byH。RiderHaggardSirHenryCurtis，aseverybodyacquaintedwithhimknows，isoneofthemosthospitablemenonearth。ItwasinthecourseoftheenjoymentofhishospitalityathisplaceinYorkshiretheotherdaythatIheardthehuntingstorywhichIamnowabouttotranscribe。
ManyofthosewhoreaditwillnodoubthaveheardsomeofthestrangerumoursthatareflyingabouttotheeffectthatSirHenryCurtisandhisfriendCaptainGood，R。N。，recentlyfoundavasttreasureofdiamondsoutintheheartofAfrica，supposedtohavebeenhiddenbytheEgyptians，orKingSolomon，orsomeotherantiquepeople。IfirstsawthematteralludedtoinaparagraphinoneofthesocietypapersthedaybeforeIstartedforYorkshiretopaymyvisittoCurtis，andarrived，needlesstosay，burningwithcuriosity；forthereissomethingveryfascinatingtothemindintheideaofhiddentreasure。
WhenIreachedtheHall，IatonceaskedCurtisaboutit，andhedidnotdenythetruthofthestory；butonmypressinghimtotellithewouldnot，norwouldCaptainGood，whowasalsostayinginthehouse。
\"YouwouldnotbelievemeifIdid，\"SirHenrysaid，withoneoftheheartylaughswhichseemtocomerightoutofhisgreatlungs。\"YoumustwaittillHunterQuatermaincomes；hewillarriveherefromAfricato—night，andIamnotgoingtosayawordaboutthematter，orGoodeither，untilheturnsup。Quatermainwaswithusallthrough；hehasknownaboutthebusinessforyearsandyears，andifithadnotbeenforhimweshouldnothavebeenhereto—day。Iamgoingtomeethimpresently。\"
Icouldnotgetawordmoreoutofhim，norcouldanybodyelse，thoughwewerealldyingofcuriosity，especiallysomeoftheladies。Ishallneverforgethowtheylookedinthedrawing—roombeforedinnerwhenCaptainGoodproducedagreatroughdiamond，weighingfiftycaratsormore，andtoldthemthathehadmanylargerthanthat。IfeverIsawcuriosityandenvyprintedonfairfaces，Isawthemthen。
Itwasjustatthismomentthatthedoorwasopened，andMr。AllanQuatermainannounced，whereuponGoodputthediamondintohispocket，andsprangatalittlemanwholimpedshylyintotheroom，convoyedbySirHenryCurtishimself。
\"Hereheis，Good，safeandsound，\"saidSirHenry，gleefully。\"Ladiesandgentlemen，letmeintroduceyoutooneoftheoldesthuntersandtheverybestshotinAfrica，whohaskilledmoreelephantsandlionsthananyothermanalive。\"
Everybodyturnedandstaredpolitelyatthecurious—lookinglittlelameman，andthoughhissizewasinsignificant，hewasquiteworthstaringat。Hehadshortgrizzledhair，whichstoodaboutaninchabovehisheadlikethebristlesofabrush，gentlebrowneyes，thatseemedtonoticeeverything，andawitheredface，tannedtothecolourofmahoganyfromexposuretotheweather。Hespoke，too，whenhereturnedGood’senthusiasticgreeting，withacuriouslittleaccent，whichmadehisspeechnoticeable。
ItsohappenedthatIsatnexttoMr。AllanQuatermainatdinner，and，ofcourse，didmybesttodrawhim；buthewasnottobedrawn。HeadmittedthathehadrecentlybeenalongjourneyintotheinteriorofAfricawithSirHenryCurtisandCaptainGood，andthattheyhadfoundtreasure，andthenpolitelyturnedthesubjectandbegantoaskmequestionsaboutEngland，wherehehadneverbeenbefore——thatis，sincehecametoyearsofdiscretion。Ofcourse，Ididnotfindthisveryinteresting，andsocastaboutforsomemeanstobringtheconversationroundagain。
Now，weweredininginanoak—panelledvestibule，andonthewalloppositetomewerefixedtwogiganticelephanttusks，andunderthemapairofbuffalohorns，veryroughandknotted，showingthattheycameoffanoldbull，andhavingthetipofonehornsplitandchipped。InoticedthatHunterQuatermain’seyeskeptglancingatthesetrophies，andtookanoccasiontoaskhimifheknewanythingaboutthem。
\"Ioughtto，\"heanswered，withalittlelaugh；\"theelephanttowhichthosetusksbelongedtoreoneofourpartyrightintwoabouteighteenmonthsago，andasforthebuffalohorns，theywerenearlymydeath，andweretheendofaservantofminetowhomIwasmuchattached。I
gavethemtoSirHenrywhenheleftNatalsomemonthsago；\"andMr。
Quatermainsighedandturnedtoansweraquestionfromtheladywhomhehadtakendowntodinner，andwho，needlesstosay，wasalsoemployedintryingtopumphimaboutthediamonds。
Indeed，allroundthetabletherewasasimmerofscarcelysuppressedexcitement，which，whentheservantshadlefttheroom，couldnolongerberestrained。
\"Now，Mr。Quatermain，\"saidtheladynexthim，\"wehavebeenkeptinanagonyofsuspensebySirHenryandCaptainGood，whohavepersistentlyrefusedtotellusawordofthisstoryaboutthehiddentreasuretillyoucame，andwesimplycanbearitnolonger；so，please，beginatonce。\"
\"Yes，\"saideverybody，\"goon，please。\"
HunterQuatermainglancedroundthetableapprehensively；hedidnotseemtoappreciatefindinghimselftheobjectofsomuchcuriosity。
\"Ladiesandgentlemen，\"hesaidatlast，withashakeofhisgrizzledhead，\"Iamverysorrytodisappointyou，butIcannotdoit。Itisthisway。AttherequestofSirHenryandCaptainGoodIhavewrittendownatrueandplainaccountofKingSolomon’sMinesandhowwefoundthem，soyouwillsoonbeabletolearnallaboutthatwonderfuladventureforyourselves；butuntilthenIwillsaynothingaboutit，notfromanywishtodisappointyourcuriosity，ortomakemyselfimportant，butsimplybecausethewholestorypartakessomuchofthemarvellous，thatIamafraidtotellitinapiecemeal，hastyfashion，forfearIshouldbesetdownasoneofthosecommonfellowsofwhomtherearesomanyinmyprofession，whoarenotashamedtonarratethingstheyhavenotseen，andeventotellwonderfulstoriesaboutwildanimalstheyhaveneverkilled。AndIthinkthatmycompanionsinadventure，SirHenryCurtisandCaptainGood，willbearmeoutinwhatIsay。\"
\"Yes，Quatermain，Ithinkyouarequiteright，\"saidSirHenry。
\"PreciselythesameconsiderationshaveforcedGoodandmyselftoholdourtongues。Wedidnotwishtobebracketedwith——well，withotherfamoustravellers。\"
Therewasamurmurofdisappointmentattheseannouncements。
\"Ibelieveyouareallhoaxingus，\"saidtheyoungladynextMr。
Quatermain，rathersharply。
\"Believeme，\"answeredtheoldhunter，withaquaintcourtesyandalittlebowofhisgrizzledhead；\"thoughIhavelivedallmylifeinthewilderness，andamongstsavages，Ihaveneithertheheart，northewantofmanners，towishtodeceiveonesolovely。\"
Whereattheyounglady，whowaspretty，lookedappeased。
\"Thisisverydreadful，\"Ibrokein。\"Weaskforbreadandyougiveusastone，Mr。Quatermain。Theleastthatyoucandoistotellusthestoryofthetusksoppositeandthebuffalohornsunderneath。Wewon’tletyouoffwithless。\"
\"Iambutapoorstory—teller，\"putintheoldhunter，\"butifyouwillforgivemywantofskill，Ishallbehappytotellyou，notthestoryofthetusks，forthatispartofthehistoryofourjourneytoKingSolomon’sMines，butthatofthebuffalohornsbeneaththem，whichisnowtenyearsold。\"
\"Bravo，Quatermain！\"saidSirHenry。\"Weshallallbedelighted。Fireaway！Fillupyourglassfirst。\"
Thelittlemandidashewasbid，tookasipofclaret，andbegan：——
\"AbouttenyearsagoIwashuntingupinthefarinteriorofAfrica，ataplacecalledGatgarra，notagreatwayfromtheChobeRiver。I
hadwithmefournativeservants，namely，adriverandvoorlooper，orleader，whowerenativesofMatabeleland，aHottentotnamedHans，whohadoncebeentheslaveofaTransvaalBoer，andaZuluhunter，whoforfiveyearshadaccompaniedmeuponmytrips，andwhosenamewasMashune。NownearGatgarraIfoundafinepieceofhealthy，park—likecountry，wherethegrasswasverygood，consideringthetimeofyear；
andhereImadealittlecamporhead—quartersettlement，fromwhenceIwentexpeditionsonallsidesinsearchofgame，especiallyelephant。Myluck，however，wasbad；Igotbutlittleivory。Iwasthereforeverygladwhensomenativesbroughtmenewsthatalargeherdofelephantswerefeedinginavalleyaboutthirtymilesaway。AtfirstIthoughtoftrekkingdowntothevalley，waggonandall，butgaveuptheideaonhearingthatitwasinfestedwiththedeadly’tsetse’fly，whichiscertaindeathtoallanimals，exceptmen，donkeys，andwildgame。SoIreluctantlydeterminedtoleavethewaggoninthechargeoftheMatabeleleaderanddriver，andtostartonatripintothethorncountry，accompaniedonlybytheHottentotHans，andMashune。
\"Accordinglyonthefollowingmorningwestarted，andontheeveningofthenextdayreachedthespotwheretheelephantswerereportedtobe。Buthereagainweweremetbyillluck。Thattheelephantshadbeentherewasevidentenough，fortheirspoorwasplentiful，andsowereothertracesoftheirpresenceintheshapeofmimosatreestornoutoftheground，andplacedtopsy—turvyontheirflatcrowns，inordertoenablethegreatbeaststofeedontheirsweetroots；buttheelephantsthemselveswereconspicuousbytheirabsence。Theyhadelectedtomoveon。Thisbeingso，therewasonlyonethingtodo，andthatwastomoveafterthem，whichwedid，andaprettyhunttheyledus。Forafortnightormorewedodgedaboutafterthoseelephants，comingupwiththemontwooccasions，andasplendidherdtheywere——
only，however，tolosethemagain。Atlengthwecameupwiththemathirdtime，andImanagedtoshootonebull，andthentheystartedoffagain，whereitwasuselesstotryandfollowthem。AfterthisIgaveitupindisgust，andwemadethebestofourwaybacktothecamp，notinthesweetestoftempers，carryingthetusksoftheelephantI
hadshot。
\"Itwasontheafternoonofthefifthdayofourtrampthatwereachedthelittlekoppieoverlookingthespotwherethewaggonstood，andI
confessthatIclimbeditwithapleasurablesenseofhome—coming，forhiswaggonisthehunter’shome，asmuchashishouseisthatofthecivilizedperson。Ireachedthetopofthekoppie，andlookedinthedirectionwherethefriendlywhitetentofthewaggonshouldbe，buttherewasnowaggon，onlyablackburntplainstretchingawayasfarastheeyecouldreach。Irubbedmyeyes，lookedagain，andmadeoutonthespotofthecamp，notmywaggon，butsomecharredbeamsofwood。Halfwildwithgriefandanxiety，followedbyHansandMashune，Iranatfullspeeddowntheslopeofthekoppie，andacrossthespaceofplainbelowtothespringofwater，wheremycamphadbeen。Iwassoonthere，onlytofindthatmyworstsuspicionswereconfirmed。
\"Thewaggonandallitscontents，includingmysparegunsandammunition，hadbeendestroyedbyagrassfire。
\"NowbeforeIstarted，Ihadleftorderswiththedrivertoburnoffthegrassroundthecamp，inordertoguardagainstaccidentsofthisnature，andherewastherewardofmyfolly：averyproperillustrationofthenecessity，especiallywherenativesareconcerned，ofdoingathingone’sselfifonewantsitdoneatall。Evidentlythelazyrascalshadnotburntroundthewaggon；mostprobably，indeed，theyhadthemselvescarelesslyfiredthetallandresinoustamboukigrassnearby；thewindhaddriventheflamesontothewaggontent，andtherewasquicklyanendofthematter。Asforthedriverandleader，Iknownotwhatbecameofthem：probablyfearingmyanger，theybolted，takingtheoxenwiththem。Ihaveneverseenthemfromthathourtothis。
\"Isatdownontheblackveldtbythespring，andgazedatthecharredaxlesanddisselboomofmywaggon，andIcanassureyou，ladiesandgentlemen，Ifeltinclinedtoweep。AsforMashuneandHanstheycursedawayvigorously，oneinZuluandtheotherinDutch。Ourswasaprettyposition。Wewerenearly300milesawayfromBamangwato，thecapitalofKhama’scountry，whichwasthenearestspotwherewecouldgetanyhelp，andourammunition，spareguns，clothing，food，andeverythingelse，werealltotallydestroyed。IhadjustwhatIstoodin，whichwasaflannelshirt，apairof’veldt—schoons，’orshoesofrawhide，myeight—borerifle，andafewcartridges。HansandMashunehadalsoeachaMartinirifleandsomecartridges，notmany。Anditwaswiththisequipmentthatwehadtoundertakeajourneyof300
milesthroughadesolateandalmostuninhabitedregion。IcanassureyouthatIhaverarelybeeninaworseposition，andIhavebeeninsomequeerones。However，thesethingsarethenaturalincidentsofahunter’slife，andtheonlythingtodowastomakethebestofthem。
\"Accordingly，afterpassingacomfortlessnightbytheremainsofmywaggon，westartednextmorningonourlongjourneytowardscivilization。NowifIweretosettoworktotellyouallthetroublesandincidentsofthatdreadfuljourneyIshouldkeepyoulisteningheretillmidnight；soIwill，withyourpermission，passontotheparticularadventureofwhichthepairofbuffalohornsoppositearethemelancholymemento。
\"Wehadbeentravellingforaboutamonth，livingandgettingalongasbestwecould，whenoneeveningwecampedsomefortymilesfromBamangwato。Bythistimewewereindeedinamelancholyplight，footsore，halfstarved，andutterlywornout；and，inaddition，Iwassufferingfromasharpattackoffever，whichhalfblindedmeandmademeweakasababe。Ourammunition，too，wasexhausted；Ihadonlyonecartridgeleftformyeight—borerifle，andHansandMashune，whowerearmedwithMartiniHenrys，hadthreebetweenthem。Itwasaboutanhourfromsundownwhenwehaltedandlitafire——forluckilywehadstillafewmatches。Itwasacharmingspottocamp，Iremember。Justoffthegametrackwewerefollowingwasalittlehollow，fringedaboutwithflat—crownedmimosatrees，andatthebottomofthehollow，aspringofclearwaterwelledupoutoftheearth，andformedapool，roundtheedgesofwhichgrewanabundanceofwatercressesofanexactlysimilarkindtothosewhichwerehandedroundthetablejustnow。Nowwehadnofoodofanykindleft，havingthatmorningdevouredthelastremainsofalittleoribéantelope，whichIhadshottwodayspreviously。AccordinglyHans，whowasabettershotthanMashune，tooktwoofthethreeremainingMartinicartridges，andstartedouttoseeifhecouldnotkillabuckforsupper。Iwastooweaktogomyself。
\"MeanwhileMashuneemployedhimselfindraggingtogethersomedeadboughsfromthemimosatreestomakeasortof’skerm，’orshelterforustosleepin，aboutfortyyardsfromtheedgeofthepoolofwater。
Wehadbeengreatlytroubledwithlionsinthecourseofourlongtramp，andonlyonthepreviousnighthaveverynearlybeenattackedbythem，whichmademenervous，especiallyinmyweakstate。Justaswehadfinishedtheskerm，orrathersomethingwhichdiddutyforone，MashuneandIheardashotapparentlyfiredaboutamileaway。
\"’Harktoit！’sungoutMashuneinZulu，more，Ifancy，bywayofkeepinghisspiritsupthanforanyotherreason——forhewasasortofblackMarkTapley，andverycheerfulunderdifficulties。’Harktothewonderfulsoundwithwhichthe\"Maboona\"（theBoers）shookourfatherstothegroundattheBattleoftheBloodRiver。Wearehungrynow，myfather；ourstomachsaresmallandwithereduplikeadriedox’spaunch，buttheywillsoonbefullofgoodmeat。HansisaHottentot，andan\"umfagozan，\"thatis，alowfellow，butheshootsstraight——ah！
hecertainlyshootsstraight。Beofagoodheart，myfather，therewillsoonbemeatuponthefire，andweshallriseupmen。’
\"AndsohewentontalkingnonsensetillItoldhimtostop，becausehemademyheadachewithhisemptywords。
\"Shortlyafterweheardtheshotthesunsankinhisredsplendour，andtherefelluponearthandskythegreathushoftheAfricanwilderness。Thelionswerenotupasyet，theywouldprobablywaitforthemoon，andthebirdsandbeastswereallatrest。Icannotdescribetheintensityofthequietofthenight：tomeinmyweakstate，andfrettingasIwasoverthenon—returnoftheHottentotHans，itseemedalmostominous——asthoughNaturewerebroodingoversometragedywhichwasbeingenactedinhersight。
\"Itwasquiet——quietasdeath，andlonelyasthegrave。
\"’Mashune，’Isaidatlast，’whereisHans？myheartisheavyforhim。’
\"’Nay，myfather，Iknownot；mayhapheisweary，andsleeps，ormayhaphehaslosthisway。’
\"’Mashune，artthouaboytotalkfollytome？’Ianswered。’Tellme，inalltheyearsthouhasthuntedbymyside，didstthoueverknowaHottentottolosehispathortosleepuponthewaytocamp？’
\"’Nay，Macumazahn’（that，ladies，ismynativename，andmeansthemanwho’getsupbynight，’orwho’isalwaysawake’），’Iknownotwhereheis。’
\"Butthoughwetalkedthus，weneitherofuslikedtohintatwhatwasinbothourminds，namely，thatmisfortunatehadovertakenthepoorHottentot。
\"’Mashune，’Isaidatlast，’godowntothewaterandbringmeofthosegreenherbsthatgrowthere。Iamhungered，andmusteatsomething。’
\"’Nay，myfather；surelytheghostsarethere；theycomeoutofthewateratnight，andsituponthebankstodrythemselves。AnIsanusi[*]tolditme。’
[*]/Isanusi/，witch—finder。
\"Mashunewas，Ithink，oneofthebravestmenIeverknewinthedaytime，buthehadamorethancivilizeddreadofthesupernatural。
\"’MustIgomyself，thoufool？’Isaid，sternly。
\"’Nay，Macumazahn，ifthyheartyearnsforstrangethingslikeasickwoman，Igo，eveniftheghostsdevourme。’
\"Andaccordinglyhewent，andsoonreturnedwithalargebundleofwatercresses，ofwhichIategreedily。
\"’Artthounothungry？’IaskedthegreatZulupresently，ashesateyeingmeeating。
\"’NeverwasIhungrier，myfather。’
\"’Theneat，’andIpointedtothewatercresses。
\"’Nay，Macumazahn，Icannoteatthoseherbs。’
\"’Ifthoudostnoteatthouwiltstarve：eat，Mashune。’
\"Hestaredatthewatercressesdoubtfullyforawhile，andatlastseizedahandfulandcrammedthemintohismouth，cryingoutashedidso，’Oh，whywasIbornthatIshouldlivetofeedongreenweedslikeanox？SurelyifmymothercouldhaveknownitshewouldhavekilledmewhenIwasborn！’andsohewentonlamentingbetweeneachfistfulofwatercressestillallwerefinished，whenhedeclaredthathewasfullindeedofstuff，butitlayverycoldonhisstomach，’likesnowuponamountain。’AtanyothertimeIshouldhavelaughed，foritmustbeadmittedhehadaludicrouswayofputtingthings。Zulusdonotlikegreenfood。
\"JustafterMashunehadfinishedhiswatercress，weheardtheloud’woof！woof！’ofalion，whowasevidentlypromenadingmuchnearertoourlittleskermthanwaspleasant。Indeed，onlookingintothedarknessandlisteningintently，Icouldhearhissnoringbreath，andcatchthelightofhisgreatyelloweyes。Weshoutedloudly，andMashunethrewsomesticksonthefiretofrightenhim，whichapparentlyhadthedesiredeffect，forwesawnomoreofhimforawhile。
\"Justafterwehadhadthisfrightfromthelion，themoonroseinherfullestsplendour，throwingarobeofsilverlightoveralltheearth。
Ihaverarelyseenamorebeautifulmoonrise。IrememberthatsittingintheskermIcouldwitheasereadfaintpencilnotesinmypocket—
book。Assoonasthemoonwasupgamebegantotrekdowntothewaterjustbelowus。Icould，fromwhereIsat，seeallsortsofthempassingalongalittleridgethatrantoourright，ontheirwaytothedrinkingplace。Indeed，onebuck——alargeeland——camewithintwentyyardsoftheskerm，andstoodatgaze，staringatitsuspiciously，hisbeautifulheadandtwistedhornsstandingoutclearlyagainstthesky。Ihad，Irecollect，everymindtohaveapullathimonthechanceofprovidingourselveswithagoodsupplyofbeef；butrememberingthatwehadbuttwocartridgesleft，andtheextremeuncertaintyofashotbymoonlight，Iatlengthdecidedtorefrain。Theelandpresentlymovedontothewater，andaminuteortwoafterwardstherearoseagreatsoundofsplashing，followedbythequickfallofgallopinghoofs。
\"’What’sthat，Mashune？’Iasked。
\"’Thatdamlion；bucksmellhim，’repliedtheZuluinEnglish，ofwhichhehadaverysuperficialknowledge。
\"Scarcelywerethewordsoutofhismouthbeforeweheardasortofwhineovertheothersideofthepool，whichwasinstantlyansweredbyaloudcoughingroarclosetous。
\"’ByJove！’Isaid，’therearetwoofthem。Theyhavelostthebuck；
wemustlookouttheydon’tcatchus。’Andagainwemadeupthefire，andshouted，withtheresultthatthelionsmovedoff。
\"’Mashune，’Isaid，’doyouwatchtillthemoongetsoverthattree，whenitwillbethemiddleofthenight。Thenwakeme。Watchwell，now，orthelionswillbepickingthoseworthlessbonesofyoursbeforeyouarethreehoursolder。Imustrestalittle，orIshalldie。’
\"’Koos！’（chief），answeredtheZulu。’Sleep，myfather，sleepinpeace；myeyesshallbeopenasthestars；andlikethestarswatchoveryou。’
\"AlthoughIwassoweak，Icouldnotatoncefollowhisadvice。Tobeginwith，myheadachedwithfever，andIwastornwithanxietyastothefateoftheHottentotHans；and，indeed，astoourownfate，leftwithsorefeet，emptystomachs，andtwocartridges，tofindourwaytoBamangwato，fortymilesoff。Thenthemeresensationofknowingthatthereareoneormorehungrylionsprowlingroundyousomewhereinthedarkisdisquieting，howeverwellonemaybeusedtoit，and，bykeepingtheattentiononthestretch，tendstopreventonefromsleeping。Inadditiontoallthesetroubles，too，Iwas，Iremember，seizedwithadreadfullongingforapipeoftobacco，whereas，underthecircumstances，Imightaswellhavelongedforthemoon。
\"Atlast，however，Ifellintoanuneasysleepasfullofbaddreamsasapricklypearisofpoints，oneofwhich，Irecollect，wasthatI
wassettingmynakedfootuponacobrawhichroseuponitstailandhissedmyname，’Macumazahn，’intomyear。Indeed，thecobrahissedwithsuchpersistencythatatlastIrousedmyself。
\"’/Macumazahn，nanzia，nanzia！/’（there，there！）whisperedMashune’svoiceintomydrowsyears。Raisingmyself，Iopenedmyeyes，andIsawMashunekneelingbymysideandpointingtowardsthewater。Followingthelineofhisoutstretchedhand，myeyesfelluponasightthatmademejump，oldhunterasIwaseveninthosedays。Abouttwentypacesfromthelittleskermwasalargeant—heap，andonthesummitoftheant—heap，herfourfeetratherclosetogether，soastofindstandingspace，stoodthemassiveformofabiglioness。Herheadwastowardstheskerm，andinthebrightmoonlightIsawherloweritandlickherpaws。
\"MashunethrusttheMartinirifleintomyhands，whisperingthatitwasloaded。Ilifteditandcoveredthelioness，butfoundthateveninthatlightIcouldnotmakeouttheforesightoftheMartini。Asitwouldbemadnesstofirewithoutdoingso，fortheresultwouldprobablybethatIshouldwoundthelioness，if，indeed，Ididnotmissheraltogether，Iloweredtherifle；and，hastilytearingafragmentofpaperfromoneoftheleavesofmypocket—book，whichI
hadbeenconsultingjustbeforeIwenttosleep，Iproceededtofixitontothefrontsight。Butallthistookalittletime，andbeforethepaperwassatisfactorilyarranged，Mashuneagaingrippedmebythearm，andpointedtoadarkheapundertheshadeofasmallmimosatreewhichgrewnotmorethantenpacesfromtheskerm。
\"’Well，whatisit？’Iwhispered；’Icanseenothing。’
\"’Itisanotherlion，’heanswered。
\"’Nonsense！thyheartisdeadwithfear，thouseestdouble；’andI
bentforwardovertheedgeofthesurroundingfence，andstaredattheheap。
\"EvenasIsaidthewords，thedarkmassroseandstalkedoutintothemoonlight。Itwasamagnificent，black—manedlion，oneofthelargestIhadeverseen。Whenhehadgonetwoorthreestepshecaughtsightofme，halted，andstoodtheregazingstraighttowardsus；——hewassoclosethatIcouldseethefirelightreflectedinhiswicked，greenisheyes。
\"’Shoot，shoot！’saidMashune。’Thedeviliscoming——heisgoingtospring！’
\"Iraisedtherifle，andgotthebitofpaperontheforesight，straightontoalittlepathofwhitehairjustwherethethroatissetintothechestandshoulders。AsIdidso，thelionglancedbackoverhisshoulder，as，accordingtomyexperience，alionnearlyalwaysdoesbeforehesprings。Thenhedroppedhisbodyalittle，andIsawhisbigpawsspreadoutuponthegroundasheputhisweightonthemtogatherpurchase。InhasteIpressedthetriggeroftheMartini，andnotamomenttoosoon；for，asIdidso，hewasintheactofspringing。Thereportoftheriflerangoutsharpandclearontheintensesilenceofthenight，andinanothersecondthegreatbrutehadlandedonhisheadwithinfourfeetofus，androllingoverandovertowardsus，wassendingthebusheswhichcomposedourlittlefenceflyingwithconvulsivestrokesofhisgreatpaws。Wesprangoutoftheothersideofthe’skerm，’andherolledontoitandintoitandthenrightthroughthefire。Nextheraisedhimselfandsatuponhishauncheslikeagreatdog，andbegantoroar。Heavens！howheroared！Ineverheardanythinglikeitbeforeorsince。Hekeptfillinghislungswithair，andthenemittingitinthemostheart—
shakingvolumesofsound。Suddenly，inthemiddleofoneoftheloudestroars，herolledoverontohissideandlaystill，andIknewthathewasdead。Aliongenerallydiesuponhisside。
\"WithasighofreliefIlookeduptowardshismateupontheant—heap。
Shewasstandingthereapparentlypetrifiedwithastonishment，lookingoverhershoulder，andlashinghertail；buttoourintensejoy，whenthedyingbeastceasedroaring，sheturned，and，withoneenormousbound，vanishedintothenight。
\"Thenweadvancedcautiouslytowardstheprostratebrute，MashunedroninganimprovisedZulusongashewent，abouthowMacumazahn，thehunterofhunters，whoseeyesareopenbynightaswellasbyday，puthishanddownthelion’sstomachwhenitcametodevourhimandpulledouthisheartbytheroots，&c。，&c。，bywayofexpressinghissatisfaction，inhishyperbolicalZuluway，attheturneventshadtaken。
\"Therewasnoneedforcaution；thelionwasasdeadasthoughhehadalreadybeenstuffedwithstraw。TheMartinibullethadenteredwithinaninchofthewhitespotIhadaimedat，andtravelledrightthroughhim，passingoutattherightbuttock，neartherootofthetail。TheMartinihaswonderfuldrivingpower，thoughtheshockitgivestothesystemis，comparativelyspeaking，slight，owingtothesmallnessoftheholeitmakes。Butfortunatelythelionisaneasybeasttokill。
\"Ipassedtherestofthatnightinaprofoundslumber，myheadreposinguponthedeceasedlion’sflank，apositionthathad，I
thought，abeautifultouchofironyaboutit，thoughthesmellofhissingedhairwasdisagreeable。WhenIwokeagainthefaintprimroselightsofdawnwereflushingintheeasternsky。ForamomentIcouldnotunderstandthechillsenseofanxietythatlaylikealumpoficeatmyheart，tillthefeelandsmelloftheskinofthedeadlionbeneathmyheadrecalledthecircumstancesinwhichwewereplaced。I
rose，andeagerlylookedroundtoseeifIcoulddiscoveranysignsofHans，who，ifhehadescapedaccident，wouldsurelyreturntousatdawn，buttherewerenone。Thenhopegrewfaint，andIfeltthatitwasnotwellwiththepoorfellow。SettingMashunetobuildupthefireIhastilyremovedthehidefromtheflankofthelion，whichwasindeedasplendidbeast，andcuttingoffsomelumpsofflesh，wetoastedandatethemgreedily。Lions’flesh，strangeasitmayseem，isverygoodeating，andtastesmorelikevealthananythingelse。
\"Bythetimewehadfinishedourmuch—neededmealthesunwasgettingup，andafteradrinkofwaterandawashatthepool，westartedtotryandfindHans，leavingthedeadliontothetendermerciesofthehy？nas。BothMashuneandmyselfwere，byconstantpractice，prettygoodhandsattracking，andwehadnotmuchdifficultyinfollowingtheHottentot’sspoor，faintasitwas。Wehadgoneoninthiswayforhalf—an—hourorso，andwere，perhaps，amileormorefromthesiteofourcamping—place，whenwediscoveredthespoorofasolitarybullbuffalomixedupwiththespoorofHans，andwereable，fromvariousindications，tomakeoutthathehadbeentrackingthebuffalo。Atlengthwereachedalittlegladeinwhichtheregrewastuntedoldmimosathorn，withapeculiarandoverhangingformationofroot，underwhichaporcupine，oranant—bear，orsomesuchanimal，hadhollowedoutawide—lippedhole。Abouttenorfifteenpacesfromthisthorn—
treetherewasathickpatchofbush。
\"’See，Macumazahn！see！’saidMashune，excitedly，aswedrewnearthethorn；’thebuffalohaschargedhim。Look，herehestoodtofireathim；seehowfirmlyheplantedhisfeetupontheearth；thereisthemarkofhiscrookedtoe（Hanshadonebenttoe）。Look！herethebullcamelikeaboulderdownthehill，hishoofsturninguptheearthlikeahoe。Hanshadhithim：hebledashecame；therearethebloodspots。Itisallwrittendownthere，myfather——thereupontheearth。’
\"’Yes，’Isaid；’yes；but/whereisHans？/’
\"EvenasIsaiditMashuneclutchedmyarm，andpointedtothestuntedthornjustbyus。Evennow，gentlemen，itmakesmefeelsickwhenI
thinkofwhatIsaw。
\"ForfixedinastoutforkofthetreesomeeightfeetfromthegroundwasHanshimself，orratherhisdeadbody，evidentlytossedtherebythefuriousbuffalo。Onelegwastwistedroundthefork，probablyinadyingconvulsion。Intheside，justbeneaththeribs，wasagreathole，fromwhichtheentrailsprotruded。Butthiswasnotall。Theotherleghungdowntowithinfivefeetoftheground。Theskinandmostofthefleshweregonefromit。Foramomentwestoodaghast，andgazedatthishorrifyingsight。ThenIunderstoodwhathadhappened。
Thebuffalo，withthatdevilishcrueltywhichdistinguishestheanimal，had，afterhisenemywasdead，stoodunderneathhisbody，andlickedthefleshoffthependantlegwithhisfile—liketongue。Ihadheardofsuchathingbefore，buthadalwaystreatedthestoriesashunters’yarns；butIhadnodoubtaboutitnow。PoorHans’skeletonfootandanklewereanampleproof。
\"Westoodaghastunderthetree，andstaredandstaredatthisawfulsight，whensuddenlyourcogitationswereinterruptedinapainfulmanner。Thethickbushaboutfifteenpacesoffburstasunderwithacrashingsound，andutteringaseriesofferociouspig—likegrunts，thebullbuffalohimselfcamechargingoutstraightatus。EvenashecameIsawthebloodmarkonhissidewherepoorHans’bullethadstruckhim，andalso，asisoftenthecasewithparticularlysavagebuffaloes，thathisflankshadrecentlybeenterriblytorninanencounterwithalion。
\"Onhecame，hisheadwellup（abuffalodoesnotgenerallylowerhisheadtillhedoessotostrike）；thosegreatblackhorns——asIlookatthembeforeme，gentlemen，IseemtoseethemcomechargingatmeasI
didtenyearsago，silhouettedagainstthegreenbushbehind；——on，on！\"
\"WithashoutMashuneboltedoffsidewaystowardsthebush。Ihadinstinctivelyliftedmyeight—bore，whichIhadinmyhand。Itwouldhavebeenuselesstofireatthebuffalo’shead，forthedensehornsmusthaveturnedthebullet；butasMashunebolted，thebullslewedalittle，withthemomentaryideaoffollowinghim，andasthisgavemeaghostofachance，Iletdrivemyonlycartridgeathisshoulder。
Thebulletstrucktheshoulder—bladeandsmasheditup，andthentravelledonundertheskinintohisflank；butitdidnotstophim，thoughforasecondhestaggered。
\"Throwingmyselfontothegroundwiththeenergyofdespair，Irolledundertheshelteroftheprojectingrootofthethorn，crushingmyselfasfarintothemouthoftheant—bearholeasIcould。Inasingleinstantthebuffalowasafterme。Kneelingdownonhisuninjuredknee——foroneleg，thatofwhichIhadbrokentheshoulder，wasswinginghelplesslytoandfro——hesettoworktotryandhookmeoutoftheholewithhiscrookedhorn。Atfirsthestruckatmefuriously，anditwasoneoftheblowsagainstthebaseofthetreewhichsplinteredthetipofthehorninthewaythatyousee。Thenhegrewmorecunning，andpushedhisheadasfarundertherootaspossible，madelongsemicircularsweepsatme，gruntingfuriously，andblowingsalivaandhotsteamybreathalloverme。Iwasjustoutofreachofthehorn，thougheverystroke，bywideningtheholeandmakingmoreroomforhishead，broughtitclosertome，buteverynowandagainIreceivedheavyblowsintheribsfromhismuzzle。FeelingthatIwasbeingknockedsilly，Imadeaneffortandseizinghisroughtongue，whichwashangingfromhisjaws，Itwisteditwithallmyforce。Thegreatbrutebellowedwithpainandfury，andjerkedhimselfbackwardssostrongly，thathedraggedmesomeinchesfurtherfromthemouthofthehole，andagainmadeasweepatme，catchingmethistimeroundtheshoulder—jointinthehookofhishorn。
\"Ifeltthatitwasallupnow，andbegantoholloa。
\"’Hehasgotme！’Ishoutedinmortalterror。’/Gwasa，Mashune，gwasa！/’（’Stab，Mashune，stab！’）。
\"Onehoistofthegreathead，andoutoftheholeIcamelikeaperiwinkleoutofhisshell。ButevenasIdidso，IcaughtsightofMashune’sstalwartformadvancingwithhis’bangwan，’orbroadstabbingassegai，raisedabovehishead。InanotherquarterofasecondIhadfallenfromthehorn，andheardtheblowofthespear，followedbytheindescribablesoundofsteelshearingitswaythroughflesh。Ihadfallenonmyback，and，lookingup，IsawthatthegallantMashunehaddriventheassegaiafootormoreintothecarcassofthebuffalo，andwasturningtofly。
\"Alas！itwastoolate。Bellowingmadly，andspoutingbloodfrommouthandnostrils，thedevilishbrutewasonhim，andhadthrownhimuplikeafeather，andthengoredhimtwiceashelay。Istruggledupwithsomewildideaofaffordinghelp，butbeforeIhadgoneastepthebuffalogaveonelongsighingbellow，androlledoverdeadbythesideofhisvictim。
\"Mashunewasstillliving，butasingleglanceathimtoldmethathishourhadcome。Thebuffalo’shornhaddrivenagreatholeinhisrightlung，andinflictedotherinjuries。
\"Ikneltdownbesidehimintheuttermostdistress，andtookhishand。
\"’Ishedead，Macumazahn？’hewhispered。’Myeyesareblind；Icannotsee。’
\"’Yes，heisdead。’
\"’Didtheblackdevilhurtthee，Macumazahn？’
\"’No，mypoorfellow，Iamnotmuchhurt。’
\"’Ow！Iamglad。’
\"Thencamealongsilence，brokenonlybythesoundoftheairwhistlingthroughtheholeinhislungashebreathed。
\"’Macumazahn，artthouthere？Icannotfeelthee。’
\"’Iamhere，Mashune。’
\"’Idie，Macumazahn——theworldfliesroundandround。Igo——Igooutintothedark！Surely，myfather，attimesindaystocome——thouwiltthinkofMashunewhostoodbythyside——whenthoukillestelephants，asweused——asweused————’
\"Theywerehislastwords，hisbravespiritpassedwithhim。Idraggedhisbodytotheholeunderthetree，andpusheditin，placinghisbroadassegaibyhim，accordingtothecustomofhispeople，thathemightnotgodefencelessonhislongjourney；andthen，ladies——Iamnotashamedtoconfess——Istoodalonetherebeforeit，andweptlikeawoman。\"