\"Takehim？youshouldkillhim。Iwillguideyoutothecavebynight，andthenyoucanshoothimashesitsbythefire。\"
Langley，althoughnocoward，wasnotparticularlybrave。HedidnotmuchrelishtheideaofalonetacklingtheredoubtableUmhlonhlo，asavageofmuscle，whowasreportedtobealwaysarmedtotheteeth。
Moreover，hehadnogun，andwasbutanindifferentshotwitharevolver。Sohethoughtoverthematterforafewmomentsandthensaid：
\"Lookhere，Ghamba；Idonotcaretotacklethisjobalone，butifI
cantakeanothermanwithme，Iamon。\"
\"Thenyouwillonlygethalfofthefivehundredpounds，andwillnotbeabletobuythefarm。Youneednotbeafraid；youcanshoothimwithouthisseeingyou。\"
\"No，\"saidLangley，afterapause；\"Iwillnotgoalone，butifyouwillletmetakeanothermanwithmeitcanbemanaged。Itwillmakenodifferencetoyou；youwillgetyourtwenty-fivepounds。\"
\"Andhowaboutmygoingtoliveonthefarmwithyou？\"
\"Well，Icouldnotbuythefarmfortwohundredandfiftypounds。
Come，wewillgiveyoufiftypoundsinsteadoftwenty-five。\"
Ghambathoughtforawhileandthensaid：
\"Verywell，Iconsent。Butthereneedbeonlyoneotherman，andyouwillwritedownonapieceofpaperthatyouwillgivemefiftypounds。Whencanwestart？\"
\"Imustspeaktotheotherman，andthenwewillapplyforleave。Wehadbetterstartsoon，orelseUmhlonhlomayhavegonetosomeotherplaceofhiding。\"
\"Yes，wemustlosenotime。\"
\"Allright！Meetmehereto-morrowandIwillbringmyfriend。Wewillthensettleallaboutit。\"
\"Youmustnotmentionthismattertoanyoneelse，andyoumustmakeyourfriendpromisetokeepthesecret。\"
\"Oh，that’sallright！\"saidLangley。\"Meetmehereto-morrow，justafterdinner。\"
Langleywentbacktocamp，Ghambalookingafterhisretreatingfigurewithasmilethatrevealedhisteethinaverystrikingmanner。
Langleywasintenselyexcited，andexacted（quiteunnecessarily）themostsolemnpromisesfromWhitsonnottodivulgethegreatsecretwhichheconfidedtohim。Whitsonagreedatoncetojoinintheenterprise，whichwasoneafterhisownheart。
Nextdaythethreemetatthebigant-heap，andWhitsonwasverymuchimpressedbyGhamba’steeth。HetoldLangleyafterwardthattheyremindedhimofapictureofthedevilwhichhehadseeninacopyof\"Pilgrim’sProgress。\"Theoldman’sstoryappeared，however，consistentenough，inspiteofhispeculiardentition。
So，afterashortconversation，LangleyandWhitsonreturnedtocamp，havingmadeanappointmenttomeetGhambaagainonthefollowingmorningatsunrise，soastofinallyarrangeastotimeofstarting，etc。Theywentatoncetotheofficerinchargeofthedetachmentandappliedfortendays’leaveofabsenceforthepurposeofproceedingtoPietermaritzburg，whichwasatoncegranted。
NextmorningtheymetGhambaagain，andagreedtostartontheirexpeditionthatevening。Heexplainedthattheymustdoalltheirtravelingbynight，andliebyduringtheday；becauseitwouldneverdoforhim，Ghamba，toruntheriskofbeingrecognisedbypersonswhomtheymightmeet。ForthesakeofhisHlubirelationswhowerelivingamongthePondomiseatQumbu，itwasabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldnotappearinthetransactionatall。Wereitevertobeevensuspectedthathehadbetrayedthechief，notalonewouldhebecertainlykilled，butallhisrelationswouldbeshunnedbytheothernatives。Hewasanoldman，soforhim，personally，nothingmatteredverymuch，butamanisboundtoconsidertheinterestsofhisfamily。
Travellingonlybynight，andlyingstillandhiddenduringtheday，werethereforeabsolutelynecessarystipulations，andLangleyandWhitsonagreedtothemasintelligibleandreasonable。Allbeingsettled，thelatterstartedforthecamp，Ghambabaringhisteethexcessivelyastheywalkedaway。
Atduskontheeveningofthesameday，LangleyandWhitsonmetGhambaoncemoreatthelargeant-heap，andthethreeatonceproceededontheircourse。Theonlyarmstakenwererevolversofthegovernmentregulationpattern（breech-loadingcentralfire）。Theycarriedprovisionscalculatedtolasteightdays，buttooknoblanketsonaccountofhavingtotravelatnight。WhenGhambavolunteeredtorelievethemofaconsiderableshareoftheirrespectiveloads，LangleyandWhitsonwerefilledwithgratefulsurprise。
Theplanwasasfollows：WhitsonwastoshootUmhlonhlo，andthenremaininthecavewhileLangleyreturnedtothecamptoreportwhathadbeendone，andcausepersonswhocouldidentifythebodytobesentfor。Theyseemtohavehadnoscruplesastothedeedtheymeanttodo；certainlyUmhlonhlodeservednomoremercythanabeastofprey。Nordoesitseemtohavestruckthemthatpossiblytheymightshootthewrongman。ButtherewasanairofconvictionaboutthemannerinwhichGhambashowedhisteethwhenaskedwhetherhewaspositiveastotheidentityofthemaninthecave，thatwouldhavedissipatedthedoubtsofmostmen。Besidesthis，hedrewoutthewrittenundertakingwhichtheyhaddeliveredtohim，andsaid，withaprofoundlybusinesslikelook：
\"DoInotwantthemoney？ShouldItakeallthistroubleifIdidnotknowwhatIweredoing？\"
Theywalkedallnight，onlyrestingonceortwiceforafewminutes。
ItwasfoundthatGhamba，inspiteofhisage，wasanextremelygoodwalker；andwhentheyhaltedatdaylight，Langleywassodoneupthathecouldnothaveheldoutforanotherhalf-hour。Whitson，thewiry，hadnotyetfelttheleastfatigue。
ThismarchhadtakenthemtotheveryfootoftheDrakensbergrange，andtheyrestedinavalleybetweentwoofitsmainspurs。Heretheyremainedallday，comfortablylocatedinashelterednookwheretherewasplentyofdrygrass。Theirresting-placewasencircledbyimmenserocks。Althoughthesurroundingcountrywasdesolatetoadegree，andneitherahumanbeingnorananimalwastobeseen，Ghambawouldnothearoftheirlightingafirenorleavingthespotwheretheyrested。
Theweatherwasclear，andneithertoowarmnortoocold。Theysleptatintervalsduringtheday，andateveningfeltquiterecoveredfromtheirfatigue。
Atnightfalltheyagainstarted，theircourseleadingsteeplyupthegorgeinwhichtheyhadrested。Althoughthepathwaybecamemoreandmoreindistinct，Ghambaappearednevertobeataloss。Langleyseveraltimesshuddered，whentheypassedbytheveryedgeofsomeimmenseprecipice，orclamberedalongsomesteepmountain-side，whereafalsestepwouldhavemeantdestruction。Hebegantoshowsignsoffatiguesoonaftermidnight，soatGhamba’ssuggestionaconsiderableportionofhisloadwastransferredtotheshouldersofWhitson，whoseemedtobeastirelessasGhambahimself。
Atdaybreaktheyhaltedinthedepthsofanothertremendousgorgewithprecipitoussides。ThesceneryinthisparticularareaoftheDrakensbergrange，theneighbourhoodoftheMontauxSources，isindescribablygrandandimpressive，andisquiteunlikeanythingelseinSouthAfrica。Enormousandfantasticallyshapedmountainsareherehuddledtogetherindiscriminately，andbetweenthemwindanddoubledeepgloomygorges，alongthebottomsofwhichmightybouldersarethicklystrewn。Ondizzyledgeandsteepslopedensethicketsofwildbamboogrow，andafewstuntedtreesfillsomeofthelessdeepclefts，whereverthesunshinecanpenetrate。Splendidasisthescenery，itsgloom，itsstillness，itsnakedcragsandpeaks，itsdarkdepthsthatseemtocleavetotheveryvitalsoftheearth，becomesooppressivethat，afterafewdaysspentamongthem，thetravellerisfilledwithrepulsionandalmosthorror。Fewlivingthingshavetheirhomethere。Youmightmeetanoccasional\"klipspringer\"（anantelope，inhabitsandappearancesomewhatlikethechamois），awanderingtroopofbaboons，andnowandthenaherdofelandinthemoregrassyareas。
TherearesaidtobeafewBushmenstillhauntingthecaves，buttheyareseldomorneverseen。
Intheafternoonthesunshoneintothegorgeinwhichthetravellerswereresting，andforafewhourstheheatwasveryoppressive。
Whitsonexaminedhisrevolver，removingthecartridgesandreplacingthembyothers。Hethenlaydowntosleep，askingLangleytoremainawakeandkeepalookout。Hehadavaguefeelingofuneasinesswhichhecouldnotovercome。Langleypromisedtokeepawake，buthewastootiredtodoso。Hesatwithhisbackagainstarock，and，aftersomefutileeffortstokeephiseyesopen，fellfastasleep。By-and-byGhambawokehimgently，and，pointingtoWhitson，whoserevolverlayintheleathercaseclosetohishand，whispered：
\"Didhenottellyoutokeepawake？\"
Langleywasgratefulforthisevidenceofconsideration，buthecouldnotquitemakeouthowGhambahadbeenabletounderstandwhatWhitsonhadsaid。However，whenthelatterawoke，Langleysaidnothingtohimabouthavingdisobeyedinstructions。
Ghambasaidthatabouttwohours’walkwouldnowbringthemtoUmhlonhlo’scave，sotheystartedoffbrisklyatdusk。Theircoursenowledforsomedistancealongamountainledgecoveredwithwildbamboo，throughwhichthepathwaywound。Thentheycrossedasteepsaddlebetweentwoenormouspeaks，afterwhichtheyplungedintoanotherdeepandwindinggorge。Thistheyfolloweduntiltheyreachedapartwhereitwassonarrowthatthesidesseemedalmosttotouchovertheirheads。Beyondthecliffsfellapart，andthenapparentlycurvedtowardeachotheragain，thusforminganimmenseamphitheatre。
AttheentrancetothisGhambastopped，andsaidinawhisperthattheywerenowclosetothecave。
Theynowheldaconsultation，intermsofwhichitwasdecidedthatGhambashouldgoforwardandreconnoitre。SoWhitsonandLangleysatdownclosetogetherandwaited，conversinginlowtones。
Whitsonfeltveryuneasy，butLangleytriedtoarguehimoutofhisfears。ThemoreWhitsonsawofGhamba，themorehedislikedanddistrustedhimandhisteeth。Theinstinctwhichdetectsdangerintheabsenceofanyapparentevidenceofitsexistenceisafacultydevelopedinsomemenbyanadventurouslife。ThisfacultyWhitsonpossessedinahighdegree。
\"DidyoukeepawakeallthetimeIsleptthisafternoon？\"heasked。
LangleyfearedWhitsonandfeltinclinedtolie，butsomethingimpelledhim，almostagainsthiswill，tospeakthetruthnow。
\"No，\"hereplied；\"Isleptforafewminutes。\"
Whitsondrewhisrevolverandopenedthebreech。
\"ByGod！\"hesaid，\"thecartridgesaregone！\"
Langleytookhisweaponoutoftheleathercaseandopenedit。Hefoundthecartridgeswerethererightenough。
\"Haveyouanysparecartridges？\"askedWhitson。
Whitsonhadalreadyloadedhisrevolverwiththefivecartridgeswhichhehadremovedintheafternoon，butheagaintooktheseoutandreplacedtheminhiswaistcoatpocket，andthenhereloadedwithsomewhichLangleypassedovertohimwithatremblinghand。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，inahoarsewhisper，\"weareinatrapofsomekind。Whenthatoldscoundrelcomesback，donotlethimknowthatwehavefoundoutanything。Wewillwalkonwithhimforashortdistance，atallevents，andthenbeguidedbycircumstances。Standbywhenyouseemecollarhim，andslipasackoverhishead。\"
\"Canwenotgobacknow？\"saidLangley。
\"Certainlynot；wewouldneverfindourwayatnight。Iguesswemustseethiscircusout。Ifyouhavetoshoot，aimlow。\"
InafewminutesGhambareturned。
\"Comeon，\"hesaid。\"Heissittingatthefireinfrontofthecave。I
havejustseenhim。\"
\"Whereisthecave？\"askedWhitson。\"Isitfarfromhere？\"
\"Wewillreachitverysoon；youcanseethelightofthefirefromafewpacesahead。\"
Theywalkedonforaboutfiftyyards，andthere，sureenough，overarockyslopetotheirleft，andatthefootofacragaboutthreehundredyardsaway，couldbeseenthebrightandfitfulglowfromafirewhichwashiddenfromtheirviewbyalowridgeofpiled-uprocks。
WhitsonstoodstillandquestionedGhamba：
\"Nowtellme，\"heasked，throughLangleyasinterpreter，\"howwearetoapproach。\"
\"Thepathwayleadsupontheleftside，\"repliedGhamba。\"Wewillwalkcloseuptothecrag，wherethereisanarrowpassagebetweenitandthatbigblackrockwhichyouseeagainstthelight。Youtwocanlead，andIwillbeclosebehind。Ihavejustseenhim。Heissittingatthefire，eating，andonlythewomenarewithhim。\"
Thelastwordswerehardlyoutofthespeaker’smouthbeforeWhitsonhadseizedhimbythethroatwithavice-likegrasp。
\"Seizehishandsandholdthem，\"hehissedtoLangley。
Ghambastruggleddesperately，butcouldnotreleasehimself。Whitsoncompressedhisthroatuntilhebecameunconscious，andthengaggedhimwithapocket-handkerchief。Ghamba’shandswerethentiedtightlybehindhisbackwithanotherpocket-handkerchief，andhisfeetwerefirmlysecuredwithabelt。Anemptysack（fromwhichtheyhadremovedtheirprovisions）wasthendrawnoverhisheadandshoulders，andsecuredroundthewaist。
\"Comeonnow，quickly，\"whisperedWhitson，andheandLangleystartedoffinthedirectionofthefire，afterfirsttakingofftheirboots。
TheydidnotapproachbythecoursewhichGhambahadindicated，butmadetheirwayquietlyuptheslope，straightagainstthefaceofthecrag。Theyreachedtheheapofrocks，andcreptinamongthembymeansofanothernarrowpassage，closetotheinnerendofwhichthefirewas；andthisiswhattheysawthroughthetwigsofascrubbybushwhicheffectuallyconcealedthem：
Alargecaveopenedintothesideofthemountain，andjustbeforethemouthwasanopenspaceabouttwentyyardsindiameter，surroundedonallsides，exceptthatofthemountainitself，byawalloflooselypiledrocks，throughwhichpassagesledoutindifferentdirections。
Justinfrontofthecaveburnedabrightfire，aroundwhichcrouchedfourmosthideousandfilthy-lookingoldhags，andagainstwhichwereproppedseverallargeearthenwarepotsofnativemake，fullofwater。
Standingbehindrocks，oneateachsideoftheinnerentrancetothepassage，whichwasevidentlythatcommunicatingwiththepathwayindicatedbyGhambaastheonetheyweretoapproachby，weretwopowerful-lookingmen，starknaked，andasblackasebony，theirskinsshininginthelightofthefire。Eachmanheldacoiledthonginhishands，afterthemannerofasailorabouttoheavealine。Whiletheywerelooking，awoman，somewhatyoungerinappearancethananyofthosewhosatbythefire，cameoutofthecavecarryingastrongclubaboutthreefeetlong。Shecroucheddownclosetothemanstandingontheleft-sideofthepassage，who，aswellashiscompanion，stoodasstillasamarblestatue，andinanexpectantattitude。
WhitsonandLangley，withtheirrevolversdrawn，suddenlysteppedoutoftheirconcealment，andwalkedtowardthefire。Thisevidentlydisconcertedthemenwiththethongs，whoapparentlydidnotexpecttheirintendedpreytoapproachbyanycourseexceptthepassagenearwhichtheywerestanding；butafteraslightpauseofhesitancythethongswerewhirlingintheair，anddescending，lasso-fashion，upontheshouldersoftheintruders。ThenoosecaughtLangleyoverhisarms，whichwereinstantlydrawncloseagainsthisbodyasthethongtightened，sohewasthusrenderedcompletelypowerless；butWhitsonsprang，quickaslightning，tooneside，andescaped。Threeshotsfromhisrevolverrangoutinasmanyseconds，andthetwomenandthewoman——whowasintheactofliftingherclubtobrainLangley——layrollingontheground，eachwithabulletthroughthehead。
Thefouroldhagsatthefirebegantomowandscream，andgotupandhobbledintothecave。WhitsondrewhisknifeandcutthethongwithwhichLangleywasvainlystruggling，andthenthetwomen，paleasdeath，lookedsilentlyateachotherwithstaringeyes。
Whitsonreplacedhisrevolver，andthenmadeasortoftorchoutofdryreeds，apileofwhichlaycloseathand。Hethen，leavingLangleytoguardthecave，carefullyexaminedallthepassagesandspacesbetweentherocks，buthecouldfindnotraceofanyone。Thetwomenthereuponenteredthecave，Whitsonholdingthetorchhighoverhishead。Theyfoundthatitranstraightinforaboutfifteenpaces，andthencurvedsharplytotheleft。
Itwasaboutfourpacesinwidth，andabouteightfeethigh，theroofbeingroughlyarched。Thewallsandroofwerecoveredwiththickblackgreasysoot；andanindescribablyhorriblestench，whichincreasedthefarthertheyadvanced，madethemalmostvomit。Theyfoundthatwherethecavecurvedtotheleftitendedinacircularchamberabouteightpacesindiameter，andatonesideofthiscrouchedthefouroldhags，huddledtogether，andmowingandchatteringhorribly。
Acrossacleftabouttwofeetwide，intheright-handwallofthecave，astickwasfixedtransversely，andhangingtothisweresomelumpsofhalf-driedandsmokedflesh。Whitsonwentupcloseandexaminedthesecarefully。Hedrewbackwithashudder，andhisfacechangedfrompaletoashengray。
HeandLangleythenwentoutsideandstoodforawhileinthefreshair。Theycouldendure，justthen，nomoreofthefetidatmosphereinside。Afterashorttimetheygatheredupsomedrytwigsandreeds，andsetseverallittleheapsalightatdifferentspotsinside。Thishadtheeffectofmakingtheatmospheremorebearableinthecourseofafewminutes。Theythenmadealargerfireinthemiddleofthecave，andproceededtoexamineitmoreclosely。
Theyfoundseveraloldironpicks，suchasareusedbynativesincultivatingtheirfields，someveryfilthyskins，anumberofearthenwarepots，afewknives，andanaxe；butnothingmore。
Thefloorofthecavewasofclay，andatonespotitappearedtohavebeenrecentlydisturbed。HereLangleybegantodigwithapick，which，justbelowthesurface，struckagainstsomehardsubstance。This，whenuncovered，provedtobeabone。Hethrewittoonesideanddugdeeper，uncoveringmorebones——someold，andotherscomparativelyfresh，butemittingahorriblesmell。Hestoopedandpickedoneup，butdroppeditimmediately，asifitburnedhim。Itwasthelowerjawboneofahumanbeing。
\"GreatGod！\"hegasped。\"Whatisthemeaningofthis？\"
\"Itmeans，\"saidWhitson，\"thatweareinanestofbloodycannibals！\"
Langleydroppedlikeastone，inadeadfaint；soWhitsondraggedhimoutside，and，leavinghimtorecoverintheopenair，returnedtothecave。Hethenseizedthepickandbegandigging，unearthingsomenewhorrorateverystroke。Aglitteringobjectcaughthiseye；hepickedthisupandfoundittobethesteelbuckleofawoman’sbelt。Heglancedtowardthecleftintherockwherethelumpsoffleshwerehanging，andcaughthisbreathshort。Goingoutsidehemadeanothertorch，whichhelit；andthenhereturnedandcarefullyexaminedtheloosenedsurface。Anotherglitteringobjectcaughthiseye。This，whenexamined，provedtobeanoldsilverwatch，theappearanceofwhichseemedfamiliar。Heforcedopenthecase，andsaw，roughlyscratchedontheinside，theletterD。Henowrecognisedit；herememberedhavingoncefixedaglassinthisverywatchforDollond，aboutamonthbeforethelatter’sdisappearance。ContinuinghissearchWhitsonfoundtheironheel-plateofaboot，andasmallbunchofkeys。
Whitsondrewhisrevolver，andpickingupthetorchwentintotheterminalchamber。Fourshots，firedinquicksuccession，reverberatedimmediatelyafterwardthroughthecavern。
WhitsonthenwentoutsidetoLangley，whomhefoundsittingdownnearthefire，lookingifpossible，moreghastlythanbefore。ThepresenceofWhitsonseemed，however，toactonhimasakindoftonic，andhesoonpulledhimselftogethersufficientlytoassistinpilingaquantityoffueluponthealreadysinkingfire，whichsoonblazedbrightly，lightingupthemouthofthecavernandthespaceinfrontofit。Oneofthebodiesofthemenwhohadbeenshotwaslyingonitsside，withthefacetowardthefire。Whitsonexaminedthemouth，pushingbacktheupperlipwithapieceofstick。HefoundthattheshapeofthemouthandthedevelopmentoftheteethwerethesameasGhamba’s。Theotherbodieswerelyingontheirfaces，sohedidnottroubletoexaminethem。
WhitsonthentoldLangleytofollowhim，andthetwowalkeddownthefoot-pathtowardwheretheyhadleftGhamba。Himtheyfoundlyingmotionlessinthepositioninwhichhehadbeenleftaboutanhourpreviously。Theyremovedthesackandthegaganduntiedhisfeet，firsttakingtheprecautiontofastenthebeltbyoneendtohisboundhands，Whitsonholdingtheother。Theythensignedtohimtoproceedtowardthecave，andthishesilentlydid，withoutmakinganyresistance。Helookedcalmlyatthethreedeadbodies，butsaidnotaword。Langleyheldhim，whileWhitsonagaintiedhisfeettogetherwiththebelt，andthentheyplacedhimwithhisbackagainstarock，facingthefire，whichwasstillblazingbrightly。Hislipsweredrawnbackinaghastly，mirthless，grin，andthetuskswererevealedfrompointtoinsertion。
LangleyquestionedGhamba，buthewouldnotspeak。Afterseveralattemptstoforcehimtoanswerhadbeenvainlymade，Whitsonsaid：
\"Nowtellhimthatifhespeaksandtellsthewholetruthhewillonlybeshot，butifhedoesnotspeakhewillbeburnedalive。\"
Thiswasinterpreted，butthethreathadnoapparenteffect。SoWhitsonseizedGhambaanddraggedhimtothefire，whereheflunghimdownontheveryedgeoftheglowingembers。
\"Now，\"saidWhitson，holdinghimdownwithhisfoot，sothathegotseverelyscorched，\"forthelasttime，willyouspeak？\"
\"Takemeawayfromthefire，andIwillspeak，\"saidGhamba，inEnglish。
Sotheyliftedhim，andsethimagainwithhisbacktotherock。
\"Now，\"saidWhitson，\"goahead，andnononsense！\"
\"IfItellthewholetruth，\"saidGhamba，stillspeakingEnglish，andwithafairaccent，\"willyouswearnottoburnme，buttoshootme，sothatIshalldieatonce？\"
\"Iwill，\"saidWhitson。
\"Youtoomustswear，\"saidGhamba，lookingatLangley。
\"Yes，Iswear。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidGhamba，\"Iwilltellyoueverything，butyoumustbothrememberwhatyouhaveswornto。\"
\"Yes，allright，\"saidWhitson。GhambathenlookedatLangley，whorepeatedthewords。
\"Iwilltellyou，\"saidGhamba，\"allIcanremember，andyoucanaskquestions，whichIshallanswertruly。YouhaveheardofUmdava，whousedtoeatmeninNatallongago，afterthewarsofTshaka——well，hewasmyuncle。AfterUmdavahadbeenkilledandhispeoplescattered，myfather，withafewfollowers，cametoliveamongthesemountains。
Butwefoundthatafterhavingeatenhumanfleshwecouldenjoynootherfood，sowecaughtpeopleandatethem。Thesetwomenlyingdeadaremysons，andthatwomanismydaughter。Myfourwiveswerehereto-night。Theyareveryoldwomen。Haveyounotseenthem？\"heasked，lookingatWhitson。
\"Theyareinthere；Ishotthem，\"saidWhitson，pointingtothecave。
\"Ihadotherchildren，\"continuedGhamba，quiteunmoved，\"butweatethemwhenfoodwasscarce。\"
\"Haveyoualwayslived，alltheseyears，onhumanflesh？\"askedWhitson。
\"No，notalways；butwheneverwecouldobtainitwedidso。Thereisotherfoodinthesemountains——honey，ants’eggs，roots，andfruit；
besidesgame，whichis，however，notveryeasytocatch。Butwehaveoftenallhadtogoawayandworkwhentimeshavebeenbad。Besides，I
haveaherdofcattleataBasutokraal，andIhavebeeninthehabitoftakingsomeofthesenowandthen，andexchangingthemforcorn，whichthewomenthenwenttofetch。Butwehavealwaystriedtogetpeopletoeat，becausewecouldenjoynootherkindoffood。Sometimeswegotthemeasily；andwhenwewereveryfortunateweusedtodrypartofthemeatbyhangingitupandlightingafireunderneath，withgreenwood，soastomakeplentyofsmoke。\"
\"Haveyoukilledmanywhitepeople？\"askedWhitson。
\"Yes，agoodnumber；butnot，ofcourse，asmanyasblack。Latelywehavealwaystriedtocatchwhites，becausewhenyouhaveeatenwhitefleshforsometime，thefleshofanativenolongersatisfiesyou。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Theflavourisnotsostrong。\"
\"DidyouinducetheothertwopolicementocomeupbymeansofthestoryaboutUmhlonhlo？\"
\"Yes，theycameupjustasyoudid，andmysonscaughtthemwiththethongs。Umhlonhlohasbroughtusplentyoffood。\"
\"Wereyouabletotakethecartridgesoutoftheirrevolversasyoudidoutofmine？\"
\"No，Ihadnoopportunity；butitwasnotnecessary，becausemysonsweresoexpertatthrowingthethongsthattheycouldalwayscatchpeopleoverthearms，andthusrenderthemunabletoshoot。\"
\"Howdidtheymanagetobecomesoexpert？\"
\"Bycontinuedpractice。Iusedtowalkupthepathoverandoveragain，andletthemthrowthethongoverme。Thenthewomanwasalwaystherewiththeclub，sothat，ifoneofthethongsmissed，shewasreadytostrike。I，also，wasusuallyreadytohelp，incaseofnecessity。\"
\"Whydidyouthinkitnecessarytotakethecartridgesoutofmyrevolver？\"
\"BecauseIfearedyoufromthefirst，andwereitnotthathe\"——baringhisteethandglancingatLangley，whoshuddered——\"lookedsonice，andthatwewantedfreshmeatsobadly，Iwouldnothaveriskedbringingyou。ButitwouldhavebeenallrightifIhadonlyletyourrevolveralone。\"
\"YousayUmhlonhlohasbroughtyouplentyoffood；didyouevergetanyonebesidesourselvesandtheothertwopolicementocomeupherebytellingthemthatstory？\"
\"Yes，twoothers——oneamanwhowassearchingforgoldontheFreeStatesideofthemountains，andtheotheratraderwhomImetatMaseru。Buttheseeachcamealone。\"
\"Iseethebuckleofawoman’sbeltinthere。Whomdidthatbelongto？
Yousurelynevergotawhitewomanuphere？\"
\"Yes，wedid，\"saidGhamba，withahorriblehalf-smilewhichbaredthegumshighabovethesocketsofhistusks。\"ShewasayounggirlwhohadstrayedfromawaggonpassingoverthemountainbytheLadysmithroad，onlyaday’swalkfromhere。Ipretendedtoshowhertheshortestwaytoherwaggon，andthusbroughtherasfarasshecouldwalkinthisdirection。Ithenkilledher，andcameuphereandfetchedmysons。Wecarriedherupinthenight。Shewasveryyoungandplump，andIhavenevereatenanythingthatIenjoyedsomuch。\"
（Whitsonturnedcoldwithhorror。Herememberedthegirl’smysteriousdisappearance，andthefruitlesssearchesundertakeninconsequence。）
\"Hisflesh\"——glancingagainatLangley——\"lookssomethinglikehersdid，andIamsureitwouldtastejustasnice。TherewasstillalittleofherleftwhenIwentawaylastweek。Ifyouwillgointhereandlookwheretherockissplitontheright-handside，youwill——\"
Buthedidnotfinishthesentence，forabulletfromWhitson’srevolvercrushedthroughhisbrain，andhetumbledforwardonhisfaceintothefire。
ItwasonlyaftertremendousdifficultythatWhitsonandLangleysucceededinescapingfromthemountains。However，ontheeveningofthethirddayaftertheiradventureinthecave，theycameinsightofthepolicecamp。Whitsonsatdownonastone，andmotionedhiscompaniontodothesame。
\"Seehere，sonny，\"hesaid，\"Iwanttohaveashorttalkwithyou。I
amabitcrosswithyouasthecauseofmyhavingbeensuckedinbythatd——dmurderingoldwalrus。Yououghttoknowtheinhabitantsofthiscountrybetterthanasimplestrangerlikeme，andsoItookyourlead。Now，anotherthing：younearlybustusbothbyyourblastedfoolishnessingoingtosleepthatday；butletthatpass，becauseperhapsitwouldhavebeenworseifwehadnotbeenputonourguard；
notbutthatitwouldtakead——dsmartcannibaltoeatHiramWhitson。
ButthisiswhatIamcomingto：you，myboy，areadarnedsighttoofondofhearingyourowntongueclack。Now，takeawarningfromme，anddon’tletawordofwhathashappenedsinceweleftcampforPietermaritzburgpassyourlips。Ididalltheshooting，andI’mnotabitashamedofit；but，bytheeternalGod，ifyouopenyourlipstoasoul，I’llshootyoulikeadogoracannibal！Rememberthat，sonny，andsayitquietlyovertoyourselfthefirsttimeyoufeelthatyouwanttoblab。Now，shakehands。\"
ThiswasprobablythelongestspeechthatWhitsonhadevermade。
Abouttwoyearsaftertheeventsnarrated，WhitsontookhisdischargeandreturnedtoAmerica。Heleftbehindhimasealedpacketaddressedtohiscommandingofficer，andwhichwasnottobedeliveredfortwelvemonthsafterhisdeparture。
Owing，however，toastrangecombinationoffortuitouscircumstances，thispacketneverreacheditsproperdestination；itswrapper，bearingtheaddress，havingbeenscorchedoffinafirewhichtookplaceinthehousewhereitwasleft。
NOTE
ManypeoplehaveheardorreadofthecannibalsofNatal，whoturnedlargetractsofcountryintoashamblesintheearlypartofthiscentury，afterTshaka’simpishadsweptoffallthecattle，andthenkeptthemiserablepeoplecontinuallyonthemovesothattheywereunabletocultivate。OneUmdavaoriginatedthepracticeofeatinghumanflesh。Gatheringtogetherthefragmentsoffourscatteredtribes，hetrainedthemtohunthumanbeingsasothershuntedgame。
ThisgangwasagreaterscourgetothecountrysurroundingthepresentsiteofPietermaritzburgthanevenTshaka’smurderinghordes。Itwasbrokenupinorabouttheyear1824，whentheEuropeansfirstcametothecountry，andtheremnantsofmanyscatteredtribesreturnedandsettledundertheirprotection。
AllthisishistorywithwhichmostpeopleinSouthAfricaarefamiliar，butmanydonotknowthatsomeofthecannibalsfledtoBasutoland，where，amongalmostinaccessiblemountains，theycarriedontheirhorriblepracticesformanyyears。
Itisawell-knownfactthatwhenmenoncesurrenderthemselvestoanyunnaturalandbrutalvice，thegratificationoftheabnormalinstinctthusacquiredbecomesthemostimperativeneedoftheirnature。TheFalklandIslandscase，asbearingspeciallyupontheforegoingnarrative，maybementioned。SomeconvictsescapedfromtheFalklandIslandconvictstation，andsucceededinreachingthecoastofPatagonia。TheythenendeavoredtomaketheirwaytoMontevideo，buthavingtokeepalongtheshoresoastoavoidthenatives，whowouldhavekilledthemhadtheyventuredinland，wereeasilyinterceptedbythegovernmentcutter，whichwasalwaysdespatchedincasesofthekindtoheadofffugitivesupontheironlypossiblecourse。Ofthepartyonlyonemanwasfoundalive。Intheirdreadfulneedthemenhadcastlotsastowhoshouldbekilledandeatenbytheothers，andthiswentonuntilonlytheonemanremained。Hissufferingshadbeensohorriblethathewasletoffanyfurtherpunishment，andsimplybroughtbacktotheislandtocompletethetermofhissentence。Somemonthsafter，thismaninducedanothertoescapewithhiminaboat，and，whentheboatwasovertaken，itwasfoundthathehadkilledhiscompanionforthepurposeofeatingthelatter’sflesh。Thiswasapparentfromthefactthatthesupplyoffoodwhichthefugitiveshadtakenwiththemwasnotexhausted。
MARYMUSGRAVE
BY
ANONYMOUS
\"Ninecaretsefit’sablessedone。\"
\"Scale’im，an’ye’llfindhe’sahalfbetter。Clearesabottleo’
gin，an’flawlessesthepope！TommyDartmoor，ye’reinluck，s’welpmeneverefyeain’t，an’that’sabrilliantyercanshowthepolisan’notgettimefer。\"
TommyDartmoor，whoowedhissurnametoacrownestablishmentwithintherestrainingwallsofwhichhehadonceenjoyedatemporaryresidence，growledoutarecommendationto\"stowthat，\"andthenadded，\"Boys，we’llwetthis。TrektoWerstein’s。\"
Forthwithacrowdofdirty，tanneddiggersturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionofGustavWerstein’sAmericanBar，andwalkedtowarditasbrisklyastheheatandtheirwearinesswouldadmitof。TheIsraelitesawthemcoming，straightenedhimselfoutofthehalf-dozeinwhichhehadpassedthebakingafternoon，stoppeddownthetobaccointheporcelainbowlofhislong-stemmedpipewithstumpyforefinger，and，twistingacorkoffhiscorkscrew，stoodinreadiness。
\"Nameyerpizons，boys，an’getoutside’em，wishin’allgoodlucktoR’yalStraight；R’yalStraightbein’thenameo’thisyerstonegivenbyThomasD。Hesquire，originaldiskivereran’presentperprietor。\"
Theordersweregiven，——bassatfiveshillingsabottle，champagne（neegooseberry）atfivepounds，Capesmokeattwoshillingspertwofingers，——and，atagivensignal，therewasaninarticulateroarfromdustythroats，aninversionoftumblersoverthirstymouths，andasecondinversionoverthegroundtoshowthatallthecontentshaddisappeared。
Satan，theonecatandonlydomesticpetofthecamp，sawthattherewasageneraltreatgoingon，andbustlingupforhisdrinktookacanofcondensedmilkatsixshillings。Otherdiggerscametroopinginasthenewsspread，andTommyDartmoor，whowasrapidlybecomingmellow，forhedrankhalfatumblerofrawwhiskywitheveryonewhonoddedtohim，stoodthemrefreshmentsgalore，whilethegreasyJewbegantoseevisionsofhisadoptedfatherlandintheneardistance。
SotheKaffirs，exceptthosewhohadsuppliesoftheirown，keptsoberandpeaceful，whilethehigherorderofthehumanraceatBigStoneHole，afterthemanneroftheirkind，begantosquabble。Itwasnaturalforthemtodoso，perhaps，fortheweatherwassohot，andtheliquors，forthemostpart，moreso；andunderthesecircumstancesmendonotalwayscastaboutthemlongforacasusbelli。Oneortwominorbrawlsopenedtheball，andHerrGustav，scentingbattleintheair，drewfromalockeracard，whichhebalancedagainstthebottlesonashelfabovehishead。Itreadthus：
GENTSISREKESTEDTOSHOOT
CLEAROFTHEBARR-KEP。
BROKINGLASMAYBEPADEFOR
ATCOSTPRISE。
andhadbeenwrittenfortheGermanbyagentlemanwhohadhadsomeexperienceinFortyRodGulch，Nevada。Theactionelicitedacontemptuouslaughfromoneortwoofthenewhands，buttheoldstersbeganshiftingsundryarticleswhichdependedfromtheirbeltsintopositionsfromwhichtheymightbehandledattheshortestnotice；andtheblackcat，morewisethananyofthem，havingdrunkhisfill，stalkedsolemnlyoutintothesecurityofthedarkness。
Thesunwentdown，——wentoutwithaclick，someonedeclared，——and，asnotwilightinterposedbetweendaylightanddarknessinthecountrywhichBigStoneHoleornamented，HerrGustavlithistwoparaffin-
lamps。Neitherboastedmorethanaone-inchwick，and，astheirglasseswereextremelysmoky，theilluminationwasnotbrilliant；butitsufficedtoshowtheflushed，angryfacesofacoupleofmenstandinginthecentreoftheroom，withalltheothersclusteredround，watchingeagerly。OnewastheScholar。Theotherwasaburlygiant，whosemissingleftlittlefingercausedhimtobenicknamedtheCripple。Aboutwhattheyhadoriginallyfallenoutwasnotcleartoanyone，tothemselvesleastofall。Asthecasestoodwhenthesecondlampwaslit，ScholarhadcalledCrippleasomething-or-otherliar，andCripple，whowasnotinventive，hadretortedbystigmatisingScholarasanother。Furtherrecriminationsfollowed，andtheirpistolsweredrawn；butastheaudiencehadastrongobjectiontoindiscriminateshooting，bywhichitwasnotlikelytobenefit，thebelligerentswereseized。Noonewasunsportsmanlikeenoughtowishtostopthefight，andJockeyBill，givingvoicetothegeneralwishofthemeeting，proposedthatthegentsbefixedupagin’acoupleo’
postsoutside，wheretheymightletdaylightintoeachotherwithoutlead-poisoningcasualspectators。
Themotionwasactedon，andafterrectifyingaslightomissionontheCripple’spart——hehadforgottentoputcapsonthenipplesofhisrevolver——thepairofthemwereseateduponupturnedbarrelssometenyardsapart，eachwithalampathisfeet，andtoldtobeginwhentheysawfittodoso。Theswarthy，beardeddiggersgroupedthemselvesoneitherside，andthecat，emergingfromhisretreat，scrambledontotheshoulderofoneofthem，fullyascuriousastherestto\"seetheshootin’。\"Itwasaweirdsight，——dust，scorchedgrass，emptytins，rudehovels，pilesofdebris，Africanmoonlight，——yet，except，perhaps，intheeyesofthenewestcomers，therewasnothingstrangeinit。Theothersweretoowrappedupinwhatwasgoingtotakeplacetoseeanythingquaintintheirevery-daysurroundings。Therewasnotheatreinthecamp。Thelittleimpromptudramarivetedallattention。
Butbeforetheduelcommenced，agallopinghorse，whichhadapproachedoverthegrassyveldtunnoticedduringtheexcitement，drewupwithacrashbetweenthetwocombatants，anditsrider，raisinghishandtocommandattention，cried：
\"Boys，there’sawhitewomancomin’！\"
\"Awhitewoman！\"waschorusedinvarioustonesofdisbelief。\"What，here？Whitewomancomin’here，Dan？\"
AndthensomeoneinquiredifshewasaBoer。
\"Boer——no，\"repliedDan；\"English——EnglishasIam；leastwaysEnglisher，bein’Amurrican-bornmyself。OvertookheretHottentotDrift。ThortI’dspuronan’tellyer。We’ddowi’aclean-up，someonus。\"
Danspokeindistinctly，asabullethadlatelydisarrangedsomeofhisteeth；buthiswordshadawonderfuleffect。
Eachmanbeganinstinctivelytotidyhimself。Thewould-beduellists，forgettingtheirquarrel，stucktherevolversintheirbeltsandfollowedthegeneralexample。TheCripplehiedhimtothestore，andafterbreakingdownthedoorabstractedtheonlyblacking-brushinthecamp，——puttingdownasovereignonthecounterinexchangeforit，——
andsettopolishinghishighbootsasifafortunedependedontheirbrightness。TheScholarboughtHerrGustav’swhiteshirtforafiver，threateningtomurderitsownerifhedidnotrenderitup。AndPartridge，agoodmanfromNorfolk，witharegrettableweaknessforshootingotherpeople’sgame，inducedafriendtodenudehimofhisflowinglocksbymeansofaclasp-knifeandahunkofwood，asnoscissorswereprocurable。
ThewardrobesofBigStoneHolewerestockedmorewithaviewtostrictutilitythanvarietyorornamentation，andtheslenderresourcesofthestoreutterlygaveoutunderthesuddenstrainthatwasputuponthem。Ineverydirectiongrimy，unkemptmenmightbeseenattemptingtobeautifythemselves。Herewasoneenduringagoniesfromarazorthatwouldscarcelywhittleastick；hereanotherrecallingthefeelofacakeofsoap；thereagreatfellowpullingfacesashestruggledtogettheteethofacombintohisshockofhair；thereanotherbrushingtheclayfromhismoleskintrouserswithatuftofstiffgrass。
Itseemedtothesemenagessincetheyhadlastseenawomanintheflesh，——Kaffirwomendon’tcount；theyarenotwomen，merelyKaffirs，——and，withthenaturalinstinctofmalesofeveryspecies，theysetaboutplumingtheirfeathers。
Theseoperations，thoughspeedyasmightbe，werenecessarilyprolonged，formostofthemenrequiredseveralbucketsofwaterovertheheadbeforetheyfeltfitforsuchunaccustomedexercises，andtheywerescarcelyfinishedbeforethecreakingofwheelsandthecriesofthevoorlooperasheurgedhisoxenannouncedthatthewagonwaswithinearshot。Upitcame，thegreattiltgleamingwhiteinthemoonlight，andeveryeyewasfixedexpectantlyonthedarkchasmwithin。Thedriver，puffedupwithhisownimportance，crackedhislongwhipanddeignednottonoticethemenwhomheusuallygreetedwithafriendlyhail，andtheHottentotboyahead，imitatinghismaster，vouchsafednoexplanation。WithmoredeathlyslownessthanusualdidthelumberingvehiclecrawlalonguntilthetiredcattlepulledupbeforethedooroftheAmericanBar。Thentherewasarushandabitofascuffleforthehonourofhandingthewomanout。TheCripplewasthefortunateman，and，afterassistinghertotheground，wavedhistatteredhattowardthegleamingopendoorway。Buthedidnotspeak。Wordswerebeyondhim。Indeed，thediggers，whowerenoneofthemparticularlyremarkablefortaciturnityasageneralthing，seemed，withoneexception，tobestrickendumb。ButtheScholarprovedhimselfequaltotheoccasion，andwithcourtlyphrasebadethenew-comerwelcometothecamp。Hehadalwaysbeenapopularmanamongwomeninhispalmierdays，thoughopenlyholdingratherapooropinionofthem；andastheonebeforehimnowwasneatofspeechandcomelyofform，hewasnotatallaversetoenjoyinghersocietyandconversation。
\"Ishouldbemuchobligedifyouwoulddirectmetoahotel，\"shesaid，aftertakingalookaroundthecheapgaudinessofthesaloon。
\"I’msorrytosaythatwehavenohotelhereasyet，Miss——er——？\"
\"Musgrave。MissMaryMusgrave\"——withalittlebow。\"ButIheardthataGermanhadstartedahotelhere。\"
\"No；thereisnothingbutthis。That\"——pointingtoHerrGustave，whowasregardingthenewcomerwithanevileye——\"thatistheGerman。\"
MissMusgraveappeareddistressed。
\"ThenwherecanIgo？\"sheasked。\"Arethereanylodgingstobehad？\"
\"Theladymayhavemyplace，\"chorusedthreeeagervoices，andeverymanintheroomrepeatedtheoffer。
Shethankedthemwithaprettysmileandonecomprehensivebow，andlookedupattheScholarforhelp。
\"Iwouldofferyoumyhutifitwerenotsuchawretchedone。But，asitis，Ishouldadviseyoutotakethisman’s\"——andhepointedtoTommyDartmoor。
\"Why，mine’stwentycaratsbetterthanhisn！\"exclaimedtheCripple。
\"Andminebetter’neither，\"growledDan。
\"Mine’sthebestofthelot。\"
\"No，itisn’t；mineis，\"yelledothers，tilltherewasageneralroar，whichcausedMissMusgravetolookfrightenedandshrinknearertotheScholar，andthatgentlemantoraisehishandforsilence。
\"Lookhere，\"saidhe，\"we’llpickoutthetwelvebest，andtheirownerscancutwithoneanotherfromapackofcards。\"
Aftersomediscussiontwelveweresettledupon，butthenumberwasimmediatelyraisedtothirteentopreventJockeyBilldisgracingthecampbyshootingbeforealady。Apackofcardswasplacedonthebar，andeachmanchoseone，holdinghisselectionfacedownwardtillallwereready。ThentheScholarsaid，\"Turn，\"andtherewereexhibitedfiveaces，twokings，aqueen，threeknaves，andtwosmallercards。
Thiswasawkward，tosaytheleastofit，and，whilesarcasticlaughterrippledamongthespectators，therewasaninstinctivemovementofrighthandstowardthebackofthebeltonthepartofeachofthethirteen。
ButtheScholar’svoice，fullofremonstrance，said，\"Boys，you’rebeinglookedat，\"andtherewasaregretfulsighortwo，butnobloodshed。
MissMusgravegazedinquiringlyfromonetoanother，andtheScholar，layinghishandonherarm，whisperedsomethinginherear。Shesmiled，whisperedback，andwasanswered，andthen，strippingoffapairofwell-fittingfawngloves，shetookthecardsinaprettylittlewhitehand，anddealtoutonetoeachofthecompetitorswithcharmingclumsiness。
\"Ain’ttouchedakeardafore，blessher，\"whisperedEuchreBuck，givinghisneighborDananudgeintheribstocallattentiontothiswonderfulpieceofgirlishinnocence。\"SquareadealesGeorgeWashingtonmoughtha’made。\"Then，asthegreasypasteboardswereturnedup，andhisneighbourwashandedtheaceofclubs，heraisedhisvoiceandyelledout，\"Bullyforyou，Dan！Cutawayan’claryercabinout。\"
AwayscamperedDanoutintothedarkness，withtherestofthecrewathisheels。Theirhomecomfortswereverysmall，poorfellows；buteachgaveofhisbest，thoughthegiftswereoftenincongruousenough。Inhalfanhourthecabinwasfittedoutwithasmallcrackedlooking-
glass，twocombs，anoldhair-brush，——stillwetfromthewash，——apail，afrying-pan，threekettles，twothree-leggedstools，andsomanyblanketsthatsomewererequisitionedtocarpetthefloor。ThewholecrowdaccompaniedMissMusgravetoherdoorandgaveheracheerbywayofgood-night。Shebowedtothem，smilingherthanks，andlooking，astheythought，entrancinglylovelyasshestoodthere，withthepalemoonbeamsfallingfullonher。
Thensheturnedtogoin，butasEuchreBucksteppedforwardwithanadmonishingcough，shewaitedandlookedroundathim。
\"Miss，\"saidhe，holdingoutabigrevolverinhishardfist，\"youtakethisyergun，an’efanyonewhistles，orotherwisedisturbsyou，letaholeintohimstraightaway，an’we’llseehimburieddecent。\"
ButMissMusgravecourteously，andwithprofusethanks，refusedtheoffer，and，sayingthatshehadperfectconfidenceinallwhowerearoundher，gaveEuchreBuckabewitchingsmile，wentinside，andclosedthedoorafterhe。
ThenthediggersreturnedtoGustavWerstein’sAmericanBaranddiscussedthenewarrival。
\"IknownNoomarketan’Hascotan’Hepson，an’alltheplaceswhereswellsgoesinEngland，\"saidJockeyBill，enthusiastically；\"butneveronecomethereasprettyasshe，stopmylicenseifther’did。\"
\"Grandeyes，hain’tshe？\"saidTommyDartmoor。\"Regularfust-water’uns。Here’sto’em！\"
\"And-a-hoof！Seeitpeepbelowhergownd。S’welpmeefitwer’esbigasmy’bacca-box！\"
\"An’’erclose，gentlemen！Madetomeasure，everythreadon’em，I
allow。\"
\"She’salady，boys，\"exclaimedhewhohadofferedtoseeafterafuneral，\"areg’larslap-up，high-toned，blow-yer-eyes-don’t-touch-melady；an’assheseesfittodotheciviltothisfellar\"——strikinghimselfonthechest——\"he’sjustgoingtodrophisprofessionalname，an’arskyertocallhimMisterSamuelK。Gregson，Esquire。Playonthat。\"
NextmorningtheinhabitantsofBigStoneHolewerestartledbyreadingthisannouncementoutsidethecabinwhichDanhadresignedtoMissMusgrave：
SINGINGANDMUSICTAUGHT。
LITERARYWORKDONE。
Itwasprintedonacard，whichwasaffixedtothedoorbymeansofadrawing-pin，andfromwithincamethesoundofacontraltovoicesingingtoaguitaraccompaniment。OnebyonethemaleresidentsofBigStoneHoledrewneartothatiron-roofedhutandstoppedtolisten；butaftercommentingontheinnovationingleefulwhispers——
forguitarhadnevertwangedinthatpartofAfricabefore——theymovedontotheirwork。Noconsiderationcouldcausethemtoneglectthat。
Theymightfritterawaythedull，roughgemswhentheyhadfoundthem，butthelustofhandlingdiamondsoncewasthestrongestpassiontheyknew。Andsotheday’stoilwasnotcurtailed；butattheconclusionMissMusgravehadanapplicationforinstructioninmusicfromeverymaninthecamp，withoneexception。ThisonedefaulterwasEuchreBuck。Heownedtohavingnoearformusic——therebyexhibitingmorehonestythanmanyoftheothers——andconfessedtoknowingonlytwotunes，oneofwhichwas\"HailColumbia，\"andtheother——wasn’t；andsohesaidhewantedsome\"literaryworkdone。\"HeproposedtoMissMusgravethatsheshouldwriteahistoryofhislifeathalfaguineaapage，thereby——cuteYankeethathewas——thinkingtoappropriatethewholeofhertime。
Butembarrassedbyallthesecallsuponher，andobviouslyunabletosatisfyeachofthem，MissMusgraveturnedforhelptotheScholar，whomsheappearedtoregardasherspecialadviser；andhe，promisingasolutionofthedifficultyinhalfanhour，drewoffthewholecrowdtotheAmericanBar，wherethequestionwasthrashedoutinallitspoints。
ItwasclearlyevidentthatMissMusgravecouldnotsurrendertoeachindividualthewholeofherevening，evenifanyonehadbeenwillingtolethisneighbormonopoliseit，whichnoonewas；andthereforeitwasnecessarytoformulatesomeschemebywhichhertalentsmightbedistributedoveralargerarea。Butwhattheschemeshouldbewasnotsettledallinaminute。Onemanwantedtohearhersing，anothertohearhertalk，anotherwaswillingtogivefivepoundsanhourfortheprivilegeoftalkingtoher。Afteralengtheneddiscussion，whichwasexcitedthroughout，andattimesvergedonthewarlike，itwasdecidedtoeffectacompromise——subject，ofcourse，toMissMusgrave’sinclinations；andadeputationwassenttolearnherviewsonthesubject。
Therewasnoassembly-roomintheplace，exceptingWerstein’ssaloon，——which，ofcourse，wasnotavailableforsuchapurpose，——andsoitwasproposedtoher，withmuchhumility，thatsheshouldtakeupherpositionintheeveningsonachairoutsideherhut，andtherediscoursesuchvocalandinstrumentalmusicasshesawfit，interlardingthesamewithfriendlyconversation。Whatwasshetotalkabout？Anything——absolutelyanything。Theydidn’tmindwhatitwas，solongastheyheardhervoice。Fiveshillings，thecommitteehaddecided，wastobepaidbyeverymanwhocamewithinearshot。AndanyonewhowantedafreelistwasrequestedtoarguethematteroutwithEuchreBuck。
ThiscalluponherpowersseemedtotakeMissMusgraveaback。
\"Ihaveneversunginpublic，\"shepleaded，rathernervously。\"Indeed，myvoiceisnotgoodenoughforit；reallyitisn’t。OnlyIthoughtI
couldteachalittleperhaps，andthatiswhyIcamehere。Yousee，mother，isaninvalid，andweweresoverypoorthat——\"
\"Miss，\"brokeinJockeyBill，\"callittenboba’ead，an’just’umtous。\"
\"Ohno，Mr。William，itwasnotthemoneythatIthoughtabout；
indeed，fiveshillingswouldbefartoomuch。ButifyouthinkthatI
shouldbeabletoamuseyouatall，Iwoulddomyverybest——believeme，Iwould。\"
\"Miss，\"growledDan，withaclumsyendeavourtochaseawayherdiffidence，\"allweasksisferyoutositnearusferaspell。Efyousingsorplays，we’dbeproud；efyoujustlooksan’talks，we’dbepleased。\"
SointheendMissMusgraveyieldedtothewishesofthecommunity，andthenightlyconclaveintheAmericanBarbecamesomuchathingofthepastthatGustavWersteinwasheardtothreatenanotheremigration。Thesongsweretothediggersnew，andyetnotnew。Therewasnothingofthemusic-halltypeaboutthem；theywerenearlyallold-fashionedditties。Shesangtothemof\"BarbaraAllen\"and\"SallyinourAlley\"；shegavethem\"Cheer，Boys，Cheer，\"andcalledforachorus；shesang\"TheMessage，\"\"TheArrowandtheSong\"；andshebroughtbackmemoriesofotherdayswhenAfricawastothemameregeographicalexpression——ofdayswhenthatsomethinghadnothappenedwhichhadsentthemawayfromhome。
Sundaycame，thefifthdayafterherarrival，anditdifferedfromtheusualSabbathofBigStoneHole。Sundayhadbeenobservedbeforebythebiggestdrinkingboutoftheweek，andasummarysettlementoftheprevioussixdays’disputes。Now，tothehugesurpriseoftheKaffirs，andtothestillgreatersurpriseofthemselves，thesediamond-diggerssanghymnsatintervalsduringtheday，andrefrainedfromindulgingintheorthodoxcarousetillafterMissMusgravehadretiredforthenight。Itwasawonderfulchange。
DuringthenextweekafallofearthtookplaceinTommyDartmoor’sclaim。TwoKaffirswerekilled；andwhentheproprietorhimselfwasextricatedfromthedebrisofblueclaywhichheldhimdown，hewasfoundtohaveabrokenarm，besidesotherseriousinjuries。
\"Don’tletontoher，\"hemanagedtogaspouttohisrescuers，wishingtospareMissMusgrave’snervesashock。
Butshesawthemenbearinghimtohishut，joinedthem，andinsistedonbeinginstalledassolenurseforthwith。