ThenMr。Cliffordgroanedandsaid:”Ipromise。””Tellmeyourstory，BenitadaFerreira。Howcameyouandyourpeoplehere？””ThetribesofMonomotaparoseagainstourrule。Theykilledmanyofusinthelowerland，yes，theykilledmybrotherandhimtowhomI
　　wasaffianced。Therestofusflednorthtothisancientfortress，hopingthencetoescapebytheriver，theZambesi。TheMambo，ourvassal，gaveusshelterhere，butthetribesbesiegedthewallsinthousands，andburntalltheboatssothatwecouldnotflybythewater。Manytimeswebeatthembackfromthewall；theditchwasfulloftheirdead，andatlasttheydaredtoattacknomore。”Thenwebegantostarveandtheywonthefirstwall。Wewentonstarvingandtheywonthesecondwall，butthethirdwalltheycouldnotclimb。Sowedied；onebyonewelaidourselvesdowninthiscaveanddied，tillIalonewasleft，forwhileourpeoplehadfoodtheygaveittomewhowasthedaughteroftheircaptain。Yes，aloneI
　　kneltatthefootofthiscrucifixbythebodyofmyfather，prayingtotheblessedSonofMaryforthedeaththatwouldnotcome，andkneelingthereIswooned。WhenIawokeagaintheMamboandhismenstoodaboutme，fornow，knowingustobedead，thetribeshadgone，andthosewhowereinhidingacrosstheriverhadreturnedandknewhowtoclimbthewall。Theyboremefromamongthedead，theygavemefoodsothatmystrengthcameback；butinthenightI，whoinmywickednesswouldnotlive，escapedfromthemandclimbedthepillarofblackrock，sothatwhenthesunrosetheysawmestandingthere。Theybeggedofmetocomedown，promisingtoprotectme，butIsaid’No，’
　　whointheevilofmyheartonlydesiredtodie，thatImightjoinmyfatherandmybrother，andonewhowasdearertomethanall。Theyaskedofmewherethegreattreasurewashidden。”
　　AtthesewordsJacobgasped，thenrapidlytranslatedthem，whilethefigurebeforethembecamesilent，asthoughitfeltthatforthemomentthepowerofhiswillwaswithdrawn。”Speakon，Ibidyou，”hesaid，andshecontinued，therich，slowvoicedroppingwordafterwordfromthelipsofBenitainthealienspeechthatthisBenitaneverknew。”Iansweredthatitwaswhereitwas，andthatiftheygaveituptoanysavetheoneappointed，thenthatfatewhichhadbefallenmypeoplewouldbefalltheirsalso。Yes，IgaveitintotheirkeepinguntilIcameagain，sincewithhisdyingbreathmyfatherhadcommandedmetorevealittonone，andIbelievedthatIwhowasabouttodieshouldnevercomeagain。”ThenImademylastprayer，IkissedthegoldencrucifixthatnowhangsuponthisbreastwhereinIdwell，”andthehandofthelivingBenitawaslifted，andmovinglikethehandofadeadthing，slowlydrewoutthesymbolfrombeneaththecloak，helditforamomentinthelamplight，andletitfalltoitsplaceagain。”IputmyhandsbeforemyeyesthatImightnotsee，andIhurledmyselffromthepinnacle。”
　　Nowthevoiceceased，butfromthelipscameadreadfulsound，suchasmightbeutteredbyonewhosebonesareshattereduponrocks，followedbyothersoundslikethoseofonewhochokesinwater。TheyweresohorribletohearthatMr。Cliffordnearlyfainted，andevenJacobMeyerstaggeredandturnedwhiteasthewhitefaceofBenita。”Wakeher！ForGod’ssake，wakeher！”saidherfather。”Sheisdying，asthatwomandiedhundredsofyearsago。””Nottillshehastolduswherethegoldis。Bequiet，youfool。Shedoesnotfeelorsuffer。Itisthespiritwithinherthatlivesthroughthepastagain。”
　　Oncemoretherewassilence。Itseemedasthoughthestorywerealltoldandthetellerhaddeparted。”BenitadaFerreira，”saidMeyeratlength，”Icommandyou，tellme，areyoudead？””Oh！wouldthatIweredead，asmybodyisdead！”wailedthelipsofBenita。”Alas！Icannotdiewhosufferthispurgatory，andmustdwellonherealoneuntilthedestinedday。Yes，yes，thespiritofherwhowasBenitadaFerreiramusthauntthisplaceinsolitude。Thisisherdoom，tobetheguardianofthataccursedgoldwhichwaswrungfromtheearthbycrueltyandpaidforwiththelivesofmen。””Isitstillsafe？”whisperedJacob。”Iwilllook；”thenafterapause，”Ihavelooked。Itisthere，everygrainofit，inox-hidebags；onlyoneofthemhasfallenandburst，thatwhichisblackandred。””Whereisit？”hesaidagain。”Imaynottellyou；never，never。””Isthereanyonewhomyoumaytell？””Yes。””Whom？””HerinwhosebreastIlie。””Tellherthen。””Ihavetoldher；sheknows。””Andmayshetellme？””Letherguardthesecretasshewill。OmyGuardian，Ithankthee。Myburdenisdeparted；mysinofself-murderisatoned。””BenitadaFerreira，areyougone？”
　　Noanswer。”BenitaClifford，doyouhearme？””Ihearyou，”saidthevoiceofBenita，speakinginEnglish，althoughJacob，forgetting，hadaddressedherinPortuguese。”Whereisthegold？””Inmykeeping。””Tellme，Icommandyou。”
　　Butnowordscame；thoughhequestionedhermanytimesnowordscame，tillatlastherheadsankforwarduponherknees，andinafaintvoiceshemurmured:”Looseme，orIdie。”
　　XIX
　　THEAWAKING
　　StillJacobMeyerhesitated。Thegreatsecretwasunlearned，and，ifthisoccasionpassed，mightneverbelearned。Butifhehesitated，Mr。
　　Clifforddidnot。Theknowledgeofhischild’sdanger，thesensethatherlifewasmysteriouslyslippingawayfromherunderpressureoftheghastlyspellinwhichshelayenthralled，stirredhimtomadness。Hisstrengthandmanhoodcamebacktohim。HesprangstraightatMeyer’sthroat，grippeditwithonehand，andwiththeotherdrewtheknifehewore。”Youdevil！”hegasped。”Wakeheroryoushallgowithher！”andheliftedtheknife。
　　ThenJacobgavein。ShakingoffhisassailanthesteppedtoBenita，andwhileherfatherstoodbehindhimwiththeliftedblade，begantomakestrangeupwardpassesoverher，andtomutterwordsofcommand。
　　Foralongwhiletheytooknoeffect；indeed，bothofthemwerealmostsurethatshewasgone。Despairgrippedherfather，andMeyerworkedathisblackartsofuriouslythatthesweatburstoutuponhisforeheadandfellingreatdropstothefloor。
　　Oh，atlast，atlastshestirred！Herheadlifteditselfalittle，herbreastheaved。”LordinHeaven，Ihavesavedher！”mutteredJacobinGerman，andworkedon。
　　NowtheeyesofBenitaopened，andnowshestoodupandsighed。Butshesaidnothing；onlylikeapersonwalkinginhersleep，shebegantomovetowardstheentranceofthecave，herfathergoingbeforeherwiththelamp。Onshewent，andoutofitstraighttohertent，whereinstantlyshecastherselfuponherbedandsankintodeepslumber。Itwasasthoughthepowerofthedrug-inducedoblivion，whichforawhilewasover-masteredbythatotherstrongerpowerinvokedbyJacob，hadreasserteditself。
　　Meyerwatchedherforawhile；thensaidtoMr。Clifford:”Don’tbeafraidanddon’tattempttodisturbher。Shewillwakenaturallyinthemorning。””Ihopesoforbothoursakes，”heanswered，glaringathim，”forifnot，youorI，orthetwoofus，willneverseeanother。”
　　Meyertooknonoticeofhisthreats；indeedthemanseemedsoexhaustedthathecouldscarcelystand。”Iamdone，”hesaid。”Now，assheissafe，Idon’tcarewhathappenstome。Imustrest，”andhestaggeredfromthetent，likeadrunkenman。
　　Outside，attheplacewheretheyate，Mr。Cliffordheardhimgulpingdownrawginfromthebottle。Thenheheardnomore。
　　Alltherestofthenight，andforsomehoursoftheearlymorning，didherfatherwatchbythebedofBenita，although，lightlycladashewas，thecoldofdawnstrucktohisbones。Atlength，whenthesunwaswellup，sheroseinherbed，andhereyesopened。”Whatareyoudoinghere，father？”shesaid。”Ihavecometoseewhereyouwere，dear。Youaregenerallyoutbynow。””IsupposethatImusthaveoversleptmyselfthen，”sherepliedwearily。”Butitdoesnotseemtohaverefreshedmemuch，andmyheadaches。Oh！Iremember，”sheaddedwithastart。”Ihavehadsuchahorriddream。””Whatabout？”heaskedascarelesslyashecould。”Ican’trecallitquite，butithadtodowithMr。Meyer，”andsheshivered。”ItseemedasthoughIhadpassedintohispower，asthoughhehadtakenpossessionofme，bodyandsoul，andforcedmetotellhimallthesecretthings。””Whatsecretthings，Benita？”
　　Sheshookherhead。”Idon’tknownow，butwewentawayamongdeadpeople，andItoldhimthere。Oh！father，Iamafraidofthatman——terriblyafraid！Protectmefromhim，”andshebegantocryalittle。”OfcourseIwillprotectyou，dear。Somethinghasupsetyournerves。
　　Come，dressyourselfandyou’llsoonforgetitall。I’lllightthefire。”
　　AquarterofanhourlaterBenitajoinedhim，lookingpaleandshaken，butotherwisemuchasusual。Shewasravenouslyhungry，andateofthebiscuitsanddriedmeatwitheagerness。”ThecoffeetastesquitedifferentfromthatwhichIdranklastnight，”shesaid。”Ithinktheremusthavebeensomethinginitwhichgavemethosebaddreams。WhereisMr。Meyer？Oh，Iknow！”andagainsheputherhandtoherhead。”Heisstillasleepbythewall。””Whotoldyouthat？””Ican’tsay，butitisso。Hewillnotcomeheretilloneo’clock。
　　There，Ifeelmuchbetternow。Whatshallwedo，father？””Sitinthesunandrest，Ithink，dear。””Yes，letusdothat，onthetopofthewall。WecanseetheMakalangafromthere，anditwillbeacomforttobesurethatthereareotherhumanbeingsleftintheworldbesidesourselvesandJacobMeyer。”
　　Sopresentlytheywent，andfromthespotwhenceMeyerusedtoshootattheMatabelecamp，lookeddownupontheMakalangamovingaboutthefirstenclosurefarbelow。BytheaidoftheglassesBenitaeventhoughtthatsherecognisedTamas，althoughofthisitwasdifficulttobesure，fortheywereallverymuchalike。Still，thediscoveryquiteexcitedher。”IamsureitisTamas，”shesaid。”Andoh！howIwishthatweweredowntherewithhim，althoughitistruethatthenweshouldbenearertotheMatabele。ButtheyarebetterthanMr。Meyer，muchbetter。”
　　Nowforawhiletheyweresilent，tillatlengthshesaidsuddenly:”Father，youarekeepingsomethingbackfromme，andthingsbegintocomeback。Tellme；didIgoanywherelastnightwithMr。Meyer——youandheandItogether？”
　　Hehesitatedandlookedguilty；Mr。Cliffordwasnotagoodactor。”Iseethatwedid；Iamsurethatwedid。Father，tellme。Imustknow，Iwillknow。”
　　Thenhegaveway。”Ididn’twanttospeak，dear，butperhapsitisbest。Itisaverystrangestory。Willyoupromisenottobeupset？””IwillpromisenottobemoreupsetthanIamatpresent，”sheanswered，withasadlittlelaugh。”Goon。””YourememberthatJacobMeyerwantedtomesmerizeyou？””Iamnotlikelytoforgetit，”sheanswered。”Well，lastnighthedidmesmerizeyou。””What？”shesaid。”/What？/Oh！howdreadful！NowIunderstanditall。
　　Butwhen？””Whenyouweresoundasleep，Isuppose。Atleast，thefirstIknewofitwasthatsomenoisewokeme，andIcameoutofthehuttoseeyoufollowinghimlikeadeadwoman，withalampinyourhand。”
　　Thenhetoldherallthestory，whileshelistenedaghast。”Howdaredhe！”shegasped，whenherfatherhadfinishedthelongtale。”Ihatehim；Ialmostwishthatyouhadkilledhim，”andsheclenchedherlittlehandsandshookthemintheair。”ThatisnotveryChristianofyou，MissClifford，”saidavoicebehindher。”Butitispastoneo’clock，andasIamstillaliveI
　　havecometotellyouthatitistimeforluncheon。”
　　Benitawheeledrounduponthestoneonwhichshesat，andthere，standingamidstthebushesalittlewayfromthefootofthewall，wasJacobMeyer。Theireyesmet；herswerefullofdefiance，andhisofconsciouspower。”Idonotwantanyluncheon，Mr。Meyer，”shesaid。”ButIamsurethatyoudo。Pleasecomedownandhavesome。Pleasecomedown。”
　　Thewordswerespokenhumbly，almostpleadingly，yettoBenitatheyseemedasacommand。Atanyrate，withslowreluctancesheclimbeddowntheshatteredwall，followedbyherfather，andwithoutspeakingtheywentbacktotheircampingplace，allthreeofthem，Jacobleadingtheway。
　　Whentheyhadeaten，ormadepretencetoeat，hespoke。”Iseethatyourfatherhastoldyoueverything，MissClifford，andofthatIamglad。Asforme，itwouldhavebeenawkward，whomustaskyourforgivenessforsomuch。ButwhatcouldIdo？Iknew，asIhavealwaysknown，thatitwasonlypossibletofindthistreasurebyyourhelp。SoIgaveyousomethingtomakeyousleep，andtheninyoursleepIhypnotizedyou，and——youknowtherest。Ihavegreatexperienceinthisart，butIhaveneverseenorheardofanythinglikewhathappened，andIhopeInevershallagain。”
　　HithertoBenitahadsatsilent，butnowherburningindignationandcuriosityovercamehershameandhatred。”Mr。Meyer，”shesaid，”youhavedoneashamefulandawickedthing，andItellyouatoncethatIcanneverforgiveyou。””Don’tsaythat。Pleasedon’tsaythat，”heinterruptedintonesofrealgrief。”Makeallowancesforme。Ihadtolearn，andtherewasnootherway。Youareabornclairvoyante，oneamongtenthousand，myarttoldmeso，andyouknowallthatisatstake。””Bywhichyoumeansomanyouncesofgold，Mr。Meyer。””BywhichImeanthegreatnessthatgoldcangive，MissClifford。””Suchgreatness，Mr。Meyer，asaweekoffever，oraMatabelespear，orGod’swillcanrobyouof。Butthethingisdone，andsoonorlatethesinmustbepaidfor。NowIwanttoaskyouaquestion。Youbelieveinnothing；youhavetoldmesoseveraltimes。Yousaythatthereisnosuchthingasaspirit，thatwhenwedie，wedie，andthere’sanend。Doyounot？””Yes，Ido。””Thentellme，whatwasitthatspokeoutofmylipslastnight，andhowcameitthatI，whoknownoPortuguese，talkedtoyouinthattongue？”
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。”Youhaveputadifficultquestion，butoneIthinkthatcanbeanswered。Thereisnosuchthingasaspirit，anidentitythatsurvivesdeath。Butthereissuchathingasthesubconsciousself，whichispartoftheanimatingprincipleoftheuniverse，and，ifonlyitsknowledgecanbeunsealed，knowsallthathaspassedandallthatispassinginthatuniverse。Onedayperhapsyouwillreadtheworksofmycompatriot，Hegel，andthereyouwillfinditspokenof。””Youexplainnothing。””Iamabouttoexplain，MissClifford。LastnightIgavetoyoursub-
　　consciousself——thatwhichknowsall——thestrengthofliberty，sothatitsawthepastasithappenedinthisplace。Alreadyyouknewthestoryofthedeadgirl，BenitadaFerreira，andthatstoryyoure-enacted，talkingthetonguesheusedasyouwouldhavetalkedGreekoranyothertongue，haditbeenhers。Itwasnotherspiritthatanimatedyou，althoughatthetimeIcalleditsoforshortness，butyourownburiedknowledge，trickedoutandfurnishedbytheeffortofyourhumanimagination。Thathername，Benita，shouldhavebeenyoursalsoisnodoubtastrangecoincidence，butnomore。Alsowehavenoproofthatitwasso；onlywhatyousaidinyourtrance。””Perhaps，”saidBenita，whowasinnomoodforphilosophicalargument。”Perhapsalsoonedayyouwillseeaspirit，Mr。Meyer，andthinkotherwise。””WhenIseeaspiritandknowthatitisaspirit，thendoubtlessI
　　shallbelieveinspirits。Butwhatisthegoodoftalkingofsuchthings？Idonotseekspirits；IseekPortuguesegold。Now，Iamsureyoucantellwherethatgoldlies。Youwouldhavetolduslastnight，hadnotyournervousstrengthfailedyou，whoareunaccustomedtothestateoftrance。SpeakingasBenitadaFerreira，yousaidthatyousawitanddescribeditscondition。Thenyoucould，orwould，saynomore，anditbecamenecessarytowakenyou。MissClifford，youmustletmemesmerizeyouonceagainforafewminutesonly，forthenwewillwastenotimeonpasthistories，andweshallfindthegold。Unless，indeed，”headdedbyanafterthought，andlookingathersharply，”youknowalreadywhereitis；inwhichcaseIneednottroubleyou。””Idonotknow，Mr。Meyer。Iremembernothingaboutthegold。””Whichprovesmytheory。WhatpurportedtobethespiritofBenitadaFerreirasaidthatithadpassedthesecretontoyou，butinyourwakingstateyoudonotknowthatsecret。Infact，shedidnotpassitonbecauseshehadnoexistence。Butinyoursub-consciousstateyouwillknow。ThereforeImustmesmerizeyouagain。Notatonce，butinafewdays’time，whenyouhavequiterecovered。LetussaynextWednesday，threedayshence。””Youshallnevermesmerizemeagain，Mr。Meyer。””No，notwhileIlive，”brokeinherfather，whohadbeenlisteningtothisdiscussioninsilence。
　　Jacobbowedhisheadmeekly。”Youthinksonow，butIthinkotherwise。WhatIdidlastnightIdidagainstyourwill，andthatIcandoagain，onlymuchmoreeasily。ButIhadratherdoitwithyourwill，whoworknotformyownsakeonly，butforthesakeofallofus。Andnowletustalknomoreofthematter，lestweshouldgrowangry。”Thenheroseandwentaway。
　　ThenextthreedayswerepassedbyBenitainastateofconstantdread。SheknewinherselfthatJacobMeyerhadacquiredacertaincommandoverher；thataninvincibleintimacyhadsprungupbetweenthem。Shewasacquaintedwithhisthoughts；thus，beforeheaskedforit，shewouldfindherselfpassinghimsomearticleattableorelsewhere，oransweringaquestionthathewasonlyabouttoask。
　　Moreover，hecouldbringhertohimfromalittledistance。Thus，ontwoorthreeoccasionswhenshewaswanderingabouttheirprisonenclosure，asshewaswonttodoforthesakeofexercise，shefoundherfeetdrawtosomespot——nowoneplaceandnowanother——andwhenshereachedittherebeforeherwasJacobMeyer。”Forgivemeforbringingyouhere，”hewouldsay，smilingafterhiscrookedfashion，andliftinghishatpolitely，”butIwishtoaskyouifyouhavenotchangedyourmindastobeingmesmerized？”
　　Thenforawhilehewouldholdherwithhiseyes，sothatherfeetseemedrootedtotheground，tillatlengthitwasasthoughhecutaropebysomeactionofhiswillandsetherfree，and，chokedwithwrathandblindwithtears，Benitawouldturnandrunfromhimasfromawildbeast。
　　Butifherdayswereevil，oh！whatwerehernights？Shelivedinconstantterrorlestheshouldagaindrugherfoodordrink，and，whilesheslept，throwhismagicspelluponher。Toprotectherselffromthefirstdangershewouldswallownothingthathadbeennearhim。Nowalsoshesleptinthehutwithherfather，wholaynearitsdoor，aloadedrifleathisside，forhehadtoldJacoboutrightthatifhecaughthimathispracticeshewouldshoothim，athreatatwhichtheyoungermanlaughedaloud，forhehadnofearofMr。
　　Clifford。
　　Throughoutthelonghoursofdarknesstheykeptwatchalternately，oneofthemlyingdowntorestwhiletheotherpeeredandlistened。NordidBenitaalwayslisteninvain，fortwiceatleastsheheardstealthyfootstepscreepingaboutthehut，andfeltthatsoftanddreadfulinfluenceflowinginuponher。Thenshewouldwakeherfather，whispering，”Heisthere，Icanfeelthatheisthere。”Butbythetimethattheoldmanhadpainfullydraggedhimselftohisfeet——
　　fornowhewasbecomingveryfeebleandacuterheumatismorsomesuchillnesshadgotholdofhim——andcreptfromthehut，therewasnoonetobeseen。Onlythroughthedarknesshewouldhearthesoundofaretreatingstep，andoflow，mockinglaughter。
　　Thusthosemiserabledayswentby，andthethirdmorningcame，thatdreadedWednesday。BeforeitwasdawnBenitaandherfather，neitherofwhomhadclosedtheireyesthatnight，talkedovertheirstraitlongandearnestly，andtheyknewthatitscrisiswasapproaching。”IthinkthatIhadbettertrytokillhim，Benita，”hesaid。”Iamgrowingdreadfullyweak，andifIputitoffImayfindnostrength，andyouwillbeathismercy。Icaneasilyshoothimwhenhisbackisturned，andthoughIhatethethoughtofsuchadeed，surelyIshallbeforgiven。Orifnot，Icannothelpit。Imustthinkofmydutytoyou，notofmyself。””No，no，”sheanswered。”Iwillnothaveit。Itwouldbemurder，althoughhehasthreatenedyou。Afterall，father，Ibelievethatthemanishalfmad，andnotresponsible。WemusttakeourchanceandtrusttoGodtosaveus。IfHedoesnot，”sheadded，”attheworstI
　　canalwayssavemyself，”andshetouchedthepistolwhichnowsheworedayandnight。”Sobeit，”saidMr。Clifford，withagroan。”Letusprayfordeliverancefromthishellandkeepourhandscleanofblood。”
　　XX
　　JACOBMEYERSEESASPIRIT
　　Forawhiletheyweresilent，thenBenitasaid:”Father，isitnotpossiblethatwemightescape，afterall？Perhapsthatstairontherampartisnotsocompletelyblockedthatwecouldnotclimboverit。”
　　Mr。Clifford，thinkingofhisstifflimbsandachingback，shookhisheadandanswered:”Idon’tknow；Meyerhasneverletmenearenoughtosee。””Well，whydoyounotgotolook？Youknowhesleepstilllatenow，becauseheisupallnight。Taketheglassesandexaminethetopofthewallfrominsidethatoldhousenearby。Hewillnotseeorhearyou，butifIcamenear，hewouldknowandwakeup。””Ifyoulike，love，Icantry，butwhatareyougoingtodowhileIamaway？””Ishallclimbthepillar。””Youdon’tmean——”andhestopped。”No，no，nothingofthatsort。IshallnotfollowtheexampleofBenitadaFerreiraunlessIamdriventoit；Iwanttolook，thatisall。Onecanseefarfromthatplace，ifthereisanythingtosee。
　　PerhapstheMatabelearegonenow，wehaveheardnothingofthemlately。”
　　Sotheydressedthemselves，andassoonasthelightwassufficientlystrong，cameoutofthehutandparted，Mr。Clifford，rifleinhand，limpingofftowardsthewall，andBenitagoingtowardsthegreatcone。
　　Sheclimbediteasilyenough，andstoodinthelittlecup-likedepressiononitsdizzypeak，waitingforthesuntoriseanddispersethemistswhichhungovertheriveranditsbanks。
　　Nowwhatevermayhavebeentheexactceremonialusetowhichtheancientsputthispinnacle，withoutdoubtithadsomethingtodowithsun-worship。This，indeed，wasprovedbythefactthat，atanyrateatthisseasonoftheyear，thefirstraysoftherisenorbstruckfulluponitspoint。Thusitcameaboutthat，asshestoodtherewaiting，Benitaofasuddenfoundherselfsuffusedinlightsovividandintensethat，clothedasshewasinadresswhichhadoncebeenwhite，itmusthavecausedhertoshinelikeasilverimage。Forseveralminutes，indeed，thisgoldenspearoffireblindedhersothatshecouldseenothing，butstoodquitestill，afraidtomove，andwaitinguntil，asthesungrewhigher，itslevelrayspassedoverher。Thistheydidpresently，andplungingintothevalley，begantodriveawaythefog。Nowshelookeddown，alongthelineoftheriver。
　　TheMatabelecampwasinvisible，foritlayinahollowalmostatthefootofthefortress。Beyondit，however，wasarisingswellofground；itmayhavebeenhalfamilefromwhereshestood，andonthecrestofitsheperceivedwhatlookedlikeawaggontentwithfiguresmovingroundit。Theywereshoutingalso，forthroughthesilenceoftheAfricanmornthesoundoftheirvoicesfloateduptoher。
　　AsthemistclearedoffBenitasawthatwithoutdoubtitwasawaggon，fortherestoodthelongrowofoxen，alsoithadjustbeencapturedbytheMatabele，forthesewereaboutitinnumbers。Atthemoment，however，theyappearedtobeotherwiseoccupied，fortheywerepointingwiththeirspearstothepillaronBambatse。
　　ThenitoccurredtoBenitathat，placedasshewasinthatfiercelightwithonlytheskyforbackground，shemustbeperfectlyvisiblefromtheplainbelow，andthatitmightbeherfigureperchedlikeaneaglebetweenheavenandearthwhichexcitedtheirinterest。Yes，andnottheirsonly，fornowawhitemanappeared，wholiftedwhatmighthavebeenagun，oratelescope，towardsher。Shewassurefromtheredflannelshirtandthebroadhatwhichheworethathemustbeawhiteman，andoh！howherheartyearnedtowardshim，whoeverhemightbe！ThesightofanangelfromheavencouldscarcelyhavebeenmorewelcometoBenitainherwretchedness。
　　Yetsurelyshemustbedreaming。Whatshouldawhitemanandawaggonbedoinginthatplace？AndwhyhadnottheMatabelekilledhimatonce？Shecouldnottell，yettheyappearedtohavenomurderousintentions，sincetheycontinuedtogesticulateandtalkwhilsthestaredupwardswiththetelescope，ifitwereatelescope。Sothingswentonforalongtime，formeanwhiletheoxenwereoutspanned，until，indeed，moreMatabelearrived，wholedoffthewhiteman，apparentlyagainsthiswill，towardstheircamp，wherehedisappeared。
　　Thentherewasnothingmoretobeseen。Benitadescendedthecolumn。
　　Atitsfootshemetherfather，whohadcometoseekher。”Whatisthematter？”heasked，notingherexcitedface。”Oh！”shesaidorrathersobbed，”thereisawaggonwithawhitemanbelow。IsawtheMatabelecapturehim。””ThenIamsorryforthepoordevil，”answeredthefather，”forheisdeadbynow。Butwhatcouldawhitemanhavebeendoinghere？Somehunter，Isuppose，whohaswalkedintoatrap。”
　　ThefaceofBenitafell。”Ihoped，”shesaid，”thathemighthelpus。””Aswellmighthehopethatwecouldhelphim。Heisgone，andthereisanend。Well，peacetohissoul，andwehaveourowntroublestothinkof。Ihavebeentolookatthatwall，anditisuselesstothinkofclimbingit。Ifhehadbeenaprofessionalmason，Meyercouldnothavebuiltitupbetter；nowonderthatwehaveseennothingmoreoftheMolimo，foronlyabirdcouldreachus。””WherewasMr。Meyer，”askedBenita。”Asleepinablanketunderalittleshelterofboughsbythestair。Atleast，Ithoughtso，thoughitwasratherdifficulttomakehimoutintheshadow；atanyrate，Isawhisriflesetagainstatree。Come，letusgotobreakfast。Nodoubthewillturnupsoonenough。”
　　Sotheywent，andforthefirsttimesincetheSundayBenitaateaheartymealofbiscuitssoakedincoffee。AlthoughherfatherwassosurethatbynowhemusthaveperishedontheMatabelespears，thesightofthewhitemanandhiswaggonhadputnewlifeintoher，bringingherintotouchwiththeworldagain。Afterall，mightitnotchancethathehadescaped？”
　　AllthiswhiletherehadbeennosignofJacobMeyer。This，however，didnotsurprisethem，fornowheatehismealsalone，takinghisfoodfromalittlegeneralstore，andcookingitoverhisownfire。WhentheyhadfinishedtheirbreakfastMr。Cliffordremarkedthattheyhadnomoredrinkingwaterleft，andBenitasaidthatshewouldgotofetchapailfulfromthewellinthecave。Herfathersuggestedthatheshouldaccompanyher，butsheansweredthatitwasnotnecessaryasshewasquiteabletowindthechainbyherself。Soshewent，carryingthebucketinonehandandalampintheother。
　　Asshewalkeddownthelastofthezigzagsleadingtothecave，Benitastoppedamomentthinkingthatshesawalight，andthenwenton，sinceonturningthecornertherewasnothingbutdarknessbeforeher。
　　Evidentlyshehadbeenmistaken。Shereachedthewellandhungthepailontothegreatcopperhook，wonderingasshedidsohowmanyfolkhaddonelikewiseinthefar，farpast，forthemassivemetalofthathookwaswornquitethinwithuse。Thenshelettherollerrun，andthesoundofthetravellingchainclankeddismallyinthatvaulted，emptyplace。Atlengththepailstruckthewater，andshebegantowindupagain，pausingattimestorest，forthedistancewaslongandthechainheavy。Thebucketappeared。Benitadrewittothesideofthewell，andlifteditfromthehook，thentookupherlamptobegone。
　　Feelingorseeingsomething，whichshewasnotsure，sheheldthelampaboveherhead，andbyitslightperceivedafigurestandingbetweenherandtheentrancetothecave。”Whoareyou？”sheasked，whereonasoftvoiceansweredoutofthedarkness，thevoiceofJacobMeyer。”Doyoumindstandingstillforafewminutes，MissClifford？IhavesomepaperhereandIwishtomakeasketch。Youdonotknowhowbeautifulyoulookwiththatlightaboveyourheadilluminatingtheshadowsandthethorn-crownedcrucifixbeyond。Youknow，whateverpathsfortunemayhaveledmeinto，bynatureIamanartist，andneverinmylifehaveIseensuchapicture。Onedayitwillmakemefamous。
　　’Howstatue-likeIseetheestand！
　　Theagatelampwithinthyhand。’
　　That’swhatIshouldputunderit；youknowthelines，don’tyou？””Yes，Mr。Meyer，butIamafraidyouwillhavetopaintyourpicturefrommemory，asIcannotholdupthislampanylonger；myarmisachingalready。Idonotknowhowyoucamehere，butasyouhavefollowedmeperhapsyouwillbesokindastocarrythiswater。””Ididnotfollowyou，MissClifford。AlthoughyouneversawmeI
　　enteredthecavebeforeyoutotakemeasurements。””Howcanyoutakemeasurementsinthedark？””Iwasnotinthedark。IputoutmylightwhenIcaughtsightofyou，knowingthatotherwiseyouwouldrunaway，andfatestoodmeingoodstead。Youcameon，asIwilledthatyoushoulddo。Nowletustalk。
　　MissClifford，haveyouchangedyourmind？Youknowthetimeisup。””Ishallneverchangemymind。Letmepassyou，Mr。Meyer。””No，no，notuntilyouhavelistened。Youareverycrueltome，verycruelindeed。Youdonotunderstandthat，ratherthandoyoutheslightestharm，Iwoulddieahundredtimes。””Idonotaskyoutodie；Iaskyoutoleavemealone——amucheasiermatter。””ButhowcanIleaveyoualonewhenyouareapartofme，when——Iloveyou？There，thetruthisout，andnowsaywhatyouwill。”
　　Benitaliftedthebucketofwater；itsweightseemedtosteadyher。
　　Thensheputitdownagain，sinceescapewasimpracticable；shemustfacethesituation。”Ihavenothingtosay，Mr。Meyer，exceptthat/I/donotlove/you/
　　oranylivingman，andInevershall。Ithankyouforthecomplimentyouhavepaidme，andthereisanend。””Anylivingman，”herepeatedafterher。”Thatmeansyouloveadeadman——Seymour，hewhowasdrowned。NowonderthatIhatedhimwhenfirstmyeyesfellonhimyearsago，longbeforeyouhadcomeintoourlives。Prescience，thesub-consciousselfagain。Well，whatistheuseoflovingthedead，thosewhonolongerhaveanyexistence，whohavegonebackintotheclayoutofwhichtheywereformedandarenot，norevermoreshallbe？Youhavebutonelife；turn，turntotheliving，andmakeithappy。””Idonotagreewithyou，Mr。Meyer。Tomethedeadarestillliving；
　　onedayIshallfindthem。Nowletmego。””Iwillnotletyougo。Iwillpleadandwrestlewithyouasintheoldfablemynamesakeofmyownracewrestledwiththeangel，untilatlengthyoublessme。YoudespisemebecauseIamaJew，becauseIhavehadmanyadventuresandnotsucceeded；becauseyouthinkmemad。ButI
　　tellyouthatthereistheseedofgreatnessinme。GiveyourselftomeandIwillmakeyougreat，fornowIknowthatitwasyouwhomI
　　neededtosupplywhatislackinginmynature。Wewillwinthewealth，andtogetherwewillrule——””UntilafewdayshencewestarveortheMatabelemakeanendofus。
　　No，Mr。Meyer，no，”andshetriedtopushpasthim。
　　Hestretchedouthisarmsandstoppedher。”Listen，”hesaid，”Ihavepleadedwithyouasmanwithwoman。Now，asyourefusemeandasyoualonestandbetweenmeandmadness，Iwilltakeanothercourse。Iamyourmaster，yourwillisservanttomywill；Ibidyouobeyme。”
　　Hefixedhiseyesuponhers，andBenitafeltherstrengthbegintofail。”Ah！”hesaid，”youaremyservantnow，andtoshowitIshallkissyouonthelips；thenIshallthrowthesleepuponyou，andyouwilltellmewhatIwanttoknow。Afterwardswecanbewedwhenitpleasesme。Oh！donotthinkthatyourfatherwilldefendyou，forifheinterferesIshallkillthatfoolisholdman，whomuntilnowIhaveonlysparedforyoursake。Rememberthatifyoumakemeangry，Ishallcertainlykillhim，andyourfather’sbloodwillbeonyourhead。NowIamgoingtokissyou。”
　　Benitaliftedherhandtofindthepistolatherwaist。Itfellbackagain；shehadnostrength；itwasasthoughshewereparalysedasabirdisparalysedbyasnakesothatitcannotopenitswingsandflyaway，butsitsthereawaitingdeath。Shewasgivenoverintothehandsofthismanwhomshehated。CouldHeavenallowsuchathing？shewondereddimly，andallthewhilehislipsdrewnearertoherface。
　　Theytouchedherown，andthen，whyorwhereforeBenitaneverunderstood，thespellbroke。Allhispowerwasgone，shewasasshehadbeen，afreewoman，mistressofherself。Contemptuouslyshethrustthemanaside，and，noteventroublingtorun，liftedherpailofwaterandwalkedaway。
　　Soonshesawthelightagain，andjoyfullyextinguishedherlamp。
　　Indeed，thebreastofBenita，whichshouldhavebeensotroubledafterthescenethroughwhichshehadpassed，strangelyenoughwasfilledwithhappinessandpeace。Asthatglorioussunlighthadbrokenonhereyes，sohadanotherlightoffreedomariseninhersoul。ShewasnolongerafraidofJacobMeyer；thatcowardkissofhishadstruckofftheshackleswhichboundhertohim。Hermindhadbeensubjecttohismind，butnowthathisphysicalnaturewasbroughtintotheplay，hismentalparthadlostitsholduponher。
　　Assheapproachedthehutshesawherfatherseatedonastoneoutsideit，sincethepooroldmanwasnowsoweakandfullofpainthathecouldnotstandforverylong，andseeing，rememberedMeyer’sthreatsagainsthim。Atthethoughtallhernew-foundhappinessdeparted。
　　Shemightbesafe；shefeltsurethatshewassafe，buthowaboutherfather？IfMeyercouldnotgethiswayprobablyhewouldbeasgoodashisword，andkillhim。Sheshiveredatthethought，then，recoveringherself，walkedforwardsteadilywithherbucketofwater。”Youhavebeenalongwhilegone，mylove，”saidMr。Clifford。”Yes，father，Mr。Meyerwasinthecave，andkeptme。””Howdidhegetthere，andwhatdidhewant？””Idon’tknowhowhegotthere——creptinwhenwewerenotlooking，I
　　suppose。Butasforwhathewanted——listen，dear，”andwordforwordshetoldhimwhathadpassed。
　　Beforeshehadfinished，herfatherwasalmostchokingwithwrath。”ThedirtyJew！Thevillain！”hegasped。”Ineverdreamedthathewoulddaretoattemptsuchanoutrage。Well，thankHeaven！Icanstillholdarifle，andwhenhecomesout——””Father，”shesaidgently，”thatmanismad。Heisnotresponsibleforhisactions，andtherefore，exceptinself-defence，youmustnotthinkofsuchathing。Asforwhathesaidaboutyou，Ibelieveitwasonlyanemptythreat，andformeyouneedhavenofear，hispowerovermeisgone；itwentlikeaflashwhenhislipstouchedme，”andsherubbedherownasthoughtowipeawaysomestain。”Iamafraidofnothingmore。Ibelieve——yes，IbelievetheoldMolimowasright，andthatallwillendwell——”
　　AsshewasspeakingBenitaheardashufflingsoundbehindher，andturnedtolearnitscause。Thenshesawastrangesight。JacobMeyerwasstaggeringtowardsthem，draggingonefootaftertheotherthroughthegrassandstones。Hisfacewasghastlypale，hisjawhaddroppedlikethatofadeadman，andhiseyesweresetwideopenandfullofhorror。”Whatisthematterwithyou，man？”askedMr。Clifford。”I——I——haveseenaghost，”hewhispered。”Youdidnotcomebackintothecave，didyou？”headded，pointingatBenita，whoshookherhead。”Whatghost？”askedMr。Clifford。”Idon’tknow，butmylampwentout，andthenalightbegantoshinebehindme。Iturned，andonthestepsofthatcrucifixIsawawomankneeling。Herarmsclaspedthefeetofthefigure，herforeheadresteduponthefeet，herlongblackhairfloweddown，shewasdressedinwhite，andthelightcamefromherbodyandherhead。Veryslowlysheturnedandlookedatme，andoh，Heaven！thatface——”andheputhishandbeforehiseyesandgroaned。”Itwasbeautiful；yes，yes，butfearfultosee，likeanavengingangel。Ifled，andthelight——onlythelight——camewithmedownthecave，evenatthemouthofittherewasalittle。Ihaveseenaspirit，Iwhodidnotbelieveinspirits，Ihaveseenaspirit，andItellyouthatnotforallthegoldintheworldwillIenterthatplaceagain。”
　　Thenbeforetheycouldanswer，suddenlyasthoughhisfearhadgotsomefreshholdofhim，Jacobsprangforwardandfledaway，crashingthroughthebushesandleapingfromrocktorocklikeafrightenedbuck。
　　XXI
　　THEMESSAGEFROMTHEDEAD”Meyeralwayssaidthathedidnotbelieveinspirits，”remarkedMr。
　　Cliffordreflectively。”Well，hebelievesinthemnow，”answeredBenitawithalittlelaugh。”But，father，thepoormanismad，thatisthefactofit，andwemustpaynoattentiontowhathesays。””TheoldMolimoandsomeofhispeople——Tamas，forinstance——declaredthattheyhaveseentheghostofBenitadaFerreira。Aretheymadalso，Benita？””Idon’tknow，father。Whocansay？Allthesethingsareamystery。
　　AllIdoknowisthatIhaveneverseenaghost，andIdoubtifIevershall。””No，butwhenyouwereinthattrancesomethingthatwasnotyouspokeoutofyourmouth，whichsomethingsaidthatitwasyournamesake，theotherBenita。Well，asyousay，wecan’tfathomthesethings，especiallyinahauntedkindofplacelikethis，buttheupshotofitisthatIdon’tthinkwehavemuchmoretofearfromJacob。””Iamnotsosure，father。Madpeoplechangetheirmoodsverysuddenly。”
　　AsithappenedBenitawasquiteright。TowardssuppertimeJacobMeyerreappeared，lookingpaleandshaken，butotherwisemuchasusual。”Ihadakindoffitthismorning，”heexplained，’theresultofanhallucinationwhichseizedmewhenmylightwentoutinthatcave。I
　　rememberthatIthoughtIhadseenaghost，whereasIknowverywellthatnosuchthingexists。Iwasthevictimofdisappointment，anxieties，andotherstillstrongeremotions，”andhelookedatBenita。”Therefore，pleaseforgetanythingIsaidordid，and——wouldyougivemesomesupper？”
　　Benitadidso，andheateinsilence，withsomeheartiness。Whenhehadfinishedhisfood，andswallowedtwoorthreetotsofsquareface，hespokeagain:”Ihavecomehere，whereIknowIamnotwelcome，uponbusiness，”hesaidinacalm，matter-of-factvoice。”Iamtiredofthisplace，andI
　　thinkitistimethatweattainedtheobjectofourjourneyhere，namely，tofindthehiddengold。That，asweallknow，canonlybedoneinacertainway，throughtheclairvoyantpowersofoneofusandthehypnoticpowersofanother。MissClifford，Irequestthatyouwillallowmetothrowyouintoastateoftrance。Youhavetolduseverythingelse，butyouhavenotyettolduswherethetreasureishidden，andthisitisnecessarythatweshouldknow。””AndifIrefuse，Mr。Meyer？””ThenIamsorry，butImusttakemeanstocompelyourobedience。
　　Underthosecircumstances，muchagainstmywill，Ishallbeobliged”——
　　herehiseyeblazedoutwildly——”toexecuteyourfather，whoseobstinacyandinfluencestandbetweenusandsplendidfortunes。No，Clifford，”headded，”don’tstretchoutyourhandtowardsthatrifle，forIamalreadycoveringyouwiththepistolinmypocket，andthemomentyourhandtouchesitIshallfire。Youpooroldman，doyouimagineforasinglesecondthat，sickasyouare，andwithyourstifflimbs，youcanhopetomatchyourselfagainstmyagility，intellect，andstrength？Why，Icouldkillyouinadozenwaysbeforeyoucouldliftafingeragainstme，andbytheGodIdonotbelievein，unlessyourdaughterismorecompliant，killyouIwill！””Thatremainstobeseen，myfriend，”saidMr。Cliffordwithalaugh，forhewasabraveoldman。”IamnotcertainthattheGod——whomyoudonotbelievein——willnotkillyoufirst。”
　　NowBenita，whohadbeentakingcounselwithherself，lookedupandsaidsuddenly:”Verywell，Mr。Meyer，Iconsent——becauseImust。To-morrowmorningyoushalltrytomesmerizeme，ifyoucan，inthesameplace，beforethecrucifixinthecave。””No，”heansweredquickly。”Itwasnotthere，itwashere，andhereitshallbeagain。Thespotyoumentionisunpropitioustome；theattemptwouldfail。””ItisthespotthatIhavechosen，”answeredBenitastubbornly。”AndthisisthespotthatIhavechosen，MissClifford，andmywillmustprevailoveryours。””Becauseyouwhodonotbelieveinspiritsareafraidtore-enterthecave，Mr。Meyer，lestyoushouldchance——””NevermindwhatIamoramnotafraidof，”herepliedwithfury。”Makeyourchoicebetweendoingmywillandyourfather’slife。
　　To-morrowmorningIshallcomeforyouranswer，andifyouarestillobstinate，withinhalfanhourhewillbedead，leavingyouandmealonetogether。Oh！youmaycallmewickedandavillain，butitisyouwhoarewicked，you，you，/you/whoforcemetothisdeedofjustice。”
　　Thenwithoutanotherwordhesprangupandwalkedawayfromthembackwards，ashewentcoveringMr。Cliffordwiththepistolwhichhehaddrawnfromhispocket。Thelastthattheysawofhimwerehiseyes，whichgloweredatthemthroughthedarknesslikethoseofalion。”Father，”saidBenita，whenshewassurethathehadgone，”thatmadmanreallymeanstomurderyou；thereisnodoubtofit。””Nonewhatever，dear；ifIamaliveto-morrownightIshallbelucky，unlessIcankillhimfirstorgetoutofhisway。””Well，”shesaidhurriedly，”Ithinkyoucan。Ihaveanidea。Heisafraidtogointothatcave，Iamsure。Letushideourselvesthere。
　　Wecantakefoodandshallhaveplentyofwater，whereas，unlessrainfalls，hecangetnothingtodrink。””Butwhatthen，Benita？Wecan’tstopinthedarkforever。””No，butwecanwaitthereuntilsomethinghappens。Somethingmustandwillhappen。Hisdiseasewon’tstandstill。Hemaygoravingmadandkillhimself。Orhemayattempttoattackus，thoughthatisnotlikely，andthenwemustdowhatwecaninselfdefence。Orhelpmayreachusfromsomewhere。Attheworstweshallonlydieasweshouldhavediedoutside。Come，letusbequick，lestheshouldchangehismind，andcreepbackuponus。”
　　SoMr。Cliffordgaveway，knowingthatevenifhecouldsteelhimselftodothedeedofattemptingtokillJacob，hewouldhavelittlechanceagainstthatstrongandagileman。Suchastrugglewouldonlyendinhisowndeath，andBenitamustthenbeleftalonewithMeyerandhisinsanepassions。
　　Hurriedlytheycarriedtheirfewbelongingsintothecave。Firsttheytookmostofthelittlestoreoffoodthatremained，thethreehand-
　　lampsandalltheparaffin；therewasbutonetin。Thenreturningtheyfetchedthebucket，theammunition，andtheirclothes。Afterwards，astherewasstillnosignofMeyer，theyevendaredtodraginthewaggontenttomakeashelterforBenita，andallthewoodthattheyhadcollectedforfiring。Thisprovedawearisomebusiness，forthelogswereheavy，andinhiscrippledstateMr。Cliffordcouldcarrynogreatburden。Indeed，towardstheendBenitawasforcedtocompletethetaskalone，whilehelimpedbesideherwithhisrifle，lestJacobshouldsurprisethem。
　　Whenatlengtheverythingwasdoneitwaslongpastmidnight，andsoexhaustedweretheythat，notwithstandingtheirdanger，theyflungthemselvesdownuponthecanvastent，whichlayinaheapattheendofthecavenearthecrucifix，andfellasleep。
　　WhenBenitawokethelamphadgoneout，anditwaspitchdark。
　　Fortunately，however，sherememberedwhereshehadputthematchesandthelanternwithacandleinit。Shelitthecandleandlookedatherwatch。Itwasnearlysixo’clock。Thedawnmustbebreakingoutside，withinanhourortwoJacobMeyerwouldfindthattheyhadgone。
　　Supposethathisrageshouldovercomehisfearandthatheshouldcreepuponthem。Theywouldknownothingofituntilhisfaceappearedinthefaintringoflight。Orhemightevenshootherfatheroutofthedarkness。Whatcouldshedothatwouldgivethemwarning？A
　　thoughtcametoher。
　　Takingoneofthetentropesandthelantern，forherfatherstillsleptheavily，shewentdowntotheentranceofthecave，andattheendofthelastzigzagwhereonceadoorhadbeen，managedtomakeitfasttoastonehingeabouteighteeninchesabovethefloor，andontheothersidetoaneyeoppositethatwascutinthesolidrocktoreceiveaboltofwoodoriron。Meyer，sheknew，hadnolampsoroil，onlymatchesandperhapsafewcandles。Thereforeifhetriedtoenterthecaveitwasprobablethathewouldtripovertheropeandthusgivethemwarning。Thenshewentback，washedherfaceandhandswithsomewaterthattheyhaddrawnonthepreviousnighttosatisfytheirthirst，andtidiedherselfasbestshecould。Thisdone，asherfatherstillslept，shefilledthelamps，litoneofthem，andlookedabouther，forshewaslothtowakehim。
　　Trulyitwasanawfulplaceinwhichtodwell。Thereabovethemtoweredthegreatwhitecrucifix；thereinthecornerwerepiledtheremainsofthePortuguese。Askullwithlonghairstillhangingtoitgrinnedather，awitheredhandwasthrustforwardasthoughtoclutchher。Oh，nowonderthatinsuchaspotJacobMeyerhadseenghosts！Infront，too，wastheyawninggravewheretheyhadfoundthemonk；
　　indeed，hisboneswrappedindarkrobesstilllaywithin，forJacobhadtumbledthembackagain。Thenbeyondandallarounddeep，dark，anduttersilence。
　　Atlastherfatherwoke，andgladenoughwassheofhishumancompany。
　　Theybreakfasteduponsomebiscuitsandwater，andafterwards，whileMr。Cliffordwatchedneartheentrancewithhisrifle，Benitasettoworktoarrangetheirbelongings。Thetentshemanagedtopropupagainstthewallofthecavebyhelpofsomeofthewoodwhichtheyhadcarriedin。Beneathitshespreadtheirblankets，thatitmightserveasasleepingplaceforthemboth，andoutsideplacedthefoodandotherthings。
　　Whileshewasthusengagedsheheardasoundatthemouthofthecave——JacobMeyerwasenteringandhadfallenoverherrope。Downitsheran，lanterninhand，toherfather，who，withhisrifleraised，wasshouting:”Ifyoucomeinhere，Iputabulletthroughyou！”
　　ThencametheanswerinJacob’svoice，whichranghollowinthatvaultedplace:”Idonotwanttocomein；Ishallwaitforyoutocomeout。Youcannotlivelonginthere；thehorrorofthedarkwillkillyou。I
　　haveonlytositinthesunlightandwait。”
　　Thenhelaughed，andtheyheardthesoundofhisfootstepsretreatingdownthepassage。”Whatarewetodo？”askedMr。Clifforddespairingly。”Wecannotlivewithoutlight，andifwehavelighthewillcertainlycreeptotheentranceandshootus。Heisquitemadnow；Iamsureofitfromhisvoice。”
　　Benitathoughtaminute，thensheanswered:”Wemustbuildupthepassage。Look，”andshepointedtothelumpsofrockthattheexplosionoftheirminehadshakendownfromtheroof，andtheslabsofcementthattheyhadbrokenfromthefloorwiththecrowbar。”Atonce，atonce，”shewenton；”hewillnotcomebackforsomehours，probablynottillnight。”
　　Sotheysettowork，andneverdidBenitalabourasitwasherlottodothatday。Suchofthefragmentsastheycouldlifttheycarriedbetweenthem，otherstheyrolledalongbyhelpofthecrowbar。Forhourafterhourtheytoiledattheirtask。Luckilyforthem，thepassagewasnotmorethanthreefeetwidebysixfeetsixhigh，andtheirmaterialwasample。Beforetheeveningtheyhadblockeditcompletelywithawallseveralfeetinthickness，whichwalltheysupportedontheinsidewithlengthsofthefirewoodlashedacrosstotheoldhingesandbolt-holes，orsetobliquelyagainstitsface。
　　Itwasdone，andtheyregardedtheirworkwithpride，althoughitseemedprobablethattheywerebuildinguptheirowntomb。Becauseofitspositionatanangleofthepassage，theyknewthatMeyercouldnotgettoitwithapoletobatteritdown。Also，therewasnoloosepowderleft，sohisonlychancewouldbetopullittopieceswithhishands，andthis，theythought，mightbebeyondhispower。Atleast，shouldheattemptit，theywouldhaveamplewarning。Yetthatdaywasnottopasswithoutanothertrouble。
　　Justastheyhadrolledupandleveredintoplacealongfragmentofrockdesignedtopreventtheendsoftheirsupportingpiecesofwoodfromslippingonthecementfloor，Mr。Cliffordutteredanexclamation，thensaid:”Ihavewrungmybackbadly。Helpmetothetent。Imustliedown。”
　　Slowlyandwithgreatpaintheystaggeredupthecave，Mr。CliffordleaningonBenitaandastick，till，reachingthetentatlast，healmostfellontotheblanketsandremainedtherepracticallycrippled。
　　NowbeganBenita’sterribletime，theworstofallherlife。Everyhourherfatherbecamemoreill。Evenbeforetheytookrefugeinthecavehewascompletelybrokendown，andnowafterthisaccidenthebegantosufferverymuch。Hisrheumatismorsciatica，orwhateveritwas，seemedtosettleuponthehurtmusclesofhisback，causinghimsomuchpainthathecouldscarcelysleepfortenminutesatastretch。Moreover，hewouldswallowbutlittleoftheroughfoodwhichwasallBenitawasabletoprepareforhim；nothing，indeed，exceptbiscuitsoakedinblackcoffee，whichsheboiledoverasmallfiremadeofwoodthattheyhadbroughtwiththem，andoccasionallyalittlebroth，tastelessstuffenough，foritwasonlytheessenceofbiltong，orsun-driedflesh，flavouredwithsomesalt。
　　Thenthereweretwootherterrorsagainstshemustfight，thedarknessandthedreadofJacobMeyer。Perhapsthedarknesswastheworseofthem。Toliveinthathideousgloominwhichtheirsinglelamp，forshedaredburnnomorelesttheoilshouldgiveout，seemedbutasonestartothewholenight，ah！whothathadnotendureditcouldknowwhatitmeant？Therethesickman，yonderthegrinningskeletons，aroundtheblacknessandthesilence，andbeyondtheseagainamiserabledeath，orJacobMeyer。ButofhimBenitasawnothing，thoughonceortwiceshethoughtthatsheheardhisvoiceravingoutsidethewallwhichtheyhadbuilt。Ifso，eitherhedidnottrytopullitdown，orhefailedintheattempt，orperhapshefearedthatshouldhesucceed，hewouldbegreetedbyabullet。Soatlastshegaveupthinkingabouthim。Shouldheforcehiswayintothecaveshemustdealwiththesituationasbestshecould。Meanwhile，herfather’sstrengthwassinkingfast。
　　Threeawfuldayswentbyinthisfashion，andtheenddrewnear。
　　Althoughshetriedtoforceherselftoit，Benitacouldnotswallowenoughfoodtokeepupherstrength。Nowthatthepassagewasclosedtheatmosphereofthisoldvault，foritwasnothingmore，thickenedbythesmokeofthefirewhichshewasobligedtoburn，grewpoisonousandchokedher。Wantofsleepexhaustedher，dreadofwhatthemorrowmightbringforthcrushedherstrongspirit。Shebegantobreakdown，knowingthatthehourwasnearwhensheandherfathermustdietogether。
　　Once，asshesleptawhileathisside，beingwakenedbyhisgroaning，Benitalookedatherwatch。Itwasmidnight。Sherose，andgoingtotheembersofthelittlefire，warmedupsomeofherbiltongbrothwhichshepouredintoatinpannikin。Withdifficultysheforcedhimtoswallowafewmouthfulsofit，then，feelingasuddenweakness，dranktherestherself。Itgaveherpowertothink，andherfatherdozedoffintoanuneasysleep。
　　Alas！thinkingwasofnouse，nothingcouldbedone。Therewasnohopesaveinprayer。RestlessnessseizedBenita，andtakingthelanternshewanderedroundthecave。Thewallthattheyhadbuiltremainedintact，andoh！tothinkthatbeyonditflowedthefreeairandshonetheblessedstars！Backshecameagain，skirtingthepitsthatJacobMeyerhaddug，andthegraveoftheoldmonk，tillshereachedthestepsofthecrucifix，andholdinguphercandle，lookedatthethorn-crownedbrowoftheChristabove。
　　Itwaswonderfullycarved；thatdyingfacewasfullofpity。WouldnotHeWhomitrepresentedpityher？Shekneltdownonthetopmoststep，andclaspingthepiercedfeetwithherarms，begantoprayearnestly，notforherselfbutthatshemightsaveherfather。Sheprayedasshehadneverprayedbefore，andsopraying，sankintoatorpororaswoon。
　　ItseemedtoBenitathatthissleepofherssuddenlybecamealive；initshesawmanythings。Forinstance，shesawherselfseatedinastateoftranceuponthatverystepwherenowsheknelt，whilebeforeherstoodherfatherandJacobMeyer。Moreover，somethingspokeinher；shecouldnothearavoice，butsheseemedtoseethewordswrittenintheairbeforeher。Thesewerethewords:——”/ClaspthefeetoftheChristanddrawthemtotheleft。Thepassagebeneathleadstothechamberwherethegoldishid，andthencetotheriverbank。ThatisthesecretwhichereIdepart，I
　　thedeadBenita，passontoyou，thelivingBenita，asIamcommanded。Inlifeanddeathpeacebetoyoursoul。/”
　　ThricedidthismessageappeartorepeatitselfintheconsciousnessofBenita。Then，suddenlyasshehadslept，shewokeagainwitheveryletterofitimprintedonhermind。Doubtlessitwasadream，nothingbutadreambredbythefactthatherarmswereclaspingthefeetofthecrucifix。Whatdiditsay？”Drawthemtotheleft。”
　　Shedidso，butnothingstirred。Againshetried，andstillnothingstirred。Ofcourseitwasadream。Whyhadsuchbeensenttomockher？
　　Inakindofmadirritationsheputoutallherremainingstrengthandwrestledwiththosestonyfeet。/Theymovedalittle/——thenofasudden，withoutanyfurthereffortonherpart，swungroundashighasthekneeswheredraperyhung，concealingthejoininthem。Yes，theyswunground，revealingtheheadofastair，upwhichblewacoldwindthatitwassweettobreathe。
　　Benitarose，gasping。Thensheseizedherlanternandrantothelittletentwhereherfatherlay。