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：“Simbalion！”
　　Weallsitupandlisten。Thenitcomesagain，aslow，majesticsound，thatthrillsustothemarrow。
　　“To-morrowbyteno’clock，“Isay，“weought，ifthecaptainisnotoutinhisreckoning，whichIthinkveryprobable，tomakethismysteriousrockwithaman’shead，andbeginourshooting。”
　　“AndbeginoursearchfortheruinedcityandtheFireofLife，“correctedLeo，takinghispipefromhismouth，andlaughingalittle。
　　“Nonsense！”Ianswered。“YouwereairingyourArabicwiththatmanatthetillerthisafternoon。Whatdidhetellyou？Hehasbeentradingslave-tradingprobablyupanddowntheselatitudesforhalfofhisiniquitouslife，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，andonlythecurrentorthetideitafterwardsturnedouttobethetidewasdrivingus。
　　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，whichhadbeenrunningsofiercelyuptheriverforwewerenowinthemouthofariver，wassluggishbeforeitturned，sowefloatedquietly，andbeforethemoonwentdownmanagedtobailouttheboatthoroughlyandgetheralittleship-
　　shape。Leowassleepingprofoundly，andonthewholeI
　　thoughtitwisenottowakehim。Itwastruehewassleepinginwetclothes，butthenightwasnowsowarmthatIthoughtandsodidJobthattheywerenotlikelytoinjureamanofhisunusuallyvigorousconstitution。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，“andatasignfromhimhisbearersstaredforwardataruntilltheyreachedthelitterinwhichJobwasreposingwithoneleghangingovertheside。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。”