"Allthatdaywefollowedthethreebulls，nowacrossopenplains，andnowthroughpatchesofbush。Theyseemedtohavetravelledonalmostwithoutstopping，andInoticedthatastheywentthewoundedbullrecoveredhisstrengthalittle。ThisIcouldseefromhisspoor，whichhadbecomefirmer，andalsofromthefactthattheothertwohadceasedtosupporthim。Atlasteveningclosedin，andhavingtravelledsomeeighteenmiles，wecamped，thoroughlytiredout。
"Beforedawnonthefollowingdaywewereup，andthefirstbreakoflightfoundusoncemoreonthespoor。Abouthalf—pastfiveo’clockwereachedtheplacewheretheelephantshadfedandslept。Thetwounwoundedbullshadtakentheirfill，astheconditionoftheneighbouringbushesshowed，butthewoundedonehadeatennothing。Hehadspentthenightleaningagainstagood—sizedtree，whichhisweighthadpushedoutoftheperpendicular。Theyhadnotlongleftthisplace，andcouldnotbeveryfarahead，especiallyasthewoundedbullwasnowagainsostiffafterhisnight’srestthatforthefirstfewmilestheothertwohadbeenobligedtosupporthim。Butelephantsgoveryquick，evenwhentheyseemtobetravellingslowly，forshrubandcreepersthatalmoststopaman’sprogressarenohindrancetothem。Thethreehadnowturnedtotheleft，andweretravellingbackagaininasemicircularlinetowardthemountains，probablywiththeideaofworkingroundtotheiroldfeedinggroundsonthefurthersideoftheriver。
"Therewasnothingforitbuttofollowtheirlead，andaccordinglywefollowedwithindustry。Throughallthatlonghotdaydidwetramp，passingquantitiesofeverysortofgame，andevencomingacrossthespoorofotherelephants。But，inspiteofmymen’sentreaties，I
wouldnotturnasideafterthese。Iwouldhavethosemightytusksornone。
"Byeveningwewerequiteclosetoourgame，probablywithinaquarterofamile，butthebushwasdense，andwecouldseenothingofthem，sooncemorewemustcamp，thoroughlydisgustedwithourluck。Thatnight，justafterthemoonrose，whileIwassittingsmokingmypipewithmybackagainstatree，Iheardanelephanttrumpet，asthoughsomethinghadstartledit，andnotthreehundredyardsaway。Iwasverytired，butmycuriosityovercamemyweariness，so，withoutsayingawordtoanyofthemen，allofwhomwereasleep，Itookmyeight—
boreandafewsparecartridges，andsteeredtowardthesound。Thegamepathwhichwehadbeenfollowingalldayranstraightoninthedirectionfromwhichtheelephanthadtrumpeted。Itwasnarrow，butwelltrodden，andthelightstruckdownuponitinastraightwhiteline。Icreptalongitcautiouslyforsometwohundredyards，whenitopenedsuddenlyintoamostbeautifulgladesomehundredyardsormoreinwidth，whereintallgrassgrewandflat—toppedtreesstoodsingly。
WiththecautionbornoflongexperienceIwatchedforafewmomentsbeforeIenteredtheglade，andthenIsawwhytheelephanthadtrumpeted。Thereinthemiddleofthegladestoodalargemanedlion。
Hestoodquitestill，makingasoftpurringnoise，andwavinghistailtoandfro。Presentlythegrassaboutfortyyardsonthehithersideofhimgaveawideripple，andalionesssprangoutofitlikeaflash，andboundednoiselesslyuptothelion。Reachinghim，thegreatcathaltedsuddenly，andrubbedherheadagainsthisshoulder。Thentheybothbegantopurrloudly，soloudlythatIbelievethatinthestillnessonemighthaveheardthemtwohundredyardsormoreaway。
"Afteratime，whileIwasstillhesitatingwhattodo，eithertheygotawhiffofmywind，ortheyweariedofstandingstill，anddeterminedtostartinsearchofgame。Atanyrate，asthoughmovedbyacommonimpulse，theyboundedsuddenlyaway，leapbyleap，andvanishedinthedepthsoftheforesttotheleft。Iwaitedforalittlewhilelongertoseeiftherewereanymoreyellowskinsabout，andseeingnone，cametotheconclusionthatthelionsmusthavefrightenedtheelephantsaway，andthatIhadtakenmystrollfornothing。ButjustasIwasturningbackIthoughtthatIheardaboughbreakuponthefurthersideoftheglade，and，rashastheactwas，I
followedthesound。Icrossedthegladeassilentlyasmyownshadow。
Onitsfurthersidethepathwenton。Albeitwithmanyfears，Iwentontoo。Thejunglegrowthwassothickherethatitalmostmetoverhead，leavingsosmallapassageforthelightthatIcouldscarcelyseetogropemywayalong。Presently，however，itwidened，andthenopenedintoasecondgladeslightlysmallerthanthefirst，andthere，onthefurthersideofit，abouteightyyardsfromme，stoodthethreeenormouselephants。
"Theystoodthus：——Immediatelyoppositeandfacingmewasthewoundedone—tuskedbull。Hewasleaninghisbulkagainstadeadthorn—tree，theonlyoneintheplace，andlookedverysickindeed。Nearhimstoodthesecondbullasthoughkeepingawatchoverhim。Thethirdelephantwasagooddealnearertomeandbroadsideon。WhileIwasstillstaringatthem，thiselephantsuddenlywalkedoffandvanisheddownapathinthebushtotheright。
"Therearenowtwothingstobedone——eitherIcouldgobacktothecampandadvanceupontheelephantsatdawn，orIcouldattackthematonce。Thefirstwas，ofcourse，byfarthewiserandsafercourse。Toengageoneelephantbymoonlightandsingle—handedisasufficientlyrashproceeding；totacklethreewaslittleshortoflunacy。But，ontheotherhand，Iknewthattheywouldbeonthemarchagainbeforedaylight，andtheremightcomeanotherdayofwearytrudgingbeforeI
couldcatchthemup，ortheymightescapemealtogether。
"’No，’Ithoughttomyself，’faintheartneverwonfairtusk。I’llriskit，andhaveaslapatthem。Buthow？’Icouldnotadvanceacrosstheopen，fortheywouldseeme；clearlytheonlythingtodowastocreeproundintheshadowofthebushandtrytocomeuponthemso。SoIstarted。Sevenoreightminutesofcarefulstalkingbroughtmetothemouthofthepathdownwhichthethirdelephanthadwalked。Theothertwowerenowaboutfiftyyardsfromme，andthenatureofthewallofbushwassuchthatIcouldnotseehowtogetnearertothemwithoutbeingdiscovered。Ihesitated，andpeepeddownthepathwhichtheelephanthadfollowed。Aboutfiveyardsin，ittookaturnroundashrub。IthoughtthatIwouldjusthavealookbehindit，andadvanced，expectingthatIshouldbeabletocatchasightoftheelephant’stail。Asithappened，however，Imethistrunkcomingroundthecorner。Itisverydisconcertingtoseeanelephant’strunkwhenyouexpecttoseehistail，andforamomentIstoodparalyzedalmostunderthevastbrute’shead，forhewasnotfiveyardsfromme。Hetoohalted，threwuphistrunkandtrumpetedpreparatorytoacharge。I
wasinforitnow，forIcouldnotescapeeithertotherightorleft，onaccountofthebush，andIdidnotdareturnmyback。SoIdidtheonlythingthatIcoulddo——raisedtherifleandfiredattheblackmassofhischest。Itwastoodarkformetopickashot；Icouldonlybrownhim，asitwere。
"Theshotrungoutlikethunderonthequietair，andtheelephantanswereditwithascream，thendroppedhistrunkandstoodforasecondortwoasstillasthoughhehadbeencutinstone。IconfessthatIlostmyhead；Ioughttohavefiredmysecondbarrel，butIdidnot。Insteadofdoingso，Irapidlyopenedmyrifle，pulledouttheoldcartridgefromtherightbarrelandreplacedit。ButbeforeI
couldsnapthebreechto，thebullwasatme。Isawhisgreattrunkflyuplikeabrownbeam，andIwaitednolonger。Turning，Ifledfordearlife，andaftermethunderedtheelephant。RightintotheopengladeIran，andthen，thankHeaven，justashewascomingupwithmethebullettookeffectonhim。Hehadbeenshotrightthroughtheheart，orlungs，anddownhefellwithacrash，stonedead。
"ButinescapingfromScyllaIhadrunintothejawsofCharybdis。I
heardtheelephantfall，andglancedround。Straightinfrontofme，andnotfifteenpacesaway，weretheothertwobulls。Theywerestaringabout，andatthatmomenttheycaughtsightofme。Thentheycame，thepairofthem——camelikethunderbolts，andfromdifferentangles。Ihadonlytimetosnapmyrifleto，liftit，andfire，almostathaphazard，attheheadofthenearest，theunwoundedbull。
"Now，asyouknow，inthecaseoftheAfricanelephant，whoseskullisconvex，andnotconcavelikethatoftheIndian，thisisalwaysamostriskyandveryfrequentlyaperfectlyuselessshot。Thebulletlosesitselfinthemassesofbone，thatisall。Butthereisonelittlevitalplace，andshouldthebullethappentostrikethere，itwillfollowthechannelofthenostrils——atleastIsupposeitisthatofthenostrils——andreachthebrain。Andthiswaswhathappenedinthepresentcase——theballstruckthefatalspotintheregionoftheeyeandtravelledtothebrain。Downcamethegreatbullallofaheap，androlledontohissideasdeadasastone。Iswungroundatthatinstanttofacethethird，themonsterbullwithonetuskthatIhadwoundedtwodaysbefore。Hewasalreadyalmostoverme，andinthedimmoonlightseemedtotowerabovemelikeahouse。Iliftedtherifleandpulledathisneck。Itwouldnotgooff!Then，inaflash，asitwere，Irememberedthatitwasonthehalf—cock。Thelockofthisbarrelwasalittleweak，andafewdaysbefore，infiringatacoweland，theleftbarrelhadjarredoffattheshockofthedischargeoftheright，knockingmebackwardswiththerecoil；soafterthatIhadkeptitonthehalf—cocktillIactuallywantedtofireit。
"Igaveonedesperateboundtotheright，and，mylamelegnotwithstanding，Ibelievethatfewmencouldhavemadeabetterjump。
Atanyrate，itwasnonetoosoon，forasIjumpedIfeltthewindmadebythetremendousdownwardstrokeofthemonster’strunk。ThenI
ranforit。
"Iranlikeabuck，stillkeepingholdofmygun，however。Myidea，sofarasIcouldbesaidtohaveanyfixedidea，wastoboltdownthepathwayupwhichIhadcome，likearabbitdownaburrow，trustingthathewouldlosesightofmeintheuncertainlight。Ispedacrosstheglade。Fortunatelythebull，beingwounded，couldnotgofullspeed；butwoundedorno，hecouldgoquiteasfastasIcould。Iwasunabletogainaninch，andawaywewent，withjustaboutthreefeetbetweenourseparateextremities。Wewereattheothersidenow，andaglanceservedtoshowmethatIhadmiscalculatedandovershottheopening。Toreachitnowwashopeless；Ishouldhaveblunderedstraightintotheelephant。SoIdidtheonlythingIcoulddo：I
swervedlikeacoursehare，andstartedoffroundtheedgeoftheglade，seekingforsomeopeningintowhichIcouldplunge。Thisgavemeamoment’sstart，forthebullcouldnotturnasquicklyasI
could，andImadethemostofit。ButnoopeningcouldIsee；thebushwaslikeawall。Wewerespeedingroundtheedgeoftheglade，andtheelephantwascomingupagain。Nowhewaswithinaboutsixfeet，andnow，ashetrumpetedorratherscreamed，Icouldfeelthefiercehotblastofhisbreathstrikeuponmyhead。Heavens!howitfrightenedme!
"Wewerethreepartsroundthegladenow，andaboutfiftyyardsaheadwasthesinglelargedeadthorn—treeagainstwhichthebullhadbeenleaning。Ispurtedforit；itwasmylastchanceofsafety。ButspurtasIwould，itseemedhoursbeforeIgotthere。Puttingoutmyrighthand，Iswungroundthetree，thusbringingmyselffacetofacewiththeelephant。Ihadnottimetolifttherifletofire，Ihadbarelytimetocockit，andrunsidewaysandbackward，whenhewasontome。
Crash!hecame，strikingthetreefullwithhisforehead。Itsnappedlikeacarrotaboutfortyinchesfromtheground。FortunatelyIwasclearofthetrunk，butoneofthedeadbranchesstruckmeonthechestasitwentdownandsweptmetotheground。Ifelluponmyback，andtheelephantblunderedpastmeasIlay。MorebyinstinctthananythingelseIliftedtheriflewithonehandandpulledthetrigger。
Itexploded，and，asIdiscoveredafterwards，thebulletstruckhimintheribs。Buttherecoiloftheheavyrifleheldthuswasverysevere；
itbentmyarmup，andsentthebuttwithathudagainstthetopofmyshoulderandthesideofmyneck，forthemomentquiteparalyzingme，andcausingtheweapontojumpfrommygrasp。Meanwhilethebullwasrushingon。Hetravelledforsometwentypaces，andthensuddenlyhestopped。FaintlyIreflectedthathewascomingbacktofinishme，buteventheprospectofimminentanddreadfuldeathcouldnotrousemeintoaction。Iwasutterlyspent；Icouldnotmove。
"Idly，almostindifferently，Iwatchedhismovements。Foramomenthestoodstill，nexthetrumpetedtillthewelkinrang，andthenveryslowly，andwithgreatdignity，hekneltdown。AtthispointIswoonedaway。
"WhenIcametomyselfagainIsawfromthemoonthatImusthavebeeninsensibleforquitetwohours。Iwasdrenchedwithdew，andshiveringallover。AtfirstIcouldnotthinkwhereIwas，when，onliftingmyhead，Isawtheoutlineoftheone—tuskedbullstillkneelingsomefive—and—twentypacesfromme。ThenIremembered。SlowlyIraisedmyself，andwasinstantlytakenwithaviolentsickness，theresultofover—exertion，afterwhichIverynearlyfaintedasecondtime。
PresentlyIgrewbetter，andconsideredtheposition。Twooftheelephantswere，asIknew，dead；buthowaboutNo。3？Therehekneltinmajestyinthelonelymoonlight。Thequestionwas，washeresting，ordead？Iroseonmyhandsandknees，loadedmyrifle，andpainfullycreptafewpacesnearer。Icouldseehiseyenow，forthemoonlightfellfulluponit——itwasopen，andratherprominent。Icrouchedandwatched；theeyeliddidnotmove，nordidthegreatbrownbody，orthetrunk，ortheear，orthetail——nothingmoved。ThenIknewthathemustbedead。
"Icreptuptohim，stillkeepingtheriflewellforward，andgavehimathump，reflectingasIdidsohowverynearIhadbeentobeingthumpedinsteadofthumping。Heneverstirred；certainlyhewasdead，thoughtothisdayIdonotknowifitwasmyrandomshotthatkilledhim，orifhediedfromconcussionofthebrainconsequentuponthetremendousshockofhiscontactwiththetree。Anyhow，therehewas。
Coldandbeautifulhelay，orratherknelt，asthepoetnearlyputsit。Indeed，IdonotthinkthatIhaveeverseenasightmoreimposinginitswaythanthatofthemightybeastcrouchedinmajesticdeath，andshoneuponbythelonelymoon。
"WhileIstoodadmiringthescene，andheartilycongratulatingmyselfuponmyescape，oncemoreIbegantofeelsick。Accordingly，withoutwaitingtoexaminetheothertwobulls，Istaggeredbacktothecamp，whichinduecourseIreachedinsafety。Everybodyinitwasasleep。I
didnotwakethem，buthavingswallowedamouthfulofbrandyIthrewoffmycoatandshoes，rolledmyselfupinablanket，andwassoonfastasleep。
"WhenIwokeitwasalreadylight，andatfirstIthoughtthat，likeJoseph，Ihaddreamedadream。Atthatmoment，however，Iturnedmyhead，andquicklyknewthatitwasnodream，formyneckandfaceweresostifffromtheblowofthebutt—endoftheriflethatitwasagonytomovethem。Icollapsedforaminuteortwo。Goboandanotherman，wrappeduplikeacoupleofmonksintheirblankets，thinkingthatI
wasstillasleep，werecrouchedoveralittlefiretheyhadmade，forthemorningwasdampandchilly，andholdingsweetconverse。
"Gobosaidthathewasgettingtiredofrunningafterelephantswhichtheynevercaught。Macumazahn（thatis，myself）waswithoutdoubtamanofparts，andofsomeskillinshooting，butalsohewasafool。
Nonebutafoolwouldrunsofastandfarafterelephantswhichitwasimpossibletocatch，whentheykeptcuttingthespooroffreshones。
Hecertainlywasafool，buthemustnotbeallowedtocontinueinhisfolly；andhe，Gobo，haddeterminedtoputastoptoit。Heshouldrefusetoaccompanyhimanyfurtheronsomadahunt。
"’Yes，’theotheranswered，’thepoormancertainlywassickinhishead，anditwasquitetimethattheycheckedhisfollywhiletheystillhadapatchofskinleftupontheirfeet。Moreover，heforhispartcertainlydidnotlikethiscountryofWambe’s，whichreallywasfullofghosts。Onlythelastnighthehadheardthespooksatwork——
theywereoutshooting，atleastitsoundedasthoughtheywere。Itwasveryqueer，butperhapstheirlunaticofamaster————’
"’Gobo，youscoundrel!’Ishoutedoutatthisjuncture，sittingboltuprightontheblankets，’stopidlingthereandmakemesomecoffee。’
"UpsprangGoboandhisfriend，andinhalfamomentwererespectfullyskippingaboutinamannerthatcontrastedwellwiththelordlycontemptoftheirpreviousconversation。Butallthetimetheywereinearnestinwhattheysaidabouthuntingtheelephantsanyfurther，forbeforeIhadfinishedmycoffeetheycametomeinabody，andsaidthatifIwantedtofollowthoseelephantsImustfollowthemmyself，fortheywouldnotgo。
"Iarguedwiththem，andaffectedtobemuchputout。Theelephantswerecloseathand，Isaid；Iwassureofit；Ihadheardthemtrumpetinthenight。
"’Yes，’answeredthemenmysteriously，’theytoohadheardthingsinthenight，thingsnotnicetohear；theyhadheardthespooksoutshooting，andnolongerwouldtheyremaininacountrysovilelyhaunted。’
"’Itwasnonsense，’Ireplied。’Ifghostswentoutshooting，surelytheywoulduseair—gunsandnotblackpowder，andonewouldnothearanair—gun。Well，iftheywerecowards，andwouldnotcome，ofcourseIcouldnotforcethemto，butIwouldmakeabargainwiththem。Theyshouldfollowthoseelephantsforonehalf—hourmore，thenifwefailedtocomeuponthemIwouldabandonthepursuit，andwewouldgostraighttoWambe，chiefoftheMatuku，andgivehimhongo。’
"Tothiscompromisethemenagreedreadily。Accordinglyabouthalf—an—
hourlaterwestruckourcampandstarted，andnotwithstandingmyachesandbruises，IdonotthinkthatIeverfeltinbetterspiritsinmylife。Itissomethingtowakeupinthemorningandrememberthatinthedeadofthenight，single—handed，onehasgivenbattletoandoverthrownthreeofthelargestelephantsinAfrica，slayingthemwiththreebullets。Suchafeattomyknowledgehadneverbeendonebefore，andonthatparticularmorningIfeltavery’tallmanofmyhands’indeed。TheonlythingIfearedwas，thatshouldIevercometotellthestorynobodywouldbelieveit，forwhenastrangetaleistoldbyahunter，peopleareapttothinkitisnecessarilyalie，insteadofbeingonlyprobablyso。[*]
[*]ForthesatisfactionofanywhomaybesodisbelievingastotakethisviewofMr。Quatermain’sstory，theEditormaystatethatagentlemanwithwhomheisacquainted，andwhoseveracityhebelievestobebeyonddoubt，notlongagodescribedtohimhowhechancedtokill/four/Africanelephantswithfourconsecutivebullets。Twooftheseelephantswerecharginghimsimultaneously，andoutofthefourthreewerekilledwiththeheadshot，averyuncommonthinginthecaseoftheAfricanelephant。——Editor。
"Well，wepassedontill，havingcrossedthefirstgladewhereIhadseenthelions，wereachedtheneckofbushthatseparateditfromthesecondglade，wherethedeadelephantswere。AndhereIbegantotakeelaborateprecautions，amongstothersorderingGobotokeepsomeyardsaheadandlookoutsharp，asIthoughtthattheelephantsmightbeabout。Heobeyedmyinstructionswithasuperiorsmile，andpushedahead。PresentlyIsawhimpullupasthoughhehadbeenshot，andbegintosnaphisfingersfaintly。
"’Whatisit？’Iwhispered。
"’Theelephant，thegreatelephantwithonetuskkneelingdown。’
"Icreptupbesidehim。TherekneltthebullasIhadlefthimlastnight，andtheretoolaytheotherbulls。
"’Dotheseelephantssleep？’IwhisperedtotheastonishedGobo。
"’Yes，Macumazahn，theysleep。’
"’Nay，Gobo，theyaredead。’
"’Dead？Howcantheybedead？Whokilledthem？’
"’Whatdopeoplecallme，Gobo？’
"’TheycallyouMacumazahn。’
"’AndwhatdoesMacumazahnmean？’
"’Itmeansthemanwhokeepshiseyesopen，themanwhogetsupinthenight。’
"’Yes，Gobo，andIamthatman。Look，youidle，lazycowards；whileyousleptlastnightIrose，andaloneIhuntedthosegreatelephants，andslewthembythemoonlight。ToeachofthemIgaveonebulletandonlyone，anditfelldead。Look，’andIadvancedintotheglade，’hereismyspoor，andhereisthespoorofthegreatbullchargingafterme，andthereisthetreethatItookrefugebehind；see，theelephantshattereditinhischarge。Oh，youcowards，youwhowouldgiveupthechasewhilethebloodspoorsteamedbeneathyournostrils，seewhatIdidsingle—handedwhileyouslept，andbeashamed。’
"’/Ou!/’saidthemen，’/ou!/Koos!Koosyumcool!’（Chief，greatChief!）Andthentheyheldtheirtongues，andgoinguptothethreedeadbeasts，gazedupontheminsilence。
"Butafterthatthosemenlookeduponmewithaweasbeingalmostmorethanmortal。Nomereman，theysaid，couldhaveslainthosethreeelephantsaloneinthenight—time。Ineverhadanyfurthertroublewiththem。IbelievethatifIhadtoldthemtojumpoveraprecipiceandthattheywouldtakenoharm，theywouldhavebelievedme。
"Well，Iwentupandexaminedthebulls。SuchtusksastheyhadI
neversawandnevershallseeagain。Ittookusalldaytocutthemout；andwhentheyreachedDelagoaBay，astheydidultimately，thoughnotinmykeeping，thesingletuskofthebigbullscaledonehundredandsixtypounds，andthefourothertusksaveragedninety—nineandahalfpounds——amostwonderful，indeedanalmostunprecedented，lotofivory。[*]UnfortunatelyIwasforcedtosawthebigtuskintwo，otherwisewecouldnothavecarriedit。"
[*]ThelargestelephanttuskofwhichtheEditorhasanycertainknowledgescaledonehundredandfiftypounds。
"Oh，Quatermain，youbarbarian!"Ibrokeinhere，"theideaofspoilingsuchatusk!Why，IwouldhavekeptitwholeifIhadbeenobligedtodragitmyself。"
"Ohyes，youngman，"heanswered，"itisallverywellforyoutotalklikethat，butifyouhadfoundyourselfinthepositionwhichitwasmyprivilegetooccupyafewhoursafterwards，itismybeliefthatyouwouldhavethrownthetusksawayaltogetherandtakentoyourheels。"
"Oh，"saidGood，"sothatisn’ttheendoftheyarn？Averygoodyarn，Quatermain，bytheway——Icouldn’thavemadeupabetteronemyself。"
TheoldgentlemanlookedatGoodseverely，foritirritatedhimtobechaffedabouthisstories。
"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Good。Idon’tseethatthereisanycomparisonbetweenatruestoryofadventureandthepreposteroustaleswhichyouinventaboutibexhangingbytheirhorns。No，itisnottheendofthestory；themostexcitingpartistocome。ButI
havetalkedenoughforto—night；andifyougooninthatway，Good，itwillbesometimebeforeIbeginagain。"
"SorryIspoke，I’msure，"saidGood，humbly。"Let’shaveasplittoshowthatthereisnoill—feeling。"Andtheydid。
V
THEMESSAGEOFMAIWA
Onthefollowingeveningweoncemoredinedtogether，andQuatermain，aftersomepressure，waspersuadedtocontinuehisstory——forGood’sremarkstillrankledinhisbreast。
"Atlast，"hewenton，"afewminutesbeforesunset，thetaskwasfinished。Wehadlabouredatitallday，stoppingonlyoncefordinner，foritisnoeasymattertohewoutfivesuchtusksasthosewhichnowlaybeforemeinawhiteandgleamingline。Itwasadinnerwortheating，too，Icantellyou，forwedinedofftheheartofthegreatone—tuskedbull，whichwassobigthatthemanwhomIsentinsidetheelephanttolookforhisheartwasforcedtoremoveitintwopieces。Wecutitintoslicesandfrieditwithfat，andInevertastedhearttoequalit，forthemeatseemedtomeltinone’smouth。
Bytheway，Iexaminedthejawoftheelephant；itnevergrewbutonetusk；theotherhadnotbeenbrokenoff，norwasitpresentinarudimentaryform。
"Well，therelaythefivebeauties，orratherfourofthem，forGoboandanothermanwereengagedinsawingthegrandoneintwo。AtlastwithmanysighsIorderedthemtodothis，butnotuntilbypracticalexperimentIhadprovedthatitwasimpossibletocarryitinanyotherway。Onehundredandsixtypoundsofsolidivory，orrathermoreinitsgreenstate，istoogreataweightfortwomentobearforlongacrossabrokencountry。Isatwatchingthejobandsmokingthepipeofcontentment，whensuddenlythebushopened，andaveryhandsomeanddignifiednativegirl，apparentlyabouttwentyyearsofage，stoodbeforeme，carryingabasketofgreenmealiesuponherhead。
"AlthoughIwasrathersurprisedtoseeanativegirlinsuchawildspot，and，sofarasIknew，alongwayfromanykraal，thematterdidnotattractmyparticularnotice；Imerelycalledtooneofthemen，andtoldhimtobargainwiththewomanforthemealies，andaskheriftherewereanymoretobeboughtintheneighbourhood。ThenIturnedmyheadandcontinuedtosuperintendthecuttingofthetusk。
Presentlyashadowfelluponme。Ilookedup，andsawthatthegirlwasstandingbeforeme，thebasketofmealiesstillonherhead。
"’Marême，Marême，’shesaid，gentlyclappingherhandstogether。ThewordMarêmeamongtheseMatuku（thoughshewasnoMatuku）answerstotheZulu’Koos，’andtheclappingofhandsisaformofsalutationverycommonamongthetribesoftheBasuturace。
"’Whatisit，girl？’IaskedherinSisutu。’Arethosemealiesforsale？’
"’No，greatwhitehunter，’sheansweredinZulu，’Ibringthemasagift。’
"’Good，’Ireplied；’setthemdown。’
"’Agiftforagift，whiteman。’
"’Ah，’Igrumbled，’theoldstory——nothingfornothinginthiswickedworld。Whatdoyouwant——beads？’
"Shenodded，andIwasabouttotelloneofthementogoandfetchsomefromoneofthepacks，whenshecheckedme。
"’Agiftfromthegiver’sownhandistwiceagift，’shesaid，andI
thoughtthatshespokemeaningly。
"’Youmeanthatyouwantmetogivethemtoyoumyself？’
"’Surely。’
"Irosetogowithher。’Howisitthat，beingoftheMatuku，youspeakintheZulutongue？’Iaskedsuspiciously。
"’IamnotoftheMatuku，’sheansweredassoonaswewereoutofhearingofthemen。’IamofthepeopleofNala，whosetribeistheButianatribe，andwholivesthere，’andshepointedoverthemountain。’AlsoIamoneofthewivesofWambe，’andhereyesflashedasshesaidthename。
"’Andhowdidyoucomehere？’
"’Onmyfeet，’sheansweredlaconically。
"Wereachedthepacks，andundoingoneofthem，Iextractedahandfulofbeads。’Now，’Isaid，’agiftforagift。Handoverthemealies。’
"Shetookthebeadswithoutevenlookingatthem，whichstruckmeascurious，andsettingthebasketofmealiesontheground，emptiedit。
"Atthebottomofthebasketweresomecuriously—shapedgreenleaves，ratherliketheleavesofthegutta—perchatreeinshape，onlysomewhatthickerandofamorefleshysubstance。Asthoughbyhazard，thegirlpickedoneoftheseleavesoutofthebasketandsmeltit。
Thenshehandedittome。Itooktheleaf，andsupposingthatshewishedmetosmellitalso，wasabouttoobligeherbydoingso，whenmyeyefelluponsomecuriousredscratchesonthegreensurfaceoftheleaf。
"’Ah，’saidthegirl（whosename，bytheway，wasMaiwa），speakingbeneathherbreath，’readthesigns，whiteman。’
"WithoutansweringherIcontinuedtostareattheleaf。Ithadbeenscratchedorratherwrittenuponwithasharptool，suchasanail，andwhereverthisinstrumenthadtouchedit，theacidjuiceoozingthroughtheouterskinhadturnedarustybloodcolour。PresentlyI
foundthebeginningofthescrawl，andreadthisinEnglish，andcoveringthesurfaceoftheleafandoftwoothersthatwereinthebasket。
"’IhearthatawhitemanishuntingintheMatukucountry。ThisistowarnhimtoflyoverthemountaintoNala。Wambesendsanimpiatdaybreaktoeathimup，becausehehashuntedbeforebringinghongo。ForGod’ssake，whoeveryouare，trytohelpme。IhavebeentheslaveofthisdevilWambefornearlysevenyears，andambeatenandtorturedcontinually。Hemurderedalltherestofus，butkeptmebecauseIcouldworkiron。Maiwa，hiswife，takesthis；sheisflyingtoNalaherfatherbecauseWambekilledherchild。TrytogetNalatoattackWambe；Maiwacanguidethemoverthemountain。Youwon’tcomefornothing，forthestockadeofWambe’sprivatekraalismadeofelephants’tusks。ForGod’ssake，don’tdesertme，orIshallkillmyself。Icanbearthisnolonger。
"’JohnEvery。’
"’Greatheavens!’Igasped。’Every!——why，itmustbemyoldfriend。’
Thegirl，orratherthewomanMaiwa，pointedtotheothersideoftheleaf，wheretherewasmorewriting。Itranthus——’IhavejustheardthatthewhitemaniscalledMacumazahn。Ifso，itmustbemyfriendQuatermain。PrayHeavenitis，forIknowhewon’tdesertanoldchuminsuchafixasIam。Itisn’tthatI’mafraidofdying，Idon’tcareifIdie，butIwanttogetachanceatWambefirst。’
"’No，oldboy，’thoughtItomyself，’itisn’tlikelythatIamgoingtoleaveyoutherewhilethereisachanceofgettingyouout。Ihaveplayedfoxbeforenow——there’sstilladoubleortwoleftinme。I
mustmakeaplan，that’sall。Andthenthere’sthatstockadeoftusks。
Iamnotgoingtoleavethateither。’ThenIspoketothewoman。
"’YouarecalledMaiwa？’
"’Itisso。’
"’YouarethedaughterofNalaandthewifeofWambe？’
"’Itisso。’
"’YouflyfromWambetoNala？’
"’Ido。’
"’Whydoyoufly？Stay，Iwouldgiveanorder，’——andcallingtoGobo，Iorderedhimtogetthemenreadyforinstantdeparture。Thewoman，who，asIhavesaid，wasquiteyoungandveryhandsome，putherhandintoalittlepouchmadeofantelopehidewhichsheworefastenedroundthewaist，andtomyhorrordrewfromitthewitheredhandofachild，whichevidentlyhadbeencarefullydriedinthesmoke。
"’Iflyforthiscause，’sheanswered，holdingthepoorlittlehandtowardsme。’Seenow，Iboreachild。Wambewasitsfather，andforeighteenmonthsthechildlivedandIlovedit。ButWambelovesnothischildren；hekillsthemall。Hefearslesttheyshouldgrowuptoslayonesowicked，andhewouldhavekilledthischildalso，butI
beggeditslife。Oneday，somesoldierspassingthehutsawthechildandsalutedhim，callinghimthe"chiefwhosoonshallbe。"Wambeheard，andwasmad。Hesmotethebabe，anditwept。Thenhesaidthatitshouldweepforgoodcause。Amongthethingsthathehadstolenfromthewhitemenwhomheslewisatrapthatwillholdlions。Sostrongisthetrapthatfourmenmuststandonit，twooneitherside，beforeitcanbeopened。’"
HereoldQuatermainbrokeoffsuddenly。
"Lookhere，youfellows，"hesaid，"Ican’tbeartogoonwiththispartofthestory，becauseInevercouldstandeitherseeingortalkingofthesufferingsofchildren。Youcanguesswhatthatdevildid，andwhatthepoormotherwasforcedtowitness。Wouldyoubelieveit，shetoldmethetalewithoutatremor，inthemostmatter—of—factway。OnlyInoticedthathereyelidquiveredallthetime。
"’Well，’Isaid，asunconcernedlyasthoughIhadbeentalkingofthedeathofalamb，thoughinwardlyIwassickwithhorrorandboilingwithrage，’andwhatdoyoumeantodoaboutthematter，Maiwa，wifeofWambe？’
"’Imeantodothis，whiteman，’sheanswered，drawingherselfuptoherfullheight，andspeakingintonesashardassteelandcoldasice——’Imeantowork，andwork，andwork，tobringthistopass，andtobringthattopass，untilatlengthitcomestopassthatwiththeselivingeyesIbeholdWambedyingthedeaththathegavetohischildandmychild。’
"’Wellsaid，’Ianswered。
"’Ay，wellsaid，Macumazahn，wellsaid，andnoteasilyforgotten。Whocouldforget，oh，whocouldforget？Seewherethisdeadhandrestsagainstmyside；soonceitrestedwhenalive。Andnow，thoughitisdead，noweverynightitcreepsfromitsnestandstrokesmyhairandclaspsmyfingersinitstinypalm。Everynightitdoesthis，fearinglestIshouldforget。Oh，mychild!mychild!tendaysagoIheldtheetomybreast，andnowthisaloneremainsofthee，’andshekissedthedeadhandandshivered，butneverateardidsheweep。
"’Seenow，’shewenton，’thewhiteman，theprisoneratWambe’skraal，hewaskindtome。Helovedthechildthatisdead，yes，heweptwhenitsfatherslewit，andattheriskofhislifetoldWambe，myhusband——ah，yes，myhusband!——thatwhichheis!Hetooitwaswhomadeaplan。Hesaidtome，"Go，Maiwa，afterthecustomofthypeople，gopurifythyselfinthebushalone，havingtouchedadeadone。SaytoWambethougoesttopurifythyselfaloneforfifteendays，accordingtothecustomofthypeople。Thenflytothyfather，Nala，andstirhimuptowaragainstWambeforthesakeofthechildthatisdead。"Thisthenhesaid，andhiswordsseemedgoodtome，andthatsamenightereIlefttopurifymyselfcamenewsthatawhitemanhuntedinthecountry，andWambe，beingmadwithdrink，grewverywrath，andgaveordersthatanimpishouldbegatheredtoslaythewhitemanandhispeopleandseizehisgoods。Thendidthe"SmiterofIron"（Every）writethemessageonthegreenleaves，andbidmeseektheeout，andshowforththematter，thatthoumightestsavethyselfbyflight；andbehold，thisthinghaveIdone，Macumazahn，thehunter，theSlayerofElephants。’
"’Ah，’Isaid，’Ithankyou。AndhowmanymenbethereintheimpiofWambe？’
"’Ahundredofmenandhalfahundred。’
"’Andwhereistheimpi？’
"’Theretothenorth。Itfollowsonthyspoor。Isawitpassyesterday，butmyselfIguessedthatthouwouldstbenighertothemountain，andcamethisway，andfoundthee。To—morrowatthedaybreaktheslayerswillbehere。’
"’Verypossibly，’Ithoughttomyself；’buttheywon’tfindMacumazahn。Ihavehalfamindtoputsomestrychnineintothecarcasesofthoseelephantsfortheirespecialbenefitthough。’Iknewthattheywouldstoptoeattheelephants，asindeedtheydid，toourgreatgain，butIabandonedtheideaofpoisoningthem，becauseIwasrathershortofstrychnine。"
"Orbecauseyoudidnotliketoplaythetrick，Quatermain？"I
suggestedwithalaugh。
"IsaidbecauseIhadnotenoughstrychnine。Itwouldtakeagreatdealofstrychninetopoisonthreeelephantseffectually，"answeredtheoldgentlemantestily。
Isaidnothingfurther，butIsmiled，knowingthatoldAllancouldneverhaveresortedtosuchanartifice，howeverseverehisstrait。
Butthatwashisway；healwaysmadehimselfouttobeamostunmercifulperson。
"Well，"hewenton，"atthatmomentGobocameupandannouncedthatwewerereadytomarch。’Iamgladthatyouareready，’Isaid，’becauseifyoudon’tmarch，andmarchquick，youwillnevermarchagain，thatisall。Wambehasanimpiouttokillus，anditwillbeherepresently。’
"Goboturnedpositivelygreen，andhiskneesknockedtogether。’Ah，whatdidIsay？’heexclaimed。’FatewalksaboutlooseinWambe’scountry。’
"’Verygood；nowallyouhavetodoistowalkalittlequickerthanhedoes。No，no，youdon’tleavethoseelephanttusksbehind——IamnotgoingtopartwiththemIcantellyou。’
"Gobosaidnomore，buthastilydirectedthementotakeuptheirloads，andthenaskedwhichwayweweretorun。
"’Ah，’IsaidtoMaiwa，’whichway？’
"’There，’sheanswered，pointingtowardsthegreatmountainspurwhichtoweredupintotheskysomefortymilesaway，separatingtheterritoriesofNalaandWambe——’there，belowthatsmallpeak，isoneplacewheremenmaypass，andoneonly。Alsoitcaneasilybeblockedfromabove。Ifmenpassnotthere，thentheymustgoroundthegreatpeakofthemountain，twodays’journeyandhalfaday。’
"’Andhowfaristhepeakfromus？’
"’Allto—nightshallyouwalkandallto—morrow，andifyouwalkfast，atsunsetyoushallstandonthepeak。’
"Iwhistled，forthatmeantafive—and—fortymilestrudgewithoutsleep。ThenIcalledtothementotakeeachofthemasmuchcookedelephant’smeatashecouldcarryconveniently。Ididthesamemyself，andforcedthewomanMaiwatoeatsomeaswewent。ThisIdidwithdifficulty，foratthattimesheseemedneithertosleepnoreatnorrest，sofiercelywasshesetonvengeance。
"Thenwestarted，Maiwaguidingus。Aftergoingforahalf—hourovergraduallyrisingground，wefoundourselvesonthefurtheredgeofagreatbush—claddepressionsomethinglikethebottomofalake。Thisdepression，throughwhichwehadbeentravelling，wascoveredwithbushtoaverygreatextent，indeedalmostaltogetherso，exceptwhereitwaspittedwithgladessuchasthatwhereinIhadshottheelephants。
"AtthetopofthisslopeMaiwahalted，andputtingherhandoverhereyeslookedback。Presentlyshetouchedmeonthearmandpointedacrosstheseaofforesttowardsacomparativelyvacantspaceofcountrysomesixorsevenmilesaway。Ilooked，andsuddenlyIsawsomethingflashintheredraysofthesettingsun。Apause，andthenanotherquickflash。
"’Whatisit？’Iasked。
"’ItisthespearsofWambe’simpi，andtheytravelfast，’sheansweredcoolly。
"IsupposethatmyfaceshowedhowlittleIlikedthenews，forshewenton——
"’Fearnot；theywillstaytofeastupontheelephants，andwhiletheyfeastweshalljourney。Wemayyetescape。’
"Afterthatweturnedandpushedonagain，tillatlengthitgrewsodarkthatwehadtowaitfortherisingofthemoon，whichlostustime，thoughitgaveusrest。Fortunatelynoneofthemenhadseenthatominousflashingofthespears；iftheyhad，IdoubtifevenI
couldhavekeptcontrolofthem。Asitwas，theytravelledfasterthanIhadeverknownloadednativestogobefore，sothorough—pacedwastheirdesiretoseethelastofWambe’scountry。I，however，tooktheprecautiontomarchlastofall，fearinglesttheyshouldthrowawaytheirloadstolightenthemselves，or，worsestill，thetusks；forthesekindoffellowswouldbecapableofthrowinganythingawayiftheirownskinswereatstake。Ifthepious？neas，whosestoryyouwerereadingtometheothernight，hadbeenamongrelDelagoaBaynative，AnchiseswouldhavehadapoorchanceofgettingoutofTroy，thatis，ifhewasknowntohavemadeasatisfactorywill。
"Atmoonrisewesetoutagain，andwithshortoccasionalhaltstravelledtilldawn，whenwewereforcedtorestandeat。Startingoncemore，abouthalf—pastfive，wecrossedtheriveratnoon。Thenbeganthelongtoilsomeascentthroughthickbush，thesameinwhichI
shotthebullbuffalo，onlysometwentymilestothewestofthatspot，andnotmorethantwenty—fivemilesonthehithersideofWambe’skraal。Thereweresixorsevenmilesofthisdensebush，andhardworkitwastogetthroughit。Nextcameabeltofscatteredforestwhichwaseasiertopass，though，inrevenge，thegroundwassteeper。Thiswasabouttwomileswide，andwepasseditbyaboutfourintheafternoon。Abovethisscatteredbushlayalongsteepslopeofboulder—strewnground，whichranuptothefootofthelittlepeaksomethreemilesaway。Asweemerged，footsoreandweary，ontothisinhospitableplain，someofthemenlookingroundcaughtsightofthespearsofWambe’simpiadvancingrapidlynotmorethanamilebehindus。
"Atfirsttherewasapanic，andthebearerstriedtothrowofftheirloadsandrun，butIharanguedthem，callingouttothemthatcertainlyIwouldshootthefirstmanwhodidsoandthatiftheywouldbuttrustinmeIwouldbringthemthroughthemess。Now，eversinceIhadkilledthosethreeelephantssingle—handed，Ihadgainedgreatinfluenceoverthesemen，andtheylistenedtome。Sooffwewentashardaseverwecouldgo——themembersoftheAlpineClubwouldnothavebeeninitwithus。Wemadethebouldersburn，asaFrenchmanwouldsay。
"Whenwehaddoneaboutamilethespearsbegantoemergefromthebeltofscatteredbush，andthewhoopoftheirbearersastheyviewedusbrokeuponourears。Quickasourpacehadbeenbefore，itgrewmuchquickernow，forterrorlentwingstomygallantcrew。Buttheyweresorelytired，andtheloadswereheavy，sothatrun，orratherclimb，aswewould，Wambe’ssoldiers，ascrubby—lookinglotofmenarmedwithbigspearsandsmallshields，butwithoutplumes，climbedconsiderablyfaster。Thelastmileofthatpleasingchasewaslikeafoxhunt，webeingthefox，andalwaysinview。WhatastonishedmewastheextraordinaryenduranceandactivityshownbyMaiwa。Sheneverevenflagged。Ithinkthatgirl’smusclesmusthavebeenmadeofiron，orperhapsitwasthestrengthofherwillthatsupportedher。Atanyrateshereachedthefootofthepeaksecond，poorGobo，whowasanexcellenthandatrunningaway，beingfirst。
"PresentlyIcameuppanting，andglancedattheascent。Beforeuswasawallofrockaboutonehundredandfiftyfeetinheight，uponwhichthestratawerelaidsoastoformaseriesofprojectionssufficientlyresemblingstepstomaketheascenteasy，comparativelyspeaking，exceptatonespot，whereitwasnecessarytoclimboveraprojectingangleofcliffandbearalittletotheleft。Itwasnotareallydifficultplace，butwhatmadeitawkwardwas，thatimmediatelybeneaththisprojectiongapedadeepfissureordonga，onthebrinkofwhichwenowstood，originallydugout，nodoubt，bytherushofwaterfromthepeakandcliff。Thisgulfbeneathwouldbetryingtothenervesofaweak—headedclimberatthecriticalpoint，andsoitprovedintheresult。Theprojectingangleoncepassed，theremainderoftheascentwasverysimple。Atthesummit，however，thebrowofthecliffhungoverandwaspiercedbyasinglenarrowpathcutthroughitbywater，insuchfashionthatasingleboulderrolledintoitatthetopwouldmakethecliffquiteimpassabletomenwithoutropes。
"AtthismomentWambe’ssoldierswereaboutathousandyardsfromus，soitwasevidentthatwehadnotimetolose。Iatonceorderedthementocommencetheascent，thegirlMaiwa，whowasfamiliarwiththepass，goingfirsttoshowthemtheway。Accordinglytheybegantomountwithalacrity，pushingandliftingtheirloadsinfrontofthem。
Whenthefirstofthem，ledbyMaiwa，reachedtheprojectingangle，theyputdowntheirloadsuponaledgeofrockandclamberedover。
Oncethere，bylyingontheirstomachsuponaboulder，theycouldreachtheloadswhichwereheldtothembythemenbeneath，andinthiswaydragthemovertheawkwardplace，whencetheywerecarriedeasilytothetop。
"Butallofthistooktime，andmeanwhilethesoldierswerecomingupfast，screamingandbrandishingtheirbigspears。Theywerenowwithinaboutfourhundredyards，andseveralloads，togetherwithallthetusks，hadyettobegotovertherock。Iwasstillstandingatthebottomofthecliff，shoutingdirectionstothemenabove，butitoccurredtomethatitwouldsoonbetimetomove。Beforedoingso，however，Ithoughtthatitmightbewelltotryandproduceamoraleffectupontheadvancingenemy。InmyhandIheldaWinchesterrepeatingcarbine，butthedistancewastoogreatformetouseitwitheffect，soIturnedtoGobo，whowasshiveringwithterroratmyside，andhandinghimthecarbine，tookmyexpressfromhim。
"Theenemywasnowaboutthreehundredandfiftyyardsaway，andtheexpresswasonlysightedtothreehundred。StillIknewthatitcouldbetrustedfortheextrafiftyyards。RunninginfrontofWambe’ssoldiersweretwomen——captains，Isuppose——oneofthemverytall。I
putupthethreehundredyardflap，andsittingdownwithmybackagainsttherock，Idrewalongbreathtosteadymyself，andcoveredthetallman，givinghimafullsight。FeelingthatIwasonhim，I
pulled，andbeforethesoundofthestrikingbulletcouldreachmyears，Isawthemanthrowuphisarmsandpitchforwardontohishead。Hiscompanionstoppeddead，givingmeafairchance。Irapidlycoveredhim，andfiredtheleftbarrel。Heturnedroundonce，andthensankdowninaheap。Thiscausedtheenemytohesitate——theyhadneverseenmenkilledatsuchadistancebefore，andthoughtthattherewassomethinguncannyabouttheperformance。Takingadvantageofthelull，IgavetheexpressbacktoGobo，andslingingtheWinchesterrepeaterovermybackIbegantoclimbthecliff。
"Whenwereachedtheprojectinganglealltheloadswereover，butthetusksstillhadtobepassedup，andowingtotheirweightandthesmoothnessoftheirsurface，thiswasaverydifficulttask。OfcourseIoughttohaveabandonedthetusks；oftenandoftenhaveIsincereproachedmyselffornotdoingso。Indeed，Ithinkthatmyobstinacyaboutthemwasdownrightsinful，butIwasalwaysobstinateaboutsuchthings，andIcouldnotbeartheideaofleavingthosesplendidtuskswhichhadcostmesomuchpainsanddangertocomeby。Well，itnearlycostmemylifealso，anddidcostpoorGobohis，aswillbeseenshortly，tosaynothingofthelossinflictedbymyrifleontheenemy。WhenIreachedtheprojectionIfoundthatthemen，withtheirusualstupidity，weretryingtohandupthetuskspointfirst。Nowtheresultofthiswasthatthoseabovehadnothingtogripexcepttheroundpolishedsurfaceoftheivory，andinthepositioninwhichtheywere，thisdidnotgivethemsufficientholdtoenablethemtolifttheweight。Itoldthemtoreversethetusksandpushthemup，sothattheroughandhollowendscametothehandsofthemenabove。Thistheydid，andthefirsttwoweredraggedupinsafety。
"Atthispoint，lookingbehindme，IsawtheMatukusstreaminguptheslopeinaroughextendedorder，andnotmorethanahundredyardsaway。CockingtheWinchesterIturnedandopenedfireonthem。Idon’tquiteknowhowmanyImissed，butIdoknowthatInevershotbetterinmylife。Ihadtokeepshiftingmyselffromoneenemytotheother，firingalmostwithoutgettingasight，thatis，bytheeyealone，afterthefashionoftheexpertswhobreakglassballs。Butquickastheworkwas，menfellthick，andbythetimethatIhademptiedthecarbineofitstwelvecartridges，forthemomenttheadvancewaschecked。Irapidlypushedinsomemorecartridges，andhardlyhadI
donesowhentheenemy，seeingthatwewereabouttoescapethemaltogether，cameononcemorewithatremendousyell。Bythistimethetwohalvesofthesingletuskofthegreatbullaloneremainedtobepassedup。Ifiredandfiredaseffectivelyasbefore，butnotwithstandingallthatIcoulddo，somemenescapedmyhailofbulletsandbegantoascendthecliff。Presentlymyriflewasagainempty。Islungitovermyback，and，drawingmyrevolver，turnedtorunforit，theattackersbeingnowquiteclose。AsIdidso，aspearstruckthecliffclosetomyhead。
"Thelasthalfofthetuskwasnowvanishingovertherock，andIsungouttoGoboandtheothermanwhohadbeenpushingituptovanishafterit。Gobo，poorfellow，requirednosecondinvitation；indeed，hishastewashisundoing。Hewentattheprojectingrockwithabound。Theendofthetuskwasstillhangingover，andinsteadofgraspingtherockhecaughtatit。Ittwistedinhishand——heslipped——hefell；withonewildshriekhevanishedintotheabyssbeneath，hisfallingbodybrushingmeasitpassed。Foramomentwestoodaghast，andpresentlythedullthudofhisfallsmoteheavilyuponourears。Poorfellow，hehadmettheFatewhich，ashedeclared，walkedaboutlooseinWambe’scountry。Thenwithanoaththeremainingmansprungattherockandclamberedoveritinsafety。Aghastattheawfulnessofwhathadhappened，Istoodstill，tillIsawthegreatbladeofaMatukuspearpassupbetweenmyfeet。Thatbroughtmetomysenses，andIbegantoclamberuptherocklikeacat。Iwashalfwayroundit。AlreadyIhadclaspedthehandofthatbravegirlMaiwa，whocamedowntohelpme，themenhavingscrambledforwardwiththeivory，whenIfeltsomeoneseizemyankle。
"’Pull，Maiwa，pull，’Igasped，andshecertainlydidpull。Maiwawasaverymuscularwoman，andneverbeforedidIappreciatetheadvantagesofthephysicaldevelopmentoffemalessokeenly。Shetuggedatmyleftarm，thesavagebelowtuggedatmyrightleg，tillI
begantorealizethatsomethingmustgivewayerelong。LuckilyI
retainedmypresenceofmind，likethemanwhothrewhismother—in—lawoutofthewindow，andcarriedthemattressdown—stairs，whenafirebrokeoutinhishouse。Myrighthandwasstillfree，andinitIheldmyrevolver，whichwassecuredtomywristbyaleatherthong。Thepistolwascocked，andIsimplypointeditdownwardsandfired。Theresultwasinstantaneous——andsofarasIamconcerned，mostsatisfactory。Thebullethitthemanbeneathmesomewhere，IamsureI
don’tknowwhere；atanyrate，heletgoofmylegandplungedheadlongintothegulfbeneathtojoinGobo。InanothermomentIwasonthetopoftherock，andgoinguptheremainingstepslikealamplighter。Asingleothersoldierappearedinpursuit，butoneofmyboysatthetopfiredmyelephantgunathim。Idon’tknowifhehithimoronlyfrightenedhim；atanyrate，hevanishedwhencehecame。I
doknow，however，thatheverynearlyhit/me/，forIfeltthewindofthebullet。
"Anotherthirtyseconds，andIandthewomanMaiwawereatthetopofthecliffpanting，butsafe。
"Mymen，beingdirectedtheretobyMaiwa，hadmostfortunatelyrolledupsomebigboulderswhichlayabout，andwiththesewesoonmanagedtoblockthepassagethroughtheoverhangingridgeofrockinsuchfashionthatthesoldiersbelowcouldnotpossiblyclimboverit。
Indeed，sofarasIcouldsee，theydidnoteventrytodoso——theirheartwasturnedtofat，astheZulussay。
"Thenhavingrestedafewmomentswetookuptheloads，includingthetusksofivorythathadcostussodear，andinsilencemarchedonforacoupleofmilesormore，tillwereachedapatchofdensebush。Andhere，beingutterlyexhausted，wecampedforthenight，takingtheprecaution，however，ofsettingaguardtowatchagainstanyattemptatsurprise。
VI
THEPLANOFCAMPAIGN
"Notwithstandingallthatwehadgonethrough，perhapsindeedonaccountofit，forIwasthoroughlywornout，IsleptthatnightassoundlyaspoorGobo，roundwhosecrushedbodythehy？naswouldnowbeprowling。RisingrefreshedatdawnwewentonourwaytowardsNala’skraal，whichwereachedatnightfall。ItisbuiltonopengroundaftertheZulufashion，inaringfenceandwithbeehivehuts。Thecattlekraalisbehindandalittletotheleft。Indeed，bothfromtheirhabitsandtheirtalkitwaseasytoseethattheseButianabelongtothatsectionoftheBantupeoplewhich，sinceT’Chaka’stime，hasbeenknownastheZulurace。WedidnotseethechiefNalathatnight。HisdaughterMaiwawentontohisprivatehutsassoonaswearrived，andveryshortlyafterwardsoneofhisheadmencametousbringingasheepandsomemealiesandmilkwithhim。’Thechiefsentusgreeting，’hesaid，’andwouldseeusonthemorrow。’Meanwhilehewasorderedtobringustoaplaceofresting，whereweandourgoodsshouldbesafeandundisturbed。AccordinglyheledthewaytosomeverygoodhutsjustoutsideNala’sprivateenclosure，andherewesleptcomfortably。
"Onthemorrowabouteighto’clocktheheadmancameagain，andsaidthatNalarequestedthatIwouldvisithim。Ifollowedhimintotheprivateenclosureandwasintroducedtothechief，afine—lookingmanofaboutfifty，withverydelicately—shapedhandsandfeet，andarathernervousmouth。Thechiefwasseatedonatannedox—hideoutsidehishut。ByhissidestoodhisdaughterMaiwa，andsquattedontheirhaunchesroundhimweresometwentyheadmenorIndunas，whosenumberwascontinuallyaddedtobyfresharrivals。ThesemensalutedmeasI
entered，andthechiefroseandtookmyhand，orderingastooltobebroughtformetositon。Whenthiswasdone，withmucheloquenceandnativecourtesyhethankedmeforprotectinghisdaughterinthepainfulanddangerouscircumstancesinwhichshefoundherselfplaced，andalsocomplimentedmeveryhighlyuponwhathewaspleasedtocallthebraverywithwhichIhaddefendedthepassintherocks。I
answeredinappropriateterms，sayingthatitwastoMaiwaherselfthatthanksweredue，forhaditnotbeenforherwarningandknowledgeofthecountryweshouldnothavebeenhereto—day；whileastothedefenceofthepass，Iwasfightingformylife，andthatputheartintome。
"Thesecourtesiesconcluded，NalacalleduponhisdaughterMaiwatotellhertaletotheheadmen，andthisshedidmostsimplyandeffectively。SheremindedthemthatshehadgoneasanunwillingbridetoWambe——thatnocattlehadbeenpaidforher，becauseWambehadthreatenedwarifshewasnotsentasafreegift。SinceshehadenteredthekraalofWambeherdayshadbeendaysofheavinessandhernightsnightsofweeping。Shehadbeenbeaten，shehadbeenneglectedandmadetodotheworkofalow—bornwife——she，achief’sdaughter。
Shehadborneachild，andthiswasthestoryofthechild。Thenamidstadeadsilenceshetoldthemtheawfultalewhichshehadalreadynarratedtome。Whenshehadfinished，herhearersgavealoudejaculation。’/Ou!/’theysaid，’/ou!/Maiwa，daughterofNala!’
"’Ay，’shewentonwithflashingeyes，’ay，itistrue；mymouthisasfulloftruthasaflowerofhoney，andfortearsmyeyesarelikethedewuponthegrassatdawn。ItistrueIsawthechilddie——hereistheproofofit，councillors，’andshedrewforththelittledeadhandandhelditbeforethem。
"’/Ou!/’theysaidagain，’/ou!/itisthedeadhand!’
"’Yes，’shecontinued，’itisthedeadhandofmydeadchild，andI
bearitwithmethatImayneverforget，neverforoneshorthour，thatIlivethatImayseeWambedie，andbeavenged。Willyoubearit，myfather，thatyourdaughterandyourdaughter’schildshouldbesotreatedbyaMatuku？Willyebearit，menofmyownpeople？’
"’No，’saidanoldInduna，rising，’itisnottobeborne。EnoughhavewesufferedatthehandsoftheseMatukudogsandtheirloud—tonguedchief；letusputittotheissue。’
"’Itisnottobeborneindeed，’saidNala；’buthowcanwemakeheadagainstsogreatapeople？’
"’Askofhim——askofMacumazahn，thewisewhiteman，’saidMaiwa，pointingatme。
"’HowcanweovercomeWambe，Macumazahnthehunter？’
"’Howdoesthejackaloverreachthelion，Nala？’
"’Bycleverness，Macumazahn。’
"’SoshallyouovercomeWambe，Nala。’
"Atthismomentaninterruptionoccurred。AmanenteredandsaidthatmessengershadarrivedfromWambe。
"’Whatistheirmessage？’askedNala。
"’TheycometoaskthatthydaughterMaiwabesentback，andwithherthewhitehunter。’
"’HowshallImakeanswertothis，Macumazahn？’saidNala，whenthemanhadwithdrawn。
"’Thusshaltthouanswer，’Isaidafterreflection；’saythatthewomanshallbesentandIwithher，andthenbidthemessengersbegone。Stay，Iwillhidemyselfhereinthehutthatthemenmaynotseeme，’andIdid。
"Shortlyafterwards，throughacrackinthehut，Isawthemessengersarrive，andtheyweregreattruculent—lookingfellows。Therewerefourofthem，andevidentlytheyhadtravellednightandday。TheyenteredwithaswaggerandsquatteddownbeforeNala。
"’Yourbusiness？’saidNala，frowning。
"’WecomefromWambe，bearingtheordersofWambetoNalahisservant，’answeredthespokesmanoftheparty。
"’Speak，’saidNala，withacurioustwitchofhisnervous—lookingmouth。
"’ThesearethewordsofWambe："Sendbackthewoman，mywife，whohasrunawayfrommykraal，andsendwithherthewhitemanwhohasdaredtohuntinmycountrywithoutmyleave，andtoslaymysoldiers。"
ThesearethewordsofWambe。’
"’AndifIsayIwillnotsendthem？’askedNala。
"’ThenonbehalfofWambewedeclarewaruponyou。Wambewilleatyouup。Hewillwipeyouout；yourkraalsshallbestampedflat——so，’andwithanexpressivegesturehedrewhishandacrosshismouthtoshowhowcompletewouldbetheannihilationofthatchiefwhodaredtodefyWambe。
"’Theseareheavywords，’saidNala。’LetmetakecounselbeforeI
answer。’
"Thenfollowedalittlepieceofactingthatwasreallyverycreditabletotheuntutoredsavagemind。Theheraldswithdrew，butnotoutofsight，andNalawentthroughtheshowofearnestlyconsultinghisIndunas。ThegirlMaiwatooflungherselfathisfeet，andappearedtoweepandimplorehisprotection，whilehewrunghishandsasthoughindoubtandtribulationofmind。Atlengthhesummonedthemessengerstodrawnear，andaddressedthem，whileMaiwasobbedveryrealisticallyathisside。
"’Wambeisagreatchief，’saidNala，’andthiswomanishiswife，whomhehasarighttoclaim。Shemustreturntohim，butherfeetaresorewithwalking，shecannotcomenow。IneightdaysfromthisdaysheshallbedeliveredatthekraalofWambe；Iwillsendherwithapartyofmymen。Asforthewhitehunterandhismen，Ihavenoughttodowiththem，andcannotanswerfortheirmisdeeds。Theyhavewanderedhitherunbiddenbyme，andIwilldeliverthembackwhencetheycame，thatWambemayjudgethemaccordingtohislaw；theyshallbesentwiththegirl。Foryou，goyourways。Foodshallbegivenyouwithoutthekraal，andapresentforWambeinatonementoftheill—doingofmydaughter。Ihavespoken。’
"AtfirsttheheraldsseemedinclinedtoinsistuponMaiwa’saccompanyingthemthenandthere，butonbeingshowntheswollenconditionofherfeet，ultimatelytheygaveupthepointanddeparted。