DitchinghamHouse，Norfolk，May，1917。
MydearRoosevelt，——
Youare，Iknow，aloverofoldAllanQuatermain，onewhounderstandsandappreciatestheviewsoflifeandtheaspirationsthatunderlieandinformhismanifoldadventures。
Therefore，sincesuchisyourkindwish，inmemoryofcertainhourswhereinbothofusfoundtruerefreshmentandcompanionshipamidsttheterribleanxietiesoftheWorld’sjourneyalongthatbloodstainedroadbywhichalone，soitisdecreed，thepurePeakofFreedommustbescaled，Idedicatetoyouthistaletellingoftheeventsandexperiencesofmyyouth。
Yoursincerefriend，H。RIDERHAGGARD。
ToCOLONELTHEODOREROOSEVELT，SagamoreHill，U。S。A。
Thisbook，althoughitcanbereadasaseparatestory，isthethirdofthetrilogyofwhich_Marie_and_ChildofStorm_arethefirsttwoparts。Itnarrates，throughthemouthofAllanQuatermain，theconsummationofthevengeanceofthewizardZikali，aliasTheOpenerofRoads，or“The-Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”upontheroyalZuluHouseofwhichSenzangaconawasthefounderandCetewayo，ourenemyinthewarof1879，thelastrepresentativewhoruledasaking。Although，ofcourse，muchisaddedforthepurposesofromance，themainfactsofhistoryhavebeenadheredtowithsomefaithfulness。
Withthesetheauthorbecameacquaintedafullgenerationago，FortunehavinggivenhimapartintheeventsthatprecededtheZuluWar。IndeedhebelievesthatwiththeexceptionofColonelPhillips，who，asalieutenant，commandedthefamousescortoftwenty-fivepolicemen，heisnowthelastsurvivorofthepartywho，undertheleadershipofSirTheophilusShepstone，orSompesuasthenativescalledhimfromtheZambesitotheCape，wereconcernedintheannexationoftheTransvaalin1877。RecentlyalsohehasbeencalleduponasapublicservanttorevisitSouthAfricaandtooktheopportunitytotravelthroughZululand，inordertorefreshhisknowledgeofitspeople，theircustoms，theirmysteries，andbettertopreparehimselfforthewritingofthisbook。HerehestoodbythefatalMountofIsandhlawanawhich，withsomedetailsofthebattle，isdescribedinthesepages，amongthegravesofmanywhomonceheknew，ColonelsDurnford，Pulleineandothers。AlsohesawUlundi’splainwherethetracesofwarstillliethick，andtalkedwithanoldZuluwhofoughtintheattackingImpiuntilitcrumbledawaybeforethefireoftheMartinisandshellsfromtheheavyguns。ThebattleoftheWallofSheetIron，hecalledit，perhapsbecauseoftheflashingfenceofbayonets。
Lastly，inamealiepatch，hefoundthespotonwhichthecorngrowsthin，whereKingCetewayobreathedhislast，poisonedwithoutadoubt，ashehasknownformanyyears。ItistobeseenattheKraal，ominouslynamedJazior，translatedintoEnglish，“Finished。”Thetragedyhappenedlongago，butevennowthequiet-facedZuluwhotoldthetale，lookingabouthimashespoke，wouldnottellitall。“Yes，asayoungman，Iwasthereatthetime，butIdonotremember，Idonotknow——theInkoosiLundandai。e。thisChronicler，sonamedinpastyearsbytheZulusstandsontheveryplacewherethekingdied——Hisbedwasontheleftofthedoor-holeofthehut。”andsoforth，butnocertainwordastotheexactreasonofthissuddenandviolentdeathorbywhomitwascaused。Thenameofthatdestroyerofakingisforeverhid。
InthisstorytheactualandimmediatecauseofthedeclarationofwaragainsttheBritishPowerisrepresentedastheappearanceofthewhitegoddess，orspiritoftheZulus，whois，orwas，calledNomkubulwanaorInkosazana-y-Zulu，i。e。thePrincessofHeaven。Theexactcircumstanceswhichledtothisdecisionarenotnowascertainable，thoughitisknownthattherewasmuchdifferenceofopinionamongtheZuluIndunasorgreatcaptains，andlikethewriter，manybelievethatKingCetewayowaspersonallyaversetowaragainsthisoldallies，theEnglish。
Theauthor’sfriend，Mr。J。Y。Gibson，atpresenttherepresentativeoftheUnioninZululand，writesinhisadmirablehistory：“TherewasagooddealofdiscussionamongsttheassembledZulunotablesatUlundi，butofhowcounselwasswayeditisnotpossiblenowtoobtainareliableaccount。”
ThelateMr。F。B。Fynney，F。R。G。S。，whoalsowashisfriendindaysbygone，and，withtheexceptionofSirTheophilusShepstone，whoperhapsknewtheZulusandtheirlanguagebetterthananyotherofficialofhisday，speakingofthisfabledgoddesswrote：
“IrememberthatjustbeforetheZuluWarNomkubulwanaappearedrevealingsomethingorotherwhichhadagreateffectthroughouttheland。”
TheusemadeofthisstrangetraditionalGuardianAngelinthefollowingtaleisnotthereforeanunsupportedflightoffancy，andthesamemaybesaidofmanyotherincidents，suchastheaccountofthereadingoftheproclamationannexingtheTransvaalatPretoriain1877，whichhavebeenintroducedtoservethepurposesoftheromance。
Mameena，whohauntsitspages，inaliteralaswellasfigurativesense，istheheroineof_ChildofStorm，_abooktowhichshegaveherownpoetictitle。
1916。
THEAUTHOR。
CHAPTERI
ALLANQUATERMAINMEETSANSCOMBE
You，myfriend，intowhosehand，ifyoulive，Ihopethesescribblingsofminewillpassoneday，mustwellrememberthe12thofApriloftheyear1877atPretoria。SirTheophilusShepstone，orSompesu，forIprefertocallhimbyhisnativename，havinginvestigatedtheaffairsoftheTransvaalforacoupleofmonthsorso，hadmadeuphismindtoannexthatcountrytotheBritishCrown。ItsohappenedthatI，AllanQuatermain，hadbeenonashootingandtradingexpeditionatthebackoftheLydenburgdistrictwheretherewasplentyofgametobekilledinthosetimes。HearingthatgreateventsweretowardImadeupmymind，curiositybeingoneofmyweaknesses，tocomeroundbyPretoria，whichafterallwasnotveryfaroutofmyway，insteadofstrikingstraightbacktoNatal。AsitchancedI
reachedthetownabouteleveno’clockonthisverymorningofthe12thofApriland，trekkingtotheChurchSquare，proceededtooutspanthere，aswasusualintheSeventies。Theplacewasfullofpeople，EnglishandDutchtogether，andInotedthattheformerseemedveryelatedandweretalkingexcitedly，whilethelatterforthemostpartappearedtobesullenanddepressed。
PresentlyIsawamanIknew，atall，darkman，averygoodfellowandanexcellentshot，namedRobinson。Bythewayyouknewhimalso，forafterwardshewasanofficerinthePretoriaHorseatthetimeoftheZuluwar，thecorpsinwhichyouheldacommission。Icalledtohimandaskedwhatwasup。
“Agooddeal，Allan。”hesaidasheshookmyhand。“Indeedweshallbeluckyifallisn’tup，orsomethinglikeit，beforethedayisover。Shepstone’sProclamationannexingtheTransvaalisgoingtobereadpresently。”
Iwhistledandasked，“HowwillourBoerfriendstakeit？Theydon’tlookverypleased。”
“That’sjustwhatnooneknows，Allan。BurgersthePresidentissquared，theysay。Heistohaveapension；alsohethinksittheonlythingtobedone。MostoftheHollandersupheredon’tlikeit，butIdoubtwhethertheywillputouttheirhandsfurtherthantheycandrawthemback。Thequestionis——whatwillbethelineoftheBoersthemselves？Therearealotofthemabout，allarmed，yousee，andmoreoutsidethetown。”
“Whatdoyouthink？“
“Can’ttellyou。Anythingmayhappen。TheymayshootShepstoneandhisstaffandthetwenty-fivepolicemen，ortheymayjustgrumbleandgohome。Probablytheyhavenofixedplan。”
“HowabouttheEnglish？“
“Oh！weareallcrazywithjoy，butofcoursethereisnoorganizationandmanyhavenoarms。Alsothereareonlyafewofus。”
“Well。”Ianswered，“Icameheretolookforexcitement，lifehavingbeendullformeoflate，anditseemsthatIhavefoundit。StillIbetyouthoseDutchmendonothing，exceptprotest。
TheyareslimandknowthattheshootingofanunarmedmissionwouldbringEnglandontheirheads。”
“Can’tsay，Iamsure。TheylikeShepstonewhounderstandsthem，andthemoveissoboldthatittakestheirbreathaway。ButastheKaffirssay，whenastrongwindblowsasmallsparkwillmakethewholeveldburn。Itjustdependsuponwhetherthesparkisthere。IfanEnglishmanandaBoerbegantofightforinstance，anythingmighthappen。Goodbye，Ihavegotamessagetodeliver。
IfthingsgorightwemightdineattheEuropeantonight，andiftheydon’t，goodnessknowswhereweshalldine。”
Inoddedsagelyandhedeparted。ThenIwenttomywagontotelltheboysnottosendtheoxenofftograzeatpresent，forI
fearedlesttheyshouldbestolenifthereweretrouble，buttokeepthemtiedtothetrek-tow。AfterthisIputonthebestcoatandhatIhad，feelingthatasanEnglishmanitwasmydutytolookdecentonsuchanoccasion，washed，brushedmyhair——withmeaceremonywithoutmeaning，foritalwayssticksup——andslippedaloadedSmith&Wessonrevolverintomyinnerpoacherpocket。ThenIstartedouttoseethefun，andavoidingthegroupsofsurly-lookingBoers，mingledwiththecrowdthatIsawwasgatheringinfrontofalong，lowbuildingwithabroadstoep，whichIsupposed，rightly，tobeoneoftheGovernmentoffices。
PresentlyIfoundmyselfstandingbyatall，ratherloosely-builtmanwhosefaceattractedme。Itwasclean-shavenandmuchbronzedbythesun，butnotinanywaygood-looking；thefeaturesweretooirregularandthenosewasatrifletoolongforgoodlooks。Stilltheimpressionitgavewaspleasantandthesteadyblueeyeshadthattwinkleinthemwhichsuggestshumour。Hemighthavebeenthirtyorthirty-fiveyearsofage，andnotwithstandinghisroughdressthatconsistedmainlyofapairoftrousersheldupbyabelttowhichhungapistol，andacommonflannelshirt，forheworenocoat，IguessedatoncethathewasEnglish-born。
Forawhileneitherofussaidanythingafterthetaciturnhabitofourpeopleevenontheveld，andindeedIwasfullyoccupiedinlisteningtothetruculenttalkofalittlepartyofmountedBoersbehindus。Iputmypipeintomymouthandbegantohuntformytobacco，takingtheopportunitytoshowthehiltofmyrevolver，sothatthesemenmightseethatIwasarmed。Itwasnottobefound，Ihadleftitinthewagon。
“IfyousmokeBoertobacco。”saidthestranger，“Icanhelpyou。”
andInotedthatthevoicewasaspleasantastheface，andknewatoncethattheownerofitwasagentleman。
“Thankyou，Sir。Ineversmokeanythingelse。”Ianswered，whereonheproducedfromhistrouserspocketapouchmadeoflionskinofunusuallydarkcolour。
“Ineversawalionasblackasthis，exceptoncebeyondBuluwayoonthebordersofLobengula’scountry。”Isaidbywayofmakingconversation。
“Curious。”answeredthestranger，“forthat’swhereIshotthebruteafewmonthsago。Itriedtokeepthewholeskinbutthewhiteantsgotatit。”
“Beentradingupthere？“Iasked。
“Nothingsouseful。”hesaid。“Justidlingandshooting。CametothiscountrybecauseitwasoneoftheveryfewIhadneverseen，andhaveonlybeenhereayear。IthinkIhavehadaboutenoughofit，though。CanyoutellmeofanyboatsrunningfromDurbantoIndia？IshouldliketoseethosewildsheepinKashmir。”
ItoldhimthatIdidnotknowforcertainasIhadnevertakenanyinterestinIndia，beinganAfricanelephant-hunterandtrader，butIthoughttheydidoccasionally。JustthenRobinsonpassedbyandcalledtome——
“They’llbeherepresently，Quatermain，butSompesuisn’tcominghimself。”
“DoesyournamehappentobeAllanQuatermain？“askedthestranger。“IfsoIhaveheardplentyaboutyouupinLobengula’scountry，andofyourwonderfulshooting。”
“Yes。”Ireplied，“butasfortheshooting，nativesalwaysexaggerate。”
“Theyneverexaggeratedaboutmine。”hesaidwithatwinkleinhiseye。“AnyhowIamverygladtoseeyouintheflesh，thoughinthespirityouratherboredmebecauseIheardtoomuchofyou。WheneverImadeaparticularly，badmiss，mygun-bearer，whoatsometimeseemstohavebeenyours，wouldsay，’Ah！ifonlyithadbeentheInkosiMacumazahn，howdifferentwouldhavebeentheend！’MynameisAnscombe，MauriceAnscombe。”headdedrathershyly。AfterwardsIdiscoveredfromabookofreferencethathewasayoungersonofLordMountford，oneoftherichestpeersinEngland。
Thenwebothlaughedandhesaid——
“Tellme，Mr。Quatermain，ifyouwill，whatthoseBoersaresayingbehindus。Iamsureitissomethingunpleasant，butastheonlyDutchIknowis’GutenTag’and’Vootsack’Good-dayandGetoutthattakesmenoforwarder。”
“Itoughtto。”Ianswered，“forthesubstanceoftheirtalkisthattheyobjecttobe’vootsacked’bytheBritishGovernmentasrepresentedbySirTheophilusShepstone。Theyaredeclaringthattheywontheland’withtheirblood’andwanttokeeptheirownflagflyingoverit。”
“Averynaturalsentiment。”brokeinAnscombe。
“TheysaythattheywishtoshootalldamnedEnglishmen，especiallyShepstoneandhispeople，andthattheywouldmakeabeginningnowweretheynotafraidthatthedamnedEnglishGovernment，beingangered，wouldsendthousandsofdamnedEnglishrooibatjes，thatis，red-coats，andshoot_them_outofevilrevenge。”
“Averynaturalconclusion。”laughedAnscombeagain，“whichI
shouldadvisethemtoleaveuntested。Hush！Herecomestheshow。”
IlookedandsawabodyofblackcoatedgentlemenwithoneofficerintheuniformofaColonelofEngineers，advancingslowly。I
rememberthatitremindedmeofafuneralprocessionfollowingthecorpseoftheRepublicthathadgoneonaheadoutofsight。
Theprocessionarriveduponthestoepoppositetousandbegantosortitselfout，whereontheEnglishpresentraisedacheerandtheBoersbehinduscursedaudibly。Inthemiddleappearedanelderlygentlemanwithwhiskersandastoop，inwhomIrecognizedMr。Osborn，knownbytheKaffirsasMalimati，theChiefoftheStaff。Byhissidewasatallyoungfellow，yourself，myfriend，scarcelymorethanaladthen，carryingpapers。Thereststoodtorightandleftinaformalline。_You_gaveaprinteddocumenttoMr。Osbornwhoputonhisglassesandbegantoreadinalowvoicewhichfewcouldhear，andInoticedthathishandtrembled。Presentlyhegrewconfused，losthisplace，foundit，lostitagainandcametoafullstop。
“Anervous-naturedman。”remarkedMr。Anscombe。“Perhapshethinksthatthosegentlemenaregoingtoshoot。”
“Thatwouldn’ttroublehim。”Ianswered，whoknewhimwell。“Hisfearsarepurelymental。”
ThatwastruesinceIknowthatthissameSirMelmothOsbornasheisnow，asIhavetoldinthebookIcalled_ChildofStorm_，swamtheTugelaalonetowatchthebattleofIndondakasukaragingroundhim，andonanotheroccasionkilledtwoKaffirsrushingathimwitharightandleftshotwithoutturningahair。Itwasreadingthispaperthatparalyzedhim，notanyfearofwhatmighthappen。
Therefollowedaveryawkwardpausesuchasoccurswhenamanbreaksdowninaspeech。ThemembersoftheStafflookedathimandateachother，thenbehold！you，myfriend，grabbedthepaperfromhishandandwentonreadingitinaloudclearvoice。
“Thatyoungmanhasplentyofnerve。”saidMr。Anscombe。
“Yes。”Irepliedinawhisper。“Quiterightthough。Wouldhavebeenabadomenifthethinghadcometoastop。”
Well，therewerenomorebreakdowns，andatlastthelongdocumentwasfinishedandtheTransvaalannexed。TheBritishersbegantocheerbutstoppedtolistentotheformalprotestoftheBoerGovernment，ifitcouldbecalledagovernmentwheneverythinghadcollapsedandtheofficialswerebeingpaidinpostagestamps。Ican’trememberwhetherthiswasreadbyPresidentBurgershimselforbytheofficerwhowascalledStateSecretary。Anyway，itwasread，afterwhichtherecameanawkwardpauseasthoughpeoplewerewaitingtoseesomethinghappen。IlookedroundattheBoerswhoweremutteringandhandlingtheirriflesuneasily。HadtheyfoundaleaderIreallythinkthatsomeofthewilderspiritsamongthemwouldhavebeguntoshoot，butnoneappearedandthecrisispassed。
Thecrowdbegantodisperse，theEnglishamongthemcheeringandthrowinguptheirhats，theDutchwithverysullenfaces。TheCommissioner’sstaffwentawayasithadcome，backtothebuildingwithbluegumsinfrontofit，whichafterwardsbecameGovernmentHouse，thatisallexceptyou。Youstartedacrossthesquarealonewithabundleofprintedproclamationsinyourhandwhichevidentlyyouhadbeenchargedtoleaveatthevariouspublicoffices。
“Letusfollowhim。”IsaidtoMr。Anscombe。“Hemightgetintotroubleandwantafriend。”
Henoddedandwestrolledafteryouunostentatiously。Sureenoughyounearlydidgetintotrouble。Infrontofthefirstofficedoortowhichyoucame，stoodagroupofBoers，twoofwhom，bigfellows，drewtogetherwiththeevidentintentionofbarringyourway。
“Mynheeren。”yousaid，“IprayyoutoletmepassontheQueen’sbusiness。”
Theytooknoheedexcepttodrawclosertogetherandlaughinsolently。Againyoumadeyourrequestandagaintheylaughed。
ThenIsawyouliftyourleganddeliberatelystampuponthefootofoneoftheBoers。Hedrewbackwithanexclamation，andforamomentIbelievedthatheorhisfellowwasgoingtodosomethingviolent。Perhapstheythoughtbetterofit，orperhapstheysawustwoEnglishmenbehindandnoticedAnscombe’spistol。Atanyrateyoumarchedintotheofficetriumphantanddeliveredyourdocument。
“Neatlydone。”saidMr。Anscombe。
“Rash。”Isaid，shakingmyhead，“veryrash。Well，he’syoungandmustbeexcused。”
ButfromthatmomentItookagreatlikingtoyou，myfriend，perhapsbecauseIwonderedwhetherinyourplaceIshouldhavebeendaredevilenoughtoactinthesameway。ForyouseeIamEnglish，andIliketoseeanEnglishmanholdhisownagainstoddsandkeepupthecreditofthecountry。Although，ofcourse，IsympathizedwiththeBoerswho，throughtheirownfault，werelosingtheirlandwithoutablowstruck。Asyouknowwell，foryouwerelivingnearMajubaatthetime，plentyofblowswerestruckafterwards，butofthatbusinessIcannotbeartowrite。
IwonderhowitwillallworkoutafterIamdeadandifIshalleverlearnwhathappensintheend。
NowIhaveonlymentionedthisbusinessoftheAnnexationandthepartyouplayedinit，becauseitwasonthatoccasionthatI
becameacquaintedwithAnscombe。ForyouhavenothingtodowiththisstorywhichisaboutthedestructionoftheZulus，theaccomplishmentofthevengeanceofZikalithewizardatthekraalnamedFinished，andincidentally，theloveaffairsoftwopeopleinwhichthatoldwizardtookahand，asIdidtomysorrow。
IthappenedthatMr。AnscombehadriddenonaheadofhiswagonswhichcouldnotarriveatPretoriaforadayortwo，andashefounditimpossibletogetaccommodationattheEuropeanorelsewhere，Iofferedtolethimsleepinmine，orratheralongsideinatentIhad。Heacceptedandsoonwebecameverygoodfriends。BeforethedaywasasoutIdiscoveredthathehadservedinacrackcavalryregiment，butresignedhiscommissionsomeyearsbefore。Iaskedhimwhy。
“Well。”hesaid，“Icameintoagoodlotofmoneyonmymother’sdeathandcouldnotseeaprospectofanyactiveservice。WhiletheregimentwasabroadIlikedthelifewellenough，butathomeitboredme。Toomuchsocietyformytaste，andthatsortofthing。AlsoIwantedtotravel；nothingelsereallyamusesme。”
“Youwillsoongettiredofit。”Ianswered，“andasyouarewelloff，marrysomefineladyandsettledownathome。”
“Don’tthinkso。IdoubtifIshouldeverbehappilymarried，I
wanttoomuch。Onedoesn’tpickupanearthlyangelwithacast-ironconstitutionwhoadoresyou，whicharethebarenecessitiesofmarriage，undereverybush。”HereIlaughed。
“Also。”headded，thelaughtergoingoutofhiseyes，“Ihavehadenoughoffineladiesandtheirways。”
“Marriageisbetterthanscrapes。”Iremarkedsententiously。
“Quiteso，butonemightgetthembothtogether。No，Ishallnevermarry，althoughIsupposeIoughtasmybrothershavenochildren。”
“Won’tyou，myfriend。”thoughtItomyself，“whentheskingrowsagainonyourburntfingers。”
ForIwassuretheyhadbeenburnt，perhapsmorethanonce。How，Ineverlearned，forwhichIamrathersorryforitinterestsmetostudyburntfingers，iftheydonothappentobemyown。Thenwechangedthesubject。
Anscombe’swagonsweredelayedforadayortwobyabrokenaxleoraboghole，Iforgetwhich。So，asIhadnothingparticulartodountiltheNatalpost-cartleft，wespentthetimeinwanderingaboutPretoria，whichdidnottakeuslongasitwasbutalittledorpinthosedays，andchattingwithallandsundry。AlsowewentuptoGovernmentHouseasitwasnowcalled，andleftcards，orratherwroteournamesinabookforwehadnocards，beingtoldbyoneoftheStaffwhomwemetthatweshoulddoso。Anhourlateranotearrivedaskingusbothtodinnerthatnightandtellingusverynicelynottomindifwehadnodressthings。Ofcoursewehadtogo，Anscomberiggedupinmysecondbestclothesthatdidnotfithimintheleast，ashewasamuchtallermanthanIam，andablacksatinbowthathehadboughtatBecket’sStoretogetherwithapairofshinypumps。
Iactuallymetyou，myfriend，forthefirsttimethatevening，andintroubletoo，thoughyoumayhaveforgottentheincident。
Wehadmadeamistakeaboutthetimeofdinner，andarrivinghalfanhourtoosoon，wereshownintoalongroomthatopenedontotheverandah。Youwereworkingthere，beingIbelieveaprivatesecretaryatthetime，copyingsomedespatch；IthinkyousaidthatwhichgaveanaccountoftheAnnexation。Theroomwaslitbyaparaffinlampbehindyou，foritwasquitedarkandthewindowwasopen，oratanyrateunshuttered。Thegentlemanwhoshowedusin，seeingthatyouwereverybusy，tookustothefarendoftheroom，wherewestoodtalkingintheshadow。Justthenadooropenedoppositetothatwhichledtotheverandah，andthroughitcameHisExcellencytheAdministrator，SirTheophilusShepstone，astoutmanofmediumheightwithaveryclever，thoughtfulface，asIhavealwaysthought，oneofthegreatestofAfricanstatesmen。Hedidnotseeus，buthecaughtsightofyouandsaidtestily——
“Areyoumad？“Towhichyouansweredwithalaugh——
“Ihopenotmorethanusual，Sir，butwhy？“
“HaveInottoldyoualwaystoletdowntheblindsafterdark？
Yetthereyousitwithyourheadagainstthelight，aboutthebesttargetforabulletthatcouldbeimagined。”
“Idon’tthinktheBoerswouldtroubletoshootme，Sir。IfyouhadbeenhereIwouldhavedrawntheblindsandshuttheshutterstoo。”youanswered，laughingagain。
“Gotodressoryouwillbelatefordinner。”hesaidstillrathersternly，andyouwent。Butwhenyouhadgoneandafterwehadbeenannouncedtohim，hesmiledandaddedsomethingwhichI
willnotrepeattoyouevennow。IthinkitwasaboutwhatyoudidontheAnnexationdayofwhichthestoryhadcometohim。
ImentionthisincidentbecausewheneverIthinkofShepstone，whomIhadknownoffandonforyearsinthewaythatahunterknowsaprominentGovernmentofficial，italwaysrecurstomymind，embodyingasitdoeshiscautionandappreciationofdangerderivedfromlongexperienceofthecountry，andthesternnesshesometimesaffectedwhichcouldneverconcealhislovetowardshisfriends。Oh！therewasgreatnessinthisman，althoughtheydidcallhiman“AfricanTalleyrand。”IfithadnotbeensowouldeverynativefromtheCapetotheZambesihaveknownandreveredhisname，asperhapsthatofnootherwhitemanhasbeenrevered？
ButImustgetonwithmytaleandleavehistoricaldiscussionstoothersmorefittedtodealwiththem。
Wehadaverypleasantdinnerthatnight，althoughIwassoashamedofmyclotheswithsmartuniformsandwhitetiesallaboutme，andAnscombekeptfidgetinghisfeetbecausehewassufferingagonyfromhisnewpumpswhichwereasizetoosmall。
Everybodywasinthebestofspirits，forfromalldirectionscamethenewsthattheAnnexationwaswellreceivedandthatthedangerofanytroublehadpassedaway。Ah！ifwehadonlyknownwhattheendofitwouldbe！
ItwasonourwaybacktothewagonthatIchancedtomentiontoAnscombethattherewasstillaherdofbuffalowithinafewdays’trekofLydenburg，ofwhichIhadshottwonotamonthbefore。
“Arethere，byJove！“hesaid。“AsithappensInevergotabuffalo；alwaysIjustmissedtheminonesenseoranother，andI
can’tleaveAfricawithapairofboughthorns。Let’sgothereandshootsome。”
IshookmyheadandrepliedthatIhadbeenidlinglongenoughandmusttrytomakesomemoney，newsatwhichheseemedverydisappointed。
“Lookhere。”hesaid，“forgivemeformentioningit，butbusinessisbusiness。Ifyou’llcomeyoushan’tbealoser。”
AgainIshookmyhead，whereathelookedmoredisappointedthanbefore。
“Verywell。”heexclaimed，“thenImustgoalone。ForkillabuffaloIwill；thatisunlessthebuffalokillsme，inwhichcasemybloodwillbeonyourhands。”
Idon’tknowwhy，butatthatmomenttherecameintomymindaconvictionthatifhedidgoaloneabuffaloorsomethingwouldkillhimandthatthenIshouldbesorryallmylife。
“Theyaredangerousbrutes，muchworsethanlions。”Isaid。
“Andyetyou，whopretendtohaveaconscience，wouldexposemetotheirrageunprotectedandalone。”herepliedwithatwinkleinhiseyewhichIcouldseeevenbymoonlight。”Oh！Quatermain，howIhavebeenmistakeninyourcharacter。
“Lookhere，Mr。Anscombe。”Isaid，“it’snouse。Icannotpossiblygoonashootingexpeditionwithyoujustnow。Onlyto-dayIhaveheardfromNatalthatmyboyisnotwellandmustundergoanoperationwhichwilllayhimupforquitesixweeks，andmaybedangerous。SoImustgetdowntoDurbanbeforeittakesplace。AfterthatIhaveacontractinMatabelelandwhenceyouhavejustcome，totakechargeofatradingstorethereforayear；alsoperhapstotrytoshootalittleivoryformyself。SoIamfullybookeduptill，letussay，October，1878，thatisforabouteighteenmonths，bywhichtimeIdaresayIshallbedead。”
“Eighteenmonths。”repliedthiscoolyoungman。“Thatwillsuitmeverywell。IwillgoontoIndiaasIintended，thenhomeforabitandwillmeetyouonthe1stofOctober，1878，afterwhichwewillproceedtotheLydenburgdistrictandshootthosebuffalo，oriftheyhavedeparted，otherbuffalo。Isitabargain？“
Istaredathim，thinkingthattheAdministrator’schampagnehadgotintohishead。
“Nonsense。”Iexclaimed。“Whoknowswhereyouwillbeineighteenmonths？Why，bythattimeyouwillhaveforgottenallaboutme。”
“IfIamaliveandwell，onthe1stofOctober，I878，IshallbeexactlywhereIamnow，uponthisverysquareinPretoria，withawagon，orwagons，preparedforahuntingtrip。Butasnotunnaturallyyouhavedoubtsuponthatpoint，IampreparedtopayforfeitifIfail，orevenifcircumstancescauseyoutofail。”
Herehetookacheque-bookfromhisletter-caseandspreaditoutonthelittletableinthetent，onwhichtherewereinkandapen，adding——
“Now，Mr。Quatermain，willitmeetyourviewsifIfillthisupfor#250？“
“No。”Ianswered；“takingeverythingintoconsiderationthesumisexcessive。Butifyoudonotmindfacingtherisksofmynon-appearance，tosaynothingofyourown，youmaymakeit#50。”
“Youareverymoderateinyourdemands。”hesaidashehandedmethechequewhichIputinmypocket，reflectingthatitwouldjustpayformyson’soperation。
“Andyouareveryfoolishinyouroffers。”Ireplied。“Tellme，whydoyoumakesuchcrack-brainedarrangements？“
“Idon’tquiteknow。Somethinginmeseemstosaythatwe_shall_makethisexpeditionandthatitwillhaveaveryimportanteffectuponmylife。Mindyou，itistobetotheLydenburgdistrictandnowhereelse。AndnowIamtired，solet’sturnin。”
Nextmorningwepartedandwentourseparateways。
CHAPTERII
MR。MARNHAM
Somuchforpreliminaries，nowforthestory。
Theeighteenmonthshadgoneby，bringingwiththemtometheirshareofadventure，wealandwoe，withallofwhichatpresentI
havenoconcern。Beholdmearrivingveryhotandtiredinthepost-cartfromKimberley，whitherIhadgonetoinvestwhatIhadsavedoutofmyMatabelelandcontractinaverypromisingspeculationwhereof，today，thepromiseremainsandnomore。I
hadbeenobligedtoleaveKimberlyinagreathurry，beforeI
oughtindeed，becauseofthesillybargainwhichIhavejustrecorded。OfcourseIwassurethatIshouldneverseeMr。
Anscombeagain，especiallyasIhadheardnothingofhimduringallthiswhile，andhadnoreasontosupposethathewasinAfrica。StillIhadtakenhis#50andhe_might_come。AlsoI
havealwayspridedmyselfuponkeepinganappointment。
Thepost-carthaltedwithajerkinfrontoftheEuropeanHotel，andIcrawled，dustyandtired，fromitsinterior，tofindmyselffacetofacewithAnscombe，whowassmokingapipeuponthestoep！
“Hullo，Quatermain。”hesaidinhispleasant，drawlingvoice，“hereyouare，uptotime。Ihavebeenmakingbetswiththesefivegentlemen。”andhenoddedatagroupofloungersonthestoep。”astowhetheryouwouldorwouldnotappear，Iputtingtentooneonyouindrinks。Thereforeyoumustnowconsumefivewhiskiesandsodas，whichwillsavethemfromconsumingfiftyandasubsequentappearanceatthePoliceCourt。”
IlaughedandsaidIwouldbetheirdebtortotheextentofone，whichwasdulyproduced。
AfteritwasdrunkAnscombeandIhadachat。HesaidthathehadbeentoIndia，shot，orshotatwhatevergamehemeanttokillthere，visitedhisrelationsinEnglandandthenceproceededtokeephisappointmentwithmeinAfrica。AtDurbanhehadfittedhimselfoutinaregalwaywithtwowagons，fullteams，andsomespareoxen，andtrekkedtoPretoriawherehehadarrivedafewdaysbefore。NowhewasreadytostartfortheLydenburgdistrictandlookforthosebuffalo。
“But。”Isaid，“thebuffaloprobablylongagodeparted。AlsotherehasbeenawarwithSekukuni，theBasutochiefwhorulesallthatcountry，whichremainsundecided，althoughIbelievesomekindofapeacehasbeenpatchedup。Thismaymakehuntinginthisneighborhooddangerous。Whynottrysomeotherground，tothenorthoftheTransvaal，forinstance？“
“Quatermain。”heanswered，“IhavecomeallthewayfromEngland，Iwillnotsaytokill，buttotrytokillbuffalointheLydenburgdistrict，withyouifpossible，ifnot，withoutyou，andthitherIamgoing。Ifyouthinkitunsafetoaccompanyme，don’tcome；IwillgetonasbestIcanalone，orwithsomeotherskilledpersonifIcanfindone。”
“IfyouputitlikethatIshallcertainlycome。”Ireplied，“withtheprovisothatshouldthebuffaloprovetobenon-existentorthepursuitofthemimpossible，weeithergiveupthetrip，orgosomewhereelse，perhapstothecountryatthebackofDelagoaBay。”
“Agreed。”hesaid；afterwhichwediscussedterms，hepayingmemysalaryinadvance。
Onfurtherconsiderationwedetermined，astwowerequiteunnecessaryforatripofthesort，toleaveoneofmywagonsandhalfthecattleinchargeofaveryrespectableman，afarmerwholivedaboutfivemilesfromPretoriajustoverthepassneartothefamousWonder-boomtreewhichisoneofthesightsoftheplace。Shouldweneedthiswagonitcouldalwaysbesentfor；
or，ifwefoundtheLydenburghunting-ground，whichhewassosetuponvisiting，unproductiveorimpossible，wecouldreturntoPretoriaoverthehigh-veldandpickitupbeforeproceedingelsewhere。
Thesearrangementstookusacoupleofdaysorso。Onthethirdwestarted，withoutseeingyou，myfriend，oranyoneelsethatI
knew，sincejustatthattimeeveryoneseemedtobeawayfromPretoria。You，Iremember，hadbynowbecometheMasteroftheHighCourtandwere，theyinformedmeatyouroffice，absentoncircuit。
Themorningofourdeparturewasparticularlylovelyandwetrekkedawayinthebestofspirits，assooftenhappenstopeoplewhoaremarchingintotrouble。Ofourjourneythereislittletosayaseverythingwentsmoothly，sothatwearrivedattheedgeofthehigh-veldfeelingashappyasthecountrywhichhasnohistoryisreportedtodo。OurroadleduspastthelittleminingsettlementofPilgrim’sRestwhereanumberofadventurousspirits，mostofthemEnglish，wereengagedinwashingforgold，ajobatwhichIoncetookaturnnearthisveryplacewithoutanystartlingsuccess。OfthelocalityIneedonlysaythatthemountainoussceneryisamongthemostbeautiful，thehillsarethesteepestandtheroadsare，orwere，theworstthatIhaveevertravelledoverinawagon。
However，“goingsoftly“asthenativessay，wenegotiatedthemwithoutaccidentand，leavingPilgrim’sRestbehindus，begantodescendtowardsthelow-veldwhereIwasinformedaherdofbuffalocouldstillbefound，since，owingtothewarwithSekukuni，noonehadshotatthemoflate。Thiswarhadbeensuspendedforawhile，andtheLand-drostatPilgrim’sResttoldmehethoughtitwouldbesafetohuntonthebordersofthatChief’scountry，thoughheshouldnotcaretodosohimself。
Gameofthesmallersortbegantobeplentifulabouthere，sonotmorethanadozenmilesfromPilgrim’sRestweoutspannedearlyintheafternoontotrytogetabluewildebeesteortwo，forI
hadseenthespoorofthesecreaturesinapatchofsoftground，orfailingthemsomeotherbuck。Accordingly，leavingthewagonbyacharmingstreamthatwoundandgurgledoverabedofgranite，wemountedoursaltedhorses，whichwerepartofAnscombe’soutfit，andsetforthrejoicing。RidingthroughthescatteredthornsandfollowingthespoorwhereIcould，withinhalfanhourwecametoalittleglade。There，notfiftyyardsaway，Icaughtofasinglebluewildebeestebullstandingintheshadowofthetreesonthefurthersideoftheglade，andpointedouttheuglybeast，foritisthemostgrotesqueofalltheantelopes，toAnscombe。
“Offyouget。”Iwhispered。“It’salovelyshot，youcan’tmissit。”
“Oh，can’tI！“repliedAnscombe。“Doyoushoot。”
Irefused，sohedismounted，givingmehishorsetohold，andkneelingdownsolemnlyandslowlycoveredthebull。Bangwenthisrifle，andIsawaboughaboutayardabovethewildebeestefallontoitsback。Offitwentlikelightning，whereonAnscombeletdrivewiththeleftbarreloftheExpress，almostathazardasitseemedtome，andbysomechancehititabovethenearfore-knee，breakingitsleg。
“Thatwasagoodshot。”hecried，jumpingontohishorse。
“Excellent。”Ianswered。“Butwhatareyougoingtodo？“
“Catchit。Itiscrueltoleaveawoundedanimal。”andoffhestarted。
OfcourseIhadtofollow，buttheensuingrideremainsamongthemorepainfulofmyhuntingmemories。Wetorethroughthorntreesthatscratchedmyfaceanddamagedmyclothes；westruckapatchofantbearholes，intooneofwhichmyhorsefellsothatmystomachbumpedagainstitshead；weslithereddowngranitekoppies，andthiswastheworstofit，attheendofeachchapter，sotospeak，alwayscaughtsightofthataccursedbullwhichIfondlyhopedwouldhavevanishedintospace。Atlengthafterhalfanhourorsoofthisgamewereachedastretchofopen，rollingground，andtherenotfiftyyardsaheadofuswastheanimalstillgoinglikeahare，thoughhowitcoulddosoonthreelegsIamsureIdonotknow。Wecourseditlikegreyhounds，tillatlastAnscombe，whosehorsewasthefaster，camealongsideoftheexhaustedcreature，whereonitturnedsuddenlyandcharged。
Anscombeheldouthisrifleinhisrighthandandpulledthetrigger，which，ashehadforgottentoreloadit，wasameretheatricalperformance。Nextsecondtherewassuchamix-upthatforawhileIcouldnotdistinguishwhichwasAnscombe，whichwasthewildebeeste，andwhichthehorse。Theyallseemedtobegoingroundandroundinacloudofdust。WhenthingssettledthemselvesalittleIdiscoveredthehorserollingontheground，Anscombeonhisbackwithhishandsupinanattitudeofprayerandthewildebeestetryingtomakeupitsmindwhichofthemitshouldfinishfirst。Isettledthepoorthing’sdoubtsbyshootingitthroughtheheart，whichIflattermyselfwasrathercleverofmeunderthecircumstances。ThenIdismountedtoexamineAnscombe，who，Ipresumed，wasdonefor。Notabitofit。Therehesatuponthegroundblowinglikeablacksmith’sbellowsandpantingout——
“Whatagloriousgallop。Ifinisheditverywell，didn’tI？Youcouldn’thavemadeabettershotyourself。”
“Yes。”Ianswered，“youfinisheditverywellasyouwillfindoutifyouwilltakethetroubletoopenyourrifleandcountyourcartridges。ImayaddthatifwearegoingtohunttogetherIhopeyouwillneverleadmesuchafool’schaseagain。”
Herose，openedtherifleandsawthatitwasempty，foralthoughhehadneverre-loadedhehadthrownoutthetwocartridgeswhichhehaddischargedintheglen。
“ByJingo。”hesaid，“youmusthaveshotit，thoughIcouldhaveswornthatitwasI。Quatermain，hasiteverstruckyouwhatastrangethingisthehumanimagination？“
“Dratthehumanimagination。”Ianswered，wipingawaythebloodthatwastricklingintomyeyefromathornscratch。“Let’slookatyourhorse。IfitislamedyouwillhavetorideImaginationbacktothewagonwhichmustbesixmilesaway，thatisifwecanfinditbeforedark。”
Sighingoutsomethingaboutapainfullypracticalmind，heobeyed，andwhenthebeastwasprovedtobenothingmorethanblownandalittlebruised，maderemarksastotheinadvisabilityofdwellingonfutureevilevents，whichIremindedhimhadalreadybeenbettersummedupintheNewTestament。
Afterthiswecontemplatedthecarcasseofthewildebeestewhichitseemedapitytoleavetorot。JustthenAnscombe，whohadmovedafewyardstotherightoutoftheshadowofanobstructingtree，exclaimed——
“Isay，Quatermain，comehereandtellmeifIhavebeenknockedsilly，orifIreallyseeaquiteuncommonkindofhousebuiltinancientGreekstylesetinadivinelandscape。”
“TempletoDiana，Iexpect。”IremarkedasIjoinedhimonthefurthersideofthetree。
Ilookedandrubbedmyeyes。There，abouthalfamileaway，situatedinabayofthesweepinghillsandoverlookingthemeasurelessexpanseofbush-veldbeneath，wasaremarkablehouse，atleastforthosedaysandthatpartofAfrica。Tobeginwiththesituationwassuperb。Itstoodonagreenandswellingmoundbehindwhichwasawoodedkloofwhereranastreamthatatlastprecipitateditselfinawaterfalloveragreatcliff。Theninfrontwasthatgloriousviewofthebush-veld，atwhichamanmightlookforalifetimeandnotgrowtired，stretchingawaytotheOliphant’sriverandmeltingatlastintothedimlineofthehorizon。
Thehouseitselfalso，althoughnotlarge，wasofakindnewtome。Itwasdeep，butnarrowfronted，andbeforeitwerefourcolumnsthatcarriedtheroofwhichprojectedsoastoformawideverandah。Moreoveritseemedtobebuiltofmarblewhichglistenedlikesnowinthesettingsun。Inshortinthatlonelywilderness，atanyratefromthisdistance，itdidlooklikethedesertedshrineofsomeforgottengod。
“Well，I’mbothered！“Isaid。
“SoamI。”answeredAnscombe，“toknowthenameoftheLydenburgdistrictarchitectwhomIshouldliketoemploy；thoughIsuspectitisthesurroundingsthatmaketheplacelooksobeautiful。
Hullo！herecomessomebody，buthedoesn’tlooklikeanarchitect；helookslikeawickedbaronetdisguisedasaBoer。”
Trueenough，roundaclumpofbushappearedanunusuallookingperson，mountedonaverygoodhorse。Hewastall，thinandold，atleasthehadalongwhitebeardwhichsuggestedage，althoughhisfigure，sofarasitcouldbeseenbeneathhisroughclothes，seemedvigorous。Hisfacewascleancutandhandsome，witharatherhookednose，andhiseyesweregrey，butasIsawwhenhecameuptous，somewhatbloodshotatthecorners。Hisgeneralaspectwasrefinedandbenevolent，andassoonasheopenedhismouthIperceivedthathewasapersonofgentlebreeding。
Andyettherewassomethingabouthim，somethinginhisatmosphere，sotospeak，thatIdidnotlike。BeforewepartedthateveningIfeltsurethatinonewayoranotherhewasawrong-doer，notstraight；alsothathehadaviolenttemper。
Herodeuptousandaskedinapleasantvoice，althoughthemannerofhisquestion，whichwasputinbadDutch，wasnotpleasant，“Whogaveyouleavetoshootonourland？“
“Ididnotknowthatanyleavewasrequired；itisnotcustomaryintheseparts。”IansweredpolitelyinEnglish。“Moreover，thisbuckwaswoundedmilesaway。”
“Oh！“heexclaimedinthesametongue，“thatmakesadifference，thoughIexpectitwasstillonourland，forwehavealot；itischeapabouthere。”Thenafterstudyingalittle，headdedapologetically，“Youmustn’tthinkmestrange，butthefactismydaughterhatesthingstobekillednearthehouse，whichiswhythere’ssomuchgameabout。”
“Thenpraymakeherourapologies。”saidAnscombe，“andsaythatitshallnothappenagain。”
Hestrokedhislongbeardandlookedatus，forbynowhehaddismounted，thensaid——
“MightIaskyougentlemenyournames？“
“Certainly。”Ireplied。“IamAllanQuatermainandmyfriendistheHon。MauriceAnscombe。”
Hestartedandsaid——
“OfAllanQuatermainofcourseIhaveheard。Thenativestoldmethatyouweretrekkingtothoseparts；andifyou，sir，areoneofLordMountford’ssons，oddlyenoughIthinkImusthaveknownyourfatherinmyyouth。IndeedIservedwithhimintheGuards。”
“Howverystrange。”saidAnscombe。“He’sdeadnowandmybrotherisLordMountford。DoyoulikelifeherebetterthanthatintheGuards？IamsureIshould。”
“Bothofthemhavetheiradvantages。”heansweredevasively，“ofwhich，if，asIthink，youarealsoasoldier，youcanjudgeforyourself。Butwon’tyoucomeuptothehouse？MydaughterHedaisaway，andmypartnerMr。Rodd“ashementionedthisnameI
sawabluevein，whichshowedabovehischeekbone，swellasthoughunderpressureofsomesecretemotion“isaretiringsortofaman——indeedsomemightthinkhimsulkyuntiltheycametoknowhim。Still，wecanmakeyoucomfortableandevengiveyouadecentbottleofwine。”
“No，thankyouverymuch。”Ianswered，“wemustgetbacktothewagonorourservantswillthinkthatwehavecometogrief。
Perhapsyouwillacceptthewildebeesteifitisofanyusetoyou。”
“Verywell。”hesaidinavoicethatsuggestedregretstrugglingwithrelief。Tothebuckhemadenoallusion，perhapsbecauseheconsideredthatitwasalreadyhisownproperty。“Doyouknowyourway？IbelieveyourwagoniscampedouttheretotheeastbywhatwecalltheGranitestream。IfyoufollowthisKaffirpath。”andhepointedtoatracknearby，“itwilltakequiteclose。”
“Wheredoesthepathrunto？“Iasked。“Therearenokraalsabout，arethere？“
“Oh！totheTemple，asmydaughtercallsourhouse。MypartnerandIarelabouragents，werecruitnativesfortheKimberleyMines。”hesaidinexplanation，adding，“Wheredoyouproposetoshoot？“
Itoldhim。
“Isn’tthatratherariskydistrict？“hesaid。“IthinkthatSekukuniwillsoonbegivingmoretrouble，althoughthereisatrucebetweenhimandtheEnglish。Stillhemightsendaregimenttoraidthatway。”
IwonderedhowourfriendknewsomuchofSekukuni’spossibleintentions，butonlyansweredthatIwasaccustomedtodealwithnativesanddidnotfearthem。
“Ah！“hesaid，“well，youknowyourownbusinessbest。Butifyoushouldgetintoanydifficulty，makestraightforthisplace。
TheBasutoswillnotinterferewithyouhere。”
AgainIwonderedwhytheBasutosshouldlookuponthisparticularspotassacred，butthinkingitwisesttoasknoquestions，I
onlyanswered——
“Thankyouverymuch。We’llbearyourinvitationinmind，Mr——“
“Marnham。”
“Marnham。”Irepeatedafterhim。“Good-byeandmanythanksforyourkindness。”
“Onequestion。”brokeinAnscombe，“ifyouwillnotthinkmerude。Whatisthenameofthearchitectwhodesignedthatmostromantic-lookinghouseofyourswhichseemstobebuiltofmarble？“
Mydaughterdesignedit，oratleastIthinkshecopieditfromsomeolddrawingofaruin。Alsoit_is_marble；there’sawholehillofthestuffnotahundredyardsfromthedoor，soitwascheapertousethananythingelse。Ihopeyouwillcomeandseeitonyourwayback，thoughitisnotasfineasitappearsfromadistance。ItwouldbeverypleasantafteralltheseyearstotalktoanEnglishgentlemanagain。”
Thenweparted，Iratheroffendedbecausehedidnotseemtoincludemeinthedescription，hecallingafterus——
“Stickclosetothepaththroughthepatchofbigtrees，forthegroundisratherswampythereandit’sgettingdark。”
Presentlywecametotheplacehementionedwherethetimber，althoughscattered，wasquitelargeforSouthAfrica，oftheyellow-woodspecies，andinterspersedwhereverthegroundwasdrywithhugeeuphorbias，ofwhichthetallfinger-likegrowthsandsadgreycolouringlookedunrealandghostlikeinthewaninglight。Followingtheadvicegiventous，werodeinsinglefilealongthenarrowpath，fearinglestotherwiseweshouldtumbleintosomeboghole，untilwecametohigherlandcoveredwiththescatteredthornsofthecountry。
“Didthatbushgiveyouanyparticularimpression？“askedAnscombeaminuteortwolater。
“Yes。”Ianswered，“itgavemetheimpressionthatwemightcatchfeverthere。Seethemistthatliesoverit。”andturninginmysaddleIpointedwiththerifleinmyhandtowhatlookedlikeamassofcottonwooloverwhich，withoutpermeatingit，hungthelastredglowofsunset，producingacuriousandindeedratherunearthlyeffect。“Iexpectthatthousandsofyearsagotherewasalakeyonder，whichiswhytreesgrowsobigintherichsoil。”
“Youarecuriouslymundane，Quatermain。”heanswered。“Iaskyouofspiritualimpressionsandyoudilatetomeofgeologicalformationsandthegrowthoftimber。Youfeltnothinginthespiritualline？“
“Ifeltnothingexceptachill。”Ianswered，forIwastiredandhungry。“Whatthedevilareyoudrivingat？“
“HaveyougotthatflaskofHollandsaboutyou，Quatermain？“
“Oh！thosearethespiritsyouarereferringto。”IremarkedwithsarcasmasIhandedittohim。
Hetookagoodpullandreplied——
“Notatall，exceptinthesensethatbadspiritsrequiregoodspiritstocorrectthem，astheBibleteaches。Tocometofacts。”headdedinachangedvoice，“Ihaveneverbeeninaplacethatdepressedmemorethanthatthriceaccursedpatchofbush。”
“Whydiditdepressyou？“Iasked，studyinghimaswellasI
couldinthefadinglight。TotellthetruthIfearedlesthehadknockedhisheadwhenthewildebeesteupsethim，andwassufferingfromdelayedconcussion。
“Can’ttellyou，Quatermain。Idon’tlooklikeacriminal，doI？
Well，Ienteredthosetreesfeelingafairlyhonestman，andI
cameoutofthemfeelinglikeamurderer。Itwasasthoughsomethingterriblehadhappenedtomethere；itwasasthoughI
hadkilledsomeonethere。Ugh！“andheshiveredandtookanotherpullattheHollands。
“Whatbosh！“Isaid。“Besides，evenifitweretocometrue，I
amsorrytosayI’vekilledlotsofmeninthewayofbusinessandtheydon’tbothermeovermuch。”
“Didyoueverkillonetowinawoman？“
“Certainlynot。Why，thatwouldbemurder。Howcanyouaskmesuchathing？ButIhavekilledseveraltowincattle。”I
reflectedaloud，rememberingmyexpeditionwithSadukoagainstthechiefBangu，andsomeotherincidentsinmycareer。
“Iappreciatethedifference，Quatermain。Ifyoukillforcows，itisjustifiablehomicide；ifyoukillforwomen，itismurder。”
“Yes。”Ireplied，“thatishowitseemstoworkoutinAfrica。
Yousee，womenarehigherinthescaleofcreationthancows，thereforecrimescommittedfortheirsakeareenormouslygreaterthanthosecommittedforcows，whichjustmakesthedifferencebetweenjustifiablehomicideandmurder。”
“Goodlord！whatanargument。”heexclaimedandrelapsedintosilence。Hadhebeenaccustomedtonativesandtheirwayshewouldhaveunderstoodthepointmuchbetterthanhedid，thoughI
admititisdifficulttoexplain。
Induecoursewereachedthewagonwithoutfurthertrouble。
WhilewewereshieldingourpipesafteranexcellentsupperI
askedAnscombehisimpressionsofMr。Marnham。
“Queercove，Ithink。”heanswered。“Beenagentleman，too，andstillkeepsthemanners，whichisn’tstrangeifheisoneoftheMarnhams，fortheyareagoodfamily。Iwonderhementionedhavingservedwithmyfather。”
“Itslippedoutofhim。Menwholivealotaloneareapttobesurprisedintosayingthingstheyregretafterwards，asInoticedhedid。Butwhydoyouwonder？“
“Becauseisithappens，althoughIhaveonlyjustrecalledit，myfatherusedtotellsomestoryaboutamannamedMarnhaminhisregiment。Ican’trememberthedetails，butithadtodowithcardswhenhighstakeswerebeingplayedfor，andwiththestrikingofasuperiorofficerinthequarrelthatensued，asaresultofwhichthestrikerwasrequestedtosendinhispapers。”
“Itmaynothavebeenthesameman。”
“Perhapsnot，forIbelievethatmorethanoneMarnhamservedinthatregiment。ButIremembermyfathersaying，bywayofexcuseforthepersonconcerned，thathehadamostungovernabletemper。
Ithinkheadded，thatheleftthecountryandtookserviceinsomearmyontheContinent。Ishouldratherliketoclearthethingup。”
“Itisn’tprobablethatyouwill，forevenifyoushouldevermeetthisMarnhamagain，Ifancyyouwouldfindheheldhistongueabouthisacquaintancewithyourfather。”
“IwonderwhatMissHedaislike。”wentonAnscombeafterapause。“Iamcurioustoseeagirlwhodesignsahouseonthemodelofanancientruin。”
“Well，youwon’t，forshe’sawaysomewhere。Besideswearelookingforbuffalo，notgirls，whichisagoodthingastheyarelessdangerous。”
IspokethusdecisivelybecauseIhadtakenadisliketoMr。
Marnhamandeverythingtodowithhim，anddidnotwishtoencouragetheideaoffurthermeetings。
“No，never，Isuppose。AndyetIfeelasthoughIwerecertainlydestinedtoseethataccursedyellow-woodswampagain。”
“Nonsense。”IrepliedasIrosetoturnin。Ah！ifIhadbutknown！
CHAPTERIII
THEHUNTERSHUNTED
WhileIwastakingoffmybootsIheardanoiseofjabberinginsomenativetonguewhichItooktobeSisutu，andnotwishingtogotothetroubleofputtingthemonagain，calledtothedriverofthewagontofindoutwhatitwas。ThismanwasaCapeColonyKaffir，aFingoIthink，withatouchofHottentotinhim。Hewasanexcellentdriver，indeedIdonotthinkIhaveeverseenabetter，andbynomeansabadshot。AmongEuropeansherejoicedinthenameofFootsack，aBoerDutchtermwhichisgenerallyaddressedtotroublesomedogsandmeans“Getout。”Totellthetruth，hadIbeenhismasterhewouldhavegotout，asI
suspectedhimofdrinking，andgenerallydidnotaltogethertrusthim。Anscombe，however，wasfondofhimbecausehehadshowncourageinsomehuntingadventureinMatabeleland，Ithinkitwasattheshootingofthatverydark-colouredlionwhoseskinhadbeenthemeansofmakingusacquaintednearlytwoyearsbefore。
IndeedhesaidthatonthisoccasionFootsackhadsavedhislife，thoughfromallthatIcouldgatherIdonotthinkthiswasquitethecase。Alsotheman，whohadbeenonmanyhuntingtripswithsportsmen，couldtalkDutchwellandEnglishenoughtomakehimselfunderstood，andthereforewasuseful。
HewentasIbadehim，andcomingbackpresently，toldmethatapartyofBasutos，aboutthirtyinnumber，whowerereturningfromKimberley，wheretheyhadbeenatworkinthemines，undertheleadershipofaBastardnamedKarl，askedleavetocampbythewagonforthenight，astheywereafraidtogoonto“Tampel“inthedark。
AtfirstIcouldnotmakeoutwhat“Tampel“was，asitdidnotsoundlikeanativename。ThenIrememberedthatMr。MarnhamhadspokenofhishouseasbeingcalledtheTemple，ofwhich，ofcourse，Tampelwasacorruption；alsothathesaidheandhispartnerwerelabouragents。
“Whyaretheyafraid？“Iasked。
“Because，Baas，theysaythattheymustgothroughawoodinaswamp，whichtheythinkishauntedbyspooks，andtheymuchafraidofspooks；“thatisofghosts。
“Whatspooks？“Iasked。
“Don’tknow，Baas。Theysayspookofsomeonewhohasbeenkilled。”
“Rubbish。”Ireplied。“Tellthemtogoandcatchthespook；wedon’twantalotofnoisyfellowshowlingchantieshereallnight。”
ThenitwasthatAnscombebrokeininhishumorous，ratherdrawlingvoice。
“Howcanyoubesohard-hearted，Quatermain？Afterthesupernaturalterrorwhich，asItoldyou，Iexperiencedinthatveryplace，Iwouldn’tcondemnakickingmuletogothroughitinthisdarkness。Letthepoordevilsstay；Idaresaytheyaretired。”
SoIgavein，andpresentlysawtheirfiresbeginningtoburnthroughtheendcanvasofthewagonwhichwasunlacedbecausethenightwashot。AlsolateronIwokeup，aboutmidnightIthink，andheardvoicestalking，oneofwhichIreflectedsleepily，soundedverylikethatofFootsack。
Wakingveryearly，asismyhabit，Ipeepedoutofthewagon，andthroughthemorningmistperceivedFootsackinconversewithaparticularlyvillainous-lookingperson。IatonceconcludedthismustbeKarl，evidentlyaBastardcompoundedofaboutfifteenpartsofvariousnativebloodstooneofwhite，who，toaddtohisattractions，wasdeeplyscarredwithsmallpoxandpossessedareallyalarmingsquint。ItseemedtomethatFootsackhandedtothismansomethingthatlookedsuspiciouslylikeabottleofsquarefaceginwrappedupindriedgrass，andthatthemanhandedbacktoFootsacksomesmallobjectwhichheputinhismouth。
Now，Iwonderedtomyself，whatisthereofvaluethatonewhodoesnoteatsweetswouldstowawayinhismouth。Goldcoinperhaps，oraquidoftobacco，orastone。Goldwastoomuchtopayforabottleofgin，tobaccowastoolittle，buthowaboutthestone？Whatstone？Whowantedstones？ThensuddenlyI
rememberedthatthesepeopleweresaidtocomefromKimberley，andwhistledtomyself。StillIdidnothing，principallybecausethemistwasstillsodensethatalthoughIcouldseethemen’sfaces，Icouldnotclearlyseethearticleswhichtheypassedtoeachotherabouttwofeetlower，whereitstilllayverythickly，andtobringanyaccusationagainstanativewhichhecanprovetobefalseisapttodestroyauthority。SoIheldmytongueandwaitedmychance。Itdidnotcomeatonce，forbeforeIwasdressedthoseBasutoshaddepartedtogetherwiththeirleaderKarl，fornowthatthesunwasuptheynolongerfearedthehauntedbush。
Itcamelater，thus：WeweretrekkingalongbetweenthethornsuponalevelandeasytrackwhichenabledthedriverFootsacktosituponthe“voorkisse“ordrivingboxofthewagon，leavingtheladwhoiscalledthevoorloopertoleadtheoxen。Anscombewasridingparalleltothewagoninthehopeofkillingsomeguineafowlforthepotthoughaverypoorshotwithariflehewasgoodwithashot-gun。I，whodidnotcareforthissmallgame，wasseatedsmokingbythesideofFootsackwho，Inoted，smeltofginandgenerallyshowedsignsofdissipation。SuddenlyIsaidtohim——
“ShowmethatdiamondwhichtheBastardKarlgaveyouthismorninginpaymentforthebottleofyourmaster’sdrink。”
Itwasabowdrawnataventure，buttheeffectoftheshotwasremarkable。HadInotcaughtit，thelongbamboowhipFootsackheldwouldhavefallentotheground，whilehecollapsedinhisseatlikeamanwhohasreceivedabulletinhisstomach。
“Baas。”hegasped，“Baas，howdidyouknow？“
“Iknew。”Irepliedgrandly，“inthesamewaythatIknoweverything。Showmethediamond。”
“Baas。”hesaid，“itwasnottheBaasAnscombe’sgin，itwassomeIboughtinPilgrim’sRest。”
“Ihavecountedthebottlesinthecaseandknowverywellwhoseginitwas。”Irepliedambiguously，forthereasonthatIhaddonenothingofthesort。“Showmethediamond。”
Footsackfumbledabouthisperson，hishair，hiswaistcoatpocketsandevenhismoocha，andultimatelyfromsomewhereproducedastonewhichhehandedtome。Ilookedatit，andfromthepurityofcolourandsize，judgedittobeadiamondworth#200，orpossiblymore。AftercarefulexaminationIputitintomypocket，saying，“Thisisthepriceofyourmaster’sginandthereforebelongstohimasmuchasitdoestoanybody。Nowifyouwanttokeepoutoftrouble，tellme——whencecameitintothehandsofthatman，Karl？“
“Baas。”repliedFootsack，tremblingallover，“howdoIknow？Heandtheresthavebeenworkingatthemines；Isupposehefounditthere。”
“Indeed！Anddidhefindothersofthesamesort？“
“Ithinkso，Baas。AtleasthesaidthathehadbeenbuyingbottlesofginwithsuchstonesallthewaydownfromKimberley。
Karlisagreatdrunkard，Baas，asIamsure，whohaveknownhimforyears。”
“Thatisnotall。”Iremarked，keepingmyeyesfixedonhim。
“Whatelsedidhesay？“
“Hesaid，Baas，thathewasverymuchafraidofreturningtotheBaasMarnhamwhomtheKaffirscallWhite-beard，withonlyafewstonesleft。”
“Whywasheafraid？“
“BecausetheBaasWhitebeard，hewhodwellsatTampel，is，hesays，averyangrymanifhethinkshimselfcheated，andKarlisafraidlestheshouldkillhimasanotherwaskilled，hewhosespookhauntsthewoodthroughwhichthosesillypeoplefearedtopasslastnight。”
“Whowaskilledandwhokilledhim？“Iasked。
“Baas，Idon’tknow。”repliedFootsack，collapsingintosullensilenceinawaythatKaffirshavewhensuddenlytheyrealizethattheyhavesaidtoomuch。NordidIpressthematterfurther，havinglearnedenough。
WhathadIlearned？This：thatMessrs。Marnham&Roddwereillicitdiamondbuyers，I。D。B。’sastheyarecalled，whohadcunninglysituatedthemselvesatagreatdistancefromthesceneofoperationspracticallybeyondthereachofcivilizedlaw。
ProbablytheywereengagedalsoinothernefariousdealingswithKaffirs，suchassupplyingthemwithgunswherewithtomakewarupontheWhites。Sekukunihadbeenfightingusrecently，sothattherewouldbeaverybriskmarketforrifles。This，too，wouldaccountforMarnham’sapparentknowledgeofthatChief’splans。
Possibly，however，hehadnoknowledgeandonlymadeapretenceofittokeepusoutofthecountry。
LateronIconfidedthewholestoryandmysuspicionstoAnscombe，whowasmuchinterested。
“Whatpicturesquescoundrels！“heexclaimed，“WereallyoughttogobacktotheTemple。IhavealwayslongedtomeetsomerealliveI。D。B。’s。”
“Itisprobablethatyouhavedonethatalreadywithoutknowingit。Fortherest，ifyouwishtovisitthatdenofiniquity，youmustdosoalone。”
“Wouldn’twhitedsepulchrebeabetterterm，especiallyasitseemstocoverdeadmen’sbones？“herepliedinhisfrivolousmanner。
ThenIaskedhimwhathewasgoingtodoaboutFootsackandthebottleofgin，whichhecounteredbyaskingmewhatIwasgoingtodowiththatdiamond。
“GiveittoyouasFootsack’smaster。”Isaid，suitingtheactiontotheword。“Idon’twishtobemixedupindoubtfultransactions。”
Thenfollowedalongargumentastowhowastherealownerofthestone，whichendedinitsbeinghiddenawaybeproducedifcalledfor，andinFootsack，whooughthavehadarounddozen，receivingascoldingfromhismaster，coupledwiththethreatthatifhestolemoreginhewouldbehandedovertoamagistrate——whenwemetone。
Onthefollowingdaywereachedthehot，low-lyingveldwhichtheherdofbuffalowassaidtoinhabit。Nextmorning，however，whenweweremakingreadytobeginhunting，aBasutoKaffirappearedwho，onbeingquestioned，saidthathewasoneofSekukuni’speoplesenttothisdistricttolookfortwolostoxen。Ididnotbelievethisstory，thinkingitmoreprobablethathewasaspy，butaskedhimwhetherinhishuntforoxenhehadcomeacrossbuffalo。
Herepliedthathehad，aherdofthirty-twoofthem，countingthecalves，butthattheywereovertheOliphant’sRiveraboutfive-and-twentymilesaway，inavalleybetweensomeoutlyinghillsandtheruggedrangeofmountains，beyondwhichwassituatedSekukuni’stown。Moreover，inproofofhisstoryheshowedmespoorofthebeastsheadinginthatdirectionwhichwasquiteaweekold。
Nowformypart，asIdidnotthinkitwisetogettooneartoSekukuni，Ishouldhavegiventhemupandgonetohuntsomethingelse。Anscombe，however，wasofadifferentopinionandpleadedhardthatweshouldfollowthem。Theyweretheonlyherdwithinahundredmiles，hesaid，ifindeedtherewereanyothersthissideoftheLebomboMountains。AsIstilldemurred，hesuggested，inthenicestpossiblemanner，thatifIthoughtthebusinessrisky，Ishouldcampsomewherewiththewagon，whilehewentonwithFootsacktolookforthebuffalo。IansweredthatI
waswellusedtorisks，whichinasenseweremytrade，andthatashewasmoreorlessinmychargeIwasthinkingofhim，notofmyself，whowasquitepreparedtofollowthebuffalo，notonlytoSekukuni’sMountainsbutoverthem。Thenfearingthathehadhurtmyfeelings，heapologized，andofferedtogoelsewhereifI
liked。TheupshotwasthatwedecidedtotrektotheOliphant’sRiver，campthereandexplorethebushontheothersideonhorseback，nevergoingsofarfromthewagonthatwecouldnotreachitagainbeforenightfall。
This，then，wedid，outspanningthateveningbythehotbutbeautifulriverwhichwasstillhauntedbyafewhippopotamusandmanycrocodiles，oneofwhichweshotbeforeturningin。Nextmorning，havingbreakfastedoffcoldguineafowl，wemounted，crossedtheriverbyafordthatwasquiteasdeepasIliked，towhichtheKaffirpathledus，and，leavingFootsackwiththetwootherboysinchargeofthewagon，begantohuntforthebuffalointheratherswampybushthatstretchedfromthefurtherbanktotheslopeofthefirsthills，eightortenmilesaway。Ididnotmuchexpecttofindthem，astheBasutohadsaidthattheyhadgoneoverthesehills，buteitherheliedortheyhadmovedbackagain。
Nothalfamilefromtheriverbank，justasIwasabouttodismounttostalkafinewaterbuckofwhichIcaughtsightstandingamongsomecoarsegrassandbushes，myeyefelluponbuffalospoorthatfromitsappearanceIknewcouldnotbemorethanafewhoursold。Evidentlythebeastshadbeenfeedinghereduringthenightandatdawnhadmovedawaytosleepinthedrybushnearerthehills。BeckoningtoAnscombe，whofortunatelyhadnotseenthewaterbuck，atwhichhewouldcertainlyhavefired，therebyperhapsfrighteningthebuffalo，Ishowedhimthespoorthatweatoncestartedtofollow。