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。

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