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。