Ishruggedmyshouldersatthis，andheproceededtosaythatnofurtherinstructionshadbeenreceivedonthesubjectofourdisposal，andthisbeingsohewasabouttostarttointerview“_i_She-who-must-be-
　　obeyed_i_，“generallyspokenof，forthesakeofbrevity，as“Hiya“or_i_She_i_simply，whohegaveustounderstandwastheQueenoftheAmahagger，andlearnherwishes。
　　Iaskedhimhowlongheproposedtobeaway，andhesaidthatbytravellinghardhemightbebackonthefifthday，butthereweremanymilesofmarshtocrossbeforehecametowhere_i_She_i_was。Hethensaidthateveryarrangementwouldbemadeforourcomfortduringhisabsence，andthat，ashepersonallyhadtakenafancytous，hesincerelytrustedthattheanswerheshouldbringfrom_i_She_i_wouldbeonefavorabletothecontinuationofourexistence，butatthesametimehedidnotwishtoconcealfromusthathethoughtthisdoubtful，aseverystrangerwhohadevercomeintothecountryduringhisgrandmother’slife，hismother’slife，andhisownlife，hadbeenputtodeathwithoutmercy，andinawaythathewouldnotharrowourfeelingsbydescribing;andthishadbeendonebytheorderof_i_She_i_herself，atleasthesupposeditwasbyherorder。Atanyrate，sheneverinterferedtosavethem。
　　“Why，“Isaid，“buthowcanthatbe？Youareanoldman，andthetimeyoutalkofmustreachbackthreemen’slives。How，therefore，could_i_She_i_haveorderedthedeathofanybodyatthebeginningofthelifeofyourgrandmother，seeingthatsheherselfwouldnothavebeenborn？”
　　Againhesmiled——thatsamefaint，peculiarsmile，andwithadeepbowdeparted，withoutmakinganyanswer;
　　nordidweseehimagainforfivedays。
　　Whenhehadgonewediscussedthesituation，whichfilledmewithalarm。Ididnotatallliketheaccountsofthismysteriousqueen，“_i_She-who-must-
　　be-obeyed_i_，“ormoreshortly_i_She_i_，whoapparentlyorderedtheexecutionofanyunfortunatestrangerinafashionsounmerciful。Leo，too，wasdepressedaboutit，butproceededtoconsolehimselfbytriumphantlypointingoutthatthis_i_She_i_wasundoubtedlythepersonreferredtointhewritingonthepotsherdandinhisfather’sletter，inproofofwhichheadvancedBillali’sallusionstoherageandpower。IwasbythistimesooverwhelmedwiththewholecourseofeventsthatIhadnotevengottheheartlefttodisputeapropositionsoabsurd，soI
　　suggestedthatweshouldtryandgooutandgetabath，ofwhichweallstoodsadlyinneed。
　　Accordingly，havingindicatedourwishtoamiddle-
　　agedindividualofanunusuallysaturninecastofcountenance，evenamongthissaturninepeople，whoappearedtobedeputedtolookafterusnowthattheFatherofthehamlethaddeparted，westartedinabody——havingfirstlitourpipes。Outsidethecavewefoundquiteacrowdofpeopleevidentlywatchingforourappearance，butwhentheysawuscomeoutsmokingtheyvanishedthiswayandthat，callingoutthatweweregreatmagicians。Indeed，nothingaboutuscreatedsogreatasensationasourtobaccosmoke——notevenourfirearms。Afterthiswesucceededinreachingastreamthathaditssourceinastronggroundspring，andtakingourbathinpeace，thoughsomeofthewomen，notexceptingUstane，showedadecidedinclinationtofollowuseventhere。
　　Bythetimethatwehadfinishedthismostrefreshingbaththesunwassetting;indeed，whenwegotbacktothebigcaveithadalreadyset。Thecaveitselfwasfullofpeoplegatheredroundfires——forseveralmorehadnowbeenlighted——andeatingtheireveningmealbytheirluridlight，andbythatofvariouslampswhichweresetaboutorhunguponthewalls。Theselampswereofarudemanufactureofbakedearthenware，andofallshapes，someofthemgracefulenough。Thelargeroneswereformedofbigredearthenwarepots，filledwithclarifiedmeltedfat，andhavingareedwickstuckthroughawoodendiskwhichfilledthetopofthepot，andthissortoflamprequiredthemostconstantattentiontopreventitsgoingoutwheneverthewickburneddown，astherewerenomeansofturningitup。Thesmallerhand-lamps，however，whichwerealsomadeofbakedclay，werefittedwithwicksmanufacturedfromthepithofapalm-tree，orsometimesfromthestemofaveryhandsomevarietyoffern。Thiskindofwickwaspassedthrougharoundholeattheendofthelamp，towhichasharppieceofhardwoodwasattachedwherewithtopierceanddrawitupwheneveritshowedsignsofburninglow。
　　Forawhilewesatdownandwatchedthisgrimpeopleeatingtheireveningmealinsilenceasgrimasthemselves，tillatlength，gettingtiredofcontemplatingthemandthehugemovingshadowsontherockywalls，Isuggestedtoournewkeeperthatweshouldliketogotobed。
　　Withoutaword，herose，and，takingmepolitelybythehand，advancedwithalamptooneofthesmallpassagesthatIhadnoticedopeningoutofthecentralcave。Thiswefollowedforaboutfivepaces，whenitsuddenlywidenedoutintoasmallchamber，abouteightfeetsquare，andhewnoutofthelivingrock。Ononesideofthischamberwasastoneslab，aboutthreefeetfromtheground，andrunningitsentirelengthlikeabunkinacabin，andonthisslabheintimatedthatIwastosleep。Therewasnowindoworair-holetothechamber，andnofurniture;and，onlookingatitmoreclosely，Icametothedisturbingconclusioninwhich，asIafterwardsdiscovered，Iwasquiterightthatithadoriginallyservedforasepulchreforthedeadratherthanasleeping-placefortheliving，theslabbeingdesignedtoreceivethecorpseofthedeparted。Thethoughtmademeshudderinspiteofmyself;but，seeingthatImustsleepsomewhere，I
　　gotoverthefeelingasbestImight，andreturnedtothecaverntogetmyblanket，whichhadbeenbroughtupfromtheboatwiththeotherthings。ThereImetJob，who，havingbeeninductedtoasimilarapartment，hadflatlydeclinedtostopinit，sayingthatthelookoftheplacegavehimthehorrors，andthathemightaswellbedeadandburiedinhisgrandfather’sbrickgraveatonce，andexpressedhisdeterminationofsleepingwithmeifIwouldallowhim。This，ofcourse，Iwasonlytoogladtodo。
　　Thenightpassedverycomfortablyonthewhole。Isayonthewhole，forpersonallyIwentthroughamosthorriblenightmareofbeingburiedalive，induced，nodoubt，bythesepulchralnatureofmysurroundings。Atdawnwewerearousedbyaloudtrumpetingsound，produced，asweafterwardsdiscovered，byayoungAmahaggerblowing，throughaholeboredinitsside，intoahollowedelephanttusk，whichwaskeptforthepurpose。
　　Takingthehint，wegotupandwentdowntothestreamtowash，afterwhichthemorningmealwasserved。Atbreakfastoneofthewomen，nolongerquiteyoung，advanced，andpubliclykissedJob。IthinkitwasinitswaythemostdelightfulthingputtingitsimproprietyasideforamomentthatIeversaw。NevershallIforgettherespectableJob’sabjectterroranddisgust。Job，likemyself，isabitofamisogynist——I
　　fancychieflyowingtothefactofhishavingbeenoneofafamilyofseventeen——andthefeelingsexpresseduponhiscountenancewhenherealizedthathewasnotonlybeingembracedpublicly，andwithoutauthorizationonhisownpart，butalsointhepresenceofhismasters，weretoomixedandpainfultoadmitofaccuratedescription。Hesprangtohisfeet，andpushedthewoman，abuxompersonofaboutthirty，fromhim。
　　“Well，Inever！”hegasped，whereupon，probablythinkingthathewasonlycoy，sheembracedhimagain。
　　“Beoffwithyou！Getaway，youminx！”heshouted，wavingthewoodenspoon，withwhichhewaseatinghisbreakfast，upanddownbeforethelady’sface。“Begyourpardon，gentlemen，IamsureI。haven’tencouragedher。Oh，Lord！she’scomingformeagain。
　　Holdher，Mr。Holly！pleaseholdher！Ican’tstandit;Ican’t，indeed。Thishasneverhappenedtomebefore，gentlemen，never。There’snothingagainstmycharacter，“andherehebrokeoff，andranashardashecouldgodownthecave，andforonceIsawtheAmahaggerlaugh。Asforthewoman，however，shedidnotlaugh。Onthecontrary，sheseemedtobristlewithfury，whichthemockeryoftheotherwomenaboutonlyservedtointensify。Shestoodthereliterallysnarlingandshakingwithindignation，and，seeingher，IwishedJob’sscrupleshadbeenatJericho，formingashrewdguessthathisadmirablebehaviorhadendangeredourthroats。Nor，asthesequelshows，wasIwrong。
　　Theladyhavingretreated，Jobreturnedinagreatstateofnervousness，andkeepinghisweathereyefixeduponeverywomanwhocamenearhim。ItookanopportunitytoexplaintoourhoststhatJobwasamarriedman，andhadhadveryunhappyexperiencesinhisdomesticrelations，whichaccountedforhispresencehereandhisterroratthesightofwomen，butmyremarkswerereceivedingrimsilence，itbeingevidentthatourretainer’sbehaviorwasconsideredasaslighttothe“household“atlarge，althoughthewomen，afterthemannerofsomeoftheirmorecivilizedsisters，mademerryattherebuffoftheircompanion。
　　AfterbreakfastwetookawalkandinspectedtheAmahaggerherds，andalsotheircultivatedlands。Theyhavetwobreedsofcattle，onelargeandangular，withnohorns，butyieldingbeautifulmilk;andtheother，aredbreed，verysmallandfat，excellentformeat，butofnovalueformilkingpurposes。ThislastbreedcloselyresemblestheNorfolkred-polestrain，onlyithashornswhichgenerallycurveforwardoverthehead，sometimestosuchanextentthattheyhavetobecuttopreventthemfromgrowingintothebonesoftheskull，Thegoatsarelong-haired，andareusedforeatingonly，atleastIneversawthemmilked。AsfortheAmahaggercultivation，itisprimitiveintheextreme，beingalldonebymeansofaspademadeofiron，forthesepeoplesmeltandworkiron。Thisspadeisshapedmorelikeabigspearsheadthananythingelse，andhasnoshouldertoitonwhichthefootcanbeset。Asaconsequence，thelaborofdiggingisverygreat。Itis，however，alldonebythemen，thewomen，contrarytothehabitsofmostsavageraces，beingentirelyexemptfrommanualtoil。Butthen，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere，amongtheAmahaggertheweakersexhasestablisheditsrights。
　　Atfirstweweremuchpuzzledastotheoriginandconstitutionofthisextraordinaryrace，pointsuponwhichtheyweresingularlyuucommunicative。Asthetimewentonforthenextfourdayspassedwithoutanystrikingevent——welearnedsomethingfromLeo’sladyfriendUstane，who，bytheway，stucktothatyounggentlemanlikehisownshadow。Astoorigin，theyhadnone，atleast，sofarasshewasaware。Therewere，however，sheinformedus，moundsofmasonryandmanypillarsneartheplacewhere_i_She_i_lived，whichwascalledKo^r，andwhichthewisesaidhadoncebeenhouseswhereinmenlived，anditwassuggestedthattheyweredescendedfromthesemen。Noone，however，daredgonearthesegreatruinsbecausetheywerehaunted：theyonlylookedonthemfromadistance。
　　Othersimilarruinsweretobeseen，shehadheard，invariouspartsofthecountry，thatis，whereveroneofthemountainsroseabovetheleveloftheswamp。Alsothecavesinwhichtheylivedhadbeenhollowedoutoftherocksbymen，perhapsthesamewhobuiltthecities。Theythemselveshadnowrittenlaws，onlycustom，whichwas，however，quiteasbindingaslaw。
　　Ifanymanoffendedagainstthecustom，hewasputtodeathbyorderoftheFatherofthe“household。”I
　　askedhowhewasputtodeath，andsheonlysmiled，andsaidthatImightseeonedaysoon。
　　Theyhadaqueen，however。_i_She_i_wastheirqueen，butshewasveryrarelyseen，perhapsonceintwoorthreeyears，whenshecameforthtopasssentenceonsomeoffenders，andwhenseenwasmuffledupinabigcloak，sothatnobodycouldlookuponherface。Thosewhowaiteduponherweredeafanddumb，andthereforecouldtellnotales，butitwasreportedthatshewaslovelyasnootherwomanwaslovely，oreverhadbeen。Itwasrumoredalsothatshewasimmortal，andhadpower。overallthings，butshe，Ustane，couldsaynothingofallthat。Whatshebelievedwasthatthequeenchoseahusbandfromtimetotime，andassoonasafemalechildwasbornthishusband，whowasneveragainseen，wasputtodeath。
　　Thenthefemalechildgrewupandtooktheplaceofthequeenwhenitsmotherdiedandhadbeenburiedinthegreatcaves。Butofthesemattersnonecouldspeakforcertain。Only_i_She_i_wasobeyedthroughoutthelengthandbreadthoftheland，andtoquestionhercommandwascertaindeath。_i_She_i_keptaguard，buthadnoregulararmy，andtodisobeyherwastodie。
　　Iaskedwhatsizethelandwas，andhowmanypeoplelivedinit。Sheansweredthattherewereten“households，“likethisthatsheknewof，includingthebig“household，“wherethequeenwas;thatallthe“households“livedincaves，inplacesresemblingthisstretchofraisedcountry，dottedaboutinavastextentofswamp，whichwasonlytobethreadedbysecretpaths。Oftenthe“households“madewaroneachotheruntil_i_She_i_sentwordthatitwastostop，andthentheyinstantlyceased。Thatandthefeverwhichtheycaughtincrossingtheswampspreventedtheirnumbersfromincreasingtoomuch。Theyhadnoconnectionwithanyotherrace，indeednonelivednearthem，orwereabletothreadthevastswamps。OnceanarmyfromthedirectionofthegreatriverpresumablytheZambesihadattemptedtoattackthem，buttheygotlostinthemarshes，andatnight，seeingthegreatballsoffirethatmoveaboutthere，triedtocometothem，thinkingthattheymarkedtheenemy’scamp，andhalfofthemweredrowned。Asfortherest，theysoondiedoffeverandstarvation，notablowbeingstruckatthem。Themarshes，shetoldus，wereabsolutelyimpassableexcepttothosewhoknewthepaths，adding，whatIcouldwellbelieve，thatweshouldneverhavereachedthisplacewherewethenwerehadwenotbeenbroughtthither。
　　TheseandmanyotherthingswelearnedfromUstaneduringthefourdayspausebeforeourrealadventuresbegangaveusconsiderablecauseforthought。Thewholethingwasexceedinglyremarkable，almostincrediblyso，indeed，andtheoddestpartofitwasthatsofaritdidmoreorlesscorrespondtotheancientwritingonthesherd。Andnowitappearedthattherewasamysteriousqueenclothedbyrumorwithdreadandwonderfulattributes，andcommonlyknownbytheimpersonalbut，tomymind，ratherawesometitleof_i_She_i_。Altogether，Icouldnotmakeitout，norcouldLeo，thoughofcoursehewasexceedinglytriumphantovermebecauseIhadpersistentlymockedatthewholething。AsforJob，hehadlongsinceabandonedanyattempttocallhisreasonhisown，andleftittodriftontheseaofcircumstance。Mahomed，theArab，whowas，bytheway，treatedcivillyindeed，butwithchillingcontempt，bytheAmahagger，was，I
　　discovered，inagreatfright，thoughIcouldnotquitemakeoutwhathewasfrightenedabout。Hewouldsitcrouchedinacornerofthecavealldaylong，callinguponAllahandtheProphettoprotecthim。
　　WhenIpressedhimaboutit，hesaidthathewasafraidbecausethesepeoplewerenotmenandwomenatall，butdevils，andthatthiswasanenchantedland;
　　and，uponmyword，onceortwicesincethenIhavebeeninclinedtoagreewithhim。Andsothetimewenton，tillthenightofthefourthdayafterBillalihadleft，whensomethinghappened。
　　WethreeandUstaneweresittingroundafireinthecavejustbeforebedtime，whensuddenlythewoman，whohadbeenbroodinginsilence，rose，andlaidherhanduponLeo’sgoldencurls，andaddressedhim。Evennow，whenIshutmyeyes，Icanseeherproud，imperialform，clothedalternatelyindenseshadowandtheredflickeringofthefire，asshestood，thewildcentreofasweirdasceneasIeverwitnessed，anddeliveredherselfoftheburdenofherthoughtsandforebodingsinakindofrhythmicalspeechthatransomethingfollows：
　　[poeminitalics]
　　“Thouartmychosen——Ihavewaited，fortheefromthebeginning！
　　Thouartverybeautiful。Whohathhairlikeuntothee，orskinsowhite？
　　Whohathsostronganarm，whoissomuchaman。
　　Thineeyesarethesky，andthelight，inthemisthestars。
　　Thouartperfectandofahappyface，andmyheartturneditselftowardsthee。
　　Ay，whenmineeyesfellontheeIdiddesirethee——
　　ThendidItaketheetome——thou，myBeloved，Andholdtheefast，lestharmshouldcomeuntothee。
　　Ay，Ididcoverthineheadwithminehair，lestthesunshouldstrikeit;
　　AndaltogetherwasIthine，andthou，wastaltogethermine。
　　Andsoitwentforalittlespace，till，Timewasinlaborwithanevil，Day;
　　Andthenwhatbefellonthatday？
　　Alas！myBeloved，Iknownot！
　　ButI，Isawtheenomore——I，Iwas，lostintheblackness。
　　Andshewhoisstrongerdidtakethee;
　　ay，shewhoisfairerthanUstane。
　　Yetdidstthouturnandcalluponme，andletthineeyeswanderinthedarkness。
　　But，nevertheless，sheprevailedbyBeauty，andledtheedownhorribleplaces，Andthen，ah！thenmyBeloved——“
　　Herethisextraordinarywomanbrokeoffherspeech，orchant，whichwassomuchmusicalgibberishtous，forallthatweunderstoodofwhatshewastalkingabout，andseemedtofixherflashingeyesuponthedeepshadowbeforeher。Theninamomenttheyacquiredavacant，terrifiedstare，asthoughtheywerestrivingtorealizesomehalfseenhorror。SheliftedherhandfromLeo’shead，andpointedintothedarkness。Wealllooked，andcouldseenothing;butshesawsomething，orthoughtshedid，andsomethingevidentlythataffectedevenherironnerves，for，withoutanothersound，downshefellsenselessbetweenus。
　　Leo，whowasgrowingreallyattachedtothisremarkableyoungperson，wasinagreatstateofalarmanddistress，andI，tobeperfectlycandid，wasinaconditionnotfarremovedfromsuperstitiousfear。Thewholescenewasanuncannyone。
　　Presently，however，sherecovered，andsatupwithanextraordinaryconvulsiveshudder。
　　“Whatdidstthoumean，Ustane？”askedLeo，who，thankstoyearsoftuition，spokeArabicveryprettily。
　　“Nay，mychosen，“sheanswered，withalittleforcedlaugh，“Ididbutsinguntotheeafterthefashionofmypeople。Surely，Imeantnothing。HowcouldIspeakofthatwhichisnotyet？”
　　“Andwhatdidstthousee，Ustane？”Iasked，lookinghersharplyintheface。
　　“Nay，“sheansweredagain;“Isawnaught。AskmenotwhatIsaw。WhyshouldIfrightye？”Andthen，turningtoLeowithalookofthemostuttertendernessthatI
　　eversawuponthefaceofawoman，civilizedorsavage，shetookhisheadbetweenherhands，andkissedhimontheforeheadasamothermight。“WhenI
　　amgonefromthee，mychosen;whenatnightthoustretchestout：thyhandandcanstnotfindme，thenshouldstthouthinkattimesofme，forofatruthI
　　lovetheewell，thoughIbenotfittowashthyfeet。
　　Andnowletusloveandtakethatwhichisgivenus，andbehappy;forinthegravethereisnoloveandnowarmth，noranytouchingofthelips。Nothingperchance，orperchancebutbittermemoriesofwhatmighthavebeen。To-nightthehoursareourown，howknowwetowhomtheyshallbelongto-morrow？”
　　CHAPTERVIII——
　　THEFEAST，ANDAFTER！
　　Onthedayfollowingthisremarkablescene——ascenecalculatedtomakeadeepimpressionuponanybodywhobeheldit，morebecauseofwhatitsuggestedandseemedtoforeshadowthanofwhatitrevealed——itwasannouncedtousthatafeastwouldbeheldthateveninginourhonor。Ididmybesttogetoutofit，sayingthatweweremodestpeople，andcaredlittleforfeastsbutmyremarksbeingreceivedwiththesilenceofdispleasure，Ithoughtitwisesttoholdmytongue。
　　Accordingly，justbeforesundown，Iwasinformedthateverythingwasready，and，accompaniedbyJob，wentintothecave，whereImetLeo，whowas，asusual，followedbyUstane。Thesetwohadbeenoutwalkingsomewhere，andknewnothingoftheprojectedfestivitytillthatmoment。WhenUstaneheardofitIsawanexpressionofhorrorspringupuponherhandsomefeatures。Turning，shecaughtamanwhowaspassingupthecavebythearm，andaskedhimsomethinginanimperioustone。Hisanswerseemedtoreassureheralittle，forshe，lookedrelieved，thoughfarfromsatisfied。Nextsheappearedtoattemptsomeremonstrancewiththeman，whowasapersoninauthority，buthespokeangrilytoher，andshookheroff，andthen，changinghismind，ledherbythearm，andsatherdownbetweenhimselfandanothermaninthecircleroundthefire，andIperceivedthatforsomereasonofherownshethoughtitbesttosubmit。
　　Thefireinthecavewasanunusuallybigonethatnight，andinalargecirclerounditweregatheredaboutthirty-fivemenandtwowomen，UstaneandthewomantoavoidwhomJobhadplayedtheroleofanotherScripturalcharacter。Themenweresittinginperfectsilence，aswastheircustom，eachwithhisgreatspearstuckuprightbehindhim，inasocketcutintherockforthatpurpose。OnlyoneortwoworetheyellowishlinengarmentofwhichIhavespoken，theresthadnothingonexcepttheleopard’sskinaboutthemiddle。
　　“What’supnow，sir？”saidJob，doubtfully。“Blessusandsaveus，there’sthatwomanagain。Now，surely，shecan’tbeafterme，seeingthatIhavegivenhernoencouragement。Theygivemethecreeps，thewholelotofthem，andthat’safact。Why，look，theyhaveaskedMahomedtodine，too。There，thatladyofmineistalkingtohiminasniceandcivilawayaspossible。
　　Well，I’mgladitisn’tme，that’sall。”
　　Welookedup，andsureenoughthewomaninquestionhadrisen，andwasescortingthewretchedMahomedfromthecorner，where，overcomebysomeacuteprescienceofhorror，hehadbeenseated，shiveringandcallingonAllah。Heappearedunwillingenoughtocome，iffornootherreasonperhapsbecauseitwasanunaccustomedhonor，forhithertohisfoodhadbeengiventohimapart。AnywayIcouldseethathewasinastateofgreatterror，forhistotteringlegswouldscarcelysupporthisstout，bulkyform，andIthinkitwasratherowingtotheresourcesofbarbarismbehindhim，intheshapeofahugeAmahaggerwithaproportionatelyhugespear，thantotheseductionoftheladywholedhimbythehand，thatheconsentedtocomeatall。
　　“Well，“Isaidtotheothers，“Idon’tatalllikethelookofthings，butIsupposethatwemustfaceitout。Haveyoufellowsgotyourrevolversonbecause，ifso，youhadbetterseethatthey’reloaded。”
　　“Ihave，sir，“saidJob，tappinghisColt，“butMr。
　　Leohasonlygothishunting-knife，thoughthatisbigenough，surely。”
　　Feelingthatitwouldnotdotowaitwhilethemissingweaponwasfetched，weadvancedboldly，andseatedourselvesinaline，withourbacksagainstthesideofthecave。
　　Assoonaswewereseated，anearthenwarejarwaspassedroundcontainingafermentedfluid，ofbynomeansunpleasanttaste，thoughapttoturnuponthestomach，madeofcrushedgrain——notIndiancorn，butasmallbrowngrainthatgrowsuponthesteminclusters，notunlikethatwhichinthesouthernpartofAfricaisknownbythenameofKaffircorn。Thevaseinwhichthisliquidwashandedroundwasverycurious，andasitmoreorlessresembledmanyhundredsofothersinuseamongtheAmahaggerImayaswelldescribeit。Thesevasesareofaveryancientmanufacture，andofallsizes。Nonesuchcanhavebeenmadeinthecountryforhundreds，orratherthousands，ofyears。Theyarefoundintherocktombs，ofwhichI
　　shallgiveadescriptionintheirproperplace，andmyownbeliefisthat，afterthefashionoftheEgyptians，withwhomtheformerinhabitantsofthiscountrymayhavehadsomeconnection，theywereusedtoreceivethevisceraofthedead。Leo，however，isofopinionthat，asinthecaseofEtruscanamphorae，theywereplacedthereforthespiritualuseofthedeceased。Theyaremostlytwo-handled，andofallsizes，somebeingnearlythreefeetinheight，andrunningfromthatdowntoasmanyinches。Inshapetheyvary，butareallexceedinglybeautifulandgraceful，beingmadeofaveryfineblackware，notlustrous，butslightlyrough。OnthisgroundworkwereinlaidfiguresmuchmoregracefulandlifelikethananyothersIhaveseenonantiquevases。Someoftheseinlaidpicturesrepresentedlove-sceneswithachild-
　　likesimplicityandfreedomofmannerwhichwouldnotcommenditselftothetasteofthepresentday。Othersagainwerepicturesofmaidensdancing，andyetothersofhunting-scenes。Forinstance，theveryvasefromwhichwewerethendrinkinghadononesideamostspiriteddrawingofmen，apparentlywhiteincolor，attackingabull-elephantwithspears，whileonthereversewasapicturenotquitesowelldone，ofahuntershootinganarrowatarunningantelope，I
　　shouldsay，fromthelookofit，eitheranelandorakoodoo。
　　Thisisadigressionatacriticalpointbutitisnottoolongfortheoccasionitselfwasverylong。Withtheexceptionoftheperiodicalpassingofthevase，andthemovementnecessarytothrowfuelontothefire，nothinghappenedforthebestpartofawholehour。Nobodyspokeaword。Thereweallsatinperfectsilence，staringattheglareandglowofthelargefire，andattheshadowsthrownbytheflickeringearthenwarelampswhich，bytheway，werenotancient。Ontheopenspacebetweenusandthefirelayalargewoodentray，withfourshorthandlestoit，exactlylikeabutcher’stray，onlynothollowedout。Bythesideofthetraywasagreatpairoflong-
　　handledironpincers，andontheothersideofthefirewasasimilarpair。SomehowIdidnotatallliketheappearanceofthistrayandtheaccompanyingpincers。ThereIsatandstaredatthemandatthesilentcircleofthefierce，moodyfacesofthemen，andreflectedthatitwasallveryawful，andthatwewereabsolutelyinthepowerofthisalarmingpeople，who，tomeatanyrate，wereallthemoreformidablebecausetheirtruecharacterwasstillverymuchofamysterytous。TheymightbebetterthanIthoughtthem，ortheymightbeworse。Ifearedthattheywereworse，andIwasnotwrong。Itwasacurioussortofafeast，Ireflected，inappearance，indeed，anentertainmentoftheBarmecidestamp，fortherewasabsolutelynothingtoeat。
　　Atlast，justasIwasbeginningtofeelasthoughI
　　werebeingmesmerized，amovewasmade。Withouttheslightestwarning，amanfromtheothersideofthecirclecalledoutinaloudvoice，“Whereisthefleshthatweshalleat？”
　　Thereoneverybodyinthecircleansweredinadeep，measuredtone，andstretchingouttherightarmtowardsthefireashespoke——
　　“Thefleshwillcome。”
　　“Isitagoat？”saidthesameman。
　　“Itisagoatwithouthorns，andmorethanagoat，andweshallslayit，“theyanswered，withonevoice，andturninghalfroundtheyoneandallgraspedthehandlesoftheirspearswiththerighthand，andthensimultaneouslyletthemgo。
　　“Isitanox？”saidthemanagain。
　　“Itisanoxwithouthorns，andmorethananox，andweshallslayit，“wastheanswer，andagainthespearsweregrasped，andagainletgo。
　　Thencameapause，andInoticed，withhorrorandarisingofthehair，thatthewomannexttoMahomedbegantofondlehim，pattinghischeeks，andcallinghimbynamesofendearment，whileherfierceeyesplayedupanddownhistremblingform。Idonotknowwhythesightfrightenedmeso，butitdidfrightenusalldreadfully，especiallyLeo。Thecaressingwassosnakelike，andsoevidentlyapartofsomeghastlyformulathathadtobegonethrough。IsawMahomedturnwhiteunderhisbrownskin，sicklywhitewithfear。
　　“Isthemeatreadytobecooked？”askedthevoice，morerapidly。
　　“Itisready;itisready。”
　　“Isthepothottocookit？”itcontinued，inasortofscreamthatechoedpainfullydownthegreatrecessesofthecave。
　　“Itishot;itishot。”
　　“Greatheavens！”roaredLeo，“rememberthewriting，’Thepeoplewhoplacepotsupontheheadsofstrangers。’“
　　Ashesaidthewords，beforewecouldstir，oreventakethematterin，twogreatruffiansjumpedup，and，seizingthelongpincers，plungedthemintotheheartofthefire，andthewomanwhohadbeencaressingMahomedsuddenlyproducedafibrenoosefromunderhergirdleormoocha，and，slippingitoverhisshoulders，ranittight，whilethemennexthimseizedhimbythelegs。Thetwomenwiththepincersgaveaheave，and，scatteringthefirethiswayandthatupontherockyfloor，liftedfromitalargeearthenwarepot，heatedtoawhiteheat。Inaninstant，almostwithasinglemovement，theyhadreachedthespotwhereMahomedwasstruggling。Hefoughtlikeafiend，shriekingintheabandonmentofhisdespair，and，notwithstandingthenooseroundhim，andtheeffortsofthemenwhoheldhislegs，theadvancingwretcheswereforthemomentunabletoaccomplishtheirpurpose，which，horribleandincredibleasitseems，wastoputthered-hotpotuponhishead。
　　Isprangtomyfeetwithayellofhorror，anddrawingmyrevolverfireditbyasortofinstinctstraightatthediabolicalwomanwhohadbeencaressingMahomed，andwasnowgrippinghiminherarms。Thebulletstruckherinthebackandkilledher，andtothisdayIamgladthatitdid，for，asitafterwardstranspired，shehadavailedherselfoftheanthropophagouscustomsoftheAmahaggertoorganizethewholethinginrevengeoftheslightputuponherbyJob。Shesankdowndead，andasshedidso，tomyterroranddismay，Mahomed，byasuperhumaneffort，burstfromhistormentors，and，springinghighintotheair，felldyinguponhercorpse。Theheavybulletfrommypistolhaddriventhroughthebodiesofboth，atoncestrikingdownthemurderess，andsavinghervictimfromadeathahundredtimesmorehorrible。Itwasanawfulandyetamostmercifulaccident。
　　Foramomenttherewasasilenceofastonishment。TheAmahaggerhadneverheardthereportofafirearmbefore，anditseffectsdismayedthem。Butthenextamanclosetousrecoveredhimself，andseizedhisspearpreparatorytomakingalungewithitatLeo，whowasthenearesttohim。
　　“Runforit！”Ishouted，settingtheexamplebystartingupthecaveashardasmylegswouldcarryme。Iwouldhavemadefortheopenairifithadbeenpossible，butthereweremenintheway，and，besides，Ihadcaughtsightoftheformsofacrowdofpeoplestandingoutclearagainsttheskylinebeyondtheentrancetothecave。UpthecaveIwent，andaftermecametheothers，andafterthemthunderedthewholecrowdofcannibals，madwithfuryatthedeathofthewoman。WithaboundIclearedtheprostrateformofMahomed。AsIflewoverhimIfelttheheatfromthered-hotpot，whichwaslyingcloseby，strikeuponmylegs，andbyitsglowsawhishands——forhewasnotquitedead——stillfeeblymoving。Atthetopofthecavewasalittleplatformofrockthreefeetorsohighbyabouteightdeep，onwhichtwolargelampswereplacedatnight。Whetherthisplatformhadbeenleftasaseat，orasaraisedpointafterwardstobecutawaywhenithadserveditspurposeasastanding-
　　placefromwhichtocarryontheexcavations，Idonotknow——atleast，Ididnotthen。Atanyrate，weallthreereachedit，and，jumpingonit，preparedtosellourlivesasdearlyaswecould。Forafewsecondsthecrowdthatwaspressingonourheelshungbackwhentheysawusfacerounduponthem。Jobwasononesideoftherocktotheleft，Leointhecentre，andItotheright。Behinduswerethelamps。Leobentforwardandlookeddownthelonglaneofshadows，terminatedinthefireandlightedlamps，throughwhichthequietformsofourwould-bemurderersflittedtoandfrowiththefaintlightglintingontheirspears，foreventheirfurywassilentasabulldog’s。Theonlyotherthingvisiblewasthered-hotpotstillglowingangrilyinthegloom。TherewasacuriouslightinLeo’seyes，andhishandsomefacewassetlikeastone。Inhisrighthandwashisheavyhunting-knife。
　　Heshifteditsthongalittleuphiswrist，andthenputhisarmroundmeandgavemeagoodhug。
　　“Good-bye，oldfellow，“hesaid，“mydearfriend——mymorethanfather。Wehavenochanceagainstthosescoundrels;theywillfinishusinafewminutes，andeatusafterwards，Isuppose。Good-bye。Iledyouintothis。Ihopeyouwillforgiveme。Good-bye，Job。”
　　“God’swillbedone，“Isaid，settingmyteeth，asI
　　preparedfortheend。Atthatmoment，withanexclamation，Jobliftedhisrevolverandfired，andhitaman——notthemanhehadaimedat，bytheway;
　　anythingthatJobshotatwasperfectlysafe。
　　Ontheycamewitharush，andIfiredtooasfastasI
　　could，andcheckedthem——betweenus，JobandI，besidesthewoman，killedormortallywoundedfivemenwithourpistolsbeforetheywereemptied。Butwehadnotimetoreload，andtheystillcameoninawaythatwasalmostsplendidinitsrecklessness，seeingthattheydidnotknowbutthatwecouldgoonfiringforever。
　　Agreatfellowboundedupupontheplatform，andLeostruckhimdeadwithoneblowofhispowerfularm，sendingthekniferightthroughhim。Ididthesamebyanother，butJobmissedhisstroke，andIsawabrawnyAmahaggergriphimbythemiddleandwhirlhimofftherock。Theknife，notbeingsecuredbyathong，fellfromJob’shandashedidso，and，byamosthappyaccidentforhimlituponitshandleontherock，justasthebodyoftheAmahagger，beingundermost，hituponitspointandwastransfixeduponit。WhathappenedtoJobafterthatIamsureIdonotknow，butmyownimpressionisthathelaystilluponthecorpseofhisdeceasedassailant，“playingpossum，“astheAmericanssay。Asformyself，Iwassooninvolvedinadesperateencounterwithtworuffianswho，luckilyforme，hadlefttheirspearsbehindthem;andforthefirsttimeinmylifethegreatphysicalpowerwithwhichnaturehasendowedmestoodmeingoodstead。Ihadhackedattheheadofonemanwithmyhunting-knife，whichwasalmostasbigandheavyasashortsword，withsuchvigorthatthesharpsteelhadsplithisskulldowntotheeyes，andwasheldsofastbyitthatashesuddenlyfellsidewaystheknifewastwistedrightoutofmyhand。
　　Thenitwasthatthetwoothersspranguponme。Isawthemcoming，andgotanarmroundthewaistofeach，anddownweallfelluponthefloorofthecavetogether，rollingoverandover。Theywerestrongmen，butIwasmadwithrage，andthatawfullustforslaughterwhichwillcreepintotheheartsofthemostcivilizedofuswhenblowsareflying，andlifeanddeathtrembleontheturn。Myarmswereroundthetwoswarthydemons，andIhuggedthemtillIheardtheirribscrackandcrunchupbeneathmygrip。Theytwistedandwrithedlikesnakes，andclawedandbatteredatmewiththeirfists，butIheldon。Lyingonmybackthere，sothattheirbodiesmightprotectmefromspearthrustsfromabove，Islowlycrushedthelifeoutofthem，andasIdidso，strangeasitmayseem，IthoughtofwhattheamiableheadofmycollegeatCambridgewhoisamemberofthePeaceSocietyandmybrotherfellowswouldsayifbyclairvoyancetheycouldseeme，ofallmen，playingsuchabloodygame。
　　Soonmyassailantsgrewfaint，andalmostceasedtostruggle，theirbreathhadfailedthem，andtheyweredying，butstillIdarednotleavethem，fortheydiedveryslowly。IknewthatifIrelaxedmygriptheywouldrevive。Theotherruffiansprobablythought——forwewereallthreelyingintheshadowoftheledge——
　　thatwewerealldeadtogether，atanyratetheydidnotinterferewithourlittletragedy。
　　Iturnedmyhead，andasIlaygaspinginthethroesofthatawfulstruggleIcouldseethatLeowasofftherocknow，forthelamplightfellfulluponhim。Hewasstillonhisfeet，butinthecentreofasurgingmassofstrugglingmen，whowerestrivingtopullhimdownaswolvespulldownastag。UpabovethemtoweredhisbeautifulpalefacecrownedwithitsbrightcurlsforLeoissixfeettwohigh，andIsawthathewasfightingwithadesperateabandonmentandenergythatwasatoncesplendidandhideoustobehold。Hedrovehisknifethroughoneman——theyweresoclosetohimandmixedupwithhimthattheycouldnotgetathimtokillhimwiththeirbigspears，andtheyhadnoknivesorsticks。Themanfell，andthensomehowtheknifewaswrenchedfromhishand，leavinghimdefenceless，andIthoughttheendhadcome。Butno;
　　withadesperateefforthebrokeloosefromthem，seizedthebodyofthemanhehadjustslain，andliftingithighintheairhurleditrightatthemobofhisassailants，sothattheshockandweightofitsweptsomefiveorsixofthemtotheearth。Butinaminutetheywereallupagain，exceptone，whoseskullwassmashed，andhadoncemorefasteneduponhim。Andthenslowly，andwithinfinitelaborandstruggling，thewolvesboretheliondown。Onceeventhenherecoveredhimself，andfelledanAmahaggerwithhisfist，butitwasmorethanmancoulddotoholdhisownforlongagainstsomany，andatlasthecamecrashingdownupontherockfloor，fallingasanoakfalls，andbearingwithhimtotheearthallthosewhoclungabouthim。Theygrippedhimbyhisarmsandlegs，andthenclearedoffhisbody。
　　“Aspear，“criedavoice;“aspeartocuthisthroat，andavesseltocatchhisblood。”
　　Ishutmyeyes，forIsawthemancomingwithaspear，andmyself，IcouldnotstirtoLeo’shelp，forIwasgrowingweak，andthetwomenonmewerenotyetdead，andadeadlysicknessovercameme。
　　Thensuddenlytherewasadisturbance，andinvoluntarilyIopenedmyeyesagain，andlookedtowardsthesceneofmurder。ThegirlUstanehadthrownherselfonLeo’sprostrateform，coveringhisbodywithherbody，andfasteningherarmsabouthisneck。Theytriedtodragherfromhim，butshetwistedherlegsroundhis，andhungonlikeabulldog，orratherlikeacreepertoatree，andtheycouldnot。
　　Thentheytriedtostabhiminthesidewithouthurtingher，butsomehowsheshieldedhim，andhewasonlywounded。
　　Atlasttheylostpatience。
　　“Drivethespearthroughthemanandthewomantogether，“saidavoice，thesamevoicethathadaskedthequestionsatthatghastlyfeast，“soofaverityshalltheybewed。”
　　ThenIsawthemanwiththeweaponstraightenhimselffortheeffort。Isawthecoldsteelgleamonhigh，andoncemoreIshutmyeyes。
　　AsIdidsoIheardthevoiceofamanthunderoutintonesthatrangandechoeddowntherockyways——
　　“_i_Cease！_i_“
　　ThenIfainted，andasIdidsoitflashedthroughmydarkeningmindthatIwaspassingdownintothelastoblivionofdeath。
　　CHAPTERIX——
　　ALITTLEFOOT
　　WHENIopenedmyeyesagainIfoundmyselflyingonaskinmatnotfarfromthefireroundwhichwehadbeengatheredforthatdreadfulfeast。
　　NearmelayLeo，stillapparentlyinaswoon，andoverhimwasbendingthetallformofthegirlUstane，whowaswashingadeepspearwoundinhissidewithcoldwaterpreparatorytobindingitupwithlinen。LeaningagainstthewallofthecavebehindherwasJob，apparentlyuninjured，butbruisedandtrembling。Ontheothersideofthefire，tossedaboutthiswayandthat，asthoughtheyhadthrownthemselvesdowntosleepinsomemomentofabsoluteexhaustion，werethebodiesofthosewhomwehadkilledinourfrightfulstruggleforlife。Icountedthem;thereweretwelve，besidesthewomanandthecorpseofpoorMahomed，whohaddiedbymyhand，which，thefire-stainedpotatitsside，wasplacedattheendoftheirregularline。
　　Totheleftabodyofmenwereengagedinbindingthearmsofthesurvivorsofthecannibalsbehindthem，andthenfasteningthemtwoandtwo。Thevillainsweresubmittingwithalookofsulkyindifferenceupontheirfaceswhichaccordedillwiththebaffledfurythatgleamedintheirsombreeyes。Infrontofthesemen，directingtheoperations，stoodno-otherthanourfriendBillali，lookingrathertired，butparticularlypatriarchalwithhisflowingbeard，andascoolandunconcernedasthoughheweresuperintendingthecutting-upofanox。
　　Presentlyheturned，and，perceivingthatIwassittingup，advancedtome，andwiththeutmostcourtesysaidthathetrustedthatIfeltbetter。I
　　answeredthatatpresentIscarcelyknewhowIfelt，exceptthatIachedallover。
　　ThenhebentdownandexaminedLeo’swound。
　　“Itisanastycut，“hesaid，“butthespearhasnotpiercedtheentrails。Hewillrecover。”
　　“Thankstothyarrival，myfather，“Ianswered。“Inanotherminuteweshouldallhavebeenbeyondthereachofrecovery，forthosedevilsofthinewouldhaveslainusastheywouldhaveslainourservant，“
　　andIpointedtowardsMahomed。
　　Theoldmangroundhisteeth，andIsawanextraordinaryexpressionofmalignitylightuphiseyes。
　　“Fearnot，myson，“heanswered。“Vengeanceshallbetakenonthemsuchaswouldmakethefleshtwistuponthebonesmerelytohearofit。To_i_She_i_shalltheygo，andhervengeanceshallbeworthyofhergreatness。Thatman，“pointingtoMahomed，“Itelltheethatmanwouldhavediedamercifuldeathtothedeaththesehyena-menshalldie。Tellme，Iprayofthee，howitcameabout。”
　　InafewwordsIsketchedwhathadhappened。
　　“Ah，so，“heanswered。“Thouseest，myson，herethereisacustomthatifastrangercomesintothiscountryhemaybeslainby’thepot，’andeaten。”
　　“Itishospitalityturnedupsidedown，“Ianswered，feebly。“Inourcountryweentertainastranger，andgivehimfoodtoeat。Hereyeeathim，andareentertained。”
　　“Itisacustom，“heanswered，withashrug。“MyselfI
　　thinkitanevilone;butthen，“headded，byanafterthought，“Idonotlikethetasteofstrangers，especiallyaftertheyhavewanderedthroughtheswampsandlivedonwildfowl。When_i_She-who-must-be-
　　obeyed_i_sentordersthatyeweretobesavedaliveshesaidnaughtoftheblackman，therefore，beinghyenas，thesemenlustedafterhisflesh，andthewomanitwas，whomthoudidstrightlyslay，whoputitintotheirevilheartstohot-pothim。Well，theywillhavetheirreward。Betterforthemwoulditbeiftheyhadneverseenthelightthanthattheyshouldstandbefore_i_She_i_inherterribleanger。Happyarethoseofthemwhodiedbyyourhands。”
　　“Ah，“hewenton，“itwasagallantfightthatyefought。Knowestthou，thatthou，long-armedoldbaboonthatthouart，hastcrushedintheribsofthosetwowhoarelaidoutthereasthoughtheywerebutastheshellonanegg？Andtheyoungone，thelion，itwasabeautifulstandthathemade——oneagainstsomany——
　　threedidheslayoutright，andthatonethere“——andhepointedtoabodythatwasstillmovingalittle——
　　“willdieanon，forhisheadiscrackedacross，andothersofthosewhoareboundarehurt。Itwasagallantfight，andthouandhehavemadeafriendofmebyit，forIlovetoseeawell-foughtfray。Buttellme，myson，theBaboon——andnowIthinkofitthyface，too，ishairy，andaltogetherlikeababoon’s——
　　howwasitthatyeslewthosewithaholeinthem？Yemadeanoise，theysay，andslewthem——theyfelldownontheirfacesatthenoise？”
　　IexplainedtohimaswellasIcould，butveryshortly——Iwasterriblywearied，andonlypersuadedtotalkatallthroughofoffendingonesopowerfulifI
　　refusedtodoso——whatwerethepropertiesofgunpowder，andheinstantlysuggestedthatIshouldillustratewhatIsaidbyoperatingonthepersonoftheprisoners。One，hesaid，neverwouldbecounted，anditwouldnotonlyveryinterestingtohim，butwouldgivemeanopportunityofaninstalmentofrevenge。HewasgreatlyastonishedwhenItoldhimthatitwasnotourcustomtoavengeourselvesincoldbloodandthatweleftvengeancetothelawandahigherpower，ofwhichheknewnothing。Iadded，however，thatwhenIrecoveredIwouldtakehimoutshootingwithus，andheshouldkillananimalforhimself，andatthishewasaspleased。asachildatthepromiseofanewtoy。
　　JustthenLeoopenedhiseyesbeneaththestimulusofsomebrandyofwhichwestillhadalittlethatJobhadpoureddownhisthroat，andourconversationcametoanend。
　　AfterthiswemanagedtogetLeo，whowasinaverypoorwayindeed，andonlyhalf-conscious，safelyofftobed，supportedbyJobandthatbravegirlUstane，towhom，hadInotbeenafraidshemightresentit，I
　　wouldcertainlyhavegivenakissforhersplendidbehaviorinsavingmydearboy’slifeattheriskofherown。ButUstanewasnotthesortofyoungpersonwithwhomonewouldcaretotakelibertiesunlessonewereperfectlycertainthattheywouldnotbemisunderstood，soIrepressedmyinclinations。Then，bruisedandbattered，butwithasenseofsafetyinmybreasttowhichIhadforsomedaysbeenastranger，I
　　creptofftomyownlittlesepulchre，notforgettingbeforeIlaiddowninittothankProvidencefromthebottomofmyheartthatitwasnotasepulchreindeed，as，wereitnotforamercifulcombinationofeventsthatIcanonlyattributetoitsprotection，itwouldcertainlyhavebeenformethatnight。Fewmenhavebeennearertheirendandyetescapeditthanwewereonthatdreadfulday。
　　Iamabadsleeperatthebestoftimes，andmydreamsthatnight，whenatlastIgottorest，werenotofthepleasantest。TheawfulvisionofpoorMahomedstrugglingtoescapethered-hotpotwouldhauntthem，andtheninthebackground，asitwere，aveiledformwasalwayshovering，which，fromtimetotime，seemedtodrawthecoveringsfromitsbody，revealingnowtheperfectshapeofalovelybloomingwoman，andnowagainthewhitebonesofagrinningskeleton，andwhich，asitveiledandunveiled，utteredthemysteriousandapparentlymeaninglesssentence：
　　“Thatwhichisalivehathknowndeath，andthatwhichisdeadyetcanneverdie，forintheCircleoftheSpiritlifeisnaughtanddeathisnaught。Yea，allthingsliveforever，thoughattimestheysleepandareforgotten。”
　　Themorningcameatlast，butwhenitcameIfoundthatIwastoostiffandsoretorise。AboutsevenJobarrived，limpingterribly，andwithhisfacethecolorofarottenapple，andtoldmethatLeohadsleptfairly，butwasveryweak。TwohoursafterwardsBillaliJobcalledhim“Billy-goat，“towhichindeedhiswhitebeardgavehimsomeresemblance，ormorefamiliarly“Billy“cametoo，bearingalampinhishand，histoweringformreachingnearlytotheroofofthelittlechamber。Ipretendedtobeasleep，andthroughthecracksofmyeyelidswatchedhissardonicbuthandsomeoldface。Hefixedhishawk-likeeyesuponme，andstrokedhisgloriouswhitebeard，which，bytheway，wouldhavebeenworthahundredayeartoanyLondonbarberasanadvertisement。
　　“Ah！”IheardhimmutterBillalihadahabitofmutteringtohimself，“heisugly——uglyastheotherisbeautiful——averyBaboon;itwasagoodname。ButI
　　liketheman。Strangenow，atmyage，thatIshouldlikeaman。Whatsaystheproverb——’Mistrustallmen，andslayhimwhomthoumistrustestovermuch;andasforwomen，fleefromthem，fortheyareevil，andintheendwilldestroythee。’Itisagoodproverb，especiallythelastpartofit;Ithinkitmusthavecomedownfromtheancients。NeverthelessIlikethisBaboon，andIwonderwheretheytaughthimhistricks，andItrustthat_i_She_i_willnotbewitchhim。
　　PoorBaboon！hemustbeweariedafterthatfight。I
　　willgo，lestIshouldawakehim。”
　　Iwaitedtillhehadturnedandwasnearlythroughtheentrance，walkingsoftlyontiptoe，andthenIcalledafterhim。
　　“Myfather，“Isaid，“isitthou？”
　　“Yes，myson，itisI;butletmenotdisturbthee。I
　　didbutcometoseehowthoudidstfare，andtotelltheethatthosewho，wouldhaveslainthee，myBaboon，arebynowwellontheirroadto_i_She_i_。_i_She_i_saidthatyealsoweretocomeatonce，butIfearyecannotyet。”
　　“Nay，“Isaid，“nottillwehaverecoveredalittle;
　　buthavemeborneoutintothedaylight，Ipraythee，myfather。Ilovenotthisplace。”
　　“Ah，no，“heanswered，“ithathasadair。IrememberwhenIwasaboyIfoundthebodyofafairwomanlyingwherethouliestnow，yes，onthatverybench。
　　ShewassobeautifulthatIwaswonttocreepinhitherwithalampandgazeuponher。Haditnotbeenforhercoldhands，almostcouldIthinkthatshesleptandwouldonedayawake，sofairandpeacefulwassheinherrobesofwhite。Whitewasshe，too，andherhairwasyellowandlaydownheralmosttothefeet。Therearemanysuchstillinthetombsattheplacewhere_i_She_i_isforthosewhosetthemtherehadawayIknownaughtof，wherebytokeeptheirbelovedoutofthecrumblinghandofDecay，evenwhenDeathhadslainthem。Ay，daybydayIcamehither，andgazedonhertillatlast，laughnotatme，stranger，forIwasbutasillylad，Ilearnedtolovethatdeadform，thatshellwhichoncehadheldalifethatnomoreis。Iwouldcreepuptoherandkisshercoldface，andwonderhowmanymenhadlivedanddiedsinceshewas，andwhohadlovedherandembracedherinthedaysthatlonghadpassedaway。And，myBaboon，IthinkIlearnedwisdomfromthatdeadone，forofatruthittaughtmeofthelittlenessoflife，andthelengthofdeath，andhowallthingsthatareunderthesungodownonepath，andareforeverforgotten。AndsoImused，anditseemedtomethatwisdomflowedintomefromthedead，tillonedaymymother，awatchfulwoman，buthastyminded，seeingI
　　waschanged，followedme，andsawthebeautifulwhiteone，andfearedthatIwasbewitched，as，indeed，I
　　was。Sohalfindread，andhalfinanger，shetookthelamp，and，standingthedeadwomanupagainstthewallthere，setfiretoherhair，andsheburnedfiercely，evendowntothefeet，forthosewhoarethuskeptburnexcellentlywell。
　　“See，myson，thereontheroofisyetthesmokeofherburning。”
　　Ilookedupdoubtfully，andthere，sureenough，ontheroofofthesepulchrewasapeculiarlyunctuousandsootymark，threefeetormoreacross。Doubtlessithadinthecourseofyearsbeenrubbedoffthesidesofthelittlecave，butontheroofitremained，andtherewasnomistakingitsappearance。
　　“Sheburned，“hewentoninameditativeway，“eventothefeet，butthefeetIcamebackandsaved，cuttingtheburnedbonefromthem，andhidthemunderthestonebenchthere，wrappedupinapieceoflinen。
　　Surely，Irememberitasthoughitwerebutyesterday。
　　Perchancetheyarethereifnonehavefoundthem，eventothishour。OftruthIhavenotenteredthischamberfromthattimetothisveryday。Stay，Iwilllook，and，kneelingdown，hegropedaboutwithhislongarmintherecessunderthe。stonebench。Presentlyhisfacebrightened，andwithanexclamationhepulledsomethingforththatwascakedindust，whichheshookontothefloor。Itwascoveredwiththeremainsofarottingrag，whichheundid，andrevealedtomyastonishedgazeabeautifullyshapedandalmostwhitewoman’sfoot，lookingasfreshandfirmasthoughithadbutnowbeenplacedthere。
　　“Thouseest，myson，theBaboon，“hesaid，inasadvoice;“Ispakethetruthtothee，forhereisyetonefootremaining。Takeit，myson，andgazeuponit。”
　　Itookthiscoldfragmentof-mortalityinmyhandandlookedatitinthelightofthelampwithfeelingswhichIcannotdescribe，somixedupweretheybetweenastonishment，fear，andfascination。Itwaslight，muchlighterIshouldsaythanithadbeeninthelivingstate，andthefleshtoallappearancewasstillflesh，thoughaboutitthereclungafaintlyaromaticodor。Fortherestitwasnotshrunkorshriveled，orevenblackandunsightly，likethefleshofEgyptianmummies，butplumpandfair，and，exceptwhereithadbeenslightlyburned，perfectasonthedayofdeath——averytriumphofembalming。
　　Poorlittlefoot！Isetitdownuponthestonebenchwhereithadlainforsomanythousandyears，andwonderedwhosewasthebeautythatithadupbornethroughthepompandpageantryofaforgottencivilization——firstasamerrychild’s，thenasablushingmaid’s，andlastlyasaperfectwoman’s。
　　ThroughwhathallsofLifehaditssoftstepechoed，andintheend，withwhatcouragehadittroddendownthedustywaysofDeath！Towhosesidehaditstoleninthehushofnightwhentheblackslavesleptuponthemarblefloor，andwhohadlistenedforitsstealing？Shapelylittlefoot！Wellmightithavebeensetupontheproudneckofaconquerorbentatlasttowoman’sbeauty，andwellmightthelipsofnoblesandofkingshavebeenpresseduponitsjewelledwhiteness。
　　Iwrappedupthisrelicofthepastintheremnantsoftheoldlinenragwhichhadevidentlyformedaportionofitsowner’sgrave-clothes，foritwaspartiallyburned，andputitawayinmyGladstonebag，whichI
　　hadboughtattheArmyandNavyStores——astrangecombination，Ithought。ThenwithBillali’shelpI
　　staggeredofftoseeLeo。Ifoundhimdreadfullybruised，worseeventhanmyself，perhapsowingtotheexcessivewhitenessofhisskin，andfaintandweakwiththelossofbloodfromthefleshwoundinhisside，butforallthatcheerfulasacricket，andaskingforsomebreakfast。JobandUstanegothimontothebottom，orratherthesackingofalitter，whichwasremovedfromitspoleforthatpurpose，andwiththeaidofoldBillalicarriedhimoutintotheshadeatthemouthofthecave，fromwhich，bytheway，everytraceoftheslaughterofthepreviousnighthadnowbeenremoved，andthereweallbreakfasted，andindeedspentthatday，andmostofthetwofollowingones。
　　OnthethirdmorningJobandmyselfwerepracticallyrecovered。LeoalsowassomuchbetterthatIyieldedtoBillali’softenexpressedentreaty，andagreedtostartatonceuponourjourneytoKo^r，whichweweretoldwasthenameoftheplacewherethemysterious_i_She_i_lived，thoughIstillfearedforitseffectsuponLeo，andespeciallylestthemotionshouldcausehiswound，whichwasscarcelyskinnedover，tobreakopenagain。Indeed，haditnotbeenforBillali’sevidentanxietytogetoff，whichledustosuspectthatsomedifficultyordangermightthreatenusifwedidnotcomplywithit，Iwouldnothaveconsentedtogo。
　　CHAPTERX——
　　SPECULATIONS
　　WITHINanhourofourfinallydecidingtostart，fivelitterswerebroughtuptothedoorofthecave，eachaccompaniedbyfourregularbearersandtwosparehands，alsoabandofaboutfiftyarmedAmahagger，whoweretoformtheescortandcarrythebaggage。Threeoftheselitters，ofcourse，wereforus，andoneforBillali，who，Iwasimmenselyrelievedtohear，wastobeourcompanion，whilethefifthIpresumedwasfortheuseofUstane。
　　“Doestheladygowithus，myfather？”IaskedofBillali，ashestoodsuperintendingthingsgenerally。
　　Heshruggedhisshouldersasheanswered，“Ifshewills。Inthiscountrythewomendowhattheyplease。Weworshipthem，andgivethemtheirway，becausewithoutthemtheworldcouldnotgoon;theyarethesourceoflife。”
　　“Ah，“Isaid，thematterneverhavingstruckmequiteinthatlightbefore。
　　“Weworshipthem，“hewenton，“uptoacertainpoint，tillatlasttheygetunbearable，which，“headded，“theydoabouteverysecondgeneration。”
　　“Andthenwhatdoyoudo？”Iasked，withcuriosity。
　　“Then，“heanswered，withafaintsmile，“werise，andkilltheoldonesasanexampletotheyoungones，andtoshowthemthatwearethestrongest。Mypoorwifewaskilledinthatwaythreeyearsago。Itwasverysad，but，totelltheethetruth，myson，lifehasbeenhappiersince，formyageprotectsmefromtheyoungones。”
　　“Inshort，“Ireplied，quotingthesayingofagreatmanwhosewisdomhasnotyetlightenedthedarknessoftheAmahagger，“thouhastfoundthypositiononeofgreaterfreedomandlessresponsibility。”
　　Thisphrasepuzzledhimalittleatfirstfromitsvagueness，thoughIthinkmytranslationhitoffitssenseverywell，butatlasthesawit，andappreciatedit。
　　“Yes，yes，myBaboon，“hesaid，“Iseeitnow，butallthe’responsibilities’arekilled，atleastsomeofthemare，andthatiswhytherearesofewoldwomenaboutjustnow。Well，theybroughtitonthemselves。
　　Asforthisgirl，“hewenton，inagravertone，“I
　　knownotwhattosay。Sheisabravegirl，andshelovestheLionLeo;thousawesthowsheclungtohim，andsavedhislife。Also，sheis，accordingtoourcustom，wedtohim，andhasarighttogowherehegoes，unless，“headded，significantly，“_i_She_i_
　　wouldsayherno，forherwordoverridesallrights。”
　　“Andif_i_She_i_badeherleavehim;andthegirlrefused？Whatthen？”
　　“If，“hesaid，withashrug，“thehurricanebidsthetreetobend，anditwillnot;whathappens？”
　　Andthen，withoutwaitingforananswer，heturnedandwalkedtohislitter，andintenminutesfromthattimewewereallwellunderway。
　　Ittookusanhourandmoretocrossthecupofthevolcanicplain，andanotherhalf-hourorsotoclimbtheedgeonthefartherside。Oncethere，however，theviewwasaveryfineone。Beforeuswasalongsteepslopeofgrassyplain，brokenhereandtherebyclumpsoftreesmostlyofthethorntribe。Atthebottomofthisgentleslope，somenineortenmilesaway，wecouldmakeoutadimseaofmarsh，overwhichthefoulvaporshunglikesmokeaboutacity。Itwaseasygoingforthebearersdowntheslopes，andbymiddaywehadreachedthebordersofthedismalswamp。Herewehaltedtoeatourmiddaymeal，andthen，followingawindinganddeviouspath，plungedintothemorass。
　　Presentlythepath，atanyratetoourunaccustomedeyes，grewsofaintastobealmostindistinguishablefromthosemadebytheaquaticbeastsandbirds，anditistothisdayamysterytomehowourbearersfoundtheirwayacrossthemarshes。Aheadofthecavalcademarchedtwomenwithlongpoles，whichtheynowandagainplungedintothegroundbeforethem，thereasonofthisbeingthatthenatureofthesoilfrequentlychangedfromcauseswithwhichIamnotacquainted，sothatplaceswhichmightbesafeenoughtocrossonemonthwouldcertainlyswallowthewayfarerthenext。NeverdidIseeamoredrearyanddepressingscene。Milesonmilesofquagmire，variedonlybybrightgreenstripsofcomparativelysolidground，andbydeepandsullenpoolsfringedwithtallrushes，inwhichthebitternsboomedandthefrogscroakedincessantly;milesonmilesofitwithoutabreak，unlessthefeverfogcanbecalledabreak。Theonlylifeinthisgreatmorasswasthatoftheaquaticbirds，andtheanimalsthatfedonthem，ofbothofwhichtherewerevastnumbers。Geese，cranes，ducks，teal，coot，snipe，andploverswarmedallaroundus，manybeingofvarietiesthatwerequitenewtome，andallsotamethatonecouldalmosthaveknockedthemoverwithastick。AmongthesebirdsIespeciallynoticedaverybeautifulvarietyofpaintedsnipe，almostthesizeofwoodcock，andwithaflightmoreresemblingthatbird’sthananEnglishsnipe’s。Inthepools，too，wasaspeciesofsmallalligatororenormousiguana，Idonotknowwhich，thatfed，Billalitoldme，uponthewaterfowl;alsolargequantitiesofahideousblackwatersnake，ofwhichthebiteisverydangerous，thoughnot，Igathered，sodeadlyasacobra’sorapuffadder’s。Thebullfrogswerealsoverylarge，andwithvoicesproportionatetotheirsize;andasforthemosquitoes——the“musqueteers，“asJobcalledthem——theywere，ifpossible，evenworsethantheyhadbeenontheriver，andtormentedusgreatly。Undoubtedly，however，theworstfeatureoftheswampwastheawfulsmellofrottingvegetationthathungaboutit，whichwasattimespositivelyoverpowering，andthemalariousexhalationsthataccompaniedit，whichwewereofcourseobligedtobreathe。
　　Onwewentthroughitall，tillatlastthesunsankinsullensplendorjustaswereachedaspotofrisinggroundabouttwoacresinextent——alittleoasisofdryinthemidstofthemirywilderness——whereBillaliannouncedthatweweretocamp。Thecamping，however，turnedouttobeaverysimpleprocess，andconsisted，infact，insittingdownonthegroundroundascantyfiremadeofdryreedsandsomewoodthathadbeenbroughtwithus。However，wemadethebestwecouldofit，andsmokedandatewithsuchappetiteasthesmellofdamp，stiflingheatwouldallow，foritwasveryhotonthislowland，andyet，oddlyenough，chillyattimes。But，howeverhotitwas，weweregladenoughtokeepnearthefire，becausewefoundthatthemosquitoesdidnotlikethesmoke。Presentlywerolledourselvesupinourblanketsandtriedtogotosleep，butsofarasIwasconcernedthebullfrogs，andtheextraordinaryroaringandalarmingsoundproducedbyhundredsofsnipehoveringhighintheair，madesleepanimpossibility，tosaynothingofourotherdiscomforts。IturnedandlookedatLeo，whowasnexttome;hewasdozing，buthisfacehadaflushedappearancethatIdidnotlike，andbytheflickeringfirelightIsawUstane，whowaslyingontheothersideofhim，raiseherselffromtimetotimeuponherelbow，andlookathimanxiouslyenough，However，I
　　coulddonothingforhimforwehadallalreadytakenagooddoseofquinine，whichwastheonlypreventivewehad;soIlayandwatchedthestarscomeoutbythousands，tillalltheimmensearchofheavenwassewnwithglitteringpoints，andeverypointaworld！
　　Herewasaglorioussightbywhichmanmightwellmeasurehisowninsignificance！SoonIgaveupthinkingaboutit，forthemindwearieseasilywhenitstrivestograpplewiththeInfinite，andtotracethefootstepsoftheAlmightyashestridesfromspheretosphere，ordeducehispurposefromhisworks。Suchthingsarenotforustoknow。Knowledgeistothestrong，andweareweak。Toomuchwisdomwouldperchanceblindourimperfectsight，andtoomuchstrengthwouldmakeusdrunk，andoverweightourfeeblereasontillitfell，andweweredrownedinthedepthsofourownvanity。Forwhatisthefirstresultofman’sincreasedknowledgeinterpretedfromNature’sbookbythepersistenteffortofhispurblindobservation？IsitnotbuttoooftentomakehimquestiontheexistenceofhisMaker，orindeedofanyintelligentpurposebeyondhisown？Thetruthisveiled，becausewecouldnomorelookuponherglorythanwecanuponthesun。Itwoulddestroyus。Fullknowledgeisnotformanasmanishere，forhiscapacities，whichheisapttothinksogreat，areindeedbutsmall。Thevesselissoonfilled，and，wereonethousandthpartoftheunutterableandsilentwisdomthatdirectstherollingofthoseshiningspheres，andtheforcewhichmakesthemroll，pressedintoit，itwouldbeshatteredintofragments。Perhapsinsomeotherplaceandtimeitmaybeotherwise，whocantell？Herethelotofmanbornofthefleshisbuttoenduremidsttoilandtribulation，tocatchatthebubblesblownbyFate，whichhecallspleasures，thankfulifbeforetheybursttheyrestamomentinhishand，andwhenthetragedyisplayedout，andhishourcomestoperish，topasshumblywhitherheknowsnot。
　　Aboveme，asIlay，shonetheeternalstars，andthereatmyfeettheimpishmarsh-bornballsoffirerolledthiswayandthat，vapor-tossedandearth-desiring，andmethoughtthatinthetwoIsawatypeandimageofwhatmanis，andwhatperchancemanmayonedaybe，ifthelivingForcewhoordainedhimandthemshouldsoordainthisalso。Oh，thatitmightbeourstorestyearbyyearuponthathighlevelofthehearttowhichattimeswemomentarilyattain！Oh，thatwecouldshakeloosetheprisonedpinionsofthesoulandsoartothatsuperiorpoint，whence，liketosometravellerlookingoutthroughspacefromDarien’sgiddiestpeak，wemightgazewiththespiritualeyesofnoblethoughtsdeepintoInfinity！
　　Whatwoulditbetocastoffthisearthyrobe，tohavedoneforeverwiththeseearthythoughtsandmiserabledesires;nolonger，likethosecorpsecandles，tobetossedthiswayandthat，byforcesbeyondourcontrol;orwhich，ifwecantheoreticallycontrolthem，weareattimesdrivenbytheexigenciesofournaturetoobey！Yes，tocastthemoff，tohavedonewiththefoulandthornyplacesoftheworld;and，liketothoseglitteringpointsaboveme，torestonhighwrappedforeverinthebrightnessofourbetterselves，thatevennowshinesinusasfirefaintlyshineswithinthoseluridballs，andlaydownourlittlenessinthatwidegloryofourdreams，thatinvisiblebutsurroundinggood，fromwhichalltruthandbeautycomes！
　　Theseandmanysuchthoughtspassedthroughmymindthatnight。Theycometotormentusallattimes。I
　　saytotorment，for，alas！thinkingcanonlyservetomeasureoutthehelplessnessofthought。Whatistheuseofourfeeblecryingintheawfulsilencesofspace！Canourdimintelligencereadthesecretsofthatstar-strewnsky？Doesanyanswercomeoutofit？
　　Neveranyatall，nothingbutechoesandfantasticvisions。Andyetwebelievethatthereisananswer，andthatuponatimeanewDawnwillcomeblushingdownthewaysofourenduringnight。Webelieveit，foritsreflectedbeautyevennowshinesupcontinuallyinourheartsfrombeneaththehorizonofthegrave，andwecallitHope。WithoutHopeweshouldsuffermoraldeath，andbythehelpofHopeweyetmayclimbtoheaven，orattheworst，ifshealsoprovebutakindlymockerygiventoholdusfromdespair，begentlyloweredintotheabyssesofeternalsleep。
　　ThenIfelltoreflectingupontheundertakingonwhichwewerebent，andwhatawildoneitwas，andyethowstrangelythestoryseemedtofitinwithwhathadbeenwrittencenturiesagouponthesherd。Whowasthisextraordinarywoman，queenoverapeopleapparentlyasextraordinaryasherself，andreigningamidstthevestigesofalostcivilization？AndwhatwasthemeaningofthisstoryoftheFirethatgaveunendinglife？Coulditbepossiblethatanyfluidoressenceshouldexistwhichmightsofortifythesefleshywallsthattheyshouldfromagetoageresisttheminesandbatteringsofdecay？Itwaspossible，thoughnotprobable。Theindefinitecontinuationoflifewouldnot，aspoorVinceysaid，besomarvellousathingastheproductionoflifeanditstemporaryendurance。Andifitweretrue，whatthen？Thepersonwhofounditcouldnodoubtruletheworld。Hecouldaccumulateallthewealthintheworld，andallthepower，andallthewisdomthatispower。Hemightgivealifetimetothestudyofeachartorscience。Well，ifthatwereso，andthis_i_She_i_werepracticallyimmortal，whichIdidnotforonemomentbelieve，howwasitthat，withallthesethingsatherfeet，shepreferredtoremaininacaveamongasocietyofcannibals？Thissurelysettledthequestion。Thewholestorywasmonstrous，andonlyworthyofthesuperstitiousdaysinwhichitwaswritten。AtanyrateIwasverysurethatIwouldnotattempttoattainunendinglife。Ihadhadfartoomanyworriesanddisappointmentsandsecretbitternessesduringmyfortyoddyearsofexistencetowishthatthisstateofaffairsshouldbecontinuedindefinitely。AndyetI
　　supposethatmylifehasbeen，comparativelyspeaking，ahappyone。
　　Andthen，reflectingthatatthepresentmomenttherewasfarmorelikelihoodofourearthlycareersbeingcutexceedinglyshortthanoftheirbeingundulyprolonged，Iatlastmanagedtogettosleep，afactforwhichanybodywhoreadsthisnarrative，ifanybodyeverdoes，mayveryprobablybethankful。
　　WhenIwokeagainitwasjustdawning，andtheguardandbearersweremovingaboutlikeghoststhroughthedensemorningmists，gettingreadyforourstart。Thefirehaddiedquitedown，andIroseandstretchedmyself，shiveringineverylimbfromthedampcoldofthedawn。ThenIlookedatLeo。Hewassittingup，holdinghishandstohishead，andIsawthathisfacewasflushedandhiseyebright，andyetyellowroundthepupil。