ItwasnotuntilthethirdmorningthatBenitawasallowedtolearnthetruth，whichindeeditwasimpossibletoconcealanylonger。Mr。
Thompsoncametohercabinandtoldhereverything，whileshelistenedsilently，horrified，amazed。”MissClifford，”hesaid，”Ithinkitwasoneofthebravestthingsthatamaneverdid。OntheshipIalwaysthoughthimratherahead-
in-airkindofswell，buthewasasplendidfellow，andIprayGodthathehaslived，astheladyandchildforwhomheofferedhimselfuphavedone，fortheyarebothwellagain。””Yes，”sherepeatedafterhimmechanically，”splendidfellowindeed，and，”sheadded，withastrangeflashofconviction，”Ibelievethathe/is/stillalive。IfheweredeadIshouldknowit。””Iamgladtohearyousayso，”saidMr。Thompson，whobelievedtheexactcontrary。”Listen，”shewenton。”Iwilltellyousomething。WhenthatdreadfulaccidentoccurredMr。Seymourhadjustaskedmetomarryhim，andI
wasgoingtoanswerthatIwould——becauseIlovehim。IbelievethatI
shallstillgivehimthatanswer。”
Mr。Thompsonrepliedagainthathehopedso，which，beingashonestandtender-heartedashewasbraveandcapable，hedidmostearnestly；
butinhishearthereflectedthatheranswerwouldnotbegiventhissideofthegrave。Then，ashehadbeendeputedtodo，hehandedherthenotewhichhadbeenfoundinthebosomofherdress，and，abletobearnomoreofthispainfulscene，hurriedfromthecabin。Shereaditgreedilytwice，andpressedittoherlips，murmuring:”Yes，Iwillthinkkindlyofyou，RobertSeymour，kindlyaswomancanofman，andnoworafterwardsyoushallhaveyouranswer，ifyoustillwishforit。WheneveryoucomeorwhereverIgo，itshallbereadyforyou。”
Thatafternoon，whenshewasmorecomposed，Mrs。JeffreyscametoseeBenita，bringingherbabywithher。Thepoorwomanwasstillpaleandshaken，butthechildhadtakennohurtatallfromitsimmersioninthatwarmwater。”Whatcanyouthinkofme？”shesaid，fallingonherkneesbyBenita。”Butoh！IdidnotknowwhatIwasdoing。Itwasterrorandmychild，”
andshekissedthesleepinginfantpassionately。”AlsoIdidnotunderstandatthetime——Iwastoodazed。And——thathero——hegavehislifeformewhentheotherswishedtobeatmeoffwithoars。Yes，hisbloodisuponmyhands——hewhodiedthatIandmychildmightlive。”
Benitalookedatherandanswered，verygently:”Perhapshedidnotdieafterall。Donotgrieve，forifhediditwasaverygloriousdeath，andIamprouderofhimthanIcouldhavebeenhadhelivedonliketheothers——whowishedtobeatyouoffwithoars。
Whateveris，isbyGod’sWill，anddoubtlessforthebest。Attheleast，youandyourchildwillberestoredtoyourhusband，thoughitcostmeonewhowouldhavebeen——myhusband。”
ThateveningBenitacameuponthedeckandspokewiththeotherladieswhoweresaved，learningeverydetailthatshecouldgather。Buttononeofthemen，excepttoMr。Thompson，wouldshesayasingleword，andsoon，seeinghowthematterstood，theyhidthemselvesawayfromherastheyhadalreadydonefromMrs。Jeffreys。
The/Castle/hadhungaboutthesceneoftheshipwreckforthirtyhours，andrescuedoneotherboatloadofsurvivors，alsoastokerclingingtoapieceofwreckage。Butwiththeshoreshehadbeenunabletocommunicate，forthedreadedwindhadrisen，andthebreakerswerequiteimpassabletoanyboat。ToapassingsteamerboundforPortElizabeth，however，shehadreportedtheterribledisaster，whichbynowwasknownallovertheworld，togetherwiththenamesofthosewhomshehadpickedupintheboats。
OnthenightofthedayofBenita’sinterviewwithMrs。Jeffreys，the/Castle/arrivedoffDurbanandanchored，sinceshewastoobigavesseltocrossthebarasitwasinthosedays。AtdawnthestewardessawokeBenitafromtheuneasysleepinwhichshelay，totellherthatanoldgentlemanhadcomeoffinthetugandwishedtoseeher；forfearofexcitingfalsehopesshewasverycarefultoaddthatword”old。”WithherhelpBenitadressedherself，andasthesunrose，floodingtheBerea，thePoint，thewhitetownandfairNatalbeyondwithlight，shewentontothedeck，andthere，leaningoverthebulwark，sawathin，grey-beardedmanofwhomafteralltheseyearstheaspectwasstillfamiliar。
Acuriousthrillwentthroughherasshelookedathimleaningtherelostinthought。Afterall，hewasherfather，themantowhomsheowedherpresenceuponthisbitterearth，thisplaceofterrorsanddelights，ofdevastationandhopesupernal。Perhaps，too，hehadbeenasmuchsinnedagainstassinning。Shesteppeduptohimandtouchedhimontheshoulder。”Father，”shesaid。
Heturnedroundwithallthequicknessofayoungman，forabouthimtherewasapeculiaragilitywhichhisdaughterhadinherited。Likehismind，hisbodywasstillnimble。”Mydarling，”hesaid，”Ishouldhaveknownyourvoiceanywhere。Ithashauntedmysleepforyears。Mydarling，thankyouforcomingbacktome，andthankGodforpreservingyouwhensomanywerelost。”Thenhethrewhisarmsaboutherandkissedher。
Sheshrankfromhimalittle，forbyinadvertencehehadpresseduponthewoundinherforehead。”Forgiveme，”shesaid；”itismyhead。Itwasinjured，youknow。”
Thenhesawthebandageaboutherbrow，andwasverypenitent。”Theydidnottellmethatyouhadbeenhurt，Benita，”heexclaimedinhislight，refinedvoice，oneofthestampsofthatgentilityofbloodandbreedingwhereofallhisroughyearsanderrorshadbeenunabletodeprivehim。”Theyonlytoldmethatyouweresaved。Itispartofmyill-fortunethatatourfirstmomentofgreetingIshouldgiveyoupain，whohavecausedyousomuchalready。”
Benitafeltthatthewordswereanapologyforthepast，andherheartwastouched。”Itisnothing，”sheanswered。”Youdidnotknowormeanit。””No，dear，Ineverknewormeantit。Believeme，Iwasnotawillingsinner，onlyaweakone。Youarebeautiful，Benita——farmoresothanI
expected。””What，”sheansweredsmiling，”withthisbandageroundmyhead？Well，inyoureyes，perhaps。”Butinwardlyshethoughttoherselfthatthedescriptionwouldbemoreapplicabletoherfather，whointruth，notwithstandinghisyears，waswonderfullyhandsome，withhisquickblueeyes，mobileface，gentlemouthwiththewistfuldroopatthecornerssolikeherown，andgreybeard。How，shewondered，couldthisbethemanwhohadstruckhermother。Thensherememberedhimashehadbeenyearsbeforewhenhewasaslavetoliquor，andknewthattheanswerwassimple。”Tellmeaboutyourescape，love，”hesaid，pattingherhandwithhisthinfingers。”Youdon’tknowwhatI’vesuffered。IwaswaitingattheRoyalHotelhere，whenthecablecameannouncingthelossofthe/Zanzibar/andallonboard。ForthefirsttimeformanyayearI
drankspiritstodrownmygrief——don’tbeafraid，dear——forthefirsttimeandthelast。Thenafterwardscameanothercablegivingthenamesofthosewhowereknowntobesaved，and——thankGod，oh！thankGod——
yoursamongthem，”andhegaspedattherecollectionofthatrelief。”Yes，”shesaid；”IsupposeIshouldthank——Him——andanother。Haveyouheardthestoryabout——howMr。Seymoursavedme，Imean？””Someofit。Whileyouweredressingyourself，Ihavebeentalkingtotheofficerwhowasincommandofyourboat。Hewasabraveman，Benita，andIamsorrytotellyouheisgone。”
Shegraspedastanchionandclungthere，staringathimwithawild，whiteface。”Howdoyouknowthat，Father？”
Mr。Clifforddrewacopyofthe/NatalMercury/ofthepreviousdayfromthepocketofhisulster，andwhileshewaitedinanagonyhehuntedthroughthelongcolumnsdescriptiveofthelossofthe/Zanzibar/。Presentlyhecametotheparagraphhesought，andreaditaloudtoher。Itran:”ThesearchersonthecoastoppositethesceneoftheshipwreckreportthattheymetaKaffirwhowastravellingalongtheseashore，whoproducedagoldwatchwhichhesaidhehadtakenfromthebodyofawhitemanthathefoundlyingonthesandatthemouthoftheUmvoliRiver。Insidethewatchisengraved，’ToSeymourRobertSeymour，fromhisuncle，onhistwenty-firstbirthday。’ThenameofMr。Seymourappearsasafirst-classpassengertoDurbanbythe/Zanzibar/。HewasamemberofanoldEnglishfamilyinLincolnshire。ThiswashissecondjourneytoSouthAfrica，whichhevisitedsomeyearsagowithhisbrotheronabig-gameshootingexpedition。Allwhoknewhimthenwilljoinwithusindeploringhisloss。Mr。SeymourwasanotedshotandanEnglishgentlemanofthebeststamp。Hewaslastseenbyoneofthesurvivorsofthecatastrophe，carryingMissClifford，thedaughterofthewell-knownNatalpioneerofthatname，intoaboat，butasthisyoungladyisreportedtohavebeensaved，andasheenteredtheboatwithher，noexplanationisyetforthcomingastohowhecametohissadend。””Ifearthatisclearenough，”saidMr。Clifford，ashefoldeduphispaper。”Yes，clearenough，”sherepeatedinastrainedvoice。”Andyet——yet——
oh！Father，hehadjustaskedmetomarryhim，andIcan’tbelievethatheisdeadbeforeIhadtimetoanswer。””GoodHeavens！”saidtheoldman，”theynevertoldmethat。Itisdreadfullysad。Godhelpyou，mypoorchild！Thereisnothingmoretosayexceptthathewasonlyoneamongthreehundredwhohavegonewithhim。Bebravenow，beforeallthesepeople。Look——herecomesthetug。”
ThefollowingweekwasverymuchofablanktoBenita。Whentheyreachedshoresomeoldfriendsofherfather’stookherandhimtotheirhouse，aquietplaceupontheBerea。Here，nowthatthefirstexcitementofrescueandgriefwasover，theinevitablereactionsetin，bringingwithitweaknesssodistressingthatthedoctorinsisteduponhergoingtobed，wheresheremainedforthenextfivedays。Withthehealingupofthewoundinherheadherstrengthcamebacktoheratlast，butitwasaverysadBenitawhocreptfromherroomoneafternoonontotheverandahandlookedoutatthecruelsea，peacefulnowastheskyabove。
Herfather，whohadnursedhertenderlyduringthesedarkdays，cameandsatbyher，takingherhandinhis。”Thisiscapital，”hesaid，glancingatheranxiously。”Youaregettingquiteyourselfagain。””Ishallneverbemyselfagain，”sheanswered。”Myoldselfisdead，althoughtheoutsideofmehasrecovered。Father，Isupposethatitiswrong，butIwishthatIweredeadtoo。Iwishthathehadtakenmewithhimwhenhejumpedintotheseatolightentheboat。””Don’tspeaklikethat，”hebrokeinhastily。”OfcourseIknowthatI
amnotmuchtoyou——howcanIbeafterallthatispast？ButIloveyou，dear，andifIwereleftquitealoneagain——”Andhebrokeoff。”YoushallnotbeleftaloneifIcanhelpit，”shereplied，lookingattheoldmanwithherdarkandtendereyes。”Wehaveonlyeachotherintheworldnow，havewe？Theresthavegone，nevertoreturn。”
Hethrewhisarmsabouther，and，drawinghertohim，kissedherpassionately。”Ifonlyyoucouldlearntoloveme！”hesaid。”Idoloveyou，”sheanswered，”whonowshallneverloveanyothermanupontheearth。”
ThiswasthebeginningofadeepaffectionwhichsprangupbetweenMr。
Cliffordandhisdaughter，andcontinuedtotheend。”Isthereanynews？”sheaskedalittlelater。”None——noneabouthim。Thetidetookhisbodyaway，nodoubt，aftertheKaffirhadgone。Irememberhimwellnow。Hewasafineyoungman，anditcomesintomymindthatwhenIsaidgood-byetohimabovethoseoldruins，IwishedthatIhadasonlikethat。Andtothinkthathewentsoneartobecomingasontome！Well，thegrassmustbendwhenthewindblows，asthenativessay。””Iamgladthatyouknewhim，”sheansweredsimply。
Thentheybegantalkingaboutothermatters。Hetoldherthatallthestoryhadbecomeknown，andthatpeoplespokeofRobertSeymouras”thehero”；alsothattherewasagreatdealofcuriosityabouther。”Thenletusgetawayassoonaswecan，”shesaidnervously。”But，Father，wherearewegoing？””Thatwillbeforyoutodecide，love。Listen，now；thisismyposition。Ihavebeenquitesteadyforyears，andworkedhard，withtheresultthatIandmypartnerhaveafinefarmintheTransvaal，onthehighlandnearLakeChrissie，outWakkerstroomway。Webreedhorsesthere，andhavedoneverywellwiththem。Ihave￡1，500saved，andthefarmbringsusinquite￡600ayearbeyondtheexpenses。Butitisalonelyplace，withonlyafewBoersabout，althoughtheyaregoodfellowsenough。Youmightnotcaretolivetherewithnocompany。””Idon’tthinkthatIshouldmind，”sheanswered，smiling。”Notnow，butby-and-byyouwouldwhenyouknowwhatitislike。NowI
mightsellmyshareinthefarmtomypartner，who，Ithink，wouldbuyit，orImighttrusttohimtosendmeapartoftheprofits，whichperhapshewouldnot。Then，ifyouwishit，wecouldliveinornearoneofthetowns，oreven，asyouhaveanincomeofyourown，gohometoEngland，ifthatisyourwill。””Isityourwill？”sheasked。
Heshookhishead。”No；allmylifeishere。Also，IhavesomethingtofindbeforeIdie——foryoursake，dear。””Doyoumeanupamongthoseruins？”sheasked，lookingathimcuriously。”Yes。Soyouknowaboutit？”heanswered，withaflashofhisblueeyes。”Oh！ofcourse，Seymourtoldyou。Yes，Imeanamongtheruins——
butIwilltellyouthatstoryanothertime——nothere，nothere。Whatdoyouwishtodo，Benita？Remember，Iaminyourhands；Iwillobeyyouinallthings。””NottostopinatownandnottogotoEngland，”shereplied，whilehehungeagerlyuponherwords，”forthishasbecomemyholyland。
Father，Iwillgowithyoutoyourfarm；thereIcanbequiet，youandItogether。””Yes，”heansweredratheruneasily；”but，yousee，Benita，weshallnotbequitealonethere。Mypartner，JacobMeyer，liveswithme。””JacobMeyer？Ah！Iremember，”andshewinced。”HeisaGerman，ishenot——andodd？””GermanJew，Iimagine，andveryodd。Shouldhavemadehisfortuneadozentimesover，andyethasneverdoneanything。Toounpractical，toovisionary，withallhisbrainsandscheming。Notagoodman，Benita，althoughhesuitsme，and，forthematterofthat，underouragreementIcannotgetridofhim。””Howdidhebecomeyourpartner？”sheasked。”Oh！agoodmanyyearsagoheturnedupattheplacewithadolefulstory。SaidthathehadbeentradingamongtheZulus；hewaswhatwecalla’smouse’outhere，andgotintoarowwiththem，Idon’tknowhow。Theendofitwasthattheyburnedhiswaggon，lootedhistrade-
goodsandoxen，andkilledhisservants。Theywouldhavekilledhimtoo，only，accordingtohisownaccount，heescapedinaveryqueerfashion。””How？””Well，hesaysbymesmerisingthechiefandmakingthemanleadhimthroughhisfollowers。Anoddstoryenough，butIcanquitebelieveitofJacob。Heworkedformeforsixmonths，andshowedhimselfveryclever。Thenonenight，IrememberitwasafewdaysafterIhadtoldhimofthestoryofthePortuguesetreasureinMatabeleland，heproduced￡500inBankofEnglandnotesoutoftheliningofhiswaistcoat，andofferedtobuyahalfinterestinthefarm。Yes，￡500！
AlthoughforallthosemonthsIhadbelievedhimtobeabeggar。Well，ashewasso/slim/，andbetterthannocompanyinthatlonelyplace，intheendIaccepted。Wehavedonewellsince，exceptfortheexpeditionafterthetreasurewhichwedidnotget，althoughwemorethanpaidourexpensesoutoftheivorywebought。Butnexttimeweshallsucceed，Iamsure，”headdedwithenthusiasm，”thatis，ifwecanpersuadethoseMakalangatoletussearchonthemountain。”
Benitasmiled。”Ithinkyouhadbettersticktothehorsebreeding，”shesaid。”Youshalljudgewhenyouhearthestory。ButyouhavebeenbroughtupinEngland；willyounotbeafraidtogotoLakeChrissie？””Afraidofwhat？”sheasked。”Oh！oftheloneliness，andofJacobMeyer。””Iwasbornontheveld，Father，andIhavealwayshatedLondon。Asforyouroddfriend，Mr。Meyer，Iamnotafraidofanymanonearth。I
havedonewithmen。AttheleastIwilltrytheplaceandseehowI
geton。””Verywell，”answeredherfatherwithasighofrelief。”Youcanalwayscomeback，can’tyou？””Yes，”shesaidindifferently。”IsupposethatIcanalwayscomeback。”
V
JACOBMEYER
MorethanthreeweekshadgonebywhenonemorningBenita，whosleptuponthecartelorhide-strungbedinthewaggon，havingdressedherselfasbestshecouldinthatconfinedplace，thrustasidethecurtainandseatedherselfuponthevoorkisse，ordriving-box。Thesunwasnotyetup，andtheairwascoldwithfrost，fortheywereontheTransvaalhigh-veldattheendofwinter。EventhroughherthickcloakBenitashiveredandcalledtothedriverofthewaggon，whoalsoactedascook，andwhoseblanket-drapedformshecouldseebendingoverafireintowhichhewasblowinglife，tomakehastewiththecoffee。”Byandby，Missie——byandby，”heanswered，coughingtheranksmokefromhislungs。”Kettlenosingyet，andfireblackashell。”
Benitareflectedthatpopularreportpaintedthislocalityred，butwithoutenteringintoargumentsatstilluponthechestwaitingtillthewaterboiledandherfatherappeared。
Presentlyheemergedfromunderthesideflapofthewaggonwhereheslept，andremarkingthatitwasreallytoocoldtothinkofwashing，climbedtohersidebyhelpofthedisselboom，andkissedher。”HowfararewenowfromRooiKrantz，Father？”sheasked，forthatwasthenameofMr。Clifford’sfarm。”Aboutfortymiles，dear。Thewaggoncannotmakeitto-nightwiththesetwosickoxen，butafterthemiddayoutspanwewillrideon，andbetherebysundown。Iamafraidyouaretiredofthistrekking。””No，”sheanswered。”Ilikeitverymuch；itissorestful，andI
sleepsounduponthatcartel。IfeelasthoughIshouldliketotrekonfortherestofmylife。””Soyoushallifyouwish，dear，forwholemonths。SouthAfricaisbig，andwhenthegrassgrows，ifyoustillwishit，wewilltakealongjourney。”
Shesmiled，butmadenoanswer，knowingthathewasthinkingoftheplacesofarawaywherehebelievedthatoncethePortuguesehadburiedgold。
Thekettlewassingingnowmerrilyenough，andHans，thecook，liftingitfromthefireintriumph——forhisblowingexertionshadbeensevere——pouredintoitaquantityofgroundcoffeefromanoldmustardtin。Then，havingstirredthemixturewithastick，hetookaredemberfromthefireanddroppeditintothekettle，aprocesswhich，astravellersintheveldknowwell，hasaclearingeffectuponthecoffee。Nextheproducedpannikins，andhandedthemupwithapicklejarfullofsugartoMr。Clifford，uponthewaggonchest。Milktheyhadnone，yetthatcoffeetastedagreatdealbetterthanitlooked；
indeed，Benitadranktwocupsofittowarmherselfandwashdownthehardbiscuit。Beforethedaywasovergladenoughwasshethatshehaddoneso。
Thesunwasrising；hugeandreditlookedseenthroughtheclingingmist，and，theirbreakfastfinished，Mr。Cliffordgaveordersthattheoxen，whichwerefillingthemselveswiththedrygrassnearathand，shouldbegotupandinspanned。Thevoorlooper，aZuluboy，whohadleftthemforalittlewhiletosharetherestofthecoffeewithHans，rosefromhishauncheswithagrunt，anddepartedtofetchthem。
AminuteortwolaterHansceasedfromhisoccupationofpackingupthethings，andsaidinalowvoice:”/Kek！/Baas”——thatis”Look！”
Followingthelineofhisoutstretchedhand，Benitaandherfatherperceived，notmorethanahundredyardsawayfromthem，agreattroopofwilderbeeste，orgnu，travellingalongaridge，andpausingnowandagaintoindulgeinthoseextraordinarygambolswhichcausetheBoerstodeclarethatthesebruteshaveawormintheirbrains。”Givememyrifle，Hans，”saidMr。Clifford。”Wewantmeat。”
BythetimethattheWestley-Richardswasdrawnfromitscaseandloaded，onlyonebuckremained，for，havingcaughtsightofthewaggon，itturnedtostareatitsuspiciously。Mr。Cliffordaimedandfired。Downwentthebuck，thenspringingtoitsfeetagain，vanishedbehindtheridge。Mr。Cliffordshookhisheadsadly。”Idon’toftendothatsortofthing，mydear，butthelightisstillverybad。Still，he’shit。Whatdoyousay？Shallwegetonthehorsesandcatchhim？Acanterwouldwarmyou。”
Benita，whowastender-hearted，reflectedthatitwouldbekindertoputthepoorcreatureoutofitspain，andnoddedherhead。Fiveminuteslatertheywerecanteringtogetheruptherise，Mr。Cliffordhavingfirstorderedthewaggontotrekontilltheyrejoinedit，andslippedapacketofcartridgesintohispocket。Beyondtheriselayawidestretchofmarshyground，borderedbyanotherrisehalfamileormoreaway，fromthecrestofwhich——fornowtheairwasclearenough——
theysawthewoundedbullstanding。Ontheywentafterhim，butbeforetheycouldcomewithinshot，hehadmovedforwardoncemore，forhewasonlylightlyhurtintheflank，andguessedwhencehistroublecame。
Againandagaindidheretreatastheydrewnear，untilatlength，justasMr。Cliffordwasabouttodismounttoriskalongshot，thebeasttooktoitsheelsinearnest。”Comeon，”hesaid；”don’tlet’sbebeat，”forbythistimethehunterwasaliveinhim。
Soofftheywentatagallop，upslopesanddownslopesthatremindedBenitaoftheBayofBiscayinastorm，acrosshalf-driedvleisthatinthewetseasonwereponds，throughstonygroundandpatchesofant-
bearholesinwhichtheynearlycametogrief。Forfivemilesatleastthechasewenton，sinceattheendofwinterthewilderbeestewasthinandcouldgallopwell，notwithstandingitsinjury，fastereventhantheirgoodhorses。Atlast，risingaridge，theyfoundwhitheritwasgoing，forsuddenlytheywereinthemidstofvastherdsofgame，thousandsandtensofthousandsofthemstretchingasfarastheeyecouldreach。
Itwasawondroussightthatnow，alas！willbeseennomore——atanyrateupontheTransvaalveld；wilderbeeste，blesbok，springbok，incountlessmultitudes，andamongstthemafewquaggaandhartebeeste。
Withasoundlikethatofthunder，theirflashingmyriadhoofscastingupcloudsofdustfromthefire-blackenedveld，thegreatherdsseparatedattheappearanceoftheirenemy，man。Thiswayandthattheywentingroupsandlongbrownlines，leavingthewoundedandexhaustedwilderbeestebehindthem，sothatpresentlyhewasthesoletenantofthatgreatcupofland。
AthimtheyrodetillMr。Clifford，whowasalittleaheadofhisdaughter，drewalmostalongside。Thenthepoormaddenedbrutetrieditslastshift。Stoppingsuddenly，itwheeledroundandchargedheaddown。Mr。Clifford，asitcame，heldouthisrifleinhisrighthandandfiredatahazard。Thebulletpassedthroughthebull，butcouldnotstopitscharge。Itshorns，heldlow，strucktheforelegsofthehorse，andnextinstanthorse，man，andwilderbeesterolledontheveldtogether。
Benita，whowasfiftyyardsbehind，utteredalittlecryoffear，butbeforeevershereachedhim，herfatherhadrisenlaughing，forhewasquiteunhurt。Thehorse，too，wasgettingup，butthebullcouldrisenomore。Itstruggledtoitsforefeet，utteredakindofsobbinggroan，staredroundwildly，androlledover，dead。”Ineverknewawilderbeestechargelikethatbefore，”saidMr。
Clifford。”Confoundit！Ibelievemyhorseislamed。”
Lameditwas，indeed，wherethebullhadstrucktheforeleg，though，asitchanced，notbadly。Havingtiedahandkerchieftothehornofthebuckinordertoscareawaythevultures，andthrownsometuftsofdrygrassuponitsbody，whichheproposed，ifpossible，tofetchorsendfor，Mr。Cliffordmountedhislamehorseandheadedforthewaggon。Buttheyhadgallopedfartherthantheythought，anditwasmiddaybeforetheycametowhattheytooktobetheroad。Astherewasnospooruponit，theyfollowedthistrackbackwards，expectingtofindthewaggonoutspanned，butalthoughtheyrodeformileuponmile，nowaggoncouldtheysee。Then，realizingtheirmistake，theyretracedtheirsteps，andleavingthispathatthespotwheretheyhadfoundit，struckoffagaintotheright。
Meanwhile，theskywasdarkening，andataboutthreeo’clockintheafternoonathunderstormbrokeoverthemaccompaniedbytorrentsoficyrain，thefirstfallofthespring，andabitterwindwhichchilledthemthrough。More，aftertheheavyraincamedrizzleandathickmistthatdeepenedaseveningapproached。
Nowtheirplightwasverywretched。Lost，starved，soakedtotheskin，withtiredhorsesoneofwhichwaslame，theywanderedaboutonthelonelyveld。Onlyonestrokeoffortunecametothem。Asthesunset，forafewmomentsitsrayspiercedthemist，tellingtheminwhatdirectiontheyshouldgo。Turningtheirhorses，theyheadedforit，andsorodeonuntilthedarknessfell。Thentheyhaltedawhile，butfeelingthatiftheystoodstillinthathorriblecoldtheywouldcertainlyperishbeforemorning，oncemorepushedonagain。BynowMr。
Clifford’shorsewasalmosttoolametoride，soheledit，walkingathisdaughter’sside，andreproachinghimselfbitterlyforhisfoolishnessinhavingbroughtherintothistrouble。”Itdoesn’tmatter，Father，”sheansweredwearily，forshewasverytired。”Nothingmatters；onemayaswelldieupontheveldasintheseaoranywhereelse。”
Ontheyplodded，theyknewnotwhither。Benitafellasleepuponhersaddle，andwasawakenedoncebyahyenahowlingquiteclosetothem，andoncebyherhorsefallingtoitsknees。”Whatisthetime？”shesaidatlast。
Herfatherstruckamatchandlookedathiswatch。Itwasteno’clock；
theyhadbeenfifteenhoursawayfromthewaggonandwithoutfood。AtintervalsMr。Clifford，whohadremounted，firedhisrifle。Nowtherewasbutonecartridgeleft，andhavingcaughtsightofhisdaughter’sexhaustedfacebythelightofthematch，hefiredthisalso，thoughinthatdesperatewildernesstherewaslittlehopeofitsbringingsuccour。”Shallwestoporgoon？”heasked。”Idonotcare，”sheanswered。”OnlyifIstopIthinkitwillbeforever。Letusgoon。”
Nowtherainhadceased，butthemistwasasdenseasbefore。Alsotheyseemedtohavegotamongbush，forwetleavesbrushedtheirfaces。Utterlyexhaustedtheystumbledforward，tillsuddenlyBenitafeltherhorsestopasthoughahandhadseizeditsbridle，andheardaman’svoice，speakingwithaforeignaccent，say:”MeinGott！Whereareyougoing？””IwishIknew，”sheanswered，likeoneinadream。
Atthisinstantthemoonroseabovethemists，andBenitasawJacobMeyerforthefirsttime。
Inthatlighthisappearancewasnotunpleasing。Amanofaboutfortyyearsofage，notovertall，slightandactiveinbuild，withapointedblackbeard，regular，Semiticfeatures，acomplexionofanivorypallorwhicheventheAfricansundidnotseemtotan，anddark，lustrouseyesthatappeared，nowtosleep，andnowtocatchthefireofthethoughtswithin。Yet，wearythoughshewas，therewassomethingintheman’spersonalitywhichrepelledandalarmedBenita，somethingwildandcruel。Shefeltthathewasfilledwithunsatisfiedambitionsanddesires，andthattoattaintothemhewouldshrinkatnothing。Inamomenthewasspeakingagainintonesthatcompelledherattention。”Itwasagoodthoughtthatbroughtmeheretolookforyou。No；notathought——whatdoyoucallit？——aninstinct。Ithinkyourmindmusthavespokentomymind，andcalledmetosaveyou。Seenow，Clifford，myfriend，whereyouhaveledyourdaughter。See，see！”Andhepointeddownwards。
Theyleanedforwardandstared。There，immediatelybeneaththem，wasamightygulfwhereofthemoonlightdidnotrevealthebottom。”Youarenogoodveldtraveller，Clifford，myfriend；onemorestepofthosesillybeasts，anddownbelowtherewouldhavebeentworedheapswithbitsofbonesstickingoutofthem——yes，thereontherocksfivehundredfeetbeneath。Ah！youwouldhavesleptsoundlyto-night，bothofyou。””Whereistheplace？”askedMr。Cliffordinadazedfashion。”Leopard’sKloof？””Yes；Leopard’sKloof，noother。Youhavetravelledalongthetopofthehill，notatthebottom。Certainlythatwasagoodthoughtwhichcametomefromtheladyyourdaughter，forsheisoneofthethoughtsenders，Iamsure。Ah！itcametomesuddenly；ithitmelikeastickwhilstIwassearchingforyou，havingfoundthatyouhadlostthewaggon。Itsaidtome，’RidetothetopofLeopard’sKloof。Ridehard。’Irodehardthroughtherocksandthedarkness，throughthemistandtherain，andnotoneminutehadIbeenherewhenyoucameandIcaughtthelady’sbridle。””Iamsureweareverygratefultoyou，”murmuredBenita。”ThenIampaidbacktenthousandtimes。No；itisIwhoamgrateful——
Iwhohavesavedyourlifethroughthethoughtyousentme。””Thoughtornothought，all’swellthatendswell，”brokeinMr。
Cliffordimpatiently。”AndthankHeavenwearenotmorethanthreemilesawayfromhome。Willyouleadtheway，Jacob？Youalwayscouldseeinthedark？””Yes，yes，”andhetookholdofBenita’sbridlewithhisfirm，whitehand。”Oh！myhorsewillfollow，orputyourarmthroughhisrein——so。
Nowcomeon，MissClifford，andbeafraidnomore。WithJacobMeyeryouaresafe。”
Sotheybegantheirdescentofthehill。Meyerdidnotspeakagain；
allhisattentionseemedtobeconcentrateduponfindingasafepathonwhichthehorseswouldnotstumble。NordidBenitaspeak；shewastooutterlyexhausted——soexhausted，indeed，thatshecouldnolongercontrolhermindandimagination。Theseseemedtoloosethemselvesfromherandtoacquirenewpowers，notablythatofenteringintothesecretthoughtsofthemanatherside。Shesawthempassbeforeherlikelivingthings，andyetshecouldnotreadthem。Still，somethingshedidunderstand——thatshehadsuddenlygrownimportanttothisman，notinthewayinwhichwomenaregenerallyimportanttomen，butotherwise。Shefeltasthoughshehadbecomeinterwovenwiththeobjectsofhislife，andwashenceforthnecessarytotheirfulfilment，asthoughsheweresomeonewhomhehadbeenseekingforyearsonyears，theonepersonwhocouldgivehimlightinhisdarkness。
Theseimaginingstroubledher，sothatshewasverythankfulwhentheypassedawayasswiftlyastheyhadarisen，andsheknewonlythatshewashalfdeadwithwearinessandcold；thatherlimbsachedandthatthesteeppathseemedendless。
Atlengththeyreachedlevelground，andaftertravellingalongitforawhileandcrossingthebedofastream，passedthroughagate，andstoppedsuddenlyatthedoorofahousewithlightedwindows。”Hereisyourhomeatlast，MissClifford，”saidthemusicalvoiceofJacobMeyer，”andIthanktheFatewhichrulesusthatithastaughtmetobringyoutoitsafely。”
Makingnoanswersheslidfromthesaddle，onlytofindthatshecouldnotstand，forshesankintoaheapupontheground。Withagentleexclamationheliftedher，andcallingtotwoKaffirswhohadappearedtotakethehorses，ledherintothehouse。”Youmustgotobedatonce，”hesaid，conductinghertoadoorwhichopenedoutofthesitting-room。”Ihavehadafirelitinyourchamberincaseyoushouldcome，andoldTanteSallywillbringyousoupwithbrandyinit，andhotwaterforyourfeet。Ah！thereyouare，oldvrouw。Comenow；helpthelady，yourmistress。Isallready？””All，Baas，”answeredthewoman，astouthalf-breedwithakindlyface。”Comenow，mylittleone，andIwillundressyou。”
HalfanhourlaterBenita，havingdrunkmorebrandythanevershehaddoneinherlifebefore，waswrappedupandfastasleep。
Whensheawokethesunwasstreamingthroughthecurtainedwindowofherroom，andbythelightofitshesawthattheclockwhichstooduponthemantelpiecepointedtohalf-pasteleven。Shehadsleptfornearlytwelvehours，andfeltthat，notwithstandingthecoldandexposure，saveforstiffnessandacertainnumbfeelinginherhead——
theresult，perhaps，oftheunaccustomedbrandy——shewaswelland，whatwasmore，quitehungry。
OutsideontheverandahsheheardthevoiceofJacobMeyer，withwhichsheseemedalreadytohavebecomefamiliar，tellingsomenativestostopsinging，astheywouldwakethechieftainessinside。HeusedtheZuluwordInkosi-kaas，which，sheremembered，meanthead-ladyorchieftainess。Hewasverythoughtfulforher，shereflected，andwasgrateful，tillsuddenlysherememberedthedislikeshehadtakentotheman。
Thenshelookedroundherroomandsawthatitwasverypretty，wellfurnishedandpapered，withwater-colourpicturesonthewallsofnomeanmerit，thingsthatshehadnotexpectedinthisfar-offplace。
Alsoonatablestoodagreatbowlofarumlilies。Shewonderedwhohadputthemthere；whetheritweretheoldhalf-breed，Sally，orJacobMeyer。Alsoshewonderedwhohadpaintedthepictures，whichwereallofAfricanscenery，andsomethingtoldherthatboththeflowersandthepicturescamefromJacobMeyer。
Onthelittletablebyherbedwasahandbell，whichpresentlysherang。InstantlysheheardthevoiceofSallycallingforthecoffee”quick，”andnextminutethewomanentered，bringingatraywithit，andbreadandbutter——yes，andtoastandeggs，whichhadevidentlybeenmadereadyforher。SpeakinginEnglishmixedwithDutchwords，shetoldBenitathatherfatherwasstillinbed，butsentherhislove，andwishedtoknowhowshedid。Then，whilesheateherbreakfastwithappetite，Sallysetherabath，andsubsequentlyappearedcarryingthecontentsoftheboxshehaduseduponthewaggon，whichhadnowarrivedsafelyatthefarm。Benitaaskedwhohadorderedtheboxtobeunpacked，andSallyansweredthattheHeerMeyerhadordereditsothatshemightnotbedisturbedinhersleep，andthatherthingsshouldbereadyforherwhenshewoke。”TheHeerMeyerthinksagreatdealaboutotherpeople，”saidBenita。”Ja，ja！”answeredtheoldhalf-breed。”Hetinkmuchaboutpeoplewhenhewanttotinkaboutthem，buthetinkmostabouthimself。BaasMeyer，heaverycleverman——oh！averycleverman，whowanttobeagreatmantoo。Andoneday，Missee，hebeagreatman，greatandrich——iftheHeerGodAlmightylethim。”
VI
THEGOLDCOIN
SixweekshadgonebysincetheeventfuleveningofBenita’sarrivalatRooiKrantz。Nowthespringhadfullycome，theveldwasemeraldwithgrassandbrightwithflowers。Inthekloofbehindthehousetreeshadputouttheirleaves，andthemimosaswereinbloom，makingtheairheavywiththeirscent。Amongstthemtheringdovesnestedinhundreds，andonthesteeprocksoftheprecipicethered-neckedvulturesfedtheiryoung。Alongthebanksofthestreamandroundthebordersofthelakethepig-liliesbloomed，asheetofwhite。Alltheplacewasbeautifulandfulloflifeandhope。NothingseemeddeadandhopelessexceptBenita’sheart。
Herhealthhadquitecomebacktoher；indeed，neverbeforehadshefeltsostrongandwell。Buttheverysoulhadwitheredinherbreast。
Alldayshethought，andallnightshedreamedofthemanwho，incoldblood，hadoffereduphislifetosaveahelplesswomanandherchild。
Shewonderedwhetherhewouldhavedonethisifhehadheardtheanswerthatwasuponherlips。Perhapsthatwaswhyshehadnotbeengiventimetospeakthatanswer，whichmighthavemadeacowardofhim。FornothingmorehadbeenheardofRobertSeymour；indeed，alreadythetragedyoftheship/Zanzibar/wasforgotten。Thedeadhadburiedtheirdead，andsincethenworsedisastershadhappenedintheworld。
ButBenitacouldnotburyherdead。Sherodeabouttheveld，shesatbythelakeandwatchedthewildfowl，oratnightheardthemflightingoverherinflocks。Shelistenedtothecooingofthedoves，theboomingofthebitternsinthereeds，andthedrummingofthesnipehighinair。Shecountedthegametrekkingalongtheridgetillhermindgrewweary。ShesoughtconsolationfromthebreastofNatureandfoundnone；shesoughtitinthestarlitskies，andoh！theywereveryfaraway。Deathreignedwithinherwhooutwardlywassofairtosee。
Inthesocietyofherfather，indeed，shetookpleasure，forhelovedher，andlovecomfortedherwoundedheart。InthatofJacobMeyeralsoshefoundinterest，fornowherfirstfearofthemanhaddiedaway，andundoubtedlyhewasveryinteresting；well-bredalsoafterafashion，althoughaJewwhohadlosthisownfaithandrejectedthatoftheChristians。
HetoldherthathewasaGermanbybirth，thathehadbeensenttoEnglandasaboy，toavoidtheconscription，whichJewsdislike，sinceinsoldieringthereislittleprofit。HerehehadbecomeaclerkinahouseofSouthAfricanmerchants，and，asaconsequence——havingshownalltheabilityofhisrace——wasdespatchedtotakechargeofabranchbusinessinCapeColony。WhathappenedtohimthereBenitaneverdiscovered，butprobablyhehadshowntoomuchabilityofanobliquenature。Atanyrate，hisconnectionwiththefirmterminated，andforyearshebecameawandering”smouse，”ortrader，untilatlengthhedriftedintopartnershipwithherfather。
Whatevermighthavebeenhispast，however，soonshefoundthathewasanextremelyableandagreeableman。Itwasheandnootherwhohadpaintedthewater-coloursthatadornedherroom，andhecouldplayandsingaswellashepainted。Also，asRoberthadtoldher，Mr。Meyerwasverywell-readinsubjectsthatarenotusuallystudiedontheveldofSouthAfrica；indeed，hehadquitealibraryofbooks，mostofthemhistoriesorphilosophicalandscientificworks，ofwhichhewouldlendhervolumes。Fiction，however，heneverread，forthereason，hetoldher，thathefoundlifeitselfandthemysteriesandproblemswhichsurrounditsomuchmoreinteresting。
Oneevening，whentheywerewalkingtogetherbythelake，watchingthelonglightsofsunsetbreakandquiveruponitssurface，Benita’scuriosityovercameher，andsheaskedhimboldlyhowithappenedthatsuchamanashewascontenttolivethelifehedid。”InorderthatImayreachabetter，”heanswered。”Oh！no，notintheskies，MissClifford，forofthemIknownothing，nor，asIbelieve，isthereanythingtoknow。Buthere——here。””Whatdoyoumeanbyabetterlife，Mr。Meyer？””Imean，”heanswered，withaflashofhisdarkeyes，”greatwealth，andthepowerthatwealthbrings。Ah！Iseeyouthinkmeverysordidandmaterialistic，butmoneyisGodinthisworld，MissClifford——
moneyisGod。”
Shesmiledandanswered:”Ifear，then，thatheislikelytoproveaninvisiblegodonthehighveld，Mr。Meyer。Youwillscarcelymakeagreatfortuneoutofhorse-breeding，andherethereisnoonetorule。””Doyousuppose，then，thatiswhyIstopatRooiKrantz，justtobreedhorses？HasnotyourfathertoldyouaboutthegreattreasurehiddenawayupthereamongtheMakalanga？””Ihaveheardsomethingofit，”sheansweredwithasigh。”Alsothatbothofyouwenttolookforitandweredisappointed。””Ah！TheEnglishmanwhowasdrowned——Mr。Seymour——hespokeofit，didhenot？Hefoundusthere。””Yes；andyouwishedtoshoothim——doyouremember？””GodinHeaven！Yes，becauseIthoughthehadcometorobus。Well，I
didnotshoot，andafterwardswewerehuntedoutoftheplace，whichdoesnotmuchmatter，asthosefoolsofnativesrefusedtoletusdiginthefortress。””Thenwhydoyoustillthinkaboutthistreasurewhichprobablydoesnotexist？””Why，MissClifford，doyouthinkaboutvariousthingsthatprobablydonotexist？Perhapsbecauseyoufeelthathereorelsewherethey/do/exist。Well，thatiswhatIfeelaboutthetreasure，andwhatI
havealwaysfelt。Itexists，andIshallfindit——now。Ishalllivetoseemoregoldthanyoucanevenimagine，andthatiswhyIstillcontinuetobreedhorsesontheTransvaalveld。Ah！youlaugh；youthinkitisanightmarethatIbreed——”
ThensuddenlyhebecameawareofSally，whohadappearedoverthefoldoftherisebehindthem，andaskedirritably:”Whatisitnow，oldvrouw？””TheBaasCliffordwantstospeakwithyou，BaasJacob。Messengershavecometoyoufromfaraway。””Whatmessengers？”heasked。”Iknownot，”answeredSally，fanningherfatfacewithayellowpocket-handkerchief。”Theyarestrangepeopletome，andthinwithtravelling，buttheytalkakindofZulu。TheBaaswishesyoutocome。””Willyoucomealso，MissClifford？No？ThenforgivemeifIleaveyou，”andliftinghishathewent。”Astrangeman，Missee，”saidoldSally，whenhehadvanished，walkingveryfast。”Yes，”answeredBenita，inanindifferentvoice。”Averystrangeman，”wentontheoldwoman。”Toomuchinhiskop，”
andshetappedherforehead。”Itinkitwillburstoneday；butifitdoesnotburst，thenhewillbegreat。Itellyouthatbefore，nowI
tellityouagain，forItinkhistimecome。NowIgocookdinner。”
Benitasatbythelaketillthetwilightfell，andthewildgeesebegantoflightoverher。ThenshewalkedbacktothehousethinkingnomoreofHeerMeyer，thinkingonlythatshewaswearyofthisplaceinwhichtherewasnothingtooccupyhermindanddistractitfromitseverpresentsorrow。
Atdinner，orrathersupper，thatnightshenoticedthatbothherfatherandhispartnerseemedtobesufferingfromsuppressedexcitement，ofwhichshethoughtshecouldguessthecause。”Didyoufindyourmessengers，Mr。Meyer？”sheasked，whenthemenhadlittheirpipes，andthesquare-face——asHollandswascalledinthosedays，fromtheshapeofthebottle——wassetupontheroughtableofspeckledbuchenhoutwood。”Yes，Ifoundthem，”heanswered；”theyareinthekitchennow。”AndhelookedatMr。Clifford。”Benita，mydear，”saidherfather，”ratheracuriousthinghashappened。”Herfacelitup，butheshookhishead。”No，nothingtodowiththeshipwreck——thatisallfinished。Still，somethingthatmayinterestyou，ifyoucaretohearastory。”
Benitanodded；shewasinamoodtohearanythingthatwouldoccupyherthoughts。”Youknowsomethingaboutthistreasurebusiness，”wentonherfather。”Well，thisisthetaleofit。Yearsago，afteryouandyourmotherhadgonetoEngland，Iwentonabiggameshootingexpeditionintotheinterior。MycompanionwasanoldfellowcalledTomJackson，arollingstone，andoneofthebestelephanthuntersinAfrica。Wedidprettywell，buttheendofitwasthatweseparatednorthoftheTransvaal，Ibringingdowntheivorythatwehadshot，andtraded，andTomstoppingtoputinanotherseason，thearrangementbeingthathewastojoinmeafterwards，andtakehisshareofthemoney。IcamehereandboughtthisfarmfromaBoerwhowastiredofit——cheapenough，too，forIonlygavehim￡100forthe6，000acres。Thekitchensbehindwerehisoldhouse，forIbuiltanewone。”AyearhadgonebybeforeIsawanymoreofTomJackson，andthenheturnedupmoredeadthanalive。Hehadbeeninjuredbyanelephant，andlayforsomemonthsamongtheMakalangatothenorthofMatabeleland，wherehegotfeverbadlyataplacecalledBambatse，ontheZambesi。TheseMakalangaareastrangefolk。IbelievetheirnamemeansthePeopleoftheSun；atanyrate，theyarethelastofsomeancientrace。Well，whilehewastherehecuredtheoldMolimo，orhereditaryhigh-priestofthistribe，ofabadfeverbygivinghimquinine，andnaturallytheygrewfriendly。TheMolimolivedamongruinsofwhichtherearemanyoverallthatpartofSouthAfrica。Nooneknowswhobuiltthemnow；probablyitwaspeoplewholivedthousandsofyearsago。However，thisMolimotoldTomJacksonamorerecentlegendconnectedwiththeplace。”Hesaidthatsixgenerationsbefore，whenhisgreat-great-greatgrandfatherwaschiefMambo，hecalledit，thenativesofallthatpartofSouthAfricaroseagainstthewhitemen——Portuguese，Isuppose——whostillworkedthegoldthere。Theymassacredthemandtheirslavesbythousands，drivingthemupfromthesouthward，whereLobengularulesnow，totheZambesibywhichthePortuguesehopedtoescapetothecoast。Atlengtharemnantofthem，notmorethanabouttwohundredmenandwomen，arrivedatthestrongholdcalledBambatse，wheretheMolimonowlivesinagreatruinbuiltbytheancientsuponanimpregnablemountainwhichoverhangstheriver。Withthemtheybroughtanenormousquantityofgold，allthestored-uptreasureofthelandwhichtheyweretryingtocarryoff。Butalthoughtheyreachedtherivertheycouldnotescapebyit，sincethenatives，whopursuedtheminthousands，watcheddayandnightincanoes，andthepoorfugitiveshadnoboats。Thereforeitcameaboutthattheywereshutupinthisfortresswhichitwasimpossibletostorm，andthereslowlyperishedofstarvation。”Whenitwasknownthattheywerealldead，thenativeswhohadfollowedthemfromthesouth，andwhowantedbloodandrevenge，notgold，whichwasofnousetothem，wentaway；buttheoldpriest’sforefatherwhoknewthesecretentrancetotheplace，andwhohadbeenfriendlytothePortuguese，forcedhiswayinandthere，amidstthedead，foundonewomanliving，butmadwithgrief——ayoungandbeautifulgirl，thedaughterofthePortugueselordorcaptain。Hegaveherfood，butinthenight，whensomestrengthhadreturnedtoher，shelefthim，andatdaybreakhefoundherstandingonthepeakthatoverhangstheriver，dressedallinwhite。”Hecalledsomeofhiscouncillors，andtheytriedtopersuadehertocomedownfromtherock，butsheanswered，’No，herbetrothedandallherfamilyandfriendsweredead，anditwasherwilltofollowthem。’
Thentheyaskedwherewasthegold，forhavingwatcheddayandnighttheyknewithadnotbeenthrownintotheriver。Sheansweredthatitwaswhereitwas，andthat，seekashemight，noblackmanwouldeverfindit。Sheaddedthatshegaveitintohiskeeping，andthatofhisdescendants，tosafeguarduntilshecameagain。Alsoshesaidthatiftheywerefaithlesstothattrust，thenithadbeenrevealedtoherfromheavenabovethatthosesamesavageswhohadkilledherfatherandherpeople，wouldkillhispeoplealso。Whenshehadspokenthusshestoodawhileprayingonthepeak，thensuddenlyhurledherselfintotheriver，andwasseennomore。”Fromthatdaytothistheruinhasbeenheldtobehaunted，andsavetheMolimohimself，whoretirestheretomeditateandreceiverevelationsfromthespirits，nooneisallowedtosetafootinitsupperpart；indeed，thenativeswouldratherdiethandoso。
Consequentlythegoldstillremainswhereitwashidden。ThisplaceitselfTomJacksondidnotsee，since，notwithstandinghisfriendshipforhim，theMolimorefusedtoallowhimtoenterthere。”Well，Tomneverrecovered；hediedhere，andisburiedinthelittlegraveyardbehindthehousewhichtheBoersmadeforsomeoftheirpeople。ItwasshortlybeforehisdeaththatMr。Meyerbecamemypartner，forIforgottosaythatIhadtoldhimthestory，andwedeterminedtohaveatryforthatgreatwealth。Youknowtherest。WetrekkedtoBambatse，pretendingtobetraders，andfoundtheoldMolimowhoknewofmeashavingbeenTomJackson’sfriend。WeaskedhimifthestoryhehadtoldtoJacksonweretrue，andheansweredthat，surelyasthesunshoneintheheavens，itwastrue——everywordofit——forit，andmuchmorethanhehadspokenof，hadbeenhandeddownfromfathertoson，andthattheyevenknewthenameofthewhiteladywhohadkilledherself。ItwasFerreira——yourmother’sname，Benita，thoughacommononeenoughinSouthAfrica。”Weaskedhimtoallowustoenterthetopmoststronghold，whichstandsuponthehill，butherefused，sayingthatthecursestilllayuponhimandhis，andthatnomanshouldenteruntiltheladyFerreiracameagain。Fortheresttheplacewasfreetous；wemightdigaswewould。Sowediddig，andfoundsomegoldburiedwiththeancients，beadsandbanglesandwire——about￡100worth。Also——thatwasonthedaywhentheyoungSeymourscameuponus，andaccountsforMeyer’sexcitement，forhethoughtthatwewereonthetrackofthetreasure——
wefoundasinglegoldcoin，nodoubtonethathadbeendroppedbythePortuguese。Hereitis。”Andhethrewathinpieceofgoldonthetablebeforeher。”Ihaveshownittoamanlearnedinthosematters，andhesaysthatitisaducatstruckbyoneofthedogesofVenice。”Well，weneverfoundanymore。TheendofitwasthattheMakalangacaughtustryingtogetintothesecretstrongholdbystealth，andgaveusthechoiceofclearingoutorbeingkilled。Soweclearedout，fortreasureisnotofmuchusetodeadmen。”
Mr。Cliffordceasedspeaking，andfilledhispipe，whileMeyerhelpedhimselftosquarefaceinanabsentmanner。AsforBenita，shestaredatthequaintoldcoin，whichhadaholeinit，wonderingwithwhatscenesofterrorandofbloodshedithadbeenconnected。”Keepit，”saidherfather。”Itwillgoonthatbraceletofyours。””Thankyou，dear，”sheanswered。”ThoughIdon’tknowwhyIshouldtakeallthePortuguesetreasuresinceweshallneverseeanymoreofit。””Whynot，MissClifford？”askedMeyerquickly。”Thestorytellsyouwhy——becausethenativeswon’tevenletyoulookforit；also，lookingandfindingaredifferentthings。””Nativeschangetheirmindssometimes，MissClifford。Thatstoryisnotdone，itisonlybegun，andnowyoushallhearitssecondchapter。
Clifford，mayIcallinthemessengers？”Andwithoutwaitingforananswerheroseandlefttheroom。
NeitherMr。Cliffordnorhisdaughtersaidanythingafterhehadgone。
Benitaappearedtooccupyherselfinfixingthebroadgoldcointoalittleswivelonherbracelet，butwhileshedidsooncemorethatsixthsenseofhersawokewithinher。Asshehadbeenafraidatthedinneronthedoomedsteamer，soagainshewasafraid。Againdeathandgreatfearcasttheiradvancingshadowsontohersoul。Thatpieceofgoldseemedtospeaktoher，yet，alas！shecouldnotunderstanditsstory。OnlysheknewthatherfatherandJacobMeyerand——yes，yes，yes——RobertSeymour，hadallapartinthattragedy。Oh！howcouldthatbewhenhewasdead？Howcouldthisgoldlinkhimtoher？Sheknewnot——shecarednot。Allsheknewwasthatshewouldfollowthistreasuretotheedgeoftheworld，andifneedbe，overit，ifonlyitbroughtherbacktohimagain。
VII
THEMESSENGERS
Thedooropened，andthroughitcameJacobMeyer，followedbythreenatives。Benitadidnotseeorhearthem；hersoulwasfaraway。Thereattheheadoftheroom，cladallinwhite，forsheworenomourningsaveinherheart，illuminatedbytheraysofthelampthathungaboveher，shestoodstillandupright，forshehadrisen；onthefaceandinherwide，darkeyesalookthatwasverystrangetosee。JacobMeyerperceiveditandstopped；thethreenativesperceiveditalsoandstopped。Theretheystood，allfourofthem，attheendofthelongsitting-room，staringatthewhiteBenitaandatherhauntedeyes。
Oneofthenativespointedwithhisthinfingertoherface，andwhisperedtotheothers。Meyer，whounderstoodtheirtongue，caughtthewhisper。Itwas:”BeholdtheSpiritoftheRock！””Whatspirit，andwhatrock？”heaskedinalowvoice。”ShewhohauntsBambatse；shewhomoureyeshaveseen，”answeredtheman，stillstaringatBenita。
Benitaheardthewhispering，andknewitwasaboutherself，thoughnotonewordofitdidshecatch。Withasighsheshookherselffreefromhervisionsandsatdowninachaircloseby。Thenonebyonethemessengersdrewneartoher，andeach，ashecame，madeaprofoundobeisance，touchingthefloorwithhisfinger-tips，andstaringatherface。Butherfathertheyonlysalutedwithanupliftedhand。Shelookedatthemwithinterest，andindeedtheywereinterestingintheirway；tall，sparemen，lightcoloured，withrefined，mobilefaces。Herewasnonegro-blood，butratherthatofsomeancientpeoplesuchasEgyptiansorPh？nicians:menwhoseforefathershadbeenwiseandcivilizedthousandsofyearsago，andperchancehadstoodinthecourtsofPharaohorofSolomon。
Theirsalutationsfinished，thethreemensquattedinalineuponthefloor，drawingtheirfurkarosses，orrobes，aboutthem，andwaitedinsilence。JacobMeyerthoughtawhile，thensaid:”Clifford，willyoutranslatetoyourdaughter，sothatshemaybesuresheistoldexactlywhatpasses？”
Nextheturnedandaddressedthenatives。”YournamesareTamas，Tamala，andHoba，andyou，Tamas，arethesonoftheMolimoofBambatse，whoiscalledMambo，andyou，TamalaandHoba，arehisinitiatedcouncillors。Isitso？”
Theybowedtheirheads。”Good。You，Tamas，tellthestoryandgiveagainyourmessagethatthislady，theladyBenita，mayhearit，forshehasapartinthematter。””Weunderstandthatshehasapart，”answeredTamas。”Wereadinherfacethatshehasthegreatestpart。DoubtlessitisofherthattheSpirittoldmyfather。These，spokenbymymouth，arethewordsoftheMolimo，myfather，whichwehavetravelledsofartodeliver。”’WhenyoutwowhitemenvisitedBambatsefouryearsago，youaskedofme，Mambo，tobeadmittedtotheholyplace，thatyoumightlookforthetreasuretherewhichthePortuguesehidinthetimeofmyancestorinthesixthgeneration。Irefusedtoallowyoutolook，oreventoentertheholyplace，becauseIambybirththeguardianofthattreasure，althoughIknownotwhereitlies。ButnowIaminagreatstrait。IhavenewsthatLobengulatheusurper，whoiskingoftheMatabele，hastakenoffenceagainstmeforcertainreasons，amongthemthatIdidnotsendhimasufficienttribute。Itisreportedtomethathepurposesnextsummertodespatchanimpitowipemeandmypeopleout，andtomakemykraalblackastheburntveld。Ihavelittlestrengthtoresisthimwhoismighty，andmypeoplearenotwarlike。Fromgenerationtogenerationtheyhavebeentraders，cultivatorsoftheland，workersinmetal，andmenofpeace，whodesirenottokillorbekilled。Alsotheyarefew。ThereforeIhavenopowertostandagainstLobengula。”’Irememberthegunsthatyouandyourcompanionbroughtwithyou，whichcankillthingsfromfaraway。IfIhadasupplyofthosegunsfrombehindmywallsImightdefytheimpiofLobengula，whosewarriorsusetheassegai。Ifyouwillbringmeahundredgoodgunsandplentyofpowderandbulletsforthem，itisrevealedtomethatitwillbelawfulformetoadmityoutothesecret，holyplace，whereyoumaylookfortheburiedgoldforaslongasyouwish，andifyoucanfindit，takeitallawaywithouthindrancefrommeormypeople。
ButIwillbehonestwithyou。Thatgoldwillneverbefoundsavebytheoneappointed。Thewhiteladysaidsointhetimeofmyforefather；hehearditwithhisears，andIhavehearditfromhisdescendantswithmyears，andsoitshallbe。Still，ifyoubringthegunsyoucancomeandseeifeitherofyouisthatoneappointed。ButIdonotthinkthatanymanissoappointed，forthesecretishidinwoman。Butofthisyoucanlearnforyourselves。IdobutspeakasI
ambidden。”’Thisismymessagespokenbymymouth，Tamas，sonofmybody，andmycouncillorswhogowithhimwillbearwitnessthathespeaksthetruth。I，Mambo，theMolimoofBambatse，sendyougreeting，andwillgiveyougoodwelcomeandfulfilmypromise，ifyoucomewiththefar-
shootingguns，tentimestenofthem，andthepowder，andthebulletswherewithImaydriveofftheMatabele，butnototherwise。Myson，Tamas，andmycouncillorswilldriveyourwaggonintomycountrybutyoumustbringnostrangeservants。TheSpiritofthewhitewomanwhokilledherselfbeforetheeyesofmyforefatherhasbeenseenoflatestandinguponthepointofrock；alsoshehasvisitedmeatnightinmysecretplacewherehercompanionsdied。Idonotknowallthatthisportends，butIthinkthatamongstotherthingsshewishedtotellmethattheMatabeleareabouttoattackus。IawaitthedecreeoftheHeavens。Isendyoutwokarossesasagift，andalittleancientgold，sinceivoryistooheavyformymessengerstocarry，andIhavenowaggon。Farewell。’””Wehaveheardyou，”saidMeyer，whenMr。Cliffordhadfinishedtranslating，”andwewishtoaskyouaquestion。WhatdoyoumeanwhenyousaythattheSpiritofthewhitewomanhasbeenseen？””ImeanwhatIsay，whiteman，”answeredTamas。”Shewasseenbyallthreeofus，standinguponthepinnacleatthedawn；alsomyfathersawandspokewithheraloneinhissleepatnight。Thisisthethirdtimeinmyfather’sdaythatshehasappearedthus，andalwaysbeforesomegreatevent。””Whatwasshelike？”askedMeyer。”Like？Oh！liketheladywhositsyonder。Yes，quitethesame，orsoitseemedtous。Butwhoknows？Wehaveseennootherwhitewomen，andwewerenotverynear。LettheladycomeandstandsidebysidewiththeSpirit，sothatwecanexaminethemboth，andweshallbeabletoanswerbetter。DoyouaccepttheofferoftheMolimo？””Wewilltellyouto-morrowmorning，”repliedMeyer。”Ahundredriflesaremanytofind，andwillcostmuchmoney。Meanwhile，foryouthereisfoodandasleeping-place。”
Thethreemenseemeddisappointedathisanswer，whichtheyevidentlybelievedtobepreliminarytoarefusal。Foramomentortwotheyconsultedtogether，thenTamasputhishandintoapouchanddrewfromitsomethingwrappedindryleaves，whichheundid，revealingaquaintandbeautifulnecklace，fashionedoftwistedgoldlinks，whereinweresetwhitestones，thattheyhadnodifficultyinrecognisingasuncutdiamondsofconsiderablevalue。Fromthisnecklacealsohungacrucifixmouldedingold。”Weofferthisgift，”hesaid，”onbehalfofMambo，myfather，totheladyyonder，towhomthekarossesandtheroughgoldareofnouse。
Thechainhasastory。WhenthePortugueseladyhurledherselfintotheriversheworeitaboutherneck。Asshefellintotherivershestruckagainstalittlepointofrockwhichtorethechainawayfromher——seewhereitisbrokenandmendedwithgoldwire。Itremaineduponthepointofrock，andmyforefathertookitthence。Itisagifttotheladyifshewillpromisetowearit。””Acceptit，”mutteredMr。Clifford，whenhehadfinishedtranslatingthis，”oryouwillgiveoffence。”
SoBenitasaid:”IthanktheMolimo，andaccepthisgift。”
ThenTamasrose，and，advancing，casttheancient，tragicthingoverherhead。Asitfelluponhershoulders，Benitaknewthatitwasachainofdestinydrawinghersheknewnotwhere，thisornamentthathadlastbeenwornbythatwoman，bereavedandunhappyasherself，whocouldfindnorefugefromhersorrowexceptindeath。Hadshefeltittornfromherbreast，shewondered，asshe，thelivingBenitaofto-day，feltitfalluponherown？
Thethreeenvoysrose，bowed，andwent，leavingthemalone。JacobMeyerliftedhisheadasthoughtoaddressher，thenchangedhismindandwassilent。Boththemenwaitedforhertospeak，butshewouldnot，andintheenditwasherfatherwhospokefirst。”Whatdoyousay，Benita？”heaskedanxiously。”I？Ihavenothingtosay，exceptthatIhaveheardaverycuriousstory。Thispriest’smessageistoyouandMr。Meyer，father，andmustbeansweredbyyou。WhathaveItodowithit？””Agreatdeal，Ithink，mydear，orsothosemenseemedtobelieve。Atanyrate，Icannotgouptherewithoutyou，andIwillnottakeyouthereagainstyourwish，foritisalongwayoff，andaqueerbusiness。Thequestionis，willyougo？”