”SeetheLordFerreiraandhiswife，”saidtheMolimo，”whomtheirdaughterlaidthusbeforeshewenttojointhem。”Then，atamotionfromBenita，hecoveredthemupagainwiththeirgoldencloths。”Heretheysleep，”hewentoninhischantingvoice，”ahundredandfiftyandthreeofthem——ahundredandfiftyandthree；andwhenIdreaminthisplaceatnight，Ihaveseentheghostsofeveryoneofthemarisefrombesidetheirformsandcomeglidingdownthecave——thehusbandwiththewife，thechildwiththemother——tolookatme，andaskwhenthemaidenreturnsagaintotakeherheritageandgivethemburial。”
　　Benitashuddered；thesolemnawfulnessoftheplaceandsceneoppressedher。Shebegantothinkthatshe，too，sawthoseghosts。”Itisenough，”shesaid。”Letusbegoing。”
　　Sotheywent，andthepitiful，agonizedChristuponthecross，atwhichsheglancedfromtimetotimeoverhershoulder，fadedtoawhiteblot，thenvanishedawayinthedarkness，throughwhich，fromgenerationtogeneration，itkeptitswatchabovethedead，thosedeadthatintheirdespaironcehadcriedtoitformercy，andbedeweditsfeetwithtears。
　　Glad，oh！gladwasshewhenshehadleftthathauntedplacebehindher，andsawthewholesomelightagain。”Whathaveyouseen？”askedherfatherandMeyer，inonebreath，astheynotedherwhiteandfrightenedface。
　　Shesankuponastoneseatattheentranceofthecave，andbeforeshecouldopenherlipstheMolimoansweredforher:”Themaidenhasseenthedead。TheSpiritwhogoeswithherhasgivengreetingtoitsdeadthatitleftsolongago。ThemaidenhasdonereverencetotheWhiteOnewhohangsuponthecross，andaskedablessingandapardonofHim，asshewhoseSpiritgoeswithherdidreverencebeforetheeyesofmyforefathers，andaskedablessingandapardonereshecastherselfaway。”AndhepointedtothelittlegoldencrucifixwhichhunguponBenita’sbosom，attachedtothenecklacewhichTamas，themessenger，hadgivenheratRooiKrantz。”Now，”hewenton，”nowthespellisbroken，andthesleepersmustdeparttosleepelsewhere。Enter，whitemen；enter，ifyoudare，andaskforpardonandforblessingifitmaybefound，andgatherupthedrybonesandtakethetreasurethatwastheirs，ifitmaybefound，andconquerthecursethatgoeswiththetreasureforallsaveone，ifyoucan，ifyoucan，ifyoucan！Restyouhere，maiden，inthesweetsunshine，andfollowme，whitemen；followmeintothedarkofthedeadtoseekforthatwhichthewhitemenlove。”Andoncemorehevanisheddownthepassage，turningnowandagaintobeckontothem，whiletheywentafterhimasthoughdrawnagainsttheirwish。Fornow，atthelastmoment，somesuperstitiousfearspreadfromhimtothem，andshoweditselfintheireyes。
　　ToBenita，halffaintinguponthestoneseat，forthisexperiencehadshakenhertotheheart，itseemedbutafewminutes，thoughreallythebestpartofanhourhadgoneby，whenherfatherreappearedaswhite-facedasshehadbeen。”WhereisMr。Meyer？”sheasked。”Oh！”heanswered。”Heiscollectingallthegoldenornamentsoffthosepoorbodies，andtumblingtheirbonestogetherinacornerofthecave。”
　　Benitautteredanexclamationofhorror。”Iknowwhatyoumean，”saidherfather。”But，cursethefellow！hehasnoreverence，althoughatfirstheseemedalmostasscaredasI
　　wasmyself。Hesaidthataswecouldnotbeginoursearchwithallthosecorpsesabout，theyhadbestbegotoutofthewayassoonaspossible。Orperhapsitwasbecauseheisreallyafraidofthem，andwantedtoprovetohimselfthattheyarenothingmorethandust。
　　Benita，”wentontheoldman，”totellyouthetruth，Iwishheartilythatwehadleftthisbusinessalone。Idon’tbelievethatanygoodwillcomeofit，andcertainlyithasbroughtenoughtroublealready。
　　ThatoldprophetofaMolimohasthesecondsight，orsomethinglikeit，andhedoesnothidehisopinion，butkeepschucklingawayinthatdreadfulplace，andpipingouthispromisesofilltobe。””Hepromisedmenothingbutgood，”saidBenitawithalittlesmile。”ThoughIdon’tseehowitcanhappen。Butifyoudislikethething，father，whynotgiveitupandtrytoescape？””Itistoolate，dear，”herepliedpassionately。”Meyerwouldnevercome，andIcan’tinhonourleavehim。Also，Ishouldlaughatmyselffortherestofmylife；and，afterall，whyshouldwenothavethegoldifitcanbefound？Itbelongstonobody。Wedonotgetitbyrobbery，ormurder；nuggetsareofnousetoPortuguesewhohavebeendeadtwohundredyears，andwhoseheirs，iftheyhaveany，itisimpossibletodiscover。Norcanitmattertothemwhethertheylieaboutsinglyastheydiedorwereplacedafterdeath，orpiledtogetherinacorner。Ourfearsweremerechurchyardsuperstitions，whichwehavecaughtfromthatghoulofaMolimo。Don’tyouagreewithme？””Yes，Isupposeso，”answeredBenita，”thoughafatemayclingtocertainthingsorplaces，perhaps。Atanyrate，Ithinkthatitisofnouseturningbacknow，evenifwehadanywheretoturn，sowemayaswellgothroughwiththeventureandawaititsend。Givemethewater-
　　bottle，please。Iamthirsty。”
　　AwhilelaterJacobMeyerappeared，carryingagreatbundleofpreciousobjectswrappedinoneofthegoldcere-cloths，whichbundlehehidawaybehindastone。”Thecaveismuchtidiernow，”hesaid，asheflickedthethickdustwhichhadcollectedonthemduringhisunhallowedtaskfromhishands，andhair，andgarments。Thenhedrankgreedily，andasked:”Haveyoutwomadeanyplansforourfutureresearches？”
　　Theyshooktheirheads。”Well，then，Ihave。IthoughtthemoutwhileIwasbone-carting，andheretheyare。Itisnouseourgoingdownbelowagain；foronething，thejourneyistoodangerous，andtakestoolong；andforanother，wearesaferupabove，wherewehaveplentytodo。””But，”saidBenita，”howaboutthingstoeatandsleepon，andtherest？””Simpleenough，MissClifford；wemustgetthemup。TheKaffirswillbringthemtothefootofthethirdwall，andwewillhaulthemtoitstopwitharope。Ofwateritseemsthereisplentyinthatwell，whichisfedbyaspringahundredandfiftyfeetdown，andtheoldchainisstillontheroller，soweonlyneedacoupleofbucketsfromthewaggon。Ofwoodforcookingthereisplentyalso，growingonthespot；
　　andwecancampinthecaveoroutsideofit，aswelike，accordingtothestateoftheweather。Now，doyourestherewhileIgodown。I
　　willbebackinanhourwithsomeofthegear，andthenyoumusthelpme。”
　　Sohewent，andtheendofitwasthatbeforenightfalltheyhadenoughthingsfortheirimmediateneeds，andbythesecondnight，workingveryhard，weremoreorlesscomfortablyestablishedintheirstrangehabitation。ThecanvasflapfromthewaggonwasarrangedasatentforBenita，themensleepingbeneathathick-leavedtreenearby。
　　Closeathand，underanothertree，wastheircookingplace。Theprovisionsofallsorts，includingacoupleofcasesofsquare-faceandalargesupplyofbiltongfromtheslaughteredcattle，theystoredwithaquantityofammunitioninthemouthofthecave。Freshmeatalsowasbroughttothemdaily，andhauledupinbaskets——thatis，untiltherewasnonetobring——andwithitgrainforbread，andgreenmealiestoserveasvegetables。Therefore，asthewaterfromthewellprovedtobeexcellentandquiteaccessible，theyweresoonsetupinallthingsnecessary，andtothesetheyaddedfromtimetotimeasopportunityoffered。
　　InallthesepreparationstheoldMolimotookapart，nor，whentheywerecompleted，didheshowanyinclinationtoleavethem。Inthemorninghewoulddescendtohispeoplebelow，butbeforenightfallhealwaysreturnedtothecave，whereformanyyearsithadbeenhiscustomtosleep——atanyrateseveraltimesaweek，inthegruesomecompanyofthedeadPortuguese。JacobMeyerpersuadedMr。Cliffordthathisobjectwastospyuponthem，andtalkedofturninghimout；
　　butBenita，betweenwhomandtheoldmanhadsprungupacuriousfriendshipandsympathy，preventedit，pointingoutthattheyweremuchsaferwiththeMolimo，asakindofhostage，thantheycouldbewithouthim；also，thathisknowledgeoftheplace，andofotherthings，mightproveofgreathelptothem。Sointheendhewasallowedtoremain，asindeedhehadaperfectrighttodo。
　　AllthiswhiletherewasnosignofanyattackbytheMatabele。
　　Indeed，thefearofsuchathingwastosomeextentdyingaway，andBenita，watchingfromthetopofthewall，couldseethattheirnineremainingoxen，togetherwiththetwohorses——forthatbelongingtoJacobMeyerhaddied——andtheMakalangagoatsandsheep，weredailydrivenouttograze；also，thatthewomenwereworkinginthecropsuponthefertilesoilaroundthelowestwall。Still，astrictwatchwaskept，andatnighteveryonesleptwithinthefortifications；
　　moreover，thedrillingofthemenandtheirinstructionintheuseoffirearmswentoncontinuallyunderTamas，whonow，inhisfather’soldage，wasthevirtualchiefofthepeople。
　　Itwasonthefourthmorningthatatlength，alltheirpreparationsbeingcompleted，theactualsearchforthetreasurebegan。First，theMolimowascloselyinterrogatedastoitswhereabouts，sincetheythoughtthatevenifhedidnotknowthisexactly，sometraditionsofthefactmighthavedescendedtohimfromhisancestors。Buthedeclaredwithearnestnessthatheknewnothing，savethatthePortuguesemaidenhadsaidthatitwashidden；nor，headded，hadanydreamorvisioncometohimconcerningthismatter，inwhichhetooknointerest。Ifitwasthere，itwasthere；ifitwasnotthere，itwasnotthere——itremainedforthewhitementosearchandsee。
　　FornoverygoodreasonMeyerhadconcludedthatthegoldmusthavebeenconcealedinoraboutthecave，sohereitwasthattheybegantheirinvestigations。
　　First，theybethoughtthemofthewellintowhichitmightpossiblyhavebeenthrown，butthefactofthismatterprovedverydifficulttoascertain。Tyingapieceofmetal——itwasanoldPortuguesesword-hilt——toastring，theyletitdownandfoundthatittouchedwateratadepthofonehundredandtwentyfeet，andbottomatadepthofonehundredandforty-sevenfeet。Thereforethereweretwenty-sevenfeetofwater。Weightingabuckettheysankituntilitresteduponthisbottom，thenwounditupagainseveraltimes。Onthethirdoccasionitbroughtupahumanboneandawireankletofpuregold。Butthisprovednothing，exceptthatsomeancient，perhapsthousandsofyearsago，hadbeenthrown，orhadfallen，intothewell。
　　Stillunsatisfied，JacobMeyer，whowasamostintrepidperson，determinedtoinvestigatetheplacehimself，ataskofnolittledifficultyanddanger，sinceproperladderswerewanting，nor，hadtheyexisted，wasthereanythingtostandthemon。Thereforeitcametothis:aseatmustberiggedontotheendoftheoldcopperchain，andbeloweredintothepitafterthefashionofthebucket。But，asBenitapointedout，althoughtheymightlethimdown，itwaspossiblethattheywouldnotbeabletodrawhimupagain，inwhichcasehisplightmustproveunfortunate。So，whentheseathadbeenprepared，anexperimentwasmadewithastoneweighingapproximatelyasmuchasaman。ThisBenitaandherfatherletdowneasilyenough，but，astheyanticipated，whenitcametowindingitupagain，theirstrengthwasbarelysufficienttothetask。Threepeoplecoulddoitwell，butwithtwothethingwasrisky。NowMeyerasked——or，rather，commanded——theMolimotoordersomeofhismentohelphim，butthistheoldchiefrefusedpointblanktodo。
　　First，hemadeanumberofexcuses。Theywereallemployedindrilling，andinwatchingfortheMatabele；theywereafraidtoventurehere，andsoforth。AtlastMeyergrewfurious；hiseyesflashed，hegroundhisteeth，andbegantothreaten。”Whiteman，”saidtheMolimo，whenhehaddone，”itcannotbe。Ihavefulfilledmybargainwithyou。Searchforthegold；finditandtakeitawayifyoucan。Butthisplaceisholy。Noneofmytribe，savehewhoholdstheofficeofMolimoforthetime，maysetafoottherein。
　　Killmeifyouwill——Icarenot；butsoitis，andifyoukillme，afterwardstheywillkillyou。”
　　NowMeyer，seeingthatnothingwastobegainedbyviolence，changedhistone，andaskedifhehimselfwouldhelpthem。”Iamold，mystrengthissmall，”hereplied；”yetIwillputmyhandtothechainanddomybest。But，ifIwereyou，Iwouldnotdescendthatpit。””Still，Iwilldescendit，andto-morrow，”saidMeyer。
　　XII
　　THEBEGINNINGOFTHESEARCH
　　Accordingly，onthenextdaythegreatexperimentwasmade。Thechainandancientwindinggearhadbeentestedandprovedtobeamplysufficienttothestrain。Therefore，nothingremainedsaveforMeyertoplacehimselfinthewoodenseatwithanoil-lamp，andincasethisshouldbeextinguished，matchesandcandles，ofbothofwhichtheyhadalargesupply。
　　Hedidsoboldlyenough，andswungoutoverthemouthofthepit，whilethethreeofthemclutchedthehandlesofthewinch。Thentheybegantolower，andslowlyhiswhitefacedisappearedintotheblackdepth。Ateveryfewturnshisdescentwasstoppedthathemightexaminethewallsofthewell，andwhenhewasaboutfiftyfeetdownhecalledtothemtoholdon，whichtheydid，listeningwhilehestruckattherockwithahammer，forhereitsoundedveryhollow。
　　Atlengthheshoutedtothemtolowerawayagain，andtheyobeyed，untilnearlyallthechainwasout，andtheyknewhemustbenearthewater。NowBenita，peepingovertheedge，sawthatthestaroflighthadvanished。Hislampwasout，nordidheappeartoattempttore-lightit。Theyshouteddownthewelltohim，butnoanswercoming，begantowindupasfastastheywereable。Itwasallthattheirunitedstrengthcouldmanage，andveryexhaustedweretheywhenatlengthJacobreappearedatthetop。Atfirst，fromthelookofhimtheythoughtthathewasdead，andhadhenottiedhimselftothechain，deadhecertainlywouldhavebeen，forevidentlyhissenseshadlefthimlongago。Indeed，hehadfallenalmostoutoftheseat，overwhichhislegshunglimply，hisweightbeingsupportedbythehideropebeneathhisarmswhichwasmadefasttothechain。
　　Theyswunghiminanddashedwateroverhisface，till，totheirrelief，atlasthebegantogaspforbreath，andrevivedsufficientlytoenablethemtohalf-leadandhalf-carryhimoutintothefreshair。”Whathappenedtoyou？”askedClifford。”Poisonedwithgases，Isuppose，”Meyeransweredwithagroan，forhisheadwasachingsadly。”Theairisoftenbadatthebottomofdeepwells，butIcouldsmellorfeelnothinguntilsuddenlymysensesleftme。Itwasanearthing——averynearthing。”
　　Afterwards，whenhehadrecoveredalittle，hetoldthemthatatonespotdeepdowninthewell，ontheriversideofit，hefoundaplacewhereitlookedasthoughtherockhadbeencutawayforaspaceofaboutsixfeetbyfour，andafterwardsbuiltupagainwithanothersortofstonesetinhardmortarorcement。Immediatelybeneath，too，weresocket-holesinwhichtheendsofbeamsstillremained，suggestingthatherehadbeenafloororplatform。Itwaswhilehewasexaminingtheserottedbeamsthatinsensibilityovercamehim。Headdedthathethoughtthatthismightbetheentrancetotheplacewherethegoldwashidden。”Ifso，”saidMr。Clifford，”hiddenitmustremain，sinceitcanhavenobetterguardianthanbadair。Also，floorslikethatarecommoninallwellstopreventrubbishfromfallingintothewater，andthestoneworkyousawprobablywasonlyputtherebytheancientstomendafaultintherockandpreventthewallfromcavingin。””Ihopeso，”saidMeyer，”sinceunlessthatatmospherepurifiesagooddealIdon’tthinkthatevenIdaregodownagain，anduntilonegetsthere，ofthatitisdifficulttobesure，thoughofcoursealanternonastringwilltellonesomething。”
　　Thiswastheendoftheirfirstattempt。Thesearchwasnotreneweduntilthefollowingafternoon，whenMeyerhadrecoveredalittlefromtheeffectsofthepoisoningandthechafingofthehideropesbeneathhisarms。Indeed，fromtheformerheneverdidquiterecover，sincethenceforwardBenita，whoforherownreasonswatchedthemanclosely，discoveredamarkedandprogressivechangeinhisdemeanour。Hithertohehadappearedtobeareservedman，onewhokepttighthanduponhimself，and，ifsheknewcertainthingsabouthim，itwasratherbecausesheguessed，ordeducedthem，thanbecauseheallowedthemtobeseen。Ontwooccasionsonlyhadheshownhisheartbeforeher——whentheyhadspokentogetherbytheshoresofLakeChrissieonthedayofthearrivalofthemessengers，andhedeclaredhisardentdesireforwealthandpower；andquiterecently，whenhekilledtheMatabeleenvoy。Yetshefeltcertainthatthisheartofhiswasverypassionateandinsurgent；thathiscalmwasliketheicethathidesthestream，beneathwhichitscurrentsrunfiercely，nonecanseewhither。Thefashioninwhichhisdarkeyeswouldflash，evenwhenhispalecountenanceremainedunmoved，toldherso，asdidotherthings。
　　Forinstance，whenhewasrecoveringfromhisswoon，thefirstwordsthatpassedhislipswereinGerman，ofwhichsheunderstoodalittle，andshethoughtthattheyshapedthemselvestohername，coupledwithendearingepithets。Fromthattimeforwardhebecamelessguarded——or，rather，itseemedasthoughheweregraduallylosingpowertocontrolhimself。Hewouldgrowexcitedwithoutapparentcause，andbegintodeclaimastowhathewoulddowhenhehadfoundthegold；howhewouldpaytheworldbackallithadcausedhimtosuffer——howhewouldbecomea”king。””Iamafraidthatyouwillfindthatexaltedpositionratherlonely，”
　　saidBenitawithacarelesslaugh，andnextminutewassorrythatshehadspoken，forheanswered，lookingatherinawaythatshedidnotlike:”Oh，no！Therewillbeaqueen——abeautifulqueen，whomIshallendowwithwealth，anddeckwithjewels，andsurroundwithloveandworship。””Whatafortunatelady！”shesaid，stilllaughing，buttakingtheopportunitytogoawayuponsomeerrand。
　　Atothertimes，especiallyafterdark，hewouldwalkupanddowninfrontofthecave，mutteringtohimself，orsingingwildoldGermansongsinhisrichvoice。Also，hemadeahabitofascendingthegranitepillarandseatinghimselfthere，andmorethanoncecalleddowntohertocomeupandsharehis”throne。”Still，theseoutbreaksweresooccasionalthatherfather，whoseperceptionsappearedtoBenitatobelesskeenthanformerly，scarcelynoticedthem，andfortheresthisdemeanourwaswhatithadalwaysbeen。
　　Furtherresearchesintothewellbeingoutofthequestion，theirnextstepwastomakeathoroughinspectionofthechapel-caveitself。Theyexaminedthewallsinchbyinch，tappingthemwithahammertoheariftheysoundedhollow，butwithoutresult。Theyexaminedthealtar，butitprovedtobeasolidmassofrock。Bythehelpofalittleladdertheyhadmade，theyexaminedthecrucifix，anddiscoveredthatthewhitefigureonthecrosshadevidentlybeenfashionedoutofsomeheathenstatueofsoftlimestone，foratitsbackweretheremainsofdraperies，andlonghairwhichtheartisthadnotthoughtitnecessarytocutaway。Also，theyfoundthatthearmshadbeenadded，andwereofaslightlydifferentstone，andthattheweightofthefigurewastakenpartlybyanironstaplewhichsupportedthebody，andpartlybystrongcopperwiretwistedtoresemblecord，andpaintedwhite，whichwaspassedroundthewristsandsupportedthearms。Thiswireranthroughloopsofrockcutinthetraverseofthecross，thatitselfwasonlyraisedinreliefbychisellingawaythesolidstonebehind。
　　Curiouslyenough，thispartofthesearchwaslefttoMr。CliffordandBenita，sinceitwasonethatJacobMeyerseemedreluctanttoundertake。AJewbybirth，andamanwhoopenlyprofessedhiswantofbeliefinthatoranyotherreligion，heyetseemedtofearthissymboloftheChristianfaith，speakingofitashorribleandunlucky；
　　yes，hewho，withoutqualmorremorse，hadrobbedanddesecratedthedeadthatlayaboutitsfeet。Well，thecrucifixtoldthemnothing；
　　butasMr。Clifford，lanterninhand，descendedtheladder，whichBenitaheld，JacobMeyer，whowasinfrontofthealtar，calledtothemexcitedlythathehadfoundsomething。”Thenitismorethanwehave，”saidMr。Clifford，ashelaiddowntheladderandhurriedtohim。
　　Meyerwassoundingthefloorwithastaffofwood——anoperationwhichhehadonlyjustbeganafterthewallsprovedbarren。”Listennow，”hesaid，lettingtheheavystaffdropafewpacestotherightofthealtar，whereitproducedthehard，metallicclangthatcomesfromsolidstonewhenstruck。Thenhemovedtothefrontofthealtaranddroppeditagain，butnowthenotewashollowandreverberant。Againandagainherepeatedtheexperiment，tilltheyhadexactlymappedoutwherethesolidrockendedandthatwhichseemedtobehollowbegan——aspaceofabouteightfeetsquare。”We’vegotit，”hesaidtriumphantly。”That’stheentrancetotheplacewherethegoldis，”andtheotherswereinclinedtoagreewithhim。
　　Nowitremainedtoputtheirtheorytotheproof——ataskofnosmalldifficulty。Indeed，ittookthemthreedaysofhard，continualwork。
　　Itwillberememberedthatthefloorofthecavewascementedover，andfirstofallthiscement，whichprovedtobeofexcellentquality，beinglargelycomposedofpowderedgranite，mustbebrokenup。Bythehelpofasteelcrowbar，whichtheyhadbroughtwiththeminthewaggon，atlengththatpartoftheirtaskwascompleted，revealingtherockbeneath。BythistimeBenitawasconfidentthat，whatevermightliebelow，itwasnotthetreasure，sinceitwasevidentthatthepoor，dyingPortuguesewouldnothavehadthetimeorthestrengthtocementitover。Whenshetoldtheothersso，however，Meyer，convincedthathewasontherighttack，answeredthatdoubtlessitwasdonebytheMakalangaafterthePortuguesedays，asitwaswellknownthattheyretainedaknowledgeofthebuildingartsoftheirforefathersuntilquitearecentperiod，whentheMatabelebegantokillthemout。
　　Whenatlengththecementwasclearedawayandtheareaswept，theydiscovered——forthereranthelineofit——thathereagreatstonewassetintothefloor；itmusthaveweighedseveraltons。Asitwassetincement，however，toliftit，eveniftheyhadthestrengthtoworkthenecessarylevers，provedquiteimpossible。Thereremainedonlyonethingtobedone——tocutawaythrough。Whentheyhadworkedatthistaskforseveralhours，andonlysucceededinmakingaholesixinchesdeep，Mr。Clifford，whoseoldbonesachedandwhosehandswereverysore，suggestedthatperhapstheymightbreakitupwithgunpowder。
　　Accordingly，apoundflaskofthatexplosivewaspouredintothehole，whichtheyclosedoverwithwetclayandaheavyrock，leavingaquillthroughwhichrananextemporizedfuseofcottonwick。Allbeingprepared，theirfusewaslit，andtheyleftthecaveandwaited。
　　Fiveminutesafterwardsthedullsoundofanexplosionreachedtheirears，butmorethananhourwentbybeforethesmokeandfumeswouldallowthemtoentertheplace，andthenitwastofindthattheresultsdidnotequaltheirexpectations。Tobeginwith，theslabwasonlycracked——notshattered，sincethestrengthofthepowderhadbeenexpendedupwards，notdownwards，aswouldhavehappenedinthecaseofdynamite，ofwhichtheyhadnone。Moreover，eithertheheavystonewhichtheyhadplaceduponit，strikingtheroofofthecave，ortheconcussionoftheair，hadbroughtdownmanytonsofrock，andcausedwideanddangerous-lookingcracks。Also，thoughshesaidnothingofit，itseemedtoBenitathatthegreatwhitestatueonthecrosswasleaningalittlefurtherforwardthanitusedtodo。Sothenetresultoftheexperimentwasthattheywereobligedtodragawaygreatfragmentsofthefallenroofthatlayuponthestone，whichremainedalmostassolidandobdurateasbefore。
　　Sotherewasnothingforitbuttogoonworkingwiththecrowbar。Atlength，towardstheeveningofthethirddayoftheirlabour，whenthetwomenwereutterlytiredout，aholewasbrokenthrough，demonstratingthefactthatbeneaththiscoverlayahollowofsomesort。Mr。Clifford，tosaynothingofBenita，whowasheartilywearyofthebusiness，wishedtopostponeproceedingstillthemorrow，butJacobMeyerwouldnot。Sotheytoiledonuntilabouteleveno’clockatnight，whenatlengththeaperturewasofsufficientsizetoadmitaman。Now，asinthecaseofthewell，theyletdownastonetiedtoastring，tofindthattheplacebeneathwasnotmorethaneightfeetdeep。Then，toascertaintheconditionoftheair，acandlewaslowered，whichatfirstwentout，butpresentlyburntwellenough。
　　Thispointsettled，theybroughttheirladder，wherebyJacobdescendedwithalantern。
　　InanotherminutetheyheardthesoundofgutturalGermanoathsrisingthroughthehole。Mr。Cliffordaskedwhatwasthematter，andreceivedthereplythattheplacewasatomb，withnothinginitbutanaccurseddeadmonk，informationatwhichBenitacouldnothelpburstingintolaughter。
　　Theendofitwasthatbothsheandherfatherwentdownalso，andthere，sureenough，laytheremainsoftheoldmissionaryinhiscowl，withanivorycrucifixabouthisneck，andonhisbreastascrollstatingthathe，Marco，bornatLisbonin1438，haddiedatBambatseintheyear1503，havinglabouredintheEmpireofMonomotapaforseventeenyears，andsufferedgreathardshipsandbroughtmanysoulstoChrist。Thescrolladdedthatitwashe，whobeforeheenteredintoreligionwasasculptorbytrade，thathadfashionedthefigureonthecrossinthischapeloutofthatoftheheathengoddesswhichhadstoodinthesameplacefromunknownantiquity。Itendedwitharequest，addressedtoallgoodChristiansinLatin，thattheywhosoonmustbeashewaswouldprayforhissoulandnotdisturbhisbones，whichrestedhereinthehopeofablessedresurrection。
　　WhenthispiouswishwastranslatedtoJacobMeyerbyMr。Clifford，whostillretainedsomerecollectionoftheclassicswhichhehadpainfullyacquiredatEtonandOxford，theJewcouldscarcelycontainhiswrath。Indeed，lookingathisbleedinghands，insteadofprayingforthesoulofthatexcellentmissionary，toreachwhoseremainshehadlabouredwithsucharduous，incessanttoil，hecurseditwhereveritmightbe，andunceremoniouslysweptthebones，whichthedocumentaskedhimnottodisturb，intoacornerofthetomb，inordertoascertainwhethertherewasnot，perhaps，somestairbeneaththem。”Really，Mr。Meyer，”saidBenita，who，inspiteofthesolemnityofthesurroundings，couldnotcontrolhersenseofhumour，”ifyouarenotcarefultheghostsofallthesepeoplewillhauntyou。””Letthemhauntmeiftheycan，”heansweredfuriously。”Idon’tbelieveinghosts，anddefythemall。”
　　Atthismoment，lookingup，Benitasawafigureglidingoutofthedarknessintotheringoflight，sosilentlythatshestarted，foritmightwellhavebeenoneofthoseghostsinwhomJacobMeyerdidnotbelieve。Infact，however，itwastheoldMolimo，whohadahabitofcominguponthemthus。”Whatsaysthewhiteman？”heaskedofBenita，whilehisdreamyeyeswanderedoverthethreeofthem，andtheholeintheviolatedtomb。”Hesaysthathedoesnotbelieveinspirits，andthathedefiesthem，”sheanswered。”Thewhitegold-seekerdoesnotbelieveinspirits，andhedefiesthem，”Mamborepeatedinhissing-songvoice。”HedoesnotbelieveinthespiritsthatIseeallaroundmenow，theangryspiritsofthedead，whospeaktogetherofwhereheshalllieandofwhatshallhappentohimwhenheisdead，andofhowtheywillwelcomeonewhodisturbstheirrestanddefiesandcursestheminhissearchforthericheswhichheloves。Thereisonestandingbyhimnow，dressedinabrownrobewithadeadmancutinivoryliketothat，”andhepointedtothecrucifixinJacob’shands，”andheholdstheivorymanabovehimandthreatenshimwithsleeplesscenturiesofsorrow，whenheisalsooneofthosespiritsinwhichhedoesnotbelieve。”
　　ThenMeyer’srageblazedout。HeturnedupontheMolimoandreviledhiminhisowntongue，sayingthatheknewwellwherethetreasurewashidden，andthatifhedidnotpointitouthewouldkillhimandsendhimtohisfriends，thespirits。SosavageandevildidhelookthatBenitaretreatedalittleway，whileMr。Cliffordstroveinvaintocalmhim。ButalthoughMeyerlaidhishandupontheknifeinhisbeltandadvanceduponhim，theoldMolimoneitherbudgedaninchnorshowedtheslightestfear。”Lethimraveon，”hesaid，whenatlengthMeyerpausedexhausted。”Justsoinatimeofstormthelightningsflashandthethunderpeals，andthewaterfoamsdownthefaceofrock；butthencomesthesunagain，andthehillisasithaseverbeen，onlythestormisspentandlost。Iamtherock，heisbutthewind，thefire，andtherain。Itisnotpermittedthatheshouldhurtme，andthosespiritsinwhomhedoesnotbelievetreasureuphiscurses，toletthemfallagainlikestonesuponhishead。”
　　Then，withacontemptuousglanceatJacob，theoldmanturnedandglidedbackintothedarknessoutofwhichhehadappeared。
　　XIII
　　BENITAPLANSESCAPE
　　Thenextmorning，whileshewascookingbreakfast，BenitasawJacobMeyerseateduponarockatalittledistance，sullenanddisconsolate。Hischinwasrestingonhishand，andhewatchedherintently，nevertakinghiseyesfromherface。Shefeltthathewasconcentratinghiswilluponher；thatsomenewideaconcerningherhadcomeintohismind；foritwasoneofhermiseriesthatshepossessedthepowerofinterpretingthedriftofthisman’sthoughts。Muchasshedetestedhim，thereexistedthatcuriouslinkbetweenthem。
　　Itmayberememberedthat，onthenightwhentheyfirstmetatthecrestofLeopard’sKloof，Jacobhadcalledhera”thought-sender，”andsomeknowledgeoftheirmentalintimacyhadcomehometoBenita。Fromthatdayforwardherchiefdesirehadbeentoshutadoorbetweentheirnatures，toisolateherselffromhimandhimfromher。Yettheattemptwasneverentirelysuccessful。
　　Fearanddisgusttookholdofher，bendingthereabovethefire，allthewhileawareoftheJew’sdarkeyesthatsearchedherthroughandthrough。Benitaformedasuddendetermination。Shewouldimploreherfathertocomeawaywithher。
　　Ofcourse，suchanattemptwouldbeterriblydangerous。OftheMatabelenothinghadbeenseen；buttheymightbeabout，andevenifenoughcattlecouldbecollectedtodrawthewaggon，itbelongedtoMeyerasmuchastoherfather，andmustthereforebeleftforhim。
　　Still，thereremainedthetwohorses，whichtheMolimohadtoldherwerewellandgettingfat。
　　AtthismomentMeyerroseandbegantospeaktoher。”Whatareyouthinkingof，MissClifford？”heaskedinhissoftforeignvoice。
　　Shestarted，butansweredreadilyenough:”Ofthewoodwhichisgreen，andthekidcutletswhicharegettingsmoked。Areyounottiredofkid，Mr。Meyer？”shewenton。
　　Hewavedthequestionaside。”Youaresogood——oh！Imeanit——soreallygoodthatyoushouldnottellstoriesevenaboutsmallthings。
　　Thewoodisnotgreen；Icutitmyselffromadeadtree；andthemeatisnotsmoked；norwereyouthinkingofeither。Youwerethinkingofme，asIwasthinkingofyou；butwhatexactlywasinyourmind，thistimeIdonotknow，andthatiswhyIaskyoutotellme。””Really，Mr。Meyer，”sheansweredflushing；”mymindismyownproperty。””Ah！doyousayso？NowIholdotherwise——thatitismyproperty，asmineisyours，agiftthatNaturehasgiventoeachofus。””Iseeknosuchgift，”sheanswered；buteventhen，muchasshewouldhavewishedtodoso，shecouldnotutterafalsehood，anddenythishorribleandsecretintimacy。”Iamsorryforthat，asIthinkitveryprecious；morepreciouseventhanthegoldwhichwecannotfind；forMissClifford，itbringsmeneareryou。”
　　Sheturneduponhim，buthehelduphishand，andwenton:”Oh！donotbeangrywithme，anddonotfearthatIamgoingtotroubleyouwithsoftspeeches，forIshallnot，unlessatimeshouldcome，asIthinkthatperhapsitwill，whenyoumaywishtolistentothem。ButIwanttopointoutsomethingtoyou，MissClifford。Isitnotawonderfulthingthatourmindsshouldbesointune，andistherenotanobjectinallthis？DidIbelieveasyoudo，IshouldsaythatitwasHeavenworkinginus——no:donotanswerthattheworkingcomesfromlowerdown。Itakenocreditforreadingthatuponyourlips；theretortistooeasyandobvious。Iamcontenttosay，however，thattheworkisthatofinstinctandnature，or，ifyouwill，offate，pointingoutaroadbywhichtogetherwemighttraveltogreatends。””Itravelmyroadalone，Mr。Meyer。””Iknow，Iknow，andthatisthepityofit。Thetroublebetweenmanandwomanisthatnotinonecaseoutofamillion，eveniftheybelovers，dotheyunderstandeachother。Theireyesmayseekoneanother，theirhandsandlipsmaymeet，andyettheyremaindistinct，apart，andoftenantagonistic。Thereisnocommunicationofthesoul。
　　Butwhenitchancestobehewnfromthesamerockasitwere——oh！thenwhathappinessmaybetheirs，andwhatopportunities！””Possibly，Mr。Meyer；but，tobefrank，thequestiondoesnotinterestme。””Notyet；butIamsurethatonedayitwill。Meanwhile，Ioweyouanapology。Ilostmytemperbeforeyoulastnight。Well，donotjudgemehardly，forIwasutterlywornout，andthatoldidiotvexedmewithhistalkaboutghosts，inwhichIdonotbelieve。””Thenwhydiditmakeyousoangry？Surelyyoucouldhaveaffordedtotreatitwithcontempt，insteadofdoing——asyoudid。””Uponmyword！Idon’tknow，butIsupposemostofusareafraidlestweshouldbeforcedtoacceptthatwhichwerefuse。Thisancientplacegetsuponthenerves，MissClifford；yoursaswellasmine。Icanaffordtobeopenaboutit，becauseIknowthatyouknow。Thinkofitsassociations:allthecrimethathasbeencommittedhereforagesandages，allthesufferingthathasbeenenduredhere。Doubtlesshumansacrificeswereofferedinthiscaveoroutsideofit；thatgreatburntringintherocktheremayhavebeenwheretheybuiltthefires。
　　AndthenthosePortuguesestarvingtodeath，slowlystarvingtodeathwhilethousandsofsavageswatchedthemdie。Haveyoueverthoughtwhatitmeans？Butofcourseyouhave，forlikemyselfyouarecursedwithimagination。Godinheaven！isitwonderfulthatitgetsuponthenerves？especiallywhenonecannotfindwhatoneislookingfor，thatvasttreasure”——andhisfacebecameecstatic——”thatshallyetbeyoursandmine，andmakeusgreatandhappy。””Butwhichatpresentonlymakesmeascullery-maidandmostunhappy，”
　　repliedBenitacheerfully，forsheheardherfather’sfootstep。”Don’ttalkanymoreofthetreasure，Mr。Meyer，orweshallquarrel。Wehaveenoughofthatduringbusinesshours，whenwearehuntingforit，youknow。Givemethedish，willyou？Thismeatiscookedatlast。”
　　StillBenitacouldnotberidofthattreasure，sinceafterbreakfasttheendless，unprofitablesearchbeganagain。Oncemorethecavewassounded，andotherhollowplaceswerediscovereduponwhichthetwomengottowork。Withinfinitelabourthreeofthemwerebrokenintoinasmanydays，andlikethefirst，foundtobegraves，onlythistimeofancientswho，perhaps，haddiedbeforeChristwasborn。Theretheylayupontheirsides，theirbonesburntbythehotcementthathadbeenpouredoverthem，theirgold-headedandgold-ferruledrodsofofficeintheirhands，theirgold-coveredpillowsofwood，suchastheEgyptiansused，beneaththeirskulls，goldbraceletsupontheirarmsandankles，cakesofgoldbeneaththemwhichhadfallenfromtherottedpouchesthatoncehungabouttheirwaists，vasesoffineglazedpotterythathadbeenfilledwithofferings，orinsomecaseswithgolddusttopaytheexpensesoftheirjourneyintheotherworld，standingroundthem，andsoforth。
　　Intheirwaythesediscoverieswererichenough——fromonetombalonetheytookoverahundredandthirtyouncesofgold——tosaynothingoftheirsurpassingarch？ologicalinterest。Stilltheywerenotwhattheysought:allthatgatheredwealthofMonomotapawhichthefleeingPortuguesehadbroughtwiththemandburiedinthis，theirlaststronghold。
　　Benitaceasedtotaketheslightestinterestinthematter；shewouldnotevenbeatthepainstogotolookatthethirdskeleton，althoughitwasthatofamanwhohadbeenalmostagiant，and，tojudgefromtheamountofbullionwhichhetooktothetombwithhim，apersonofgreatimportanceinhisday。Shefeltasthoughshewishednevertoseeanotherhumanboneorancientbeadorbangle；thesightofastreetinBayswaterinaLondonfog——yes，oratoy-shopwindowinWestbourneGrove——wouldhavepleasedherahundredtimesbetterthantheseuniqueremainsthat，hadtheyknownoftheminthosedays，wouldhavesenthalfthelearnedsocietiesofEuropecrazywithdelight。ShewishedtoescapefromBambatse，itswondrousfortifications，itsmysteriouscone，itscave，itsdead，and——fromJacobMeyer。
　　Benitastooduponthetopofherprisonwallandlookedwithlongingatthewide，openlandsbelow。Sheevendaredtoclimbthestairswhichranupthemightyconeofgranite，andseatedherselfinthecup-likedepressiononitscrest，whenceJacobMeyerhadcalledtohertocomeandsharehisthrone。Itwasadizzyplace，forthepillarleaningoutwards，itspointstoodalmostclearofthewater-scarpedrock，sothatbeneathherwasasheerdropofaboutfourhundredfeettotheZambesibed。Atfirstthegreatheightmadeherfeelfaint。Hereyesswam，andunpleasanttremorscreptalongherspine，sothatshewasgladtosinktothefloor，whencesheknewshecouldnotfall。Bydegrees，however，sherecoveredhernerve，andwasabletostudythegloriousviewofstreamandmarshesandhillsbeyond。
　　Forshehadcomeherewithapurpose，toseewhetheritwouldnotbepossibletoescapedowntheriverinacanoe，orinnativeboatssuchastheMakalangaownedandusedforfishing，ortocrossfrombanktobank。Apparentlyitwasimpossible，foralthoughtheriverbeneathandabovethemwasstillenough，aboutamilebelowbeganacataractthatstretchedasfarasshecouldsee，andwasborderedoneithersidebyrockyhillscoveredwithforest，overwhich，eveniftheycouldobtainporters，acanoecouldnotbecarried。This，indeed，shehadalreadyheardfromtheMolimo，butknowinghistimidnature，shewishedtojudgeofthematterforherself。Itcametothisthen:iftheyweretogo，itmustbeonthehorses。
　　DescendingtheconeBenitawenttofindherfather，towhomasyetshehadsaidnothingofherplans。Theopportunitywasgood，forsheknewthathewouldbealone。Asitchanced，onthatafternoonMeyerhadgonedownthehillinordertotrytopersuadetheMakalangatogivethemtenortwentymentohelpthemintheirexcavations。Inthis，itwillberemembered，hehadalreadyfailedsofarastheMolimowasconcerned，buthewasnotamaneasilyturnedfromhispurpose，andhethoughtthatifhecouldseeTamasandsomeoftheothercaptainshemightbeablebybribery，threats，orotherwise，toinducethemtoforgettheirsuperstitiousfears，andhelpinthesearch。Asamatteroffact，hewasutterlyunsuccessful，sinceoneandalltheydeclaredthatforthemtoenterthatsacredplacewouldmeantheirdeaths，andthatthevengeanceofHeavenwouldfallupontheirtribeanddestroyitrootandbranch。
　　Mr。Clifford，onwhomallthisheavylabourhadbeguntotell，wastakingadvantageoftheabsenceofhistaskmaster，Jacob，tosleepawhileinthehutwhichtheyhadnowbuiltforthemselvesbeneaththeshadowofthebaobab-tree。Asshereachedithecameoutyawning，andaskedherwhereshehadbeen。Benitatoldhim。”Agiddyplace，”hesaid。”Ihaveneverventuredtotryitmyself。
　　Whatdidyougouptherefor，dear？””TolookattheriverwhileMr。Meyerwasaway，father；forifhehadseenmedosohewouldhaveguessedmyreason；indeed，Idaresaythathewillguessitnow。””Whatreason，Benita？””Toseewhetheritwouldnotbepossibletoescapedownitinaboat。
　　Butthereisnochance。Itisallrapidsbelow，withhillsandrocksandtreesoneitherbank。””Whatneedhaveyoutoescapeatpresent？”heaskedeyeinghercuriously。”Everyneed，”sheansweredwithpassion。”Ihatethisplace；itisaprison，andIloathetheverynameoftreasure。Also，”andshepaused。”Alsowhat，dear？””Also，”andhervoicesanktoawhisper，asthoughshefearedthatheshouldoverhearherevenatthebottomofthehill；”also，IamafraidofMr。Meyer。”
　　Thisconfessiondidnotseemtosurpriseherfather，whomerelynoddedhisheadandsaid:”Goon。””Father，Ithinkthatheisgoingmad，anditisnotpleasantforustobecoopedupherealonewithamadman，especiallywhenhehasbeguntospeaktomeashedoesnow。””Youdon’tmeanthathehasbeenimpertinenttoyou，”saidtheoldman，flushingup，”forifso——””No，notimpertinent——asyet，”andshetoldhimwhathadpassedbetweenMeyerandherself，adding，”Yousee，father，Idetestthisman；indeed，Iwanttohavenothingtodowithanyman；formeallthatisoveranddonewith，”andshegaveadrylittlesobwhichappearedtocomefromherveryheart。”Andyet，heseemstobegettingsomekindofpoweroverme。Hefollowsmeaboutwithhiseyes，pryingintomymind，andIfeelthatheisbeginningtobeabletoreadit。I
　　canbearnomore。Father，father，forGod’ssake，takemeawayfromthishatefulhillanditsgoldanditsdead，andletusgetoutintotheveldagaintogether。””Ishouldbegladenough，dearest，”heanswered。”Ihavehadplentyofthiswildgoosechase，whichIwassomadastobeledintobytheloveofwealth。Indeed，IambeginningtobelievethatifitgoesonmuchlongerIshallleavemyboneshere。””Andifsuchadreadfulthingasthatweretohappen，whatwouldbecomeofme，alonewithJacobMeyer？”sheaskedquietly。”Imightevenbedriventothesamefateasthatpoorgirltwohundredyearsago，”andshepointedtotheconeofrockbehindher。”ForHeaven’ssake，don’ttalklikethat！”hebrokein。”Whynot？Onemustfacethings，anditwouldbebetterthanJacobMeyer；forwhowouldprotectmehere？”
　　Mr。Cliffordwalkedupanddownforafewminutes，whilehisdaughterwatchedhimanxiously。”Icanseenoplan，”hesaid，stoppingoppositeher。”Wecannottakethewaggonevenifthereareenoughoxenlefttodrawit，foritishisasmuchasmine，andIamsurethathewillneverleavethistreasureunlessheisdrivenaway。””AndIamsureIhopethathewillnot。But，father，thehorsesareourown；itwashisthatdied，youremember。Wecanrideawayonthem。”
　　Hestaredatherandanswered:”Yes，wecouldrideawaytoourdeaths。Supposetheygotsickorlame；
　　supposewemeettheMatabele，orcouldfindnogametoshoot；supposeoneofusfellill——oh！andahundredthings。Whatthen？””Why，thenitisjustaswelltoperishinthewildernessashere，whereourrisksarealmostasgreat。Wemusttakeourchance，andtrusttoGod。PerhapsHewillbemercifulandhelpus。Listennow，father。To-morrowisSunday，whenyouandIdonoworkthatwecanhelp。Mr。MeyerisaJew，andhewon’twasteSunday。Wellnow，IwillsaythatIwanttogodowntotheouterwalltofetchsomeclotheswhichIleftinthewaggon，andtotakeothersforthenativewomentowash，andofcourseyouwillcomewithme。Perhapshewillbedeceived，andstaybehind，especiallyashehasbeenthereto-day。
　　Thenwecangetthehorsesandgunsandammunition，andanythingelsethatwecancarryinthewayoffood，andpersuadetheoldMolimotoopenthegateforus。Youknow，thelittlesidegatethatcannotbeseenfromuphere，andbeforeMr。Meyermissesusandcomestolook，weshallbetwentymilesaway，and——horsescan’tbeovertakenbyamanonfoot。””Hewillsaythatwehavedesertedhim，andthatwillbetrue。””YoucanleavealetterwiththeMolimoexplainingthatitwasmyfault，thatIwasgettingillandthoughtthatIshoulddie，andthatyouknewitwouldnotbefairtoaskhimtocome，andsotolosethetreasure，toeveryhalfpennyofwhichheiswelcomewhenitisfound。
　　Oh！father，don’thesitateanylonger；saythatyouwilltakemeawayfromMr。Meyer。””Sobeitthen，”answeredMr。Clifford，andashespoke，hearingasound，theylookedupandsawJacobapproachingthem。
　　Luckilyhewassooccupiedwithhisownthoughtsthathenevernotedtheguiltyairupontheirfaces，andtheyhadtimetocomposethemselvesalittle。Buteventhushissuspicionswerearoused。”Whatareyoutalkingofsoearnestly？”heasked。”WewerewonderinghowyouweregettingonwiththeMakalanga，”
　　answeredBenita，fibbingboldly，”andwhetheryouwouldpersuadethemtofacetheghosts。Didyou？””NotI，”heansweredwithascowl。”Thoseghostsareourworstenemiesinthisplace；thecowardssworethattheywouldratherdie。Ishouldhavelikedtotakesomeofthemattheirwordandmakeghostsofthem；
　　butIrememberedthesituationanddidn’t。Don’tbeafraid，MissClifford，Ineverevenlostmytemper，outwardlyatanyrate。Well，thereitis；iftheywon’thelpus，wemustworktheharder。I’vegotanewplan，andwe’llbeginonitto-morrow。””Notto-morrow，Mr。Meyer，”repliedBenitawithasmile。”ItisSunday，andwerestonSunday，youknow。””Oh！Iforgot。TheMakalangawiththeirghostsandyouwithyourSunday——reallyIdonotknowwhichistheworse。Well，then，Imustdomyownshareandyourstoo，Isuppose，”andheturnedwithashrugofhisshoulders。
　　XIV
　　THEFLIGHT
　　Thenextmorning，Sunday，Meyerwenttoworkonhisnewplan。WhatitwasBenitadidnottroubletoinquire，butshegatheredthatithadsomethingtodowiththemeasuringoutofthechapelcaveintosquaresforthemoresystematicinvestigationofeacharea。Attwelveo’clockheemergedforhismiddaymeal，inthecourseofwhichheremarkedthatitwasverydrearyworkinginthatplacealone，andthathewouldbegladwhenitwasMonday，andtheycouldaccompanyhim。HiswordsevidentlydisturbedMr。Cliffordnotalittle，andevenexcitedsomecompunctioninthebreastofBenita。
　　Whatwouldhisfeelingsbe，shewondered，whenhefoundthattheyhadrunaway，leavinghimtodealwiththeirjointundertakingsingle-
　　handed！Almostwasshemindedtotellhimthewholetruth；yet——andthiswasacuriousevidenceoftheman’sascendancyoverher——shedidnot。Perhapsshefeltthattodosowouldbetoputanendtotheirscheme，sincethenbyargument，blandishments，threats，force，orappealtotheirsenseofloyalty，itmatterednotwhich，hewouldbringaboutitsabandonment。Butshewantedtofulfilthatscheme，tobefreeofBambatse，itsimmemorialruins，itsgraveyardcave，andtheghoul，JacobMeyer，whocoulddelveamongdeadbonesandinlivingheartswithequalskillandinsight，andyetwasunabletofindthetreasurethatlaybeneatheitherofthem。
　　Sotheyhidthetruth，andtalkedwithfeverishactivityaboutotherthings，suchasthedrillingoftheMakalanga，andthechancesofanattackbytheMatabele，whichhappilynowseemedtobegrowingsmall；
　　alsooftheconditionsoftheircattle，andtheprospectofobtainingmoretoreplacethosethathaddied。Indeed，Benitawentfarther；inhernew-foundzealofdeceptionsheproceededtoactalie，yes，evenwithherfather’sreproachfuleyesfixeduponher。Incidentallyshementionedthattheyweregoingtohaveanouting，toclimbdowntheladderandvisittheMakalangacampbetweenthefirstandsecondwallsandmixwiththegreatworldforafewhours；alsotocarrytheirwashingtobedonethere，andbringupsomecleanclothesandcertainbookswhichshehadleftbelow。
　　Jacobcameoutofhisthoughtsandcalculations，andlistenedgloomily。”Ihavehalfamindtocomewithyou，”hesaid，wordsatwhichBenitashivered。”Itcertainlyismostcursedlonesomeinthatcave，andI
　　seemtohearthingsinit，asthoughthoseoldboneswererattling，soundslikesighsandwhisperstoo，whicharemadebythedraught。””Well，whydon’tyou？”askedBenita。
　　Itwasaboldstroke，butitsucceeded。Ifhehadanydoubtstheyvanished，andheansweredatonce:”BecauseIhavenotthetime。Wehavetogetthisbusinessfinishedonewayoranotherbeforethewetseasoncomeson，andwearedrownedoutoftheplacewithrain，orrottedbyfever。Takeyourafternoonout，MissClifford；everymaidofallworkisentitledtoasmuch，andIamafraidthatisyourbillethere。Only，”headded，withthatcareforhersafetywhichhealwaysshowedinhismoretemperatemoods，”praybecareful，Clifford，togetbackbeforesundown。Thatwallistooriskyforyourdaughtertoclimbinthedusk。Callmefromthefootofit；youhavethewhistle，andIwillcomedowntohelpherup。
　　IthinkI’llgowithyouafterall。No，Iwon’t。ImademyselfsounpleasanttothemyesterdaythatthoseMakalangacan’twishtoseeanymoreofmeatpresent。IhopeyouwillhaveamoreagreeableafternoonthanIshall。Whydon’tyoutakearideoutsidethewall？
　　Yourhorsesarefatandwantexercise，andIdonotthinkthatyouneedbeafraidoftheMatabele。”Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，heroseandleftthem。
　　Mr。Cliffordlookedafterhimdoubtfully。”Oh，Iknow，”saidBenita，”itseemshorriblymean，butonemustdoshabbythingssometimes。Herearethebundlesallready，soletusbeoff。”
　　Accordinglytheywent，andfromthetopofthewallBenitaglancedbacktobidgoodbyetothatplacewhichshehopednevertoseeagain。
　　Yetshecouldnotfeelasthoughshelookedherlastuponit；toheritworenoairoffarewell，andevenasshedescendedtheperilousstairs，shefoundherselfmakingmentalnotesastohowtheymightbestbeclimbedagain。Also，shecouldnotbelievethatshehaddonewithMr。Meyer。Itseemedtoherasthoughforalongwhileyetherfuturewouldbefullofhim。
　　Theyreachedtheouterfortificationsinsafety，andthereweregreetedwithsomesurprisebutwithnodispleasurebytheMakalanga，whomtheyfoundstilldrillingwiththerifles，intheuseofwhichacertainnumberofthemappearedtohavebecomefairlyproficient。
　　Goingtothehutinwhichthesparegoodsfromthewaggonhadbeenstored，theyquicklymadetheirpreparations。Herealso，Mr。Cliffordwrotealetter，oneofthemostunpleasantthathehadeverbeencalledupontocompose。Itranthus:”DearMeyer，”Idon’tknowwhatyouwillthinkofus，butweareescapingfromthisplace。ThetruthisthatIamnotwell，andmydaughtercanbearitnolonger。Shesaysthatifshestopshere，shewilldie，andthathuntingfortreasureinthatghastlygrave-yardisshatteringhernerves。Ishouldhavelikedtotellyou，butshebeggedmenot，beingconvincedthatifIdid，youwouldover-
　　persuadeusorstopusinsomeway。Asforthegold，ifyoucanfindit，takeitall。Irenouncemyshare。Weareleavingyouthewaggonandtheoxen，andstartingdowncountryonourhorses。Itisaperilousbusiness，butlesssothanstayinghere，underthecircumstances。Ifwenevermeetagainwehopethatyouwillforgiveus，andwishyouallgoodfortune——Yourssincerelyandwithmuchregret，”T。Clifford。”
　　Theletterwritten，theysaddledthehorseswhichhadbeenbroughtupfortheirinspection，andwerefoundtobeingoodcase，andfastenedtheirscantybelongings，andasmanycartridgesastheycouldcarryinpacksbehindtheirsaddles。Then，eachofthemarmedwitharifle——forduringtheirlongjourneyingsBenitahadlearnedtoshoot——theymountedandmadeforthelittleside-entrance，asthemaingatethroughwhichtheyhadpassedontheirarrivalwasnowbuiltup。Thisside-entrance，amereslitinthegreatwall，withaprecipitousapproach，wasopen，fornowthattheirfearoftheMatabelehadtosomeextentpassedoff，theMakalangausedittodrivetheirsheepandgoatsinandout，sinceitwassoconstructedwithseveraltwistsandturnsinthethicknessofthewall，thatinafewminutesitcouldbeeffectuallyblockedbystonesthatlayathand。Also，theancientarchitecthadarrangeditinsuchafashionthatitwasentirelycommandedfromthecrestofthewalloneitherside。
　　TheMakalanga，whohadbeenwatchingtheirproceedingscuriously，madenoattempttostopthem，althoughtheyguessedthattheymighthavealittletroublewiththesentrieswhoguardedtheentrancesallday，andevenwhenitwasclosedatnight，withwhomalsoMr。Cliffordproposedtoleavetheletter。Whentheyreachedtheplace，however，andhaddismountedtoleadthehorsesdownthewindingpassageandthesteepascentuponitsfurtherside，itwastofindthattheonlyguardvisibleprovedtobetheoldMolimohimself，whosatthere，apparentlyhalfasleep。
　　Butastheycameheshowedhimselftobeverymuchawake，forwithoutmovingheaskedthematoncewhithertheyweregoing。”Totakearide，”answeredMr。Clifford。”Thelady，mydaughter，iswearyofbeingcoopedupinthisfortress，andwishestobreathetheairwithout。Letuspass，friend，orweshallnotbebackbysunset。””Ifyoubecomingbackatsunset，whiteman，whydoyoucarrysomanythingsuponyourpacks，andwhyareyoursaddle-bagsfilledwithcartridges？”heasked。”Surelyyoudonotspeakthetruthtome，andyouhopethatnevermorewillyouseethesunsetuponBambatse。”
　　Nowunderstandingthatitwashopelesstodeceivehim，Benitaexclaimedboldly:”Itisso；butoh！myFather，stayusnot，forfearisbehindus，andthereforeweflyhence。””Andistherenofearbeforeyou，maiden？Fearofthewilderness，wherenonewandersaveperchancetheAmandabelewiththeirbloodyspears；fearofwildbeastsandofsicknessthatmayovertakeyousothat，firstoneandthentheother，youperishthere？””Thereisplenty，myFather，butnoneofthemsobadasthefearbehind。Yonderplaceishaunted，andwegiveupoursearchandwoulddwelltherenomore。””Itishauntedtruly，maiden，butitsspiritswillnotharmyouwhomtheywelcomeasoneappointed，andweareeverreadytoprotectyoubecauseoftheircommandthathascometomeindreams。Nor，indeed，isitthespiritswhomyoufear，butratherthewhiteman，yourcompanion，whowouldbendyoutohiswill。Denyitnot，forIhaveseenitall。””Thenknowingthetruth，surelyyouwillletusgo，”shepleaded，”forIsweartoyouthatIdarenotstay。””WhoamIthatIshouldforbidyou？”heasked。”YetItellyouthatyouwoulddowelltostayandsaveyourselvesmuchterror。Maiden，haveInotsaiditdaysanddayago，thathereandhereonlyyoumustaccomplishyourfate？Gonowifyouwill，butyoushallreturnagain，”
　　andoncemoreheseemedtobegintodozeinthesun。
　　Thetwoofthemconsultedhastilytogether。”Itisnouseturningbacknow，”saidBenita，whowasalmostweepingwithdoubtandvexation。”Iwillnotbefrightenedbyhisvaguetalk。
　　Whatcanheknowofthefuturemorethananyoftherestofus？
　　Besides，allhesaysisthatweshallcomebackagain，andifthatdoeshappen，atleastweshallhavebeenfreeforalittlewhile。
　　Come，father。””Asyouwish，”answeredMr。Clifford，whoseemedtoomiserableanddepressedtoargue。OnlyhethrewdowntheletterupontheMolimo’slap，andbeggedhimtogiveittoMeyerwhenhecametolookforthem。
　　Theoldmantooknonotice；no，notevenwhenBenitabadehimfarewellandthankedhimforhiskindness，prayingthatallgoodfortunemightattendhimandhistribe，didheanswerasinglewordorevenlookup。
　　Sotheyledtheirhorsesdownthenarrowpassagewheretherewasscarcelyroomforthemtopass，andupthesteeppathbeyond。OnthefurthersideoftheancientditchtheyremountedthemwhiletheMakalangawatchedthemfromthewalls，andcanteredawayalongthesameroadbywhichtheyhadcome。
　　Nowthisroad，orrathertrack，ranfirstthroughthegardensandthenamongthecountlessruinedhousesthatinbygoneagesformedthegreatcitywhereofthemountBambatsehadbeenthecitadelandsanctuary。
　　Therelicsofalostcivilizationextendedforseveralmiles，andwereboundedbyasteepandnarrowneckorpassintheencirclinghills，thesamethatRobertSeymourandhisbrotherhadfoundtoodifficultfortheirwaggonattheseasoninwhichtheyvisitedtheplacesomeyearsbefore。Thispass，orportasitiscalledinSouthAfrica，hadbeenstronglyfortified，foroneithersideofitweretheruinsoftowers。Moreover，atitscrestitwassonarrowandsteep-sidedthatafewmenpostedthere，eveniftheywerearmedonlywithbowsandarrows，couldholdanattackingforceincheckforaconsiderabletime。Beyondit，afterthehillwasdescended，abush-cladplaindottedwithkopjesandisolatedgranitepillarsformedofboulderspiledoneuponanother，rolledawayformanymiles。
　　Mr。CliffordandBenitahadstartedupontheirmadjourneyaboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon，andwhenthesunbegantosettheyfoundthemselvesuponthisplainfifteenorsixteenmilesfromBambatse，ofwhichtheyhadlonglostsight，foritlaybeyondtheinterveninghills。Neartothemwasakopje，wheretheyhadoutspannedbyaspringofwaterwhenontheirrecentjourney，andsincetheydidnotdaretotravelinthedark，heretheydeterminedtooff-saddle，forroundthisspringwasgoodgrassforthehorses。
　　Asitchanced，theycameuponsomehartebeesteherewhichweretrekkingdowntodrink，butalthoughtheywouldhavebeengladofmeat，theywereafraidtoshoot，fearinglesttheyshouldattractattention；norforthesamereasondidtheyliketolightafire。Sohavingknee-halteredthehorsesinsuchfashionthattheycouldnotwanderfar，andturnedthemloosetofeed，theysatdownunderatree，andmadesomesortofamealoffthebiltongandcookedcornwhichtheyhadbroughtwiththem。Bythetimethiswasfinisheddarknessfell，fortherewaslittlemoon，sothatnothingremainedtodoexcepttosleepwithinacircleofafewdeadthorn-boughswhichtheyhaddrawnabouttheircamp。This，then，theydid，andsowearyweretheyboth，thatnotwithstandingalltheemotionsthroughwhichtheyhadpassed，andtheirfearslestlionsshouldattackthem——forofthesebrutesthereweremanyinthisveld——restedsoundlyandundisturbedtillwithinhalfanhourofdawn。
　　Risingsomewhatchilled，forthoughtheairwaswarmaheavydewhadsoakedtheirblankets，oncemoretheyateanddrankbystarlight，whilethehorses，whichtheyhadtiedupclosetothemduringthenight，filledthemselveswithgrass。Atthefirstbreakofdaytheysaddledthem，andbeforethesunrosewereontheirroadagain。Atlengthupitcame，andthesightandwarmthofitputnewheartintoBenita。Herfearsseemedtodepartwiththenight，andshesaidtoherfatherthatthissuccessfulstartwasofgoodaugury，towhichheonlyansweredthathehopedso。
　　Allthatdaytheyrodeforwardinbeautifulweather，notpressingtheirhorses，fornowtheyweresurethatJacobMeyer，whoifhefollowedatallmustdosoonfoot，wouldneverbeabletoovertakethem。Atnoontheyhalted，andhavingshotasmallbuck，Benitacookedsomeofitintheonepotthattheyhadbroughtwiththem，andtheyateagoodmealoffreshmeat。
　　Ridingonagain，towardssundowntheycametoanotheroftheiroldcamping-places，alsoabush-coveredkopje。Herethespringofwaterwasmorethanhalfwayupthehill，sotheretheyoff-saddledinagreenbowerofaplacethatbecauseofitsfernsandmosseslookedlikearockgarden。Now，althoughtheyhadenoughcoldmeatforfood，theythoughtthemselvesquitesafeinlightingafire。Indeed，thisitseemednecessarytodo，sincetheyhadstruckthefreshspooroflions，andevencaughtsightofonegallopingawayinthetallreedsonthemarshylandatthefootofthehill。
　　Thateveningtheyfaredsumptuouslyuponvenison，andasonthepreviousdaylaydowntorestinalittle”boma”orfencemadeofboughs。Buttheywerenotallowedtosleepwellthisnight，forscarcelyhadtheyshuttheireyeswhenahyenabegantohowlaboutthem。Theyshoutedandthebrutewentaway，butanhourortwolater，theyheardominousgruntingsounds，followedpresentlybyaloudroar，whichwasansweredbyanotherroar，whereatthehorsesbegantowhinnyinafrightenedfashion。”Lions！”saidMr。Clifford，jumpingupandthrowingdeadwoodonthefiretillitburnttoabrightblaze。
　　Afterthatallsleepbecameimpossible，foralthoughthelionsdidnotattackthem，havingoncewindedthehorsestheywouldnotgoaway，butcontinuedwanderingroundthekopje，gruntingandgrowling。Thiswentontillabutthreeo’clockinthemorning，whenatlastthebeaststooktheirdeparture，fortheyheardthemroaringinthedistance。Nowthattheyseemedsafe，havingfirstmadeupthefire，theytriedtogetsomerest。
　　When，asitappearedtoher，Benitahadbeenasleepbutalittlewhile，shewasawakenedbyanewnoise。Itwasstilldark，butthestarlightshowedherthatthehorseswerequitequiet；indeed，oneofthemwaslyingdown，andtheothereatingsomegreenleavesfromthebranchesofthetreetowhichitwastethered。Thereforethatnoisehadnotcomefromanywildanimalofwhichtheywereafraid。shelistenedintently，andpresentlyhearditagain；itwasamurmurliketothatofpeopletalkingsomewhereatthebottomofthehill。Thenshewokeherfatherandtoldhim，butalthoughonceortwicetheythoughttheyheardthesoundoffootsteps，nothingelsecouldbedistinguished。Stilltheyrose，andhavingsaddledandbridledthehorsesasnoiselesslyasmightbe，waitedforthedawn。
　　Atlastitcame。Uponthesideofthekopjetheywereinclearair，abovewhichshonetheredlightsofmorning，butunderthemlaybillowsofdense，pearl-huedmist。Bydegreesthisthinnedbeneaththeraysoftherisensun，andthroughit，lookinggiganticinthatlight，Benitasawasavagewrappedinakaross，whowaswalkingupanddownandyawning，agreatspearinhishand。”Look，”shewhispered，”look！”andMr。Cliffordstareddownthelineofheroutstretchedfinger。”TheMatabele，”hesaid。”MyGod！theMatabele！”