XXII
　　THEVOICEOFTHELIVING
　　Mr。Cliffordwasawakeagainnow。”Wherehaveyoubeen？”heaskedquerulouslyinathinvoice。”Iwantedyou。”Thenasthelightfromthecandleshoneuponit，henotedthechangethathadcomeoverherpaleface，andadded:”Whathashappened？IsMeyerdead？Arewefree？”
　　Benitashookherhead。”Hewasaliveafewhoursago，forIcouldhearhimravingandshoutingoutsidethewallwebuilt。But，father，ithasallcomebacktome；IbelievethatIhavefoundit。””Whathascomeback？Whathaveyoufound？Areyoumad，too，likeJacob？””WhatsomethingtoldmewhenIwasinthetrancewhichafterwardsI
　　forgot，butnowremember。AndIhavefoundthepassagewhichleadstowheretheyhidthegold。Itbeginsbehindthecrucifix，wherenooneeverthoughtoflooking。”
　　ThismatterofthegolddidnotseemtointerestMr。Clifford。InhisstateallthewealthbeneaththesoilofAfricawouldnothaveappealedtohim。Moreover，hehatedthenameofthataccursedtreasure，whichwasbringingthemtosuchamiserableend。”Wheredoesthepassagerun？Haveyoulooked？”heasked。”Notyet，butthevoiceinmesaid——Imean，Idreamed——thatitgoesdowntotheriver-side。Ifyouleantonmedoyouthinkthatyoucouldwalk？””Notoneinch，”heanswered。”HerewhereIamIshalldie。””No，no，don’ttalklikethat。WemaybesavednowthatIhavefoundaway。Oh，ifonlyyoucould——ifonlyyoucouldwalk，orifIhadthestrengthtocarryyou！”andshewrungherhandsandbegantoweep，soweakwasshe。
　　Herfatherlookedathersearchingly。Thenhesaid:”Well，love，Icannot，sothere’sanend。Butyoucan，andyouhadbettergo。””What！Andleaveyou？Never。””Yes，andleaveme。Look，thereisbutalittleoilleftandonlyafewcandles。Thebiscuitsaredoneandneitherofuscanswallowthatbiltonganymore。IsupposethatIamdying，andyourhealthandstrengtharefailingyouquicklyinthisdarkness；ifyoustophereyoumustsoonfollowme。Andwhatisthealternative？Themadmanoutside——thatis，ifyoucouldfindstrengthtopulldownthewall，whichIdoubt。Youhadbestgo，Benita。”
　　Butstillshesaidshewouldnot。”Doyounotsee，”headded，”thatitismyonlychanceoflife？Ifyougoyoumaybeabletobringmehelpbeforetheendcomes。Shouldtherebeapassagetheprobabilityisthat，althoughtheyknownothingofit，itfinishessomewherebythewallofthefirstenclosurewheretheMakalangaare。Ifso，youmayfindtheMolimo，orifheisdead，Tamasoroneoftheothers，andtheywillhelpus。Go，Benita，goatonce。””Ineverthoughtofthat，”sheansweredinachangedvoice。”Ofcourse，itmaybeso，ifthepassagegoesdownatall。Well，atleastIcanlookandcomebacktotellyou。”
　　ThenBenitaplacedtheremainderoftheoilclosebyherfather’sside，sothathecouldrefillthelamp，fortheuseofhishandsstillremainedtohim。Also，shesettheresuchcrumbsofbiscuitaswereleft，someofthebiltong，aflaskofHollands，andapailofwater。
　　Thisdone，sheputonherlongcloak，filledoneofitspocketswithbiltong，andtheotherwithmatchesandthreeofthefourremainingcandles。Thefourthsheinsistedonleavingbesideherfather’sbed。
　　Wheneverythingwasreadyshekneltdownathisside，kissedhim，andfromherheartputupaprayerthattheymightbothlivetomeetagain，althoughsheknewwellthatthistheycouldscarcelyhopetodo。
　　Hadtwopeopleeverbeeninamoredreadfulsituation，shewondered，asshelookedatherfatherlyingthere，whomshemustleavetofightwithDeathaloneinthatawfulplace，whileshewentforthtomeethimintheunknownbowelsoftheearth！
　　Mr。Cliffordreadherthoughts。”Yes，”hesaid，”itisastrangepartingandawilderrand。Butwhoknows？ItmaypleaseProvidencetotakeyouthrough，andifnot——why，ourtroubleswillsoonbeover。”
　　Thenoncemoretheykissed，andnotdaringtotrytospeak，Benitatoreherselfaway。Passingintothepassagewhereofthelowerhalfofthecrucifixformedthedoor，shepausedforamomenttoexamineitandtoplaceafragmentofrockinsuchfashionthatitcouldnotshutagainbehindher。Herideawasthatitworkedbyaidofsomespring，butnowshesawthatthiswasnotso，asthewholemasshunguponthreestonehingesbeautifullyconcealed。Thedustandcorrosionofageswhichhadmadethisdoorsohardtoopen，byfillingupthetinyspacesbetweenitanditsframework，hadalsorenderedthesecracksutterlyimperceptibletotheeye。Soaccuratelywasitfashioned，indeed，thatnoonewhodidnotknowitssecretwouldhavediscovereditiftheysearchedformonthsoryears。
　　ThoughatthetimeBenitatooklittlenoteofsuchdetails，thepassagebeyondandthestairdescendingfromitshowedthesameperfectworkmanship。EvidentlythissecretwaydatednotfromthePortugueseperiod，butfromthatofthePh？niciansorotherancients，towhosetreasure-chamberitwastheapproach，openingasitdidfromtheirholyofholies，towhichnonewereadmittedsavetheheadpriests。Thepassage，whichwasaboutsevenfeethighbyfourwide，hadbeenhewnoutoftheliverockofthemountain，forthousandsoflittlemarksleftbytheworkmen’schiselswerestilldiscernibleuponitswalls。Soitwaswiththestair，thathadbeenbutlittleused，andremainedfreshasthedaywhenitwasfinished。
　　Downthesteps，candleinhand，flittedBenita，countingthemasshewent。Thethirtiethbroughthertoalanding。Hereitwasthatshesawthefirsttracesofthattreasurewhichtheyhadsufferedsomuchtofind。Somethingglitteredatherfeet。Shepickeditup。Itwasalittlebarofgoldweighingtwoorthreeouncesthatdoubtlesshadbeendroppedthere。Throwingitdownagainshelookedinfrontofher，andtoherdismaysawadoorofwoodwithironbolts。Buttheboltshadneverbeenshot，andwhenshepulledatitthedoorcreakeduponitsrustyhingesandopened。Shewasonthethresholdofthetreasure-
　　chamber！
　　Itwassquareandofthesizeofasmallroom，packedoneithersidealmosttothelow，vaultedroofwithsmallbagsofrawhide，carelesslyarranged。Quiteneartothedooroneofthesebagshadslippeddownandburstopen。Itwasfilledwithgold，someiningotsandsomeinrawnuggets，fortheretheylayinashining，scatteredheap。AsshestoopedtolookitcameintothemindofBenitathatherfatherhadsaidthatinhertranceshehadtoldthemthatoneofthebagsoftreasurewasburst，andthattheskinofwhichithadbeenmadewasblackandred。Behold！beforeherlaytheburstbag，andthecolourofthehidewasblackandred。
　　Sheshivered。Thethingwasuncanny，terrible。Uncannywasitalsotoseeinthethickdust，whichinthecourseoftwentyormoreofcenturieshadgatheredonthefloor，themarkoffootprints，thoseofthelastpersonswhohadvisitedthisplace。Therehadbeentwoofthem，amanandawoman，andtheywerenosavages，fortheyworeshoes。Benitaplacedherfootintheprintleftbythatdeadwoman。Itfilleditexactly，itmighthavebeenherown。Perhaps，shethoughttoherself，thatotherBenitahaddescendedherewithherfather，afterthePortuguesehadhiddenawaytheirwealth，thatshemightbeshownwhereitwas，andofwhatitconsisted。
　　Onemoreglanceatallthispriceless，misery-workinggold，andonshewent，shewhowasseekingthegoldoflifeandlibertyforherselfandhimwholayabove。Supposingthatthestairwayendedthere？Shestopped，shelookedround，butcouldseenootherdoor。Toseethebettershehaltedandopenedtheglassofherlantern。Stillshecouldperceivenothing，andherheartsank。Yetwhydidthecandleflickersofiercely？Andwhywastheairinthisdeepplacesofresh？Shewalkedforwardapaceortwo，thennoticedsuddenlythatthosefootprintsofthedeadthatshewasfollowingdisappearedimmediatelyinfrontofher，andshestopped。
　　Itwasbutjustintime。Onestepmoreandshewouldhavefallendownthemouthofadeeppit。Onceithadbeencoveredwithastone，butthisstonewasremoved，andhadneverbeenreplaced。Look！thereitstoodagainstthewallofthechamber。WellwasthisforBenita，sinceherfrailstrengthwouldnothavesufficedtostirthatmassiveblock，evenifshehaddiscovereditsexistencebeneaththedust。
　　Nowshesawthatdownthepitrananotherladderlikestairofstone，verynarrowandprecipitous。Withouthesitationshebeganitsdescent。
　　Downshewentanddown——onehundredsteps，twohundredsteps，twohundredandseventy-fivesteps，andallthewaywhereverthedusthadgatheredtheman’sandthewoman’sfootprintsranbeforeher。Therewasadoublelineofthem，onelinegoingdownandtheotherlinereturning。Thosethatreturnedwerethelast，foroftentheyappearedoverthosethatdescended。Whyhadthesedeadpeoplereturned，Benitawondered。
　　Thestairhadended；nowshewasinakindofnaturalcave，foritssidesandroofwererugged；moreover，watertrickledanddrippedfromthem。Itwasnotverylarge，anditsmelthorriblyofmudandotherthings。Againshesearchedbythefeeblelightofhercandle，butcouldseenoexit。Suddenlyshesawsomethingelse，however，forsteppingonwhatshetooktobearock，toherhorroritmovedbeneathher。Sheheardasnapasofjaws，aviolentblowuponthelegnearlyknockedheroffherfeet，andasshestaggeredbackwardsshesawahugeandloathsomeshaperushingawayintothedarkness。Therockthatshehadtroddenonwasacrocodilewhichhaditsdenhere！Withalittlescreamsheretreatedtoherstair。Deathshehadexpected——buttobeeatenbycrocodiles！
　　YetasBenitastoodtherepantingablessedhoperoseinherbreast。
　　Ifacrocodilecameinthereitmustalsogetout，andwheresuchagreatcreaturecouldgo，awomanwouldbeabletofollow。Also，shemustbenearthewater，sinceotherwiseitcouldneverhavechosenthisholeforitshabitation。Shecollectedhercourage，andhavingclappedherhandsandwavedthelanternabouttoscareanyalligatorsthatmightstillbelurkingthere，hearingandseeingnothingmore，shedescendedtowhereshehadtroddenuponthereptile。Evidentlythiswasitsbed，foritslongbodyhadleftanimpressuponthemud，andallaboutlaytheremainsofcreaturesthatithadbroughtinforfood。Moreover，apathranoutwards，itswell-worntraildistincteveninthatlight。
　　Shefollowedthispath，whichendedapparentlyinablankwall。ThenitwasthatBenitaguessedwhythosedeadfolks’footprintshadreturned，forherehadbeenadoorwaywhichinsomepastagethosewhouseditbuiltupwithblocksofstoneandcement。How，then，didthecrocodilegetout？Stoopingdownshesearched，andperceived，afewyardstotherightofthedoor，aholethatlookedasthoughitwerewater-worn。NowBenitathoughtthatsheunderstood。Therockwassofterhere，andcenturiesoffloodhadeatenitaway，leavingacrackinthestratumwhichthecrocodileshadfoundoutandenlarged。Downshewentonherhandsandknees，andthrustingthelanterninfrontofher，creptalongthatnoisomedrain，forthiswaswhatitresembled。
　　Andnow——oh！nowshefeltairblowinginherface，andheardthesoundofreedswhispering，andwaterrunning，andsawhanginglikealampinthebluesky，astar——themorningstar！Benitacouldhavewept，shecouldhaveworshippedit，yetshepushedonbetweenrockstillshefoundherselfamongtallreeds，andstandinginwater。ShehadgainedthebanksoftheZambesi。
　　Instantly，byinstinctasitwere，Benitaextinguishedhercandle，fearinglestitshouldbetrayher，forconstantdangerhadmadeherverycunning。Thedawnhadnotyetbroken，butthewaningmoonandthestarsgaveagoodlight。Shepausedtolook。ThereabovehertoweredtheoutermostwallofBambatse，againstwhichtheriverwashed，exceptatsuchtimesasthepresent，whenitwasverylow。
　　Soshewasnotinthefortressasshehadhoped，butwithoutit，andoh！whatshouldshedo？Gobackagain？Howwouldthatserveherfatherorherself？Goon？ThenshemightfallintothehandsoftheMatabelewhosecampwasalittlelowerdown，asfromherperchuponthetopoftheconeshehadseenthatpoorwhitemando。Ah！thewhiteman！Ifonlyhelivedandshecouldreachhim！Perhapstheyhadnotkilledhimafterall。Itwasmadness，yetshewouldtrytodiscover；somethingimpelledhertotaketherisk。Ifshefailedandescaped，perhapsthenshemightcalltotheMakalanga，andtheywouldletdownaropeanddrawherupthewallbeforetheMatabelecaughther。Shewouldnotgobackempty-handed，todieinthatdreadfulplacewithherpoorfather。
　　Betterperishhereinthesweetairandbeneaththestars，evenifitwereuponaMatabelespear，orbyabulletfromherownpistol。
　　Shelookedabouthertotakeherbearingsincaseitshouldeverbenecessaryforhertoreturntotheentranceofthecave。Thisprovedeasy，forahundredorsofeetaboveher——wherethesheerfaceofthecliffjuttedoutalittle，atthatveryspotindeedonwhichtraditionsaidthatthebodyoftheSe？oradaFerreirahadstruckinitsfall，andthenecklaceBenitaworeto-daywastornfromher——astuntedmimosagrewinsomecleftoftherock。Tomarkthecrocodilerunitselfshebentdownabunchofreeds，andhavingfirstlitafewTandstickorbrimstonematchesandthrownthemaboutinsideofit，thatthesmellofthemmightscarethebeastshoulditwishtoreturn，shesetherlanternbehindastoneneartothemouthofthehole。
　　ThenBenitabeganherjourneywhich，whentheriverwashigh，itwouldnothavebeenpossibleforhertomakeexceptbyswimming。Asitwas，amarginofmarshwasleftbetweenherandthesteep，rockysideofthemountfromwhichthegreatwallrose，andthroughthisshemadeherway。Neverwasshelikelytoforgetthatwalk。Thetallreedsdrippedtheirdewuponheruntilshewassoaked；long，black-tailedfinches——saccaboolasthenativescallthem——flewupundisturbed，andlobbedawayacrosstheriver；owlsflittedpastandbitternsboomedatthecomingofthedawn。Greatfishsplashedalsointheshallows，orweretheycrocodiles？Benitahopednot——foronedayshehadseenenoughofcrocodiles。
　　Itwasallverystrange。Couldshebethesamewoman，shewondered，whonotayearbeforehadbeenwalkingwithhercousinsdownWestbourneGrove，andstudyingWhiteley’swindows？Whatwouldthesecousinssaynowiftheycouldseeher，white-faced，large-eyed，desperate，splashingthroughthemudupontheunknownbanksoftheZambesi，flyingfromdeathtodeath！
　　Onshestruggled，aboveherthepearlyskyinwhichthestarswerefading，aroundherthewetreeds，andpervadingalltheheavylow-
　　lyingmistsofdawn。Shewaspasttheroundofthewalls，andatlengthstoodupondrygroundwheretheMatabelehadmadetheircamp。
　　ButinthatfogshesawnoMatabele；probablytheirfireswereout，andshechancedtopassbetweenthesentries。Instinctively，morethanbyreason，sheheadedforthathillockuponwhichshehadseenthewhiteman’swaggon，inthevaguehopethatitmightstillbethere。Onshestruggled，stillon，tillatlengthsheblunderedagainstsomethingsoftandwarm，andperceivedthatitwasanoxtiedtoatrek-tow，beyondwhichwereotheroxenandawhitewaggon-cap。
　　Soit/was/stillthere！Butthewhiteman，wherewashe？ThroughthedensemistBenitacrepttothedisselboom。Then，seeingandhearingnothing，sheclimbedtothevoorkissieandkneelingonit，separatedthetentflapsandpeeredintothewaggon。Stillshecouldseenothingbecauseofthemist，yetsheheardsomething，amanbreathinginhissleep。Somehowshethoughtthatitwasawhiteman；aKaffirdidnotbreathelikethat。Shedidnotknowwhattodo，soremainedkneelingthere。Itseemedasthoughthemanwhowasasleepbegantofeelherpresence，forhemutteredtohimself——surelythewordswereEnglish！
　　Thenquitesuddenlyhestruckamatchandlitacandlewhichstoodinabeerbottlebyhisside。Shecouldnotseehisfacewhilehelitthematch，forhisarmhidit，andthecandleburnedupslowly。Thenthefirstthingshesawwasthebarrelofarevolverpointingstraightather。”Now，myblackfriend，”saidapleasantvoice，”downyougoorI
　　shoot。One，two！Oh，myGod！”
　　Thecandleburnedup，itslightfelluponthewhite，elfishfaceofBenita，whoselongdarkhairstreamedabouther；itshoneinhergreateyes。Stillshecouldseenothing，foritdazzledher。”Oh，myGod！”saidthevoiceagain。”Benita！Benita！HaveyoucometotellmethatImustjoinyou？Well，Iamready，mysweet，mysweet！
　　NowIshallhearyouranswer。””Yes，”shewhispered，andcrawlingforwarddownthecartelBenitafelluponhisbreast。
　　Forsheknewhimatlast——deadorlivingshecarednot——sheknewhim，andoutofhellcrepttohim，herheavenandherhome！
　　XXIII
　　BENITAGIVESHERANSWER”Youranswer，Benita，”Robertsaiddreamily，fortohimthisthingseemedadream。”HaveInotgivenit，monthsago？Oh，Iremember，itwasonlyinmyheart，notonmylips，whenthatblowfellonme！ThenafterwardsI
　　heardwhatyouhaddoneandInearlydied。IwishedthatImightdietobewithyou，butIcouldnot。Iwastoostrong；nowIunderstandthereason。Well，itseemsthatwearebothliving，andwhateverhappens，hereismyanswer，ifitisworthanythingtoyou。Onceandforall，Iloveyou。Iamnotashamedtosayit，becauseverysoonwemaybeseparatedforthelasttime。ButIcannottalknow，Ihavecomeheretosavemyfather。””Whereishe，Benita？””Dyinginacaveupatthetopofthatfortress。Igotdownbyasecretway。AretheMatabelestillhere？””Verymuchso，”heanswered。”Butsomethinghashappened。Myguardwokemeanhouragotosaythatamessengerhadarrivedfromtheirking，Lobengula，andnowtheyaretalkingoverthemessage。Thatishowyoucametogetthrough，otherwisethesentrieswouldhaveassegaiedyou，thebrutes，”andhedrewhertohimandkissedherpassionatelyforthefirsttime；then，asthoughashamedofhimself，lethergo。”Haveyouanythingtoeat？”sheasked。”I——I——amstarving。Ididn’tfeelitbefore，butnow——””Starving，youstarving，whileI——look，hereissomecoldmeatwhichI
　　couldnotgetdownlastnight，andputbyfortheKaffirs。GreatHeavens！thatIshouldfeedyouwithKaffirs’leavings！Butitisgood——eatit。”
　　Benitatookthestuffinherfingersandswalloweditgreedily；shewhofordayshadlivedonnothingbutalittlebiscuitandbiltong。Ittasteddelicioustoher——neverhadsheeatenanythingsogood。Andallthewhilehewatchedherwithglowingeyes。”Howcanyoulookatme？”shesaidatlength。”Imustbehorrible；I
　　havebeenlivinginthedarkandcrawlingthroughmud。Itroduponacrocodile！”andsheshuddered。”WhateveryouareIneverwanttoseeyoudifferent，”heansweredslowly。”Tomeyouaremostbeautiful。”
　　Eventhen，wreckasshewas，thepoorgirlflushed，andtherewasamistinhereyesasshelookedupandsaid:”Thankyou。Idon’tcarenowwhathappenstome，andwhathashappeneddoesn’tmatteratall。Butcanwegetaway？””Idon’tknow，”heanswered；”butIdoubtit。Goandsitonthewaggon-boxforafewminuteswhileIdress，andwewillsee。”
　　Benitawent。Themistwasthinningnow，andthroughitshesawasightatwhichherheartsank，forbetweenherandthemountBambatseMatabelewerepouringtowardstheircampontheriver’sedge。Theywerecutoff。AcoupleofminuteslaterRobertjoinedher，andashecameshelookedathimanxiouslyinthegrowinglight。Heseemedolderthanwhentheyhadpartedonthe/Zanzibar/；changed，too，fornowhisfacewasserious，andhehadgrownabeard；also，heappearedtolimp。”Iamafraidthereisanend，”shesaid，pointingtotheMatabelebelow。”Yes，itlookslikeit。Butlikeyou，Isay，whatdoesitmatternow？”
　　andhetookherhandinhis，adding:”letusbehappywhilewecanifonlyforafewminutes。Theywillbeherepresently。””Whatareyou？”sheasked。”Aprisoner？””That’sit。Iwasfollowingyouwhentheycapturedme；forIhavebeenherebeforeandknewtheway。Theyweregoingtokillmeongeneralprinciples，onlyitoccurredtooneofthemwhowasmoreintelligentthantherestthatI，beingawhiteman，mightbeabletoshowthemhowtostormtheplace。NowIwassurethatyouwerethere，forIsawyoustandingonthatpoint，thoughtheythoughtyouweretheSpiritofBambatse。SoIwasn’tanxioustohelpthem，forthen——youknowwhathappenswhentheMatabelearethestormers！But——asyoustilllived——I
　　wasn’tanxioustodieeither。SoIsetthemtoworktodigaholewiththeirassegaisandsharpaxes，throughgranite。Theyhavecompletedexactlytwentyfeetofit，andIreckonthatthereareonehundredandfortytogo。Lastnighttheygottiredofthattunnelandtalkedofkillingmeagain，unlessIcouldshowthemabetterplan。Nowallthefatisinthefire，andIdon’tknowwhatistohappen。Hullo！heretheycome。Hideinthewaggon，quick！”
　　Benitaobeyed，andfromundercoverofthetentwheretheMatabelecouldnotseeher，watchedandlistened。Thepartythatapproachedconsistedofachiefandabouttwentymen，whomarchedbehindhimasaguard。Benitaknewthatchief。HewasthecaptainMaduna，heoftheroyalbloodwhoselifeshehadsaved。ByhissidewasaNatalZulu，RobertSeymour’sdriver，whocouldspeakEnglishandactedasinterpreter。”Whiteman，”saidMaduna，”amessagehasreachedusfromourking。
　　Lobengulamakesagreatwarandhasneedofus。Hesummonsusbackfromthispettyfray，thisfightagainstcowardswhohidebehindwalls，whomotherwisewewouldhavekilled，everyone，yes，ifwesatheretillwegrewold。Soforthistimeweleavethemalone。”
　　Robertansweredpolitelythathewasgladtohearit，andwishedthemagoodjourney。”Wishyourselfagoodjourney，whiteman，”wasthesternreply。”Why？DoyoudesirethatIshouldaccompanyyoutoLobengula？””No，yougobeforeustothekraaloftheBlackOnewhoisevengreaterthanthechildofMoselikatse，tothatkingwhoiscalledDeath。”
　　Robertcrossedhisarmsandsaid:”Sayon。””Whiteman，Ipromisedyoulifeifyouwouldshowushowtopierceorclimbthosewalls。Butyouhavemadefoolsofus——youhavesetustocutthroughrockwithspearsandaxes。Yes，tohoeatrockasthoughitweresoil——youwhowiththewisdomofyourpeoplecouldhavetaughtussomebetterway。Thereforewemustgobacktoourkingdisgraced，havingfailedinhisservice，andthereforeyouwhohavemockedusshalldie。Comedownnow，thatwemaykillyouquietly，andlearnwhetherornoyouareabraveman。”
　　Thenitwas，whileherlover’shandwasmovingtowardsthepistolhiddenbeneathhiscoat，thatBenita，withaquickmovement，emergedfromthewaggoninwhichshecrouched，andstoodupathissideuponthedrivingbox。”/Ow！/”saidtheCaptain。”ItistheWhiteMaiden。Nowhowcameshehere？Surelythisisgreatmagic。Canawomanflylikeabird？”andtheystaredatheramazed。”WhatdoesitmatterhowIcame，chiefMaduna？”sheansweredinZulu。”YetIwilltellyouwhyIcame。Itwastosaveyoufromdippingyourspearintheinnocentblood，andbringingonyourheadthecurseoftheinnocentblood。Answermenow。WhogaveyouandyourbrotheryonderyourliveswithinthatwallwhentheMakalangawouldhavetornyoulimbfromlimb，ashyenastearabuck？WasitIoranother？””Inkosi-kaas——Chieftainess，”repliedthegreatCaptain，raisinghisbroadspearinsalute。”Itwasyouandnoother。””Andwhatdidyoupromisemethen，PrinceMaduna？””Maidenofhighbirth，Ipromisedyouyourlifeandyourgoods，shouldyoueverfallintomypower。””DoesaleaderoftheAmandabele，oneoftheroyalblood，lielikeaMashonaoraMakalangaslave？Doeshedoworse——tellhalfthetruthonly，likeacheatwhobuysandkeepsbackhalftheprice？”sheaskedcontemptuously。”Maduna，youpromisedmenotonelife，buttwo，twolivesandthegoodsthatbelongtoboth。Askofyourbrotherthere，whowaswitnessofthewords。””GreatHeavens！”mutteredRobertSeymourtohimself，ashelookedatBenitastandingwithoutstretchedhandandflashingeyes。”Whowouldhavethoughtthatastarvedwomancouldplaysuchapartwithdeathonthehazard？””Itisasthisdaughterofwhitechiefssays，”answeredthemantowhomshehadappealed。”Whenshefreedusfromthefangsofthosedogs，youpromisedhertwolives，mybrother，oneforyoursandoneformine。””Hearhim，”wentonBenita。”Hepromisedmetwolives，andhowdidthisprinceoftheroyalbloodkeephispromise？WhenIandtheoldman，myfather，rodehenceinpeace，heloosedhisspearsuponus；hehuntedus。Yetitwasthehunterswhofellintothetrap，notthehunted。””Maiden，”repliedMaduna，inashamedvoice，”thatwasyourfault，notmine。IfyouhadappealedtomeIwouldhaveletyougo。Butyoukilledmysentry，andthenthechasebegan，andereIknewwhoyouweremyrunnerswereoutofcall。””LittletimehadItoaskyourmercy；butsobeit，”saidBenita。”I
　　acceptyourword，andIforgiveyouthatoffence。Nowfulfilyouroath。Begoneandleaveusinpeace。”
　　StillMadunahesitated。”Imustmakereporttotheking，”hesaid。”WhatisthiswhitemantoyouthatIshouldsparehim？Igiveyouyourlifeandyourfather’slife，notthatofthiswhitemanwhohastrickedus。Ifhewereyourfather，oryourbrother，itwouldbeotherwise。Butheisastranger，andbelongstome，nottoyou。””Maduna，”sheasked，”dowomensuchasIamsharethewaggonofastranger？Thismanismoretomethanfatherorbrother。Heismyhusband，andIclaimhislife。””/Ow！/”saidthespokesmanoftheaudience，”weunderstandnow。Sheishiswife，andhasarighttohim。Ifshewerenothiswifeshewouldnotbeinhiswaggon。Itisplainthatshespeaksthetruth，thoughhowshecameherewedonotknow，unless，aswethink，sheisawitch，”andhesmiledathisowncleverness。”Inkosi-kaas，”saidMaduna，”youhavepersuadedme。Igiveyouthelifeofthatwhitefox，yourhusband，andIhopethathewillnottrickyouashehastrickedus，andsetyoutohoerockinsteadofsoil，”andhelookedatRobertwrathfully。”Igivehimtoyouandallhisbelongings。Now，isthereanythingelsethatyouwouldask？””Yes，”repliedBenitacoolly，”youhavemanyoxentherewhichyoutookfromtheotherMakalanga。MineareeatenandIneedcattletodrawmywaggon。Iaskapresentoftwentyofthem，and，”sheaddedbyanafterthought，”twocowswithyoungcalves，formyfatherissickyonder，andmusthavemilk。””Oh！givethemtoher。Givethemtoher，”saidMaduna，withatragicgesturethatinanyothercircumstanceswouldhavemadeBenitalaugh。”Givethemtoherandseethattheyaregoodones，beforesheasksourshieldsandspearsalso——forafterallshesavedmylife。”
　　Somendepartedtofetchthosecowsandoxen，whichpresentlyweredrivenin。
　　WhilethistalkwasinprogressthegreatimpioftheMatabelewasmassingforthemarch，ontheflatgroundalittletotherightofthem。Nowtheybegantocomepastincompanies，precededbytheladswhocarriedthematsandcooking-potsanddrovethecapturedsheepandcattle。BythistimethestoryofBenita，thewitch-womanwhomtheycouldnotkill，andwhohadmysteriouslyflownfromthetopofthepeakintotheirprisoner’swaggon，hadspreadamongthem。TheyknewalsothatitwasshewhohadsavedtheirgeneralfromtheMakalanga，andthosewhohadheardheradmiredthewitandcouragewithwhichshehadpleadedandwonhercause。Therefore，astheymarchedpastintheircompanies，singingasongofabuseanddefianceoftheMakalangawhopeeredatthemfromthetopofthewall，theyliftedtheirgreatspearsinsalutationtoBenitastandinguponthewaggon-box。
　　Indeed，theywereawondrousandimposingspectacle，suchaoneasfewwhitewomenhaveeverseen。
　　AtlengthallweregoneexceptMadunaandabody-guardoftwohundredmen。HewalkedtothefrontofthewaggonandaddressedRobertSeymour。”Listen，youfoxwhosetustohoegranite，”hesaidindignantly。”Youhaveoutwittedusthistime，butifeverImeetyouagain，thenyoudie。NowIhavegivenyouyourlife，but，”headded，almostpleadingly，”ifyouarereallybraveaswhitemenaresaidtobe，willyounotcomedownandfightmemantomanforhonour’ssake？””Ithinknot，”answeredRobert，whenheunderstoodthischallenge，”forwhatchanceshouldIhaveagainstsobraveawarrior？Alsothislady——mywife——needsmyhelponherjourneyhome。”
　　MadunaturnedfromhimcontemptuouslytoBenita。”Igo，”hesaid，”andfearnot；youwillmeetnoMatabeleonthatjourney。Haveyoumorewordsforme，OBeautifulOne，withatongueofoilandawitthatcutslikesteel？””Yes，”answeredBenita。”Youhavedealtwellwithme，andinrewardI
　　giveyouofmygoodluck。BearthismessagetoyourkingfromtheWhiteWitchofBambatse，forIamsheandnoother。ThatheleavetheseMakalanga，myservants，todwellunharmedintheirancienthome，andthatheliftnospearagainsttheWhiteMen，lestthatevilwhichtheMolimoforetoldtoyou，shouldfalluponhim。””Ah！”saidMaduna，”nowIunderstandhowyouflewfromthemountaintopintothisman’swaggon。Youarenotawhitewoman，youaretheancientWitchofBambatseherself。Youhavesaidit，andwithsuchitisnotwelltowar。GreatladyofMagic，Spiritfromofold，Isaluteyou，andIthankyouforyourgiftsoflifeandfortune。Farewell。”
　　Thenhe，too，stalkedawayattheheadofhisguard，sothatpresently，saveforthethreeZuluservantsandtheherdofcattle，RobertandBenitawereleftutterlyalone。
　　Now，herpartplayedandthevictorywon，Benitaburstintotearsandfelluponherlover’sbreast。
　　Presentlysheremembered，andfreedherselffromhisarms。”Iamaselfishwretch，”shesaid。”HowdareIbesohappywhenmyfatherisdeadordying？Wemustgoatonce。””Gowhere？”askedthebewilderedRobert。”Tothetopofthemountain，ofcourse，whenceIcame。Oh！pleasedon’tstoptoquestionme，I’lltellyouaswewalk。Stay，”andshecalledtotheZuludriver，whowithanairofutteramazementwasengagedinmilkingoneofthegiftcows，tofilltwobottleswiththemilk。”HadwenotbettershouttotheMakalangatoletusin？”suggestedRobert，whilethiswasbeingdone，andBenitawrappedsomecookedmeatinacloth。”No，no。TheywillthinkIamwhatIsaidIwas——theWitchofBambatse，whoseappearanceheraldsmisfortune，andfearatrap。
　　Besides，wecouldnotclimbthetopwall。Youmustfollowmyroad，andifyoucantrustthem，bringtwoofthosemenwithyouwithlanterns。
　　Theladcanstoptoherdthecattle。”
　　Threeminuteslater，followedbythetwoZulus，theywerewalking——orrather，running——alongthebanksoftheZambesi。”Whydoyounotcomequicker？”sheaskedimpatiently。”Oh，Ibegyourpardon，youarelame。Robert，whatmadeyoulame，andoh！whyareyounotdead，astheyallsworeyouwere，you，you——hero，forIknowthatpartofthestory？””Foraverysimplereason，Benita:becauseIdidn’tdie。WhenthatKaffirtookthewatchfrommeIwasinsensible，that’sall。Thesunbroughtmetolifeafterwards。Thensomenativesturnedup，goodpeopleintheirway，althoughIcouldnotunderstandawordtheysaid。
　　Theymadeastretcherofboughsandcarriedmeforsomemilestotheirkraalinland。Ithurtawfully，formythighwasbroken，butIarrivedatlast。ThereaKaffirdoctorsetmyleginhisownfashion；ithasleftitaninchshorterthantheother，butthat’sbetterthannothing。”InthatplaceIlayfortwosolidmonths，fortherewasnowhitemanwithinahundredmiles，andiftherehadbeenIcouldnothavecommunicatedwithhim。AfterwardsIspentanothermonthlimpinguptowardsNatal，untilIcouldbuyahorse。Therestisveryshort。
　　Hearingofmyreporteddeath，IcameasfastasIcouldtoyourfather’sfarm，RooiKrantz，whereIlearnedfromtheoldvrouwSallythatyouhadtakentotreasure-hunting，thesametreasurethatItoldyouofonthe/Zanzibar/。”SoIfollowedyourspoor，mettheservantswhomyouhadsentback，whotoldmeallaboutyou，andinduecourse，aftermanyadventures，astheysayinabook，walkedintothecampofourfriends，theMatabele。”Theyweregoingtokillmeatonce，whensuddenlyyouappeareduponthatpointofrock，glitteringlike——liketheangelofthedawn。I
　　knewthatitmustbeyou，forIhadfoundoutaboutyourattemptedescape，andhowyouwerehuntedbacktothisplace。ButtheMatabeleallthoughtthatitwastheSpiritofBambatse，whohasagreatreputationintheseparts。Well，thattookofftheirattention，andafterwards，asItoldyou，itoccurredtothemthatImightbeanengineer。Youknowtherest，don’tyou？””Yes，”answeredBenitasoftly。”Iknowtherest。”
　　Thentheyplungedintothereedsandwereobligedtostoptalking，sincetheymustwalkinsinglefile。PresentlyBenitalookedupandsawthatshewasunderthethornwhichgrewinthecleftoftherock。
　　Also，withsometroubleshefoundthebunchofreedsthatshehadbentdown，tomarktheinconspicuousholethroughwhichshehadcrept，andbyitherlantern。Itseemedweekssinceshehadleftitthere。”Now，”shesaid，”lightyourcandles，andifyouseeacrocodile，pleaseshoot。”
　　XXIV
　　THETRUEGOLD”Letmegofirst，”saidRobert。”No，”answeredBenita。”Iknowtheway；butpleasedowatchforthathorriblecrocodile。”
　　Thenshekneltdownandcreptintothehole，whileafterhercameRobert，andafterhimthetwoZulus，whoprotestedthattheywerenotant-bearstoburrowunderground。Liftingthelanternshesearchedthecave，andasshecouldseenosignsofthecrocodile，walkedonboldlytowherethestairbegan。”Bequick，”shewhisperedtoRobert，forinthatplaceitseemednaturaltospeaklow。”Myfatherisaboveandnearhisdeath。Iamdreadfullyafraidlestweshouldbetoolate。”
　　Sotheytoileduptheendlesssteps，averystrangeprocession，forthetwoZulus，boldmenenoughoutside，wereshakingwithfright，tillatlengthBenitaclamberedoutofthetrapdoorontothefloorofthetreasurechamber，andturnedtohelpRobert，whoselamenessmadehimsomewhatslowandawkward。”What’sallthat？”heasked，pointingtothehidesacks，whiletheywaitedforthetwoscaredKaffirstojointhem。”Oh！”sheansweredindifferently，”gold，Ibelieve。Look，thereissomeofitonthefloor，overBenitadaFerreira’sfootsteps。””Gold！Why，itmustbeworth——！AndwhoonearthisBenitadaFerreira？””Iwilltellyouafterwards。Shehasbeendeadtwoorthreehundredyears；itwashergold，orherpeople’s，andthoseareherfootprintsinthedust。Howstupidyouarenottounderstand！Nevermindthehatefulstuff；comeonquickly。”
　　Sotheypassedthedoorwhichshehadopenedthatmorning，andclambereduptheremainingstairway。SofullwasBenitaofterrorsthatshecouldneverrememberhowsheclimbedthem。Supposethatthefootofthecrucifixhadswungto；supposethatherfatherweredead；
　　supposethatJacobMeyerhadbrokenintothecave？WellforherselfshewasnolongerafraidofJacobMeyer。Oh，theywerethere！Theheavydoor/had/beguntoclose，butmercifullyherbitofrockkeptitajar。”Father！Father！”shecried，runningtowardsthetent。
　　Noanswercame。Shethrewasidetheflap，helddownthelanternandlooked。Therehelay，whiteandstill。Shewastoolate！”Heisdead，heisdead！”shewailed。Robertkneltdownatherside，andexaminedtheoldman，whileshewaitedinanagony。”Heoughttobe，”hesaidslowly；”but，Benita，Idon’tthinkheis。I
　　canfeelhisheartstir。No，don’tstoptotalk。Pouroutsomeofthatsquareface，andhere，mixitwiththismilk。”
　　Sheobeyed，andwhileheheldupherfather’shead，withatremblinghandemptiedalittleofthedrinkintohismouth。Atfirstitranoutagain，thenalmostautomaticallyheswallowedsome，andtheyknewthathewasalive，andthankedHeaven。TenminuteslaterMr。Cliffordwassittingupstaringatthemwithdullandwonderingeyes，whileoutsidethetwoZulus，whosenerveshadnowutterlybrokendown，werecontemplatingthepileofskeletonsinthecornerandthewhitetoweringcrucifix，andloudlylamentingthattheyshouldhavebeenbroughttoperishinthisplaceofbonesandghosts。”IsitJacobMeyerwhomakesthatnoise？”askedMr。Cliffordfaintly。”And，Benita，wherehaveyoubeensolong，and——whoisthisgentlemanwithyou？Iseemtorememberhisface。””Heisthewhitemanwhowasinthewaggon，father，anoldfriendcometolifeagain。Robert，can’tyoustopthehowlingofthoseKaffirs？
　　ThoughIamsureIdon’twonderthattheyhowl；Ishouldhavelikedtodosofordays。Oh！father，father，don’tyouunderstandme？Wearesaved，yes，snatchedoutofhellandthejawsofdeath。””IsJacobMeyerdead，then？”heasked。”Idon’tknowwhereheisorwhathashappenedtohim，andIdon’tcare，butperhapswehadbetterfindout。Robert，thereisamadmanoutside。MaketheKaffirspulldownthatwall，wouldyou？andcatchhim。””Whatwall？Whatmadman？”heasked，staringather。”Oh，ofcourseyoudon’tknowthat，either。Youknownothing。I’llshowyou，andyoumustbeprepared，forprobablyhewillshootatus。””Itallsoundsalittlerisky，doesn’tit？”askedRobertdoubtfully。”Yes，butwemusttaketherisk。Wecannotcarrymyfatherdownthatplace，andunlesswecangethimintolightandairsoon，hewillcertainlydie。ThemanoutsideisJacobMeyer，hispartner——yourememberhim。Alltheseweeksofhardshipandtreasure-huntinghavesenthimoffhishead，andhewantedtomesmerizemeand——””Andwhat？Makelovetoyou？”
　　Shenodded，thenwenton:”Sowhenhecouldnotgethiswayaboutthemesmerismandsoforth，hethreatenedtomurdermyfather，andthatiswhywehadtohideinthiscaveandbuildourselvesup，tillatlastIfoundthewayout。””Amiablegentleman，Mr。JacobMeyer，nowasalways，”saidRobertflushing。”Tothinkthatyoushouldhavebeeninthepowerofascoundrellikethat！Well，Ihopetocomesquarewithhim。””Don’thurthim，dear，unlessyouareobliged。Rememberheisnotresponsible。Hethoughthesawaghostheretheotherday。””Unlesshebehaveshimselfheislikelytoseeagoodmanysoon，”
　　mutteredRobert。
　　Thentheywentdownthecave，andassilentlyaspossiblebegantoworkatthewall，destroyinginafewminuteswhathadbeenbuiltupwithsomuchlabour。WhenitwasnearlydowntheZulusweretoldthattherewasanenemyoutside，andthattheymusthelptocatchhimifnecessary，butwerenottoharmhim。Theyassentedgladlyenough；
　　indeed，togetoutofthatcavetheywouldhavefacedhalfadozenenemies。
　　Nowtherewasaholerightthroughthewall，andRobertbadeBenitastandtooneside。Thenassoonashiseyesbecameaccustomedtothelittlelightthatpenetratedthere，hedrewhisrevolverandbeckonedtheKaffirstofollow。Downthepassagetheycrept，slowly，lesttheyshouldbeblindedwhentheycametotheglareofthesunshine，whileBenitawaitedwithabeatingheart。
　　Alittletimewentby，sheneverknewhowlong，tillsuddenlyarifleshotrangthroughthestillness。Benitawasabletobearnomore。Sherusheddownthewindingpassage，andpresently，justbeyonditsmouth，inablurredandindistinctfashionsawthatthetwowhitemenwererollingtogetherontheground，whiletheKaffirssprangroundwatchingforanopportunitytoseizeoneofthem。Atthatmomenttheysucceeded，andRobertrose，dustinghishandsandknees。”Amiablegentleman，Mr。JacobMeyer，”herepeated。”Icouldhavekilledhimashisbackwastowardsme，butdidn’tbecauseyouaskedmenot。ThenIstumbledwithmylameleg，andhewhippedroundandletdrivewithhisrifle。Look，”andheshowedherwherethebullethadcuthisear。”LuckilyIgotholdofhimbeforehecouldlooseoffanother。”
　　Benitacouldfindnowords，herheartwastoofullofthankfulness。
　　OnlysheseizedRobert’shandandkissedit。ThenshelookedatJacob。
　　Hewaslyinguponthebroadofhisback，thetwobigZulusholdinghisarmsandlegs；hislipswerecracked，blueandswollen；hisfacewasalmostblack，buthiseyesstillshonebrightwithinsanityandhate。”Iknowyou，”hescreamedhoarselytoRobert。”Youareanotherghost，theghostofthatmanwhowasdrowned。Otherwisemybulletwouldhavekilledyou。””Yes，Mr。Meyer，”Seymouranswered，”Iamaghost。Now，youboys，here’sabitofrope。Tiehishandsbehindhisbackandsearchhim。
　　Thereisapistolinthatpocket。”
　　Theyobeyed，andpresentlyMeyerwasdisarmedandboundfasttoatree。”Water，”hemoaned。”FordaysIhavehadnothingbutthedewIcouldlickofftheleaves。”
　　Pityinghisplight，Benitaranintothecaveandreturnedpresentlywithatinofwater。OneoftheKaffirsheldittohislips，andhedrankgreedily。Then，leavingoneZulutowatchhim，Robert，Benita，andtheotherZuluwentback，andasgentlyastheycouldcarriedoutMr。Cliffordonhismattress，placinghimintheshadeofarock，wherehelayblessingthemfeebly，becausetheyhadbroughthimintothelightagain。AtthesightoftheoldmanMeyer’srageblazedupafresh。”Ah，”hescreamed，”ifonlyIhadkilledyoulongago，shewouldbeminenow，notthatfellow’s。Itwasyouwhostoodbetweenus。””Lookhere，myfriend，”brokeinRobert。”Iforgiveyoueverythingelse，but，madorsane，begoodenoughtokeepMissClifford’snameoffyourlips，orIwillhandyouovertothoseKaffirstobedealtwithasyoudeserve。”
　　ThenJacobunderstood，andwassilent。Theygavehimmorewaterandfoodtoeat，someofthemeatthattheyhadbroughtwiththem，whichhedevouredravenously。”Areyousensiblenow？”askedRobertwhenhehaddone。”Thenlistentome；Ihavesomegoodnewsforyou。Thattreasureyouhavebeenhuntingforhasbeenfound。Wearegoingtogiveyouhalfofit，oneofthewaggonsandsomeoxen，andclearyououtofthisplace。ThenifIseteyesonyouagainbeforewegettoacivilizedcountry，Ishootyoulikeadog。””Youlie！”saidMeyersullenly。”YouwanttoturnmeoutintothewildernesstobemurderedbytheMakalangaortheMatabele。””Verywell，”saidRobert。”Untiehim，boys，andbringhimalong。I
　　willshowhimwhetherIlie。””Wherearetheytakingmeto？”askedMeyer。”Notintothecave？I
　　won’tgointothecave；itishaunted。Ifithadn’tbeenfortheghostthereIwouldhavebrokendowntheirwalllongago，andkilledthatoldsnakebeforehereyes。WheneverIwentnearthatwallIsawitwatchingme。””FirsttimeIeverheardofaghostbeinguseful，”remarkedRobert。”Bringhimalong。No，Benita，heshallseewhetherIamaliar。”
　　Sothelightswerelit，andthetwostalwartZulushauledJacobforward，RobertandBenitafollowing。Atfirsthestruggledviolently，then，onfindingthathecouldnotescape，wenton，histeethchatteringwithfear。”Itiscruel，”remonstratedBenita。”Alittlecrueltywillnotdohimanyharm，”Robertanswered。”Hehasplentytospareforotherpeople。Besides，heisgoingtogetwhathehasbeenlookingforsolong。”
　　TheyledJacobtothefootofthecrucifix，whereaparoxysmseemedtoseizehim，thenpushedhimthroughtheswingingdoorwaybeneath，anddownthesteepstairs，tilloncemoretheyallstoodinthetreasure-
　　chamber。”Look，”saidRobert，and，drawinghishunting-knife，heslashedoneofthehidebags，whereoninstantlythereflowedoutastreamofbeadsandnuggets。”Now，myfriend，amIaliar？”heasked。
　　AtthiswondroussightJacob’sterrorseemedtodepartfromhim，andhegrewcunning。”Beautiful，beautiful！”hesaid，”morethanIthought——sacksandsacksofgold。Ishallbeakingindeed。No，no，itisalladream——liketherest。Idon’tbelieveit’sthere。Loosemyarmsandletmefeelit。””Untiehim，”saidRobert，atthesametimedrawinghispistolandcoveringtheman；”hecan’tdousanyhurt。”
　　TheKaffirsobeyed，andJacob，springingattheslashedbag，plungedhisthinhandsintoit。”Nolie，”hescreamed，”nolie，”ashedraggedthestuffoutandsmeltatit。”Gold，gold，gold！Hundredsofthousandsofpounds’worthofgold！Let’smakeabargain，Englishman，andIwon’tkillyouasI
　　meanttodo。Youtakethegirlandgivemeallthegold，”andinhisecstasyhebegantopourtheglitteringingotsoverhisheadandbody。”AnewversionofthetaleofDana？，”beganRobertinasarcasticvoice，thensuddenlypaused，forachangehadcomeoverJacob’sface，aterriblechange。
　　Itturnedashenbeneaththetan，hiseyesgrewlargeandround，heputuphishandsasthoughtothrustsomethingfromhim，hiswholeframeshivered，andhishairseemedtoerectitself。Slowlyheretreatedbackwards，andwouldhavefallendowntheunclosedtrap-holehadnotoneoftheKaffirspushedhimaway。Backhewent，stillback，tillhestruckthefurtherwallandstoodthere，perhapsforhalfaminute。Heliftedhishandandpointedfirsttothoseancientfootprints，someofwhichstillremainedinthedustofthefloor，andnext，astheythought，atBenita。Hislipsmovedfast，heseemedtobepleading，remonstrating，yet——andthiswastheghastliestpartofit——fromthemtherecamenosound。Lastly，hiseyesrolledupuntilonlythewhitesofthemwerevisible，hisfacebecamewetasthoughwaterhadbeenpouredoverit，and，stillwithoutasound，hefellforwardandmovednomore。
　　SoterriblewasthescenethatwithahowloffearthetwoKaffirsturnedandfledupthestairway。RobertsprangtotheJew，draggedhimoverontohisback，puthishanduponhisbreastandliftedhiseyelids。”Dead，”hesaid。”Stonedead。Privation，brainexcitement，heartfailure——that’sthestory。””Perhaps，”answeredBenitafaintly；”butreallyIthinkthatIbegintobelieveinghostsalso。Look，Inevernoticedthembefore，andI
　　didn’twalkthere，butthosefootstepsseemtoleadrightuptohim。”
　　Thensheturnedtooandfled。
　　Anotherweekhadgoneby。Thewaggonswereladenwithaburdenmorepreciousperhapsthanwaggonshaveoftenbornebefore。Inoneofthem，onaveritablebedofgold，sleptMr。Clifford，stillveryweakandill，butsomewhatbetterthanhehadbeen，andwithagoodprospectofrecovery，atanyrateforawhile。Theyweretotrekalittleafterdawn，andalreadyRobertandBenitawereupandwaiting。Shetouchedhisarmandsaidtohim:”Comewithme。Ihaveafancytoseethatplaceoncemore，forthelasttime。”
　　SotheyclimbedthehillandthesteepstepsinthetopmostwallthatMeyerhadblocked——re-openednow——andreachingthemouthofthecave，litthelampswhichtheyhadbroughtwiththem，andentered。TherewerethefragmentsofthebarricadethatBenitahadbuiltwithdesperatehands，therewasthealtarofsacrificestandingcoldandgreyasithadstoodforperhapsthreethousandyears。Therewasthetomboftheoldmonkwhohadacompanionnow，forinitJacobMeyerlaywithhim，hisbonescoveredbythe/débris/thathehimselfhaddugoutinhismadsearchforwealth；andtherethewhiteChristhungawfulonHiscross。OnlytheskeletonsofthePortugueseweregone，forwiththehelpofhisKaffirsRoberthadmovedthemeveryoneintotheemptytreasure-chamber，closingthetrapbeneath，andbuildingupthedoorabove，sothattheretheymightlieinpeaceatlast。
　　Inthismelancholyplacetheytarriedbutalittlewhile，then，turningtheirbacksuponitforever，wentoutandclimbedthegraniteconetowatchthesunriseoverthebroadZambesi。Upitcameinglory，thatsamesunwhichhadshoneuponthedespairingBenitadaFerreira，andupontheEnglishBenitawhenshehadstoodthereinutterhopelessness，andseenthewhitemancapturedbytheMatabele。
　　Now，differentwastheirstateindeed，andthereinthathighplace，whenceperhapsmanyawretchedcreaturehadbeencasttodeath，whencecertainlythePortuguesemaidenhadsoughtherdeath，thesetwohappybeingswerenotashamedtogivethankstoHeavenforthejoywhichithadvouchsafedtothem，andfortheirhopesoflifefullandlongtobetravelledhandinhand。Behindthemwastheterrorofthecave，beneaththemwerethemistsofthevalley，butabovethemthelightshoneandrolledandsparkled，andabovethemstretchedtheeternalsky！
　　Theydescendedthepillar，andnearthefootofitsawanoldmansitting。ItwasMambo，theMolimooftheMakalanga:evenwhentheywerestillfarawayfromhimtheyknewhissnow-whiteheadandthin，asceticface。AstheydrewnearBenitaperceivedthathiseyeswereclosed，andwhisperedtoRobertthathewasasleep。Yethehadheardthemcoming，andevenguessedherthought。”Maiden，”hesaidinhisgentlevoice，”maidenwhosoonshallbeawife，Idonotsleep，althoughIdreamofyouasIhavedreamtbefore。
　　WhatdidIsaytoyouthatdaywhenfirstwemet？ThatforyouIhadgoodtidings；thatthoughdeathwasallaboutyou，youneednotfear；
　　thatinthisplaceyouwhohadknowngreatsorrowshouldfindhappinessandrest。Yet，maiden，youwouldnotbelievethewordsoftheMunwali，spokenbyhisprophet’slips，asheatyourside，whoshallbeyourhusband，wouldnotbelievemeinyearspastwhenItoldhimthatweshouldmeetagain。””Father，”sheanswered，”Ithoughtyourrestwasthatwhichwefindonlyinthegrave。””Youwouldnotbelieve，”hewentonwithoutheedingher，”andthereforeyoutriedtofly，andthereforeyourheartwastornwithterrorandwithagony，whenitshouldhavewaitedfortheendinconfidenceandpeace。””Father，mytrialwasverysore。””Maiden，Iknowit，andbecauseitwassosorethatpatientSpiritofBambatseborewithyou，andthroughitallguidedyourfeetaright。
　　Yes，withyouhasthatSpiritgone，byday，bynight，inthemorningandintheevening。Whowasitthatsmotethemanwholiesdeadyonderwithhorrorandwithmadnesswhenhewouldhavebentyourwilltohisandmadeyouawifetohim？Whowasitthattoldyouthesecretofthetreasure-pit，andwhatfootstepswentbeforeyoudownitsstair？WhowasitthatledyoupastthesentriesoftheAmandabeleandgaveyouwitandpowertosnatchyourlord’slifefromMaduna’sbloodyhand？
　　Yes，withyouithasgoneandwithyouitwillgo。NomoreshalltheWhiteWitchstanduponthepillarpointattherisingofthesun，orintheshiningofthemoon。””Father，Ihaveneverunderstoodyou，andIdonotunderstandyounow，”saidBenita。”Whathasthisspirittodowithme？”
　　Hesmiledalittle，thenansweredslowly:”ThatImaynottellyou；thatyoushalllearnoneday，butneverhere。Whenyoualsohaveenteredintosilence，thenyoushalllearn。
　　ButIsaytoyouthatthisshallnotbetillyourhairisaswhiteasmine，andyouryearsareasmany。Ah！youthoughtthatIhaddesertedyou，whenfearingforyourfather’slifeyouweptandprayedinthedarknessofthecave。Yetitwasnotso，forIdidbutsufferthedoomwhichIhadreadtofulfilitselfasitmustdo。”
　　Herosetohisfeetand，restingonhisstaff，laidonewitheredhandupontheheadofBenita。”Maiden，”hesaid，”wemeetnomorebeneaththesun。Yetbecauseyouhavebroughtdeliverancetomypeople，becauseyouaresweetandpureandtrue，takewithyoutheblessingofMunwali，spokenbythemouthofhisservantMambo，theoldMolimoofBambatse。Thoughfromtimetotimeyoumustknowtearsandwalkintheshadeofsorrows，longandhappyshallbeyourdayswithhimwhomyouhavechosen。Childrenshallspringupaboutyou，andchildren’schildren，andwiththemalsoshalltheblessinggo。Thegoldyouwhitefolkloveisyours，anditshallmultiplyandgivefoodtothehungryandraimenttothosethatarea-cold。Yetinyourownheartliesaricherstorethatcannotmeltaway，thecountlesstreasureofmercyandoflove。WhenyousleepandwhenyouwakeLoveshalltakeyoubythehand，tillatlengthheleadsyouthroughlife’sdarkcavetothateternalhouseofpurestgoldwhichsoonorlatethosethatseekitshallinherit，”andwithhisstaffhepointedtotheglowingmorningskywhereinonebyonelittlerosycloudsfloatedupwardsandwerelost。
　　ToRobertandtoBenita’smistyeyestheylookedlikebright-wingedangelsthrowingwidetheblackdoorsofnight，andheraldingthatconqueringgloryatwhoseadventdespairanddarknessfleeaway。
　　End