Contains：
　　THEMYSTERYOFSASASSAVALLEY，A。ConanDoyleLONGODDS，H。RiderHaggardKINGBEMBA’SPOINT，J。LandersGHAMBA，W。C。ScullyMARYMUSGRAVE，AnonymousGREGORIO，PercyHemingwayTHEMYSTERYOFSASASSAVALLEY
　　BY
　　A。CONANDOYLE
　　DoIknowwhyTomDonahueiscalled"LuckyTom"？Yes，Ido；andthatismorethanoneintenofthosewhocallhimsocansay。Ihaveknockedaboutadealinmytime，andseensomestrangesights，butnonestrangerthanthewayinwhichTomgainedthatsobriquet，andhisfortunewithit。ForIwaswithhimatthetime。Tellit？Oh，certainly；butitisalongishstoryandaverystrangeone；sofillupyourglassagain，andlightanothercigar，whileItrytoreelitoff。Yes，averystrangeone；beatssomefairystoriesIhaveheard；
　　butit’strue，sir，everywordofit。TherearemenaliveatCapeColonynowwho’llrememberitandconfirmwhatIsay。ManyatimehasthetalebeentoldroundthefireinBoers’cabinsfromOrangestatetoGriqualand；yes，andoutinthebushandatthediamond-fieldstoo。
　　I’mroughishnow，sir；butIwasenteredattheMiddleTempleonce，andstudiedforthebar。Tom——worseluck！——wasoneofmyfellow-
　　students；andawildishtimewehadofit，untilatlastourfinancesranshort，andwewerecompelledtogiveupourso-calledstudies，andlookaboutforsomepartoftheworldwheretwoyoungfellowswithstrongarmsandsoundconstitutionsmightmaketheirmark。InthosedaysthetideofemigrationhadscarcelybeguntosetintowardAfrica，andsowethoughtourbestchancewouldbedownatCapeColony。Well，——tomakealongstoryshort，——wesetsail，andweredepositedinCapeTownwithlessthanfivepoundsinourpockets；andthereweparted。Weeachtriedourhandsatmanythings，andhadupsanddowns；butwhen，attheendofthreeyears，chanceledeachofusup-countryandwemetagain，wewere，Iregrettosay，inalmostasbadaplightaswhenwestarted。
　　Well，thiswasnotmuchofacommencement；andverydisheartenedwewere，sodisheartenedthatTomspokeofgoingbacktoEnglandandgettingaclerkship。Foryouseewedidn’tknowthatwehadplayedoutalloursmallcards，andthatthetrumpsweregoingtoturnup。No；wethoughtour"hands"werebadallthrough。Itwasaverylonelypartofthecountrythatwewerein，inhabitedbyafewscatteredfarms，whosehouseswerestockadedandfencedintodefendthemagainsttheKaffirs。TomDonahueandIhadalittlehutrightoutinthebush；butwewereknowntopossessnothing，andtobehandywithourrevolvers，sowehadlittletofear。Therewewaited，doingoddjobs，andhopingthatsomethingwouldturnup。Well，afterwehadbeenthereaboutamonthsomethingdidturnupuponacertainnight，somethingwhichwasthemakingofbothofus；andit’saboutthatnight，sir，thatI’mgoingtotellyou。Irememberitwell。Thewindwashowlingpastourcabin，andtherainthreatenedtoburstinourrudewindow。Wehadagreatwoodfirecracklingandsputteringonthehearth，bywhichIwassittingmendingawhip，whileTomwaslyinginhisbunkgroaningdisconsolatelyatthechancewhichhadledhimtosuchaplace。
　　"Cheerup，Tom——cheerup，"saidI。"Nomaneverknowswhatmaybeawaitinghim。"
　　"Illluck，illluck，Jack，"heanswered。"Ialwayswasanunluckydog。
　　HerehaveIbeenthreeyearsinthisabominablecountry；andIseeladsfreshfromEnglandjinglingthemoneyintheirpockets，whileI
　　amaspooraswhenIlanded。Ah，Jack，ifyouwanttokeepyourheadabovewater，oldfriend，youmusttryyourfortuneawayfromme。"
　　"Nonsense，Tom；you’redowninyourluckto-night。Buthark！Here’ssomeonecomingoutside。DickWharton，bythetread；he’llrouseyou，ifanymancan。"
　　EvenasIspokethedoorwasflungopen，andhonestDickWharton，withthewaterpouringfromhim，steppedin，hisheartyredfaceloomingthroughthehazelikeaharvest-moon。Heshookhimself，andaftergreetingussatdownbythefiretowarmhimself。
　　"Whereaway，Dick，onsuchanightasthis？"saidI。"You’llfindtherheumatismaworsefoethantheKaffirs，unlessyoukeepmoreregularhours。"
　　Dickwaslookingunusuallyserious，almostfrightened，onewouldsay，ifonedidnotknowtheman。"Hadtogo，"hereplied——"hadtogo。OneofMadison’scattlewasseenstrayingdownSasassaValley，andofcoursenoneofourblackswouldgodown/that/valleyatnight；andifwehadwaitedtillmorning，thebrutewouldhavebeeninKaffirland。"
　　"Whywouldn’ttheygodownSasassaValleyatnight？"askedTom。
　　"Kaffirs，Isuppose，"saidI。
　　"Ghosts，"saidDick。
　　Webothlaughed。
　　"Isupposetheydidn’tgivesuchamatter-of-factfellowasyouasightoftheircharms？"saidTom，fromthebunk。
　　"Yes，"saidDick，seriously，"yes；Isawwhattheniggerstalkabout；
　　andIpromiseyou，lads，Idon’twantevertoseeitagain。"
　　Tomsatupinhisbed。"Nonsense，Dick；you’rejoking，man！Come，tellusallaboutit；thelegendfirst，andyourownexperienceafterward。
　　Passhimoverthebottle，Jack。"
　　"Well，astothelegend，"beganDick。"ItseemsthattheniggershavehadithandeddowntothemthatSasassaValleyishauntedbyafrightfulfiend。Huntersandwandererspassingdownthedefilehaveseenitsglowingeyesundertheshadowsofthecliff；andthestorygoesthatwhoeverhaschancedtoencounterthatbalefulglarehashadhisafter-lifeblightedbythemalignantpowerofthiscreature。
　　Whetherthatbetrueornot，"continuedDick，ruefully，"Imayhaveanopportunityofjudgingformyself。"
　　"Goon，Dick——goon，"criedTom。"Let’shearaboutwhatyousaw。"
　　"Well，Iwasgropingdownthevalley，lookingforthatcowofMadison’s，andIhad，Isuppose，gothalf-waydown，whereablackcraggycliffjutsintotheravineontheright，whenIhaltedtohaveapullatmyflask。IhadmyeyefixedatthetimeupontheprojectingcliffIhavementioned，andnoticednothingunusualaboutit。Ithenputupmyflaskandtookasteportwoforward，wheninamomentthereburst，apparentlyfromthebaseoftherock，abouteightfeetfromthegroundandahundredyardsfromme，astrange，luridglare，flickeringandoscillating，graduallydyingawayandthenreappearingagain。No，no；I’veseenmanyaglow-wormandfirefly——nothingofthatsort。
　　Thereitwas，burningaway，andIsupposeIgazedatit，tremblingineverylimb，forfullytenminutes。ThenItookastepforward，wheninstantlyitvanished，vanishedlikeacandleblownout。Isteppedbackagain；butitwassometimebeforeIcouldfindtheexactspotandpositionfromwhichitwasvisible。Atlast，thereitwas，theweirdreddishlight，flickeringawayasbefore。ThenIscrewedupmycourage，andmadefortherock；butthegroundwassouneventhatitwasimpossibletosteerstraight；andthoughIwalkedalongthewholebaseofthecliff，Icouldseenothing。ThenImadetracksforhome；
　　andIcantellyou，boys，that，untilyouremarkedit，Ineverknewitwasraining，thewholewayalong。Buthollo！what’sthematterwithTom？"
　　Whatindeed？Tomwasnowsittingwithhislegsoverthesideofthebunk，andhiswholefacebetrayingexcitementsointenseastobealmostpainful。"Thefiendwouldhavetwoeyes。Howmanylightsdidyousee，Dick？Speakout！"
　　"Onlyone。"
　　"Hurrah！"criedTom，"that’sbetter。"Whereuponhekickedtheblanketsintothemiddleoftheroom，andbeganpacingupanddownwithlongfeverishstrides。SuddenlyhestoppedoppositeDick，andlaidhishanduponhisshoulder。"Isay，Dick，couldwegettoSasassaValleybeforesunrise？"
　　"Scarcely，"saidDick。
　　"Well，lookhere；weareoldfriends，DickWharton，youandI。Nowdon’tyoutellanyothermanwhatyouhavetoldus，foraweek。You’llpromisethat，won’tyou？"
　　IcouldseebythelookonDick’sfaceasheacquiescedthatheconsideredpoorTomtobemad；andindeedIwasmyselfcompletelymystifiedbyhisconduct。Ihad，however，seensomanyproofsofmyfriend’sgoodsenseandquicknessofapprehensionthatIthoughtitquitepossiblethatWharton’sstoryhadhadameaninginhiseyeswhichIwastooobtusetotakein。
　　AllnightTomDonahuewasgreatlyexcited，andwhenWhartonlefthebeggedhimtorememberhispromise，andalsoelicitedfromhimadescriptionoftheexactspotatwhichhehadseentheapparition，aswellasthehouratwhichitappeared。Afterhisdeparture，whichmusthavebeenaboutfourinthemorning，IturnedintomybunkandwatchedTomsittingbythefiresplicingtwostickstogether，untilIfellasleep。IsupposeImusthavesleptabouttwohours；butwhenIawokeTomwasstillsittingworkingawayinalmostthesameposition。HehadfixedtheonestickacrossthetopoftheothersoastoformaroughT，andwasnowbusyinfittingasmallerstickintotheanglebetweenthem，bymanipulatingwhich，thecrossonecouldbeeithercockedupordepressedtoanyextent。Hehadcutnotches，too，intheperpendicularstick，sothat，bytheaidofthesmallprop，thecrossonecouldbekeptinanypositionforanindefinitetime。
　　"Lookhere，Jack！"hecried，whenhesawthatIwasawake。"Comeandgivemeyouropinion。SupposeIputthiscross-stickpointingstraightatathing，andarrangedthissmallonesoastokeepitso，andleftit，IcouldfindthatthingagainifIwantedit——don’tyouthinkI
　　could，Jack——don’tyouthinkso？"hecontinued，nervously，clutchingmebythearm。
　　"Well，"Ianswered，"itwoulddependonhowfaroffthethingwas，andhowaccuratelyitwaspointed。Ifitwereanydistance，I’dcutsightsonyourcross-stick；thenastringtiedtotheendofit，andheldinaplumb-lineforward，wouldlendyouprettynearwhatyouwanted。Butsurely，Tom，youdon’tintendtolocalisetheghostinthatway？"
　　"You’llseeto-night，oldfriend——you’llseeto-night。I’llcarrythistotheSasassaValley。YougettheloanofMadison’scrowbar，andcomewithme；butmindyoutellnomanwhereyouaregoing，orwhatyouwantitfor。"
　　AlldayTomwaswalkingupanddowntheroom，orworkinghardattheapparatus。Hiseyeswereglistening，hischeekshectic，andhehadallthesymptomsofhighfever。"HeavengrantthatDick’sdiagnosisbenotcorrect！"Ithought，asIreturnedwiththecrowbar；andyet，aseveningdrewnear，Ifoundmyselfimperceptiblysharingtheexcitement。
　　Aboutsixo’clockTomsprangtohisfeetandseizedhissticks。"Icanstanditnolonger，Jack，"hecried；"upwithyourcrowbar，andheyforSasassaValley！To-night’swork，mylad，willeithermakeusormarus！Takeyoursix-shooter，incasewemeettheKaffirs。Idaren’ttakemine，Jack，"hecontinued，puttinghishandsuponmyshoulders——
　　"Idaren’ttakemine；forifmyillluckstickstometo-night，I
　　don’tknowwhatImightnotdowithit。"
　　Well，havingfilledourpocketswithprovisions，wesetout，and，aswetookourwearisomewaytowardtheSasassaValley，Ifrequentlyattemptedtoelicitfrommycompanionsomeclueastohisintentions。
　　Buthisonlyanswerwas："Letushurryon，Jack。WhoknowshowmanyhaveheardofWharton’sadventurebythistime！Letushurryon，orwemaynotbefirstinthefield！"
　　Well，sir，westruggledonthroughthehillsforamatteroftenmiles；tillatlast，afterdescendingacrag，wesawopeningoutinfrontofusaravinesosombreanddarkthatitmighthavebeenthegateofHadesitself；cliffsmanyhundredfeetshutinoneverysidethegloomyboulder-studdedpassagewhichledthroughthehaunteddefileintoKaffirland。Themoon，risingabovethecrags，threwintostrongrelieftherough，irregularpinnaclesofrockbywhichtheyweretopped，whileallbelowwasdarkasErebus。
　　"TheSasassaValley？"saidI。
　　"Yes，"saidTom。
　　Ilookedathim。Hewascalmnow；theflushandfeverishnesshadpassedaway；hisactionsweredeliberateandslow。Yettherewasacertainrigidityinhisfaceandglitterinhiseyewhichshowedthatacrisishadcome。
　　Weenteredthepass，stumblingalongamidthegreatboulders。SuddenlyIheardashort，quickexclamationfromTom。"That’sthecrag！"hecried，pointingtoagreatmassloomingbeforeusinthedarkness。
　　"Now，Jack，foranyfavouruseyoureyes！We’reaboutahundredyardsfromthatcliff，Itakeit；soyoumoveslowlytowardonesideandI’lldothesametowardtheother。Whenyouseeanything，stopandcallout。Don’ttakemorethantwelveinchesinastep，andkeepyoureyefixedonthecliffabouteightfeetfromtheground。Areyouready？"
　　"Yes。"IwasevenmoreexcitedthanTombythistime。WhathisintentionorobjectwasIcouldnotconjecture，beyondthathewantedtoexaminebydaylightthepartoftheclifffromwhichthelightcame。Yettheinfluenceoftheromanticsituationandmycompanion’ssuppressedexcitementwassogreatthatIcouldfeelthebloodcoursingthroughmyveinsandcountthepulsesthrobbingatmytemples。
　　"Start！"criedTom；andwemovedoff，hetotheright，Itotheleft，eachwithoureyesfixedintentlyonthebaseofthecrag。Ihadmovedperhapstwentyfeet，wheninamomentitburstuponme。Throughthegrowingdarknessthereshoneasmall，ruddy，glowingpoint，thelightfromwhichwanedandincreased，flickeredandoscillated，eachchangeproducingamoreweirdeffectthanthelast。TheoldKaffirsuperstitioncameintomymind，andIfeltacoldshudderpassoverme。InmyexcitementIsteppedapacebackward，wheninstantlythelightwentout，leavingutterdarknessinitsplace；butwhenI
　　advancedagain，therewastheruddyglareglowingfromthebaseofthecliff。"Tom，Tom！"Icried。
　　"Ay，ay！"Iheardhimexclaim，ashehurriedovertowardme。
　　"Thereitis——there，upagainstthecliff！"
　　Tomwasatmyelbow。"Iseenothing，"saidhe。
　　"Why，there，there，man，infrontofyou！"IsteppedtotherightasI
　　spoke，whenthelightinstantlyvanishedfrommyeyes。
　　ButfromTom’sejaculationsofdelightitwasclearthatfrommyformerpositionitwasvisibletohimalso。"Jack，"hecried，asheturnedandwrungmyhand——"Jack，youandIcannevercomplainofourluckagain。Nowheapupafewstoneswherewearestanding。That’sright。Nowwemustfixmysign-postfirmlyinatthetop。There！Itwouldtakeastrongwindtoblowthatdown；andweonlyneedittoholdouttillmorning。OJack，myboy，tothinkthatonlyyesterdayweweretalkingofbecomingclerks，andyousayingthatnomanknewwhatwasawaitinghim，too！ByJove，Jack，itwouldmakeagoodstory！"
　　Bythistimewehadfirmlyfixedtheperpendicularstickinbetweenthetwolargestones；andTombentdownandpeeredalongthehorizontalone。Forfullyaquarterofanhourhewasalternatelyraisinganddepressingit，untilatlast，withasighofsatisfaction，hefixedthepropintotheangle，andstoodup。"Lookalong，Jack，"hesaid。"YouhaveasstraightaneyetotakeasightasanymanIknowof。"
　　Ilookedalong。Therebeyondthefarthersightwastheruddy，scintillatingspeck，apparentlyattheendofthestickitself，soaccuratelyhaditbeenadjusted。
　　"Andnow，myboy，"saidTom，"let’shavesomesupperandasleep。
　　There’snothingmoretobedoneto-night；butwe’llneedallourwitsandstrengthto-morrow。Getsomesticksandkindleafirehere，andthenwe’llbeabletokeepaneyeonoursignal-post，andseethatnothinghappenstoitduringthenight。"
　　Well，sir，wekindledafire，andhadsupperwiththeSasassademon’seyerollingandglowinginfrontofusthewholenightthrough。Notalwaysinthesameplace，though；foraftersupper，whenIglancedalongthesightstohaveanotherlookatit，itwasnowheretobeseen。Theinformationdidnot，however，seemtodisturbTominanyway。Hemerelyremarked，"It’sthemoon，notthething，thathasshifted；"andcoilinghimselfup，wenttosleep。
　　Byearlydawnwewerebothup，andgazingalongourpointeratthecliff；butwecouldmakeoutnothingsavetheonedead，monotonous，slatysurface，rougherperhapsatthepartwewereexaminingthanelsewhere，butotherwisepresentingnothingremarkable。
　　"Nowforyouridea，Jack！"saidTomDonahue，unwindingalongthincordfromroundhiswaist。"Youfastenit，andguidemewhileItaketheotherend。"Sosaying，hewalkedofftothebaseofthecliff，holdingoneendofthecord，whileIdrewtheothertaut，andwounditroundthemiddleofthehorizontalstick，passingitthroughthesightattheend。BythismeansIcoulddirectTomtotherightorleft，untilwehadourstringstretchingfromthepointofattachment，throughthesight，andontotherock，whichitstruckabouteightfeetfromtheground。Tomdrewachalkcircleofaboutthreefeetdiameterroundthespot，andthencalledtometocomeandjoinhim。
　　"We’vemanagedthisbusinesstogether，Jack，"hesaid，"andwe’llfindwhatwearetofind，together。"Thecirclehehaddrawnembracedapartoftherocksmootherthantherest，savethataboutthecentretherewereafewroughprotuberancesorknobs。OneoftheseTompointedtowithacryofdelight。Itwasaroughish，brownishmassaboutthesizeofaman’sclosedfist，andlookinglikeabitofdirtyglassletintothewallofthecliff。"That’sit！"hecried——"that’sit！"
　　"That’swhat？"
　　"Why，man，/adiamond/，andsuchaoneasthereisn’tamonarchinEuropebutwouldenvyTomDonahuethepossessionof。Upwithyourcrowbar，andwe’llsoonexorcisethedemonofSasassaValley！"
　　IwassoastoundedthatforamomentIstoodspeechlesswithsurprise，gazingatthetreasurewhichhadsounexpectedlyfallenintoourhands。
　　"Here，handmethecrowbar，"saidTom。"Now，byusingthislittleroundknobwhichprojectsfromthecliffhereasafulcrum，wemaybeabletoleveritoff。Yes；thereitgoes。Ineverthoughtitcouldhavecomesoeasily。Now，Jack，thesoonerwegetbacktoourhutandthendowntoCapeTown，thebetter。"
　　Wewrappedupourtreasure，andmadeourwayacrossthehillstowardhome。Ontheway，Tomtoldmehow，whilealawstudentintheMiddleTemple，hehadcomeuponadustypamphletinthelibrary，byoneJansvanHounym，whichtoldofanexperienceverysimilartoours，whichhadbefallenthatworthyDutchmaninthelatterpartoftheseventeenthcentury，andwhichresultedinthediscoveryofaluminousdiamond。ThistaleitwaswhichhadcomeintoTom’sheadashelistenedtohonestDickWharton’sghost-story，whilethemeanswhichhehadadoptedtoverifyhissuppositionsprangfromhisownfertileIrishbrain。
　　"We’lltakeitdowntoCapeTown，"continuedTom，"andifwecan’tdisposeofitwithadvantagethere，itwillbeworthourwhiletoshipforLondonwithit。LetusgoalongtoMadison’sfirst，though；heknowssomethingofthesethings，andcanperhapsgiveussomeideaofwhatwemayconsiderafairpriceforourtreasure。"
　　Weturnedofffromthetrackaccordingly，beforereachingourhut，andkeptalongthenarrowpathleadingtoMadison’sfarm。Hewasatlunchwhenweentered；andinaminutewewereseatedateachsideofhim，enjoyingSouthAfricanhospitality。
　　"Well，"hesaid，aftertheservantsweregone，"what’sinthewindnow？Iseeyouhavesomethingtosaytome。Whatisit？"
　　Tomproducedhispacket，andsolemnlyuntiedthehandkerchiefswhichenvelopedit。"There！"hesaid，puttinghiscrystalonthetable；
　　"whatwouldyousaywasafairpriceforthat？"
　　Madisontookitupandexamineditcritically。"Well，"hesaid，layingitdownagain，"initscrudestateabouttwelveshillingsperton。"
　　"Twelveshillings！"criedTom，startingtohisfeet。"Don’tyouseewhatitis？"
　　"Rock-salt！"
　　"Rock-saltbed——d！adiamond。"
　　"Tasteit！"saidMadison。
　　Tomputittohislips，dasheditdownwithadreadfulexclamation，andrushedoutoftheroom。
　　Ifeltsadanddisappointedenoughmyself；butpresently，rememberingwhatTomhadsaidaboutthepistol，I，tooleftthehouse，andmadeforthehut，leavingMadisonopen-mouthedwithastonishment。WhenI
　　gotin，IfoundTomlyinginhisbunkwithhisfacetothewall，toodispiritedapparentlytoanswermyconsolations。AnathematisingDickandMadison，theSasassademon，andeverythingelse，Istrolledoutofthehut，andrefreshedmyselfwithapipeafterourwearisomeadventure。Iwasaboutfiftyyardsfromthehut，whenIheardissuingfromitthesoundwhichofallothersIleastexpectedtohear。Haditbeenagroanoranoath，Ishouldhavetakenitasamatterofcourse；
　　butthesoundwhichcausedmetostopandtakethepipeoutofmymouthwasaheartyroaroflaughter！NextmomentTomhimselfemergedfromthedoor，hiswholefaceradiantwithdelight。"Gameforanotherten-milewalk，oldfellow？"
　　"What！foranotherlumpofrock-salt，attwelveshillingsaton？"
　　"’Nomoreofthat，Hal，anyouloveme，’"grinnedTom。"Nowlookhere，Jack。Whatblessedfoolswearetobesoflooredbyatrifle！
　　Justsitonthisstumpforfiveminutes，andI’llmakeitasclearasdaylight。You’veseenmanyalumpofrock-saltstuckinacrag，andsohaveI，thoughwedidmakesuchamullofthisone。Now，Jack，didanyofthepiecesyouhaveeverseenshineinthedarknessbrighterthananyfire-fly？"
　　"Well，Ican’tsaytheyeverdid。"
　　"I’dventuretoprophesythatifwewaiteduntilnight，whichwewon’tdo，wewouldseethatlightstillglimmeringamongtherocks。
　　Therefore，Jack，whenwetookawaythisworthlesssalt，wetookthewrongcrystal。Itisnoverystrangethinginthesehillsthatapieceofrock-saltshouldbelyingwithinafootofadiamond。Itcaughtoureyes，andwewereexcited，andsowemadefoolsofourselves，and/lefttherealstonebehind/。Dependuponit，Jack，theSasassagemislyingwithinthatmagiccircleofchalkuponthefaceofyondercliff。
　　Come，oldfellow，lightyourpipeandstowyourrevolver，andwe’llbeoffbeforethatfellowMadisonhastimetoputtwoandtwotogether。"
　　Idon’tknowthatIwasverysanguinethistime。Ihadbegun，infact，tolookuponthediamondasamostunmitigatednuisance。However，ratherthanthrowadamperonTom’sexpectations，Iannouncedmyselfeagertostart。Whatawalkitwas！Tomwasalwaysagoodmountaineer，buthisexcitementseemedtolendhimwingsthatday，whileI
　　scrambledalongafterhimasbestIcould。
　　Whenwegotwithinhalfamilehebrokeintothe"double，"andneverpulledupuntilhereachedtheroundwhitecircleuponthecliff。PooroldTom！whenIcameup，hismoodhadchanged，andhewasstandingwithhishandsinhispockets，gazingvacantlybeforehimwitharuefulcountenance。
　　"Look！"hesaid，"look！"andhepointedatthecliff。Notasignofanythingintheleastresemblingadiamondthere。Thecircleincludednothingbutaflatslate-colouredstone，withonelargehole，wherewehadextractedtherock-salt，andoneortwosmallerdepressions。Nosignofthegem。
　　"I’vebeenovereveryinchofit，"saidpoorTom。"It’snotthere。
　　Someonehasbeenhereandnoticedthechalk，andtakenit。Comehome，Jack；Ifeelsickandtired。Oh，hadanymaneverlucklikemine！"
　　Iturnedtogo，buttookonelastlookattheclifffirst。Tomwasalreadytenpacesoff。
　　"Hollo！"Icried，"don’tyouseeanychangeinthatcirclesinceyesterday？"
　　"Whatd’yemean？"saidTom。
　　"Don’tyoumissathingthatwastherebefore？"
　　"Therock-salt？"saidTom。
　　"No；butthelittleroundknobthatweusedforafulcrum。Isupposewemusthavewrencheditoffinusingthelever。Let’shavealookatwhatit’smadeof。"
　　Accordingly，atthefootofthecliffwesearchedaboutamongtheloosestones。
　　"Hereyouare，Jack！We’vedoneitatlast！We’remademen！"
　　Iturnedround，andtherewasTomradiantwithdelight，andwiththelittlecornerofblackrockinhishand。Atfirstsightitseemedtobemerelyachipfromthecliff；butnearthebasetherewasprojectingfromitanobjectwhichTomwasnowexultinglypointingout。Itlookedatfirstsomethinglikeaglasseye；buttherewasadepthandbrilliancyaboutitsuchasglassneverexhibited。Therewasnomistakethistime；wehadcertainlygotpossessionofajewelofgreatvalue；andwithlightheartsweturnedfromthevalley，bearingawaywithusthe"fiend"whichhadsolongreignedthere。
　　There，sir；I’vespunmystoryouttoolong，andtiredyouperhaps。
　　Yousee，whenIgettalkingofthoserougholddays，Ikindofseethelittlecabinagain，andthebrookbesideit，andthebusharound，andseemtohearTom’shonestvoiceoncemore。There’slittleformetosaynow。Weprosperedonthegem。TomDonahue，asyouknow，hassetuphere，andiswellknownabouttown。Ihavedonewell，farmingandostrich-raisinginAfrica。WesetoldDickWhartonupinbusiness，andheisoneofournearestneighbours。Ifyoushouldeverbecomingupourway，sir，you’llnotforgettoaskforJackTurnbull——JackTurnbullofSasassaFarm。
　　LONGODDS
　　BY
　　H。RIDERHAGGARD
　　ThestorywhichisnarratedinthefollowingpagescametomefromthelipsofmyoldfriendAllanQuatermain，orHunterQuatermain，asweusedtocallhiminSouthAfrica。HetoldittomeoneeveningwhenI
　　wasstoppingwithhimattheplaceheboughtinYorkshire。Shortlyafterthat，thedeathofhisonlysonsounsettledhimthatheimmediatelyleftEngland，accompaniedbytwocompanions，hisoldfellow-voyagers，SirHenryCurtisandCaptainGood，andhasnowutterlyvanishedintothedarkheartofAfrica。Heispersuadedthatawhitepeople，ofwhichhehasheardrumoursallhislife，existssomewhereonthehighlandsinthevast，stillunexploredinterior，andhisgreatambitionistofindthembeforehedies。Thisisthewildquestuponwhichheandhiscompanionshavedeparted，andfromwhichI
　　shrewdlysuspecttheyneverwillreturn。OneletteronlyhaveI
　　receivedfromtheoldgentleman，datedfromamissionstationhighuptheTana，ariverontheeastcoast，aboutthreehundredmilesnorthofZanzibar；inithesaysthattheyhavegonethroughmanyhardshipsandadventures，butarealiveandwell，andhavefoundtraceswhichgofartowardmakinghimhopethattheresultsoftheirwildquestmaybea"magnificentandunexampleddiscovery。"Igreatlyfear，however，thatallhehasdiscoveredisdeath；forthislettercamealongwhileago，andnobodyhasheardasinglewordofthepartysince。Theyhavetotallyvanished。
　　ItwasonthelasteveningofmystayathishousethathetoldtheensuingstorytomeandCaptainGood，whowasdiningwithhim。Hehadeatenhisdinneranddrunktwoorthreeglassesofoldport，justtohelpGoodandmyselftotheendofthesecondbottle。Itwasanunusualthingforhimtodo，forhewasamostabstemiousman，havingconceived，asheusedtosay，agreathorrorofdrinkfromobservingitseffectsupontheclassofcolonists——hunters，transport-ridersandothers——amongstwhomhehadpassedsomanyyearsofhislife。
　　Consequentlythegoodwinetookmoreeffectonhimthanitwouldhavedoneonmostmen，sendingalittleflushintohiswrinkledcheeks，andmakinghimtalkmorefreelythanusual。
　　Dearoldman！Icanseehimnow，ashewentlimpingupanddownthevestibule，withhisgrayhairstickingupinscrubbing-brushfashion，hisshrivelledyellowface，andhislargedarkeyes，thatwereaskeenasanyhawk’s，andyetsoftasabuck’s。Thewholeroomwashungwithtrophiesofhisnumeroushuntingexpeditions，andhehadsomestoryabouteveryoneofthem，ifonlyhecouldbegottotellit。Generallyhewouldnot，forhewasnotveryfondofnarratinghisownadventures，butto-nighttheportwinemadehimmorecommunicative。
　　"Ah，youbrute！"hesaid，stoppingbeneathanunusuallylargeskullofalion，whichwasfixedjustoverthemantelpiece，beneathalongrowofguns，itsjawsdistendedtotheirutmostwidth。"Ah，youbrute！youhavegivenmealotoftroubleforthelastdozenyears，andwill，I
　　supposetomydyingday。"
　　"Tellustheyarn，Quatermain，"saidGood。"Youhaveoftenpromisedtotellme，andyouneverhave。"
　　"Youhadbetternotaskmeto，"heanswered，"foritisalongishone。"
　　"Allright，"Isaid，"theeveningisyoung，andthereissomemoreport。"
　　Thusadjured，hefilledhispipefromajarofcoarse-cutBoertobaccothatwasalwaysstandingonthemantelpiece，andstillwalkingupanddowntheroom，began：
　　"Itwas，Ithink，intheMarchof’69thatIwasupinSikukuni’scountry。ItwasjustafteroldSequati’stime，andSikukunihadgotintopower——Iforgethow。Anyway，Iwasthere。IhadheardthattheBapedipeoplehadbroughtdownanenormousquantityofivoryfromtheinterior，andsoIstartedwithawaggon-loadofgoods，andcamestraightawayfromMiddelburgtotryandtradesomeofit。Itwasariskythingtogointothecountrysoearly，onaccountofthefever；
　　butIknewthattherewereoneortwoothersafterthatlotofivory，soIdeterminedtohaveatryforit，andtakemychanceoffever。I
　　hadbecomesotoughfromcontinualknockingaboutthatIdidnotsetitdownatmuch。Well，Igotonallrightforawhile。Itisawonderfullybeautifulpieceofbushveldt，withgreatrangesofmountainsrunningthroughit，androundgranitekoppiesstartinguphereandthere，lookingoutlikesentinelsovertherollingwasteofbush。Butitisveryhot，——hotasastew-pan，——andwhenIwastherethatMarch，which，ofcourse，isautumninthispartofAfrica，thewholeplacereekedoffever。Everymorning，asItrekkedalongdownbytheOliphantRiver，Iusedtocreepfromthewaggonatdawnandlookout。Buttherewasnorivertobeseen——onlyalonglineofbillowsofwhatlookedlikethefinestcotton-wooltosseduplightlywithapitchfork。Itwasthefevermist。Outfromamongthescrub，too，camelittlespiralsofvapour，asthoughtherewerehundredsoftinyfiresalightinit——reekrisingfromthousandsoftonsofrottingvegetation。Itwasabeautifulplace，butthebeautywasthebeautyofdeath；andallthoselinesandblotsofvapourwroteonegreatwordacrossthesurfaceofthecountry，andthatwordwas’fever。’
　　"Itwasadreadfulyearofillnessthat。Icame，Iremember，toonelittlekraalofknobnoses，andwentuptoittoseeifIcouldgetsome/maas/（curdledbutter-milk）andafewmealies。AsIgotnearI
　　wasstruckwiththesilenceoftheplace。Nochildrenbegantochatter，andnodogsbarked。NorcouldIseeanynativesheeporcattle。Theplace，thoughithadevidentlybeenrecentlyinhabited，wasasstillasthebushroundit，andsomeguinea-fowlgotupoutofthepricklypearbushesrightatthekraalgate。IrememberthatI
　　hesitatedalittlebeforegoingin，therewassuchanairofdesolationaboutthespot。Natureneverlooksdesolatewhenmanhasnotyetlaidhishanduponherbreast；sheisonlylovely。Butwhenmanhasbeen，andhaspassedaway，thenshelooksdesolate。
　　"Well，Ipassedintothekraal，andwentuptotheprincipalhut。Infrontofthehutwassomethingwithanoldsheepskin/kaross/（rug）
　　thrownoverit。Istoopeddownanddrewofftherug，andthenshrankbackamazed，forunderitwasthebodyofayoungwomanrecentlydead。
　　ForamomentIthoughtofturningback，butmycuriosityovercameme；
　　sogoingpastthedeadwoman，Iwentdownonmyhandsandkneesandcreptintothehut。ItwassodarkthatIcouldnotseeanything，thoughIcouldsmellagreatdeal，soIlitamatch。Itwasa’tandstickor’match，andburntslowlyanddimly，andasthelightgraduallyincreasedImadeoutwhatItooktobeafamilyofpeople，men，women，andchildren，fastasleep。Presentlyitburntupbrightly，andIsawthattheytoo，fiveofthemaltogether，werequitedead。Onewasababy。Idroppedthematchinahurry，andwasmakingmywayoutofthehutashardasIcouldgo，whenIcaughtsightoftwobrighteyesstaringoutofacorner。Thinkingitwasawildcat，orsomesuchanimal，Iredoubledmyhaste，whensuddenlyavoiceneartheeyesbeganfirsttomutter，andthentosendupasuccessionofawfulyells。HastilyIlitanothermatch，andperceivedthattheeyesbelongedtoanoldwoman，wrappedupinagreasyleathergarment。
　　Takingherbythearm，Idraggedherout，forshecouldnot，orwouldnot，comebyherself，andthestenchwasoverpoweringme。Suchasightasshewas——abagofbones，coveredoverwithblack，shrivelledparchment。Theonlywhitethingaboutherwasherwool，andsheseemedtobeprettywelldeadexceptforhereyesandhervoice。ShethoughtthatIwasadevilcometotakeher，andthatiswhysheyelledso。
　　Well，Igotherdowntothewaggon，andgavehera’tot’ofCapesmoke，andthen，assoonasitwasready，pouredaboutapintofbeef-
　　teadownherthroat，madefromthefleshofabluevilder-beesteIhadkilledthedaybefore，andafterthatshebrightenedupwonderfully。
　　ShecouldtalkZulu，——indeed，itturnedoutthatshehadrunawayfromZululandinT’Chaka’stime，——andshetoldmethatallthepeoplewhomIhadseenhaddiedoffever。Whentheyhaddiedtheotherinhabitantsofthekraalhadtakenthecattleandgoneaway，leavingthepooroldwoman，whowashelplessfromageandinfirmity，toperishofstarvationordisease，asthecasemightbe。ShehadbeensittingthereforthreedaysamongthebodieswhenIfoundher。Itookherontothenextkraal，andgavetheheadmanablankettolookafterher，promisinghimanotherifIfoundherwellwhenIcameback。Irememberthathewasmuchastonishedatmypartingwithtwoblanketsforthesakeofsuchaworthlessoldcreature。’WhydidInotleaveherinthebush？’heasked。Thosepeoplecarrythedoctrineofthesurvivalofthefittesttoitsextreme，yousee。
　　"ItwasthenightafterIhadgotridoftheoldwomanthatImademyfirstacquaintancewithmyfriendyonder，"andhenoddedtowardtheskullthatseemedtobegrinningdownatusintheshadowofthewidemantel-shelf。"Ihadtrekkedfromdawntilleleveno’clock，——alongtrek，——butIwantedtogeton；andthenhadturnedtheoxenouttograze，sendingthevoorloopertolookafterthem，meaningtoinspanagainaboutsixo’clock，andtrekwiththemoontillten。ThenIgotintothewaggonandhadagoodsleeptillhalf-pasttwoorsointheafternoon，whenIroseandcookedsomemeat，andhadmydinner，washingitdownwithapannikinofblackcoffee；foritwasdifficulttogetpreservedmilkinthosedays。JustasIhadfinished，andthedriver，amancalledTom，waswashingupthethings，incomestheyoungscoundrelofavoorlooperdrivingoneoxbeforehim。
　　"’Wherearetheotheroxen？’Iasked。
　　"’Koos！’hesaid，’Koos！（chief）theotheroxenhavegoneaway。I
　　turnedmybackforaminute，andwhenIlookedroundagaintheywereallgoneexceptKaptein，here，whowasrubbinghisbackagainstatree。’
　　"’Youmeanthatyouhavebeenasleep，andletthemstray，youvillain。
　　Iwillrubyourbackagainstastick，’Ianswered，feelingveryangry，foritwasnotapleasantprospecttobestuckupinthatfever-trapforaweekorsowhilewewerehuntingfortheoxen。’Offyougo，andyoutoo，Tom，andmindyoudon’tcomebacktillyouhavefoundthem。
　　TheyhavetrekkedbackalongtheMiddelburgRoad，andareadozenmilesoffbynow，I’llbebound。Now，nowords；go，bothofyou。’
　　"Tom，thedriver，sworeandcaughttheladaheartykick，whichherichlydeserved，andthen，havingtiedoldKapteinuptothedisselboomwithariem，theytooktheirassegaisandsticks，andstarted。Iwouldhavegonetoo，onlyIknewthatsomebodymustlookafterthewaggon，andIdidnotliketoleaveeitheroftheboyswithitatnight。Iwasinaverybadtemper，indeed，althoughIwasprettywellusedtothesesortofoccurrences，andsoothedmyselfbytakingarifleandgoingtokillsomething。ForacoupleofhoursIpokedaboutwithoutseeinganythingthatIcouldgetashotat，butatlast，justasIwasagainwithinseventyyardsofthewaggon，IputupanoldImpalaramfrombehindamimosa-thorn。Heranstraightforthewaggon，anditwasnottillhewaspassingwithinafewfeetofitthatI
　　couldgetadecentshotathim。ThenIpulled，andcaughthimhalf-waydownthespine；overhewent，deadasadoor-nail，andaprettyshotitwas，thoughIoughtnottosayit。Thislittleincidentputmeintoratherabettertemper，especiallyasthebuckhadrolledrightagainsttheafterpartofthewaggon，soIhadonlytoguthim，fixariemroundhislegs，andhaulhimup。BythetimeIhaddonethisthesunwasdown，andthefullmoonwasup，andabeautifulmoonitwas。
　　AndthentherecamethatwonderfulhushwhichsometimesfallsovertheAfricanbushintheearlyhoursofthenight。Nobeastwasmoving，andnobirdcalled。Notabreathofairstirredthequiettrees，andtheshadowsdidnotevenquiver，theyonlygrew。Itwasveryoppressiveandverylonely，fortherewasnotasignofthecattleortheboys。I
　　wasquitethankfulforthesocietyofoldKaptein，whowaslyingdowncontentedlyagainstthedisselboom，chewingthecudwithagoodconscience。
　　"Presently，however，Kapteinbegantogetrestless。Firsthesnorted，thenhegotupandsnortedagain。Icouldnotmakeitout，solikeafoolIgotdownoffthewaggon-boxtohavealookround，thinkingitmightbethelostoxencoming。
　　"NextinstantIregrettedit，forallofasuddenIheardaroarandsawsomethingyellowflashpastmeandlightonpoorKaptein。Thencameabellowofagonyfromtheox，andacrunchasthelionputhisteeththroughthepoorbrute’sneck，andIbegantounderstandwhathadhappened。Myriflewasinthewaggon，andmyfirstthoughtwastogetholdofit，andIturnedandmadeaboltforit。Igotmyfootonthewheelandflungmybodyforwardontothewaggon，andthereI
　　stoppedasifIwerefrozen，andnowonder，forasIwasabouttospringupIheardthelionbehindme，andnextsecondIfeltthebrute，ay，asplainlyasIcanfeelthistable。Ifelthim，Isay，sniffingatmyleftlegthatwashangingdown。
　　"Myword！Ididfeelqueer；Idon’tthinkthatIeverfeltsoqueerbefore。Idarednotmoveforthelifeofme，andtheoddthingwasthatIseemedtolosepowerovermyleg，whichdevelopedaninsanesortofinclinationtokickoutofitsownmeremotion——justashystericalpeoplewanttolaughwhentheyoughttobeparticularlysolemn。Well，thelionsniffedandsniffed，beginningatmyankleandslowlynosingawayuptomythigh。Ithoughtthathewasgoingtogetholdthen，buthedidnot。Heonlygrowledsoftly，andwentbacktotheox。ShiftingmyheadalittleIgotafullviewofhim。HewasaboutthebiggestlionIeversaw，——andIhaveseenagreatmany，andhehadamosttremendousblackmane。Whathisteethwerelikeyoucansee——lookthere，prettybigones，ain’tthey？Altogetherhewasamagnificentanimal，andasIlaysprawlingontheforetongueofthewaggon，itoccurredtomethathewouldlookuncommonlywellinacage。HestoodtherebythecarcassofpoorKaptein，anddeliberatelydisembowelledhimasneatlyasabutchercouldhavedone。AllthiswhileIdarednotmove，forhekeptliftinghisheadandkeepinganeyeonmeashelickedhisbloodychops。WhenhehadcleanedKapteinoutheopenedhismouthandroared，andIamnotexaggeratingwhenI
　　saythatthesoundshookthewaggon。Instantlytherecamebackanansweringroar。
　　"’Heavens！’Ithought，’thereishismate。’
　　"HardlywasthethoughtoutofmyheadwhenIcaughtsightinthemoonlightofthelionessboundingalongthroughthelonggrass，andafterheracoupleofcubsaboutthesizeofmastiffs。Shestoppedwithinafewfeetofmyhead，andstood，andwavedhertail，andfixedmewithherglowingyelloweyes；butjustasIthoughtthatitwasalloversheturnedandbegantofeedonKaptein，andsodidthecubs。
　　Therewerethefourofthemwithineightfeetofme，growlingandquarrelling，rendingandtearing，andcrunchingpoorKaptein’sbones；
　　andthereIlayshakingwithterror，andthecoldperspirationpouringoutofme，feelinglikeanotherDanielcometojudgmentinanewsenseofthephrase。Presentlythecubshadeatentheirfill，andbegantogetrestless。OnewentroundtothebackofthewaggonandpulledattheImpalabuckthathungthere，andtheothercameroundmywayandcommencedthesniffinggameatmyleg。Indeed，hedidmorethanthat，for，mytrouserbeinghitchedupalittle，hebegantolickthebareskinwithhisroughtongue。Themorehelickedthemorehelikedit，tojudgefromhisincreasedvigourandtheloudpurringnoisehemade。
　　ThenIknewthattheendhadcome，forinanothersecondhisfile-liketonguewouldhaveraspedthroughtheskinofmyleg——whichwasluckilyprettytough——andhavedrawntheblood，andthentherewouldbenochanceforme。SoIjustlaythereandthoughtofmysins，andprayedtotheAlmighty，andthoughtthat，afterall，lifewasaveryenjoyablething。
　　"AndthenallofasuddenIheardacrashingofbushesandtheshoutingandwhistlingofmen，andtherewerethetwoboyscomingbackwiththecattle，whichtheyhadfoundtrekkingalongalltogether。Thelionsliftedtheirheadsandlistened，thenwithoutasoundboundedoff——andIfainted。
　　"Thelionscamebacknomorethatnight，andbythenextmorningmynerveshadgotprettystraightagain；butIwasfullofwrathwhenI
　　thoughtofallthatIhadgonethroughatthehands，orrathernoses，ofthosefourlions，andofthefateofmyafter-oxKaptein。Hewasasplendidox，andIwasveryfondofhim。SowrothwasIthat，likeafool，Ideterminedtoattackthewholefamilyofthem。Itwasworthyofagreenhornoutonhisfirsthunting-trip；butIdiditnevertheless。Accordinglyafterbreakfast，havingrubbedsomeoiluponmyleg，whichwasverysorefromthecub’stongue，Itookthedriver，Tom，whodidnothalflikethejob，andhavingarmedmyselfwithanordinarydoubleNo。12smooth-bore，thefirstbreech-loaderIeverhad，Istarted。Itookthesmooth-borebecauseitshotabulletverywell；andmyexperiencehasbeenthataroundballfromasmooth-boreisquiteaseffectiveagainstalionasanexpressbullet。Thelionissoft，andnotadifficultanimaltofinishifyouhithimanywhereinthebody。Abucktakesfarmorekilling。
　　"Well，Istarted，andthefirstthingIsettoworktodowastotrytomakeoutwhereaboutsthebruteslayupfortheday。Aboutthreehundredyardsfromthewaggonwasthecrestofarisecoveredwithsinglemimosa-trees，dottedaboutinapark-likefashion，andbeyondthiswasastretchofopenplainrunningdowntoadrypan，orwater-
　　hole，whichcoveredaboutanacreofground，andwasdenselyclothedwithreeds，nowinthesearandyellowleaf。Fromthefartheredgeofthispanthegroundslopedupagaintoagreatcleft，ornullah，whichhadbeencutoutbytheactionofthewater，andwasprettythicklysprinkledwithbush，amongwhichgrewsomelargetrees，Iforgetofwhatsort。
　　"Itatoncestruckmethatthedrypanwouldbealikelyplacetofindmyfriendsin，asthereisnothingalionisfonderofthanlyingupinreeds，throughwhichhecanseethingswithoutbeingseenhimself。
　　AccordinglythitherIwentandprospected。BeforeIhadgothalf-wayroundthepanIfoundtheremainsofabluevilder-beestethathadevidentlybeenkilledwithinthelastthreeorfourdaysandpartiallydevouredbylions；andfromotherindicationsaboutIwassoonassuredthatifthefamilywerenotinthepanthatdaytheyspentagooddealoftheirsparetimethere。Butifthere，thequestionwashowtogetthemout；foritwasclearlyimpossibletothinkofgoinginafterthemunlessonewasquitedeterminedtocommitsuicide。Nowtherewasastrongwindblowingfromthedirectionofthewaggon，acrossthereedypantowardthebush-cladkloofordonga，andthisfirstgavemetheideaoffiringthereeds，which，asIthinkItoldyou，wereprettydry。AccordinglyTomtooksomematchesandbeganstartinglittlefirestotheleft，andIdidthesametotheright。Butthereedswerestillgreenatthebottom，andweshouldneverhavegotthemwellalighthaditnotbeenforthewind，whichgrewstrongerandstrongerasthesunclimbedhigher，andforcedthefireintothem。Atlast，afterhalfanhour’strouble，theflamesgotahold，andbegantospreadoutlikeafan，whereuponIwentroundtothefarthersideofthepantowaitforthelions，standingwelloutintheopen，aswestoodatthecopseto-daywhereyoushotthewoodcock。Itwasaratherriskythingtodo，butIusedtobesosureofmyshootinginthosedaysthatIdidnotsomuchmindtherisk。ScarcelyhadIgotroundwhenIheardthereedspartingbeforetheonwardrushofsomeanimal。
　　’Nowforit，’saidI。Onitcame。Icouldseethatitwasyellow，andpreparedforaction，wheninsteadofalionoutboundedabeautifulrietbokwhichhadbeenlyingintheshelterofthepan。Itmust，bytheway，havebeenarietbokofapeculiarlyconfidingnaturetolayitselfdownwiththelion，likethelambofprophecy，butIsupposethereedswerethick，andthatitkeptalongwayoff。
　　"Well，Ilettherietbokgo，anditwentlikethewind，andkeptmyeyesfixeduponthereeds。Thefirewasburninglikeafurnacenow；
　　theflamescracklingandroaringastheybitintothereeds，sendingspoutsoffiretwentyfeetandmoreintotheair，andmakingthehotairdanceaboveitinawaythatwasperfectlydazzling。Butthereedswerestillhalfgreen，andcreatedanenormousquantityofsmoke，whichcamerollingtowardmelikeacurtain，lyingverylowonaccountofthewind。Presently，abovethecracklingofthefire，Iheardastartledroar，thenanotherandanother。Sothelionswereathome。
　　"Iwasbeginningtogetexcitednow，for，asyoufellowsknow，thereisnothinginexperiencetowarmupyournerveslikealionatclosequarters，unlessitisawoundedbuffalo；andIgotstillmoresowhenImadeoutthroughthesmokethatthelionswereallmovingaboutontheextremeedgeofthereeds。Occasionallytheywouldpoptheirheadsoutlikerabbitsfromaburrow，andthen，catchingsightofmestandingaboutfiftyyardsout，drawthembackagain。Iknewthatitmustbegettingprettywarmbehindthem，andthattheycouldnotkeepthegameupforlong；andIwasnotmistaken，forsuddenlyallfourofthembrokecovertogether，theoldblack-manedlionleadingbyafewyards。Ineversawamoresplendidsightinallmyhuntingexperiencethanthosefourlionsboundingacrosstheveldt，overshadowedbythedensepallofsmokeandbackedbythefieryfurnaceoftheburningreeds。
　　"Ireckonedthattheywouldpass，ontheirroadtothebushykloof，withinaboutfiveandtwentyyardsofme；so，takingalongbreath，I
　　gotmygunwellontothelion’sshoulder——theblack-manedone——soastoallowforaninchortwoofmotion，andcatchhimthroughtheheart。Iwason，deadon，andmyfingerwasjustbeginningtotightenonthetrigger，whensuddenlyIwentblind——abitofreed-ashhaddriftedintomyrighteye。Idancedandrubbed，andsucceededinclearingitmoreorlessjustintimetoseethetailofthelastlionvanishingroundthebushesupthekloof。
　　"IfeveramanwasmadIwasthatman。Itwastoobad；andsuchashotintheopen，too！However，Iwasnotgoingtobebeaten，soIjustturnedandmarchedforthekloof。Tom，thedriver，beggedandimploredmenottogo；butthoughasageneralruleIneverpretendtobeverybrave（whichIamnot），IwasdeterminedthatIwouldeitherkillthoselionsortheyshouldkillme。SoItoldTomthatheneednotcomeunlessheliked，butIwasgoing；andbeingapluckyfellow，aSwazibybirth，heshruggedhisshoulders，mutteredthatIwasmadorbewitched，andfolloweddoggedlyinmytracks。
　　"Wesoongottothekloof，whichwasaboutthreehundredyardsinlengthandbutsparselywooded，andthentherealfunbegan。Theremightbealionbehindeverybush——therecertainlywerefourlionssomewhere；thedelicatequestionwas，where。Ipeepedandpokedandlookedineverypossibledirection，withmyheartinmymouth，andwasatlastrewardedbycatchingaglimpseofsomethingyellowmovingbehindabush。Atthesamemoment，fromanotherbushoppositemeoutburstoneofthecubsandgallopedbacktowardtheburned-outpan。I
　　whippedroundandletdriveasnap-shotthattippedhimheadoverheels，breakinghisbackwithintwoinchesoftherootofthetail，andtherehelayhelplessbutglaring。Tomafterwardkilledhimwithhisassegai。Iopenedthebreechofthegunandhurriedlypulledouttheoldcase，which，tojudgefromwhatensued，must，Isuppose，haveburstandleftaportionofitsfabricstickingtothebarrel。Atanyrate，whenItriedtogetinthenewcaseitwouldonlyenterhalf-
　　way；and——wouldyoubelieveit？——thiswasthemomentthatthelioness，attractednodoubtbytheoutcryofhercub，chosetoputinanappearance。Thereshestood，twentypacesorsofromme，lashinghertailandlookingjustaswickedasitispossibletoconceive。SlowlyIsteppedbackward，tryingtopushinthenewcase，andasIdidsoshemovedoninlittleruns，droppingdownaftereachrun。Thedangerwasimminent，andthecasewouldnotgoin。AtthemomentIoddlyenoughthoughtofthecartridge-maker，whosenameIwillnotmention，andearnestlyhopedthatiftheliongotmesomecondignpunishmentwouldovertakehim。Itwouldnotgoin，soItriedtopullitout。Itwouldnotcomeouteither，andmygunwasuselessifIcouldnotshutittousetheotherbarrel。Imightaswellhavehadnogun。MeanwhileIwaswalkingbackward，keepingmyeyeonthelioness，whowascreepingforwardonherbellywithoutasound，butlashinghertailandkeepinghereyeonme；andinitIsawthatshewascominginafewsecondsmore。Idashedmywristandthepalmofmyhandagainstthebrassrimofthecartridgetillthebloodpouredfromthem——look，therearethescarsofittothisday！"
　　HereQuatermainhelduphisrighthandtothelightandshowedusfourorfivewhitecicatricesjustwherethewristissetintothehand。
　　"Butitwasnotoftheslightestuse，"hewenton；"thecartridgewouldnotmove。Ionlyhopethatnoothermanwilleverbeputinsuchanawfulposition。Thelionessgatheredherselftogether，andIgavemyselfupforlost，whensuddenlyTomshoutedoutfromsomewhereinmyrear：
　　"’Youarewalkingontothewoundedcub；turntotheright。’
　　"Ihadthesense，dazedasIwas，totakethehint，andslewingroundatrightangles，butstillkeepingmyeyesonthelioness，Icontinuedmybackwardwalk。
　　"Tomyintenserelief，withalowgrowlshestraightenedherself，turned，andboundedofffartherupthekloof。
　　"’Comeon，inkoos，’saidTom，’let’sgetbacktothewaggon。’
　　"’Allright，Tom，’Ianswered。’IwillwhenIhavekilledthosethreeotherlions，’forbythistimeIwasbentonshootingthemasIneverrememberbeingbentonanythingbeforeorsince。’Youcangoifyoulike，oryoucangetupatree。’
　　"Heconsideredthepositionalittle，andthenheverywiselygotupatree。IwishthatIhaddonethesame。
　　"MeanwhileIhadfoundmyknife，whichhadanextractorinit，andsucceededaftersomedifficultyinhaulingoutthecasewhichhadsonearlybeenthecauseofmydeath，andremovingtheobstructioninthebarrel。Itwasverylittlethickerthanapostage-stamp；certainlynotthickerthanapieceofwriting-paper。Thisdone，Iloadedthegun，boundahandkerchiefroundmywristandhandtostaunchtheflowingoftheblood，andstartedonagain。
　　"Ihadnoticedthatthelionesswentintoathickgreenbush，orratherclusterofbushes，growingnearthewater；fortherewasalittlestreamrunningdownthekloof，aboutfiftyyardshigherupandforthisImade。WhenIgotthere，however，Icouldseenothing，soI
　　tookupabigstoneandthrewitintothebushes。Ibelievethatithittheothercub，foroutitcamewitharush，givingmeabroadsideshot，ofwhichIpromptlyavailedmyself，knockingitoverdead。Out，too，camethelionesslikeaflashoflight，butquickasshewentI
　　managedtoputtheotherbulletintoherribs，sothatsherolledrightoverthreetimeslikeashotrabbit。Iinstantlygottwomorecartridgesintothegun，andasIdidsothelionessroseagainandcamecrawlingtowardmeonherforepaws，roaringandgroaning，andwithsuchanexpressionofdiabolicalfuryonhercountenanceasI
　　havenotoftenseen。Ishotheragainthroughthechest，andshefelloverontohersidequitedead。
　　"ThatwasthefirstandlasttimethatIeverkilledabraceoflionsrightandleft，and，whatismore，Ineverheardofanybodyelsedoingit。NaturallyIwasconsiderablypleasedwithmyself，andhavingagainloadedup，Iwentontolookfortheblack-manedbeautywhohadkilledKaptein。Slowly，andwiththegreatestcare，Iproceededupthekloof，searchingeverybushandtuftofgrassasIwent。Itwaswonderfullyexcitingwork，forIneverwassurefromonemomenttoanotherbutthathewouldbeonme。Itookcomfort，however，fromthereflectionthatalionrarelyattacksaman，——rarely，Isay；sometimeshedoes，asyouwillsee，——unlessheiscorneredorwounded。Imusthavebeennearlyanhourhuntingafterthatlion。OnceIthoughtIsawsomethingmoveinaclumpoftamboukigrass，butIcouldnotbesure，andwhenI
　　trodoutthegrassIcouldnotfindhim。
　　"AtlastIworkeduptotheheadofthekloof，whichmadeacul-de-
　　sac。Itwasformedofawallofrockaboutfiftyfeethigh。Downthisrocktrickledalittlewaterfall，andinfrontofit，someseventyfeetfromitsface，wasagreatpiled-upmassofboulders，inthecrevicesandonthetopofwhichgrewferns，grasses，andstuntedbushes。Thismasswasabouttwenty-fivefeethigh。Thesidesofthekloofherewerealsoverysteep。Well，Icametothetopofthenullahandlookedallround。Nosignsofthelion。EvidentlyIhadeitheroverlookedhimfartherdownorhehadescapedrightaway。Itwasveryvexatious；butstillthreelionswerenotabadbagforonegunbeforedinner，andIwasfaintobecontent。AccordinglyIdepartedbackagain，makingmywayroundtheisolatedpillarofboulders，beginningtofeel，asIdidso，thatIwasprettywelldoneupwithexcitementandfatigue，andshouldbemoresobeforeIhadskinnedthosethreelions。WhenIhadgot，asnearlyasIcouldjudge，abouteighteenyardspastthepillarormassofboulders，Iturnedtohaveanotherlookround。Ihaveaprettysharpeye，butIcouldseenothingatall。
　　"Then，onasudden，Isawsomethingsufficientlyalarming。Onthetopofthemassofboulders，oppositetome，standingoutclearagainsttherockbeyond，wasthehugeblack-manedlion。Hehadbeencrouchingthere，andnowaroseasthoughbymagic。Therehestoodlashinghistail，justlikealivingreproductionoftheanimalonthegatewayofNorthumberlandHousethatIhaveseenapictureof。Buthedidnotstandlong。BeforeIcouldfire——beforeIcoulddomorethangettheguntomyshoulder——hesprangstraightupandoutfromtherock，anddrivenbytheimpetusofthatonemightyboundcamehurtlingthroughtheairtowardme。
　　"Heavens！howgrandhelooked，andhowawful！Highintotheairheflew，describingagreatarch。JustashetouchedthehighestpointofhisspringIfired。Ididnotdaretowait，forIsawthathewouldclearthewholespaceandlandrightuponme。Withoutasight，almostwithoutaim，Ifired，asonewouldfireasnap-shotatasnipe。Thebullettold，forIdistinctlyhearditsthudabovetherushingsoundcausedbythepassageofthelionthroughtheair。NextsecondIwasswepttotheground（luckilyIfellintoalow，creeper-cladbush，whichbroketheshock），andthelionwasonthetopofme，andthenextthosegreatwhiteteethofhishadmetinmythigh——Iheardthemgrateagainstthebone。Iyelledoutinagony，forIdidnotfeelintheleastbenumbedandhappy，likeDr。Livingstone，——whom，bytheway，Iknewverywell，——andgavemyselfupfordead。Butsuddenly，atthatmoment，thelion’sgriponmythighloosened，andhestoodoverme，swayingtoandfro，hishugemouth，fromwhichthebloodwasgushing，wideopened。Thenheroared，andthesoundshooktherocks。
　　"Toandfroheswung，andthenthegreatheaddroppedonme，knockingallthebreathfrommybody，andhewasdead。Mybullethadenteredinthecentreofhischestandpassedoutontherightsideofthespineabouthalfwaydowntheback。
　　"Thepainofmywoundkeptmefromfainting，andassoonasIgotmybreathImanagedtodragmyselffromunderhim。Thankheavens，hisgreatteethhadnotcrushedmythigh-bone；butIwaslosingagreatdealofblood，andhaditnotbeenforthetimelyarrivalofTom，withwhoseaidIgotthehandkerchieffrommywristandtieditroundmyleg，twistingittightwithastick，IthinkthatIshouldhavebledtodeath。
　　"Well，itwasajustrewardformyfollyintryingtotackleafamilyoflionssingle-handed。Theoddsweretoolong。Ihavebeenlameeversince，andshallbetomydyingday；inthemonthofMarchthewoundalwaystroublesmeagreatdeal，andeverythreeyearsitbreaksoutraw。IneedscarcelyaddthatInevertradedthelotofivoryatSikukuni’s。Anothermangotit——aGerman——andmadefivehundredpoundsoutofitafterpayingexpenses。Ispentthenextmonthonthebroadofmyback，andwasacrippleforsixmonthsafterthat。AndnowI’vetoldyoutheyarn，soIwillhaveadropofHollandsandgotobed。"
　　KINGBEMBA’SPOINT
　　AWESTAFRICANSTORY
　　BY
　　J。LANDERS
　　WewereforthemostpartaqueerlotoutonthatdesolatesouthwestAfricancoast，inchargeofthevarioustradingstationsthatwerescatteredalongthecoast，fromtheGaboonRiver，pastthemouthofthemightyCongo，tothePortuguesecityofSt。PauldeLoanda。A
　　mixtureofallsorts，especiallybadsorts：broken-downclerks，menwhocouldnotsucceedanywhereelse，sailors，youths，andsomewhosecharacterswouldnothaveborneanyinvestigation；andweverynearlyalldrankhard，andthosewhodidn’tdrinkhardtookmorethanwasgoodforthem。
　　Idon’tknowexactlywhatinducedmetogooutthere。Iwasyoungforonething，thecountrywasunknown，theberthwasvacant，andtheconditionsofiteasy。
　　Imagineahighrockypointorheadland，stretchingoutsidewaysintothesea，andatitsbaseasmallriverwindingintoacountrythatwasseeminglyablankinregardtoinhabitantsorcultivation；alandcontinuingformilesandmiles，asfarastheeyecouldsee，oneexpanseoflongyellowgrass，dottedhereandtherewithgroupsofbastardpalms。InfrontoftheheadlandrolledthelonelySouthAtlantic；and，asifsuchconditionswerenotdispiritingenoughtoexistenceuponthePoint，therewasyetanotherfeaturewhichattimesgavetheplaceastillmoreghastlylook。Alongwayofftheshore，theheavingsurfaceoftheoceanbegan，inanythinglikebadweather，tobreakupontheshoalsofthecoast。Viewedfromthetopoftherock，theseaatsuchtimeslooked，foratleasttwomilesout，asifitwerescoredoverwithlinesofwhitefoam；butlowerdown，nearthebeach，eachrollercouldbedistinctlyseen，andeachrollerhadacurveofmanyfeet，andwasanenormousmassofwaterthathurleditselfshorewarduntilitcurledandbroke。