Soonitledusintootherspoor，thatofawholeherdofthirtyorfortybeastsindeed，whichmadeourtaskquiteeasy，atleasttillwecametoharderground，fortheanimalshadgonealongway。Anhourormorelater，whenwewereaboutsevenmilesfromtheriver，Iperceivedaheadofus，forwewerenowalmostatthefootofthehills，acoolanddensely-woodedkloof。
“Thatiswheretheywillbe。”Isaid。“Nowcomeoncarefullyandmakenonoise。”
Werodetothewidemouthofthekloofwherethesignsofthebuffalowerenumerousandfresh，dismountedandtiedourhorsestoathorn，soastoapproachthemsilentlyonfoot。Wehadnotgonetwohundredyardsthroughthebushwhensuddenlyaboutfiftypacesaway，standingbroadsideonintheshadowbetweentwotrees，Isawasplendidoldbullwithatremendouspairofhorns。
“Shoot。”IwhisperedtoAnscombe，“youwillnevergetabetterchance。Itisthesentineloftheherd。”
Hekneltdown，hisfacequitewhitewithexcitement，andcoveredthebullwithhisExpress。
“Keepcool。”Iwhisperedagain，“andaimbehindtheshoulder，half-waydown。”
Idon’tthinkheunderstoodme，foratthatmomentoffwenttherifle。Hehitthebeastsomewhere，asIheardthebulletclap，butnotfatally，foritturnedandlumberedoffupthekloof，apparentlyunhurt，whereonhesentthesecondbarrelafterit，acleanmissthistime。Thenofasuddenallaboutusappearedbuffaloesthathad，Isuppose，beensleepinginvisibletous。
These，withsnortsandbellows，rushedofftowardstheriver，forhavingtheirsensesaboutthem，theyhadnomindtobetrappedinthekloof。Icouldonlymanageashotatoneofthem，alargeandlong-hornedcowwhichIknockedoverquitedead。IfIhadfiredagainitwouldhavebeenbuttowound，athingIhate。Thewholebusinesswasoverinaminute。WewentandlookedatmydeadcowwhichIhadcaughtthroughtheheart。
“It’scrueltokillthesethings。”Isaid，“forIdon’tknowwhatusewearegoingtomakeofthem，andtheymustlovelifeasmuchaswedo。”
“We’llcutthehornsoff。”saidAnscombe。
“Youmayifyoulike。”Ianswered，“butyouwillfinditatoughjobwithasheathknife。”
“Yes，IthinkthatshallbethetaskoftheworthyFootsackto-morrow。”hereplied。“Meanwhileletusgoandfinishoffmybull，asFootsack&Co。mayaswellbringhometwopairofhornsasone。”
Ilookedatthedensebush，andknowingsomethingofthehabitsofwoundedbuffaloes，reflectedthatitwouldbeanastyjob。
StillIsaidnothing，becauseifIhesitated，Iknewhewouldwanttogoalone。Sowestarted。Evidentlythebeasthadbeenbadlyhit，forthebloodspoorwaseasytofollow。Yetithadbeenabletoretreatuptotheendofthekloofthatterminatedinacliffoverwhichtrickledastreamofwater。Hereitwasnotmorethanahundredpaceswide，andoneithersideofitwereotherprecipitouscliffs。Aswewentfromoneoftheseawar-horn，suchastheBasutosuse，wasblown。AlthoughIheardit，oddlyenough，Ipaidnoattentiontoitatthetime，beingutterlyintentuponthebusinessinhand。
Followingawoundedbuffalobullupatree-cladandstonykloofisnogameforchildren，asthesebeastshaveahabitofreturningontheirtracksandthenrushingouttogoreyou。SoI
wentonwitheverysensealert，keepingAnscombewellbehindme。
Asithappenedourbullhadeitherbeenknockedsillyorinheritednoguilefromhisparents。Whenhefoundhecouldgonofurtherhestopped，waitedbehindabush，andwhenhesawushechargedinasimpleandprimitivefashion。IletAnscombefire，asIwishedhimtohavethecreditofkillingitalltohimself，butsomehoworotherhemanagedtomissbothbarrels。
Then，troublebeingimminent，Iletdriveasthebeastlowereditshead，andwasluckyenoughtobreakitsspinetoshootattheheadofabuffaloisuseless，sothatitrolledoverquitedeadatourfeet。
“Youhavegotamagnificentpairofhorns。”Isaid，contemplatingthefallengiant。
“Yes。”answeredAnscombe，withatwinkleofhishumorouseyes，“andifithadn’tbeenforyouIthinkthatIshouldhavegottheminmoresensesthanone。”
Asthewordspassedhislipssomemissile，fromitspeculiarsoundIjudgeditwasthelegoffanironpot，hurtledpastmyhead，firedevidentlyfromasmoothboregunwithalargechargeofbadpowder。ThenIrememberedthewar-hornandallthatitmeant。
“Offyougo。”Isaid，“weareambushedbyKaffirs。”
Wewereindeed，foraswetaileddownthatkloof，fromthetopofbothcliffsaboveuscameacontinuousbutluckilyill-directedfire。Lead-coatedstones，potlegsandbulletswhirredandwhistledallroundus，yetuntilthelast，justwhenwewerereachingthetreetowhichwehadtiedourhorses，quiteharmlessly。ThensuddenlyIsawAnscombebegintolimp。Stillhemanagedtorunonandmount，thoughIobservedthathedidnotputhisrightfootintothestirrup。
“What’sthematter？“Iaskedaswegallopedoff。”
“Shotthroughtheinstep，Ithink。”heansweredwithalaugh，“
butitdoesn’thurtabit。”
“Iexpectitwilllater。”Ireplied。“Meanwhile，thankGoditwasn’tatthetopofthekloof。Theywon’tcatchusonthehorses，whichtheyneverthoughtofkillingfirst。”
“Theyaregoingtotrythough。Lookbehindyou。”
Ilookedandsawtwentyorthirtymenemergingfromthemouthofthekloofinpursuit。
“Notimetostoptogetthosehorns。”hesaidwithasigh。
“No。”Ianswered，“unlessyouareparticularlyanxioustosaygood-byetotheworldpinnedoverabrokenant-heapinthesun，orsomethingpleasantofthesort。”
Thenwerodeoninsilence，IthinkingwhatafoolIhadbeenfirsttoallowmyselftobeoverruledbyAnscombeandcrosstheriver，andsecondlynottohavetakenwarningfromthatwar-horn。
Wecouldnotgoveryfastbecauseofthedifficultandswampynatureoftheground；alsothegreatheatofthedaytoldonthehorses。Thusitcameaboutthatwhenwereachedthefordwewerenotmorethantenminutesaheadofouractivepursuers，goodrunnerseveryoneofthem，andaccustomedtothecountry。I
supposethattheyhadorderstokillorcaptureusatanycost，forinsteadofgivingupthechase，asIhopedtheywould，theystucktousinsurprisingfashion。
Wesplashedthroughtheriver，andluckilyonthefurtherbankweremetbyFootsackwhohadseenuscomingandguessedthatsomethingwaswrong。
“Inspan！“Ishoutedtohim，“andbequickaboutitifyouwanttoseetomorrow’slight。TheBasutosareafterus。”
Offhewentlikeashot，hisfacequitegreenwithfear。
“Now。”IsaidtoAnscombe，asweletourhorsestakeadrinkforwhichtheyweremad，“wehavegottoholdthisforduntilthewagonisready，orthosedevilswillgetusafterall。DismountandI’lltieupthehorses。”
Hedidsowithsomedifficulty，andatmysuggestion，whileI
madethebeastsfast，cutthelaceofhisbootwhichwasfullofblood，andsoakedhiswoundedfoot，thatIhadnotimetoexamine，inthecoolwater。Thesethingsdone，Ihelpedhimtotherearofathorntreewhichwasthickenoughtoshieldmostofhisbody，andtookmyownstandbehindasimilarthornatadistanceofafewpaces。
PresentlytheBasutosappeared，trottingalongclosetogetherwhereonAnscombe，whowasseatedbehindthetree，firedbothbarrelsofhisExpressatthematarangeofabouttwohundredyards。Itwasafoolishthingtodo，firstbecausehemissedthemclean，forhehadover-estimatedtherangeandthebulletswentabovetheirheads，andsecondlybecauseitcausedthemtoscatterandmadethemcareful，whereashadtheycomeoninalumpwecouldhavetaughtthemalesson。HoweverIsaidnothing，asI
knewthatreproacheswouldonlymakehimnervous。Downwentthosescoundrelsontotheirhandsandkneesand，takingcoverbehindstonesandbushesonthefurtherbank，begantofireatus，fortheywereallarmedwithgunsofonesortandanother，andtherewasonlyaboutahundredyardsofwaterbetweenus。AstheyeffectedthismanoeuvreIamgladtosayIwasabletogettwoofthem，whileAnscombe，Ithink，woundedanother。
Afterthisourpositiongrewquitewarm，forasIhavesaidthethorntrunkswerenotverybroad，andthreeorfourofthenatives，whohadprobablybeenhunters，werebynomeansbadshots，thoughtherestofthemfiredwildly。Anscombe，inpokinghisheadroundthetreetoshoot，hadhishatknockedoffbyabullet，whileaslugwentthroughthelappetofmycoat。Thenaworsethinghappened。EitherbychanceordesignAnscombe’shorsewasstruckintheneckandfellstruggling，whereonmybeast，growingfrightened，brokeitsriemandgallopedtothewagon。ThatiswhereIoughttohaveleftthematfirst，onlyI
thoughtthatwemightneedthemtomakeabolton，ortocarryAnscombeifhecouldnotwalk。
Quitealongwhilewentbybefore，glancingbehindme，Isawthattheoxenthathadbeengrazingatalittledistancehadatlengtharrivedandwerebeinginspannedinfurioushaste。TheBasutossawitalso，andfearinglestweshouldescape，determinedtotrytoendthebusiness。Suddenlytheyleaptfromtheircover，andwithmorecouragethanIshouldhaveexpectedofthem，rushedintotheriver，proposingtostormus，which，tospeaktruth，IthinktheywouldhavedonehadInotbeenafairlyquickshot。
Asitwas，findingthattheywerelosingtooheavilyfromourfire，theyretreatedinahurry，leavingtheirdeadbehindthem，andevenawoundedmanwhowasclingingtoarock。He，poorwretch，wasinmortalterrorlestweshouldshoothimagain，whichIhadnotthehearttodo，althoughashislegwasshatteredabovethekneebyanExpressbullet，itmighthavebeentruekindness。Againandagainhecalledoutformercy，sayingthatheonlyattackedusbecausehischief，whohadbeenwarnedofourcoming“bytheWhiteMan。”orderedhimtotakeourgunsandcattle。
“Whatwhiteman？“Ishouted。“SpeakorIshoot。”
Therewasnoanswer，foratthismomenthefaintedfromlossofbloodandvanishedbeneaththewater。ThenanotherBasuto，I
supposehewastheircaptain，butdonotknowforhewashiddeninsomebushes，calledout——
“Donotthinkthatyoushallescape，WhiteMen。Therearemanymoreofourpeoplecoming，andwewillkillyouinthenightwhenyoucannotseetoshootus。”
Atthismoment，too，Footsackshoutedthatthewagonwasinspannedandready。NowIhesitatedwhattodo。Ifwemadeforthewagon，whichmustbeveryslowlybecauseofAnscombe’swoundedfoot，wehadtocrossseventyoreightyyardsofrisinggroundalmostdevoidofcover。If，ontheotherhand，westayedwhereweweretillnightfallashotmightcatchoneofus，orotherBasutosmightarriveandrushus。Therewasalsoathirdpossibility，thatourterrifiedservantsmighttrekoffandleaveusinordertosavetheirownlives，whichverilyIbelievetheywouldhavedone，notbeingofZulublood。IputtheproblemtoAnscombe，whoshookhisheadandlookedathisfoot。Thenheproducedaluckypennywhichhecarriedinhispocketandsaid——
“LetusinvoketheFates。Headswerunlikeheroes；tailswestayherelikeheroes。”andhespunthepenny，whileIstaredathimopen-mouthedandnotwithoutadmiration。
Never，Ithoughttomyself，hadthisprimitivemethodofcuttingagordianknotbeenresortedtoinsuchstrangeandurgentcircumstances。
“Headsitis！“hesaidcoolly。“Now，myboy，doyourunandI’llcrawlafteryou。IfIdon’tarrive，youknowmypeople’saddress，andIbequeathtoyouallmyAfricanbelongingsinmemoryofamostpleasanttrip。”
“Don’tplaythefool。”Irepliedsternly。“Come，putyourrightarmroundmyneckandhoponyourleftlegasyouneverhoppedbefore。”
Thenwestarted，andreallyourtransitwasquitelively。，forallthoseBasutosbeganwhatforthemwasrapidfiring。Ithink，however，thattheirbestshotsmusthavefallen，fornotabullettouchedus，althoughbeforewegotoutoftheirrangeoneortwowentverynear。
“There。”saidAnscombe，asalastamazinghopbroughthimtothewagonrail，“there，youseehowwiseitisgiveProvidenceachancesometimes。”
“Intheshapeofaluckypenny。”IgrumbledasIhoistedhimup。
“Certainly，forwhyshouldnotProvidenceinhabitapennyasmuchasitdoesanyothermundanething？Oh，mydearQuatermain，haveyouneverbeentaughttolooktothepenceandlettheresttakecareofitself？“
“Stoptalkingrubbishandlooktoyourfoot，forthewagonisstarting。”Ireplied。
Thenoffwewentatagoodroundtrot，forneverhaveIseenoxenmorescientificallydriventhantheywerebyFootsackandhisfriendsonthisoccasion，oragreaterpacegotoutofthem。AssoonaswereachedafairlylevelpieceofgroundImadeAnscombeliedownonthecartelofthewagonandexaminedhiswoundaswellascircumstanceswouldallow。Ifoundthatthebulletorwhateverthemissilemayhavebeen，hadgonethroughhisrightinstepjustbeneaththebigsinew，butsofarasIcouldjudgewithoutinjuringanybone。Therewasnothingtobedoneexceptrubinsomecarbolicointment，whichfortunatelyhehadinhismedicinechest，andbindupthewoundasbestIcouldwithacleanhandkerchief，afterwhichItiedatowel，thatwas_not_
clean，overthewholefoot。
Bythistimeeveningwascomingon，soweateofsuchaswehadwithus，whichweneededbadlyenough，withoutstoppingthewagon。Irememberthatitconsistedofcheeseandhardbiscuits。
Atdarkwewereobligedtohaltalittlebyastreamuntilthemoonrose，whichfortunatelyshedidverysoon，asshewasonlyjustpastherfull。Assoonasshewasupwestartedagain，andwithabreathingspaceortwo，trekkedallthatnight，whichI
spentseatedontheafterpartofthewagonandkeepingasharplookout，while，notwithstandingtheroughnessoftheroadandhishurt，Anscombesleptlikeachilduponthecartelinside。
Iwasverytired，sotiredthatthefearofsurprisewastheonlythingthatkeptmeawake，andIrecallreflectinginastupidkindofway，thatitseemedalwaystohavebeenmylotinlifetowatchthus，inonesenseoranother，whileothersslept。
Thenightpassedsomehowwithoutanythinghappening，andatdawnwehaltedforawhiletowatertheoxen，whichwedidwithbuckets，andletthemeatwhatgrasstheycouldreachfromtheiryokes，sincewedidnotdaretooutspanthem。Justaswewerestartingonagainthevoortrekker，whomIhadsettowatchatalittledistance，ranupwithhiseyesbulgingoutofhishead，andreportedthathehadseenaBasutowithanassegaihangingaboutinthebush，asthoughtokeeptouchwithus，afterwhichwedelayednomore。
Allthatdayweblunderedon，thrashingthewearycattlethatateveryhalttriedtoliedown，andbynightfallcametotheoutspanneartothehousecalledtheTemple，wherewehadmettheKaffirsreturningfromthediamondfields。Thisjourneywehadaccomplishedinexactlyhalfthetimeithadtakenontheoutwardtrip。Herewewereobligedtostop，asourteammusthaverestandfood。Soweoutspannedandsleptthatnightwithoutmuchfear，sinceIthoughtitmostimprobablethattheBasutoswouldattempttofollowussofar，aswewerenowwithinaday’strekofPilgrim’sRest，whitherweproposedtoproceedonthemorrow。
ButthatisjustwhereImadeamistake。
CHAPTERIV
DOCTORRODD
Ididgetalittlesleepthatnight，withoneeyeopen，butbeforedawnIwasupagainseeingtothefeedingofourremaininghorsewithsomemealiesthatwecarried，andothermatters。Theoxenwehadbeenobligedtounyokethattheymightfillthemselveswithgrassandwater，sinceotherwiseIfearedthatweshouldnevergetthemontotheirfeetagain。Asitwas，thepoorbrutesweresotiredthatsomeofthemcouldscarcelyeat，andalllaydownatthefirstopportunity。
HavingawakenedFootsackandtheotherboysthattheymightbereadytotakeadvantageofthelightwhenitcame，forIwasanxioustobeaway，IdrankanipofHollandsandwaterandateabiscuit，makingAnscombedothesame。Coffeewouldhavebeenmoreacceptable，butIthoughtitwisernottolightafireforfearofshowingourwhereabouts。
Nowafaintglimmerintheeasttoldmethatthedawnwascoming。
Justbythewagongrewafair-sized，green-leavedtree，andasitwasquiteeasytoclimbevenbystarlight，upitIwentsoastogetabovethegroundmistandtakealookroundbeforewetrekked。Presentlytheskygrewpearlyandlightbegantogather；thentheedgeofthesunappeared，throwinglonglevelraysacrosstheworld。Everywherethemistlaydenseascottonwool，exceptatonespotaboutamilebehinduswheretherewasalittlehillorratherawaveoftheground，overwhichwehadtrekkedupontheprecedingevening。Thetopofthisrisewasabovemistlevel，andonitnotreesgrewbecausethegranitecametothesurface。Havingdiscoverednothing，Icalledtotheboystodriveuptheoxen，someofwhichhadrisenandwereeatingagain，andpreparedtodescendfrommytree。
AsIdidso，outofthecornerofmyeyeIcaughtsightofsomethingthatglitteredfaraway，sofarthatitwouldonlyhaveattractedthenoticeofatrainedhunter。Yes，somethingwasshiningonthebrowoftheriseofwhichIhavespoken。IstaredatitthroughmyglassesandsawwhatIhadfearedtosee。A
bodyofnativeswascrossingtheriseandtheglitterwascausedbytheraysofdawnstrikingontheirspearsandgun-barrels。
Icamedownoutofthattreelikeafrightenedwildcatandrantothewagon，thinkinghardasIwent。TheBasutoswereafterus，meaningtoattackassoonastherewassufficientlight。Intenminutesorlesstheywouldbehere。Therewasnotimetoinspantheoxen，andeveniftherehadbeen，stiffandwearyasthebeastswere，weshouldbeovertakenbeforewehadgoneahundredyardsonthatbadroad。Whatthenwastobedone？Runforit？Itwasimpossible，Anscombecouldnotrun。Myeyefelluponthehorsemunchingthelastofhismealies。
“Footsack。”IsaidasquietlyasIcould，“nevermindaboutinspanningyet，butsaddleupthehorse。Bequicknow。”
Helookedatmedoubtfully，butobeyed，havingseennothing。IfhehadseenIknewthathewouldhavebeenoff。Inippedroundtotheendofthewagon，callingtotheothertwoboystolettheoxenbeawhileandcometome。
“Now，Anscombe。”Isaid，“handouttheriflesandcartridges。
Don’tstoptoaskquestions，butdowhatItellyou。Theyareontherackbyyourside。So。Nowputonyourrevolverandletmehelpyoudown。Man，don’tforgetyourhat。”
Heobeyedquicklyenough，andpresentlywasstandingononelegbymyside，lookingcrampedandtottery。
“TheBasutosareonus。”Isaid。
HewhistledandremarkedsomethingaboutChapterNo。2。
“Footsack。”Icalled，“bringthehorsehere；theBaaswishestoridealittletoeasehisleg。”
Hedidso，stoppingamomenttopullthesecondgirthtight。
ThenwehelpedAnscombeintothesaddle。
“Whichway？“heasked。
Ilookedatthelongslopeinfrontofus。Itwassteepandbadgoing。AnscombemightgetupitonthehorsebeforetheKaffirsovertookus，butitwasextremelyproblematicalifwecoulddoso。ImightperhapsifImountedbehindhimandthehorsecouldbearusboth，whichwasdoubtful，buthowaboutourpoorservants？Hesawthedoubtuponmyfaceandsaidinhisquietway，“Youmayrememberthatourwhite-beardedfriendtoldustomakestraightforhisplaceincaseofanydifficultywiththeBasutos。Itseemstohavearisen。”
“Iknowhedid。”Ianswered，“butIcannotmakeupmymindwhichisthemoredangerous，MarnhamortheBasutos。Iratherthinkthathesetthemontous。”
“Itisimpossibletosolveproblemsatthishourofthemorning，Quatermain，andthereisnotimetotoss。SoIvotefortheTemple。”
“Itseemsourbestchance。Atanyratethat’syourchoice，solet’sgo。”
ThenIsangouttotheKaffirs，“TheBasutosareonus。WegotoTampelforrefuge。Run！“
Myword！theydidrun。Ineversawathletesmakebettertimeoverthefirstquarterofamile。Weran，too，oratleastthehorsedid，IhangingontothestirrupandAnscombeholdingboththeriflesbeneathhisarm。Butthebeastwastired，alsoblownoutwiththatmorningfeedofmealies，soourprogresswasnotveryfast。WhenwewereabouttwohundredyardsfromthewagonI
lookedbackandsawtheBasutosbeginningtoarrive。Theysawusalso，andutteringasortofwhistlingwarcry，startedinpursuit。
Afterthiswehadquiteaninterestingtime。IscrambledontothehorsebehindAnscombe，whereonthatintelligentanimal，feelingthedoubleweight，reduceditspaceproportionately，toaslowtripple，indeed，outofwhichitcouldnotbepersuadedtomove。SoIslippedoffagainoveritstailandwewentonasbefore。MeanwhiletheBasutos，veryactivefellows，werecomingup。Bythistimetheyellow-woodgroveintheswamp，ofwhichI
havealreadywritten，wasclosetous，anditbecamequiteaquestionwhichofuswouldgettherefirstImaymentionthatFootsack&Co。hadalreadyattaineditsfriendlyshelter。
AnscombekickedthehorsewithhissoundheelandIthumpeditwithmyfist，therebypersuadingittoahandgallop。
AswereachedtheoutlyingtreesofthewoodthefirstBasuto，alankfellowwithamouthlikearattrap，arrivedandthrewanassegaiatuswhichpassedbetweenAnscombe’sbackandmynose。
Thenheclosedandtriedtostabwithanotherassegai。Icoulddonothing，butAnscombeshowedhimselfclevererthanIexpected。
Droppingthereins，hedrewhispistolandmanagedtosendabulletthroughthatchildofnature’shead，sothathewentdownlikeastone。
“AndyoutellmeIamabadshot。”hedrawled。
“Itwasafluke。”Igasped，foreveninthesecircumstancestruthwouldprevail。
“Waitandyou’llsee。”hereplied，re-cockingtherevolver。
Asamatteroffacttherewasnoneedformoreshooting，sinceatthevergeoftheswamptheBasutospulledup。Idonotthinkthatthedeathoftheircompanioncausedthemtodothis，fortheyseemedtotakenonoticeofhim。Itwasasthoughtheyhadreachedsomeboundarywhichtheyknewitwouldnotbelawfulforthemtopass。Theysimplystopped，tookthedeadman’sassegaiandshieldfromthebodyandwalkedquietlybacktowardsthewagon，leavinghimwherehelay。Thehorsestoppedalso，orratherproceededatawalk。
“There！“exclaimedAnscombe。“DidInottellyouIhadapresentimentthatIshouldkillamaninthisaccursedwood？“
“Yes。”IsaidassoonasIhadrecoveredmybreath，“butyoumixedupawomanwiththematterandIdon’tseeone。”
“That’strue。”hereplied，“Ihopeweshan’tmeetherlater。”
Thenwewentonasquicklyaswecould，whichwasnotveryfast，forIfearedlesttheBasutosshouldchangetheirmindsandfollowus。Astheriskofthisbecamelessourspiritsrose，sinceifwehadlostthewagonandtheoxen，atleastwehadsavedourlives，whichwasalmostmorethanwecouldhaveexpectedinthecircumstances。Atlastwecametothatgladewherewehadkilledthewildebeestenotaweekbefore。Therelayitsskeletonpickedcleanbythegreatbrownkitesthatfrequentthebush-veld，someofwhichstillsataboutinthetrees。
“Well，IsupposewemustgoontoTampel。”saidAnscomberatherfaintly，forIcouldseethathiswoundwasgivinghimagooddealofpain。
Ashespokefromroundthetreewhencehehadfirstemerged，appearedMr。Marnham，ridingthesamehorseandwearingthesameclothes。Theonlydifferencebetweenhistwoentrieswasthatthefirsttookplaceinthelateeveningandthesecondintheearlymorning。
“Sohereyouareagain。”hesaidcheerfully。
“Yes。”Ianswered，“anditisstrangetomeetyouatthesamespot。Wereyouexpectingus？“
“NotmorethanIexpectmanythings。”herepliedwithashrewdglanceatme，adding，“Ialwaysrisewiththesun，andthinkingthatIheardashotfiredinthedistance，cametoseewhatwashappening。TheBasutosattackedyouatdaybreak，didtheynot？“
“Theydid，buthowdidyouknowthat，Mr。Marnham？“
“Yourservantstoldme。Imetthemrunningtothehouselookingveryfrightened。Youarewounded，Mr。Anscombe？“
“Yes，acoupleofdaysagoontheborderofSekukuni’scountrywherethenativestriedtomurderus。”
“Ah！“herepliedwithoutsurprise。“Iwarnedyouthetripwasdangerous，didInot？Well，comeonhomewheremypartner，Rodd，wholuckilyhashadmedicalexperience，willattendtoyou。Mr。
Quatermaincantellmethestoryaswego。”
Sowewentonupthelongslope，Irelatingouradventures，towhichMr。Marnhamlistenedwithoutcomment。
“IexpectthattheKaffirswillhavelootedthewagonandbeonthewayhomewithyouroxenbynow。”hesaidwhenIhadfinished。
“Areyounotafraidthattheywillfollowushere？“Iasked。
“Ohno，Mr。Quatermain。Wedobusinesswiththesepeople，alsotheysometimescometobedoctoredbyRoddwhentheyaresick，sothisplaceissacredgroundtothem。TheystoppedhuntingyouwhentheygottotheYellow-woodswampwhereourlandbegins，didtheynot？“
“Yes，butnowIwanttohuntthem。Canyougivemeanyhelp？
Thoseoxenaretiredoutandfootsore，sowemightbeabletocatchthemup。”
Heshookhishead。“Wehaveveryfewpeoplehere，andbythetimethatyoucouldgetassistancefromtheCampatBarberton，iftheCommandantisableandwillingtogiveyouany，whichI
ratherdoubt，theywillbefaraway。Moreover。”headded，droppinghisvoice，“letuscometoanunderstanding。YouaremostwelcometoanyhelporhospitalitythatIcanoffer，butifyouwishtodomorefightingImustaskyoutogoelsewhere。AsIhavetoldyou，wearepeacefulmenwhotradewiththesepeople，anddonotwishtobeinvolvedinaquarrelwiththem，whichmightexposeustoattackorbringusintotroublewiththeBritishGovernmentwhichhasannexedbutnotconqueredtheircountry。DoImakemyselfclear？“
“Perfectly。Whilewearewithyouwewilldonothing，butafterwardsweholdourselvesatlibertytoactaswethinkbest。”
“Quiteso。MeanwhileIhopethatyouandMr。Anscombewillmakeyourselvescomfortablewithusforaslongasyoulike。”
InmyownmindIcametotheconclusionthatthiswouldbefortheshortesttimepossible，butIonlysaid——
“Itismostkindofyoutotakeincompletestrangersthus。No，notcomplete。”Iadded，lookingtowardsAnscombewhowasfollowingonthetiredhorseafewpacesbehind，“foryouknewhisfather，didyounot？“
“Hisfather？“hesaid，liftinghiseyebrows。“No。Oh！I
remember，Isaidsomethingtothateffecttheothernight，butitwasamistake。Imixeduptwonames，asoneoftendoesafteralapseofmanyyears。”
“Iunderstand。”Ianswered，butrememberingAnscombe’sstoryI
reflectedtomyselfthatourvenerablehostwasanexcellentliar。Ormoreprobablyhemeanttoconveythathewishedthesubjectofhisyouthfulreminiscencestobetaboo。
Justthenwereachedthehousewhichhadaprettypatchofwell-keptflower-gardeninfrontofit，surroundedbyafencecoveredwithwirenettingtokeepoutbuck。Bythegatesquattedourthreeretainers，lookingveryblownandratherashamedofthemselves。
“Yourmasterwishestothankyouforyourhelpinadarkhour，Footsack，andIwishtocongratulateyouallupontheswiftnessofyourfeet。”IsaidinDutch。
“Oh！Baas，theBasutosweremanyandtheirspearsaresharp。”hebeganapologetically。
“Besilent，yourunningdog。”Isaid，“andgohelpyourmastertodismount。”
Thenwewentthroughthegate，AnscombeleaningonmyshoulderandonthatofMr。Marnham，andupthepathwhichwasborderedwithfencesofthemonthlyrose，towardsthehouse。Reallythiswasalmostascharmingtolookatnearathandasithadbeenfromfaraway。Ofcoursethewholethingwascrudeindetail。
Rough，half-shapedblocksofmarblefromtheneighbouringquarryhadbeenbuiltintowallsandcolumns。Nothingwasfinished，andconsideredbitbybitallwascoarseandugly。Yetthegeneraleffectwasbeautifulbecauseitwasaneffectofdesign，thepictureofanartistwhodidnotfullyunderstandthetechnicalitiesofpainting，theworkofagreatwriterwhohadasyetnoproperskillinwords。NeverdidIseeasmallbuildingthatstruckmemore。ButthenwhatexperiencehaveIofbuildings，and，asAnscomberemindedmeafterwards，itwasbutacopyofsomethingdesignedwhentheworldwasyoung，orratherwhencivilizationwasyoung，andmannewrisenfromtheinfiniteagesofsavagery，sawbeautyinhisdreamsandtriedtosymbolizeitinshapesofstone。
Wecametothebroadstoep，towhichseveralroughblocksofmarbleservedassteps。Onitinalongchairmadeofnativewoodandseatedwithhiderimpis，satorratherlolledamaninadressing-gownwhowasreadingabook。Heraisedhimselfaswecameandthelightofthesun，fortheverandahfacedtotheeast，shonefulluponhisface，sothatIsawhimwell。Itwasthatofamanofsomethingunderfortyyearsofage，dark，powerful，andweary——notagoodface，Ithought。Indeed，itgavemetheimpressionofonewhohadallowedtheevilwhichexistsinthenatureofallofustobecomehismaster，orhadevenencouragedittodoso。
InthePsalmsandelsewherewearealwaysreadingoftherighteousandtheunrighteousuntilthosetermsgrowwearisome。
ItisonlyoflateyearsthatIhavediscovered，orthinkthatI
havediscovered，whattheymean。Ourlivescannotbejudgedbyourdeeds；theymustbejudgedbyourdesiresorratherbyourmoralattitude。Itisnotwhatwedosomuchaswhatwetrytodothatcountsintheformationofcharacter。Allfallshort，allfail，butintheendthosewhoseektoclimboutofthepit，thosewhostrive，howevervainly，tofashionfailuretosuccess，are，bycomparison，therighteous，whilethosewhoarecontenttowallowinournativemireandtoglutthemselveswiththedailybreadofvice，aretheunrighteous。Toturnourbacksthereonwilfullyandwithoutcause，istherealunforgiveablesinagainsttheSpirit。AtleastthatisthebestdefinitionoftheproblematwhichIinmysimplicitycanarrive。
SuchthoughtshaveoftenoccurredtomeinconsideringthecharacterofDr。RoddandsomeotherswhomIhaveknown；indeedthegermofthemaroseinmymindwhich，beingweariedatthetimeandthereforesomewhatvacant，wasperhapsthemoreopentoexternalimpressions，asIlookeduponthefaceofthisstrangeronthestoep。Moreover，asIamproudtorecord，Ididnotjudgehimaltogetherwrongly。Hewasablackguardwho，underotherinfluencesorwithafewaddedgrainsofself-restraintandofthepowerofrecovery，mighthavebecomeagoodorevenasaintlyman。ButbysomemaliceofFateorsomeevilinheritancefromanunknownpast，thosegrainswerelacking，andthereforehewentnotupbutdownthehill。
“Caseforyou，Rodd。”calledoutMarnham。
“Indeed。”heanswered，gettingtohisfeetandspeakinginafullvoice，which，likehispartner’s，wasthatofaneducatedEnglishman。“What’sthematter。Horseaccident？“
Thenwewereintroduced，andAnscombebegantoexplainhisinjury。
“Um！“saidthedoctor，studyinghimwithdarkeyes。“Kaffirbulletthroughthefootsomedaysago。Oughttobeattendedtoatonce。Alsoyoulookprettydone，sodon’ttireyourselfwiththestory，whichIcangetfromMr。Quatermain。ComeandliedownandI’llhavealookatyouwhiletheyarecookingbreakfast。”
ThenheguidedustoaroomofwhichthedoubleFrenchwindowsopenedontothestoep，averyprettyroomwithtwobedsinit。
MakingAnscombeliedownononeoftheseheturneduphistrouser，undidmyroughbandageandexaminedthewound。
“Painful？“heasked。
“Very。”answeredAnscombe，“rightuptothethigh。”
Afterthishedrewoffthenethergarmentsandmadeafurtherexamination。
“Um。”hesaidagain，“Imustsyringethisout。StaystillwhileIgetsomestuff。”
Ifollowedhimfromtheroom，andwhenwewereoutofhearingonthestoepinquiredwhathethought。Ididnotlikethelookofthatleg。
“Itisverybad。”heanswered，“sobadthatIamwonderingIfitwouldn’tbebesttoremovethelimbbelowthekneeandmakeitajob。Youcanseeforyourselfthatitissepticandtheinflammationisspreadinguprapidly。”
“GoodHeavens！“Iexclaimed，“doyoufearmortification？“
Henodded。“Can’tsaywhatwasonthatslugorbitofoldironandhehasn’thadthebestchancesince。Mortification，ortetanus，orboth，aremorethanpossible。Isheatemperateman？“
“SofarasIknow。”Ianswered，andstaredathimwhilehethought。Thenhesaidwithdecision，“Thatmakesadifference。Toloseafootisaseriousthing；
somemightthinkalmostasbadasdeath。I’llgivehimachance，butifthosesymptomsdonotabateintwenty-fourhours，Imustoperate。Youneedn’tbeafraid，IwashousesurgeonataLondonHospital——once，andIkeepmyhandin。Luckyyoucamestraighthere。”
Havingmadehispreparationsandwashedhishands，hereturned，syringedthewoundwithsomeantisepticstuff，anddressedandbandagedtheleguptotheknee。AfterthishegaveAnscombehotmilktodrink，withtwoeggsbrokenintoit，andtoldhimtorestawhileashemustnoteatanythingsolidatpresent。Thenhethrewablanketoverhim，and，signingtometocomeaway，letdownamatoverthewindow。
“Iputalittlesomethingintothatmilk。”hesaidoutside，“whichwillsendhimtosleepforafewhours。Sowewillleavehimquiet。Nowyou’llwantawash。”
“WhereareyougoingtotakeMr。Quatermain？“askedMarnhamwhowasseatedonthestoep。
“Intomyroom。”heanswered。
“Why？There’sHeda’sready。”
“Hedamightreturnatanymoment。”repliedthedoctor。“AlsoMr。
QuatermainhadbettersleepinMr。Anscombe’sroom。Hewillverylikelywantsomeonetolookafterhimatnight。”
Marnhamopenedhismouthtospeakagain，thenchangedhismindandwassilent，asaservantissilentunderrebuke。Theincidentwasquitetrifling，yetitrevealedtometherelativeattitudeofthesetwomen。WithoutadoubtRoddwasthemasterofhispartner，whodidnotevencaretodisputewithhimaboutthematteroftheuseofhisdaughter’sbedroom。Theywereaqueercouplewho，haditnotbeenformyanxietyastoAnscombe’sillness，wouldhaveinterestedmeverymuch，asindeedtheyweredestinedtodo。
Well，Iwenttotidyupinthedoctor’sroom，andasheleftmealonewhileIwashed，hadtheopportunityofstudyingitalittle。Liketherestofthehouseitwaslinedwithnativewoodwhichwasmadetoserveasthebacksofbookshelvesandofcupboardsfilledwithmedicinesandinstruments。Thebooksformedaqueercollection。Thereweremedicalworks，philosophicalworks，histories，novels，mostofthemFrench，andothervolumesofasortthatIimaginearegenerallykeptunderlockandkey；alsosomethathadtodowithoccultmatters。
TherewasevenaBible。Iopeneditthoughtlessly，halfinidlecuriosity，toseewhetheritwaseverused，onlytoreplaceitinhaste。Forattheverypagethatmyeyefellon，IrememberitwasoneofmyfavouritechaptersinIsaiah，wasastampinvioletinkmarkedH。M。’sPrison——well，Iwon’tsaywhere。
Imaystate，however，thattheclueenabledmeinafteryearstolearnanepisodeinthisman’slifewhichhadbroughtabouthisruin。Thereisnoneedtorepeatitortosaymorethanthatgamblingandaneviluseofhismedicalknowledgetoprovidethemoneytopayhisdebts，werethecauseofhisfall。Thestrangethingisthatheshouldhavekeptthebookwhichhadprobablybeengiventobytheprisonchaplain。Stilleverybodymakesmistakessometimes。Oritmayhavehadassociationsforhim，andofcoursehehadneverseenthisstampuponanunreadpage，whichhappenedtoleaptomyeye。
NowIwasabletomakeashrewdguessathislatercareer。AfterhistroublehehademigratedandbegantopractiseinSouthAfrica。Somehowhisidentityhadbeendiscovered；hispastwasdraggedupagainsthim，possiblybyrivalsjealousofhisskill；
hisbusinesswentandhefounditadvisabletoretiretotheTransvaalbeforetheAnnexation，atthattimethehomeofsundrypeopleofbrokenrepute。Eventherehedidnotstopinatown，buthidhimselfupontheedgeofsavagery。Hereheforegatheredwithanothermanofqueercharacter，Marnham，andinhiscompanyentereduponsomedoubtfulbutlucrativeformoftradewhilestillindulginghisloveofmedicinebydoctoringandoperatinguponnatives，overwhomhewouldinthiswayacquiregreatinfluence。Indeed，asIdiscoveredbeforethedaywasover，hehadquitealittlehospitalatthebackofthehouseinwhichwerefourorfivebedsoccupiedbyKaffirsandservedbytwomalenativenurseswhomhehadtrained。Alsonumbersofout-patientsvisitedhim，someofwhomtravelledfromgreatdistances，andoccasionally，butnotoften，heattendedwhitepeoplewhochancedtobeintheneighbourhood。
ThethreeofusbreakfastedinareallycharmingroomfromthewindowofwhichcouldbestudiedaviewasbeautifulasanyI
know。TheKaffirswhowaitedwerewelltrainedanddressedinneatlinenuniforms。Thecookingwasgood；therewasrealsilveronthetable，thenastrangesightinthatpartofAfrica，andamongstengravingsandotherpicturesuponthewalls，hunganoilportraitofaverybeautifulyoungwomanwithdarkhairandeyes。
“Isthatyourdaughter，Mr。Marnham？“Iasked。
“No。”herepliedrathershortly，“itishermother。”
Immediatelyafterwardshewascalledfromtheroomtospeaktosomeone，whereonthedoctorsaid——
“Aforeignerasyousee，aHungarian；theHungarianwomenareverygoodlookingandverycharming。”
“SoIhaveunderstood。”Ianswered，“butdoesthisladylivehere？“
“Oh，no。Sheisdead，orIbelievethatsheisdead。Iamnotsure，becauseImakeitarulenevertopryintopeople’sprivateaffairs。AlllknowaboutheristhatshewasabeautywhomMarnhammarriedlateinlifeupontheContinentwhenshewasbuteighteen。Asiscommoninsuchcaseshewasveryjealousofher，butitdidn’tlastlong，asshedied，orIunderstandthatshedied，withinayearofherdaughter’sbirth。ThelossaffectedhimsomuchthatheemigratedtoSouthAfricawiththechildandbeganlifeanew。IdonotthinkthattheycorrespondwithHungary，andheneverspeaksofhereventohisdaughter，whichsuggeststhatsheisdead。”
Ireflectedthatallthesecircumstancesmightequallywellsuggestseveralotherthings，butsaidnothing，thinkingitwisestnottopursuethesubject。PresentlyMarnhamreturnedandinformedmethatanativehadjustbroughthimwordthattheBasutoshadmadeoffhomewardwithourcattle，buthadleftthewagonanditscontentsquiteuntouched，notevenstealingthesparegunsandammunition。
“That’sluck。”Isaid，astonished，“butextremelystrange。Howdoyouexplainit，Mr。Marnham？“
Heshruggedhisshouldersandanswered——
“Aseveryoneknows，youareamuchgreaterexpertinnativehabitsandcustomsthanIam，Mr。Quatermain。
“ThereareonlytwothingsthatIcanthinkof。”Isaid。“Oneisthatforsomereasonorothertheythoughtthewagontagati，bewitchedyouknow，andthatitwouldbringevilonthemtotouchit，thoughthisdidnotapplytotheoxen。Theotheristhattheysupposedit，butnottheoxen，tobelongtosomefriendoftheirownwhosepropertytheydidnotwishtoinjure。”
Helookedatmesharplybutsaidnothing，andIwentontotellthemthedetailsoftheattackthathadbeenmadeuponus，adding——
“TheoddpartoftheaffairisthatoneofthoseBasutoscalledouttousthatsomeinfernalscoundrelofawhitehadwarnedSekukuniofourcomingandthathehadorderedthemtotakeourgunsandcattle。ThisBasuto，whowaswoundedandprayingformercy，wasdrownedbeforehecouldtellmewhothewhitemanwas。”
“ABoer，Iexpect。”saidMarnhamquietly。“AsyouknowtheyarenotparticularlywellaffectedtowardsusEnglishjustnow。AlsoIhappentobeawarethatsomeofthemareintriguingwithSekukuniagainsttheBritishthroughMakurupiji，his’Mouth’orprime-minister，averycleveroldscampwholikestohavetwostoolstositon。”
“Anddoubtlesswillendbyfallingbetweenthem。Well，yousee，nowthatIthinkofit，thewoundedKaffironlysaidthattheywereorderedtotakeourgunsandoxen，andincidentallyourlives。Thewagonwasnotmentioned。”
“Quiteso，Mr。Quatermain。Iwillsendsomeofourboystohelpyourservantstobringeverythingitcontainsuphere。”
“Can’tyoulendmeateamofoxen。”Iasked，“todragittothehouse？“
“No，wehavenothingbutyoungcattleleft。Bothred-waterandlung-sicknesshavebeensobadthisseasonthatallthehornedstockhavebeensweptoutofthecountry。Idoubtwhetheryoucouldbeg，borroworstealateamofoxenthissideofPretoria，exceptfromsomeoftheDutchmenwhowon’tpart。”
“That’sawkward。Ihopedtobeabletotrekinadayortwo。”
“Yourfriendwon’tbeabletotrekforagoodmanydaysatthebest。”brokeinthedoctor，whohadbeenlisteningunconcernedly，“butofcourseyoucouldgetawayonthehorseafterithasrested。”
“YoutoldmeyouleftaspanofoxenatPretoria。”saidMarnham。
“Whynotgoandfetchthemhere，orifyoudon’tliketoleaveMr。Anscombe，sendyourdriverandtheboys。”
“Thanksfortheidea。Iwillthinkitover。”Ianswered。
ThatmorningafterFootsackandthevoorlooperhadbeensentwithsomeoftheservantsfromtheTempletofetchupthecontentsofthewagon，forIwastootiredtoaccompanythem，havingfoundthatAnscombewasstillasleep，Ideterminedtofollowhisexample。Findingalongchaironthestoep，Isatdownandslumberedinitsweetlyforhours。Idreamtofallsortsofthings，thenthroughmydreamsitseemedtomethatIheardtwovoicestalking，thoseofourMarnhamandRodd，notonthestoep，butatadistancefromit。Asamatteroffacttheyweretalking，butsofarawaythatinmyordinarywakingstateIcouldneverhaveheardthem。Myownbeliefisthatthesenses，andI
mayaddthesemi-spiritualpartofus，aremuchmoreacutewhenweliehalfboundinthebondsofsleep，thanwhenwearewhatiscalledwideawake。Doubtlesswhenwearequiteboundtheyattainthelimitsoftheirpowerand，Ithink，sailattimestotheuttermostendsofbeing。Butunhappilyoftheirexperiencesweremembernothingwhenweawake。Inhalfsleepitisdifferent；
thenwedoretainsomerecollection。
InthiscuriousconditionofminditseemedtomethatRoddsaidtoMarnham——
“Whyhaveyoubroughtthesemenhere？“
“Ididnotbringthemhere。”heanswered。“Luck，Fate，Fortune，GodortheDevil，callitwhatyouwill，broughtthemhere，thoughifyouhadyourwish，itistruetheywouldneverhavecome。Still，astheyhavecome，Iamglad。Itissomethingtome，livinginthishell，togetachanceoftalkingtoEnglishgentlemenagainbeforeIdie。”
“Englishgentlemen。”remarkedRoddreflectively，“Well，Anscombeisofcourse，buthowaboutthatotherhunter？Afterall，inwhatwayishebetterthanthescoresofotherhuntersandKaffirtradersandwandererswhomonemeetsinthisstrangeland？“
“Inwhatwayindeed？“thoughtItomyself，inmydream。
“Ifyoucan’tsee，Ican’texplaintoyou。ButasIhappentoknow，themanisofbloodasgoodasmine——andagreatdealbetterthanyours。”headdedwithatouchofinsolence。
“Moreover，hehasanhonestnameamongwhiteandblack，whichismuchinthiscountry。”
“Yes。”repliedthedoctorinthesamereflectivevoice，“Iagreewithyou，Ilethimpassasagentleman。ButIrepeat，Whydidyoubringthemherewhenwithonemoreworditwouldhavebeensoeasy——“andhestopped。
“Ihavetoldyou，itwasnotI。Whatareyoudrivingat？“
“Doyouthinkitisexactlyconvenient，especiallywhenweareundertheBritishflagagain，tohavetwopeoplewho，webothadmit，areEnglishgentlemen，thatis，clean，clear-eyedmen，consideringusandouraffairsforanindefiniteperiod，justbecauseyouwishforthepleasureoftheirsociety？WoulditnothavebeenbettertotellthoseBasutostoletthemtrekontoPretoria？“
“Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavebeenbetter。Irepeat，whatareyoudrivingat？
“Hedaiscominghomeinadayortwo；shemightbehereanytime。”remarkedRoddasheknockedtheashesoutofhispipe。
“Yes，becauseyoumademewriteandsaythatIwantedher。Butwhatofthat？“
“Nothinginparticular，exceptthatIamnotsurethatIwishhertoassociatewith’anEnglishgentleman’likethisAnscombe。”
Marnhamlaughedscornfully。“Ah！Iunderstand。”hesaid。“Toocleanandstraight。Complicationsmightensueandtherestofit。Well，IwishtoGodtheywould，forIknowtheAnscombes，orusedto，andIknowthegenuscalledRodd。”
“Don’tbeinsulting；youmaycarrythethingtoofaroneday，andwhateverIhavedoneIhavepaidfor。Butyou’venotpaid——yet。”
“Themanisveryill。Youareaskilleddoctor。Ifyou’reafraidofhim，whydon’tyoukillhim？“askedMarnhamwithbitterscorn。
“Thereyouhaveme。”repliedRodd。“Menmayshedmuch，butmostofthemnevershedtheirprofessionalhonour。IshalldomyhonestbesttocureMr。Anscombe，andItellyouthathewilltakesomecuring。”
ThenIwokeup，andasnoonewasinsight，wonderedwhetherornoIhadbeendreaming。TheupshotofitwasthatImadeupmymindtosendFootsacktoPretoriafortheoxen，nottogomyself。
CHAPTERV
AGAMEOFCARDS
IsleptinAnscombe’sroomthatnightandlookedafterhim。Hewasveryfeverishandthepaininhislegkepthimawakeagooddeal。HetoldmethathecouldnotbearDr。Roddandwishedtogetawayatonce。IhadtoexplaintohimthatthiswasimpossibleuntilhisspareoxenarrivedwhichIwasgoingtosendfortoPretoria，butofothermatters，includingthatofthedangerousstateofhisfoot，Isaidnothing。Iwasthankfulwhentowardstwointhemorning，hefellintoasoundsleepandallowedmetodothesame。
Beforebreakfasttime，justasIhadfinisheddressingmyselfinsomeofthecleanthingswhichhadbeenbroughtfromthewagon，Roddcameandmadeathoroughandbusiness-likeexaminationofhispatient，whileIawaitedtheresultwithanxietyonthestoep。Atlengthheappearedandsaid——
“Well，Ithinkthatweshallbeabletosavethefoot，thoughI
can’tbequitesureforanothertwenty-fourhours。Theworstsymptomshaveabatedandhistemperatureisdownbytwodegrees。
Anywayhewillhavetostayinbedandliveonlightfoodtillitisnormal，afterwhichhemightlieinalongchaironthestoep。
Onnoaccountmustheattempttostand。”
IthankedhimforhisinformationheartilyenoughandaskedhimifheknewwhereMarnhamwas，asIwantedtospeaktohimwithreferencetothedespatchofFootsacktofetchtheoxenfromPretoria。
“Notupyet，Ithink。”heanswered。“Ifancythatyesterdaywasoneofhis’wet’nights，excitementofmeetingstrangersandsoon。”
“Wetnights？“Iqueried，wishingforaclearerexplanation。
“Yes，heisagrandoldfellow，oneofthebest，butlikemostotherpeoplehehashislittleweaknesses，andwhenthefitisonhimhecanputawayasurprisingamountofliquor。Itellyousothatyoushouldnotbeastonishedifyounoticeanything，ortrytoarguewithhimwhenheisinthatstate，asthenhistemperisapttobe——well，lively。NowImustgoandgivehimapintofwarmmilk；thatishisfavouriteantidote，andinfactthebestthereis。”
Ithoughttomyselfthatwehadstruckaniceestablishmentinwhichtobetied，literallybytheleg，foranindefiniteperiod。
Iwasnotparticularlyflushatthetime，butIknowIwouldhavepaida#100tobeoutofit；beforetheendIshouldhavebeengladtothrowineverythingthatIhad。Butmercifullythatwashiddenfromme。
RoddandIbreakfastedtogetheranddiscoursedofKaffircustoms，astowhichhewassingularlywellinformed。ThenIaccompaniedhimtoseehisnativepatientsinthelittlehospitalofwhichI
havespoken。BelievingthemantobeathoroughscampasIdid，itwasastonishingtometonotehowgentleandforbearinghewastothesepeople。OfhisskillIneedsaynothing，asthatwasevident。Hewasgoingtoperformaninternaloperationuponaburlyoldsavage，ratheraseriousoneIbelieve；atanyrateitnecessitatedchloroform。HeaskedmeifIwouldliketoassist，butIdeclinedrespectfully，havingnotasteforsuchthings。SoIlefthimboilinghisinstrumentsandputtingonwhatlookedlikeacleannightgownoverhisclothes，andreturnedtothestoep。
HereIfoundMarnham，whoseeyeswereratherbloodshot，thoughotherwise，exceptforashakyhand，heseemedrightenough。Hemurmuredsomethingabouthavingoverslepthimselfandinquiredverypolitely，forhismannerswerebeautiful，afterAnscombeandastowhetherwewerequitecomfortableandsoforth。AfterthisIconsultedhimastothebestroadforourservantstotravelbytoPretoria，andlaterondespatchedthem，givingFootsackvariousnotestoensurethedeliveryoftheoxentohim。AlsoI
gavehimsomemoneytopayfortheirkeepandtoldhimwithmanythreatstogetbackwiththebeastsasquickashecouldtravel。
ThenIsenthimandthetwootherboysoff，notwithoutmisgivings，althoughhewasanexperiencedmaninhiswayandpromisedfaithfullytofulfileveryinjunctiontotheletter。TomeheseemedsocuriouslygladtogothatIinquiredthereason，sinceafterajourneylikeours，itwouldhavebeenmorenaturalifhehadwishedtorest。
“Oh！Baas。”hesaid，“Idon’tthinkthisTampelveryhealthyforcolouredpeople。Iamtoldofsomewhohavediedhere。ThatmanKarlwhogavemethediamond，Ithinkhemusthavediedalso，atleastIsawhisspooklastnightstandingovermeandshakinghishead，andtheboyssawittoo。”
“Oh！beoffwithyourtalkofspooks。”Isaid，“andcomebackquicklywiththoseoxen，orIpromiseyouthatyouwilldieandbeaspookyourself。”
“Iwill，Baas，Iwill！“heejaculatedanddepartedalmostatarun，leavingmeratheruncomfortable。
IbelievednothingofthetaleofthespookofKarl，butIsawthatFootsackbelievedinit，andwasafraidlesthemightbetherebypreventedfromreturning。Iwouldmuchratherhavegonemyself，butitwasimpossibleformetoleaveAnscombesoillinthehandsofourstrangehosts。AndtherewasnooneelsewhomI
couldsend。ImightperhapshaveriddentoPilgrim’sRestandtriedtofindawhitemessengerthere；indeedafterwardsI
regrettednothavingdoneso，althoughitwouldhaveinvolvedatleastaday’sabsenceataverycriticaltime。ButthetruthisIneverthoughtofituntiltoolate，andprobablyifIhad，I
shouldnothavebeenabletodiscoveranyonewhomIcouldtrust。
AsIwalkedbacktothehouse，havingpartedfromFootsackonthetopofaneighbouringridgewhenceIcouldpointouthispathtohim，ImetMarnhamridingaway。HepulledupandsaidthathewasgoingdowntotheGranitestreamtoarrangeaboutsettingsomeoneuptowatchthewagon。Iexpressedsorrowthatheshouldhavethetrouble，whichshouldhavebeenmineifIcouldhavegotaway，whereonheansweredthathewasgladoftheopportunityforaride，asitwassomethingtodo。
“Howdoyoufillinyourtimehere。”Iaskedcarelessly，“asyoudon’tfarm？“
“Oh！bytrading。”hereplied，andwithanodsethishorsetoacanter。
Aqueersortoftrading，thoughtItomyself，wherethereisnostore。Nowwhatexactlydoeshetradein，Iwonder？
AsithappenedIwasdestinedtofindoutbeforeIwasanhourolder。HavinggivenAnscombealookandfoundthathewascomfortable，IthoughtthatIwouldinspectthequarrywhencethemarblecameofwhichthehousewasbuilt，asithadoccurredtomethatiftherewasplentyofit，itmightbeworthexploitingsometimeinthefuture。Ithadbeenpointedouttomeinthemidstofsomethornsinagullythatranatrightanglestothemainkloofnotmorethanafewhundredyardsfromthehouse。
Followingapathoverwhichthestoneshadbeendraggedoriginally，Icametothespotanddiscoveredthatalittlecavityhadbeenquarriedinwhatseemedtometobeapositivemountainofpurewhitemarble。IexaminedtheplaceasthoroughlyasIcould，climbingamongsomebushesthatgrewinsurfaceearthwhichhadbeenwasheddownfromthetop，inordertodoso。
Atthebackofthesebushestherewasaholelargeenoughforamantocreepthrough。Icreptthroughwiththeobjectofascertainingwhetherthemarbleveinscontinued。TomysurpriseIfoundastoutyellow-wooddoorwithinfeetofthemouthofthehole。Reflectingthatnodoubtitwasherethatthequarrymenkept，orhadkepttoolsandexplosives，Igaveitapush。I
supposeithadbeenleftunfastenedaccidentally，orthatsomethinghadgonewrongwiththelock；atanyrateitswungopen。PursuingmyresearchesastothedepthofthemarbleI
advancedboldlyand，theplacebeingdark，struckamatch。
Evidentlythemarbledidcontinue，asIcouldseebytheglitteringroofofacavern，forsuchitwas。Butthefloorattractedmyattentionaswellastheroof，foronitwerenumerouscasesnotunlikecoffins，bearingthestampofawell-knownBirminghamfirm，labelled“fencingiron“andaddressedtoMessrs。Marnham&Rodd，Transvaal，_via_DelagoaBay。
Iknewatoncewhattheywere，havingseenthelikebefore，butifanydoubtremainedinmyminditwaseasytosolve，forasitchancedoneofthecaseswasopenandhalfemptied。Islippedmyhandintoit。AsIthoughtitcontainedtheordinaryKaffirgunofcommerce，costdeliveredinAfrica，say35s。；costdeliveredtonativechiefincashorcattle，say#10，which，whenthemarketiseager，allowsforadecentprofit。Contemplatingthosecases，survivorsprobablyofamuchlargerstock，IunderstoodhowitcameaboutthatSekukunihaddaredtoshowfightagainsttheGovernment。DoubtlessitwashencethatthegunshadcomewhichsentabulletthroughAnscombe’sfootandnearlypolishedoffbothofus。
Moreover，asfurthermatchesshowedme，thatcavecontainedotherstores——item，kegsofgunpowder；item，casksofcheapspirit；
item，barsoflead，alsoaboxmarked“bulletmoulds“andanothermarked“Percussioncaps。”Ithink，too，thereweresomeinnocentbagsfullofbeadsandafewpackagesofBirmingham-madeassegaiblades。Theremayhavebeenotherthings，butifsoIdidnotwaittoinvestigatethem。Gatheringuptheendsofmymatchesand，incasethereshouldbeanydustintheplacethatwouldshowfootmarks，flappingthestonefloorbehindmewithmypockethandkerchief，Iretiredandcontinuedmyinvestigationsofthatwonderfulmarbledepositfromthebottomofthequarry，towhich，havingre-arrangedthebushes，Idescendedbyanotherroute，leapinglikeabuckfromstonetostone。
ItwasjustaswellthatIdidso，forafewminuteslaterDr。
Roddappeared。
“Madeagoodjobofyouroperation？“Iaskedcheerfully。
“Prettyfair，thanks。”heanswered，“althoughthatKaffirtriedtobrainthenurse-manwhenhewascomingoutoftheanesthetic。
Butareyouinterestedingeology？“
“Alittle。”Ireplied，“thatisifthereisanychanceofmakingmoneyoutofit，whichthereoughttobehere，asthismarblelooksalmostasgoodasthatofCarrara。Butflintinstrumentsaremoremyline，thatisinanignorantandamateurway，asI
thinktheyareinyours，forIsawsomeinyourroom。Tellme，whatdoyouthinkofthis。Isitascraper？“andIproducedastoneoutofmypocketwhichIhadfoundaweekbeforeinthebush-veld。
Atonceheforgothissuspicions，ofwhichIcouldseehearrivedveryfullindeed。Thiscuriousman，asithappened，wasreallyfondofflintinstruments，ofwhichheknewagreatdeal。
“Didyoufindthishere？“heasked。
IledhimseveralyardsfurtherfromthemouthofthecaveandpointedouttheexactspotwhereIsaidIhadpickeditupamongstsomequarrydebris。Thenfollowedamostlearneddiscussion，foritappearedthatthiswasaflintinstrumentoftherarestandmostvaluabletype，onethatNoahmighthaveused，orJobmighthavescrapedhimselfwith，andthequestionwashowthedickenshaditcomeamongthatquarrydebris。Intheendwelefttheproblemundecided，andhavingpresentedthearticletoDr。Rodd，agiftforwhichhethankedmewithrealwarmth，I
returnedtothehousefilledwiththeglowthatrewardsonewhohasmadeavaluablediscovery。
OfthefollowingthreedaysIhavenothingparticulartosay，exceptthatduringthemIwasperhapsmoreacutelyboredthaneverIhadbeeninmylifebefore。Thehousewasbeautifulinitsownfashion；thefoodwasexcellent；therewaseverythingI
couldwanttodrink，andRoddannouncedthathenolongerfearedthenecessityofoperationuponAnscombe’sleg。Hisrecoverywasnowamerematteroftime，andmeanwhilehemustnotusehisfootorletthebloodrunintoitmorethancouldbehelped，whichmeantthathemustkeephimselfinarecumbentposition。ThetroublewasthatIhadnothingonearthdoexceptstudythecharactersofourhosts，whichIfounddisagreeableanddepressing。Imighthavegoneoutshooting，butnothingofthesortwasalloweduponthepropertyinobediencetothewishofMissHeda，amysteriousyoungpersonwhowasalwaysexpectedandneverappeared，andbeyonditIwasafraidtotravelforfearofBasutos。ImighthavegonetoPilgrim’sRestorLydenburgtomakereportofthenefariousdeedsofthesaidBasutos，butatbestitwouldhavetakenoneortwodays，andpossiblyIshouldhavebeendetainedbyofficialswhoneverconsideranyone’stimeexcepttheirown。
ThismeantthatIshouldhavebeenobligedtoleaveAnscombealone，whichIdidnotwishtodo，soIjustsatstilland，asI
havesaid，wasintenselybored，hangingabouttheplaceandsmokingmorethanwasgoodforme。
InduecourseAnscombeemergedontothestoep，wherehelaywithhislegup，andwasalsobored，especiallyafterhehadtriedtopumpoldMarnhamabouthispastintheGuardsandcompletelyfailed。Itwasinthismoodofutterdejectionthatweagreedtoplayagameofcardsoneevening。Notthateitherofuscaredforcards；indeed，personally，Ihavealwaysdetestedthembecause，withvarious-colouredcounterstorepresentmoneywhichneverpassed，theyhadformedoneoftheafflictionsofmyyouth。
Itwassoannoyingifyouwon，tobehandedanumberofgreencountersandbeinformedthattheyrepresentedsomanyhundredsorthousandsofpounds，orvice-versaifyoulost，forasitcostnooneanything，mydearfatherinsisteduponplayingforenormousstakes。NeverinanyaspectoflifehaveIcaredforfooling。Anscombealsodislikedcards，Ithinkbecausehisancestorstoohadplayedwithcounters，suchassomethatIhaveseenbelongingtotheCocoa-TreeClubandothergamblingplacesofapastgeneration，markedashighasathousandguineas，whichcountersmustnextmorningberedeemedinhardcash，wherebyhisfamilyhadbeennotalittleimpoverished。
“Ifancyyouwillfindtheyarehigh-fliers。”hesaidwhenthepairhadlefttofetchasuitabletable，forthenightbeingveryhotweweregoingtoplayonthestoepbythelightofthehangingparaffinlampandsomecandles。IrepliedtotheeffectthatIcouldnotaffordtoloselargesumsofmoney，especiallytomenwhoforaughtIknewmightthenbeengagedinmarkingthecards。
“Iunderstand。”heanswered。“Don’tyoubotheraboutthat，oldfellow。Thisismyaffair，arrangedformyspecialamusement。I
shan’tgrumbleifthefuncostssomething，forIamsuretherewillbefun。”
“Allright。”Isaid，“onlyifweshouldhappentowinmoney，it’syours，notmine。”
TomyselfIreflected，however，thatwiththesetwoopponentswehadaboutasmuchchanceofwinningasasnowflakehasofresistingtheatmosphereofthelowerregions。
Presentlytheyreturnedwiththetable，whichhadagreenclothoveritthathungdownhalf-waytotheground。Alsooneofthenativeboysbroughtatraywithspirits，fromwhichIjudgedbyvarioussigns，oldMarnham，whohadalreadydrunkhisshareatdinner，hadhelpedhimselffreelyontheway。Soonwewerearranged，Anscombe，whowastobemypartner，oppositetomeinhislongchair，andthegamebegan。
Iforgetwhatparticularvariantofcardsitwasweplayed，thoughIknowitadmittedofhighandprogressivestakes。Atfirst，however，thesewerequitemoderateandwewon，asI
supposeweweremeanttodo。AfterhalfanhourorsoMarnhamrosetohelphimselftobrandyandwater，agreatdealofbrandyandverylittlewater，whileItookanipofHollands，andAnscombeandRoddfilledtheirpipes。
“Ithinkthisisgettingratherslow。”saidRoddtoAnscombe。“I
voteweputabitmoreon。”
“Asmuchasyoulike。”answeredAnscombewithalittledrawlandtwinkleoftheeye，whichalwaysshowedthathewasamused。
“BothQuatermainandIareborngamblers。Don’tlookangry，Quatermain，youknowyouare。Onlyifweloseyouwillhavetotakeacheque，forIhavepreciouslittlecash。”
“Ithinkthatwillbegoodenough。”repliedthedoctorquietly——“ifyoulose。”
Sothestakeswereincreasedtoanamountthatmademyhairstandupstiffereventhanusual，andthegamewenton。Behold！amarvelcametopass。HowithappenedIdonotknow，unlessMarnhamhadbroughtthewrongcardsbymistakeorhadgrowntoofuddledtounderstandhispartner’stelegraphicsignals，whichI，beingaccustomedtoobserve，sawhimmake，notoncebutoften，stillwewon！Whatismore，withafewset-backs，wewentonwinning，tillpresentlythesumswrittendowntoourcredit，fornoactualcashpassed，wereconsiderable。Andallthewhile，attheendofeachboutMarnhamhelpedhimselftomorebrandy，whilethedoctorgrewmoremadinasuppressed-thunderkindofaway。
FormypartIbecamealarmed，especiallyasIperceivedthatAnscombewasonthevergeofbreakingintoopenmerriment，andhislegsbeingupIcouldnotkickhimunderthetable。
“Mypartneroughttogotobed。Don’tyouthinkweshouldstop？“
Isaid。
“OnthewholeIdo。”repliedRodd，gloweringatMarnham，who，somewhatunsteadily，wasengagedinwipingdropsofbrandyfromhislongbeard。
“D——difIdo。”exclaimedthatworthy。“WhenIwasyoungandplayedwithgentlementheyalwaysgavelosersanopportunityofrevenge。”
“Then。”repliedAnscombewithaflashofhiseyes，“letustrytofollowinthefootstepsofthegentlemenwithwhomyouplayedinyouryouth。Isuggestthatwedoublethestakes。”
“That’sright！That’stheoldform！“saidMarnham。
Thedoctorhalfrosefromhischair，thensatdownagain。
Watchinghim，Iconcludedthathebelievedhispartner，aseasonedvessel，wasnotsodrunkashepretendedtobe，andeitherinanactualorafigurativesense，hadacarduphissleeve。Ifso，itremainedthere，foragainwewon；alltheluckwaswithus。
“Iamgettingtired。”drawledAnscombe。“Lemonandwaterarenotsustaining。Shallwestop？“
“ByHeaven！no。”shoutedMarnham，towhichAnscomberepliedthatifitwaswished，hewouldplayanotherhand，butnomore。
“Allright。”saidMarnham，“butletitbefordoubleorquits。”
Hespokequitequietlyandseemedsuddenlytohavegrownsober。
NowIthinkthatRoddmadeuphismindthathereallywasactingandthathereallyhadthatcarduphissleeve。Atanyratehedidnotobject。I，however，wasofadifferentopinion，havingoftenseendrunkenmensuccumbtoanaccesofsobrietyunderthestressofexcitementandremarkedthatitdidnotlastlong。
“Doyoureallymeanthat？“Isaid，speakingforthefirsttimeandaddressingmyselftothedoctor。“Idon’tquiteknowwhatthesuminvolvedis，butitmustbelarge。”
“Ofcourse。”heanswered。
ThenrememberingthatattheworstAnscombestoodtolosenothing，Ishruggedmyshouldersandheldmytongue。ItwasMarnham’sdeal，andalthoughhewassomewhatintheshadowofthehanginglampandthecandleshadgutteredout，Idistinctlysawhimplaysomehocus-pocuswiththecards，butinthecircumstancesmadenoprotest。Asitchancedhemusthavehocus-pocusedthemwrong，forthough_his_handwasfulloftrumps，Roddheldnothingatall。Thebattlethatensuedwasquiteexciting，buttheendofitwasthatanaceinthehandofAnscombe，whoreallywasquiteagoodplayer，didthebusiness，andwewonagain。
IntheratherawfulsilencethatfollowedAnscomberemarkedinhischeerfuldrawl——
“I’mnotsurethatmyadditionisquiteright；we’llcheckthatinthemorning，butImakeoutthatyoutwogentlemenoweQuatermainandmyself#74910s。”
Thenthedoctorbrokeout。
“Youaccursedoldfool。”hehissed——thereisnootherwordforit——atMarnham。“Howareyougoingtopayallthismoneythatyouhavegambledaway，drunkenbeastthatyouare！“
“Easilyenough，youfelon。”shoutedMarnham。“So。”andthrustinghishandintohispockethepulledoutanumberofdiamondswhichhethrewuponthetable，adding，“there’swhatwillcoverittwiceover，andtherearemorewheretheycamefrom，asyouknowwellenough，mymedicaljailbird。”
“Youdaretocallmethat。”gaspedthedoctorinavoiceladenwithfury，sointensethatithaddeprivedhimofhisreason，“you——you——murderer！Oh！whydon’tIkillyouasIshallsomeday？“andliftinghisglass，whichwashalffull，hethrewthecontentsintoMarnham’sface。
“That’sanicemanforaprospective，son-in-law，isn’the？“
exclaimedtheoldscamp，as，seizingthebrandydecanter，hehurleditstraightatRodd’shead，onlymissinghimbyaninch。
“Don’tyouthinkyouhadbothbettergotobed，gentlemen？“I
inquired。“Youaresayingthingsyoumightregretinthemorning。”
Apparentlytheydidthinkit，forwithoutanotherwordtheyroseandmarchedoffindifferentdirectionstotheirrespectiverooms，whichIheardbothofthemlock。FormypartIcollectedtheI。O。U。’s；alsothediamondswhichstilllayuponthetable，whileAnscombeexaminedthecards。
“Marked，byJove！hesaid。“Oh！mydearQuatermain，neverhaveI
hadsuchanamusingeveninginallmylife。”
“Shutup，yousillyidiot。”Ianswered。“There’llbemurderdoneoverthisbusiness，andIonlyhopeitwon’tbeonus。”