotwhatyousaidbefore。” “Well，whatistobedonenow？”Iasked，turningtheconversation。 Asnoanswerwasforthcomingweproceededtotheedgeoftheswamp，andlookedoverit。Itwasapparentlyboundless，andvastflocksofeverysortofwaterfowlcameflyingfromitsrecesses，tillitwassometimesdifficulttoseethesky。Nowthatthesunwasgettinghighitdrewthin，sicklylookingcloudsofpoisonousvaporfromthesurfaceofthemarshandfromthescummypoolsofstagnantwater。 “Twothingsarecleartome，“Isaid，addressingmythreecompanions，whostaredatthisspectacleindismay：“first，thatwecan’tgoacrossthere“(I pointedtotheswamp)，“and，secondly，thatifwestophereweshallcertainlydieoffever。” “That’sasclearasahaystack，sir，“saidJob。 “Verywell，then;therearetwoalternativesbeforeus。Oneisto’boutship，andtryandrunforsomeportinthewhale-boat，whichwouldbeasufficientlyriskyproceeding，andtheothertosailorrowonuptheriver，andseewherewecometo。” “Idon’tknowwhatyouaregoingtodo，“saidLeo，settinghismouth，“butIamgoingupthatriver。” Jobturnedupthewhitesofhiseyesandgroaned，andtheArabmurmured“Allah，“andgroanedalso。Asforme，Iremarkedsweetlythatasweseemedtobebetweenthedevilandthedeepsea，itdidnotmuchmatterwherewewent。ButinrealityIwasasanxioustoproceedasLeo。Thecolossalnegro’sheadandthestonewharfhadexcitedmycuriositytoanextentofwhichIwassecretlyashamed，andIwaspreparedtogratifyitatanycost。Accordingly，havingcarefullyfittedthemast，restowedtheboat，andgotoutourrifles，weembarked。Fortunatelythewindwasblowingonshorefromtheocean，sowewereabletohoistthesail。Indeed，weafterwardsfoundoutthatasageneralrulethewindsetonshorefromdaybreakforsomehours，andoffshoreagainatsunset，andtheexplanationthatIofferofthisis，thatwhentheearthiscooledbythedewandthenightthehotairrises，andthedraughtrushesinfromtheseatillthesunhasoncemoreheateditthrough。Atleastthatappearedtobetherulehere。 Takingadvantageofthisfavoringwind，wesailedmerrilyuptheriverforthreeorfourhours。Oncewecameacrossaschoolofhippopotami，whichrose，andbelloweddreadfullyatuswithintenoradozenfathomsoftheboat，muchtoJob’salarm，and，Iwillconfess，tomyown。Thesewerethefirsthippopotamithatwehadeverseen，and，tojudgebytheirinsatiablecuriosity，Ishouldjudgethatwewerethefirstwhitementhattheyhadeverseen。Uponmywordlonceortwicethoughtthattheywerecomingintotheboattogratifyit。Leowantedtofireatthem，butI dissuadedhim，fearingtheconsequences。Alsowesawhundredsofcrocodilesbaskingonthemuddybanks，andthousandsuponthousandsofwaterfowl。Someoftheseweshot，andamongthemwasawildgoose，which，inadditiontothesharpcurvedspursonitswings，hadaspuraboutthreequartersofaninchlonggrowingfromtheskulljustbetweentheeyes。Wenevershotanotherlikeit，soIdonotknowifitwasa“sport“oradistinctspecies。Inthelattercasethisincidentmayinterestnaturalists。JobnamedittheUnicornGoose。 Aboutmiddaythesungrewintenselyhot，andthestenchdrawnupbyitfromthemarsheswhichtheriverdrainswassomethingtooawful，andcausedusinstantlytoswallowprecautionarydosesofquinine。 Shortlyafterwardsthebreezediedawayaltogether，and，asrowingourheavyboatagainststreamintheheatwasoutofthequestion，wewerethankfulenoughtogetundertheshadeofagroupoftrees——aspeciesofwillow——thatgrewbytheedgeoftheriver，andliethereandgasptillatlengththeapproachofsunsetputaperiodtoourmiseries。Seeingwhatappearedtobeanopenspaceofwaterstraightaheadofus，wedeterminedtorowtherebeforesettlingwhattodoforthenight。Justaswewereabouttoloosentheboat，however，abeautifulwater-buck，withgreathornscurvingforward，andawhitestripeacrosstherump，camedowntotherivertodrink，withoutperceivingushiddenawaywithinfiftyyardsunderthewillows。Leowasthefirsttocatchsightofit，andbeinganardentsportsman，thirstingforthebloodofbiggame，aboutwhichhehadbeendreamingformonths，heinstantlystiffenedallover，andpointedlikeasetterdog。Seeingwhatwasthematter，Ihandedhimhisexpressrifle，atthesametimetakingmyown。 “Nowthen，“Iwhispered，“mindyoudon’tmiss。” “Miss！”hewhisperedback，contemptuously;“IcouldnotmissitifItried。” Heliftedtherifle，andtheroan-coloredbuck，havingdrunkhisfill，raisedhisheadandlookedoutacrosstheriver。Hewasstandingrightagainstthesunsetskyonalittleeminence;orridgeofground，whichranacrosstheswamp，evidentlyafavoritepathforgame，andtherewassomethingverybeautifulabouthim。Indeed，IdonotthinkthatifIlivetoahundredIshalleverforgetthatdesolateandyetmostfascinatingscene;itisstampeduponmymemory。Totherightandleftwerewidestretchesoflonely，death-breedingswamp，unbrokenandunrelievedsofarastheeyecouldreach，excepthereandtherebypondsofblackandpeatywaterthat，mirror-like，flasheduptheredraysofthesettingsun。Behindusandbeforestretchedthevistaofthesluggishriver，endinginglimpsesofareed-fringedlagoon，onthesurfaceofwhichthelonglightsoftheeveningplayedasthefaintbreezestirredtheshadows。Tothewestloomedthehugeredballofthesinkingsun，nowvanishingdownthevaporyhorizon，andfillingthegreatheaven，highacrosswhosearchthecranesandwildfowlstreamedinline，square，andtriangle，withflashesofflyinggoldandtheluridstainofblood。Andthenourselves——threemodernEnglishmeninamodernEnglishboat——seemingtojaruponandlookingoutoftonewiththatmeasurelessdesolation;andinfrontofusthenoblebucklimnedoutuponabackgroundofruddysky。 _i_Bang！_i_Awayhegoeswithamightybound。Leohasmissedhim。_i_Bang！_i_rightunderhimagain。 Nowforashot。Imusthaveone，thoughheisgoinglikeanarrow，andahundredyardsawayandmore。ByJove！overandoverandover！“Well，IthinkI’vewipedyoureyethere，MasterLeo，“Isay，strugglingagainsttheungenerousexultationthatinsuchasuprememomentofone’sexistencewillriseinthebest-manneredsportsman’sbreast。 “Confoundyou，yes，“growledLeo;andthen，withthatquicksmilethatisoneofhischarmslightinguphishandsomefacewitharayoflight，“Ibegyourpardon，oldfellow。Icongratulateyou;itwasalovelyshot，andminewerevile。” Wegotoutoftheboatandrantothebuck，whichwasshotthroughthespineandstonedead。Ittookusaquarterofanhourormoretocleanitandcutoffasmuchofthebestmeataswecouldcarry，and，havingpackedthisaway，wehadbarelylightenoughtorowupintothelagoon-likespace，intowhich，therebeingahollowintheswamp，theriverhereexpanded。Justasthelightvanishedwecastanchoraboutthirtyfathomsfromtheedgeofthelake。Wedidnotdaretogoashore，notknowingifweshouldfinddrygroundtocampon，andgreatlyfearingthepoisonousexhalationsfromthemarsh，fromwhichwethoughtweshouldbefreeronthewater。Sowelightedalantern，andmadeoureveningmealoffanotherpottedtongueinthebestfashionthatwecould，andthenpreparedtogotosleep，only，however，tofindthatsleepwasimpossible。For，whethertheywereattractedbythelantern，orbytheunaccustomedsmellofawhiteman，forwhichtheyhadbeenwaitingforthelastthousandyearsorso，Iknownot;butcertainlywewerepresentlyattackedbytensofthousandsofthemostbloodthirsty，pertinacious，andhugemosquitoesthatI eversaworreadof。Incloudstheycame，andpingedandbuzzedandbittillwewerenearlymad。Tobaccosmokeonlyseemedtostirthemintoamerrierandmoreactivelife，tillatlengthweweredriventocoveringourselveswithblankets，headandall，andsittingtoslowlystewandcontinuallyscratchandswearbeneaththem。Andaswesat，suddenlyrollingoutlikethunderthroughthesilencecamethedeeproarofalion，andthenofasecondlion，movingamongthereedswithinsixtyyardsofus。 “Isay，“saidLeo，stickinghisheadoutfromunderhisblanket，“luckyweain’tonthebank，eh，avuncular？”(Leosometimesaddressedmeinthisdisrespectfulway。)“Curseit！amosquitohasbittenmeonthenose，“andtheheadvanishedagain。 Shortly，afterthisthemooncameup，andnotwithstandingeveryvarietyofroarthatechoedoverthewatertousfromthelionsonthebanks，webegan，thinkingourselvesperfectlysecure，tograduallydozeoff。 Idonotquiteknowwhatitwasthatmademepokemyheadoutofthefriendlyshelteroftheblanket，perhapsbecauseIfoundthatthemosquitoeswerebitingrightthroughit。Anyhow，asIdidsoIheardJobwhisper，afrightenedvoice—— “Oh，mystars，lookthere！” Instantlyweallofuslooked，andthiswaswhatwesawinthemoonlight。Neartheshoreweretwowideandever-wideningcirclesofconcentricringsripplingawayacrossthesurfaceofthewater，andintheheartandcentreofthecirclesweretwodarkmovingobjects。 “Whatisit？”askedI。 “Itisthosedamnedlions，sir，“answeredJob，inatonewhichwasanoddmixtureofasenseofpersonalinjury，habitualrespect，andacknowledgedfear，“andtheyareswimmingheretoheatus，“headded，nervouslypickingupan“h“inhisagitation。 Ilookedagain，therewasnodoubtaboutit;Icouldcatchtheglareoftheirferociouseyes。Attractedeitherbythesmellofthenewlykilledwaterbuckmeatorofourselves，thehungrybeastswereactuallystormingourposition。 Leoalreadyhadhisrifleinhishand。Icalledtohimtowaittilltheywerenearer，andmeanwhilegrabbedmyown。Somefifteenfeetfromusthewatershallowedonabanktothedepthofaboutfifteeninches，andpresentlythefirstofthem——itwasthelioness——gotontoitandshookherselfandroared。AtthatmomentLeofired，andthebulletwentrightdownheropenmouthandoutatthebackofherneck，anddownshedropped，withasplash，dead。Theotherlion——afull- grownmale——wassometwopacesbehindher。Atthissecondhegothisforepawsontothebank，whenastrangethinghappened。Therewasarushanddisturbanceofthewater，suchasoneseesinapondinEnglandwhenapiketakesalittlefish，onlyathousandtimesfiercerandlarger，andsuddenlytheliongaveamostterrificsnarlingroarandsprangforwardontothebank，draggingsomethingblackwithhim。 “Allah！”shoutedMahomed，“acrocodilehasgothimbytheleg！”andsureenoughhehad。Wecouldseethelongsnoutwithitsgleaminglinesofteethandthereptilebodybehindit。 Andthenfollowedanextraordinaryscene，indeed。Thelionmanagedtogetwellontothebank，thecrocodilehalfstandingandhalfswimming，stillnippinghishind-leg。Heroaredtilltheairquiveredwiththesound，andthen，withasavage，shriekingsnarl，turnedroundandclawedholdofthecrocodile’shead。 Thecrocodileshiftedhisgrip，having，asweafterwardsdiscovered，hadoneofhiseyestornout，andslightlyturnedover，andinstantlytheliongothimbythethroatandheldon，andthenoverandovertheyrolleduponthebank，strugglinghideously。Itwasimpossibletofollowtheirmovements，butwhennextwegotaclearviewthetableshadturned，forthecrocodile，whoseheadseemedtobeamassofgore，hadgotthelion’sbodyinhisironjawsjustabovethehips，andwassqueezinghimandshakinghimtoandfro。Forhispartthetorturedbrute，roaringinagony，wasclawingandbitingmadlyathisenemy’sscalyhead，andfixinghisgreathindclawsinthecrocodile’s，comparativelyspeaking，softthroat，rippingitopenasonewouldripaglove。 Then，allofasudden，theendcame。Thelion’sheadfellforwardonthecrocodile’sback，andwithanawfulgroanhedied，andthecrocodile，afterstandingforaminutemotionless，slowlyrolledoverontohisside，hisjawsstillfixedacrossthecarcassofthelion，whichweafterwardsfoundhehadbittenalmostinhalves。 Thisdueltothedeathwasawonderfulandashockingsight，andonethatIsupposefewmenhaveseen——andthusitended。 Whenitwasallover，leavingMahomedtokeepalookout，wemanagedtospendtherestofthenightasquietlyasthemosquitoeswouldallow。 CHAPTERVI—— ANEARLYCHRISTIANCEREMONY Nextmorning，attheearliestblushofdawn，werose，performedsuchablutionsascircumstanceswouldallow，andgenerallymadereadytostart。Iamboundtosaythatwhentherewassufficientlighttoenableustoseeeachother’sfacesI，forone，burstoutintoaroaroflaughter。Job’sfatandcomfortablecountenancewasswollenouttonearlytwiceitsnormalsizefrommosquitobites，andLeo’sconditionwasnotmuchbetter。Indeed，ofthethreeIhadcomeoffmuchthebest，probablyowingtothetoughnessofmydarkskin，andtothefactthatagooddealofitwascoveredbyhair，forsincewestartedfromEnglandI hadallowedmynaturallyluxuriantbeardtogrowatitsownsweetwill。Buttheothertwowere，comparativelyspeaking，cleanshaved，whichofcoursegavetheenemyalargerextentofopencountrytooperateon，thoughasforMahomed，themosquitoes，recognizingthetasteofatruebeliever，wouldnottouchhimatanyprice。Howoften，Iwonder，duringthenextweekorsodidwewishthatwewereflavoredlikeanArab！ Bythetimethatwehaddonelaughingasheartilyasourswollenlipswouldallow，itwasdaylight，andthemorningbreezewascomingupfromthesea，cuttinglanesthroughthedensemarshmists，andhereandthererollingthembeforeitingreatballsoffleecyvapor。Sowesetoursail，andhavingfirsttakenalookatthetwodeadlionsandthedeadalligator，whichwewereofcourseunabletoskin，beingdestituteofmeansofcuringthepelts，westarted，and，sailingthroughthelagoon，followedthecourseoftheriveronthefartherside。Atmidday，whenthebreezedropped，wewerefortunateenoughtofindaconvenientpieceofdrylandonwhichtocampandlightafire，andherewecookedtwowildduckandsomeofthewaterbuck’sflesh——notinaveryappetizingway，itistrue，butstillsufficiently。 Therestofthebuck’sfleshwecutintostripsandhunginthesuntodryinto“biltong，“asIbelieveSouthAfricanDutchcallfleshthusprepared。Onthiswelcomepatchofdrylandwestoppeduntilthefollowingdawn，and，asbefore，spentthenightinwarfarewiththemosquitoes，butwithoutothertroubles。Thenextdayortwopassedinsimilarfashion，andwithoutnoticeableadventures，exceptthatweshotaspecimenofapeculiarlygracefulhornlessbuck，andsawmanyvarietiesofwater-liliesinfullbloom，someofthemblueandofexquisitebeauty，thoughfewoftheflowerswereperfect，owingtotheprevalenceofawhitewater-maggotwithagreenheadthatfeduponthem。 Itwasonthefifthdayofourjourney，whenwehadtravelled，sofaraswecouldreckon，aboutonehundredandthirty-fivetoahundredandfortymileswestwardfromthecoast，thatthefirsteventofanyrealimportanceoccurred。Onthatmorningtheusualwindfailedusabouteleveno’clock，andafterpullingalittlewaywewereforcedtohaltmoreorlessexhaustedatwhatappearedtobethejunctionofourstreamwithanotherofauniformwidthofaboutfiftyfeet。Sometreesgrewnearathand——theonlytreesinallthiscountrywerealongthebanksoftheriver—— andunderthesewerested，andthen，thelandbeingfairlydryjusthere，walkedalittlewayalongtheedgeoftherivertoprospect，andshootafewwaterfowlforfood。Beforewehadgonefiftyyardsweperceivedthatallhopesofgettingfartherupthestreaminthewhale-boatwereatanend，fornottwohundredyardsabovewherewehadstoppedwereasuccessionofshallowsandmud-banks，withnotsixinchesofwateroverthem。Itwasawatery_i_cul-de- sac_i_。 Turningback，wewalkedsomewayalongthebanksoftheotherriver，andsooncametotheconclusion，fromvariousindications，thatitwasnotariveratall，butanancientcanal，liketheonewhichistobeseenaboveMombasa，ontheZanzibarcoast，connectingtheTanaRiverwiththeOzy，insuchawayastoenabletheshippingcomingdowntheTanatocrosstotheOzy，andreachtheseabyit，andthusavoidtheverydangerousbarthatblocksthemouthoftheTuna。Thecanalbeforeushadevidentlybeendugoutbymanatsomeremoteperiodoftheworld’shistory，andtheresultsofhisdiggingstillremainedintheshapeoftheraisedbanksthathadnodoubtonceformedtowing- paths。Excepthereandthere，wheretheyhadbeenhollowedoutorfallenin，thesebanksofstiff，bindingclaywereatauniformdistancefromeachother，andthedepthofthewateralsoappearedtobeuniform。Currenttherewaslittleornone，and，asaconsequence，thesurfaceofthecanalwaschokedwithvegetablegrowth，intersectedbylittlepathsofclearwater，made，Isuppose，bytheconstantpassageofwaterfowl，iguanas，andothervermin。Now，asitwasevidentthatwecouldnotproceeduptheriver，itbecameequallyevidentthatwemusteithertrythecanalorelsereturntothesea。Wecouldnotstopwherewewere，tobebakedbythesunandeatenupbythemosquitoes，tillwediedoffeverin。thatdrearymarsh。 “Well，Isupposethatwemosttryit，“Isaid;andtheothersassentedintheirvariousways——Leo，asthoughitwerethebestjokeintheworld;Job，inrespectfuldisgust;andMahomed，withaninvocationtotheProphet，andacomprehensivecurseuponallunbelieversandtheirwaysofthoughtandtravel。 Accordingly，assoonasthesungotlow，havinglittleornothingmoretohopefor-fromourfriendlywind，westared。Forthefirsthourorsowemanagedtorowtheboat，thoughwithgreatlabor;butafterthattheweedsgottoothicktoallowofit，andwewere，obligedtoresorttotheprimitiveandmostexhaustingresourceoftowingher。Fortwohourswelabored，Mahomed，Job，andI，whowassupposedtobestrongenoughtopullagainstthetwoofthem，onthebank，whileLeosatinthebowoftheboat，andbrushedawaytheweedswhichcollectedroundthecutwaterwithMahomed’ssword。Atdarkwehaltedforsomehourstorestandenjoythemosquitoes，butaboutmidnightwewentonagain，takingadvantageofthecomparativecoolofthenight。Atdawnwerestedforthreehours，andthenstartedoncemore，andlaboredontillaboutteno’clock，whenathunderstorm，accompaniedbyadelugeofrain，overtookus，andwespentthenextsixhourspracticallyunderwater。 Idonotknowthatthereisanynecessityformetodescribethenextfourdaysofourvoyageindetail，furtherthantosaythattheywere，onthewhole，themostmiserablethatIeverspentinmylife，formingonemonotonousrecordofheavylabor，heat，misery，andmosquitoes。Allthewaywepassedthrougharegionofalmostendlessswamp，andIcanonlyattributeourescapefromfeveranddeathtotheconstantdosesofquinineandpurgativeswhichwetook，andtheunceasingtoilwhichwewereforcedtoundergo。Onthethirddayofourjourneyupthecanalwehadsightedaroundhillthatloomeddimlythroughthevaporsofthemarsh，andontheeveningofthefourthnight，whenwecamped，thishillseemedtobewithinfive-and-twentyorthirtymilesofus。Wewerebynowutterlyexhausted，andfeltasthoughourblisteredhandscouldnotpulltheboatayardfarther，andthatthebestthingthatwecoulddowouldbetoliedownand。 dieinthatdreadfulwildernessofswamp。Itwasanawfulposition，andonein。whichItrustnootherwhitemanwilleverbeplaced;andasIthrewmyselfdownintheboattosleepthesleepofutterexhaustion，Ibitterlycursedmyfollyineverhavingbeenapartytosuchamadundertaking，whichcould，I saw，onlyendinourdeathinthisghastlyland。I thought，Iremember，asIslowlysankintoadoze，ofwhattheappearanceoftheboatandherunhappycrewwouldbeintwoorthreemonths’timefromthatnight。 Thereshewouldlie，withgapingseamsandhalffilledwithfetidwater，which，whenthemist-ladenwindstirredher，wouldwashbackwardandforwardthroughourmoulderingbones，andthatwouldbetheendofher，andofthoseinherwhowouldfollowaftermythsandseekoutthesecretsofnature。 AlreadyIseemedtohearthewaterripplingagainstthedesiccatedbonesandrattlingthemtogether，rollingmyskullagainstMahomed’s，andhisagainstmine，tillatlastMahomed’sstoodstraightupuponitsvertebrae，andglaredatmethroughitsemptyeyeholes，andcursedmewithitsgrinningjaws，becauseI，adogofaChristian，disturbedthelastsleepofatruebeliever。Iopenedmyeyes，andshudderedatthehorriddream，andthenshudderedagainatsomethingthatwasnotadream，fortwogreateyesweregleamingdownatmethroughthemistydarkness。Istruggledup，andinmyterrorandconfosionshrieked，andshriekedagain，sothattheothersspranguptoo，reeling，anddrunkenwithsleepandfear。Andthenallofasuddentherewasaflashofcoldsteel，andagreatspearwasheldagainstmythroat，andbehinditotherspearsgleamedcruelly。 “Peace，“saidavoice，speakinginArabic，orratherinsomedialectintowhichArabicenteredverylargely;“whoareyewhocomehitherswimmingonthewater？Speakoryedie，“andthesteelpressedsharplyagainstmythroat，sendingacoldchilithroughme。 “Wearetravellers，andhavecomehitherbychance，“I answeredinmybestArabic，whichappearedtobeunderstood，forthemanturnedhisheadand，addressingatallformthattoweredupinthebackground，said，“Father，shallweslay？” “Whatisthecolorofthemen？”saidadeepvoiceinanswer。 “Whiteistheircolor。” “Slaynot，“wasthereply。“Foursunssincewasthewordbroughttomefrom_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_ ，’Whitemencome;ifwhitemencome，slaythemnot。 Letthembebroughttothelandof_i_She-who-must- be-obeyed_i_。’Bringforththemen，andletthatwhichtheyhavewiththembebroughtforthalso。” “Come，“saidtheman，halfleadingandhalfdraggingmefromtheboat，andashedidsoIperceivedothermendoingthesamekindofficetomycompanions。 Onthebankweregatheredacompanyofsomefiftymen。 InthatlightallIcouldmakeoutwasthattheywerearmedwithhugespearswereverytall，andstronglybuilt，comparativelylightincolor，andnude，saveforaleopardskintiedroundthemiddle。 PresentlyLeoandJobwerebundledoutandplacedbesideme。 “Whatonearthisup？”saidLeo，rubbinghiseyes。 “Oh，Lord！sir，here’sarumgo，“ejaculatedJob;andjustatthatmomentadisturbanceensued，andMahomedcametumblingbetweenus，followedbyashadowyformwithanup-liftedspear。 “Allah！Allah！”howledMahomed，feelingthathehadlittletohopefromman，“protectme！protectme！” “Father，itisablackone，“saidavoice。“Whatsaid’She-who-must-be-obeyed’abouttheblackone？” “Shesaidnaught;butslayhimnot。Comehither，myson。” Themanadvanced，andthetail，shadowyformbentforwardandwhisperedsomething。 “Yes，yes，“saidtheother，andchuckledinaratherblood-curdlingtone。 “Arethethreewhitementhere？”askedtheform。 “Yes，theyarethere。” “Thenbringupthatwhichismadereadyforthem，andletthementakeallthatcanbebroughtfromthethingwhichfloats。” Hardlyhadhespokenwhenmencamerunningup，carryingontheirshouldersneithermorenorlessthanpalanquins——fourbearersandtwosparementoapalanquin——andintheseitwaspromptlyindicatedwewereexpectedtostowourselves。 “Well！”saidLeo，“itisablessingtofindanybodytocarryusafterhavingtocarryourselvessolong。”’ Leoalwaystakesacheerfulviewofthings。 Therebeingnohelpforit，afterseeingtheothersintotheirsItumbledintomyownlitter，andverycomfortableIfoundit。Itappearedtobemanufacturedofclothwovenfromgrassfibre，whichstretchedandyieldedtoeverymotionafterthebody，and，beingboundtopandbottomtothebearingpole，gaveagratefulsupporttotheheadandneck。 ScarcelyhadIsettledmyselfwhen，accompanyingtheirstepswithamonotonoussong，thebearersstartedataswingingtrot。ForhalfanhourorsoIlaystill，reflectingontheveryremarkableexperiencesthatweweregoingthrough，andwonderingifanyofmyeminentlyrespectablefossilfriendsdownatCambridgewouldbelievemeifIweretobemiraculouslysetatthefamiliardinner-tableforthepurposeofrelatingthem。Idon’twanttoconveyanydisrespectfulnotionorslightwhenIcallthosegoodandlearnedmenfossils，butmyexperienceisthatpeopleareapttofossilizeevenatauniversityiftheyfollowthesamepathstoopersistently。Iwasgettingfossilizedmyself，butoflatemystockofideashasbeenverymuchenlarged。Well，Ilayandreflected，andwonderedwhatonearthwouldbetheendofitall，tillatlastlceasedtowonder，andwenttosleep。 IsupposeImusthavesleptforsevenoreighthours，gettingthefirstrealrestthatIhadhadsincethenightbeforethelossofthedhow，forwhenIwokethesunwashighintheheavens。Wewerestilljourneyingonatapaceofaboutfourmilesanhour。Peepingoutthroughthemistlikecurtainsofthelitter，whichwereingeniouslyfixedtothebearingpole，I perceivedtomyinfinitereliefthatwehadpassedoutoftheregionofeternalswamp，andwerenowtravellingoverswellinggrassyplainstowardsacup- shapedhill。WhetherornotitwasthesamehillthatwehadseenfromthecanalIdonotknow，andhaveneversincebeenabletodiscover，for，asweafterwardsfoundout，thesepeoplewillgivelittleinformationuponsuchpoints。NextIglancedatthemenwhowerebearingme。Theywereofamagnificentbuild，fewofthembeingundersixfeetinheight，andyellowishincolor。GenerallytheirappearancehadagooddealincommonwiththatoftheEastAfricanSomali，onlytheirhairwasnotfrizzedup，andhunginthickblacklocksupontheirshoulders。Theirfeatureswereaquiline，andinmanycasesexceedinglyhandsome，theteethbeingespeciallyregularandbeautiful。Butnotwithstandingtheirbeauty，itstruckmethat，onthewhole，Ihadneverseenamoreevillookingsetoffaces。Therewasanaspectofcoldandsullencrueltystampeduponthemthatrevoltedme，andwhichinsomecaseswasalmostuncannyinitsintensity。 Anotherthingwhichstruckmeaboutthemwasthattheyneverseemedtosmile。SometimestheysangthemonotonoussongofwhichIhavespoken，butwhentheywerenotsingingtheyremainedalmostperfectlysilent，andthelightofalaughnevercametobrightentheirsombreandevilcountenances。Ofwhatracecouldthesepeoplebe？TheirlanguagewasabastardArabic，andyettheywerenotArabs;Iwasquitesureofthat。Foronethingtheyweretoodark，or，rather，yellow。Icouldnotsaywhy，butIknowthattheirappearancefilledmewithasickfearofwhichIfeltashamed。WhileIwasstillwonderinganotherlittercameupalongsideofmine。Init——forthecurtainsweredrawn——satanoldman，clothedinawhitishrobe，madeapparentlyfromcoarselinen，thathunglooselyabouthim，who，Iatoncejumpedtotheconclusion，wastheshadowyfigurewhohadstoodonthebankandbeenaddressedas“Father。” Hewasawonderful-lookingoldman，withasnowybeard，solongthattheendsofithungoverthesidesofthelitter，andhehadahookednose，abovewhichflashedoutapairofeyesaskeenasasnake’s，whilehiswholecountenancewasinstinctwithalookofwiseandsardonichumorimpossibletodescribeonpaper。 “Artthouawake，stranger？”hesaid，inadeepandlowvoice。 “Surely，myfather，“Ianswered，courteously，feelingcertainthatIshoulddowelltoconciliatethisancientMammonofUnrighteousness。 Hestrokedhisbeautifulwhitebeard，andsmiledfaintly。 “Fromwhatevercountrythoucamest，“hesaid，“and，bytheway，itmustbefromonewheresomewhatofourlanguageisknown，theyteachtheirchildrencourtesythere，mystrangerson。Andnow，whereforecomestthouuntothisland，whichscarceanalienfoothaspressedfromthetimethatmanknoweth？Artthouandthosewiththeewearyoflife？” “’Wecametofindnewthings，“Iansweredboldly。“Wearetiredoftheoldthings;wehavecomeupoutoftheseatoknowthatwhichisunknown。Weareofabraveracewhofearnotdeath，myverymuchrespectedfather——thatis，ifwecangetalittlefreshinformationbeforewedie。” “Humph！”saidtheoldgentleman，“thatmaybetrue;itisrashtocontradict，otherwiseIshouldsaythatthouwastlying，myson。However，Idaresaythat_i_ She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_willmeetthywishesinthematter。” “Whois’_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_’？”Iasked，curiously。 Theoldmanglancedatthebearers，andthenanswered，withalittlesmilethatsomehowsentmybloodtomyheart—— “Surely，mystrangerson，thouwiltlearnsoonenough，ifitbeherpleasuretoseetheeatallintheflesh。” “Intheflesh？”Ianswered。“Whatmaymyfatherwishtoconvey？” Buttheoldmanonlylaughedadreadfullaugh，andmadenoreply。 “Whatisthenameofmyfather’speople？”Iasked。 “ThenameofmypeopleisAmahagger“(thePeopleoftheRocks)。 “And，if。asonmightask，whatisthenameofmyfather？” “MynameisBillali。” “Andwhithergowe，myfather？” “Thatshaltthousee，“andatasignfromhimhisbearersstaredforwardataruntilltheyreachedthelitterinwhichJobwasreposing(withoneleghangingovertheside)。Apparently，however，hecouldnotmakemuchoutofJob，forpresentlyIsawhisbearerstrotforwardtoLeo’slitter。 Andafterthat，asnothingfreshoccurred，Iyieldedtothepleasantswayingmotionofthelitter，andwenttosleepagain。Iwasdreadfullytired。WhenIwokeI foundthatwewerepassingthrougharockydefileofalavaformationwithprecipitoussides，inwhichgrewmanybeautifultreesandfloweringshrubs。 Presentlythisdefiletookaturn，andalovelysightunfoldeditselftomyeyes。Beforeuswasavastcupofgreenfromfourtosixmilesinextent，oftheshapeofaRomanamphitheatre。Thesidesofthisgreatcupwererocky，andclothedwithbush，butthecentrewasoftherichestmeadowland，studdedwithsingletreesofmagnificentgrowth，andwateredbymeanderingbrooks。Onthisrichplaingrazedherdsofgoatsandcattle，butIsawnosheep。AtfirstIcouldnotimaginewhatthisstrangespotcouldbe，butpresentlyitflasheduponmethatitmustrepresentthecraterofsomelong-extinctvolcano，whichhadafterwardsbeenalake，andwasultimatelydrainedinsomeunexplainedway。AndhereImaystatethatfrommysubsequentexperienceofthisandamuchlarger，butotherwisesimilarspot，whichIshallhaveoccasiontodescribebyandby，Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethatthisconclusionwascorrect。Whatpuzzledme，however，wasthat，althoughtherewerepeoplemovingaboutherdingthegoatsandcattle，Isawnosignsofanyhumanhabitation。Wheredidtheyalllive？I wondered。Mycuriositywassoondestinedtobegratified。Turningtotheleft，thestringoflittersfollowedthecliffysidesofthecraterforadistanceofabouthalfamile，orperhapsalittleless，andthenhalted。Seeingtheoldgentleman，myadopted“father，“Billali，emergefromhislitter，Ididthesame，andsodidLeoandJob。ThefirstthingIsawwasourwretchedArabcompanion，Mahomed，lyingexhaustedontheground。Itappearedthathehadnotbeenprovidedwithalitter，buthadbeenforcedtoruntheentiredistance，and，ashewasalreadyquitewornoutwhenwestarted，hisconditionnowwasoneofgreatprostration。 Onlookingroundwediscoveredthattheplacewherewehadhaltedwasaplatforminfrontofthemouthofagreatcave，andpileduponthisplatformweretheentirecontentsofthewhaleboat，evendowntotheoarsandsail。Roundthecavestoodgroupsofthemenwhohadescortedus，andothermenofasimilarstamp。 Theywerealltallandallhandsome，thoughtheyvariedintheirdegreeofdarknessofskin，somebeingasdarkasMahomed，andsomeasyellowasaChinese。 Theywerenaked，exceptfortheleopard-skinroundthewaist，andeachofthemcarriedahugespear。 Therewerealsosomewomenamongthem，who，insteadoftheleopard-skin，woreatannedhideofasmallredbuck，somethinglikethatoftheoribe’，onlyratherdarkerincolor。Thesewomenwere，asaclass，exceedinglygood-looking，withlarge，darkeyes，well- cutfeatures，andathickbushofcurlinghair——notcrispedlikeanegro’s——rangingfromblacktochestnutinhue，withallshadesofintermediatecolor。Some，butveryfewofthem，woreayellowishlinengarment，suchasIhavedescribedaswornbyBillali，butthis，asweafterwardsdiscovered，wasamarkofrank，ratherthananattemptatclothing。Fortherest，theirappearancewasnotquitesoterrifyingasthatofthemen，andtheysometimes，thoughrarely，smiled。 Assoonaswehadalightedtheygatheredroundusandexamineduswithcuriosity，butwithoutexcitement。 Leo’stall，athleticformandclear-cutGrecianface，however，evidentlyexcitedtheirattention，andwhenhepolitelyliftedhishattothem，andshowedhiscurlingyellowhair，therewasaslightmurmurofadmiration。Nordiditstopthere;for，afterregardinghimcriticallyfromheadtofoot，thehandsomestoftheyoungwomen——onewearingarobe，andwithhairofashadebetweenbrownandchestnut—— deliberatelyadvancedtohim，andinawaythatwouldhavebeenwinninghaditnotbeensodetermined，quietlyputherarmroundhisneck，bentforward，andkissedhimonthelips。 Igaveagasp，expectingtoseeLeoinstantlyspeared; andJobejaculated，“Thehussy——well，Inever！”AsforLeo，helookedslightlyastonished;andthen，remarkingthatwehadgotintoacountrywheretheyclearlyfollowedthecustomsoftheearlyChristians，deliberatelyreturnedtheembrace。 AgainIgasped，thinkingthatsomethingwouldhappen; but。tomysurprise，thoughsomeoftheyoungwomenshowedtracesofvexation，theolderonesandthemenonlysmiledslightly。Whenwecametounderstandthecustomsofthisextraordinarypeoplethemysterywasexplained。Itthenappearedthat，indirectoppositiontothehabitsofalmosteveryothersavageraceintheworld，womenamongtheAmahaggerarenotonlyupontermsofperfectequalitywiththemen，butarenotheldtothembyanybindingties。Descentistracedonlythroughthelineofthemother，andwhileindividualsareasproudofalongandsuperiorfemaleancestryasweareofourfamiliesinEurope，theyneverpayattentionto，orevenacknowledge，anymanastheirfather，evenwhentheirmaleparentageisperfectlywellknown。Thereisbutonetitularmaleparentofeachtribe，or，astheycallit，“household，“andheisitselectedandimmediateruler，withthetitleof“Father。”Forinstance，themanBillaliwasthefatherofthis“household，“whichconsistedofaboutseventhousandindividualsalltold，andnoothermanwasevercalledbythatname。 Whenawomantookafancytoamanshesignifiedherpreferencebyadvancingandembracinghimpublicly，inthesamewaythatthishandsomeandexceedinglypromptyounglady，whowascalledUstane，hadembracedLeo。 Ifhekissedherinreturnitwasatokenthatheacceptedher，andthearrangementcontinuedtilloneofthemweariedofit。Iambound，however，tosaythatthechangeofhusbandswasnotnearlysofrequentasmighthavebeenexpected。Nordidquarrelsariseoutofit，atleastamongthemen，who，whentheirwivesdesertedtheminfavorofarival，acceptedthewholethingmuchasweaccepttheincome-taxorourmarriagelaws，assomethingnottobedisputed，andastendingtothegoodofthecommunity，howeverdisagreeabletheymayinparticularinstancesprovetotheindividual。 Itisverycurioustoobservehowthecustomsofmankindonthismattervaryindifferentcountries，makingmoralityanaffairoflatitude，andwhatisrightandproperinoneplacewrongandimproperinanother。Itmust，however，beunderstoodthat，asallcivilizednationsappeartoacceptitasanaxiomthatceremonyisthetouchstoneofmorality，thereis，evenaccordingtoourcanons，nothingimmoralaboutthisAmahaggercustom，seeingthattheinterchangeoftheembraceanswerstoourceremonyofmarriage，which，asweknow，justifiesmostthings。 CHAPTERVII—— USTANESINGS Whenthekissingoperationwasfinished——bytheway，noneoftheyoungladiesofferedtopetmeinthisfashion，thoughIsawonehoveringroundJob，tothatrespectableindividual’sevidentalarm——theoldmanBillaliadvanced，andgraciouslywavedusintothecave，whitherwewent，followedbyUstane，whodidnotseeminclinedtotakethehintsIgaveherthatwelikedprivacy。 BeforewehadgonefivepacesitstruckmethatthecavethatwewereenteringwasnoneofNature’shandiwork，but，onthecontrary，hadbeenhollowedbythehandofman。Sofaraswecouldjudgeitappearedtobeaboutonehundredfeetinlengthbyfiftywide，andverylofty，resemblingacathedralaislemorethananythingelse。Fromthismainaisleopenedpassagesatadistanceofeverytwelveorfifteenfeet，leading，I supposed，tosmallerchambers。Aboutfiftyfeetfromtheentranceofthecave，justwherethelightbegantogetdim，afirewasburning，whichthrewhugeshadowsuponthegloomywallsaround。HereBillalihalted，andaskedustobeseated，sayingthatthepeoplewouldbringusfood，andaccordinglywesquattedourselvesdownupontherugsofskinswhichwerespreadforus，andwaited。Presentlythefood，consistingofgoat’sfleshboiled，freshmilkinanearthenwarepot，andboiledcobsofIndiancorn，wasbroughtbyyounggirls。Wewerealmoststarving，andI donotthinkthatIeverinmylifeatewithsuchsatisfaction。Indeed，beforewehadfinishedweliterallyateupeverythingthatwassetbeforeus。 Whenwehaddone，oursomewhatsaturninehost，Billali，whohadbeenwatchingusinperfectsilence，roseandaddressedus。Hesaidthatitwasawonderfulthingthathadhappened。NomanhadeverknownorheardofwhitestrangersarrivinginthecountryofthePeopleoftheRocks。Sometimes，thoughrarely，blackmenhadcomehere，andfromthemtheyhadheardoftheexistenceofmenmuchwhiterthanthemselves，whosailedontheseainships，butforthearrivalofsuchtherewasnoprecedent。Wehad，however，beenseendraggingtheboatupthecanal，andhetoldusfranklythathehadatoncegivenordersforourdestruction，seeingthatitwasunlawfulforanystrangertoenterhere，whenamessagehadcomefrom“ _i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_，“sayingthatourlivesweretobespared，andthatweweretobebroughthither。 “Pardonme，myfather，“Iinterruptedatthispoint; “butif，asIunderstand，_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_livesyetfartheroff，howcouldshehaveknownofourapproach？” Billaliturned，andseeingthatwewerealone——fortheyounglady，Ustane，hadwithdrawnwhenhehadbeguntospeak——said，withacuriouslittlelaugh—— “Aretherenoneinyourlandwhocanseewithouteyesandhearwithoutears？Asknoquestions;_i_She_i_ knew。”