Shethoughtaspace，whilethetwomenwatchedheranxiously。”Yes，”sheansweredatlength，inaquietvoice。”Iwillgoifyouwishtogo，notbecauseIwanttofindtreasure，butbecausethestoryandthecountrywhereithappenedinterestme。Indeed，Idon’tbelievemuchinthetreasure。Eveniftheyaresuperstitiousandafraidtolookforitthemselves，Idoubtwhethertheywouldallowyoutolookiftheythoughtitcouldbefound。Tomethejourneydoesnotseemagoodbusinessspeculation，alsotherearerisks。””Wethinkitgoodenough，”brokeinMeyerdecidedly。”Andonedoesnotexpecttogetmillionswithouttrouble。””Yes，yes，”saidherfather；”butsheisright——therearerisks，greatrisks——fever，wildbeasts，savages，andothersthatonecannotforesee。HaveIarighttoexposehertothem？Oughtwenottogoalone？””Itwouldbeuseless，”answeredMeyer。”Thosemessengershaveseenyourdaughter，andmixedherupwiththeirsuperstitiousstoryofaghost，ofwhichI，whoknowthattherearenosuchthings，believenothing。Withouthernowweshallcertainlyfail。””Asfortherisks，father，”saidBenita，”personallyItakenoaccountofthem，forIamsurethatwhatistohappenwillhappen，andifI
　　knewthatIwastodieupontheZambesi，itwouldmakenodifferencetomewhodonotcare。Butasitchances，Ithink——Icannottellyouwhy——thatyouandMr。MeyerareinmoredangerthanIam。Itisforyoutoconsiderwhetheryouwilltaketherisks。”
　　Mr。Cliffordsmiled。”Iamold，”hesaid；”thatismyanswer。””AndIamaccustomedtosuchthings，”saidMeyer，withashrugofhisshoulders。”Whowouldnotrunalittledangerforthesakeofsuchagloriouschance？Wealth，wealth，morewealththanwecandreamof，andwithit，power——powertoavenge，toreward，tobuyposition，andpleasure，andallbeautifulthingswhicharetheheritageoftheveryrichalone，”andhespreadouthishandsandlookedupwards，asthoughinadorationofthisgoldengod。”Exceptsuchtriflesashealthandhappiness，”commentedBenita，notwithoutsarcasm，forthismanandhismaterialdesiresdisgustedhersomewhat，especiallywhenshecontrastedhimwithanothermanwhowaslosttoher，thoughitwastruethat/his/pasthadbeenidleandunproductiveenough。Yettheyinterestedheralso，forBenitahadnevermetanyonelikeMr。Meyer，sotalented，soeager，andsosoulless。”ThenIunderstanditissettled？”shesaid。
　　Mr。Cliffordhesitated，butMeyeransweredatonce:”Yes，settledasfarasanythingcanbe。”
　　Shewaitedamomentforherfathertospeak，buthesaidnothing；hischancehadgoneby。”Verywell。Nowweshallnotneedtotroubleourselveswithfurtherdoubtsorargument。WearegoingtoBambatseontheZambesi，adistantplace，tolookforburiedgold，andIhope，Mr。Meyer，thatifyoufindit，theresultswillcomeuptoyourexpectations，andbringyouallsortsofgoodluck。Good-night，fatherdear，good-night。””Mydaughterthinksitwillbringusill-luck，”saidMr。Clifford，whenthedoorhadclosedbehindher。”Thatisherwayofsayingso。””Yes，”answeredMeyergloomily；”shethinksthat，andsheisoneofthosewhohavevision。Well，shemaybewrong。Also，thequestionis，shallweseizeouropportunityanditsdangers，orremainhereandbreedbadhorsesallourlives，whileshewhoisnotafraidlaughsatus？IamgoingtoBambatse。”
　　AgainMr。Cliffordmadenodirectanswer，onlyaskedaquestion:”Howlongwillittaketogetthegunsandammunition，andwhatwilltheycost？””AboutaweekfromWakkerstroom，”repliedMeyer。”OldPotgieter，thetraderthere，hasjustimportedahundredMartinisandahundredWestley-Richardsfalling-blocks。Fiftyofeach，withtenthousandroundsofcartridges，willcostabout￡600，andwehaveasmuchasthatinthebank；alsowehavethenewwaggon，andplentyofgoodoxenandhorses。Wecantakeadozenofthehorseswithus，andselltheminthenorthoftheTransvaalforafineprice，beforewegetintothetetseflybelt。Theoxenwillprobablycarryusthrough，astheyaremostofthemsalted。””Youhavethoughtitallout，Jacob，Isee；butitmeansalotofmoneyonewayandanother，tosaynothingofotherthings。””Yes，alotofmoney，andthoseriflesaretoogoodforKaffirs。
　　Birminghamgas-pipeswouldhavedoneforthem，buttherearenonetobehad。Butwhatisthemoney，andwhataretheguns，comparedtoalltheywillbringus？””Ithinkyouhadbetteraskmydaughter，Jacob。Sheseemstohaveherownideasuponthesubject。””MissCliffordhasmadeuphermind，anditwillnotchange。Ishallaskhernomore，”repliedMeyer。
　　Thenhe，too，lefttheroom，togiveordersaboutthejourneytoWakkerstroomthathemusttakeuponthemorrow。ButMr。Cliffordsattheretillpastmidnight，wonderingwhetherhehaddoneright，andiftheywouldfindthetreasureofwhichhehaddreamedforyears，andwhatthefuturehadinstoreforthem。
　　Ifonlyhecouldhaveseen！
　　WhenBenitacametobreakfastthenextmorning，sheaskedwhereMr。
　　Meyerwas，andlearnedthathehadalreadydepartedforWakkerstroom。”Certainlyheisinearnest，”shesaidwithalaugh。”Yes，”answeredherfather；”Jacobisalwaysinearnest，though，somehow，hisearnestnesshasnotbroughthimmuchgoodsofar。Ifwefail，itwillnotbewantofthoughtandpreparationonhispart。”
　　NearlyaweekwentbybeforeMeyerreturnedagain，andmeanwhileBenitamadereadyforherjourney。Intheintervalsofhersimplepreparationsalsoshetalkedagooddeal，withthehelpofherfather，tothethreesturdy-lookingMakalanga，whowererestingthankfullyaftertheirlongjourney。Theirconversationwasgeneral，sincebytacitconsentnofurthermentionwasmadeofthetreasureorofanythingtodowithit，butitenabledhertoformafairopinionofthemandtheirpeople。ShegatheredthatalthoughtheyspokeadialectofZulu，theyhadnoneofthebraveryoftheZulus，andindeedlivedindeadlyterroroftheMatabele，whoarebastardZulus——suchterror，infact，thatshegreatlydoubtedwhetherthehundredrifleswouldbeofmuchusetothem，shouldtheyeverbeattackedbythattribe。
　　Theywerewhattheirfathershadbeenbeforethem，agriculturistsandworkersinmetals——notfightingmen。Alsoshesetherselftolearnwhatshecouldoftheirtongue，whichshedidnotfinddifficult，forBenitahadanaturalaptitudeforlanguages，andhadneverforgottentheDutchandZulusheusedtoprattleasachild，whichnowcamebacktoherveryfast。Indeed，shecouldalreadytalkfairlyineitherofthoselanguages，especiallyasshespenthersparehoursinstudyingtheirgrammar，andreadingthem。
　　Sothedayswenton，tilloneeveningJacobMeyerappearedwithtwoScotchcartsladenwithtenlongboxesthatlookedlikecoffins，andothersmallerboxeswhichwereveryheavy，tosaynothingofamultitudeofstores。AsMr。Cliffordprophesied，hehadforgottennothing，forheevenbroughtBenitavariousarticlesofclothing，andarevolverforwhichshehadnotasked。
　　ThreedayslatertheytrekkedawayfromRooiKrantzuponapeculiarlybeautifulSundaymorningintheearlyspring，givingitoutthattheyweregoinguponatradingandshootingexpeditioninthenorthoftheTransvaal。Benitalookedbackattheprettylittlesteadandthewoodedkloofbehinditoverwhichshehadnearlyfallen，andtheplacidlakeinfrontofitwherethenestingwildfowlwheeled，andsighed。Fortoher，nowthatshewasleavingit，theplaceseemedlikehome，anditcameintohermindthatshewouldneverseeitanymore。
　　VIII
　　BAMBATSE
　　NearlyfourmonthshadgonebywhenatlengththewaggonwithwhichwereMr。Clifford，Benita，andJacobMeyercampedonenightwithinthecountryoftheMolimoofBambatse，whosenamewasMambo。Orperhapsthatwashistitle，sinceaccordingtoTamashissoneverychiefinsuccessionwascalledMambo，thoughnotallofthemwereMolimos，orrepresentativesandprophetsofGod，ortheGreatSpiritwhomtheyknewasMunwali。ThussometimestheMolimo，orpriestofMunwali，andtheMamboorchiefweredifferentpersons。Forinstance，hesaidthathe，Tamas，wouldbeMamboonhisfather’sdeath，butnovisionsweregiventohim；thereforeasyet，atanyrate，hewasnotcalledtobeMolimo。
　　Inthecourseofthislongjourneytheyhadmetwithmanyadventures，suchaswerecommontoAfricantravellersbeforethedaysofrailroads；adventureswithwildbeastsandnativetribes，adventureswithswollenriversalso，andonethatwasworst，withthirst，sinceforthreedaysowingtothefailureofapitorpan，wheretheyexpectedtofindwatertheywereobligedtogowithoutdrink。Still，noneofthesewereveryserious，norhadanyofthethreeofthemeverbeeninbetterhealththantheywereatthismoment，forbygoodlucktheyhadescapedallfever。Indeed，theirrough，wildlifehadagreedwithBenitaextraordinarilywell，sowellthatanywhohadknownherinthestreetsofLondonwouldscarcelyhaverecognizedherasthesunburnt，activeandwell-formedyoungwomanwhosatthatnightbythecampfire。
　　Allthehorsestheyhadbroughtwiththemhadbeensold，exceptsomewhichhaddied，andthreethatwere”salted，”orproofagainstthedeadlyhorsesickness，whichtheytookonwiththem。TheirownservantsalsohadbeensentbacktoRooiKrantzinchargeofaScotchcartladenwithivory，purchasedfromBoerhunterswhohadbroughtitdownfromthenorthoftheTransvaal。Therefore，forthiswaspartofthebargain，thethreeMakalangawerenowtheironlyattendantswhodroveandherdedthecattle，whileBenitacookedthefoodwhichthetwowhitemenshot，orsometimesboughtfromnatives。
　　Fordaystheyhadbeenpassingthroughacountrythatwaspracticallydeserted，andnow，havingcrossedahighnek，thesameonwhichRobertSeymourhadlefthiswaggon，theywerecampedinlowlandwhich，astheycouldseebytheremainsofwallsthatappearedeverywhere，hadoncebeenextensivelyenclosedandcultivated。Totheirrightwasarisingmountainousground，beyondwhich，saidtheMakalanga，rantheZambesi，andinfrontofthem，notmorethantenmilesaway，agreatisolatedhill，noneotherthanthatplacethattheyhadjourneyedsofartoreach，Bambatse，roundwhichflowedthegreatriver。Indeed，thitheroneofthethreeMakalanga，hewhowasnamedHoba，hadgoneontoannouncetheirapproach。
　　Theyhadoutspannedamongstruins，mostofthemcircularinshape，andBenita，studyingtheminthebrightmoonlight，guessedthatoncethesehadbeenhouses。Thatplacenowsosolitary，hundredsorthousandsofyearsagowasundoubtedlythehomeofagreatpopulation。Thousands，ratherthanhundreds，shethought，sincecloseathandinthemiddleofoneoftheseroundhouses，grewamightybaobabtree，thatcouldnothaveseenlessthantenorfifteencenturiessincetheseedwhenceitsprangpiercedthecementfloorwhichwasstillvisibleaboutitsgiantbole。
　　Tamas，theMolimo’sson，sawherstudyingtheseevidencesofantiquity，and，approaching，salutedher。”Lady，”hesaidinhisownlanguage，whichbynowshespokeverywell，”lady”——andhewavedhishandwithafinegesture——”beholdthecityofmypeople。””Howdoyouknowthatitwastheircity？”sheasked。”Idonotknow，lady。Stonescannotspeak，thespiritsaresilent，andwehaveforgotten。Still，Ithinkso，andourfathershavetoldusthatbutsixoreightgenerationsagomanyfolklivedhere，thoughitwasnottheywhobuiltthesewalls。Evenfiftyyearsagothereweremany，butnowtheMatabelehavekilledthem，andwearefew；to-morrowyouwillseehowfew。Comehereandlook，”andheledherthroughtheentranceofasquarecattlekraalwhichstoodcloseby。Withinweretuftsofrankgrass，andafewbushes，andamongthesescoresofskullsandotherbones。”TheMatabelekilledtheseinthetimeofMoselikatse，”hesaid。”NowdoyouwonderthatwewhoremainfeartheMatabele，anddesiregunstodefendourselvesfromthem，evenifwemustselloursecrets，inordertobuythoseguns，whohavenomoneytopayforthem？””No，”sheanswered，lookingatthetall，dignifiedman，intowhosesoultheironsoffearandslaveryhadburntsodeep。”No，Idonotwonder。”
　　Nextmorningatdaybreaktheytrekkedon，alwaysthroughtheseevidencesofdead，forgottenpeople。Theyhadnotmorethantenmilestocovertoreachtheirlongjourney’send，buttheroad，ifsoitcouldbecalled，ranup-hill，andtheoxen，whereofonlyfourteenwerenowlefttodragtheheavy-ladenwaggon，werethinandfootsore，sothattheirprogresswasveryslow。Indeed，itwaspastmiddaywhenatlengththeybegantoenterwhatbyapologymightbecalledthetownofBambatse。”Whenwegoawayfromthis，itwillhavetobebywater，Ithink，unlesswecanbuytrek-cattle，”saidMeyer，lookingatthelabouringoxenwithadoubtfuleye。”Why？”askedMr。Cliffordanxiously。”Becauseseveralofthosebeastshavebeenbittenbytetsefly，likemyhorse，andthepoisonisbeginningtowork。Ithoughtsolastnight，butnowIamsure。Lookattheireyes。Itwasdowninthatbitofbushveldeightdaysago。Isaidthatweoughtnottocampthere。”
　　Atthismomenttheycametothecrestoftheridge，andonitsfurthersidesawthewonderfulruinsofBambatsecloseathand。Infrontofthemstoodahilljuttingout，asitwereintothebroadwatersoftheZambesiriver，which，toagreatextent，protectedituponthreesides。Thefourth，thatoppositetothem，exceptatoneplacewhereakindofnaturalcausewayledintothetown，wasalsodefendedbyNature，sincehereformorethanfiftyfeetinheightthegraniterockofthebaseofthehillrosesheerandunclimbable。Onthemountitself，thatinallmayhavecoveredeightortenacresofground，andsurroundedbyadeepdongaorditch，werethreeringsoffortifications，setoneabovetheother，mightywallswhich，itwasevident，hadbeenbuiltbynomodernhand。LookingatthemBenitacouldwellunderstandhowitcameaboutthatthepoorfugitivePortuguesehadchosenthisastheirlastplaceofrefuge，andwereovercomeatlength，notbythethousandsofsavageswhofollowedandsurroundedthem，butbyhunger。Indeed，theplaceseemedimpregnabletoanyforcethatwasnotarmedwithsiegeguns。
　　Onthehithersideofthisnaturalfosse，which，doubtless，inancienttimeshadbeenfilledwithwaterledfromtheZambesi，stoodthevillageoftheBambatseMakalanga，acollectionofseventyoreightywretchedhuts，round，likethoseoftheirforefathers，butbuiltofmudandthatch。Aboutthemlaythegardens，orsquarefields，thatwerewellcultivated，andatthisseasonrichwithripeningcorn。
　　Benita，however，couldseenocattle，andconcluded，therefore，thatthesemustbekeptonthehillforsafety，andwithinitswalls。
　　Downtheroughroadtheylumbered，andthroughthevillage，wherethefewwomenandchildrenstaredattheminafrightenedway。Thentheycametothecauseway，which，onitsfurtherside，wasblockedwiththornsandroughstonestakenfromtheruins。Whiletheywaitedforthesetoberemovedbysomemenwhonowappeared，Benitalookedatthemassive，circularwallstillthirtyorfortyfeetinheight，byperhapstwentythroughitsbase，builtofgraniteblockswithoutmortar，andornamentedwithquaintpatternsofothercolouredstones。
　　Initsthicknessshecouldseegrooves，whereevidentlyhadoncebeenportcullises，butthesehaddisappearedlongago。”Itisawonderfulplace，”shesaidtoherfather。”IamgladthatI
　　came。Haveyoubeenalloverit？””No；onlybetweenthefirstandsecondwalls，andoncebetweenthesecondandthird。Theoldtemple，orwhateveritis，isonthetop，andintothattheywouldneveradmitus。Itistherethatthetreasurelies。””Thatthetreasureissupposedtolie，”sheansweredwithasmile。”But，Father，whatguaranteehaveyouthattheywilldosonow？
　　Perhapstheywilltakethegunsandshowusthedoor——orratherthegate。””Yourdaughterisright，thereisnone；andbeforeaboxistakenoffthewaggonwemustgetone，”saidMeyer。”Oh！Iknowitisrisky，anditwouldhavebeenbettertomakesurefirst，butitistoolatetotalkofthatnow。Look，thestonesarecleared。Trekon——trek！”
　　Thelongwaggon-whipcracked，thepoor，tired-outoxenstrainedattheyokes，andontheywentthroughtheentranceofthatfatefulfortressthatwasbutjustwideenoughtoadmitthem。Insidelayagreatopenspace，which，astheycouldseefromthenumerousruins，hadoncebeenfilledwithbuildingsthatnowwerehalfhiddenbygrass，trees，andcreepers。Thiswastheouterringofthetemplewhere，inancientdays，thepriestsandcaptainshadtheirhome。Travellingacrossitforperhapsahundredandfiftyyards，theycamenearthesecondwall，whichwaslikethefirst，onlynotquitesosolid，andsawthatonastretchofbeatenground，andseatedintheshadow，forthedaywashot，thepeopleofBambatseweregatheredtogreetthem。
　　Whenwithinfiftyyardstheydismountedfromthehorses，whichwereleftwiththewaggoninthechargeoftheMakalanga，Tamala。ThenBenitatakingherpositionbetweenherfatherandJacobMeyer，theyadvancedtowardstheringofnatives，ofwhomtheremayhavebeentwohundred——allofthemadultmen。
　　Astheycame，exceptonefigurewhoremainedseatedwithhisbackagainstthewall，thehumancirclestoodupasatokenofrespect，andBenitasawthattheywereofthesamestampasthemessengers——tallandgood-looking，withmelancholyeyesandacowedexpression，wearingtheappearanceofpeoplewhofromdaytodayliveindreadofslaveryanddeath。Oppositetothemwasabreakinthecircle，throughwhichTamasledthem，andastheycrosseditBenitafeltthatallthosepeoplewerestaringatherwiththeirsadeyes。Afewpacesfromwherethemancrouchedagainstthewall，hisheadhiddenbyabeautifullyworkedblanketthatwasthrownoverit，wereplacedthreewell-carvedstools。Uponthese，atamotionfromTamas，theysatthemselvesdown，and，asitwasnotdignifiedforthemtospeakfirst，remainedsilent。”Bepatientandforgive，”saidTamasatlength。”Myfather，Mambo，praystotheMunwaliandthespiritsofhisfathersthatthiscomingofyoursmaybefortunate，andthatavisionofthosethingsthataretobemaydescenduponhim。”
　　Benita，feelingnearlytwohundredpairsofeyesconcentrateduponher，wishedthatthevisionmightcomequickly，butafteraminuteortwofellintotunewiththething，andalmostenjoyedthisstrangeexperience。Thosemightyancientwallsbuiltbyhandsunknown，whichhadseensomuchhistoryandsomuchdeath；thesilent，tripleringofpatient，solemnmen，thelastdescendantsofaculturedrace，thecrouchingfigurehiddenbeneaththeblanket，whoimaginedhimselftobecommunicatingwithhisgod——itwasallverystrange，verywellworththeseeingtoonewhohadweariedofthemonotonyofcivilization。
　　Look，themanstirred，andthrewbackhisblanket，revealingaheadwhitewithage，aspiritual，asceticface，sothinthateveryboneshowedinit，anddarkeyeswhichstaredupwardsunseeingly，likethoseofapersoninatrance。Thricehesighed，whilehistribesmenwatchedhim。Thenhelethiseyesfalluponthethreewhitepeopleseatedinfrontofhim。FirsthelookedatMr。Clifford，andhisfacegrewtroubled；thenatJacobMeyer，anditwasanxiousandalarmed。
　　Lastly，hestaredatBenita，andwhilehedidsothedarkeyesbecamecalmandhappy。”Whitemaiden，”hesaidinasoft，lowvoice，”foryou，atleast，I
　　havegoodtidings。ThoughDeathcomeneartoyou，thoughyouseehimonyourrighthandandyourleft，andinfrontofyouandbehindyou，Isay，fearnot。Hereyou，whohaveknowndeepsorrow，shallfindhappinessandrest，Omaiden，withwhomgoesthespiritofonepureandfairasyou，whodiedsolongago。”
　　Then，whileBenitawonderedathiswords，spokenwithsuchsweetearnestnessthatalthoughshebelievednothingofthem，theybroughtakindofcomforttoher，helookedoncemoreatherfatherandJacobMeyer，and，asitwerewithaneffort，wassilent。”Haveyounopleasantprophecyforme，oldfriend，”saidJacob，”whohavecomesofartohearit？”
　　Atoncetheagedfacegrewinscrutable，allexpressionvanishedbehindahundredwrinkles，andheanswered:”None，whiteman——nonethatIamchargedtodeliver。Searchtheskiesforyourself，youwhoaresowise，andreadthemifyoucan。Lords，”
　　hewentoninanothervoice，”Igreetyouinthenameandpresenceofmychildren。SonTamas，Igreetyoualso；youhavedoneyourmissionwell。Listen，now——youarewearyandwouldrestandeat；still，bearwithme，forIhaveawordtosay。Lookaroundyou。Youseeallmytribe，nottwentytimestenabovetheageofboys，wewhooncewerecountlessastheleavesonyondertreesinspring。Whyarewedead？
　　BecauseoftheAmandabele，thosefiercedogswhom，twogenerationsago，Moselikatse，thegeneralofChaka，broughtuptothesouthofus，whoravishusandkillusyearbyyear。”Wearenotwarlike，wewhohaveoutlivedwarandthelustofslaying。
　　Wearemenofpeace，whodesiretocultivatetheland，andtofollowourartswhichhavedescendedtousfromourancestors，andtoworshiptheHeavensaboveus，whitherwedeparttojointhespiritsofourforefathers。Buttheyarefierceandstrongandsavage，andtheycomeupandmurderourchildrenandoldpeople，andtakeawaytheyoungwomenandthemaidenstobeslaves，andwiththemallourcattle。
　　Whereareourcattle？Lobengula，chiefoftheAmandabele，hasthem；
　　scarceacowislefttogivemilktothesickortothemotherlessbabe。Andyethesendsforcattle。Tribute，sayhismessengers，delivertribute，ormyimpiwillcomeandtakeitwithyourlives。Butwehavenocattle——allaregone。Wehavenothinglefttousbutthisancientmountainandtheworksbuiltthereon，andalittlecornonwhichwelive。Yes，Isayit——I，theMolimo——Iwhoseancestorsweregreatkings——IwhohavestillmorewisdominmethanallthehostsoftheAmandabele，”andashespoketheoldman’sgreyheadsankuponhisbreastandthetearsrandownhiswitheredcheeks，whilehispeopleanswered:”Mambo，itistrue。””Nowlistenagain，”hewenton。”Lobengulathreatensus，thereforeI
　　senttothesewhitemenwhowereherebefore，sayingthatiftheywouldbringmeahundredguns，andpowderandball，toenableustobeatofftheAmandabelefrombehindthesestrongwallsofours，I
　　wouldtakethemintothesecretholyplacewhereforsixgenerationsnowhitemanhassetafoot，andtheresufferthemtosearchforthetreasurewhichishidtherein，nomanknowswhere，thattreasurewhichtheyaskedleavetofindfourwintersgone。Werefuseditthenanddrovethemhence，becauseofthecurselaiduponusbythewhitemaidwhodied，thelastofthePortuguese，whoforetoldherpeople’sfateforusifwegaveuptheburiedgoldsavetooneappointed。Mychildren，theSpiritofBambatsehasvisitedme；Ihaveseenherandothershaveseenher，andinmysleepshesaidtome:’Sufferthementocomeandsearch，forwiththemisoneofthebloodtowhommypeople’swealthisgiven；andgreatisyourdanger，formanyspearsdrawnigh。’Mychildren，IsentmysonandothermessengersonafarjourneytowhereIknewthemendwelt，andtheyhavereturnedaftermanymonthsbringingthosemenwiththem，bringingwiththemalsoanotherofwhomIknewnothing——yes，herwhoisappointed，herofwhomtheSpiritspoke。”
　　ThenheliftedhiswitheredhandandheldittowardsBenita，saying:”Itellyouthatyondershesitsforwhomthegenerationshavewaited。””Itisso，”answeredtheMakalanga。”ItistheWhiteLadycomeagaintotakeherown。””Friends，”askedtheMolimo，whiletheywonderedathisstrangespeech，”tellme，haveyoubroughttheguns？””Surely，”answeredMr。Clifford，”theyarethereinthewaggon，everyoneofthem，thebestthatcanbemade，andwiththemtenthousandcartridges，boughtatagreatcost。Wehavefulfilledourshareofthebargain；nowwillyoufulfilyours，orshallwegoawayagainwiththegunsandleaveyoutomeettheMatabelewithyourassegais？””Sayyoutheagreementwhilewelisten，”answeredtheMolimo。”Good，”saidMr。Clifford。”Itisthis:Thatyoushallfindusfoodandshelterwhilewearewithyou。Thatyoushallleadusintothesecretplaceattheheadofthehill，wherethePortuguesedied，andthegoldishidden。Thatyoushallallowustosearchforthatgoldwhenandwherewewill。Thatifwediscoverthegold，oranythingelseofvaluetous，youshallsufferustotakeitaway，andassistusuponourjourney，eitherbygivingusboatsandmanningthemtotraveldowntheZambesi，orinwhateverfashionmaybemosteasy。Thatyoushallpermitnonetohurt，molest，orannoyusduringoursojournamongyou。Isthatourcontract？””Notquiteallofit，”saidtheMolimo。”Thereisthistoadd:firstthatyoushallteachushowtousetheguns；secondly，thatyoushallsearchforandfindthetreasure，ifsoitisappointed，withoutourhelp，sinceinthismatteritisnotlawfulforustomeddle；thirdly，thatiftheAmandabeleshouldchancetoattackuswhileyouarehere，youshalldoyourbesttoassistusagainsttheirpower。””Doyou，then，expectattack？”askedMeyersuspiciously。”Whiteman，wealwaysexpectattack。Isitabargain？””Yes，”answeredMr。CliffordandJacobMeyerinonevoice，thelatteradding:”thegunsandthecartridgesareyours。Leadusnowtothehiddenplace。Wehavefulfilledourpart；wetrusttothehonourofyouandallyourpeopletofulfilyours。””WhiteMaiden，”askedtheMolimo，addressingBenita，”doyoualsosaythatitisabargain？””Whatmyfathersays，Isay。””Good，”saidtheMolimo。”Then，inthepresenceofmypeople，andinthenameoftheMunwali，I，Mambo，whoamhisprophet，declarethatitissoagreedbetweenus，andmaythevengeanceoftheheavensfalluponthosewhobreakourpact！Lettheoxenofthewhitemenbeoutspanned，theirhorsesfed，theirwaggonunloaded，thatwemaycounttheguns。Letfoodbebroughtintotheguest-housealso，andaftertheyhaveeaten，I，whoaloneofallofyouhaveeverenteredit，willleadthemtotheholyplace，thattheretheymaybegintosearchforthatwhichthewhitemendesirefromagetoage——tofinditiftheycan；ifnot，todepartsatisfiedandatpeace。”
　　IX
　　THEOATHOFMADUNA
　　Mr。CliffordandMeyerrosetoreturntothewaggoninordertosuperintendtheunyokingoftheoxenandtogivedirectionsastotheirherding，andtheoff-saddlingofthehorses。Benitarosealso，wonderingwhenthefoodthathadbeenpromisedwouldbeready，forshewashungry。Meanwhile，theMolimowasgreetinghissonTamas，pattinghishandaffectionatelyandtalkingtohim，whensuddenlyBenita，whowatchedthisdomesticscenewithinterest，heardacommotionbehindher。Turningtodiscoveritscause，sheperceivedthreegreatmancladinfullwarpanoply，shieldsontheirleftarms，spearsintheirrighthands，blackostrichplumesrisingfromthepolishedringswovenintheirhair，blackmoochasabouttheirmiddles，andblackoxtailstiedbeneaththeirknees，whomarchedthroughthethrongofMakalangaasthoughtheysawthemnot。”TheMatabele！TheMatabeleareonus！”criedavoice；whileothervoicesshouted，”Flytoyourwalls！”andyetothers，”Killthem！Theyarefew。”
　　ButthethreemenmarchedonunheedingtilltheystoodbeforeMambo。”Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouseek？”theoldmanaskedboldly，thoughthefearthathadtakenholdofhimatthesightofthesestrangerswasevidentenough，forhiswholebodyshook。”Surelyyoushouldknow，chiefofBambatse，”answeredtheirspokesmanwithalaugh，”foryouhaveseenthelikeofusbefore。WearethechildrenofLobengula，theGreatElephant，theKing，theBlackBull，theFatheroftheAmandabele，andwehaveamessageforyourear，littleOldMan，which，findingthatyouleaveyourgateopen，wehavewalkedintodeliver。””Speakyourmessagethen，envoysofLobengula，inmyearandinthoseofmypeople，”saidtheMolimo。”Yourpeople！Aretheseallyourpeople？”thespokesmanrepliedcontemptuously。”Whythen，whatneedwastherefortheindunasoftheKingtosendsolargeanimpiunderagreatgeneralagainstyou，whenacompanyofladsarmedwithstickswouldhaveservedtheturn？Wethoughtthatthesewerebutthesonsofyourhouse，themenofyourownfamily，whomyouhadcalledtogethertoeatwiththewhitestrangers。””Closetheentranceinthewall，”criedtheMolimo，stungtofurybytheinsult；andavoiceanswered:”Father，itisalreadydone。”
　　ButtheMatabele，whoshouldhavebeenfrightened，onlylaughedagain，andtheirspokesmansaid:”See，mybrothers，hethinkstotrapuswhoarebutthree。Well，killon，OldWizard，ifyouwill，butknowthatifahandislifted，thisspearofminegoesthroughyourheart，andthatthechildrenofLobenguladiehard。Knowalsothatthentheimpiwhichwaitsnotfarawaywilldestroyyoueveryone，manandwoman，youthandmaiden，littleoneswhoholdthehandandinfantsatthebreast；noneshallbeleft——noneatall，tosay，’HereoncelivedthecowardlyMakalangaofBambatse。’Nay，benotfoolish，buttalksoftlywithus，sothatperhapswemayspareyourlives。”
　　Thenthethreemenplacedthemselvesbacktoback，insuchfashionthattheyfacedeveryway，andcouldnotbesmittendownfrombehind，andwaited。”Idonotkillenvoys，”saidtheMolimo，”butiftheyarefoul-
　　mouthed，Ithrowthemoutofmywalls。Yourmessage，menoftheAmandabele。””Ihearyou。HearkennowtothewordofLobengula。”
　　Thentheenvoybegantospeak，usingthepronounIasthoughitweretheMatabelekinghimselfwhospoketohisvassal，theMakalangachief:”Isenttoyoulastyear，youslave，whodaretocallyourselfMambooftheMakalanga，demandingatributeofcattleandwomen，andwarningyouthatiftheydidnotcome，Iwouldtakethem。Theydidnotcome，butthattimeIsparedyou。NowIsendagain。Handovertomymessengersfiftycowsandfiftyoxen，withherdstodrivethem，andtwelvemaidenstobeapprovedbythem，orIwipeyouout，whohavetroubledtheearthtoolong，andthatbeforeanothermoonhaswaned。”ThosearethewordsofLobengula，”heconcluded，andtakingthehornsnuff-boxfromtheslitinhisear，helpedhimself，theninsolentlypassedittotheMolimo。
　　Sogreatwastheoldchief’sragethat，forgettinghisself-control，hestrucktheboxfromthehandofhistormentortotheground，wherethesnufflayspilled。”Justsoshallthebloodofyourpeoplebespilledthroughyourrashfoolishness，”saidthemessengercalmly，ashepickedupthebox，andasmuchofthesnuffashecouldsave。”Hearken，”saidtheMolimo，inathin，tremblingvoice。”Yourkingdemandscattle，knowingthatallthecattlearegone，thatscarceacowislefttogivedrinktoamotherlessbabe。Heasksformaidensalso，butifhetookthoseheseeksweshouldhavenoneleftforouryoungmentomarry。Andwhyisthisso？Itisbecausethevulture，Lobengula，haspickedustothebone；yes，whileweareyetalivehehastornthefleshfromus。Yearbyyearhissoldiershavestolenandkilled，tillatlastnothingisleftofus。Andnowheseekswhatwehavenotgottogive，inorderthathemayforceaquarreluponusandmurderus。ThereisnoughtleftforustogiveLobengula。Youhaveyouranswer。””Indeed！”repliedtheenvoywithasneer。”Howcomesit，then，thatyonderIseeawaggonladenwithgoods，andoxenintheyokes？Yes，”
　　herepeatedwithmeaning，”withgoodswhereofwehaveknownthelikeatBuluwayo；forLobengulaalsosometimesbuysgunsfromwhitemen，O！
　　littleMakalanga。Comenow，giveusthewaggonwithitsloadandtheoxenandthehorses，andthoughitbebutasmallgift，wewilltakeitawayandasknothingmorethisyear。””HowcanIgiveyouthepropertyofmyguests，thewhitemen？”askedtheMolimo。”Getyougone，anddoyourworst，oryoushallbethrownfromthewallsofthefortress。””Good，butknowthatverysoonweshallreturnandmakeanendofyou，whoaretiredoftheselongandtroublesomejourneystogathersolittle。Go，tendyourcorn，dwellersinBambatse，forthisIswearinthenameofLobengula，nevershallyouseeitripenmore。”
　　NowthecrowdoflisteningMakalangatrembledathiswords，butintheoldMolimotheyseemedonlytorouseastormofpropheticfury。Foramomenthestoodstaringupatthebluesky，hisarmsoutstretchedasthoughinprayer。Thenhespokeinanewvoice——aclear，quietvoice，thatdidnotseemtobehisown。”WhoamI？”hesaid。”IamtheMolimooftheBambatseMakalanga；IamtheladderbetweenthemandHeaven；Isitonthetopmostboughofthetreeunderwhichtheyshelter，andthereinthecrestofthetreeMunwalispeakswithme。Whattoyouarewinds，tomearevoiceswhisperinginmyspirit’sears。Oncemyforefathersweregreatkings，theywereMambosofalltheland，andthatisstillmynameanddignity。Welivedinpeace；welaboured，wedidwrongtonoman。ThenyouZulusavagescameuponusfromthesouth-eastandyourpathwasredwithblood。Yearafteryearyourobbedandyoudestroyed；youraidedourcattle，youmurderedourmen，youtookourmaidensandourchildrentobeyourwomenandyourslaves，untilatlength，ofallthispitfilledwiththecornoflife，thereisleftbutalittlehandful。Andthisyousayyouwilleatupalso，lestitshouldfallintogoodgroundandgrowagain。ItellyouthatIthinkitwillnotbeso；butwhetherornothathappens，Ihavewordsfortheearofyourking——amessageforamessage。SaytohimthatthusspeaksthewiseoldMolimoofBambatse。”Iseehimhuntedlikeawoundedhyenathroughtherivers，inthedeepbush，andoverthemountain。Iseehimdieinpainandmisery；buthisgraveIseenot，fornomanshallknowit。Iseethewhitemantakehislandandallhiswealth；yea，tothemandtonosonofhisshallhispeoplegivetheBayéte，theroyalsalute。Ofhisgreatnessandhispower，thisaloneshallremaintohim——anameaccursedfromgenerationtogeneration。AndlastofallIseepeaceuponthelandanduponmychildren’schildren。”Hepaused，thenadded:”Foryou，crueldogthatyouare，thismessagealsofromtheMunwali，bythelipsofhisMolimo。Iliftnohandagainstyou，butyoushallnotlivetolookagainuponyourking’sface。Begonenow，anddoyourworst。”
　　ForamomentthethreeMatabeleseemedtobefrightened，andBenitaheardoneofthemsaytohiscompanions:”TheWizardhasbewitchedus！HehasbewitchedtheGreatElephantandallhispeople！Shallwekillhim？”
　　Butquicklyshakingoffhisfearstheirspokesmanlaughed，andanswered:”Sothatiswhatyouhavebroughtthewhitepeopleherefor，oldtraitor——toplotagainstthethroneofLobengula。”
　　HewheeledroundandstaredatMr。CliffordandJacobMeyer；thenadded:”Good，Grey-beardandBlack-Beard:Imyselfwillputyoubothtosuchadeathasyouhaveneverheardof，andasforthegirl，sincesheiswellfavoured，sheshallbrewtheking’sbeer，andbenumberedamongsttheking’swives——unless，indeed，heispleasedtogivehertome。”
　　Inaninstantthethingwasdone！Attheman’swordsaboutBenita，Meyer，whohadbeenlisteningtohisthreatsandbombastunconcerned，suddenlyseemedtoawake。Hisdarkeyesflashed，hispalefaceturnedcruel。Snatchingtherevolverfromhisbeltheseemedtopointandfireitwithonemovement，anddown——deadordying——wenttheMatabele。
　　Mendidnotstir，theyonlystared。Accustomedastheyweretodeathinthatwildland，thesuddennessofthisdeedsurprisedthem。Thecontrastbetweenthesplendid，brutalsavagewhohadstoodbeforethemamomentago，andthelimp，blackthinggoingtosleepupontheground，wasstrangeenoughtomovetheirimaginations。Therehelay，andthere，overhim，thesmokingpistolinhishand，Meyerstoodandlaughed。
　　Benitafeltthattheactwasjust，andtheawfulpunishmentdeserved。
　　YetthatlaughofJacob’sjarreduponher，forinitshethoughtsheheardtheman’sheartspeaking；andoh，itsvoicewasmerciless！
　　SurelyJusticeshouldnotlaughwhenherswordfalls！”Behold，now，”saidtheMolimoinhisstillvoice，pointingatthedeadMatabelewithhisfinger；”doIspeaklies，orisittruethatthismanshallnotlookmoreuponhisking’sface？Well，asitwaswiththeservant，soitshallbewiththelord，onlymoreslowly。ItisthedecreeoftheMunwali，spokenbythevoiceofhisMouth，theMolimoofBambatse。Go，childrenofLobengula，andbearwithyouasanofferingthisfirst-fruitoftheharvestthatthewhitemenshallreapamongthewarriorsofhispeople。”
　　Thethinvoicediedaway，andtherewassilencesointensethatBenitathoughtsheheardthescrapingofthefeetofagreenlizardwhichcreptacrossastoneayardortwoaway。
　　Thenofasuddenitended。OfasuddenthetworemainingMatabeleturnedandfledfortheirlives，andas，whendogsrun，aflockofsheepwillwheelaboutandpursuethem，sodidtheMakalanga。Theygrabbedatthemessengerswiththeirhands，tearingtheirfineryfromthem；theystruckthemwithsticks，theypoundedthemwithstones，tillatlengthtwobruisedandbleedingmen，findingallescapecutoff，andledperhapsbysomeinstinct，staggeredbacktowhereBenitastoodhorrifiedatthisdreadfulscene，andthrowingthemselvesupontheground，clutchedatherdressandprayedformercy。”Movealittle，MissClifford，”saidMeyer。”Threeofthosebruteswillnotweighheavierthanoneuponmyconscience。””No，no，youshallnot，”sheanswered。”Mambo，thesemenaremessengers；sparethem。””Hearkentothevoiceofpity，”saidtheoldprophet，”spokeninaplacewherepityneverwas，andnotinvain。Letthemgo。Givemercytothemerciless，forshebuystheirliveswithaprayer。””Theywillbringtheothersonus，”mutteredTamas，andevenoldMr。
　　Cliffordshookhisheadsadly。ButtheMolimoonlysaid:”Ihavespoken。Letthemgo。Thatwhichwillbefallmustbefall，andfromthisdeednoillshallcomethatwouldnothavecomeotherwise。””Youhear？Departswiftly，”saidBenita，inZulu。
　　Withdifficultythetwomendraggedthemselvestotheirfeet，andsupportingeachother，stoodbeforeher。Oneofthem，aclever，powerful-facedman，whoseblackhairwastingedwithgrey，addressinghimselftoBenita，gasped:”Hearme。Thatfoolthere，”andhepointedtohisdeadcompanion，”whoseboastingbroughthisdeathuponhim，wasbutalowfellow。I，whokeptsilenceandlethimtalk，amMaduna，aprinceoftheroyalhousewhojustlydeservetodiebecauseIturnedmybackuponthesedogs。YetIandmybrotherheretakelifeatyourhands，Lady，who，nowthatIhavehadtimetothink，wouldrefuseitattheirs。For，whetherIstayorgodoesnotmatter。Theimpiwaits；theslayersarebeneaththewalls。Thosethingswhicharedecreedwillhappen；there，yonderoldWizardspeakstrue。Listen，Lady:shoulditchancethatyouhavecausetodemandtwolivesatthehandsofMaduna，inhisownnameandthenameofhiskinghepromisesthemtoyou。Insafetyshalltheypass，theyandallthatistheirs，withouttolltaken。RemembertheoathofMaduna，Lady，inthehourofyourneed，anddoyou，mybrother，bearwitnesstoitamongourpeople。”
　　Then，straighteningthemselvesaswellastheywereable，thesetwosorelyhurtmenliftedtheirrightarmsandgaveBenitathesaluteduetoachieftainess。Thisdone，takingnonoteofanyothercreaturethere，theylimpedawaytothegatethathadbeenopenedforthem，andvanishedbeyondthewall。
　　AllthiswhileMeyerhadstoodsilent；nowhespokewithabittersmile。”Charity，MissClifford，saidacertainPaul，asreportedinyourNewTestament，coversamultitudeofsins。Ihopeverymuchthatitwillservetocoverourremainsfromtheaasvogels，afterwehavemetourdeathsinsomesuchfashionasthatbrutepromisedus，”andhepointedtothedeadman。
　　Benitalookedatherfatherinquestion。”Mr。Meyermeans，mydear，thatyouhavedoneafoolishthinginbeggingthelivesofthoseMatabele。Itwouldhavebeensaferforusiftheyweredead，who，asitis，havegoneoffburningforrevenge。
　　Ofcourse，Iunderstanditwasnaturalenough，but——”andhehesitatedandstopped。”Thechiefdidnotsayso，”brokeinBenitawithagitation；”besides，ifhehad，Ishouldnothavecared。Itwasbadenoughtoseeonemankilledlikethat，”andsheshivered；”Icouldnotbearanymore。””Youshouldnotbeangryatthefellow’sdeath，seeingthatitwaswhathesaidofyouwhichbroughtituponhim，”Meyerrepliedwithmeaning。”OtherwisehemighthavegoneunharmedasfarasIwasconcerned。Fortherest，IdidnotinterferebecauseIsawitwasuseless；alsoIamafatalistlikeourfriend，theMolimo，andbelieveinwhatisdecreed。Thetruthis，”headdedsharply，”amongsavagesladiesarenotinplace。””WhydidyounotsaythatdownatRooiKrantz，Jacob？”askedMr。
　　Clifford。”YouknowIthoughtsoallthewhile，butsomehowIwasover-ruled。NowwhatIsuggestis，thatwehadbettergetoutofthisplaceasfastaswecan——instantly，assoonaswehaveeaten，beforeourretreatiscutoff。”
　　Meyerlookedattheoxenwhichhadbeenoutspanned:ninewerewanderingaboutpickingupwhatfoodtheycould，butthefivewhichweresupposedtohavebeenbittenbytetseflyhadlaindown。”Nineworn-outandfootsoreoxenwillnotdrawthewaggon，”hesaid；”alsoinallprobabilitytheplaceisalreadysurroundedbyMatabele，whomerelyletusintobesureofthegunswhichtheirspiesmusthavetoldthemwewerecarrying。Lastly，havingspentsomuchandcomesofar，Idonotmeantogowithoutwhatweseek。Still，ifyouthinkthatyourdaughter’sdangerisgreaterwithinthesewallsthanoutsideofthem，youmighttry，ifwecanhireservants，whichIdoubt。Orpossibly，ifanyrowersaretobehad，youcouldgodowntheZambesiinacanoe，riskingthefever。Youandshemustsettleit，Clifford。””Difficultiesanddangerseverywayonelooks。Benita，whatdoyousay？”askedherfatherdistractedly。
　　Benitathoughtamoment。ShewishedtoescapefromMr。Meyer，ofwhomshewaswearyandafraid，andwouldhaveenduredmuchtodoso。Ontheotherhand，herfatherwastiredout，andneededrest；alsototurnhisbackuponthisventurenowwouldhavebeenabitterblowtohim。
　　Moreover，lackingcattleandmen，howwasittobedone？Lastly，somethingwithinher，thatsamevoicewhichhadbiddenhertocome，seemedtobidhertostay。Verysoonshehadmadeuphermind。”Father，dear，”shesaid，”thankyouforthinkingofme，butasfarasIcansee，weshouldrunmoreriskstryingtogetawaythanwedoinstoppinghere。Iwantedtocome，thoughyouwarnedmeagainstit，andnowImusttakemychanceandtrusttoGodtobringussafethroughalldangers。SurelywithallthoseriflestheMakalangaoughttobeabletoholdsuchaplaceasthisagainsttheMatabele。””Ihopeso，”answeredherfather；”buttheyareatimidfolk。Still，thoughitwouldhavebeenfarbetternevertohavecome，Ithinkwithyouthatitisbesttostaywhereweare，andtrusttoGod。”
　　X
　　THEMOUNTAINTOP
　　Ifouradventurers，oranyofthem，hopedthattheyweregoingtobeledtothesecretplacesofthefortressthatday，theyweredestinedtodisappointment。Indeed，theremainderofitwasemployedarduouslyenoughinunpackingrifles，andasupplyofammunition；alsoingivingtoafewoftheleadingMakalangapreliminarylessonsinthemethodoftheiruse，amatterastowhichtheirideaswereofthevaguest。Therestofthetribe，havingbroughttheirwomenandchildrenintotheouterenclosureoftheancientstronghold，andwiththemtheirsheepandgoatsandthefewcattlewhichremainedtothem，wereemployedinbuildinguptheentrancepermanentlywithstones，azigzagsecretpathupontheriverside，thatcouldbestoppedinafewminutes，beingnowtheironlymethodofingressandegressthroughthethicknessofthewalls。Acertainnumberofmenwerealsosentoutasspiestodiscover，ifpossible，thewhereaboutsoftheMatabeleimpi。
　　Thattherewassomeimpitheywerealmostsure，forawomanwhohadfollowedthemreportedthattheinjuredcaptain，Maduna，andhiscompanionhadbeenmetatadistanceofaboutthreemilesfromBambatsebyasmallpartyofMatabele，whowerehidinginsomebushes，andthatthesemenhadmadelittersforthem，andcarriedthemaway；
　　whithershedidnotknow，forshehadnotdaredtopursuethemfurther。
　　ThatnightBenitapassedintheguesthouse，whichwasonlyahutratherlargerthantheothers，whilethetwomensleptinthewaggonjustoutside。Shewassotiredthatforalongwhileshecouldnotrest。Hermindkeptflyingbacktoalltheeventsoftheday:thestrangewordsofthatmysticoldMolimo，concerningherself；thearrivalofthebrutalmessengersandtheindabathatfollowed；thenthesuddenandawfuldestructionoftheirspokesmanatthehandofJacobMeyer。Thescenewouldnotleavehereyes，shesawitagainandyetagain:thequicktransformationofMeyer’sindifferentfacewhenthesoldierbegantoinsultandthreatenher，thelightning-likemovementofhishand，theflash，thereport，thechangefromlifetodeath，andtheslayer’scruellaugh。Hecouldbeveryterrible，JacobMeyer，whenhispassionswereroused！
　　Andwhathadrousedthemthen？Shecouldnotdoubtthatitwasherself——notmerechivalrytowardsawoman。Evenifhewerecapableofchivalry，merelyforthathewouldneverhavetakensuchriskoffuturetroubleandrevenge。No；itwassomethingdeeper。Hehadneversaidanythingordoneanything，yetlongagoinstinctorinsighthadcausedBenitatosuspecttheworkingsofhismind，andnowshewassureofthem。Thethoughtwasterrible——worsethanallherotherdangersputtogether。True，shehadherfathertorelyon，buthehadbeensomewhatailingoflate；ageandthesearduousjourneysandanxietieshadtolduponhim。Supposingthatanythingweretohappentohim——ifhedied，forinstance，howdreadfulherpositionmightbecome，leftalonefarfromthereachofhelp，withsavages——andJacobMeyer。
　　Oh！ifithadnotbeenforthatdreadfulshipwreck，howdifferentmightbeherlotto-day！Well，itwasthethoughtoftheshipwreckandofhimwhomshehadlosttherein，whichhaddrivenherontothisadventure，thatinitperhapshersufferingmindmightbenumbedtorest；andnowshemustfaceitsissues。Godstillremainedaboveher，andshewouldputhertrustinHim。Afterall，ifshedied，whatdiditmatter？
　　ButthatoldMolimohadpromisedherthatshewassafefromdeath，thatsheshouldfindherehappinessandrest，thoughnotthatofthegrave。Hepromisedthis，speakingasonewhoknewofallhergrief，andaverylittlewhileafterwards，inthecaseoftheMatabelesoldier，hehadprovedhimselfaprophetofawfulpower。Also——sheknewnothow，sheknewnotwhy——now，asbefore，herinmostheartseemedtobearwitnessthatthisolddreamer’swordsweretrue，andthatforher，insomestrangemannerunforeseen，therestillremainedarest。
　　Comfortedalittlebythisintuition，atlengthBenitafellasleep。
　　Nextmorning，whenshecameoutofthehut，Benitawasmetbyherfather，whowithacheerfulcountenanceinformedherthatatanyrateasyettherewasnosignoftheMatabele。Afewhourslater，too，somespiescameinwhosaidthatformilesroundnothingcouldbeseenorheardofthem。Stillthepreparationsfordefencewenton，andthehundredbestmenhavingbeenfurnishedwiththerifles，werebeingdrilledintheuseofthembyTamasandhistwocompanions，TamalaandHoba，whohadlearnedhowtohandleagunverywellinthecourseoftheirlongjourney。Theshootingoftheserawrecruits，however，provedtobeexecrable；indeed，sodangerousweretheythatwhenoneofthemfiredatamarksetuponthewall，itwasfoundnecessarytoorderalltheresttoliedown。Asitwas，apoortrekox——luckilyitwassick——andtwosheepwerekilled。
　　Foreseeingascarcityofprovisionsintheeventofasiege，Meyer，providentasever，hadalreadydecreedthedeathofthetetse-bittencattle。Thesewereaccordinglydespatched，andhavingbeenskinnedandcutup，theirfleshwasseveredintolongstripstobedriedintheburningsunasbiltong，whichsecretlyBenitahopedshemightneverbecalledupontoeat。Yetthetimewastocomewhenshewouldswallowthathard，tetse-poisonedfleshwiththankfulness。
　　Atmidday，aftertheyhadeaten，Mr。CliffordandMeyerwenttotheMolimo，wherehesatagainstthesecondwall，and，pointingtothemenwiththeguns，said:”Wehavefulfilledourbargain。Nowfulfilyours。Leadustotheholyplacethatwemaybeginoursearch。””Sobeit，”heanswered。”Followme，whitepeople。”
　　Then，quiteunattended，heguidedthemroundtheinnerwalltilltheycametoapathofrocknotmorethanayardwide，beneathwhichwasaprecipicefiftyfeetorsoindepththatalmostoverhungtheriver。
　　Thisgiddypaththeyfollowedforabouttwentypaces，tofindthatitendedinacleftinthewallsonarrowthatonlyonepersoncouldwalkthroughitatatime。Thatitmusthavebeentheapproachtothesecondstrongholdwasevident，however，sinceitwasfacedoneithersidewithdressedstones，andeventhefoundationgranitehadbeenwornbythehumanfeetwhichhadpassedhereforagesuponages。Thispathzigzaggedtoandfrointhethicknessofthewalltillitbroughtthemfinallywithinitscircle，abroadbeltofsteeply-risingground，coveredlikethatbelowwiththetumbledruinsofbuildingsamidstwhichgrewbushandtrees。”Heavensendthatthegoldisnotburiedhere，”saidMr。Clifford，surveyingthescene；”forifitis，weshallneverfindit。”
　　TheMolimoseemedtoguessthemeaningofhiswordsfromhisface，forheanswered:”Ithinknothere。Thebesiegerswonthisplaceandcampedinitformanyweeks。IcouldshowyouweretheybuilttheirfiresandtriedtounderminethelastwallwithinwhichthePortuguesesataboutuntilhungerkilledthem，fortheycouldnoteattheirgold。Followmeagain。”
　　Soontheywentuptheslopetilltheycametothebaseofthethirdwall，andasbefore，passedroundit，andreachedapointabovetheriver。Butnowtherewasnopassage，onlysomeshallowandalmostprecipitousstepscutfromsinglestonesleadingfromthefootofthewalltoitssummit，morethanthirtyfeetabove。”Really，”saidBenita，contemplatingthisperilousascentwithdismay，”thewaysoftreasureseekersarehard。Idon’tthinkIcan，”whileherfatheralsolookedatthemandshookhishead。”Wemustgetarope，”saidMeyertotheMolimoangrily。”Howcanweclimbthatplacewithoutone，withsuchagulfbelow？””Iamold，butIclimbit，”saidtheagedmaninmildsurprise，sincetohim，whohadtroddenitallhislife，itseemednotdifficult。”Still，”headded，”IhavearopeabovewhichIuseupondarknights。
　　Iwillascendandletitdown。”
　　Ascendhedidaccordingly；indeed，itwasawondroussighttoseehiswitheredlegsscramblingfromsteptostepasunconcernedlyasthoughheweregoingupstairs。Nomonkeycouldhavebeenmoreagile，ormoreabsolutelyimpervioustotheeffectsofheight。Soonhevanishedin——
　　or，rather，through——thecrestofthewall，andpresentlyappearedagainonthetopstep，whenceheletdownastouthiderope，remarkingthatitwassecurelytied。SoanxiouswasMeyertoenterthehiddenplaceofwhichhehaddreamedsolongthathescarcelywaitedforittoreachhishandbeforehebegantheclimb，whichheaccomplishedsafely。Then，sittingonthetopofthewall，hedirectedMr。CliffordtofastentheendoftheroperoundBenita’swaist，andherturncame。
　　Itwasnotsobadassheexpected，forshewasagile，andtheknowledgethattheropewouldpreventdisastergaveherconfidence。InaverylittlewhileshehadgraspedMeyer’soutstretchedhand，andbeendrawnintosafetythroughakindofapertureabovethetopstep。
　　Thentheropewasletdownagainforherfather，whotieditabouthismiddle。Wellwasitthathedidso，sincewhenhewasabouthalf-wayup，awkwardness，orperhapslossofnerve——neitherofthemwonderfulinanoldman——causedhisfoottoslip，andhaditnotbeenfortheropewhichMeyerandtheMolimoheld，hewouldcertainlyhavefallenintotheriversomehundredsoffeetbelow。Asitwas，herecoveredhimself，andpresentlyarrivedpantingandverypale。InherreliefBenitakissedhim，andevenasshedidsothoughtagainthatshehadbeenveryneartobeingleftalonewithJacobMeyer。”All’swellthatendswell，mydear，”hesaid。”ButuponmywordIambeginningtowishthatIhadbeencontentwiththehumbleprofitsofhorse-breeding。”
　　Benitamadenoanswer；itseemedtoolateforanyusefulconsiderationofthepoint。”Clevermen，thoseancients，”saidMeyer。”See，”andhepointedouttoherhow，bydrawingaheavystonewhichstilllayclosebyovertheaperturethroughwhichtheyhadcrept，theascentofthewallcouldbemadeabsolutelyimpossibletoanyenemy，sinceatitscrestitwasbattenedoutwards，notinwards，asisusualintheseancientruins。”Yes，”sheanswered，”weoughttofeelsafeenoughinsidehere，andthat’saswellsinceIdonotfeelinclinedtogooutagainatpresent。”
　　Thentheypausedtolookaboutthem，andthiswaswhattheysaw:
　　Thewall，builtlikethosebelow，ofunmortaredblocksofstone，remainedinawonderfullygoodstateofpreservation，foritsonlyenemieshadbeentime，thetropicalrains，andthegrowthofshrubsandtreeswhichhereandtherehadcrackedanddisplacedthestones。
　　Itenclosedallthetopofthehill，perhapsthreeacresofground，andonitatintervalswereplantedsoap-stonepillars，eachofthemabouttwelvefeetinheight，andfashionedatthetoptoaruderesemblanceofavulture。Manyofthesecolumns，howeverhadbeenblowndown，orperhapsstruckbylightning，andlaybrokenuponthewall，oriftheyhadfalleninward，atitsfoot；butsome，sixoreightperhaps，werestillstanding。
　　BenitalearnedafterwardsthattheymusthavebeenplacedtherebytheancientPh？nicians，orwhateverpeopleconstructedthisgiganticfortification，andhadsomethingtodowiththeexactrecordingsofthedifferentseasonsoftheyear，andtheirsub-divisions，bymeansoftheshadowswhichtheycast。Asyet，however，shedidnotpaymuchattentiontothem，forshewasengagedinconsideringamoreremarkablerelicofantiquitywhichstoodupontheveryvergeoftheprecipice，thewall，indeed，beingbuiltuptoitsbaseoneitherside。
　　ItwasthegreatconeofwhichRichardSeymourhadtoldher，fiftyfeethighormore，suchasoncewasfoundinthePh？niciantemples。
　　Butinthiscaseitwasnotbuiltofmasonry，butshapedbythehandofmanoutofasinglegiganticgranitemonolithofthesortthataresometimestobemetwithinAfrica，thatthousandsormillionsofyearsagohadbeenleftstandingthuswhenthesofterrockarounditwaswornawaybytimeandweather。Ontheinnersideofthisconewereeasystepswherebyitcouldbeascended，anditstop，whichmighthavebeensixfeetindiameter，wasfashionedintheshapeofacup，probablyforthepurposesofactsofworshipandofsacrifice。Thisextraordinarymonument，which，exceptontheriverside，couldnotbeseenfrombelowonaccountoftheslopeofthehill，leanedslightlyoutwards，sothatastonedroppedfromitscrestwouldfallintothewatersofthestream。”Thenceitwas，”saidtheMolimo，”thatmyforefatherssawthelastofthePortuguese，thefairdaughterofthegreatCaptainFerreira，hurlherselftodeathaftershehadgiventhegoldintoourkeeping，andlaidthecurseuponit，untilshecameagain。SoinmydreamshaveI
　　seenandheardheralso，ay，andothershaveseenher，buttheseonlyfrombytheriverfarbelow。”
　　Hepausedawhile，lookingatBenitawithhisqueer，dreamyeyes；thensaidsuddenly:”Say，Lady，doyouremembernothingofthatmatter？”
　　NowBenitagrewvexed，forthewholethingwasuncannyandjarreduponher。”HowcanIremember，”sheasked，”whowasbornnotfiveandtwentyyearsago？””Idonotknow，”heanswered。”HowshouldIknow，whoambutanignorantoldblackman，whowasbornnotmuchmorethaneightyyearsago？Yet，Lady，tellme，forIseekyourwisdom，wherewereyoubornfrom？Outoftheearth，oroutoftheheavens？What？Youshakeyourhead，youwhodonotremember？Well，neitherdoIremember。Yetitistruethatallcirclesmeetsomewhere，anditistruethatthePortuguesemaidensaidshewouldcomeagain；andlastlyitistruethatshewassuchanoneasyouare，forshehauntsthisplace，andI，whohaveseenhersittingyonderinthemoonlight，knowherbeautywell。Yetmayhapshecomesnomoreinflesh，butstillherspiritcomes；for，Lady，outofthoseeyesofyoursIseeitgazeatme。
　　Come，”headdedabruptly，”letusdescendthewall，forasyoucannotremember，thereismoretoshowyou。Havenofear——thestepsareeasy。”
　　Sotheywentdownwithoutmuchdifficulty，since，fromtheaccumulationofrubbishandothercauses，thewallwasagreatdealloweronthisside，andfoundthemselvesintheusualdensegrowthofvegetationandbrushwoodthroughwhichranalittlepath。Itledthempasttheruinsofbuildingswhereoftheuseandpurposewerelongsinceforgotten，fortheirroofshadfalleninhundredsorthousandsofyearsago，totheentranceofacavewhichwasplacedalmostatthefootofthemonolithiccone，butthirtyorfortyyardsfurtherfromthecircleofthewall。HeretheMolimobadethemstaywhilehelitthelampswithin。Fiveminutespassedandhereturned，sayingthatallwasready。”Benotafraidofwhatyoumaysee，”headded，”forknow，whitepeople，thatsavemyforefathersandmyself，nonehaveenteredthisplacesincethePortugueseperishedhere，norhavewe，whodobutcomehithertoprayandreceivethewordoftheMunwali，everventuredtodisturbit。Asitwas，soitis。Come，Lady，come；shewhosespiritgoeswithyouwasthelastofyourwhiteracetopassthisdoor。Itisthereforefittingthatyourfeetandherspiritshouldbethefirsttoenteritagain。”
　　Benitahungbackalittle，fortheadventurewaseerie，then，determinedthatshewouldshownofearinthepresenceofthisoldpriest，tookthethinhandhestretchedouttoher，andwalkedforwardwithheaderect。Thetwomenbegantofollowher，buttheMolimostoppedthem，saying:”Notso。Themaidenentersfirstalonewithme；itisherhouse，andshoulditpleasehertoaskyoutodwelltherein，sobeit。Butfirstshemustvisitherhousealone。””Nonsense，”saidMr。Cliffordangrily。”Iwillnothaveit。Itwillfrightenher。””Lady，doyoutrustme？”askedtheMolimo。”Yes，”sheanswered；adding，”Father，Ithinkyouhadbetterletmegoalone。Iamnotafraidnow，anditmaybewisestnottothwarthim。
　　Thisisaverystrangebusiness——notlikeanythingelse——andreallyI
　　thinkthatIhadbettergoalone。IfIdonotcomebackpresently，youcanfollow。””Thosewhobreakinuponthesleepofthedeadshouldwalkgently，gently，”pipedtheoldMolimoinasing-songvoice。”Themaiden’sbreathispure；themaiden’sfootislight；herbreathwillnotoffendthedead；herstepwillnotdisturbthedead。Whitemen，whitemen，angernotthedead，forthedeadaremighty，andwillberevengeduponyouwhenyouaredead；soon，verysoon，whenyouaredead——deadinyoursorrows，deadinyoursins，dead，gatheredtothatcompanyofthedeadwhoawaitushere。”
　　And，stillchantinghismysticsong，heledBenitabythehandoutofthelight，onwardintodarkness，awayfromlife，onwardintotheplaceofdeath。
　　XI
　　THESLEEPERSINTHECAVE
　　Likeeveryotherpassageinthisoldfortress，theapproachtothecavewasnarrowandwinding；presumablytheancientshadarrangedthemthustofacilitatetheirdefence。Afterthethirdbend，however，Benitasawalightaheadwhichflowedfromanativelamplitinthearchedentrance。Atthesideofthisarchwasashell-shapedhollow，cutintherockaboutthreefeetabovethefloor。Itsappearanceseemedfamiliartoher；why，shewassoontolearn，althoughatthemomentshedidnotconnectitwithanythinginparticular。Thecavebeyondwaslarge，lofty，andnotaltogethernatural，foritswallshadevidentlybeenshaped，oratanyratetrimmed，byman。ProbablyheretheoldPriestshadestablishedtheiroracle，orplaceofoffering。
　　AtfirstBenitacouldnotseemuch，sinceinthatgreatcaverntwolampsofhippopotamusoilgavebutlittlelight。Presently，however，hereyesbecameaccustomedtothegloom，andastheyadvancedupitslengthsheperceivedthatsaveforaskinruguponwhichsheguessedtheMolimosatathissolitarydevotions，andsomegourdsandplattersforwaterandfood，allthefrontpartoftheplaceappearedtobeempty。Beyond，initscentre，stoodanobjectofsomegleamingmetal，thatfromitsdoublehandlesandrollerborneuponsupportsofrockshetooktobesomekindofwinch，andrightly，forbeneathitwasthemouthofagreatwell，thewatersupplyofthetopmostfortification。
　　Beyondthewellwasastonealtar，shapedlikeatruncatedconeorpyramid，andatsomedistanceawayagainstthefarwall，asshedimlydiscoveredbythelampthatstooduponthealtar，cutinreliefuponthatwallindeed，acolossalcrosstowhich，vigorouslyifrudelyexecutedinwhitestone，hungtheimageofChristcrucified，thecrownofthornsuponHisdroopinghead。Nowsheunderstood。Whatevermayhavebeenthefirstworshiptowhichthisplacewasdedicated，Christianshadusurpedit，andsetupherethesacredsymboloftheirfaith，awfulenoughtolookuponinsuchsurroundings。Doubtless，also，theshell-shapedbasinattheentrancehadservedtheworshippersinthisundergroundchapelasastoupforholywater。
　　TheMolimoliftedthelampfromthealtar，andhavingadjusteditswick，helditupinfrontoftheroodbeforewhich，althoughshewasnoCatholic，Benitabowedherheadandcrossedherself，whilehewatchedhercuriously。Thenheloweredit，andsheperceivedthatonthecementedfloorlaygreatnumbersofshroudedformsthatatfirstlookedtoherlikefolkasleep。Hesteppedtooneofthemandtoucheditwithhisfoot，whereontheclothwhichwithitwascoveredcrumbledintodust，revealingbeneathawhiteskeleton。
　　Allthosesleepersrestedwellindeed，fortheyhadbeendeadatleasttwohundredyears。Theretheylay——men，women，andchildren，thoughofthelastbutfew。Someofthemhadornamentsontheirbones，somewerecladinarmour，andbyallthemenwereswords，orspears，orknives，andhereandtherewhatshetooktobeprimitivefire-arms。Certainofthemalsohadturnedintomummiesinthatdryair——grotesqueanddreadfulobjectsfromwhichshegladlyavertedhereyes。
　　TheMolimoledherforwardtothefootofthecrucifix，where，uponitsloweststepanduponthecementedfloorimmediatelybeneathitrespectively，laytwoshapesdecorouslycoveredwithshawlsofsomeheavymaterialinterwovenwithgoldwire，forthemanufactureofwhichtheMakalangawerefamouswhenfirstthePortuguesecameintocontactwiththem。TheMolimotookholdoftheclothsthatseemedalmostasgoodnowasonthedaywhentheywerewoven，andliftedthem，revealingbeneaththefiguresofamanandwoman。Thefeatureswereunrecognizable，althoughthehair，whiteintheman’scaseandravenblackinthatofthewoman，remainedperfect。Theyhadbeengreatpeople，forordersglitteredupontheman’sbreast，andhisswordwasgoldhilted，whilstthewoman’sboneswereadornedwithcostlynecklacesandjewels，andinherhandwasstillabookboundinsheetsofsilver。Benitatookitupandlookedatit。Itwasamissalbeautifullyilluminated，whichdoubtlessthepoorladyhadbeenreadingwhenatlengthshesankexhaustedintothesleepofdeath。