GLEAMS FROM

THE DARK CONTINENT

Charles J. Mansford

1863-1943

1895-6

Contents

1: The Veiled Idol of Kor

2: The Wizard of Swazi Swamp

3: The Hidden Egyptian Shield

4: The Dervish of the Nile Pyramid

5: The Lost Fetish of Walai

6: The Great Dial of the Gold-Finders

7: The Brigand of Kairouin the Holy

8: The City of the Scarlet Scarabæus

9: The Wolves of the Atlas

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1: The Veiled Idol of Kor

The Strand Magazine Jul 1895

"HASSAN," said my companion, Frank Denviers, to our Arab guide, "what is your candid opinion of that curious yarn which Kass, our chief Wadigo follower, told us by the camp fire last night?"

The Arab, who was resting close by the awning of our tent, looked up from a well- thumbed copy of the Koran, which he had been reading aloud to us, then gravely asked:—

"What does the sahib himself think of it?"

"Well, Hassan," responded Denviers, "I always thought you could spin a tolerably tall yarn, but Kass would beat the Great Prophet himself."

"The story which Kass told is as true as the Koran, sahib," answered the Arab, closing the book and glancing reprovingly at Denviers.

"We agree with you there," assented my companion with such emphasis that Hassan quickly retorted:—

"What a sweet well in the desert is to the thirsty, so is a believing listener among men; the mighty Mahomet himself has so declared."

"Which is the reason why every follower of his believes that interesting and truthful account of the moon wandering up the right sleeve of the Prophet's robe and then coming out by the left—"

"Never mind about Mahomet and his wonderful adventures," I interrupted; "so far as I can remember, Kass was too much engrossed in his story of the veiled idol of Kor to notice Hassan's additions to his narrative while he was telling it."

"Kass does not know the entire story," responded the Arab, gravely; " if the sahibs so desire, I will tell it to them."

"Very well, Hassan," said Denviers, smiling at the Arab's persistence; "go on with your yarn, but remember that in less than half an hour we must start on our day's march. Don't exaggerate more than you can help, for Kass is approaching the tent. He has mixed too much with Arab slavers not to understand every word that you say."

A shadow fell upon the waste of sun-dried grass which stretched before our tent, and, glancing up as Denviers spoke, I saw Kass, the Wadigo, fronting us. In his right hand he held a heavy spear, the butt of which rested upon the ground, while in his left he grasped the centre-piece of a great shield of hide, above which rose the hafts of a number of splendidly-balanced assegais. In height Kass was fully six feet, differing little in this respect from the rest of our Wadigos, but easily distinguishable among them since he alone wore a peculiar gum wattle not much unlike that of a Zulu brave. Save for his loin-cloth, the body and limbs of Kass were bare, the only ornament which he wore being a string of beads about his neck.

We obtained the services of Kass and his fellow Wadigos in rather a strange way. On completing an extended tour in Asia, under the guidance of Hassan, we eventually made our way to Calcutta, where we remained for some time. Denviers, my companion, had long projected a journey across Africa, and persuaded me to accompany him. The natives whom we engaged for the expedition on reaching the African coast deserted us when a convenient opportunity presented itself, and generously saved us the trouble of increased burdens by bolting with whatever they thought most valuable. Entering a Wadigo village, we chanced to be of service in leading the natives against some Arab slavers infesting the district. In return for this, Kass and a number of his tribesmen volunteered to join our expedition; the usual exchange of presents took place, and so we pressed on our way through the Dark Continent.

In obedience to a gesture from Denviers, Kass threw himself down beside the Arab, whereupon the latter began his version of a story which resulted in a stranger adventure than any that we had previously engaged in.

"In the fifth year of the Great Prophet's mission, sahibs," began Hassan, "his daughter Rokaia and her husband were sent into Abyssinia to escape the perils which surrounded Mahomet. With them went several others, all of whom were well received by the Najashee or King, then ruling. As the years went by, the Moslems increased and became a power in the land of their voluntary exile, until the time came when the reigning Najashee sought the hand of a certain Ayesha the Fair, in marriage. She, as a descendant from the Prophet's daughter, refused the alliance; whereupon the enraged Najashee decreed that every Moslem should be driven from his kingdom. Despoiled of all their wealth, with a supply of food sufficient only for a few days, the miserable Moslems passed out by the great gates to wander aimlessly through desolate wastes and hostile tribes. At their head walked Abu, the lover of Ayesha, behind whom his beloved was borne upon a litter.

"One night, when the condition of those who still survived was at its worst, a certain Moslem had a strange dream, which so impressed him that he rose and set off in the moonlight to test its truth. At dawn he returned, and, hastily rousing the rest, gathered them about him to listen to the substance of his dream and how it had been verified."

"What was it that he dreamt, Hassan?" asked Denviers. "Was it anything to do with this idol we are waiting to hear about? "

"Patience, sahib, and you shall hear," our grave guide responded.

"His gaunt, famished listeners thought the Moslem's utterances only the ravings of a madman, but he grasped his beard and affirmed by it that every word he had uttered was true."

"A most convincing testimony, Hassan," remarked Denviers. "Of course, everyone believed him immediately!"

"Doubtless, sahib. Led by the Moslem, the exiles passively followed. They found themselves entering an excavated way which led through the heart of a mountain. Following their guide, they at last emerged from the rock-hewn way to see facing them―"

"The veiled idol, I suppose, Hassan?" said Denviers, irreverently interrupting the Arab's story.

"Not so, sahib," replied our guide; "but something almost as strange. Hemmed in by mountain spurs, whose sides rose rugged and grand, they saw before their wondering eyes a vast colonnade, whose every pillar was carved with the grotesque heads of giant men and gods, and nameless beasts, which stared and -gaped askance in stone, till awe and fear held each Moslem spellbound.

" 'Pass on and fear not. Allah and the Prophet have led our feet hither!' cried Abu at last, and so, with many a curious backward glance, the exiles marched on until a great city appeared, and they passed wonderingly into its streets. No one stood forth to bar their way, nor to ask whence they came. At last some of the exiles, bolder than the rest, ventured to enter a few of the dwellings. The shimmer of gold and the glitter of brilliants, set in bracelets and rings, caught their glances as they stooped over little heaps that may have been mortal dust. Securing these treasures, they passed out to rejoin the rest, one of their number grasping in his hand a snake of brass, with many a mystic symbol graven upon it.

"In the centre of the city was a great paved square, from which rose a temple, hewn so as to represent the body of a lion with the head of a man supported on huge pillars, its forepaws alone rising to a height of twenty feet. Upon these latter also were varied symbols which none of the exiles could read. Standing before the great temple, Abu declared to his followers his belief that, at some far remote period, the inhabitants of this strangely discovered city had perished from pestilence, and he claimed the city for them and theirs, since they, true Moslems, had discovered it.

"Eventually Ayesha was declared Queen of the city, and becoming the bride of Abu, he was raised up to share her throne. Although centuries have passed away, the city, sahibs, is still inhabited by Arabs, for its buildings and temple stand almost untouched by the finger of Time. Yet the pestilence which once came upon it is as nothing to the fate which has recently befallen the city, for now comes the strange part of its history. A few years ago―"

"We are getting to modern times at last then, Hassan," said Denviers, whose incredulous smile somewhat disconcerted the Arab.

"As I said, sahibs," Hassan continued: "A few years ago a stranger visited the city, bringing with him his daughter, their features and dress plainly showing that they were of Egyptian origin. The stranger settled in Kor, as the inhabitants had named it, and at once devoted himself to a close study of the strange symbols cut within and without the temple. What secrets they revealed to him none can say, but certain it is that he ransacked the bazaars of the city, examining with infinite patience every curio displayed, and showing his disappointment more keenly month after month as his search proved fruitless. At last he fell ill, and the quest was left for his daughter Cai to carry on. Strange to say, sahibs, within a few days she discovered and purchased for a few coins the identical brazen snake which was first found when the band of exiles entered the deserted city so long before.

"Sahibs, the people of Kor declare that the symbols upon it unlocked the secrets of all the mystic hieroglyphics about the temple. All the past lore of long-forgotten ages was revealed to these strangers, who used it to attain their own evil ends, and again the city passed into the power and under the heavy yoke of the Egyptian. The Queen who reigned then was deposed, and became the handmaid of the Egyptian's daughter— as she is even to this day. Before his death, the stranger from the Nile raised an idol within the temple, and men whisper that it is the very counterpart of his daughter Cai, who holds the people fast in bondage. Before the idol hangs a veil; whoever disobeys the Queen in aught is thrust into the temple, the veil parts, and at a glance from the idol, the victim shrieks and stiffens and dies! Sahibs, by the teachings of the lore which the Egyptians alone discovered, the stone idol is endowed with life and with power to sear and destroy whoever Cai wills to perish. No marks of violence can be seen upon those who after death are carried out for the awe- stricken Moslems to look upon. So comes it then that a strange fear subdues all dwelling in that great city, and they bend to the slightest wish of Cai, who rules them with a rod of iron."

"With a snake of brass, you mean, Hassan," said Denviers, laughing at the Arab's profoundly grave countenance. "Cai has probably learnt something of the old magian's art, and is clever enough to turn her knowledge to her own advantage. As to your yarn about a live stone idol, well, it is as true as the famous moon story I mentioned just now."

"Listen yet, sahibs," Hassan continued, "and hear the rest. An Arab who managed to escape from this strange city told these things to a Wadigo. The latter laughed them to scorn, then, roused by curiosity, went in search of the city; he never returned to his tribe again. A month later two other Wadigos set off thither— neither was seen afterwards. Then the brother of Kass, famous alike with spear and assegai— as is he who rests before us— went forth to search out the truth of this narrative; he, too, was lost to his tribe from that day."

The Arab stopped, for Kass suddenly sprang to his feet and shook his spear threateningly towards where a mountain ridge was faintly discernible far across the scorched plain. Beating his shield in wrath, he cried:—

"Strong as the lion, stealthy as the tiger, subtle as the snake that whips the swishing grass through which he goes— such was my brother, yet from Kor came he not back."

"Kass," asked Denviers, "do you know the way by which this city of Kor is reached?"

The Wadigo answered in the affirmative.

"Well, Hassan," said my companion to the Arab, " when we reach the mountain spur we will leave you in charge of the rest of the Wadigos, while, with Kass as guide, Derwent and I will try to enter this city. You agree, Harold?" he asked, turning to me.

"By all means," I answered.

"The sahibs will never return," the Arab said, despondently.

"We shall see, Hassan," responded Denviers; "strike the tent and bid the Wadigos begin the march across the plain."

ii

IT WAS still early morning when we set out to traverse the great sweep of grey, tangled grass which rose knee-deep about us. At the head of our column walked Kass, bearing his great shield and spear, as we advanced in single file. Rifle in hand, Denviers and I followed next, while Hassan posted himself rearward, to keep watch upon the Wadigos, who alternately carried burdens or arms for our defence, if attacked on the march. The fantastic mists that hung about the plain gave way to a white heat, as we steadily pushed on our way. About mid-day we halted for a brief space, then, in spite of the intense heat of the sun, we resumed the march until, some two hours afterwards, the mountain spur rose up tawny and precipitous before us. Pitching our camp at a spot where Kass pointed out, we left Hassan in charge of the Wadigos, as we had decided, and followed Kass. For fully another hour we plodded on in silence, until the base of the mountain was reached, when we began to realize the full extent of the difficulties before us.

East and west of where we stood ran the mountain, while sheer above us its top towered high in the air, seeming to cleave the sky with its jagged crest. The Wadigo pointed with his spear to where a ledge of rock high above us projected from the mountain side.

"See!" he cried, "there begins the way; beyond it is the colonnade, then is Kor entered."

"You don't mean to say that the entrance to Kor is up there, Kass?" said Denviers. "If it is, I am afraid your energy in leading us here has been thrown away. No doubt, if Hassan were here, he would explain how the exiles climbed up there, for it is more than I can pretend to understand."

"The Wadigo who loses his way takes the next best road," responded Kass; "the ledge is but a spear cast or two from here. The death snake will find a man even if he hide under a mountain; if it seeks him not, he goes unhurt ! "

"That's poor consolation for us if we get dashed to pieces in attempting to reach that ledge of rock, Kass," Denviers retorted.

The Wadigo, after some demur, set himself to work and plaited a long grass coil, and with this substitute for a rope about our waists, we began the perilous ascent, leaving our rifles hidden in the grass. Kass went first, Denviers followed, and I was last. For some thirty yards or so we found the task easier than we had expected, then its dangerous nature showed itself in real earnest. Slowly and painfully we climbed upwards, lacerating our hands and feet badly as we clung desperately to the slightest projections that presented themselves. Half-way up we came upon an outstretched piece of rock, and upon it we crouched together to rest

Just as we were about to continue our ascent, a great bird, feathered like a golden eagle, rose from a crag, and, circling in the air, swooped down upon us, striking at me with its powerful wings and talons. I thrust at it blindly with my fists, forgetting the narrowness of the ledge we were huddled upon, lost my balance, and fell headlong from the supporting rock.

I felt the jerk of the rope about my waist as I reached its limit, and clung to it with my hands as the oscillations sent me with a dull thud against the rocky wall. Helplessly I swayed in mid-air, to and fro, as Denviers and Kass hauled me slowly up, a few inches at a time. Happily the coil bore the strain, and with a sigh of relief at last I found myself drawn safely upon the shelving rock. When I had sufficiently rested, we scaled the remaining space between us and the entrance of the rocky passage. We could make nothing out as we groped our way blindly along the excavated way, until finally we reached the colonnade, and stared at the uncouth figures carved there, almost in dismay. The wildest flight of Hassan's fancy would fail to describe what we saw as we passed into that strange city, wondering and almost fearing what the end of our adventure would be.

We met but few people in that strange city— those whom we did were richly clad in Arab guise. No one ventured to address us, no surprise at our strange appearance could be seen upon a single countenance. Denviers ventured to accost a passer-by in Arabic, who returned no answer: he merely pointed to the great temple and palace, too, of Kor, as we afterwards found it to be, and then was gone.

A strange feeling of dread came upon us, disguise it as we would; then my companion, serious, as he rarely was, glanced at me gravely as he said:—

"Well, Harold, this is a queer position to be in. We had better go on, I suppose, and see how things turn out." Kass, who understood the remark, at once turned and crossed the great paved square. We glanced curiously at the carvings and hieroglyphics of the building which confronted us, and, seeing a hanging door at the foot of one of the paws of the monolith, Kass thrust it aside with the butt of his spear, and we entered.

On either side of us, between carved pillars which supported the roof of a great corridor, we saw a long line of mighty images of the ancient rulers of Kor, sculptured in red granite, the brow of each being gilded. By the flicker of the dim lamps which hung above our heads we could distinguish little else, for there the light of day did not enter. As the end of the passage was reached, a foreign slave, dressed almost like a priest of ancient Isis, glanced inquiringly at us for a moment, then, without speaking, drew back a richly-woven curtain and motioned us to pass on. In silence we obeyed his gesture, and a second afterwards stood, not where the idol was said to be, but in that part of the temple which formed the Queen's palace.

We halted abruptly. There, upon her throne, with a bodyguard of slaves about her, we saw the one before whom each Arab of that city bent his will like the reed to the gale— the mysterious Egyptian, Cai!

iii

I CAUGHT my breath as we advanced and bent lowly before the Queen; then, venturing to look up, I scanned her closely. The warm tint that the land of the Nile gives was upon her face; feature for feature I saw that she was Egyptian, as her strangely lustrous eyes were turned searchingly upon us. Behind her hung a head-veil; her garments, richly jewelled, were in accordance with those of the race from whom her descent was, and there, twisted about her forehead, we saw the brazen snake of which Hassan had spoken!

Kass instinctively tightened his hold upon his spear, a movement which Cai, the Queen, was quick to understand. Stooping, she raised from before her sandalled feet what seemed to us, at first, to be a yellow ball of wool. At her touch the object woke, and we saw that in her hand the Queen held out a tiger cub.

"See," she cried to Kass, "the tiger that has no fangs is harmless!"

"The Wadigo whose spear is broken fits another to his hand and pursues his foe to death," our guide answered, quickly, as he watched the face of Cai grow dark at his reply. Denviers, who saw how badly matters were likely to turn out for us unless the Queen could be propitiated, motioned to Kass to lay down his shield and spear, which the Wadigo reluctantly did.

"Ye are quick to understand," said Cai, with a mocking glance at Kass which brought a cry of resentment from his lips. Then turning her head towards Denviers, the Queen asked:—

"Why come ye here unbidden?"

"We are travellers who wished to see thee and this strange city, O Queen," he answered; "for these reasons alone have we entered Kor."

"A false reply," she cried, sharply; "or else the lore of Egypt, which it is mine alone to know, now fails me as never yet it has done. Ye know full well that I am of another race than those I rule, and so ye come here foolishly thinking to probe to its core the secret of the idol by which I reign as Queen, and which brings death to those who long to depose me."

Before Denviers could reply, Cai motioned forward two of the slaves about her, and they, after prostrating themselves at her feet, stood silently awaiting her commands. The Queen pointed to the shield of Kass as it lay upon the ground, and indicated that they were to remove it. They had barely raised it between them, when Kass, divining their purpose, dashed the nearest slave to the ground, and, snatching up his mighty spear, dealt the other a stunning blow which sent him reeling. Denviers and I glanced anxiously at the Queen, having little doubt but that she would use this most unlucky incident as an excuse for slaying Kass, and doubtless us also, when we attempted to save him. We were mistaken, however. Waving back, with an imperious gesture, the slaves who were about to assist their discomfited fellows, the Queen asked Kass, abruptly:—

"Are all the men of thy race as stout of heart and limb as thou art?"

" Four of them already have entered this city, and each has died at thy relentless hands; surely thou hast seen how a Wadigo can meet death!" he replied.

"Bravely answered, slave," cried Cai; "but of the four none have faced the fear of the living idol and come scatheless through the ordeal. Yet greatly it has pleased me to see how hardly the two slaves fared who raised thy shield and whom thou cast down like straws. How do those of thy race name thee?"

"He is of the Wadigo tribe," interrupted Denviers; "and is called Kass, which in their tongue, O Queen, means He-of-the-Strong-Heart. He has acted as our guide here into thy presence. Doing no hurt to thee, surely he and we should be suffered to return from this city unharmed when we have seen its wonders."

"Ye know not the full meaning of your words," the Queen answered, "nor understand the craft of the people whom I rule. Were strangers suffered to live in this city, my throne would not be safe for a single hour. If ye were permitted to depart, one day a foreign host would come led by ye and despoil me of what empire I possess. Uninvited ye came into the city, spies for aught I know, and, so surely as ye stand before me, death by the idol shall be yours."

"Why should we die?" I asked, impetuously. "If we have committed a crime, say, O Queen, what we have done!"

"Ye have entered the hidden city; therein lies your folly for which death shall surely come upon ye," Cai calmly responded, in a tone that convinced us of her full intention to carry out the threat. "To-morrow, in the temple before the idol, my handmaid, whom I have doomed to a like fate, shall perish in your sight. Long have I striven to spare her, since she was deposed to make way for my rule. The sun has not set twice since another plot of these crafty Arabs was made known to me by the lore which I alone can understand. But of these things there shall be an end at last, for though she were of my own kindred, yet should she cease to live. After her ye three shall perish; yet I would that this slave whom ye call Kass might live to command my own. Come nearer, slave, and answer. Wilt thou serve me with thy spear?"

To our consternation, as the Queen glanced into the Wadigo's face, Kass bent lowly before her and gave the reply she desired. Stretching forth her hand, Cai touched him and ordered him to take up his spear and shield. Denviers attempted to resume the conversation which had turned so disastrously against us— but in vain. Not another word would the Queen hear in our defence, whereupon we refused to follow her slaves when bidden to do so. At once they threw themselves upon us and, in spite of our struggles, we were dragged away, each in a different direction, Kass making no effort either to intercede for us or to keep off our captors.

We saw no more of each other till morning, when we were conducted unbound into the temple. A low, weird chant struck upon my ears as I was led forward. Denviers was already in the temple when I was taken there, and so placed apart from where I stood that we could not communicate with each other, save by glances. It was impossible to pierce the gloom far, which enshrouded much of the temple, for the only light that it received came from a brazier, the embers in which threw a flickering gleam before a sombre curtain. About us on every side thronged the slaves of the dreaded Cai, while, apart from the rest, and near to the glowing brazier, knelt Kass, whose shadow fell strangely and gigantically upon the temple floor. He resolutely avoided the reproachful glances which Denviers and I darted at him, convinced as we were that by his treachery the Wadigo had saved his life.

A strange hush fell upon all as there came into the temple, clad in a simple robe, the maiden whom the insatiate Egyptian, Cai, had doomed to be first to meet the fate of death. From out the gloom she slowly emerged, and, as she approached near to the light which the embers of the brazier gave, I saw her face, framed with a wealth of dishevelled hair, grow ashy grey as unutterable despair came upon her.

The great curtain before us parted, and there, raised up before us, the dreaded idol, the very counterpart of Cai, the Queen, met our view, as still and rigid it stood. I struggled desperately to cast off the slaves who held me, as I looked in awe upon the idol and saw its face become animate with life, while its eyes searched out and drew its victim unresistingly forward until she reached the brazier. A half-choked cry came from the maiden's lips as her whole form stiffened with the horror of mortal fear, even as Hassan had said and we had refused to believe. Almost paralyzed with unaccountable dread, I watched the idol as it slowly raised one arm and beckoned its victim to approach yet nearer!

Suddenly through the temple another cry rang out— Kass had started to his feet and thrust his spear with all his force at the idol!

Casting off the terrified slaves who held us, we ran forward. No idol of stone with mystic powers lay there, but, in its stead, the inanimate form of Cai, the Queen, whom the Wadigo's spear-thrust had slain!

When the slaves of Cai learnt how even they had been deluded by the craft of the Egyptian, they broke forth from the temple, bearing the body of the Queen with them that the Arabs might see her reign was ended. Taking from the brazier a flaring, half-burnt ember, the faithful Kass, whose stratagem had saved us, held it up as we slowly examined the various idols of the temple of Kor. Strangely enough, we found in one part of it an idol so wonderfully fashioned to represent Cai, that we easily understood how, by an interchange with it, the Queen had mystified and slain by fear whom she would.

We left the City of Kor on the following day, after bidding farewell to its restored and rightful Queen. Passing once more under the strange colonnade, we proceeded by a way which led to the base of the mountain, instead of the one by which we had entered the city, being guided by one of the men of Kor. When we reached the camp, Hassan, who came out to meet us, asked:—

"Did the sahibs not find out that the Arab's words were true?"

"Let that answer your question, Hassan," replied Denviers; and he held out a curious present which had been given us on leaving Kor. It was the brazen snake of Cai!

***

2: The Wizard of Swazi Swamp

Strand Magazine, Aug 1895

TONGUES of silvery water ran in and lapped the rock-strewn beach of an island on which we were encamped some weeks after our adventure at the strange City of Kor. In order to rest our Wadigo followers after a dreary march, we had constructed some boats of bark, and crossed the lake with the intention of remaining several days upon the thickly-wooded island.

On the second night after our arrival it fell to the turn of Kass to keep watch, and, wishing to consult him on some matter, I joined the Wadigo. For some time afterwards we stood together, silently looking across the great sweep of waters, studded as they were with massy scarlet and white flowers, which raised their cup-like blossoms above the rippling surface of the lake. Suddenly Kass, whose peculiar dialect had become familiar,  laid his hand upon my shoulder and pointed warningly to a dark speck upon the water.

"See!" he whispered; "there; something moves upon the lake."

Nearer and nearer the object came, until at last we knew it to be a canoe, as we saw the prow cleaving the waters, while the paddles were swiftly plied. Watching it closely in the light of the moon and yellow lantern stars, we saw that its sole occupant was a woman.

" What can she be out upon the lake alone for at night?" I asked Kass, glancing into the Wadigo's face.

He returned no answer to my question, for, at that moment, the woman's keen eyes caught sight of us as we stood watching her. Then, to our surprise, she rose in the canoe and seemed to beckon us. Again she grasped the paddles, and, uttering a cry of entreaty, she turned her frail vessel towards a narrow inlet, after entering which she leapt upon the low, rocky bank, and immediately afterwards flung herself prostrate before us.

Kass gently raised her, and while I looked curiously at the woman, he endeavoured to learn from her why she had so strangely sought us out. From the many rows of shells which covered the garment of goat-skin she wore, as well as from a bracelet of teeth adorning her right arm, I judged that the woman belonged to a tribe which Kass had recently described to us. Her features, however, were cast in a different mould, for in spite of the two huge tiger's teeth which disfigured her ears, the woman seemed to represent a rather refined tribe of Africans. Her half-clothed, and somewhat slender, form was surmounted by a fine, shapely head, while her skin was olive in hue, rendering prominent the intense black colour of her thick, clustering hair. I noticed, too, that Kass, after addressing her in the Wadigo dialect, quickly changed it for another of which I knew nothing. After a few minutes had elapsed the Wadigo turned to me and asked:—

"Would the White Chiefs care to go on a journey to save a man's life?"

"Where do you want us to go, and when?" I said, answering his question with another.

"Where, I know not," he replied; "yet if the moon departs before ye reach the place, then shall ye be too late."

"Then I can promise nothing, Kass," I answered; "but come, I will wake the other White Chief, and then you must explain what it is that this woman seeks."

We moved away together to where the rude huts which our Wadigo followers had constructed were situated, and hastily rousing Denviers and Hassan, our Arab, we held a hurried consultation. From what Kass said, every minute was of importance, since we had some distance to cover if we agreed to make the adventure. We could get no clear idea from the woman's words as to what was required of us. She had somehow heard that we were encamped upon the island, and, having a very exaggerated opinion of white men and their prowess, she wildly besought us to launch a canoe and make for a spot she would point out.

"Rather a queer request to make, certainly," commented Denviers to me, aside. "This woman evidently supposes that because we are white, instead of black, we have charmed lives."

"Kass tells me that her name is Mwicha. She declares that our Snakes are good," I replied, with a smile; "meaning, I suppose, that we are kindly protected by Fate from assegai thrusts. Shall we go?"

"We may as well," he answered. "If a chance occurs on the way, we must try to learn from the woman what the object of our journey is to be, and, above all, we had better take our rifles with us."

Leaving Hassan in charge of the camp, as we usually did, we quickly launched one of our bark canoes. The Arab watched our craft depart, little knowing under what circumstances we should see our faithful guide again. The woman sat in the stern, Kass in the prow of the canoe, while Denviers and I used the flat paddles with a will.

Crossing the lake, we kept in the shadow of the trees which fringed the mainland, and so, for an hour or more, our frail canoe was thrust rapidly forward. Suddenly the silence of the night was broken by a great sound, the like of which, previous to that hour, we had not heard during our expedition across the Dark Continent. Mwicha, the native woman, bent forward and grasped my hands; understanding her movement, I ceased paddling, Denviers at once following my example. I heard the ripple of the water against the prow of the canoe as the latter went on some yards without being propelled, then again all was silent, till once more the place resounded with the noise which we had heard before.

Taking a paddle from Denviers's hand, Kass pressed the blade upon the bank, and then the four of us landed when the canoe lay alongside. Noiselessly we advanced, breast deep in reeds and rank herbage, till we saw before us a clear space, beyond which the trees rose once more.

"Down, Harold, down!" whispered Denviers to me, hastily. "Look!"

We stooped at once and became motionless, then, glancing ahead, we saw whence the noise had come, and its cause. Down at the water's edge we saw a lioness and a whelp, while standing as guard over them was the male, his head being turned towards us as he grandly woke the echoes of the wilds about him. With the instinct of hunters, we raised our rifles. In a moment the woman, Mwicha, grasped mine by the barrel with one hand as she raised the other warningly and pointed towards the stem of a huge tree opposite, muttering something unintelligible into my ear as she did so.

"Wait and watch," so Kass explained her words. "We are in time at the Place of the Lions. Perhaps the lion may slay instead; who knows?"

Something moved from behind the tree which faced us, whereupon the lioness, quick to take alarm, seized the whelp in her mouth and dashed into cover, springing almost upon us as she went past. The male turned his head and faced the spot where a slight rustling had occurred— then, armed with a great shield of hide and a single assegai, there came forth a man who deliberately faced the angry beast.

A strange, weird-looking being he was at whom we glanced. His hair, which was almost white, owing probably to his extreme age, hung down to his waist in matted disorder; while surmounting it he wore a curious head-dress. The latter, like the apron which fell from his loins, was made of jackal skins, while fastened upon it were numerous beads and curious charms. Although his back was bent and his black skin was shrivelled upon his long, attenuated limbs, he turned a fierce and malignant glance upon the infuriated animal, which showed that he, at least, did not fear the result of the approaching combat.

"Nyoko, the great King's wizard!" the woman muttered. "First the lion then the man will he slay, that the King may live! Would that blunt were his assegai and blind his eyes, that his naked feet might slip in his own life-stream, and the moon light up the lion feasting on his quivering flesh!"

"A very amiable wish, certainly," commented Denviers to me, as Kass explained its meaning; "to me it looks remarkably as if Nyoko, the distorted savage opposite, has the chance of a speedy release from life, unless when he seems to be getting the worst of it we can shoot the lion. Look!" He stopped; for the strange combat between man and brute had begun.

With one tremendous spring the lion was upon him; but Nyoko, the wizard, agilely slipped aside, quickly turning to face his foe in an instant. With his shield held so that it almost covered his body, the wizard peered over the top of it, holding his assegai ready. At him the lion sprang again, and a second time the wizard's skill stood him good service in his need. Then, as the brute went by, Nyoko thrust hard at it with his assegai, but missed his mark. Retreating quickly a few yards, he waited for the attack once more. I almost betrayed our presence as I gave a sharp, though low, cry at what followed, for so far as we then knew, the natives were possibly watching the contest concealed by the trees before us, although, as we afterwards discovered, it was not so. Bounding through the air, the lion struck the wizard's shield a tremendous blow with its paws. Down to the earth the man went, covered by his shield of hide, as the maddened beast crashed heavily upon him. Then to our astonishment, just as we covered the brute with our rifles, Nyoko, raising his head and arm, suddenly lunged upward and nearly buried his assegai in the lion's body. A dull roar of mingled wrath and mortal pain seemed to shake the ground on which we stood, then we saw the wizard extricate himself from beneath the shield on which the lifeless body of the lion fell, and rising, he bent over his defeated foe, straining with his two hands to tug out the assegai.

We watched the wizard curiously, as he deftly stripped the skin from his slain enemy, then, throwing the trophy upon his arm, seized his shield and struck rapidly into the gloom of the forest trees before us. I turned hastily to Denviers and asked:—

"Shall we follow him?"

Before my companion could reply, however, Mwicha, the native woman, who seemed to grasp the meaning of my words, motioned to where our canoe was fastened, and pointed there silently, as if our way must be upon the lake. Kass moved off immediately in the direction indicated, and knowing the value of his guidance in places so unknown as that, we at once followed him. Entering the anoe, we forced it rapidly but cautiously forward. After a while we found ourselves coasting along a swampy part of the mainland, which, for some distance inland, the waters of the lake inundated. With considerable difficulty the canoe was paddled up a shallow arm of the lake, until beyond the swamp the ground lay high as we passed on, with a scanty fringe of trees lining either bank, which broadened out farther on into dense forest land.

"Stay!" cried Mwicha, suddenly. "When the wizard is seen to pass we must follow afoot," and accordingly we waited.

"Kass," said Denviers to our Wadigo, who had changed his position in the canoe in order to converse with Mwicha, "why have we been brought here?"

"Soon shall ye know," the Wadigo answered, "for we are past the dreaded swamp of Swazi, and Mwicha has told me why she seeks our aid. Strange is the reason; stranger still what ye shall see and hear. Listen, then!"

ii

"I AM not of the tribe that Swazi, King of the land which bears his name, has rule over, although in the hut of one of his chiefs of late have I lived," began Kass, repeating the words which Mwicha, the native woman, had used. "As many as the leaves of the forest are the young men of Swazi, whose spears and assegais are early washed in the blood of their foes. So feared are they, that the tribes dwelling about the lake to meet them in battle dare not, for their strength bends and breaks when Swazi shields crash against theirs, as they follow the chiefs who lead them on. So it comes about that, in fear, many tribes have owned Swazi's rule, and sent great presents to him that he may let them live, nor blot them out, as often they fear he will do.

"Among the tribes whom Swazi once reduced was that of the Wanas, which held out longest against him, but their King being slain, at last they yielded, and Swazi named Chika, a young chief, as their headsman under him. Much as the latter wished to shake off Swazi's yoke he could not, for the Wanas became like children ; they ceased to point their assegais, nor longer slew the great forest beasts that their skins might become hard and tough for the making of shields of hide. So Swazi, who knew these things, was glad, and as the men of this conquered tribe became many, some of them he took as slaves and others he sold to the Arabs, who, as ye know, ever deal in such wares. Heavier and heavier, harder and harder to bear, became the tribute paid to Swazi, who at last sent a chief, saying that Chika was disloyal, and calling upon the tribe to slay him. He demanded, too, that every head of cattle within the land where the Wanas dwelt should be driven into his, Swazi's, country, that he might share them among his own people.

"Chika, the chief of the Wanas, listened in silence to the demand for his death and the spoliation of his tribe, till the chief who brought the hard request had concluded it.

" 'Go now,' he said; 'tell Swazi, your great King, that in three days he shall be answered.'

" 'Swazi will not wait; he needs at once the Wanas' answer,' cried the other.

" 'May I not live even three days?' asked Chika. 'Leave me, lest I have thee speared! My message to Swazi has been spoken.'

"Then the chief returned to Swazi. While gathering the men and women of the Wana tribe about him upon the plain where now is the great swamp, but which then was dry, Chika stood before them, spear in hand, and told of Swazi's demand.

" 'Ye Wana slaves,' he cried, 'how long will ye be bought and sold like dull herds of cattle, without resisting Swazi's demands? Whose hut has not lost one that he has asked for, and ye have given? Day after day ye work the ground, ye, who should leave such toil to women, and fit spear and assegai to your hands. Yet once, by Swazi's tribe, was feared the bare name of Wanas, whom then great chiefs led on. So low are ye sunk that Swazi asks for your cattle— he thinks they will sell to traders for more than ye do. Still, he remembers that once ye were men ; and fearing again ye may be, he seeks to slay me, lest turning at last upon the oppressor with me, ye blot out each one of his tribe.'

"Then Chika, holding out to those about him the heavy spear he gripped, continued: —

" 'Spear me, spear me, ye Wanas, that, unlike ye, I may die as a man should!'

"No one took the proffered spear, and Chika, glancing at them, saw that they were slowly kindling with the fire of his words and gestures.

" 'Worse things yet shall come upon ye than ye suffer now like cattle!' he went on; 'for when the tribes about shall want a word to mean a great coward, they shall call the one they taunt a Wana, and tell how Swazi blotted ye out. Are ye so afraid, ye who are the sons of chiefs? Chika, the one left to ye by your King, who fell in battle, asks will ye slay or be slain? If your tongues are heavy with fear and ye cannot lift them to answer, let your women speak and say, which shall it be?'

" 'We will slay!' the Wanas cried, hoarsely, as they wildly flung up their hands in assent to Chika's words.

" 'Then back to your huts,' the chief cried: 'night and day shall ye work to make shields and assegais as best ye can, for in three days the men of Swazi shall know that the Wanas, smitten too sorely, have turned at last!'

"Throughout the tribe that night the making and fitting of weapons went on. When day dawned, the Wanas slew their cattle, drying the steaming hides quickly in the sun, to turn them into shields. At last Swazi, receiving not the cattle nor the dead body of Chika, sent a band of braves into the Wanas' territory. Of these but one returned to his tribesmen to tell them how the Wanas had risen and slain those who had gone there with him against them.

"Then Swazi sharpened his spears and assegais, and led his remaining warriors, who were as many as are the ants of a hill, against the revolted tribe.

"All that day, shield to shield, hand to hand, spear splintering spear, they fought— yea, they slew and were slain in turn, till the grey grass grew scarlet, and the earth could not sop up the pools upon it, which were as red as the waters of the lake are each day when the sun is lost and night comes on. Ah! Chika, the brave chief, was slain, and his great men also; yet the Wanas fought grimly on; yea, here and there a woman seized spear or assegai, as fitted her hand, and thrust at the swarming foes. On came Swazi's men, still on, till not one man of the Wanas was living— and then Swazi won! Next the great King bade his braves finish their work, and women and children, too, were blotted out. Left for dead among a heap of slain, I"—for Kass still narrated the woman's story as if she told it— "yea, I crawled out and looked sadly upon the great plain. Even then the foul beasts that prowl were gorging upon those of my hut and tribe, who were too blind to see the wound which a Swazi spear had given me— for of all, I alone lived! Then into a hut I crept to wait the day, knowing not where to go, for the tribes about would not receive me, lest Swazi slew them because of it.

"The sun was up; I rose, struck into the forest, and there was seized by a body of braves sent by Swazi to burn the huts of the slain.

" 'Why does a Wana still live?' cried one, and lifting his spear, he thrust it down at me as others held me fast. The point had touched me, when a young chief of Swazi thrust upward the descending spear, exclaiming:—

" 'Spear her not. As I am Swazi's favourite chief, the woman is fair!'

"His words were listened to, and when the braves returned to Swazi's territory, the young chief sought in turn that his deeds in battle should be rewarded by the great King. Asked what he wished, he begged a hut for me, and that I should become one of the tribe. Gladly I agreed, but Swazi, the King, at first would not. Yet were the words of the young chief smooth, and because of the many he had slain, Swazi heard him and consented.

"Not long after this, Swazi went forth to spear lions in the land where now is the swamp and once the Wanas dwelt. At night he lay down to rest where the battle had been, of which ye have heard. Strange things saw he, and in dread, he called upon Nyoko, the wizard, to explain what they might mean. Nyoko, who had much power over Swazi and desired more, soon stood before the great King.

" 'Say on, great Swazi,' he cried; 'first must thy slave hear what thou didst see, that he may tell what thou shalt see.' Then did Swazi speak strange words:—

" 'Nyoko, Ruler of the Rains and Maker of Charms to thy King, listen: It was night; the moon was up; among the reeds swashed the waters of the lake; beasts that love not day prowled; no wind shook the leaves; tired, I slept. Suddenly a sound woke me, a sound ever sweet to the ears of Swazi— the crash of shields and the whirring of assegais. Listening, I heard the cries of braves speared to death; the shouts of men trampling down men; the screams of some thrust into the lake and drowning. Quickly I rose, seized shield and spear and hastened to battle. There I saw the Wanas in thousands, fighting against my own braves. Into the thick of the struggle I went and fought all through that night: Wana spears splintered against my shield in vain. At last my warriors seemed to win, when suddenly a woman lifted a spear and thrust at me. I felt no wound, yet strange it was, for in that hour I seemed to grow old; my arm failed; down dropped both spear and shield. My warriors who saw this ceased to fight, and lo ! the Wanas, even they conquered my Swazi host. They smote them with assegais ; thrust them through with spears; dragged them down with their hands as the wind flings down great trees. Then the waters of the lake came up and covered the land, so that I was forced for life to retreat. I made my way from the battle and sought for a place to die in, when, know that I stumbled. Looking down, I saw one of my braves. I bent and turned his body over to count the wounds upon his breast, and to see if I knew his face. He was not dead, for, lo! he rose and faced me! Then I asked why he lived when his tribe had been beaten in battle, and he answered me strangely.

" 'Not dead are the men of Swazi,' he cried; 'surely they live to do thy will to the last, great King!'— and he pointed to where lay those who had gone with me to spear the wild beasts. Again I touched a Swazi brave; he also rose, and wondered why I awoke him. Hear me, Nyoko, to whom many things are known. I fought not in a dream, I say, for my eyes saw Wana and Swazi braves contending, and truly did I lead on my own men. Yet long ago it is since we blotted out the Wanas; were the men I saw then alive that strange night? Say, Wizard of Swazi, what can this mean?'

"Now, Nyoko, the wizard, glanced at Swazi's shield and spear, and saw that they were bloodless. One enemy he had who laughed at his spells and charms, the young chief Alii, who had taken me to his hut. So Nyoko planned to deceive the King, and at the same time to bring trouble upon his enemy.

" 'A great and a hard task is it to find out the meaning of what thou didst see, great Swazi,' he answered: 'yet in three days will Nyoko, thy slave, discover its meaning ! '

" So back to rule his tribe went Swazi, while Nyoko plucked simples and took strange charms by which to learn what the great King would know. These he cast into a fire, and after watching the strange shapes which the smoke took, he went to Swazi and said:—

" 'Know, great Swazi, what thou wishest clear, is so. When the Wanas were slain, did all die? Not so; for a woman of the tribe has been permitted to dwell among us. She it was who appeared to thrust a spear at thee that dreadful night, when dead braves woke to fight in battle again. A spell is upon thee, great King, and thou shalt grow old even in a year unless it be removed. No Wana woman could bring this about; but she has taught one of thy chiefs to do evil to thee, for perhaps he longs to rule the tribe when thou art gone. Say, great Swazi, who can this chief be?'

"Swazi understood, yet because he knew that Alii had killed many of his foes, he would not listen to Nyoko's counsel to slay him. Then it happened that a great storm swept the lake, so that its waters broke the banks and made the swamp which is even now before us. Again went Nyoko to the King, pretending that Alli's spell had caused this.

" 'Lo!' he cried, 'what I saw in the smoke was true, for the swamp which came about thee, Swazi, one night, is now real. Where thou didst see the warriors fight, have the waters come. Are Nyoko's words wrong, then ? Do not the men of the Swazi tribe say to each other, that every day their King becomes more bent? Hear me before it is too late, and let Nyoko cast the spell from thee.'

"Swazi was startled when he heard that the men of his tribe thought him old, for among them the elders are slain, that none may have to hunt to get them food— even so die their Kings. So Swazi bade the wizard say how he could avoid death, which none save Nyoko had done through the whole Swazi tribe.

" 'Great Swazi, hear me,' answered Nyoko. 'He who has bewitched thee is one of thy four great chiefs— it may not even be Alii, but that I cannot tell. At the Place of the Lions, great beasts have been seen many nights. Call the Swazis together this night and build the test fire, as is done in our tribe. I, alone, will slay a lion and bring its skin and head as the men are waiting thy words. To each of the four will I give a tooth from the lion and with it a charm. Those who have not bewitched thee need not fear aught, for thrusting their gifts into the fire, they will smoulder away. He who holds this spell upon thee need fear alone, for the charm will betray him by its flare. Let thy warriors seize him and spear him— so wilt thou live many years and carry a shield to battle. Yet, if my words thou wilt not hear, the Swazi tribe will be blotted out, even as thou didst so strangely see, for without thee who can lead them to win battles and spear their foes?'

"So Swazi has gathered his men about a fire in the forest, and they wait for Nyoko to carry to them the spoil of the lion and his charms. Whose portion think ye will flare save that of Alii, in whose hut I dwell? Will ye not save the chief I love? Nyoko fears the waters of the swamp, or would have come the way I brought ye—"

Kass stopped suddenly. We had no time to think of the danger that such an enterprise might bring us, for the Swazi woman at that moment left the boat, and concealed by a tree from Nyoko's view, pointed out the wizard, even then on his way to the tribe.

"Come!" she cried. And gripping our rifles we followed her as she cautiously led the way through the dense forest.

iii

NYOKO, the wizard, who little suspected that he was being followed by us, kept on his way steadily for an hour or more, when the rude huts of the Swazi tribe were seen to rise up before us. Keeping under cover, we advanced until we came to a clearing, where we saw a number of Swazi's men gathered about a fire, as the woman had declared. No sooner did Nyoko appear than the braves beat their spears upon their shields and loudly cried out the wizard's name. Cautiously we drew nearer still, until we could distinguish the great King himself, who stood so that the glare of the glowing wood lit up his face distinctly. Nyoko had evidently persuaded him that his strength was really failing him, for, although he was scarcely of middle age, the King leant heavily upon a spear as he glanced into the wizard's face when the latter approached.

The braves drew to left and right as Nyoko advanced, and then we saw that four of them carried neither shield nor spear, while the rest glanced at them curiously as the wizard fronted the King.

"See!" cried Nyoko, as he held up the tawny hide, to which the head still adhered; "great Swazi, the lion is slain!"

The wizard flung his trophy on the ground at the King's feet; then, with the point of a spear, he dug out four of the lion's teeth. These he placed each in a small bundle of herbs, whereupon the King harangued the tribe, evidently explaining to his braves the purpose for which they were assembled. Kass explained to us his concluding words as the braves caught them up and cried:—

"Yea, the innocent shall live, the guilty shall die!"

We watched the wizard as he approached the four unarmed braves and gave to each man his portion; then, standing beside the King, he waited for them to come forward to essay the strange test. We saw the first approach and fling his share upon the glowing wood. A great wave of anxiety passed over the brave's face, as he waited in fear the result. Beyond a little smoke, nothing came from the fire, and those who favoured him at once raised a cry of satisfaction that he was not doomed to die. The second of the four next threw in his portion ; he, too, escaped. Then Alii, the third of the unarmed braves, stood out. A great-limbed fellow he seemed, as he approached the fire and, without a quiver of his muscles, flung down his portion. Scornfully he glanced into the wizard's face as, in a second, the fire leapt up with a great flame of scarlet that flung its light upon the trees around.

"Seize him!" cried Nyoko, pointing to the brave as he spoke: "Alii it is who has bewitched the King! As ye are Swazi's men and braves, seize the evil one; seize him, I say, and spear him!"

The guilt of Alii seemed to be at once accepted as proved by the others, for several of them ran forward and threw themselves upon the Swazi. Two of them he dashed to the ground with stunning blows, as they closed with him, but he was immediately overpowered. Forcing his arms behind him, the braves held him while Nyoko himself advanced, poising a great spear. Raising it in both hands he drew the weapon back above his head, the captive scorning to appeal to the King even for his life. Then, to our dismay, Mwicha, the woman who had led us there, dashed out from where we were concealed and caught from behind the wizard's arms before he could crunch the spear into the body of his enemy! At once she was dragged away, while Nyoko again raised his spear, when Denviers, hastily levelling his rifle, fired at the wizard. Nyoko flung up his arms apart, then with the spear still gripped in one hand, he fell heavily forward at the feet of the brave whose death he had so subtly planned!

"Look out, we are in for it this time," cried Denviers to me as the Swazis turned and poured quickly down upon us. We beat them off with the butts of our rifles, clubbing them as they gathered about us, Kass doing all that he could to help us in that one-sided combat.

"Why are ye here?" asked Swazi, when we were overpowered and dragged before him. Kass gave a reply which, as we expected, failed to appease Swazi.

"How came ye here?" continued the King. Kass explained that we had entered his territory by way of the swamp.

"Then by way of the swamp shall ye die ; so too shall the one ye came to save, since Nyoko is slain," he answered. At a sign from the King we were thrust from his presence, shut up in a mud hut, and closely guarded till day, when we were hurried through the forest by the way we came until the waters of the swamp stretched before us. Passing along its marshy side for some distance, the Swazis led us to a spot where several peculiarly-built boats were made fast to some upright stakes. The largest of these had paddles for about twenty men; its prow stood high out of the water, and this was adorned with a pair of buffalo horns, the skin of the slain animal hanging down loosely in front. Into this boat we were forced and held down by some of the braves, while the rest paddled vigorously forward to the middle of the swamp.

The boat then stopped, and the Swazis began to lash our limbs fast together with thongs of hide, intending, we supposed, to throw us into the swamp to drown— when, suddenly, one of the braves raised an excited cry and pointed across the lake. We caught the sound of paddles striking the water, but before we could free ourselves, as we struggled to keep the Swazis from binding us, we heard the welcome voice of Hassan loudly urging on our Wadigo followers, whose bark canoes soon surrounded the boat in which we were held fast. Failing to keep them at bay, the Swazis flung us into the swamp and succeeded in getting their boat clear and away. With a few swift strokes of their paddles, the Swazis shot forward fifty yards or more ahead of the pursuing Wadigos.

"Call to our men to return, Hassan," said Denviers, when we had been pulled into our faithful guide's boat; and the Arab most reluctantly did so.

Once more we struck across the swamp, then our canoes shot across the waters of the lake as we made for our island retreat.

"The sahibs have been successful, after all," said Hassan, in his grave way ; " they have saved the one in whose cause they set out." The Arab, as he spoke, pointed to a canoe close to ours, and there we saw Alii, the young Swazi chief, who had been flung into the swamp with us.

"Why, surely that is Mwicha by his side," I exclaimed, as I caught sight of the woman's face, wondering how the one who had led us to the chiefs rescue came there.

"Yes, sahib," answered Hassan; "she heard that ye three were to be drowned in the swamp at day, and so for a second time she stole from the Swazi tribe and made for the island. Hearing how badly it fared with the sahibs, Hassan, the latchet of their shoes, manned the canoes with Wadigos, and waited for the Swazis to attempt their evil deed. Allah and Mahomet prospered us— the rest, the sahibs know."

"Your promptness saved our lives, Hassan," said Denviers, glancing into the Arab's face. "What shall we do with these two: Alii, the young chief, and Mwicha, his bride?"

"Let them journey with us at present, sahib," Hassan answered; "for we must start at once, lest Swazi may make an attack upon us."

We changed our clothing, sodden with water and slime from the great Swazi swamp, then, having rested for a few hours, set out once more. Less than a week after, we entered the territory of a friendly tribe, to the King of which we made presents of cloth, and he, in return, allowed Alii and Mwicha to have a hut among those of his own people.

***

3: The Hidden Egyptian Shield

The Strand Magazine, Sep 1895

"BE patient, sahib," said Hassan, our guide, as he glanced into my companion's face, which indicated plainly enough the latter's vexation at the delay just then hindering our advance.

"Patient!" exclaimed Denviers. "How can you expect my stock of patience not to be exhausted under the circumstances  We ought to be fifty miles farther on our way than we are. For three days have we been kept dancing attendance on this petty African chief."

"The sahib is always in a hurry," commented Hassan, gravely. "Whether on the day's march, or listening to a story from his slave, it is ever the same— the end is what he seeks. Now, if it had been Allah's will for the sahib to be an Arab, he would consider the matter differently— for has not the Great Prophet declared that to chase time is to waste time; to avoid the rush of life is to travel with the wise?"

"I daresay he has," responded Denviers; " but if Mahomet had had to deal with this Kwembi, he might have changed his opinion and been as eager to get out of this part of Africa as we are."

"I certainly agree with you there, Frank," I said to Denviers; "for, of all the tax-gatherers we have had to deal with, Kwembi is, without doubt, the most exacting. We sent him the usual forced presents, and, as you are aware, he promptly and modestly demanded three times the amount of our offerings. No sooner did he get what he asked for than he declared we had some secret purpose in view in attempting to pass through his territory. You and I and Hassan have all tried to get an audience with Kwembi, but, so far, we nave dismally failed."

"Kass," Denviers said to the leader of our Wadigo followers, who joined us as we stood discussing matters under the shade of a beautifully-foliaged makoondee tree, "we sent you to talk Kwembi's head man over, and to promise him a few yards of cloth if he succeeded in getting us an interview: what had he to say?"

"Kwembi refuses to allow an advance; he demands a good rifle— in return he will receive the white chiefs in his palace. After that ye may return, but not otherwise."

"So this petty chief, or King, as he styles himself, considers us as his prisoners?" commented Denviers. " If Kwembi delays us much longer we will try to force our way through his territory, which he will presently discover. As to the rifle, I hope he may get it."

"The sahib is making two great mistakes," Hassan interposed, gravely. "Kwembi is not a petty chief— he has a large number of men, well trained to fight with spear and shield. If that prove to be correct which Hassan, the unworthy latchet of the sahib's shoe, has heard, then the gift of a rifle will be well bestowed if it bring the sahibs into Kwembi's presence."

"What do you mean, Hassan?" Denviers asked, as he saw the Arab was evidently impressed with Kwembi's importance, by the earnest manner in which he urged the gift to be made.

"See!" cried Kass. "Kwembi already sends for an answer." As he spoke the Wadigo pointed to a number of natives advancing towards us.

"Give the rifle, sahibs," Hassan added; "to-day Kwembi only demands one; tomorrow he may desire three before letting us depart." The Arab stopped suddenly, for the natives had reached us and were forcibly repeating the chief's request, saying that he would not wait; we must send a definite answer at once.

The native who delivered Kwembi's message wore a scanty loin-cloth of leopard-cat skin, his arms being partly covered with interlacing strips of the same hide. About his neck was a loose chain of copper, twisted into curious shapes, while his black hair was raised into a head-dress in which several strings of beads were interwoven. In one hand he carried a heavy spear shod with iron, while in the other he held a wand of polished black wood, as a token that he was the King's messenger to us. His attendants, who were six in number, wore girdles and aprons made of antelope skin; about their necks were strings of black and scarlet beads ; each wore bracelets and anklets of plaited and dyed grass, while to our great discomfort they carried native musical instruments, made of reeds, with the noise of which we were almost deafened.

I hurriedly sent Hassan into the hut which had been allotted to us, from which he returned bringing a rifle with him. Taking the weapon in one hand, I pointed with the other towards Kwembi's palace to indicate that the King's terms were accepted. Denviers offered little objection, since Hassan had excited his curiosity somewhat, and this addition to the hongo, or tax, which we had already paid, was, after all, as I successfully urged, only of small value.

Headed by the King's wand-bearer and musicians, we advanced to the palace, Hassan and Kass following as we passed through a double line of armed men drawn up to receive us. No sooner were we conducted into Kwembi's presence than we understood the full meaning of Hassan's words, as we stared in blank surprise at the scene before us.

The main apartment of Kwembi's palace was extremely lofty, its sloping, cone-shaped roof being thatched with reeds, while the sides were made of a material resembling rosewood, and upon them was hung a large number of weapons, mostly shields and spears, taken, so we concluded, from surrounding tribes when defeated in war. About the palace, and ranged on left and right of a dais covered with skins, stood a number of the chief's warriors, the military bearing of whom won involuntary expressions of admiration from us as we hastily glanced at them while we stood, considerably astonished, before Kwembi and his native wife. The latter, although belonging to an African tribe, as the colour of her skin at once betrayed, was strikingly handsome in appearance. Clad in garments which suited a European rather than a native Queen, the richness of her robes and the splendid strings of pearls woven in the meshes of her luxuriant black hair were only equalled by her clear-cut features and dark, lustrous eyes. Yet the unexpected meeting with the Queen was less astonishing to us than the appearance of Kwembi, the chief. He had the garb of an Arab down to its minutest detail— but the spotlessly white turban which he wore was not lighter in hue than the chief's features, and, when he addressed a few words of welcome to us, which were, however, not over cordial, I could not help giving utterance to the thought which was uppermost:—

"Why!" I cried, "can it be possible that you are an Englishman?"

Kwembi answered gravely in the affirmative and whispered a few words to the Queen beside him. She held out her hand and, as Denviers bent over it, she said, in tolerably good English:—

"Why are these messengers of ours so careless? They reported the arrival of three Arab traders with their dependents; one of you only is an Arab—"

"He is our guide," explained Denviers; then, a little disconcerted at the great reserve which the so-called Kwembi adopted towards us, he added: "We have brought the rifle which you requested," and he held it out to the strange chief, who critically examined it and returned it immediately.

"Very suitable for a savage, I have no doubt," he said, coolly. "I should be very sorry to use it myself," and he proceeded to discuss the various defects of the rifle with such acumen that we felt he was not to be trifled with.

"Well," commented Denviers, when some stools had been placed for us before the dais and made comfortable with some leopard-cat skins spread upon them; "you have already demanded a very heavy hongo, or tax, from us, and we thought your request for a rifle hardly fair. Now that we have discovered, to our surprise, that you are an Englishman, living as chief over this African tribe, we will give you a splendid rifle on condition that you permit us to pass through your territory— which, no doubt, you will readily allow."

Kwembi made no reply in the direct affirmative to this remark, but seemed to force our conversation into the most trivial channel that he could. Kass was sent to bring back a fine weapon from our small stock, and this, Kwembi, when the Wadigo returned, accepted with considerable alacrity, although he tried to appear indifferent to its value. Denviers importuned him to allow us to continue our advance ; but, while Kwembi was willing enough to permit our return, he pointedly refused to accede to my companion's request.

"Why are you so much opposed to our expedition?" Denvers asked, vexed at the chief's obstinacy.

"What is your real object in wishing to pass through my territory?" Kwembi inquired, answering one question with another.

"I have already explained," replied Denviers. "Before starting on our way, we planned the route carefully; naturally enough, we wish to keep to it."

"Can you furnish me with any proof that what you say is true?"

"Why you mistrust your own countrymen so is more than I can understand," responded Denviers; "however, let this convince you that there is no secret object that we wish to carry out." He drew from his pocket a sheet of paper stiffened with linen, and, unfolding it, held it out to Kwembi.

"The plan of your journey," commented the chief, as he scrutinized the red wavy line showing our route. "I see two peculiar marks upon it," he added, after a pause ; "what are they intended to signify?"

" They show as near as possible the position of two places at which unexpected adventures have befallen us," I interposed. "That is all."

"Then you are not in search of the shield, to get which several Arab traders have fitted out expeditions of late, and, concealing their true object, have tried to get my permission to go through my territory?"

"We know nothing about it," Denviers answered, with a glance of surprise at me. "Surely the cause of your objection to our advance cannot be because of such a slight reason?"

"Wait!" Kwembi interrupted. "You are evidently speaking without knowledge of the rumour which has long been current among the Arabs, that I know more about this strange shield than I care to tell."

The chief whispered something to his consort, who rose and passed into a side apartment of the palace, at the same time that, by a wave of his hand, Kwembi dismissed his savage guards.

"The Arabs I dare not trust, and to make another expedition in search of the shield, after what has already happened to me, is more than my nerves would bear. If you will solemnly promise to endeavour to recover it for me, I will allow you to go on your way, which, strangely enough, passes the spot where the shield is hidden. More than that, I will present you with this ring."

Kwembi drew from his finger a remarkable ring, which he held out to Denviers, who, after we had examined it curiously, returned it to the chief.

"It is yours," Kwembi continued, pressing it upon Denviers; "take it, and accept my terms."

"We will serve you in any way possible," my companion answered. " Do you fully realize the strange nature of your gift ? "

Kwembi answered in the affirmative, and when Denviers had passed the ring to Hassan, to place with our other treasures, the chief continued:—

"You wonder how I came by it ? Well, I found it in a tomb, and it answers exactly to the description of that once worn by Menes, the first King of Egypt."

Denviers gave an incredulous whistle, then said, with a smile:—

"Of course, you don't expect us to believe your yarn? Our Arab guide often—"

"You need not believe it unless you like," Kwembi retorted ; then, going towards the entrance of the palace, he gave some order. A minute afterwards some native women entered, bearing a table curiously constructed out of reeds.

When they had departed, Kwembi left us alone for a time, then re-entered and placed upon the table a discoloured and ragged sheet of parchment, which he unrolled as we gathered round it, and then we saw that it was covered with hieroglyphics.

"When first I found this parchment and became aware of what it contained," Kwembi continued, "I thought its narrative only the invention of some ancient Egyptian priest. Like you, I was incredulous; but listen, I will tell you what transpired in consequence of the discovery of this worm-eaten scroll, and, queer as the story is, you will have an opportunity of verifying it."

When we had inspected the parchment to our satisfaction, Kwembi took it in his hand, and sat down upon his throne again. Denviers was invited to occupy the seat at the King's side, while Hassan and I rested upon the stools previously place'd before the throne. Kass, holding his shield and spear, sank down on one knee, Wadigo fashion, whereupon Kwembi at once began his narrative, referring occasionally to the scroll at first; while, throughout the story, we listened attentively, the King's animated utterances impressing us that he, at all events, believed what was upon the parchment, and also that the singular termination to his adventure had no other solution than the one he gave us.

ii

"OF THE events which led to the discovery of this parchment I shall only give you a very brief account," Kwembi began; "except to mention that, for several years, I and another Englishman devoted ourselves to research among the tombs of Meydum, in which, as you are doubtless aware, were found some extremely ancient sculptures. The success which followed our first efforts led us to visit many of the tombs which are to be found in the valley of that mysterious river— the Nile. It so happened that one day we discovered a sarcophagus and, among the treasures buried with the mummy of a woman which it contained, we found several strings of pearls. Some of these you no doubt observed adorning the hair of my consort when you first saw her on entering this palace. In addition to them we discovered the ring you now have, and which is minutely described in the hieroglyphics of this worm-eaten parchment, although, owing to the great age of the latter, here and there small fragments are missing, as well as some parts of it being difficult to clearly decipher.

"The events narrated in the parchment aroused our interest considerably, for some strange details concerning Menes, the Egyptian, are given upon it."

"There are many mythical stories told of this King," Denviers interposed. "Although this parchment may refer to Menes, it does not follow that the one who traced the hieroglyphics upon it witnessed the events recorded there. They may have been written hundreds of years after the occurrence took place, and possibly were put down upon hearsay."

"Menes," Kwembi continued, "was visited on one occasion by the Queen of a far country who was more lovely, if one may judge from this scroll, than the famous Cleopatra, destined, long after the great King passed away, to sit upon his throne. A wonderful journey was hers, for here I read that she crossed a sea then unknown, the primitive fleet of boats which hers headed being tossed for many days and nights upon the storm-swept waters. At last the mouth of the Nile stream was entered, and down the mystic river the Queen and her retinue passed. The wondrous scenes which opened out, as the current swept them on, charmed the eyes of the Queen as she stretched out her hand at times and plucked from the bank the blossoms of the mimosa. Yet fairer than anything there the Queen herself appeared, as well an attendant prince knew who sat at her feet and caught the glances of delight from her eyes, turned upon all else but him— her subject.

"A great festival was held to celebrate the Queen's visit, while Menes, smitten with love for the Queen, begged her to share his throne, which eventually she did. Among the many gifts bestowed by the Queen upon the Egyptian King when first she visited his land was a shield, curiously wrought in gold, inset in which was a three-headed serpent of magnificent brilliants, the eyes and darting tongues being of rubies. Beside the King one day, as he sat upon the throne, stood a slave who held the shield, while, at the feet of his bride, her favourite female slave rested, or at times let her fingers stray over the strings of a sweet-tuned lyre as she sang of the land whence Menes' Queen had come, and to rule which in her name a subject prince was set.

"Long before this time the chief prince who accompanied her had besought the Queen to be his— but was refused. No sooner did Menes obtain his bride than the disappointed suitor began to scheme against both King and Queen. With the object of stirring up a revolt in the far land, he begged to be sent to rule it, but Menes advised another to be chosen, and the thwarted prince prepared for revenge. He entered the audience-room of the palace with a weapon concealed upon his person; approaching Menes, he begged to whisper some strange news into the King's ear. Deceived by his friendly manner, Menes stooped down. On high the weapon flashed in an instant, but the bearer of the shield was too quick and caught upon it the descending blow. Quick as lightning strikes, the prince aimed a blow at the startled Queen! Before her the slave, who had been resting at her feet, but who had arisen when Menes was threatened with death, flung her own body, and as the weapon pierced her breast she gave one wild cry and fell dead! Down from the hand of its bearer fell the shield, and when he raised it the slave's life-stream had died it crimson.

" 'Seize him!' cried Menes; then, as the hastily summoned slaves dragged the prince away, Menes led his Queen from the apartment. Next day the fate of the prince was announced to him. Never again could the eyes of Menes' bride look upon the shield stained with the blood of the one who had saved her life. The prince was thrust living into a sarcophagus, after being led fast bound to a remote tomb near the source of the Nile, and with him was buried the shield and the weapon he had taken life with. The female slave was embalmed and buried with the King's death gifts of pearls and a ring from his finger, while this parchment was placed in her tomb, that if in after ages the sarcophagus chanced to be opened, the memory of the slave's devotion to the Queen, even to death, might be recorded."

"And you found the tomb in which the body of the female slave was placed?" I asked, as Kwembi concluded that part of his story.

"That is the least astonishing part of what happened," he answered. "So convinced was my companion at the time that every word upon the parchment was true, that he persuaded me to join him in a search for the tomb of the prince with whom the shield was buried, which, from the description given of it, you will understand was of great value. Month after month we searched and tomb after tomb we found, till at last—"

Kwembi broke off his story suddenly, and glancing into his face, I saw that he had turned ghastly pale, while the perspiration stood in beads upon his forehead.

"You found at last?" Denviers suggestively remarked, vaguely wondering at the agitation which had seized Kwembi.

"My story has a strange ending, one that you will hardly credit, yet I will endeavour to tell you as well as I can what happened," the chief continued. "Yes, we found the tomb of the nameless prince at last. Like most of the ancient burial places, it had an entrance chamber. Passing into this we saw the shaft at our feet. The two fellahs who acted as our servants lowered us in turn by a rope, and we found ourselves in a vault, whereupon we lit a torch and examined ther place for the sarcophagus. Judge of our surprise when none was discovered ! The event was so unusual that we discussed its meaning as we glanced into each other's face, lit up by the torch which I held. At last an idea occurred to my companion, who called up the shaft, in response to which an iron pick was let down at the end of our rope. Taking this implement, which long experience had taught him to handle deftly, he struck upon the sides of the vault. Hard and ringing was the sound each blow gave until, just as I was about to renew the torch, which was burning low, my companion cried:—

" 'It is here! The sarcophagus has been walled in!' With excited blows he struck the wall, which yielded far more readily than we expected— but lower burnt the torch.

"In the surprise which the discovery roused in us we thought of nothing else save the one fact that the sarcophagus was placed on end, as we saw when the facing of stone was torn away.

"Lower, lower still, burnt the torch. Then the lid of the sarcophagus was wrenched away. I caught one glimpse of the mummy, saw the shield with the gems glittering in it, then, with a cry to my companionthat the torch was going out, I droppedit as it singed my fingers. What happened then?" Kwembi asked, rising from his seat and covering his eyes, as if to shut out some scene which again rose before him.

"What happened, you ask? I saw the face of the mummy thrust into mine; we fell together, and two sets of bony fingers gripped me by the throat! I could not cry out; for a minute my senses reeled with the horror of the thing, then I caught my weird assailant in turn, and we fought together upon the floor of the vault in the blind darkness, no sound from our lips escaping as we struggled for the mastery. At last I shook myself free, ran headlong to the foot of the shaft, wound the rope about my waist, and shouted to the fellahs to drag me up!

"No sooner did the men see my scared face and the marks of that fearful struggle which I bore, than they basely fled in terror; nor did I once after see them again. Suddenly a thought occurred to me— my companion ! In securing my own safety I had forgotten him! I threw myself flat upon the ground and cried out to him, as I tried to pierce the gloom at the bottom of the shaft. No answer reached me— none ! I called out again and again, but heard only the echo of my own voice ringing in the depths of the vault. Sick with horror, I ran from the place and wandered aimlessly about, but whether for days or weeks I cannot tell. I next remember waking, as if from a dream, to find a native woman bending over me, by whom I had been found, it appears, in a cave, such as there are in plenty in the land over which I rule. By chance she had discovered me there, and, so long, had been able to save me from the men of her tribe by keeping my presence unknown to them. When my strength was sufficiently restored, she urged me to return the way I came, but I refused. The dreadful event which had happened so completely unhinged my mind that I had no wish to live. In spite of her entreaties, I made my way to where the huts of her tribe were, and was promptly seized by two braves, who dragged me before the chief. For some time his tribe had been at war with another, and even as I stood before Haika in this palace a messenger came in saying that the chiefs braves were being driven in.

"More with the object of flinging away my life than any other, I promised Haika if he would spare me I would fight for him against the invading tribe. So often had he been tricked by Arab traders that he refused, but at last gave a reluctant consent. All that afternoon his vanquished braves came hurrying in, telling of the numbers slain in the recent battle. By means of the chief's headman— who, from frequent intercourse with Arab traders, managed to interpret my words— I volunteered to head a division of the braves if they were intrusted to me. Accordingly, when Haika drew up his men to defend his palace and the huts of the great village, I selected a number of them and led them away. The chief presented me with a rifle, which proved more serviceable than I expected; while a fortunate downpour of rain, which occurred that night, was considered a good omen. The natives persuaded themselves that the white man was lucky!

"About two hours before dawn the enemy made the attack, Haika's braves resisting stoutly. Having made a wide detour with the men I led, we took the foes in the rear— before the sun had risen the enemy fled panicstricken, and Haika's braves had won! Both sides suffered severely, as the blent heaps of the dying and dead plainly showed. Seeing a throng of braves gathered round one of the wounded, I pressed through them to find Haika lying there, clutching in his stiffening fingers his bloody spear. He seemed to recognise me; as I bent over him he feebly raised himself a little, motioned to me to take his weapon, and then fell back dead.

" 'The chief has chosen the white man in his place!' the braves cried, and that day, on the field of battle, I was made chief of this tribe over which I now rule, and from which I would not go, for they are faithful to me, and I accept the strange fortune which is mine. She who found me in the cave has become my bride, while, so efficient in war are my braves now, that the power of five tribes dwelling about my territory has been completely broken. The Arab traders have several times endeavoured to get my consent to pass through this territory, for, somehow, the secret of that strange tomb has become known to them, although they do not know the exact position of the place concerning which they have put many unanswered questions to me. As to the shield, I dare not enter the tomb again in search of it; what I think about the nameless prince whose fingers wound themselves about my throat I can only. hint. You look incredulous, but remember that the parchment declares he was not slain when thrust into the sarcophagus."

"You surely don't wish to persuade us that he has lived in that tomb since the time of Menes?" asked Denviers. "Our Arab guide, Hassan, as I have said, can spin a tolerably tall yarn at times, but yours—" and he laughed irreverently as he rose from the chief's side at the close of the story.

"In my opinion," Kwembi returned, "much of the mysterious lore of Ancient Egypt has been lost ; who knows under what conditions the prince may have been immured there? As to whether the struggle of which I speak took place or not, let these marks testify." The chief unfastened the garment about his neck and showed several large lateral scars, then he added:—

"Now will you agree to my conditions? You accepted the ring of Menes; if you will swear to me to recover this shield which

is mine by right of discovery, I will send a body of braves to join your followers. When you get possession of it you can send it back to me — on these terms you may continue your journey, otherwise you must turn back—"

"And if we fail to find the tomb?" Denviers interrupted.

"That will not happen; I will give you an exact description of its position," and Kwembi proceeded to do so.

"We will start at sunrise to-morrow," Denviers agreed, when everything was satisfactorily settled, and we were then conducted to a hut prepared for us, where we sat smoking and talking together till the night was advanced, Hassan and Kass seeing to the comfort of our followers.

When morning came we set out on our march, headed by the braves whom Kwembi appointed to go with us. At the end of the second week after leaving the chief's palace, we found ourselves at last within a short distance of the tomb. Leaving the encampment we had made, Denviers and I went forward, accompanied by Hassan and Kass with two of Kwembi's braves, who were to carry the shield if it were discovered.

iii

OFTEN as Denviers had discussed the subject with me, neither of us had conjectured rightly what the end of our adventure would be— so completely did it take us by surprise. After making our way along a narrow path which wound up the precipitous, gloomy cliffs at the foot of which the White Nile flowed, we came to a narrow entry and, stooping down, we passed within. Hassan led the way holding a torch; following him, we found ourselves in a grotto, the roof of which rose high above our heads.

"The entry to the tomb, sahibs," the Arab cried, as we stood by his side and glanced at the fantastic shapes of the jagged projections from walls and roof. Denviers lit another torch, and, handing his rifle to Kass, motioned to Hassan to go on. The Arab cautiously advanced. After traversing a few yards he stopped.

"See! The way lies here," he exclaimed, pointing down a gloomy shaft, and without delay we descended, Kass remaining behind with the two natives, who lowered us in turn into the vault of which Kwembi had spoken.

We soon discovered that we were in no hastily prepared excavation. Pillars of granite supported the roof, sculptured with many a strange design. The walls upon which the flickering torchlight fell were painted— here, the half-obliterated face of a sphinx, inscrutable and stolid, looked away from the hands of suppliants held appealingly towards it there, a great procession was limned, the central figure being a man, probably the prince, led into captivity or to death. At times a fallen pillar obstructed our way as on we passed, till we had gone fifty paces or more and the opposing wall was reached. Examining the latter as carefully as we had done the first, we saw no indication of a break in it such as we were led to expect. Slowly we turned and walked close to the third side.

"I hope the main object of our expedition is not doomed to disappointment," Denviers remarked. "Strange as this place is, it seems to me very likely—" He stopped suddenly, for Hassan, who was a few yards ahead, was seen to stoop down as if examining something upon the rocky floor.

"The sahibs' slave has found what they seek," he cried, and quickly we hastened to the spot. An excavation, rising to the height of seven feet, had been made in the wall, the material taken from which lay in a confused heap close by. Nor was that all we saw. An ancient sarcophagus, broken, lay in shattered fragments, mingled with pieces of decayed wood, once forming the inner casing of the mummy, flung down when the lid was wrenched off by Kwembi's companion.

Yellow as parchment, yet wonderfully preserved from the ravages of time, the mummy was; if cloths had once swathed it, none were there then, save the rotting fillet about its forehead ; a strange glitter came from its face, for the latter had been gilded; its tangled hair was thick with dust. I touched the band near me; it came off with part of the arm as my fingers closed upon it. Holding it near Denviers's torch, as we glanced curiously at it, a spark fell, and in a moment the hand and arm burnt away, filling the air with an odour of bitumen, and leaving a mere pinch of ashes behind.

"The shield," I whispered to Denviers, awed by the strange surroundings of our adventure; but, search as we did, we could not find it. Finally, we determined to examine the whole vault systematically, Denviers and I beginning from one of its oblong sides, Hassan from the other. The Arab's torch was visible to us for some minutes; then it disappeared, as we heard a cry from his lips to Allah and Mahomet.

We hastily passed across to the fourth side of the vault, where we found another excavation leading upwards, and in front of us we saw Hassan hurrying on with his torch held above his head. A ray of light soon lit the excavation from without; a minute after we had emerged upon the path which led to the tomb, but higher than we had previously gone. We heard a crash as of something striking the rock below, then . again Hassan's excited cries rang upon our ears. We looked up and saw the Arab struggling upon a narrow shelve of rock with an opponent, whose matted hair and beard seemed as ragged as the vestiges of clothing upon his half-naked body. Swaying to and fro upon the giddy height, they clung to each other, fighting each for his life and the other's death. Each laboured to get his foe's back to the threatening void: we saw Hassan forced into that position, heard a fierce cry from his opponent, then, just as the Arab seemed to totter on the verge of the precipitous cliff, he swung himself round and thrust his foe headlong below! How it was done we never rightly understood, but as he fell the man caught at a projecting ledge, clung to it for one brief second, drew himself up with his hands, and with a mad cry ran into one of the orifices which honeycombed the cliff.

Long as we sought for him we could not find the man; whether he was Kwembi's companion, and in the blind darkness had unknowingly fought with him, mistaking his comrade's clasp for that of the crumbling mummy, was more than we had an opportunity of discovering, although our conjecture was such. There was the excavation from the tomb into the open air— easily made in the soft rock with the implement of which Kwembi had spoken— to support our view, and the fact that the mind of one at least of the explorers had been shaken by that weird, mutual mistake

"Sahibs," cried Hassan, making his way towards where we stood, forming hasty conjectures as to what had happened, "the Great Prophet guided Hassan's feet to enter the excavation. There he discovered one who barred his way, holding in his grasp the strange shield. When their Arab slave thrust his torch into the foe's face he turned and fled. Finding himself pursued, the man ran out upon the ledge of rock and flung this strange shield far below, then grappled with the dust of the sahibs' feet."

"Well, Hassan," said Denviers, as the Arab afterwards assisted us to secure the shield, which had, however, been dinted slightly in the fall, "the dust of the sahibs' feet, as you call yourself, had a narrow escape from being dashed to pieces,"

"Allah and Mahomet preserved Hassan," our Arab gravely responded, as we fastened the shield to a spear, and placed the ends of the latter upon the shoulders of two of Kwembi's men, and bade them carry it to where our encampment was. "Surely it is his Kismet to be saved that he may serve the Englishmen and tell them from time to time of the wise sayings of the Great Prophet."

"We both hope so, at all events," Denviers replied, with a smile. " Kwembi shall hear of your share in recovering the treasure he first discovered ; and when we are resting in our tent this evening you shall read us some more out of the Koran, or tell us a story."

"For Hassan to hear is for him to obey," said the Arab, with a profound obeisance, and we started for our encampment. To Kwembi we dispatched the shield, guarded by the natives, next day, while we set out once more upon our journey.

***

4: The Dervish of the Nile Pyramid

Strand Magazine, Oct 1895

"IN some respects the sahibs would make worthy followers of Mahomet," said Hassan, our guide, as we sat idly smoking under the awning of our tent one hot day; "for, since the unworthy latchet of their shoes has been the sahibs' servant, he has learnt that they appreciate three things which every good Moslem does— coffee, a pipe, and a story."

"Is there any other quality you would like us to add to the list, Hassan?" Denviers asked the Arab, removing from his mouth the amber-tipped and lengthy Egyptian chibooque which he had been vigorously pulling at; "if there is, you may as well mention it."

"Sahib," Hassan responded, gravely,"there is something better than all these— to be of assistance, when able, to a diligent servant of the Great Prophet!"

"Well," replied Denviers, "you have an ingenious way of asking for whatever favour you require, Hassan, I must admit. However, so long as you do not wish to start off to Arabia the Happy with the pilgrims, you are welcome to carry out any other plan you may have in view."

"The sahibs' slave seeks nothing for himself," Hassan remarked, thoughtfully; "yet, to a true believer, the pilgrimage to Mecca is as a cup of water in the desert to the thirsty. If the Englishmen will listen, what the Arab seeks— it strange dervish whom ye saw of Erment three days ago."

"And a fine specimen of humanity he was, Hassan," Denviers retorted, with a smile. "A cunning glance he gave us indeed from beneath the matted hair which hung down over his naked shoulders. When he clutched at the coins we gave him, I certainly thought he looked much less harmless than the serpent which he was exhibiting, for the latter had a silver ring fastening its mouth to prevent it from biting him, as you said, at all events."

"So Hassan has learnt some news concerning the dervish at last!" I exclaimed to Denviers. "I don't know whether that fanatic claims to be descended from Mahomet or not, but certainly our best plan will be to leave the fellow alone; he deserves no help from us."

"Wisdom lies in the sahib's words," the Arab interposed, as he overheard my remark, "for, concerning the dervish, Hassan heard this morning by chance in one of the bazaars of Erment a strange story, surely. Indeed, because of what has happened, there is one coming to visit the Englishmen who desires their assistance. Badly, indeed, has the dervish wronged a most faithful follower and descendant of the Great Prophet— an Egyptian who has twice performed the holy hajj, or pilgrimage."

"Well, go on, Hassan," Denviers urged, "or probably our visitor will arrive before you are half-way through your yarn." Thus adjured, the Arab stretched himself at our feet and began:—

"Sahibs, of all the dwellers in Erment, Sheik Hammad was long considered the wealthiest and most fortunate. For him caravans travelled far and near, pouring the profits of each expedition into his coffers, until he became so rich that the eyes of envying men were often turned upon him as he walked through the winding ways of Erment, with his daughter Sapphia by his side. For the hand of the latter there were many suitors, but the sheik was unwilling for her to wed, and dismissed those who sought his alliance in this way. As you are aware, sahibs, the pretty women of Egypt may only be seen closely veiled in the streets, while in the harem they are kept to their own apartments. Yet for all that, the beauty of Sapphia became the topic of conversation in the bazaars, by every well-side, and even in the cloisters of the mosques; and, knowing this, Hammad smiled— but kept his daughter from those who longed to loosen the strings of his purse.

"One day, as Sheik Hammad lay upon a divan in his harem thinking of a new caravan which he had raised and recently sent to Tripoli, a eunuch announced the visit of a holy man, or dervish, to his master. As all know, no true Egyptian refuses to give such a man audience, and the dervish was consequently received by the sheik with that respect due to the former's religious calling. Hammad rose and then, prostrating himself, touched with his lips the holy man's feet "

"Was the holy man, as you call him, the same dervish that we saw at Erment?" Denviers interposed; "if so, I am sorry for the sheik's act of humility."

"The sahib shall hear," Hassan responded. "The dervish stretched out his hand, and touching the sheik, bade him rise and listen to the message which he had to deliver. Knowing that the holy man was head of a band of dervishes, as, indeed, the green colour of the scanty garment which he wore plainly indicated, Hammad was silent as his visitor told of the wondrous visions vouchsafed to him at times by the original founder of the sect known as the Rifáee. To give a portion of his wealth for the support of these dervishes Hammad knew he would be asked, and, accordingly, the request was acceded to with little demur. The dervish explained how he had long dwelt within a pyramid, once the tomb of a great man of his order; he also declared that it was part of a command given to him in a vision to seek out Hammad and offer to exchange his position with him for a year. The sheik, however, sahibs, feared he would make but a poor substitute to be placed at the head of so many illustrious dervishes, and humbly declined the great honour proposed to him. At this the dervish was troubled in mind, but on Hammad promising a larger sum than at first to the members of the strange sect, the venerable man departed, saying that he would consult the founder of his order when another vision was granted to him."

Denviers smiled at Hassan as he interposed:—

"I expect, if Hammad had consented to the change of position offered him by the dervish, when he was restored at the end of the year, probably he would have found his coffers emptied altogether. After that, the estimable dervish would have had, no doubt, a vision concerning some other rich man."

"The sahib shall hear what happened next," Hassan added. " Dervishes are above the common cravings for wealth."

"Evidently they are," said Denviers, "if we may judge from the disinterested proceedings of this one. However, go on with your yarn, Hassan."

"Shortly afterwards the dervish paid a second visit to the sheik," the Arab continued, "and stated the result of his vision— which was fully as surprising as the first one that had been granted to him. For a long time he spoke to Hammad concerning the importance and position of chief dervish, while, to all his words, the sheik carefully listened, expecting to be asked to reconsider his former decision. You may easily understand, then, sahibs, the surprise of Hammad when the dervish flung himself at the sheik's feet and exclaimed:—

" 'See! You, who are but a sheik, have it in your power to be raised far above all other Egyptians!'

" 'Bend not to me,' answered Hammad; 'for, as you say, I am only a sheik, while you are the most famous dervish of all the land which the Nile waters.'

"The dervish rose and glanced curiously into Hammad's face: 'Is it wise to refuse power?' he asked, gravely.

" 'Not if one seeks it,' the sheik answered, cautiously.

" 'Listen to what I would say,' the dervish continued: 'wealth and influence can each accomplish much ; he who has both is master of his fate.'

" 'You speak in riddles,' Hammad replied: 'I wait to learn the meaning of your words.'

" 'The meaning is clear enough,' the dervish replied: 'with you is wealth, with me influence. Let us unite our powers.' Still the sheik was puzzled.

" 'How may that be done?' he asked, little imagining what the reply would be.

" 'Easily enough,' returned the dervish: 'your daughter is fair to look upon, give her to me in. marriage.' Hammad stared at the dervish for a minute without replying, then said, with a forced laugh:—

" 'Surely you jest. Holy men such as you never wed; for Sapphia, my daughter, to become your bride would be impossible.'

" 'The Great Prophet wedded more than once,' the dervish retorted: 'am I, his unworthy follower, to imagine that he erred in aught he did?'

" 'I know not,' replied Hammad, who at last began to see that the dervish intended, directly or indirectly, to get some share of the sheik's wealth for himself; 'but of this you may be assured: the great honour of being related to an illustrious dervish such as you are would overwhelm me. I cannot allow you to extend your friendship for me to such a pass.'

" 'You refuse the alliance?' the dervish asked.

" 'That is what my words are meant to convey,' replied the sheik, with a decided but deferential air. His visitor moved to where a small brazier stood in one part of the room, and before the sheik could prevent him he thrust something upon the live charcoal.

" 'See!' cried the dervish; 'you have sealed your own fate! Seed of coriander, frankincense, and shreds of a written charm give forth the smoke and fragrance which steal upon your senses. Send out caravans, and plan to send out others; give your daughter to a rich man as you think to do; but, by the charms which are mine, I say all that you venture upon shall fail. Your wealth shall be lost and poverty shall come upon you, sickness shall seize upon the fair Sapphia and you, her sire; men shall accuse you of possessing the evil eye, and women shall hide their children's faces lest you look upon them to their hurt! A foolish and a mad choice have you made, but now by it you must abide; for not even dust brought from the tomb of the Great Prophet will be able to cast from you the spell which the charm upon the glowing embers casts upon you ! In the byways and bazaars of Erment, day by day, I will gather the people together and declare by the serpent, symbol of the Nile, the wrong you have done me; and what is your reward to be, you, who have brought the head of the dervishes face to face with dishonour?'

"Hammad, sahibs," the Arab went on, as we listened to the account of the dervish's idle threats, "knew only too well that misfortune would come upon him from that hour. He stretched out his hands imploringly to the holy man and besought him to remove the spell— but the dervish was inexorable. He turned and left the apartment, his face flushed with anger and disappointment, while Hammad tried to repeat the first chapter of the Koran, which, every true believer knows, has much power to protect the one who recites it. His senses suddenly were overcome by the power of the dervish's imprecation—"

"Or by the fumes from whatever the estimable dervish flung upon the charcoal?" Denviers interrupted, as he smiled incredulously.

"As I said, sahibs," Hassan went on; "Hammad's senses were affected by the imprecation, and, with a cry to Allah and Mahomet for help, he fell down in a swoon upon the richly-carpeted floor of the apartment. Hearing the voice of their master, two eunuchs ran in to his assistance. They raised him, and succeeded in restoring the sheik to consciousness, but from that hour his health began to fail him. A week later Hammad received word that every camel belonging to the expedition he had sent to Tripoli had died on the way; his slaves had deserted him, fearing to return, since, in the midst of their misfortune, down upon them swooped a band of Bedouins, who carried off all the merchandise with which the camels had been loaded. Day after day the sheik had to listen to similar accounts of his losses, while the dervish explained to those who gathered about him in the bazaars how Hammad's own evil eye had brought upon himself these misfortunes.

"At last the sheik determined to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, accompanied by his daughter, for he feared that if he delayed much longer, death itself would come upon him. With a part of his diminished wealth that remained, Hammad purchased a camel, and placing his daughter Sapphia upon it, the sheik set out with the pilgrims bound for the birthplace of the Great Prophet. Leading the camel and supporting himself with a long spear, which Hammad knew would probably be wanted in their defence from the bands of marauding Bedouins, the sheik made the whole of the journey to Suez on foot. From Erment, where stands the famous temple built at the command of the lovely Cleopatra, they passed by Thebes with its wondrous ruins, where the eyes of Sapphia glanced in awe at the two giant statues, whose stern, mysterious faces the morning sun gilded, outlining their twin shadows, dark and grotesque, upon the scorching sand. At Dendarah, too, they lingered, and amid its fallen columns Hammad spoke to his daughter of the wonders of the processions of the priests of the goddess Athor when they would sacrifice to her because of the year's return. Then to Asyut they pressed on, through its emerald green pastures, its flowers, and the flocks that fed there, on through the valley of the Nile till Cairo was reached, the fairest city of all. At Suez, when there the pilgrims arrived, Hammad found to his dismay that the dervish was one of the great throng bound for the Holy City, for, as he passed one of its mosques, the holy man emerged from a porch and held up a warning hand to the sheik.

" 'Your pilgrimage is in vain!' the dervish cried. 'Whether you would go by land or sea, your eyes will never behold the City of Mahomet!'

"Before Hammad could reply, the dervish disappeared in the surging crowd, and the sheik was filled with the belief that his death was at hand. Sapphia urged upon her sire to take ship to Yambo, the City of the Sea, and thence to journey to Mecca. Hammad, however, found that the pilgrim ship was already overcrowded with passengers; and at last, in his anxiety to reach the Holy City, he proceeded by a clumsy craft, the owner of which willingly offered to convey the two pilgrims to Yambo. Among those who had set out from Erment was a young Egyptian of good birth, and he had often conversed with Hammad on the long march, so that when they reached Suez he still wished to accompany the sheik even to Mecca, and by persuasion prevailed upon the owner of the vessel to accept him as a passenger.

Well, indeed, was it for Sapphia that the young Egyptian did so.

"Leaning over the vessel's side that night, watching the play of the waters of the gulf, as the waves leapt about the stem of the vessel that cleaved its way onward, Hammad suddenly heard a cry that came, he knew, from Sapphia's lips. Drawing his sword he ran in the direction whence the sound came. There he saw his daughter struggling to free herself from several Arabs, who were trying to force her over the side of the vessel opposite to where the sheik had been idly resting. With a cry to Allah for succour, Hammad rushed upon the Arabs, only to find himself instantly surrounded by them. To his assistance, however, Khedi, the young Egyptian, came; the owner of the craft and his crew keeping discreetly out of the way, or probably being in collusion with the Arabs, who were doubtless instigated by the dervish to carry Sapphia off. Hand to hand they contended, Hammad and his companion, the Egyptian, fighting with a desperate courage that awed their assailants. The deck grew slippery with the blood of the evil men, and at last, in sheer despair, the remainder of those who were uninjured flung themselves over the vessel's side into the waves, but whether they afterwards succeeded in entering their boat, sahibs, no one knows, for when the owner of the vessel at last approached, he found Khedi, the Egyptian, and Sapphia, with her veil rent, both supporting Hammad, who lay upon the deck. The latter feebly drew his daughter's head down, and whispered something into her ear, and even as she assented to the sheik's request, his face grew rigid and they saw that the dervish's threats were not idle— Hammad was dead! Landing at Yambo, Sapphia made no attempt to continue the pilgrimage, and Khedi, the Egyptian, purchasing for her a camel, as well as one for himself, by land they returned without further mishap until even Erment was reached from which they had set out. There Sapphia remained to mourn the death of Hammad, while Khedi the Egyptian, who as a boy had once performed the pilgrimage, went a second time when the next year came round to thank Allah and Mahomet for his preservation, as well as for saving Sapphia from the dervish's plot. Now, sahibs, comes the strangest part of the story, for he who is coming to seek your aid is none other than Khedi, the young Egyptian, and ye shall hear why he does so.

"The only surviving kinsman of Sapphia was so much influenced by the account of Khedi's bravery, that when the young Egyptian went to him and sought her hand he consented, especially as he had heard a rumour that the dervish was still determined to wed Hammad's daughter. Accordingly, on the afternoon of the second day before Khedi was to receive his bride, the procession which then takes place set out through the streets of Erment. Musicians went before; next, attired in garments of white, a number of the fairest daughters of Egypt followed. Beneath a canopy of rose-coloured silk, which four men supported, Sapphia walked closely veiled, her lustrous black eyes alone visible as she glanced at the gay throng there to do her honour. Suddenly, in the midst of those gathered there, a horseman urged a richly caparisoned steed and, as the crowd reluctantly gave way to avoid the horse's hoofs, each man muttered in his neighbour's ear the name of the dervish whom all knew so well. From the crooked by-ways of the city, from beneath the porches of the adjacent mosque, from every quarter there came forth the dervishes, of whom he who was mounted upon the horse was the leader. Round him they gathered, dressed as they were in scanty, sordid garments, and then broke right through the musicians and maidens behind them.

" 'In the name of Allah, I claim my bride!' the dervish cried ; and before the astonished throng could intercept him, he snatched up Sapphia and flung her before him, then urged his steed quickly forward, while his followers ran by his side, thrusting back those who sought to break through the cordon. So well had the dervish laid his plans, sahibs, that Khedi, the young Egyptian, to whom the story was quickly told, found himself too late to interfere, for Sapphia was far beyond his reach, and his enemy had worsted him! From what he heard, the dervish carried Sapphia off to a certain ruined pyramid, which he and his followers are said to tenant ; but none of his own race will assist the Egyptian to recover his stolen bride. In the streets of Erment I met him this morning, and learning that this strange affair took place but yesterday, while the sahibs were with their slave away visiting some ruins, I promised to endeavour to get from you the aid he needs."

"Well, Hassan," said Denviers, thoughtfully, as the Arab concluded his strange story, "if Khedi, as you say this Egyptian is named, asks us to help him we will agree ; but it is evident that we shall run into considerable danger in doing so."

"Allah bless the sahibs," Hassan fervently returned. "When the Egyptian comes—"

"If I am not mistaken, he is already approaching our tent," I interrupted, as I saw someone crossing the sandy plain which stretched before us.

"The sahib is right," Hassan answered, as he rose and prepared to welcome the stranger; "for he who is making for the tent is none other than Khedi, the Egyptian!"

ii

FOLLOWING our guide, we advanced to meet the one who sought our aid. From the richness of the robes which he wore, Khedi was evidently a man of high position. As he bent deferentially before us I noticed that his limbs, although slight, were well-knit, while the deep bronze of his oval face, his broad forehead, and the grave glance which he turned upon us as we neared him, plainly enough betokened that he belonged to the race dwelling beside the Nile. Denviers listened in silence to Khedi's remarks ; then, while the Egyptian conversed with Hassan, my companion and I drew apart and discussed the man's proposals.

"One thing is certain," said Denviers, at last. "Khedi's plan is useless, for if we went with him to the ruined pyramid, of which he speaks, and then openly demanded the stolen bride from the dervish, we should gain little or nothing by it. Besides, I don't like the way in which he plays with the handle of the sword he carries ; he speaks gravely enough at present, but once he gets into the dervish's presence his self-control may vanish, and probably our liberty with it."

"After all, it is only by hearsay that we understand Sapphia to be the dervish's prisoner," I responded. " If we went together, we could invent some excuse by which to get into that estimable fellow's presence, and afterwards we would probably be able to hit upon some reasonable plan for the woman's rescue."

"Just so, Harold," Denviers answered; "we must have some clear idea of the way to the ruined pyramid. We will get that from Khedi, and then leave him and Hassan here. As we hourly expect Kass to arrive with our Wadigo followers, ahead of whom we have pushed on, so as to explore some of these ruins as we arranged, it is absolutely necessary for one of the three of us to await those on the march. Hassan would be very useful to us, but as it is we must leave him here."

Without further discussion we joined our guide and Khedi. From the latter we obtained a clear description of the route to the pyramid, and having persuaded him to agree to our going without him, we started, leaving our rifles in Hassan's charge, so that if we entered the dervish's presence he would understand our visit as being of a friendly nature.

For a considerable time we pushed on steadily, noting carefully as we went the various landmarks which Khedi had mentioned. Sometimes these were a few overthrown pillars, or an obelisk still standing upright, its weather-worn hieroglyphics beyond our power to decipher. Once we rested on the huge, broken-off paw of some creature hewn in stone, the rest of which, for aught we knew, was buried far down in the shifting, burning sands at our feet. Towards sunset, however, we found ourselves entering a great cleft in the rocky range barring our way, and glancing up at either side as on we went, we saw that in many places the stone had been hewn into uncouth shapes, among which could be observed vast temples in various stages of decay, and such as we had not previously seen during our travels in Egypt. Soft and subdued fell the light from the entry and from above the vast fissure upon the strange handiwork of man that confronted us at every turn of the rocky way. For several minutes we passed on in silence between a double row of sphinxes, until before us rose a wall of granite, which seemed to cut off further progress.

Just as we were discussing the reason why the Egyptian had not spoken of the intervening rock, Denviers caught my arm and pointed upward. Glancing there I saw what appeared to be a low archway, and, rapidly following my companion as he made his way up the narrow way which we discerned leading to it, we were soon confronted by two half-naked dervishes wearing as their sole garment a strip of green cloth wound about their loins. We recognised immediately their similarity to the one we had seen in the streets of Erment, and, accosting the foremost of them, Denviers asked, as best he could, for an audience with their head or chief. The man and his fellow-watcher first profoundly bowed, then greeted us with a derisive laugh, which caused us for the moment to repent that our weapons of defence had been left behind. One of the dervishes then hastily disappeared into the narrow passage, returning quickly with several others, who hustled rather than led us down the slanting way. At intervals the passage was broken by corridors running across it, but our guides, or captors as the dervishes seemed to consider themselves, hurried us directly on until we had advanced considerably more than a hundred paces. There, in response to their cries, a huge portcullis of stone which ran easily in its grooves was raised. No sooner had we passed within the grotesquely-carved vestibule than this portcullis dropped quickly behind us as we went on our way, the shaft continuing for some distance and being frequently intersected.

"We are prisoners, safe enough, Harold," muttered Denviers in my ear. "I don't think these unwashed dervishes part with their guests in a hurry."

"It looks to me remarkably like—" I began, then ceased speaking as I glanced in surprise at the scene which faced us. We had entered what at one time had been the interment chamber of the one in honour of whom the pyramid had been raised, but which, at this time, served for a very different purpose. Some of the stone blocks had been removed from above for the admission of light, for through countless minute pieces of glass set in a gracefully carved framework the rays of the setting sun entered the chief dervish's dwelling.

Distant as was the century in which the pyramid had been constructed, the slabs of polished red gr an ite, forming the inner sides and roof of the apartment, seemed as perfect as though recently placed there. Set in niches that rose from the floor to high above our heads were placed at intervals great images of sacred bulls carved in stone, while pillars as white in hue rose upward and branched out fan-shaped till they were pressed against the partly-gilded roof they supported, their outlines marked there with great streaks of colour, ochrous and blue.

Passing on, with curious glances at all we saw, we were brought suddenly before the one to see whom again we had undertaken the adventure. Resting on a raised block of stone, approached by three steps, we saw the dervish who, in the streets of Erment, had clutched our gifts as though in need of them. The light from the window high above fell upon him as he sat there, his sordid attire and neglected hair being strangely out of keeping with the splendour of the apartment, and still more so with the effeminate adornments which he wore. About his stained turban was wreathed a curious ornament much like the koor which Egyptian women of rank wear ; of gold it was, thickly inset with gems, the centre one being a splendid emerald. About the neck and wrists of the dervish were strung heavy beads of gold; among them glittered several brilliants.

While we stood uncovered before the chief dervish, one of his followers sharply questioned us as to the reason for our visit, holding upright a green banner, which, from Hassan, we afterwards learnt was the distinctive emblem of the great Rifáee sect. To a string of inquiries put to us, Denviers gave replies which apparently satisfied the chief dervish, and we were even hoping to obtain the information we sought as to Sapphia's whereabouts, when a cry rang through the apartment. We turned and glanced with ill-concealed vexation at the cause of it. Pushing his way hurriedly into the chief's presence, down flat on his face a dervish flung himself, then rising quickly he delivered a message to him. Instantly the chief dervish rose and, catching the man by the throat, cried:—

"It is impossible; say that it is false!"

The subject dervish held up his hands imploringly, then, finding himself released, he gasped out:—

"By Allah and Mahomet, what I have said, is said! False words for the wrongdoers are— but thy slave speaks the truth alone!"

The chief dervish glanced threateningly at us.

"Speak!" he exclaimed. "You declare you come here in peace. Why, then, have you plotted against me?"

We stared at him blankly, not understanding in the slightest degree the cause of his anger.

"We have wronged you in no way," Denviers answered, quietly. "If you have any charge to make against us, let it be said; otherwise we cannot refute it."

"Tell me," the chief dervish asked, "have you heard aught in the bazaars of Erment concerning Sapphia, the daughter of one Hammad?"

Denviers gave a cautious reply, which, however, failed to accomplish what he purposed.

"You acknowledge that you have!" the chief dervish broke in. "Answer, then, where is she? "

"It is rumoured in Erment that she is an inmate of this strange pyramid, or harem as it seems to have become," my companion answered, with a calmness which he was far from feeling, for our position had most unexpectedly become serious.

"Hear me!" his questioner cried. "Yesterday, by the right which I claim as head of this most illustrious sect, I claimed for my bride one who had been unjustly bestowed upon another. She was placed under the charge of the women of my anderoon, for which purpose one of the divisions of the pyramid serves. To me, as the greatest Rifáee, visions are granted; in obedience to one of them, Sapphia was carried off. Still seeking guidance, I have passed the intervening time within the place containing the sarcophagus of the founder of our order. No word has reached me from the women of the anderoon as is customary for them to send. Growing uneasy, I sent to ask why. The women are all bewailing what has happened, and— well, ye both know how it came about."

"I have said we know little about what you so obscurely hint at. Certainly, as we have not even seen your bride, we are at a loss to understand what has occurred."

"Ye speak falsely, by Allah!" the dervish interrupted. "For since ye entered this pyramid an hour ago, Sapphia, my bride, has been snatched from me ! "

"We are astonished ! " cried Denviers, in a conciliatory tone. "We saw you once in Erment; afterwards we heard of your great fame, and determined to visit you— that is all the explanation we can possibly offer you for our presence here."

"A flattering and a false answer," the dervish responded, clenching his fingers with wrath; "but to your words my ears are closed even as are the camel's nostrils to the sand-storm. If by to-morrow's dawn those whom I hear have gone at once in pursuit of Sapphia do not overtake her, ye shall both die for your share in the deeply-laid scheme by which I have been despoiled. Pray Allah my bride be brought back, or—" the dervish pointed to the string of a bow which one of his subjects held, a gesture as significant as it was unpleasant.

At a sign from their chief, the fanatical dervishes flung themselves upon us. We fought with our hands for freedom, but were soon overpowered and forced up the slanting passage through which we had come. At the intersection of one of its corridors we were turned aside until a low stone door was reached, which turned with ease as we were thrust within a granite-flagged recess, lit only by a flickering lamp suspended by a long chain from the roof, and there we were left.

"I fancy our adventures are over at last, Frank," I said, gloomily; "my opinion is that Sapphia's escape has been made an excuse for seizing us. How are we to know but what she is still in some part of the pyramid? This treacherous dervish has evidently determined to put an end to our existence."

"It certainly looks like it," he replied. "I thought he was too friendly from the first, but still his words had a genuine ring about them, which completely threw me off my guard. I thought that his cunning expression was due to the race he belongs to. If Sapphia has really managed to escape, no doubt there are some of the dervishes implicated in it who will naturally stir up the wrath of their chief against us, so as to shift the blame from their own shoulders on to ours."

"There is no way of getting out of this place except by the door," I commented, after a careful survey; "and that method of egress is past our power to use."

"The worst of the affair is that the woman did not need our help, if what the dervish declares is true, and, if it is false, then we shall be put to death without doing anything whatever to save her."

"In my opinion, this is the worst scrape we have ever been in," I added; "for even if we got out of here, which is most unlikely to happen, there is that stone portcullis cutting off further retreat— to say nothing of the dervish's followers who handled us so roughly as soon as they got his permission."

We sank down on the stone floor, but were too much disturbed to sleep, although for several hours nothing occurred to us. We were both convinced of the dervish's desire to destroy us, and had given up all hope of escape when, glancing at the stone door by chance, I saw it slowly revolve.

"Look!" I whispered into Denviers's ear, and a moment afterwards we started together to our feet, as someone entered and quickly thrust-to the door.

iii

WE GLANCED in strange surprise at the intruder, who was an Egyptian woman, and closely veiled. Was Sapphia before us? we both wondered, as our unexpected visitor advanced and stood before us. Her first words, however, dispelled the supposition.

"Sapphia has escaped from the pyramid," she said. "You are accused of helping her; but the women of the dervish's harem know that is false. Listen!" she continued— for Denviers had attempted to ask a question— "there is no time to be lost if you value your lives. Hear me, then: Sapphia's sire once did a service for mine, since both dwelt in Erment. To be the dervish's bride I thought an honour ; she considered it otherwise, and besought us to help her to escape. Last night, when none save the guards of the pyramid's entrance were alert, some of the women of the harem rose, and helped to free Sapphia. We let her down from a window of the strange anderoon—"

"We heard that she escaped soon after our arrival to-day," Denviers interposed, quietly.

"So the chief dervish was informed," the Egyptian woman answered; "for at that hour her absence from the harem first became known. To have told our beloved Abbah that he had been despoiled of his new-found bride, hours before he knew it, would have brought the messenger of the news one reward— a sack and the Nile. Every woman of this land loves intrigue; in the escape of Sapphia, Abbah will understand the lesson he has sometimes forgotten— great treasures need great safeguards. To what fate are you consigned?"

"The bowstring," replied my companion, at whose answer I felt a cold shudder run through me: "unless you can help us to escape."

"I?" the Egyptian woman asked. "Would that I could free you; as it is, I can only give you a little help— the rest will depend upon yourselves. Although you speak my language well, I see that you belong not to this land. Had you done so I might have influenced the three night-guards to have set you free— but you are Franks, if I judge rightly. No dervish will help you and, moreover, you are unarmed. What I can do I will; if it fail, you can but die, even as you are already condemned to do."

"We will accept the slightest chance of escape that offers," I returned, promptly. The woman was silent for a few minutes, then suddenly moved to the door. She held up a warning hand to us, as we began to follow her, then disappeared before we could clasp the stone edge of the revolving door to prevent it from shutting.

"I thought this Egyptian woman meant to help us, Frank," I said to Denviers, as we stood by the door, which had securely closed upon us. "It looks to me as if the dervish has sent her to raise false hopes within us."

"Perhaps her courage suddenly failed," he responded; "the Nile is inconveniently near for any one of the dervish's household who plots against him."

He had hardly finished his remark when the door opened again and, drawing them from under her hanging veil, the woman, who had returned, pressed in our hands two jewelled daggers.

"They are mine," she whispered. "If you are taken with them upon you, my life, no less than your own, will be forfeited. Remember this and be resolute. If ever you escape, seek out Sapphia and say that I helped you, lest the knowledge of your deaths might cloud the day when she weds Khedi, her lover, of whom you know nothing."

We did not contradict the woman's last remark, but waited impatiently for her to unfold whatever plan she had for our escape.

"From the high window of the women's anderoon you might escape, but thither I dare not lead you. No; your way lies beyond the guarded portcullis and the three dervishes who keep watch there. Hear, then, how the heavy stone framework is moved."

Denviers shrugged his shoulders. "It seems to me that such information is useless," he remarked. "How are we to get near enough to it without being discovered?"

"Have patience and you shall hear. Heavy as is the portcullis, it moves easily enough by a touch of the projection, which you will see in the second stone block on the right— counting from the base. You have seen the many corridors which intersect the main slanting shaft— one of them opens within fifteen feet of where the watching dervishes are. Without difficulty you can reach the corridor; once there, lurk in the shadow of its entry and wait for what follows. If an opportunity occur, dash out and make good your escape by raising the portcullis; if not, you can but return here and await the fate which presses close upon you both, for it wants scarcely an hour to dawn, and then you die. No more will I tell you— speak! are you ready to attempt what may bring you safety or, at the worst, death a little sooner than Abbah has decreed?"

"Will your own life be imperilled if we escape?" Denviers asked.

"Not so, for at times I traverse the corridors at night when the chief dervish is within the apartment where you saw him. Besides, my words to the guards will be spoken warningly; neither they nor the chief dervish will suspect me, for none know of the service rendered to mine, and which to Sapphia I would repay." Then lowering her voice, the woman told us where the escaped one had been urged to conceal herself from those who might pursue her.

"We will make the attempt, then," Denviers answered, and a minute after we were beyond the stone door. Following the Egyptian woman, who acted as our guide, we passed further down the corridor than was the place of our confinement, until we reached another way intersecting at right angles. Up the latter we cautiously advanced, then again we turned.

"This last is the corridor of which I spoke," our guide whispered: "for your lives, make not the slightest sound as you proceed; watch carefully at the end until again I appear." Without further delay she left us, passing back by the way we came.

"I wonder how the dervishes are armed?" Denviers muttered to me. "These weapons of ours will be poor things with which to ward off a sword-stroke."

"We must take our chance," I whispered in reply, feeling convinced that his words were only too true. Slowly and carefully we passed down the corridor, moving close to the stone wall in the shadow which fell upon one side of the passage. Nearer and nearer we got to the entrance, until at last we crouched together where we could see the three dervishes of whom the Egyptian woman had spoken. We noticed that they were close to the portcullis; one of them, indeed, was idly leaning his back against it, standing in such a position that he could see clearly anything that appeared in the part of the shaft he faced.

Three fierce-looking fellows the dervishes were, each armed with a heavy-handled dagger, the blade of which was very wide near the haft, but narrowed to a long, keen end, the weapons being considerably larger than those the woman had given us. It was evident that we could only act on the defensive, for, as the dervishes stood there, we knew it would be quite useless to make an attempt to escape. As we watched them and caught part of their conversation, which was carried on in Arabic, the one who leant against the portcullis suddenly stood upright and pointed down the passage. Instantly the others turned about, and one of them exclaimed:—

"See! The queen of Abbah's harem approaches!"

"A strange hour for her to wander here," replied the one who stood to his right.

"She has too much freedom," retorted he who had first seen her, as we heard footsteps slowly drawing near; "she was Abbah's first bride, or—" The rest of the remark did not reach us, for when the woman approached the three dervishes promptly salaamed. From the slit in her veil the Egyptian glanced at them in apparent anger.

"Fools!" she cried; "to think that Abbah, my lord and yours, should trust aught to your keeping!" The dervishes were considerably astonished, wondering what was laid to their charge. "But a few hours ago Abbah's latest bride escaped, and none of you know how that came about; now, alas! worse has happened—"

"Worse?" interrogated one of the dervishes. "What can be even as unfortunate?"

"Aye, worse," the Egyptian woman went on. "Disturbed by the events of the day, I could not rest, and so entered the chief apartment where Abbah keeps vigil. He lay still upon the marble at the base of one of the great images. Thinking that he slept, I passed away. A strange fancy came upon me to visit the place into which the prisoners had been thrust, they whom ye say planned and carried out Sapphia's escape. The door stood open— the prisoners were gone!"

"Escaped?" the dervishes cried together, as they snatched their weapons from their sides.

"Escaped even while you three have pretended to keep watch. Does Abbah sleep, think you, or have the Franks slain him, and are they still hiding there after what they have done ? Go, find and slay them!"

"They cannot have left the pyramid, for the portcullis has never been raised since they entered here," replied the dervish who leant against it. "If Abbah live, as I pray Allah and the Prophet he may, he shall find one who has kept his post."

"The great dervish, Abbah, our lord, is at the mercy of these false Franks!" cried one of the others; "while you keep guard we will follow the queen of the harem and search for them."

"I dare not witness the slaying of men," the woman answered. "Go, seek them out, and give no alarm until you have them in your power; I will await here your return."

Down the gloomy passage the two dervishes disappeared. When the sound of their footsteps had died away, Denviers caught my arm and whispered:—

"Come on, I will keep the dervish at bay while you find the spring of the portcullis."

We ran out from our place of concealment upon the dervish, who was conversing with the Egyptian woman, whose scheme we then easily understood. In a moment the man thrust her aside and confronted us boldly, while the woman covered her eyes with the end of her veil as if in great terror at our unexpected appearance.

Denviers aimed a blow at the dervish with his dagger, but catching it on his own weapon the man made a return lunge, which my companion warded off with considerable difficulty. Quickly I caught sight of the projection, and, pressing upon it, caused the heavy portcullis to be slowly raised. Just as I did so, a cry from Denviers's lips struck upon my ears, but before I could take warning from it, I was seized from behind and flung upon the paved floor. Looking up, I saw who my assailant was— the chief dervish himself! For a minute I was completely startled, then seizing the weapon in my belt I snatched it out and aimed an upward blow at my unexpected assailant. He caught my wrist and endeavoured to wrench away the weapon, raising loud cries for assistance. Close over me he bent ; I flung my disengaged arm about him and tried to drag him down, convinced that a few seconds would decide my fate— for I heard the dervishes returning at their chief's cry for succour. I got him beneath me, when suddenly I was pulled away. Denviers having separated us; for his own enemy lay prone almost at my feet.

"Look ! Run ! Run for your life!" he cried, as the dervishes were closing upon us, and one of them pressed the projection of the portcullis. We shook ourselves free from them, and with a dash got beyond the descending heavy bars of stone, which even grazed Denyiers's head as both passed safely beneath it.

Down fell the portcullis as we ran headlong, making for the entry, urged on by the fanatical cries of the dervishes, who quickly raised the obstruction and pursued us. We passed down the narrow path and ran on in the gloom until we reached the avenue of sphinxes. In the hollow formed by two huge extended paws we crouched, while our pursuers still ran on— to fail in their search and to return disappointed. As soon as we dared, we set out to where our tent was pitched, and arrived there, contrary to our expectation, without being pursued again, and having with us Sapphia, whom we accidentally discovered in a retreat in which the queen of the harem had advised her to hide.

Hassan and Khedi came across the sandy waste to meet us. We explained what had happened, whereupon the Egyptian, with many protestations of gratitude, bore off his bride to Erment.

"Well, Hassan," said Denviers to our Arab guide, as we threw ourselves down to rest in the tent, "you do not seem much disturbed at the fact that you had no part in our adventure, although usually you express great disappointment."

"The sahib's slave has no cause for regret," Hassan answered. "The Englishmen have escaped with their lives, while the Great Prophet has chosen to reward also the dust of their august feet, so that all is well." As he spoke the Arab drew from his sash a curiously-worked Egyptian purse apparently well filled. Our grave guide had used the opportunity of our absence to extract for his own personal benefit a liberal backsheesh from the Egyptian. "Khedi deserved to have his bride restored, sahibs," he added, "and their slave has enough gold to buy himself a camel with!"

Without waiting for our views on the subject, Hassan found it convenient to have some business with Kass, our chief Wadigo follower, who had then arrived, and hurried away accordingly.

***

5: The Lost Fetish of Walai

Strand Magazine, Nov 1895

"THE natives of Bornou evidently expect something disastrous will happen to us," I remarked to Denviers as we sat round the watch-fire one still night, a few months after our last adventure as recorded with the Dervishes. "Yet, so far, nothing unusual has occurred."

"It is strange how superstitious all these African tribes are," he answered, reflectively; "the natives who dwell round here have only to enter this tract of land to obtain everything they require ; the country is well wooded and game is plentiful enough— yet for some unaccountable reason they prefer to live on its borders in a state of semi-starvation. The whole matter is a complete riddle to me."

"The sahibs should not have ventured here; the natives are wise to avoid the place," interposed our Arab guide, as he glanced at us reprovingly from across the blazing embers.

"Of course you have found it all out, no doubt, Hassan," retorted Denviers, "and now you are eager to give us some explanation as fanciful as most of your yarns are. Well, what do the natives say concerning the place?"

The Arab shrugged his shoulders, then replied, shortly: " The sahib is incredulous— his slave wishes, therefore, to say nothing further."

I glanced at Hassan in surprise. "You don't surely mean to lose an opportunity of telling a story," I commented. "Never mind what has been said by Denviers ; let me, at all events, hear what the natives say."

"Knowing what is said about this tract of land, I tried to persuade the Englishmen from coming here, but in vain," Hassan answered. "For a week the camp has been made here that the sahibs' rifles may slay everything they see. Perhaps, when the pile of skins is sufficiently high the expedition will be resumed. Why should the dust of the sahibs' feet trouble them with what is declared to be an idle tale even before it is heard?"

"To-morrow we cross the sandy waste, yonder," said Kass, our chief Wadigo. "Tell the story, then, to-night, unless you fear to do so because of the part an Arab trader is said to have played in it."

It was no uncommon circumstance for Kass and Hassan to have a serious difference on some trivial matter, for the Arab usually treated our native followers with scant ceremony, while they, in turn, were naturally disposed to consider our grave guide as one of the oppressors of their race. To prevent any further discussion between them Denviers commanded Kass to be silent, and then, ignoring Hassan's protests, curtly bade the latter to commence his narrative. Complying with an air of reluctance, which was far from being real, the Arab began:—

"When Walai, the Kaffir, found the great, glittering fetish stone, the wet diggings of the south were only just becoming known, sahibs. He was the Kaffir boy, or servant, of two Boers who outspanned down by Spruit Drift. By some means he chanced to hear, long before the Boers did, of the treasures which were to be had for the seeking. Keeping the secret to himself, the Kaffir watched his opportunity, and one favourable night crept stealthily down to the water's edge. The only tool he had with which to dig was a knife, wide of haft and blade. Clearing away a portion of the soft soil above with his hands, the Kaffir worked steadily for several hours at his self-imposed task. Not that night, nor on the next, was his toil rewarded ; pebbles of almost every hue he found— the dull grey one he sought after he could not find. Then came a time when no moon shone ; and Walai, as several dark nights succeeded each other, wrapped himself in his kaross and dreamt of success. When again the moonlight flooded the veldt the Kaffir crawled out from the Boers' shanty, making once more for the spot he had chosen to test. Now, sahibs, hear what befell him.

"Knee-deep in the swiftly flowing river Walai stood, a blanket about his loins, his great form flung in a giant shadow upon the stretch of shore over which he bent as he worked. From the excavated spot the Kaffir drew forth a double handful of stones, and washed them in the running waters as carefully as he could. Then Walai stood erect, holding the pebbles so that the moonlight fell clear and full upon them. Sharp and discerning was the glance from the Kaffir's eyes as he looked the pebbles over. Tourmalines he saw, whose prisms, wet and glittering, shivered the moon's rays, lighting them up and flashing them back in hues brilliant and matchless; garnets indescribable were there; great yellow chrysolites and agates such as Africa alone produces, sahibs. One by one Walai dropped the pebbles into the stream again ; one by one till all were cast away, save a single common-looking stone, over which his fingers closed tightly as he held it there— for the Kaffir had found a great uncut diamond ! Forgetting everything but his good fortune, Walai gave forth a wild cry that reached far across the veldt. Checking himself he glanced fearfully round, thinking that in the moment of success he had betrayed his secret. Nothing was stirring, save the willows overhanging the river's brink, through which the night breeze sighed as it swept from across the great patches of grey and tawny veldt, rippled the river, and then was gone.

"The sahibs would think much of the diamond because of its value— to Walai, the Kaffir, from whom no one could buy such a treasure, it was more than a mere pebble; it was a fetish which would turn everything he attempted in his favour. No one could harm him ; nothing could cross his path, not even the shapeless forms which every Kaffir thinks he sees at times in the gloomy kloofs— such power indeed was claimed for the mysterious, protecting fetish— and Walai doubted nothing! Day after day he spent all his available hours in roughly polishing the gem with a hard stone, such as those of his tribe have long used for the purpose. Then, one afternoon, something happened all unexpected.

"The two Boers, sahibs, suspecting something was amiss with their Kaffir boy, had watched him closely, but discovered nothing until, by chance, Walai was hurriedly bidden to saddle their steeds. The gem was in the Kaffir's hand, and, without venturing to thrust it in a clump of acacia beneath which it usually lay concealed, he quickly did the Boer's bidding. The first of them had mounted, and the Kaffir was holding the mane of the other's horse when the latter reared violently, and by some means the fetish was jerked from Walai's remaining hand upon the veldt. Forgetting everything but his loss, Walai snatched up the glittering gem— to find the unmounted Boer facing him with hand outstretched for the treasure. " 'Hand over whatever it is you have stolen,' the latter said shortly.

" 'The fetish is Walai's, he found it beside the river,' protested the Kaffir.

" 'So!' cried the Boer, who knew of the Kaffir superstition: ' You have a diamond there! Let me see it.'

"Walai attempted to resist, but the Boer caught the wrist of the closed hand and raised his riding-whip:—

" 'Come!' he exclaimed, impatiently; 'the diamond ! You are our Kaffir boy; whatever you have found is ours.'

"Walai's hand tightened over his treasure as the Boer, vexed at the Kaffir's obstinacy, brought down the heavy riding-whip upon the delinquent's naked shoulders. Quickly Walai shook the Boer off, caught the whip with his disengaged hand, and dealt the astonished Boer a heavy blow with the butt. Before the second Boer could interfere, the Kaffir deftly swung himself into the empty saddle, headed the horse for the fronting veldt, and dashed off, the mounted Boer in full pursuit. On, on the Kaffir urged his steed as he heard the thud of the following horse's hoofs close behind. Mile after mile the flight and chase were continued, till the grey veldt gave way to a dreary waste of red sand, relieved at times by patches of prickly acacia. Without lessening his horse's pace, the Kaffir managed to glance backward at his pursuer, and saw that the distance between them was if anything decreased. He answered the Boer's hoarse shout to stop with a sharp cry of defiance, and, securing his diamond in a fold of his kaross, clasped the horse's neck with both arms and urged the foam-bespattered beast onward. Again a shout rose from the Boer's lips, and Walai, raising his head slightly, saw where the veldt before him was cleft by the river. Would the Boer give up the chase? the Kaffir wondered, as he saw the danger which fronted him. He knew not; but, without checking his horse's speed, rode straight for the river.

"Turbid and swollen the great river ran, its channel full after the heavy rains, although the veldt seemed scorched on either side. Little bank was there; the water swirled and eddied against the foaming flanks of the Kaffir's horse as it quivered, plunged in, and made for the opposite bank. For a minute the Boer reined in his own steed on the brink to rest it, then resolutely followed the Kaffir. The current caught up riders and horses like straws, toyed with them, whirled them down mid-stream, till a great bend was reached; there the waters flung them on the bank they wished to reach, the Boer less than ten yards behind the pursued Walai. Not even then did the Kaffir give way, but still urged on his almost exhausted mount, the Boer's threats ringing idly in his ears. Away before them was a kloof; if Walai's steed could leap it the Kaffir knew pursuit would fail. He made for it over the intervening veldt.

"The sides of the kloof were almost perpendicular; far beneath scattered boulders of rock lay, half hidden by ragged herbage; on either sheer wall of stone nothing grew, not even a dwarfed bush of heath. Walai knew to the full the risk he ran, and that he would not be the first who had tried the leap and failed. After him, still resolutely pursuing, the Boer came as the Kaffir rode his beast at the kloof. The animal quivered with fear as it rose in the air above the yawning abyss— a second after both rider and steed were on the opposite side. For a few yards Walai's horse staggered on, then sank lifeless on the veldt. The Kaffir extricated himself from the fallen animal, and returned to the edge of the kloof. Opposite stood the Boer, dismounted, and rifle in hand. He covered the Kaffir instantly, but the weapon missed fire, for it was damp. Flinging the rifle down the kloof, the Boer mounted again and rode away— then wheeled round and urged his horse wildly forward. He, too, meant to leap the kloof. Walai sank down upon the veldt, then as he saw the horse bound forward he sprang up with a great cry, the weirdness and suddenness of which startled rider and steed. The horse's forelegs missed the rock beyond by the breadth of a hand ; Walai caught one brief glimpse of the Boer's horrified face, then ran from the spot as he heard the dull thud that came from below — the pursuit was over, and the Kaffir's fetish was safe."

"But about the Arab trader, Hassan," Denviers interposed;" Kass mentioned one— what had he to do with Walai's fetish ? "

"Patience, sahib, and you shall hear. Walai pushed on for several hours, then made his way into a cave, where he rested. Afterwards he rose and struck across the veldt once more, wandering on for several days, till at last he entered the land where those of his tribe dwelt. To the kraal of the chief he went, showed the fetish, and, declaring that he had returned to live among his people, demanded one of the chiefs daughters in marriage. The chief offered to exchange his daughter for the fetish, since Walai was unable to pay the number of head of cattle required, but the Kaffir refused. Once before he had made the request and been denied— whence he had hired himself to the Boers, who, however, managed to evade paying what they promised to Walai in return for his service's. The Kaffir, relying on the protection of the fetish, determined to have his way.

"One night, when the chief was away hunting with most of the braves of the kraal, the two lovers stole away from the rest of the tribe and struck into the wooded land beyond, where for days they hid, while the chief's head-men hunted for them in vain. When the search was over the two made a canoe of bark and passed down the river, hiding by day and continuing their journey by night, until an uninhabited territory was reached, where they dwelt undiscovered for a space of four years. All that time, by snares and his spear, Walai found food for the companion of his solitude. Then came a great year of drought, and the Kaffir was forced to follow far northward the birds and animals which furnished sustenance. Unhappily for Walai, he was injured in attacking some wild beast, so that for weeks he lay unable to move. Then it was that the Arab trader heard of him. A party in search of ivory was crossing that part of the continent when one of their number saw a native woman carrying a child. Pursuing her as she fled from him, the Arab trader, who had fitted out the expedition, saw the woman disappear behind some brush-wood. With two of his companions, whom he hastily summoned to his assistance, the Arab broke through the intervening brush-wood, and found facing him a cleft in the rising ground. Passing through this they entered a great cave, to find Walai lying helpless and the woman standing before him, the Kaffir's spear held threateningly in her hand. Finding no harm was intended, the spear was lowered, and the Arab, by much questioning, learnt the story of the fetish and the Kaffir's wanderings. Much as the Arab wished to see the diamond he restrained his impatience, and by the advice of one of his companions, hit upon a way in which to get possession of the gem."

Hassan stopped speaking, whereupon Denviers, who wished to hear the conclusion of our guide's story, remarked: —

"We sha'n't think any the worse of you because of what some Arab trader did, Hassan; you need not hesitate to tell us the rest."

"The sahib is lenient, the dust of his feet hastens to obey," Hassan replied. "Hear, then, what happened to Walai. The Arab explained how unwise it was for the Kaffirs to dwell as they did in a territory which was annually scoured for slaves. He offered them an opportunity to join his expedition, to which they eventually agreed. Soon Walai recovered and proved himself of great service to the Arab, so that he became much thought of by the natives who had been engaged in the prolonged expedition. Many times did Walai tell the story of the discovery of the fetish and his escape. from the Boers ; once he showed the great, glittering stone to those about him, the Arab looking on astonished at the size and beauty of the gem. Next day he importuned Walai to barter the fetish for some cattle, with several tusks of ivory added, but the Kaffir would not. Where the diamond was concealed, usually, no one knew; certain it was that Walai had it not upon his person, as the trader found out when too late. Somehow the Kaffir suspected he was to be deprived of the fetish, and once more he and the woman prepared for flight. Their plan was discovered, and the Arab, glad of an excuse to get the diamond, ordered the Kaffir to be seized and brought before him. Great of limb and stout of heart was Walai, a Kaffir, sahibs, who had the courage of a white man. With his heavy spear he fought those who overtook the fugitives before they had passed an arrow's flight from the camp. The Arab, waiting for the Kaffir to be brought back, saw only the woman and child— for Walai lay speared where the subservient natives had surrounded him. Not alone he fell, four others lay about him slain before the Kaffir's spear shivered on the shield of a fifth. Upon him the fetish could not be found; they searched the woman, but without success; then, by the Arab's order, she was left behind when the journey was continued, and for all the trader knew, Walai's fetish was lost."

"What, then, became of it, Hassan?" I asked. "Had the Kaffirs concealed it in the ground?"

"Not so," he replied, " the woman possessed it, as you shall hear. Now, sahibs, comes the strangest part of the story."

ii

"LEFT TO DIE in that great lone land, the Kaffir woman wandered aimlessly about trying to track out a path, and returning quite unintentionally to the same place time after time. At length she grew weary of making what was plainly a useless attempt, and, staying near the spot where Walai had been slain, she managed to live, it seems, for several months. One day she narrowly escaped being seen by a party of slavers, who encamped where the Arab had done. For two days the woman hid, but at last was forced to leave her place of concealment to search for food. From her luxuriant hair she first drew forth the diamond and fastened it about the neck of the child. Carefully as the Kaffir woman moved she was discovered, however, seized, and added to the gang of slaves already captured. Of the child she spoke not, nor saw it again ; to enslave it with herself she never once thought of doing.

"The natives say, sahibs, that at night the child woke, and, having gone out of the cave where the woman had hidden her offspring, wandered into the forest. There she saw two tawny whelps playing together in the moonlight. No fear the child knew of ought that lived ; quickly she ran forward and caught the nearer one, which seemed to her only a great playful thing, as it toyed with her in turn with its soft velvety paws as the child's arms clasped it about. Together all three sported until the silence of the night was broken by the roar of a lioness, at whose cry the whelps ceased to play as they ran towards her— the child, unconscious of danger, following. The great beast glared at the new-comer as it clasped one of the whelps once more and again played with it, then, disconcerted, slowly went up the glade, striking down the matted tangle of undergrowth, and leaving a trail, along which the child and the whelps went together."

"So you really think, Hassan," began Denviers, at the conclusion of a prolonged, incredulous whistle—

"The sahibs wished to hear what the natives declare concerning the place where we now are, and their slave is telling them," the Arab replied; then continuing, he added: "Nothing more was heard of the lost child or the fetish until a few years ago, when one of the natives chanced to come here hunting, even as the Englishmen are now doing. An intrepid hunter was he, to whom danger was pastime, death a thing to scorn: great was his spear and straight his cast of it ; second only to the chief of his tribe was he held as a brave. As I said, sahibs," Hassan went on, "the native came here to hunt. All one day he had followed the spoor of an elephant, whose tusks he coveted, but had not come upon. Towards afternoon his quick ears caught the sound of branches snapping somewhere ahead of him; then, suddenly, the animal he was tracking emerged into the open. Behind a tree the uttered native stood, backward he drew his spear, native then with a whirr it was cast forward quickly with all his force. The weapon caught the moving elephant full in the chest, whereupon, with a scream of pain, the animal charged blindly down the glade, then turning aside dashed into cover, the native closely pursuing. Suddenly the wounded beast gave vent to a second cry, and the man saw to his surprise that it had apparently trodden upon a lioness, which had fastened its claws and teeth in its fleshy neck. The elephant tried every expedient to shake its opponent off, which it at last succeeded in doing. Avoiding the infuriated animal's trunk and its varied attempts to kneel upon the lioness, the latter slipped agilely aside, then quickly renewed the attack. At last the greater beast appeared to acknowledge its defeat, for, getting free from its foe, it dashed away once more. The native, who expected an easy task now that the elephant was wounded and almost exhausted, cautiously followed. Not far had he gone when, turning round as he heard a crash in the dead-wood, he saw that the lioness was pursuing him, and stranger than all, from near where he stood irresolute, there emerged a woman whom the lioness made no attempt to touch.

"Down to the woman's waist fell her dishevelled hair, framing features dark and striking, but quite unlike the women of the native's tribe; supported from her left shoulder there hung about her a garb of antelope skins; in her right hand she carried a short spear, while before his astonished eyes their gleamed a wondrous stone hanging about the woman's dusky throat. A cry of surprise came from his lips as she pointed her spear at him. Even as the sound was the lioness sprang forward, and the needed all his skill as he slipped aside. Little more did he tell to those of his tribe on his return of the grim combat in which that day he had engaged— the rends and rips which scarred his limbs told silently the rest of the man's story as he sank down, nor spoke again; when another day came the man was dead. Long the chief discussed the strange account the tribe had heard from him who would speak no more; then the determination they arrived at was to scour the whole district and destroy all the beasts of prey there; the woman they decided to hunt down, so as to get from her the strange fetish stone of which their tribesman had spoken. Accordingly, they set out, but in spite of the most careful search, nothing was speared or snared of importance, although the tracks of the beasts of prey in search of which they went, were everywhere discernible. One of the natives, however, declared that he had caught sight of the woman, and despairing of overtaking her, he had hurled a spear at her, which missed its mark.

"After several days had been spent in their useless task, the natives returned discomfited to their tribe, thinking that the adventure was at an end. This was not so, sahibs, for, as often happens in the native settlements, the inclosure of the village one night was found broken in several places, and many of the cattle had disappeared. Men of the tribe were set to watch during the next night while the rest slept. At dawn the alarmed cries of men were heard, and those who ventured forth to see what had occurred, found the watchers beating off, as best they could, several lions which had entered the inclosure.

"Low burned the watch-fires, for, in the east, the dawn was stealing up grey and chill; shrouded in mist the forest was, the giant trees upon its borders looming hazily out of the enwrapping cerements which left them dripping and sparkling as the sun lifted itself above ; the horizon. The shouts of the natives, and the din which they raised as ! they beat their spears upon their shields, drove the beasts away, and as the braves pursued them to the edge of the forest and into it, they saw the woman darting from tree to tree — even her of whom the native who was mortally wounded had spoken. Time after time they could have brought her down with the cast of a spear, but the chief wished it not, but rather that she should be captured unharmed. Quickly their plan was formed, and spreading out first in a long line they ran on until, gradually drawing in towards each other those at the extremities of the line, a rough circle was formed, within which the woman was.

Running at tremendous speed, her hair floating in a mass behind her, with spear outstretched, the woman dashed at the nearest native, and, as he moment hesitating to oppose spear to spear, she darted by, the tribesmen following hard behind her. Through the forest they went, nor caught her up until they saw her disappear in the cleft of a rock which rose up before their eyes. Heeding nothing of possible danger, the natives followed, save two who chanced to be injured in that mad chase through the forest. When they came to the rock they searched for the cleft through which the woman and their companions had appeared to go, but found it not! From that day all those who had joined in the pursuit were lost to the rest of the tribe save these two alone. Returning, the men told their story, a fear coming upon those who were still left in the native village as they heard it. When night came again they raised huge fires of brushwood, which the women kept replenished as fast as the flames grew low, while the men, with their shields and spears held ready, stood in groups anxiously scanning the marge of the forest. All that night, and during many others, they watched, but nothing transpired. Never again was the village attacked as it had been that once; stranger than all else, neither the chief nor the braves who went with him ever returned. Many are the rumours current among the tribe as to what became of those who followed the woman about whose neck the fetish of Walai is. Mostly, the natives declare that those so strangely lost have become submissive to the one they pursued. It is even considered that under her guidance they invaded the land of another tribe, carrying back many slaves, from among whom they chose wives, and, making the rest do all the labour necessary, they pass their time in hunting and in learning to use the shield and spear more deftly than those of the tribe from which they were separated."

"How do the natives account for the knowledge they pretend to have of the doings of this strange tribe?"Denviers asked Hassan.

The Arab, who had a reply ready whenever the veracity of one of his yarns was questioned, replied, gravely:—

"Does the sahib suppose that none of the braves who were left of the original tribe had the curiosity or the courage to seek for some further information of the lost ones? If he thinks so, then is he in error, for various young chiefs, anxious to distinguish themselves among their tribesmen, have set out to discover, if possible, the entry through the rock such as is said to exist. Such of those who have gone on the quest by day have returned without discovering anything, but not so those who seek the place at night, for then the natives declare the way lies open. More than one chief has ventured to pass through it, and has told to the tribe the result of his search, disappointing enough, sahibs, and yet proving much, for on advancing a little way each has been driven back by the spear. Long has the present chief of the tribe, from whom the story has been learnt, endeavoured to rouse his braves to force a way into the land and abodes of the strange tribe, but in vain. The natives believe it is fated that they should not enter against the will of the one who rules by means of Walai's lost fetish, and in that the sahib's slave is in accord with them, for do not all those who are the faithful followers of the Great Prophet believe in fate, and are not the Arabs even wiser than such African tribes ? This is the reason why I have besought the sahibs not to stay here lest they, too, might see the wearer of the fetish, and, following her, become captives of her tribe, or even be slain. Since the hour when, against my wish, the Englishmen have encamped here, the latchet of their shoes has been in dread that some evil will surely befall them. To-morrow, ye say, we are to advance on our way; Hassan, their slave, will then indeed be glad."

"Do you happen to know where the rock is in which you say is the cleft that exists at times?" Denviers asked the Arab, ignoring the reference which the latter had made to his belief in fate, or Kismet, as he termed it.

"Why, sahib?" Hassan responded, answering one question with another.

"Because we should like to see it, that's all," Denviers returned, as he idly tossed a half-charred ember into the watch-fire. "So as to learn what became of the lost men of the tribe."

"You would never return alive; surely it would be madness to venture there," the Arab replied, as he raised his hands in expostulation.

"That remains to be seen. Where is the rock, Hassan?"

"Not one of the natives will show the way; Kass will not, and even I dare not."

"Then we will go alone— that shall not prevent us," my companion persisted. "You can await us here; all we require is the position of the place."

"I would not lead the sahibs into such danger by showing them, or even by speaking of the way."

"Very well, Hassan," Denviers responded. "I daresay Kass can direct us," and addressing himself to the Wadigo, he repeated the question. Kass rose from the place where he had been resting before the watch-fire, and gathering a little heap of soil, he flattened it down, after which he traced out upon it, after the manner of his tribe, a rough plan of the forest about us. We stooped over him as his spear-head marked out the direction necessary for us to take, then, when we considered his explanation sufficient for the discovery of the rock, we determined to await the morning before setting out to investigate the truth of what Hassan had learnt from the natives.

Little by little the hum of the voices of those talking over the watch-fires grew fainter and fainter; glancing at Denviers I saw he was asleep, and wrapping myself in one of the rugs which Hassan brought me from the tent, I followed his example. We were destined, however, to have a strange awakening.

iii

SOMEONE shook me roughly by the arm, and, glancing up sleepily, I saw the Arab bending over me, a look of fear marked plainly enough upon his usually immobile countenance.

"Wake, sahib, wake!" he cried, and, before I could recollect myself sufficiently to ask the reason why I had been disturbed, I felt the cold barrel of my rifle touch my hand, as Hassan exclaimed:—

"Look, we are attacked, and the natives have fled!"

I started from the ground and ran forward a few yards, where I saw, to my consternation, Kass the Wadigo lying motionless, face downwards, and with his arms flung wide apart. Over him crouched a lioness, the moonlight, which was breaking through a wide sweep of clouds, showing up the glare of the beast's eyes as Denviers knelt scarcely a dozen feet away, with his rifle levelled at the brute. For a moment I stood almost spellbound ; then, as the light of the moon was obscured, I heard the sharp ping of a bullet, followed by a roar which mingled with a cry from Denviers's lips. Forgetting all else but the danger of the two men, I hastily covered the intervening space, where I stumbled suddenly over the body of Denviers in the shifting light, and correctly surmised that he had missed his aim and been struck down by the infuriated beast. No sound came from his lips as I bent over him, wondering vaguely for the moment what had become of the lioness. Hassan was almost immediately at my side, and finding that Denviers was giving some signs of returning consciousness, I endeavoured to make out where the animal was which had struck him down.

Glancing behind where the watch-fire was still burning, I saw the lioness stealthily making its way past the spot, and with a cry to Hassan to see to Denviers and Kass, I dashed after the brute, determined to end its career. With a few easy bounds it vanished into the forest, where I pursued it. As the clouds drifted eastward I caught a glimpse of the lioness again, but did not think it advisable to try a shot in the uncertain light. After it I went, until, in the excitement of what had occurred, I found that I had got considerably away from the camp. Feeling tolerably sure that the natives who had been so easily scared away would return and assist Hassan with the injured men, I determined to go on, watching carefully for a chance to fire at the beast. Conscious that it was being followed, the lioness stopped more than once, then continued its retreat, until at last it came to a stand in a glade, where it was well exposed. Dropping down behind the trunk of a tree, which had been uprooted apparently in a storm, I rested my barrel upon it, and taking steady aim, fired. Careful as I thought I had been, the shot missed the lioness, which instantly bounded towards me. One leap it took, and then a second. Before me, in mid -air, the animal rose, and, with a final effort to bring it down, I emptied the contents of the second barrel into the brute's body as it loomed close before me. Down with a thud it fell ; for a moment it made one desperate effort to rise, then lay still. I advanced, and having noticed carefully the place where the animal lay, returned to my companion. Denviers was less injured than Kass, and even insisted on going with me to the spot where the cause of our night alarm lay dead; Hassan having tightly swathed a linen band about a rather bad gash in my companion's forehead. We had nearly reached the spot when a low cry broke upon our ears, and, as we glanced towards where it seemed to have come from, we saw, bending over the dead lioness, a native woman!

Denviers whispered to me to stand still, and together we watched the woman before us. Again we heard her cry, plaintive and scarcely human as it seemed to us, then slowly she rose and left the spot as we cautiously followed her. A few yards away she stopped and glanced back irresolutely at the body of the lioness. As she turned about, her quick ear caught the sound of the dead-wood snapping beneath our feet, and, before we could hide from her view, our presence was discovered!

Away the woman sped down the open glade, and, as the recollection of what the natives declared concerning her dawned upon me, I cried out to Denviers:—

"Come on, it almost seems as if Hassan's story were true!"

"We shall see," he answered, and without further attempts to converse we resolutely pursued the woman until we saw that we had reached the edge of the forest, and then, sheer and unscalable, there rose up before us a great wall of rock, towards which the one we were following ran at headlong speed. Clinging with her hands to tufts of verdure growing in the crevices of the rock, she drew herself up and disappeared in a cleft above us, which we could just discern. We slung our rifles upon our shoulders, and, after repeated failure to reach the spot we were making for, eventually succeeded. Behind a straggling, stunted tree, which had taken root there, we saw a gap, less than three feet high, through which we crawled for some distance, then entered what was apparently a great hollow in the rock. We could see nothing as we groped with our hands, striving to make out the shape of the cave in which we supposed we were. After lacerating our hands badly we got back to the part where the entrance of the cave was, and there we determined to await daylight. We sat talking together, for we were too excited to sleep, and as the darkness about us was at last dispelled, we saw how narrowly we had escaped death in entering that strange place.

Some dry material we found, arid this we succeeded in firing. As the tongues of flame rose up we saw that we were within a cave of considerable proportions, the roof and sides a mass of glittering stalactites. The forms which the latter had assumed were as varied as they were grotesque— to us it seemed as if only the hand of a sculptor could have fashioned the shapes we saw about us on every side. Great pillars rose, a mass of delicate tracery, till they touched the lofty roof. Arch upon arch, along the sides, we saw filled with the grotesque, unfinished forms of gigantic men and beasts. Across the central part there hung down what seemed to be a transparent curtain, its folds broken as though rent and decayed with age. Beyond it we passed, holding up some improvised torches, and saw before us the most curious shape of all which the stalactites had formed. With distorted limbs twisted about each other, two mighty figures of men seemed engaged in a struggle for life or death upon the edge of the rocky floor, for behind them the latter broke sheer away, leaving a great void. Glancing down we saw something more, and, stretching ourselves flat upon the rock, we peered over.

"If we had pursued the woman much further who led us here, that, too, would have been our fate," Denviers said to me as he pointed downward. "Fortunately, we waited till daylight reached the part of the cave we are in and helped us to find the material for the fire we have made."

"I can make nothing out below," I replied, straining my eyes to the utmost. My companion rose, and together we walked along the edge of the rock until we chanced to find a narrow ledge which led downward. Along this we went, using the utmost care, for sometimes it was scarcely a foot in width, and we had to press our bodies close to the wall of rock to steady ourselves. Without accident, however, we reached the spot we were making for, and there I saw, clearly enough, the reason of Denviers' remark. Into the cave, through which we had passed, she who wore the lost fetish of Walai had lured the natives who had determined to despoil her of it. Across the rough floor they had hurried on and on, till suddenly, without any suspicion of what fate awaited them, they had reached the edge of the chasm, and, unable to check their speed in time, they had fallen headlong into the abyss.

There lay the remains of the lost braves in every conceivable position, some still clutching their shields, not a few grasping in a skeleton hand the fragment of a broken spear! Over them we curiously bent, and, searching idly among the forms we saw, we recognised by the abundance of his tarnished adornments he who had been the chief Hassan described, the fanciful conclusion of the Arab's story being strangely marred by the grim reality which confronted us.

"Nothing but ill-luck seems to follow those who have attempted to get possession of the fetish," I remarked, as we entered into conversation again. My companion did not answer, for even as I spoke, from out the darkness which wrapped about the far part of the great hollow in which we were, a spear was deftly flung, which narrowly missed his head as it whizzed past.

"Look out, Harold!" he cried. "I'm afraid we haven't seen the end of this adventure." Scarcely were the words uttered when a second spear was cast at us, and, determined to get at nearer quarters with whoever was attacking us, we dashed forward into the gloom, and as we did so, out before us sprang the woman into whose strange haunt we had come. We tried to stop her, but evading our grasp she ran past us, reached the bottom of the narrow path down which we had passed, and quickly ran on, making for the upper part of the cave. Try as we did we could not come up with the barefooted, fleeing woman, who easily out-distanced us. We saw her stop at last, glancing back at us, half fearful and half curious, as we continued the pursuit. A minute after she disappeared. Following quickly down the long, rocky way, we found ourselves at last beside the waters of an arm of a lake which, studded with wooded islands, stretched placidly in front of us. Yet once more we were doomed to disappointment, for when we reached the shelving bank the woman was already upon the lake, thrusting forward a little boat made of bark, with a speed which showed practised hands. She raised an answering, mocking cry to that which rose from our lips when we found further pursuit was impossible, and then, as for a moment she ceased to urge her craft along, we saw, as the sun's rays caught it, flashing white against her dusky skin, the glittering fetish of Walai!

"Well," I said to Denviers, when we had reluctantly retraced our footsteps, and, after passing through the cave, had climbed down the rock which fronted the forest, "if that really is a diamond which the savage woman has about her throat, it seems a great pity such a gem should be lost to civilization."

"I am not so sure about that," he replied, "but here comes .Hassan, whose anxiety concerning us has brought him here. We can contradict him on one point at all events, which is, as to the end of the natives whom this strange woman is. reputed to still rule."

"Allah and Mahomet have preserved the sahibs," our grave guide remarked, after salaaming in his usual obsequious manner: "Did the Englishmen find the rock in which is the hidden cleft?"

Denviers answered in the affirmative, and stated that we had, moreover, seen the woman, whereupon the Arab quickly responded:—

"So the natives' story is true! Even the sahibs attest to it, although at first they were incredulous. Doubtless they succeeded in getting possession of the wonderful fetish ; shall their slave take care of it for them?"

Denviers looked into the Arab's face with an amused smile as he saw the latter holding out his hand expectantly for the fetish.

"Walai's treasure is still lost," he replied; "or, rather, the native woman has it still."

"For the sahibs not to secure the gem, even if it were necessary to slay the woman to get it, seems strange to their slave— what is a life, more or less, that Englishmen should hesitate?" Then convinced that to argue thematterfurtherwas futile, he added, philosophically: "Yet Allah's will is Allah's will, and the sahibs' slave is theirs always!"

All the same, however, our guide did not cease for several days to lament the lost diamond ; but, eventually, he consoled himself by weaving a fanciful story of the future history of the gem, stranger than the one we knew concerning it.

***

6:  The Great Dial of the Gold-Finders

The Strand Magazine, Dec 1895

"THE camel has an abundance of good qualities, sahib," said our guide, Hassan, as he gravely watched the efforts of the animal which Denviers rode, as it laudably endeavoured to fling the latter to the ground.

"No doubt it has, Hassan," Denviers responded, when he had got the better of the vicious animal; "probably its natural modesty makes it keep them so carefully hidden. However, our long journey across this vast waste of sand is almost over; the first dealer we meet shall have these camels at his own price. Surely, unless I am mistaken, yonder is rising land at last!"

He pointed to the north as he spoke, and glancing in that direction Hassan and I saw that Denviers was right.

For several weeks we had been crossing the Sahara, during which time we had endured privations considerably beyond what we had expected. As we advanced towards where Denviers indicated, the white pall of mist which had shrouded the land slowly dispelled, and soon after we had the satisfaction of making a brief halt under the shade of a grove of palms. When we were preparing to mount our camels in order to cross the strip of intervening sand, Hassan, who, meanwhile, had been in close conversation with Kass and several others of our Wadigo followers, approached us and salaamed profoundly— as was his custom when he wished to communicate anything to us.

"Well, Hassan," Denviers asked, "what is the difficulty now? Have you had another quarrel with Kass? You both seemed pretty excited just now."

"Will the sahib look carefully at the spur of the mountain chain which is before us, and then tell the unworthy latchet of his shoes what it is like?"

"A great, shapeless, tawny mass of rock," my companion answered. "That is all I make it out to be. What is there peculiar about it?"

"What does the other sahib say concerning it?" our Arab guide questioned me.

"Pretty much the same; to me it appears like a great twisted cinder— "

"While in reality its outline bears a wonderful resemblance to a gigantic horse and rider," the Arab interposed.

"Very likely," said Denviers; "but its shape makes no difference to us."

"The Wadigos have begged me to ask the sahibs to avoid the tribe whose dwellings are by the foot of the mountain range. They declare that otherwise great danger will confront us all."

"That may be," Denviers answered, as he mounted his camel, and I followed his example. "You can tell us what they have to say as we go on."

Hassan hastened to where Kass stood, and giving the command for the journey to be resumed, left the reluctant Wadigos and quickly followed us, mounted on his own camel.

"The sahibs can see the shape of the rock more clearly now," the Arab began, as he rode between us. "With the yellow, shifting sand at our camels' feet, and the cloudless sky forming the background, the horse and rider seem wonderfully real at this distance; when we are closer to it, the rocky mass towering before us will then lose its distinctness of outline. Would it not be wise for the sahibs to avoid the place?— the Wadigos tell a strange story of it, indeed."

"Whether they choose to follow us or not matters very little now," Denviers remarked. "Once we get into the land beyond the mountain range we shall be able to dispense with their services. From there we will go on, after rewarding them and sending them back under Kass's command. I, for one, shall not be sorry to part with them, although they have been of great service in carrying our supplies. What have the Wadigos to say concerning this strange, twisted mass of rock looming ahead?"

"The sahibs shall hear," the Arab returned. At that moment Hassan's camel began to be troublesome. Expressing the desire that jackals might sit on the tomb of the brute's grandmother— a peculiar expression which had little effect upon the restive animal— our guide at once began to narrate what he had heard under the palm trees.

THE AFRICAN TRIBE dwelling at the foot of the mountain range fronting us has a curious name, which was gained in a strange way, sahibs. They who live there are called the Gold-Finders in the native tongue— why, you shall hear. On the other side of the range once dwelt a tribe with which all the Arab traders had dealings. Somewhere in the territory which this tribe inhabited was a dry river-bed, and from it great quantities of gold-dust, and nuggets, even, were obtained. So great was the tribe's wealth in the precious metal, that the chief of the natives dwelling on this side of the mountain determined to tax all caravans passing onward to barter their merchandise for gold. The Arabs concerned in the traffic paid the tax and continued their expeditions. High up the mountain range lies a great pass, leading from the territory of the one tribe to that of the other.

The chief, finding that the Arabs passed through his territory as numerously as before, made inquiries as to the strength of the fortunate possessors of the gold. The Arabs represented that the men with whom they bartered were as many as the sands of the Sahara; that they were trained for battle daily by their chief; moreover, they dwelt in a mountain fastness where no other tribe, without their consent, could pass. The chief thought over all these sayings, but the sight of the gold which he exacted by way of tax made him eager to get possession of the land whence the Arabs enriched themselves.

Soon the coveted opportunity came, and in this manner. Among the members of an Arab's caravan was a Portuguese exile, whom the Wadigos say was named Busaca. This Portuguese, sahibs, had led a wandering life for many years, and had only joined the expedition to see if the knowledge thus gained could be used to his own betterment. Taking advantage of the friendliness of the tribe with which the caravan was trading, he stole out from the encampment by night and explored the country about. To the chiefs warriors who tried to stop him he declared that such permission had been granted to him. His search, however, was unsuccessful until, by means of a bribe, he obtained the information he sought. The result was different from what he had expected. The tribe had exhausted the supply of gold from the dry river-bed, but the chief had stored in a great cave a vast quantity of the metal, and it was from this supply that the gold used for barter was obtained. Busaca, who apparently disbelieved the tribesman's story, begged to be shown the cave. It was a dangerous request, but his bribe was accepted and he was led to the place. Next day the caravan set out on the homeward journey to Tripoli, whence it had started.

On entering the territory of the rival chief, when the pass had been traversed, the Portuguese asked the Arab trader as a favour to allow him personally to pay the tax, a request which was granted. Accordingly, Busaca entered the chiefs presence, and prostrating himself before the latter, who sat on a tawdry carpet, with his spearmen about him, the Portuguese placed the tax at the native chiefs feet. When the gold was counted, for the tribe it came from were accustomed to weld it into bars, the amount was found to be considerably beyond that agreed. Pleased at this, the chief adopted a friendly air towards Busaca, who, feeling his way cautiously, eventually asked for an audience alone. What passed between the chief and the Portuguese none know, but the result of the private conversation was soon apparent. Busaca sought out the Arab trader and informed him that the chief desired him to leave the caravan and to become the head of the native warriors. The Arab, who was secretly pleased to get rid of Busaca, whom he mistrusted, granted with apparent reluctance the wish of the Portuguese. Accordingly, when the caravan again set out, Busaca was left with the chief to whom he had engaged himself, and for whom he is said to have constructed some strange mechanical contrivances.

For a year or more the Portuguese trained and drilled the chief's warriors, arming them with muskets instead of shield and spear, the weapons being supplied by a trader in Tripoli, to whom Busaca sent from time to time for the necessary muskets. The training of the natives was carried out with the utmost caution, so that whenever traders passed through the tribe's territory they saw the men apparently still armed with their shields and spears. The Arabs were right in saying that the enemy to be attacked were numerous, for Busaca himself computed them as being far more than those of the chief engaging him— whence he had hit upon the plan of making the latter's warriors more serviceable.

When all was ready, a message was sent to the chief in whose territory the gold was stored, peremptorily ordering him to give it up. Relying on the number of his warriors, the chief had the messenger beaten and sent him back with a broken spear, indicating that his strength was superior to that of the chief making the demand. At this, Busaca, leaving a sufficient force behind, set out with the pick of the warriors under his charge, and within three days had reached the territory of the tribe he intended to fall upon.

The great village to be attacked stood on rising ground beyond where the pass narrowed, sahibs. The Portuguese, knowing the difficulties of the place, made the last forced march by night, and succeeded in placing the main body of his warriors in a position where they could not be observed. At daybreak a few of his men, purposely armed with shields and spears, marched openly towards the narrow part of the pass. The native mountaineers, who had been expecting the attack, poured down in a black swarm upon the enemy, who instantly broke and fled, while the others hotly pursued them in disorder.

Then, out from behind the rocky masses Busaca's men dashed, raising their wild war-cry as they swept upward and onward, withering their enemies with a storm of bullets from their muskets. Taken by surprise, the others wavered, then, giving up the pursuit in which they had engaged, they turned about, and Busaca's warriors were hemmed in— for every rocky ledge and foot-hold seerried to spring into life before the Portuguese could take the entry, which he tried desperately to win. Down upon Busaca and his men the natives' spears rattled in a shower that seemed to them to darken the air; retreat for them was cut off, and knowing this they fought their way on inch by inch— and at mid-day the musket-armed natives had won!

The defeated chief was dragged from his hut and promptly slain; all the treasure was taken from the cave, and yet Busaca's greed was not assuaged. He made no attempt to slay the women, such as is frequently done in tribal wars, but he ordered them to remove the numerous bracelets and anklets of gold which they wore, and to gather these together in a great heap; and they, in fear for their lives, obeyed. Busaca, musket in hand, stood looking on as the women came forward in turn, threw down their ornaments, worked in many a strange device, then filed onward until all had complied with the terms which the Portuguese offered in return for sparing their lives.

Resting his men there until morning came again, Busaca set out then with his warriors laden with the vast store of gold which they had obtained. Anxious to see the end of his expedition, the Portuguese hurried his men back until at last, owing to their exhausted state, he allowed them to enter a great cave to pass the night. Busaca himself was so eager to speak of his success to the chief who had dispatched him at the head of the expedition that, leaving a native in command, and seeing that a guard was posted to watch through the night, he set out alone to convey the good news. The chief received him in barbaric state, while the rest of the tribesmen eagerly watched for the arrival of the richly-laden warriors whose return Busaca assured them- would follow in a few hours after his own arrival. Meanwhile the chief apportioned to the Portuguese a fitting share of the gold, and gave orders for the distribution of some part of the rest, keeping the bulk for himself— but his plans were premature.

All that day and far into the night the warriors were awaited in vain; Busaca and the chief held a long conversation regarding the delay, but the Portuguese could say nothing further than what he had already declared. At daybreak the chief dispatched several of his runners to discover what had become of the victorious tribesmen; a day after they returned, but unaccompanied. The chief heard their story, then summoned the Portuguese into his presence. Busaca saw at once that the natives had brought back bad news, but was still more astonished when the chief began to question him about the cave, in which, as I have told you, sahibs, the warriors lay down to rest.

'You say that the men possessed themselves of the gold,' asked the chief, 'and that the warriors of the hostile tribe were all destroyed; how, then, can the words of my messengers be true?'

Busaca bowed low before his questioner.

'Until I know what they say, how am I to explain? Let one of the runners tell me what he has discovered.'

The chief motioned to one of the messengers, who, after prostrating himself, rose to his full height and stretched forth a spear.

' See!' he cried. 'I brought this from the cave; it was taken from the dead hand of a brave, even that of Karukana, whom the white traitor declared to thee was among the living after the fight for the mountain pass.'

'Karukana was alive when I set out from the cave to bring word of the victory,' the Portuguese stoutly insisted. 'It was he who kept guard with two others at the entrance to the cave.'

'You say all the braves were slain on the enemy's side?' interrogated the chief.

'Not one was left living,' Busaca answered. 'I obeyed only too well your command to annihilate them!'

'And the women?' questioned the chief further.

'You have never yet enslaved such,' the Portuguese answered; 'so both these of this tribe and the surrounding ones say. Knowing that, I took the gold which they possessed, and left them to mourn those men we slew.'

'Hear what the messenger shall say, then answer whether, by your own cunning scheme or that of these women, my braves were destroyed,' the chief retorted. The runner who held the spear went on:—

'At thy command, O Chief, we set out. Neither to right nor left we turned; straight as the snake strikes its victim we kept the way. In a line we ran, the scorching sun beating in white floods of heat upon our uncovered heads. Beneath our naked feet the tangled, tawny scrub scarce bent, so quickly did we pass. Then at last we saw the spot which Busaca, the Portuguese, has spoken of, and of which we already knew. Quick as the changing wind we turned and ran to the entrance of the cave. Before it was a great heap of wood ash: there a fire had been raised, the smoke from which had rolled into the cave. Fearfully we entered the orifice, knowing how often such a simple device had cast endless sleep upon those too tired to beat out the fire, whose stifling fumes wrapped them about. Half a spear's cast within stood Karukana; heavily he leant upon his spear-shaft, the head of which was deep in the black soil beneath. His name we called— we spoke of his great deeds; no answer he gave. We lit a torch and held it before him; closed were his eyes. Karukana, Chief, was dead! Through all the many windings of that great cave we passed— in groups; alone; half upright some, prostrate others, their heads resting upon the ground— so we saw thy victorious warriors, as Busaca has called them. Not one living; nay, more, not one grain of the gold which they were said to be carrying back was there— despoiled and slain were the warriors. Such we saw; then faster than we went did we return. Let Busaca answer, and say what he knows of this.'

'The women of the tribe did this deed,' Busaca answered; 'let what warriors still remain alive here be sent into their territory: if they find not out the truth of what I say, let me be slain. Shackle me till they return.'

The Portuguese held out his hands towards the chief. Hardly had Busaca spoken when a great din rose without. The chief, carrying a curious, long-handled axe which was his fighting weapon, left his hut, his remaining warriors gathering about him as they heard from one end of the great village to the other their war-cry raised by the women and children. Busaca, the Portuguese, joined in the fray, leading on, beside the chief, the tribesmen. So well, however, had the surprise been planned, that the invaders won, for, though they were but women, as the attacked ones saw to their astonishment, their numbers were exceeding great and the chief's warriors but few. Sahibs, when the moon rose that night it shone upon a strange scene.

In the centre of a great throng of women, each carrying a shield and spear, stood one who had led them to battle. Her plan it was which had led to the slaying of the warriors in the cave and the recovery of the gold; she led them to the attack when the chief's power was overthrown. At her feet the Portuguese begged for his life and that of the few tribes-men who stood there, prisoners, fast bound. She granted the boon, but the men were made abject slaves. Sahibs, the Gold-Finders are a strange tribe to-day; over them one of their own tribeswomen rules; a great army has she of her own sex; trained to fight with shield and spear, yet no mere barbaric tribe is that of which I speak. Rich is this strange Queen in slaves bought from the Arabs, with whom traffic is still carried on. From their dress, their customs, their houses, built by skilful hands, none would suppose that less than a score of years ago the tribe to which they belonged dwelt in thatched huts and were but a barbaric race.

Now learn why our Wadigos do not wish the Englishmen to visit the beautiful city built about what the Arabs call Twisted Rock. Against our camp-followers the Queen would do nothing, nor would harm come upon your Arab slave, for of my race they say she speaks well. Busaca, after being pardoned, raised a revolt among the male slaves; many of the latter were slain, but the Portuguese was allowed to live a prisoner, immured for years, even to now. A great hatred has the Queen for white men. She distrusts them, for the Arab traders have told her one day they will take her land and city. The Wadigos have been faithful to the sahibs; Kass especially would wish them to visit the great countries beyond, as they have planned; when our camp-followers return to their far-off tribe, they wish to say that the Englishmen are living. Go into yonder city, and it will be the sahibs' last adventure, not even the Great Prophet will be able to protect them at their slave's request.

"ALL THE SAME, Hassan," said Denviers; " we mean to go on. How much of your yarn do you think is true?".

"Every word," the Arab answered, quickly. "The story is true because it is so."

Denviers uttered a few words expressive of his disbelief in the story; then we went on for some minutes in silence.

"See!" cried Hassan, who had turned away, discomfited at Denviers's incredulous words. "Yonder is wooded land, and if I am a true believer, surely I see the glitter of many spears."

"We will soon test that, Hassan," responded Denviers. He ordered the Wadigo to halt; then together we three advanced on our camels to where the Arab had pointed— a rash movement on our part, as we soon discovered.

ii

MAKING OUR WAY onward, we passed beneath a grove of olive trees; about us on every side rose the great tree trunks, like pillars supporting a dull green roof of foliage above, through which the sun shone at times. For a minute nothing broke the silence— all was as still as the great silent waste of sand over which we had passed.

"You were mistaken that time, Hassan," Denviers began, as we glanced cautiously about. "There seems to be nothing living, save ourselves and our camels, within sight."

"Hist!" the Arab whispered. "The sahib's ears are dull; from yonder the sound comes again. See! a spear glitters behind the great trunk there!"

We dismounted from our camels and, grasping our rifles, advanced. From all points we seemed to be instantly surrounded; warrior after warrior suddenly rose before our eyes from their lurking - places in the brushwood. Clad in garments of a crimson hue, which were richly embroidered yet did not hang sufficiently low to impede their movements, we saw at a glance that the warriors, at all events, bore out Hassan's account— for they were women! Each carried a shield of antelope skin, together with a heavy spear, the blade of which seemed to be of gold, so much did each glitter when the sun's rays chanced to fall upon it.

Denviers, acting as our spokesman, addressed one of the women in Arabic, but no answer was given. Our camels were promptly led off in the opposite direction to the one by which we entered the grove, while at once we were conducted into a great open space. There we found hundreds of the warriors gathered about two others, the latter being mounted on horseback. One of the women had, fastened to her wrist by a jess, a hooded falcon, while upon a black horse to the right of her own steed we saw the bodies of several antelopes. The woman before whom we were thrust, rather than led, and who we discovered was the Queen of the Gold-Finders— as the strange tribe was known— was more like a Circassian than one of the dark-looking tribe gathered about her.

Hassan, in obedience to Denviers's hurried request, bent low before the Queen, and then endeavoured to explain the object of the journey we had begun. He ended his short narrative by asking hospitality for ourselves and the Wadigos accompanying us. The Queen listened impatiently to the Arab's words, then raising her right hand she thrust back from her forehead a wealth of dark hair as she replied in Arabic:—

"For you who are an Arab there is safety; for the Wadigos a welcome; for these," she pointed at us scornfully as she turned an angry glance upon our faces: "for these, I say, there is neither safety nor welcome. Seize them!" the Queen cried. Hassan promptly drew his sword and attempted to defend us, calling on Allah and Mahomet to help him to be faithful to us. Seeing that matters were becoming serious, we reluctantly began to defend ourselves from our strange assailants, but, though we struggled desperately to shake them off, our efforts were useless. Hassan was separated from us and led away towards where we had entered the grove of olive trees; Denviers and myself were securely bound and about to be dragged off somewhere in obedience to a gesture from the Queen, when suddenly the grove resounded with the Wadigo war-cry, and Kass came rapidly bounding towards us, our followers close behind. We could do nothing to stop the scene of carnage which ensued. Our Wadigos, outnumbered altogether, tried time after time to break through the fierce cordon of the Queen's warriors which kept us prisoners; but the spears which the women carried were in skilled hands, and we saw Kass fall from the thrust of the weapon of one of our captors. He was badly wounded, although not fatally, as we afterwards discovered, but the Wadigos, being unaccustomed to such foes, and seeing the great numbers of them, turned and broke through those who had gathered in their rear, leaving us prisoners, and, as we rightly conjectured, to pay the penalty of our followers' rash attack upon the Gold-Finders.

"We are in a difficulty this time, Frank," I said to Denviers, in English, in order that my words might not be understood by those who held us prisoners.

"It was entirely our own fault to separate as we did from the Wadigos," he answered. "I should like to know what has become of Hassan, though— at first he was to be spared our fate, but after this I expect he will suffer with us."

Several of the women approached just then to where Kass lay, and placing the unconscious Wadigo upon two overlapping shields, some spears were passed beneath the latter, and having raised them, by grasping the butt and blade of the weapons, six of the women bore the Wadigo away. Then the Queen, gathering her warriors about her once more, had us placed before her, where, although we were bound, two women held each of us.

"Do the Gold- Finders make war upon the surrounding tribes or live with them in peace?" the Queen asked her women, imperiously.

"War upon those who seek war, peace with the rest," burst from the warriors' lips. "Why were so many of the men of our tribe slain?" she went on.

"For gold, and by a white man's treachery they fell," answered all.

"This then have we sworn," the Queen continued : "for every man of our tribe that fell we will have a life; the attacking tribe we blotted out, but not sufficient were they in numbers. The white man who led them on and planned our destruction still lives; when we have slain enough like him— within one— to make up the number, then shall he too die; the last shall he be, and so our vengeance be complete. These men have brought war where peace was, their followers have slain many of our tribe: what shall be theirs but death?"

"Let them die; die with the gold about them which shall never be theirs," the tribe answered.

Denviers made another attempt to explain matters to the Queen, for we expected each moment to be speared by the infuriated throng.

"I will not listen," she cried. "Go! or my warriors shall goad you on with their bloodstained spears."

"You shall hear me!" Denviers cried, striving his utmost to free himself. The Queen touched the reins of her steed and rode forward, while the warriors raised a great war song, which made it quite useless for my companion to speak further, as we were unceremoniously hurried along until we saw the great twisted rock frowning before us. We found that the entry to the city was by a steep winding path, by which we were conducted until we passed under a great, jagged arch of stone, beyond which we were allowed to see little, for, turning sharply to the left, our captors halted on what seemed to us to be a platform of rock. Directly afterwards something was passed under my arms, suspended by which I was lowered through a gap in the stonework until, after oscillating violently, I at last reached a hard pavement below, where I waited glancing upwards as Denviers was let down in turn. Our arms had been unbound, and staggering to our feet we removed the plaited ropes of grass from beneath our shoulders, after which we glanced about us, surprised at the strangeness of the place in which we were prisoners.

The light which came from the orifice high above us enabled us to observe that the floor and sides of the oblong apartment were constructed of a greyish stone, through which ran veinings of green, every block fitting closely to the others and being polished to a high degree of perfection. Almost the whole length of one side of the apartment was covered with, an inscription— and this was not completed. By the belt of inscription, which was perhaps five feet in width, we saw a stooping figure, and Denviers, advancing towards him, touched the man, whose face was turned from us. He turned about and glanced at us, but answered nothing, merely pointing at the inscription upon which he had been labouring. His garments hung in threads upon him, his hair and beard were perfectly white, hanging down unkempt to his waist. He shook off Denviers's hand angrily, as my companion laid it upon his shoulder, then, ignoring our presence, eagerly resumed his labour. We watched him at his strange task, wondering how many years he had been engaged upon it, for the captive worked with painful minuteness, notwithstanding the primitive nature of the tool he held.

Weary at length with our endeavour to get our strange fellow -captive to enter into conversation, we moved towards the lower part of the apartment, where Hassan's story seemed to be still more confirmed. Piled in one great heap, we saw the Gold-Finders' treasure, the vast quantity of the precious metal astonishing us. We carried several nuggets to where the light fell directly from the orifice above; among them was one shaped to represent a human head, which seemed remarkably realistic, as Denviers held the nugget up.

"Made, I daresay, by the Portuguese," commented my companion, " before he hit upon carving that interminable inscription, to while away the months and years of his imprisonment, most likely."

"That may or may not be," I answered, impatiently. "Can we find no way out of this place? Perhaps there is some mode of egress besides the orifice above, through which the Gold-Finders lowered us. That we cannot possibly reach; all the treasure before us, if piled up beneath it, would not reach half-way."

"It looks to me remarkably as if we are to be securely shut tip here till death releases us," he answered. "We might sound the walls, however." Acting upon this suggestion, we proceeded to carry it out, but the result was entirely disappointing. At the end of the stone apartment, beyond the heap of gold, we discovered some more evidence of the Portuguese prisoner's skill, as we correctly thought. Chief among these we saw the towering form of a female figure, bearing a striking resemblance, however accidental it may have been, to the great statue of Lutchmi, the wife of Vishnu. The figure was wrought entirely of gold, and its flowing robe, there represented, was a mass of minute tracery, quite unlike the work of any African tribe we had met. To a height of twelve feet or more it rose, while in its outstretched hands was grasped the handle of a mighty axe all made of the same polished metal. The blade of the axe was extremely wide, and appeared to be constructed of polished stone, similar to that used for the walls of the apartment. From the gold figures which were inlaid in the wall, and which projected slightly, we judged that the whole was intended to represent a dial, for the numbers ran in a curve, the highest being twelve and the lowest one, being so placed that the blade of the axe would cover them in moving from its position just above the topmost number.

"If there is any other way of entering or leaving this place beyond the hole above," Denviers remarked, as we stood closely examining this grotesque piece of work, "it is my opinion it lies behind that dial." He pointed to the figures upon the wall as I replied:—

"Probably there is some spring, if that is so; but how are we to discover it?"

We discussed the various pieces of mechanism which we had seen in our wanderings among different races of men, but could think of no solution to the difficulty before us. We ran our hands over the hard surface, but, with the exception of the projecting numbers, nothing impeded their progress. The idea occurred to us to try pressing these latter, but they appeared to be immovable.

Two hours or more we spent in our fruitless task; then the hopelessness of escape began to dawn upon us. We made our way to where the Portuguese was still employed upon his monotonous labour and, dragging him by main force before the curious dial, we pointed and gesticulated at it hoping to get the secret from him — if it contained one. The man covered up his face with his hands as if to hide the figure from his view, then as we stood apart watching him, he ran quickly back and, with feverish anxiety, continued his work upon the unfinished inscription.

"What we are to do now I cannot imagine," I said, gloomily, to Denviers; "our natives have probably fled across the Sahara— such of them, at least, who were not slain by those fanatical women. Kass is probably dead, while Hassan is beyond doubt a close prisoner. Help from without we cannot get, while no efforts of our own are likely to release us from here. How this Portuguese has existed so long in this place I cannot imagine; the air seems stifling."

We made our way once more towards where the orifice was above, and then flung ourselves down upon the stone flooring.

The night came, but in our position sleep was impossible. When the light of morning came stealing into the apartment we had lost all hope of escape. Suddenly, above us, something seemed to cut off the rays of light, and glancing quickly upwards, we saw the face of a woman turned upon us, while she thrust down her hand and arm. As she did so, something fell at our feet, whereupon the woman quickly disappeared. Denviers seized the object only just in time, for the Portuguese, who was probably accustomed to receive his miserable supplies of food in this way, darted forward and tried to intercept my companion's hand. I kept him off as Denviers raised a fragment of wood, upon which, in charcoal, was scrawled a message from Hassan, as the first word of it plainly indicated. It ran briefly as follows:—

"Sahibs, the Wadigos have retreated. Kass and I have been thrust out of the city and cannot return. Seek the stairs beyond the dial. The two secret numbers make together seven."

We hastened to where the great dial was, and examined the numbers upon it carefully which were below seven. Fortunately they were at the part of the curve stretching down towards where we stood. From the six to the one there was no indication of any of the numbers being movable. We grasped each a wedge of gold heaped upon the floor, and Denviers struck with all his force upon the lower numbers, but none of them moved.

"The solution is before us, it is evident," my companion said, as he stopped to rest for a minute; " Hassan's words are plain enough. You will notice that the six, together with the lowest figure— the one— make up the number mentioned by the Arab. Let us each strike one."

We aimed our blows together. The numbers instantly yielded, then down swung the ponderous axe, its keen edge sweeping through a wide course a few inches from the dial,

"Get back!" cried Denviers, as we both barely avoided the deadly stroke. Up swept the huge axe into its original position, but the dial itself yielded in no place.

"Do you think someone has given Hassan the combination of numbers for the purpose of causing us to slay ourselves?" I questioned my companion, as we faced the dial once more.

"Can't say," he answered. "You have, of course, noticed that the two next inner numbers make seven, as do also the inmost pair. We must try again: perhaps we may yet succeed."

Each again aimed a blow, and a second time the axe swung quickly down— but the dial still remained apparently as solid as ever.

"Let us try the other numbers— it is our last chance of escape," I said.

We struck the four and the three together.

"The dial moves!" I cried, excitedly, for the great, armed figure and the dial swung forward as if on one hinge ! Through the opening we darted just as the strange piece of mechanism clashed to behind us. We heard a strange cry as we ran up a wide, stone stairway which we came upon. Turning round we saw that the Portuguese had escaped with us. After dashing past us, Busaca ran madly on ahead.

Up the stairway we stumbled until its jagged roof was past, and we stood upon a path which ran precipitately down to the great plain below. Only one warrior of the Queen did we encounter, for it was still early morning, and she, on seeing the Portuguese, haggard and unkempt, dashing along, made no attempt to bar our progress. Reaching the foot of the path, we hurried across the sandy waste for some considerable distance. Finding ourselves unpursued, we stopped at last to rest, afterwards searching for the remnant of our expedition, and at last we heard the cry of welcome which came from the Wadigos' lips as we came upon them towards afternoon.

Kass and Hassan explained, round our camp fire that night, when we were far away from the city of the Gold-Finders, how they had been thrust from the city.

"The natives say that the Portuguese made the strange dial of which I learnt the secret," Hassan observed, as he concluded his narrative. "Nay, more. Long after Busaca was thrust down there, and before he relapsed into the sullen silence which the sahibs observed, the native whom I bribed declared that the one mad cry of the Portuguese, which for months he repeated, was the one word Forgotten! He who made the dial remembered not its secret."

***

7: The Brigand of Kairouin the Holy

Strand Magazine, Jan 1896

NIGHT, with heavy, velvety clouds blotting out the stars, held sway over Kairouin, Kairouin the mysterious, Kairouin the sacred city of Mohammedan Africa. For five days we had wandered, practically unmolested, through the city girded with its white, crenelated walls. True, we were constantly spat upon, called dogs and Roumis, and once the Moorish gamins had playfully pelted us with stones; but these were matters of small moment, for they had their recompense.

Under the city wall, that night, we were reclining on esparto mats, drinking coffee, and listening to the unmusical strains of a Moorish guitar, played by a minstrel who was at once the dirtiest man and the most popular story-teller of Kairouin.

Our presence at the open-air cafe, which was lit up by lanterns hung upon the city wall, was only tolerated because of a rumour which Hassan had sedulously put into circulation. It was, in effect, that we were travelling through Africa in search of a plant said to be a specific for blindness. As ophthalmia is so distressingly common among those who frequent Kairouin, the "Roumi doctors" were allowed to rest at a little distance from the group of true believers gathered round the story-teller.

"Tell us a story, O wise one," said a Bedouin, whose bronzed face was badly pitted with small-pox marks and whose picturesque attire was travel-stained.

"Does the slave sing whose throat is dry and whose pitcher a camel has kicked?" the story-teller asked. The Bedouin took the hint, and ordered the Moorish servant to bring a draught of legmi, the sap of the date-palm.

"May your story not grow stale," said a Cadi, or magistrate, whose eyes impatiently watched the story-teller as the latter sipped his beverage with the air of a Pasha.

"Don't be hurried by a Cadi who trims his beard and verdict by the size of the plaintiffs harem," interposed a Moor. The Cadi glanced at the speaker angrily. The Moor had a handsome face of Jewish cast, black eyebrows, carefully pointed beard, and eyes that flashed as one of the lanterns flung its beams across the man's face. He wore a crimson turban, yellow haik, brown djubba and saffron slippers, and was evidently a man of wealth. When the Cadi glanced at him he smiled scornfully, and returned a stare that made the Cadi shift uncomfortably on his mat.

"Sainted one," said the Cadi to the story-teller: "Son of the Prophet, thy slaves wait thy mellow words of wisdom."

The story-teller, whose grizzled beard, dirty turban and baracan or robe, and the beads in his hand, showed that he aspired to be a saint as well, was moved by the Cadi's epithets. He finished his legmi, and stroked his beard thoughtfully as if for inspiration.

"They are strange spiders that weave golden webs of imagination in thy brain," said the Moor, approvingly; "but tell us something true, to-night, instead." He bent forward towards the story-teller, and indicated us by a gesture. "These Roumi doctors, Christian dogs, can't you tell us something about such— what about the Kairouin brigand? The Cadi here may never have heard all the story. He might like, when he has heard it, to go out single-handed and bring the fellow to justice. A fine sight it would be to see the Kairouin brigand kneeling in the square while that blunderer, Raschad, the executioner, hacked at his neck! Five times he struck at a thief yesterday before the fellow's waggish head rolled on the stone flagging. Tell the Cadi the story— by my beard, the rascal shall hear it if I have to bind and gag him with my turban the while!"

Everyone stared at the Moor. To beard the Cadi like that!

"The Christian dog and infidel!" cried the Cadi, ignoring the Moor's personal remarks. "By all means tell us the story— I have only heard it in fragments. One hack or twenty, what does it matter so long as the head is struck off? Besides, the crowd likes an execution to be interesting. If ever this brigand fall into my hands, I promise a stirring sight."

"What will you do, Cadi?" asked the Moor, derisively.

"Tell Raschad, the executioner, to shut his eyes each time he strikes with the double-handed sword," calmly returned the Cadi.

"If he were a true believer, I could wish him better luck," said the Bedouin; "but this brigand is a Christian— Allah blacken his face at the Day of Judgment!"

The story-teller took a coin which the Moor held out to him. He struck a note on his guitar as if to get the sing-song pitch of his voice which he favoured, and then began his story—

"In the harem of Alipha Pasha, know, O true believers, were born two children, a son, the child of a Moorish Princess, and a daughter, the child of a Circassian slave. The son had his father's spirit, and beat every slave that roused his childish ire; Fatima, the daughter, had her father's courage, her mother's beauty, her own gentle disposition, and was six years younger than her half-brother.

"One day, Alipha Pasha, who was in want of slaves, bade a dealer bring such wares as he had into the courtyard of his harem. The Pasha made no purchases: the slaves were not to his liking. This woman was ungainly, that one was too short, another showed all her teeth when she laughed. As to the eunuchs, they were too sleek to do aught but loll in the shade and consume the Pasha's tobacco.

" 'Bring me a slave more to my liking, fellow, by sunset to-morrow, or thy head shall part company with thy shoulders!' cried the Pasha.

"The trader took the hint. When he came before the Pasha, next day, he brought three maidens, with eyes like the houris of Paradise, necks like swans, and taper fingers, henna tipped. With them the trader brought a boy, of the age of the Pasha's son, a white-faced child, son of some Christian dogs, from whom the child had been stolen in the byways of fair Tangier. The Pasha bought them all; the girls for his harem, and the boy for his son to beat as an amusement."

"Good!" said the Cadi; "what are infidels but beasts to be beaten?" The rest of the little knot of listeners wagged approval with their beards.

"Fatima, the Pasha's daughter, child of a slave woman, mark you, O true believers and inheritors of Paradise, dared one day to interfere when her free brother was beating this infidel spawn, so he beat her as well while the Pasha looked on approvingly, for Fatima's mother was in Alipha Pasha's black books for having smiled at someone in the streets of Kairouin."

"A sack and the sea for a woman who acts so. Women's smiles must never stray from their own lords," observed the Cadi, as if uttering judgment on a prisoner.

"The Christian dog, who was twenty in years and forty in ingratitude to the good Pasha, wrenched the whip from the son's hand, and struck the illustrious Alipha Pasha himself a blow that left a livid mark upon his smitten face. The Pasha clapped his hands for help, and his eunuchs ran quickly into the courtyard. They held the Christian dog and beat him by turns till he fainted. Then the Pasha sent for the Cadi."

"I came at once," said the Cadi; "for know, O good and true followers of Allah and Mahomet His Prophet, when the Pasha could not manage the ungovernable Christian beast, he sent for me!" The Cadi drew himself up a couple of inches higher on his heels, as he proudly glanced at the Moor to see what the latter then thought of his importance.

"The rest of the story I know," continued the Cadi; "it was the early part of it of which I was ignorant, for I asked the Pasha no questions."

"The Cadi sentenced the Christian dog to death," continued the story-teller, for the information of the others; "but that night he escaped from the prison into which he was flung."

"The Cadi was as stupid as a blind camel to let the rat get out of the trap that was shut upon it," said the Moor.

"Fatima was at the bottom of it all," said the discomfited Cadi; "I sentenced her to death, afterwards, but the Pasha refused to allow it, and fined me the price of three slaves for letting the dog of an infidel escape."

"After his escape," continued the story-teller, "the slave took refuge in the hills, and, gathering a band of lawless followers, plundered every traveller who went his way. One night the bandits got into this very city of Kairouin, someone having treacherously admitted them by the Skinners' Gate. Next morning every bazaar of note was found to have been looted. The Pasha and his son were found slain in the harem courtyard among a heap of dead on both sides ; none of the women were molested save Fatima— the bandits carried her off to the Ousselat Hills, to become the infidel's willing bride !

"The Sultan's troops have since swept down upon the outlaws and decimated them, but the Christian dog still lives; he, with Fatima and the remnants of his band, still lurks somewhere in their mountain fastness. Who meets them may slay them— would to Allah someone would!"

"Cadi," said the Moor, when the story-teller had ceased, "there is a chance for you to become illustrious— all you have to do is to catch the brigand of Kairouin."

"If once the way be found into the mountain fastness, I will go after the brigand, and surely he shall die," averred the Cadi, stoutly.

"The Christian dog has a rather unpleasant way of hanging his would-be benefactors," laughed the Moor, drily.

"By the Koran I care not. Let me but find a guide and I will go— and take the infidel single-handed," boasted the Cadi.

"Cadi," said the Moor, quietly, "you have sworn by the Koran: you dare not break your word and so lose your eternal happiness with the houris of Paradise. To-morrow, when the sun rises, I will meet you at the gate of the city. I have discovered the way to this outlawed dog's hiding-place— I will show it to you."

"The brigand's doom is sealed, then," answered the Cadi; "I will take enough men with me to root out the entire nest of rascals."

"Stay, Cadi," replied the Moor; "you threatened to take the brigand single-handed. If you draw back from your boast, the story-teller here will tell through the whole city of Kairouin that its illustrious Cadi is a still more illustrious liar."

The Cadi was beaten at the game of brag. He was silent a few minutes, then answered—

"The Cadi's word is his bond— I will meet you at daybreak to-morrow at the gate; the brigand's head shall roll from his shoulders within a week."

"Or the Cadi's neck be dislocated," said the Moor.

"Wait till I meet the brigand," said the Cadi, with a determined air.

"Wait till the brigand meets you," laughed the Moor, as he rose and went away, walking slowly and thoughtfully into the night.

ii

KAIROUIN was filled with an excited throng. Every street and crooked alley, every bazaar and open space, had its crowd of gossiping Moors, talking and gesticulating wildly. As we walked towards one of these groups, curious to discover what had happened, a cry of "Infidels! Infidels!" was raised. The gamins began stone-throwing in real earnest, while six or seven picturesque but fanatic Moors gathered round us and pressed upon us in a way that boded no good. A religious mendicant howled imprecations on our heads, whose utterances the crowd took up. Two or three dangerous-looking knives were drawn, and there was every prospect of our becoming the victims of a foreign mob, when Hassan caught each of us by an arm and dragged us within the shop of a friendly Moor. Passing through his little bazaar, we escaped into the next byway, and thence to where we were staying, without further molestation.

"What has happened? What was it all about?" Denviers questioned Hassan.

"The brigand is an infidel, and the sahibs are—" Hassan was too courteous to finish the sentence.

"The brigand!" exclaimed Denviers. "Has anything been heard of the Cadi, who went five days ago to take him single-handed?"

Hassan looked grave. "Sahib," he answered, "the brigand has captured the Cadi, and has sent a messenger into the city to demand a heavy ransom. Unless it is received in six days, the brigand declares he will hang the Cadi. The man who brought the message has asked that the ransom be carried back by someone from the city under his guidance. No one will undertake the task, and so the Cadi must be hanged."

"You say the brigand is an Englishman," I remarked, thoughtfully.

"The sahib perhaps is convinced of that, since he has met the brigand," replied Hassan.

"Met him, Hassan?"

"The Moor who promised to show the Cadi the way to the brigand's retreat was none other than the brigand himself in disguise!" answered Hassan, to our astonishment.

"Then I will take the Cadi's ransom to him," I said, for, somehow, the Moor's amusing air had quite attracted me to him.

"I will go instead," insisted Denviers.

"The latchet of the sahibs' shoes is ready to take the Cadi's ransom, if they will permit him," said Hassan.

"I think one of us would fare better with the brigand than a Moslem would," I answered, "and as I first suggested going, I mean to keep to my intention."

Denviers demurred for some time, but, at last, Hassan was dispatched to the house of a wealthy Kairouini, who agreed to advance the Cadi's ransom.

Next morning I met the brigand's messenger, the Kairouini handed me the required ransom, Denviers and Hassan bade me an anxious farewell, and I started for the Ousselat Hills, mounted, as was also the messenger, on a camel.

Far in the distance rose the purple heights of the towering Ousselats; between us and the hills lay a sun-scorched plain. We followed a track for some time, then came upon a wide stretch of sand, over which the camels went, up and down, like a ship plunging into the trough of high-backed waves. Long before the day was over I was heartily wearied of the long, heaving motion of the camel. At sunset my new-found guide gave me a handful of dates and a drink from a water-skin; we rested for a few hours, but were travelling on our way again before the sun had risen.

On the third day after my departure from Kairouin, we came within near view of a spur of the hills. Pushing steadily on, I was surprised to see a number of armed men suddenly spring up from the desolate plain. These men, who were armed with modern rifles, were some twenty yards apart. The nearest instantly levelled his rifle at my head and curtly bade me dismount. Without demur I did so, as the camel knelt upon the burning sand. My guide dismounted also and led his camel; his companion led mine. Halting at some distance from my destination, I submitted to be blindfolded. A cord was then adjusted from my wrists to the camels on either side of me, and in this fashion I walked or stumbled along over the sand for an hour or more.

I could tell by the frequent straining of the cord upon my wrists that our course was continuously eastward; then the camels were taken away, and guided solely by the brigand's messenger, I wound up a steep ascent. I frequently heard footsteps as some of the brigand's followers passed me ; indeed, many a rude jest was bandied at my expense, from which I gathered it was conjectured I had been captured by my guide who was leading me to the brigand's retreat.

I passed through a passage, as I supposed, lit up by flaring torches, the light of which fell upon the bandage across my eyes. My companion halted.

"You will swear to say nothing in Kairouin of what you see here?" he demanded. I answered in the affirmative. I was then led forward again and found myself standing on a soft carpet, while the sound of several people talking in low tones struck upon my ears.

The bandage was removed from my eyes, and I discovered myself facing three men, who sat at a table regarding me curiously. My guide advanced and whispered something to the one who sat on the left, a dark, military-looking man, some forty years of age, and dressed like a German officer, as were also his two companions, save that he who sat middle of the three had a profusion of gold lace upon his coat. I recognised this man instantly as the one who had sat listening with us to the story-teller in Kairouin, disguised as a Moor.

"Who are you?" demanded the man on the left, speaking English, but with a strong foreign accent. I subsequently learnt that his name was Leitner, and that he had recently taken service with the brigand, being responsible for the military training of the latter's followers.

I explained how it came about that I had visited Kairouin. "You speak plausibly," he retorted, coldly. "Of course, with your knowledge of Africa, you would have no difficulty in tracing for us the route by which you have travelled from Zanzibar, as you declare?"

"I am quite equal to the task," I answered, curtly, for the tone of my interrogator's voice seemed to challenge the truth of my state- ment. He smiled, and rising, placed in my hand a wand of willow.

"Most renowned traveller," said Leitner, with biting sarcasm, "the Continent you and your friend have crossed is well shown above your head. Be good enough to trace out your way for our satisfaction."

I glanced upwards as Leitner waved his hand. To my surprise, I observed that the entire ceiling of the rock-cut room was occupied by a map of Africa, in relief, the material used to show the depressions and mountain heights being some kind of stucco, while the positions of river courses and lakes were indicated by means of silver-backed glass. The exactness of the work, its beauty, and the tediousness of the labour, which must have taken years to accomplish, all astonished ma.

"You are struck with admiration, friend!" said the brigand. "It is, no doubt, excellent work; it occupied its designer eight years. We generally make use of the talents of those whom fortune sends our way."

"Point out the route you traversed," commanded Leitner, taking little notice of his chief's interruption.

I obeyed the behest. I could not help noticing the glances which they gave each other as, with the willow wand, I traced out the route Denviers and I had taken.

"Of all the extraordinary pieces of good luck!" ejaculated Leitner, to his chief, aside.

"We must not let it slip away from us," said the brigand. He turned to me.

"How came you to undertake the task of bearding the brigand of Kairouin on behalf of this miserable Cadi?" he asked.

"Your messenger may best explain that," I answered, quietly.

"There was not a native dog of Kairouin who dared venture his skin by coming here, even to ransom a Cadi," said the fellow, pleased to have an opportunity to speak.

"There is the Cadi's ransom," I said, placing a heavy and well-filled bag upon the table. Leitner passed it to the third of the trio who sat at the table. He unfastened the sealed cord about its neck and weighed the coins by means of a pair of scales standing in a recess.

"The money is full weight," he said, with evident reluctance. "I wish with all my heart it were not so. That rascally Cadi has been the cause of the death of a good many of our brave fellows. I am convinced he had a hand in bribing the man who led the Sultan's troops into our former strong- hold ; besides, to our definite knowledge, he has had five of our number executed within the last three months. It is folly to accept a ransom for such as he."

"We must have money," said the brigand: "he is beggared by paying such a ransom as this."

"When your heel is on a snake's head, crush it out of shape," said Leitner.

"We must be just, however much it costs," said the brigand: "the people of Kairouin are on our side, for they know that only their oppressors suffer at our hands." He nodded to my guide to approach: "Bring the Cadi," he said, shortly.

A few minutes afterwards the Cadi was brought in, guarded, by two armed men. A more crestfallen-looking being than the Cadi, it would be impossible to imagine. His garments w r ere torn and dirty, his turban awry, his beard thick with dust, his limbs shook as though ague had seized him.

"Cadi," said the brigand: "you have not taken me prisoner yet— how is that?"

The unfortunate Cadi declared that Allah had bowed his face to the dust for his presumption in making such an idle threat.

"Cadi," asked the brigand, "have you any choice in the manner of your death? Shall we behead you in the slow way which you so much favour, or shall we hang you?"

"Hang me, hang me!" pleaded the Cadi, whose face had assumed an ashen hue, and whose teeth chattered audibly.

"It seems a pity to refuse such a boon," said Leitner, drily, to his chief.

"Cadi, your ransom has been paid. Promise that you will never hurt another of my followers, and you shall be set free," said the brigand, unexpectedly.

The Cadi promised with alacrity. His joy was beyond expression. When he learnt that I had procured his ransom, he embraced me with a fervour that disconcerted me.

"There," said I, thrusting him gently away, "you see even a Christian dog is good for something, occasionally."

The brigand gave my guide some further message. The man was absent for a considerable time. When he came back he gave the Cadi a small pack of dates and a skin of water; then delivered some message to the chief brigand.

"The Cadi will depart alone, and on foot," said the brigand to me; "you may have the pleasure of witnessing our farewell greeting to him."The other two, who sat at the table, laughed.

Accordingly, I was once more blind-folded and led away. When the bandage was again removed from my eyes, I saw that, besides the Cadi, the three brigands who had sat at the table, and a number of armed retainers, a double line of women and children, armed with willow wands, had been drawn up. Shouts of laughter greeted the Cadi as the bandage was removed from his eyes, and he saw what was in store for him.

"The women and children have come to wish you farewell, Cadi," said the brigand. "Your way lies there!" He pointed between the lines of the expectant women and children.

The Cadi looked round, but saw no other way of escaping. He drew his breath, and then, carrying the provisions, which were scanty enough for his long journey, he ran the gauntlet. At last the Cadi had passed completely through the lines of his tormentors, who then pursued him over the sandy plain till they were tired, afterwards returning to their mountain retreat.

I was led back again, where I demanded my camel and leave to depart unmolested.

"You are my guest," said the brigand, courteously but firmly. "Travellers with your knowledge and experience do not come our way every day. You shall see something more of our resources before you depart."

My demur was coolly passed over; before long I understood that the brigand was hold- ing me as his prisoner!

My host conducted me through the extensive encampment, which was situated in a spot protected with great natural defences. On three sides of the valley rose sharp mountain slopes, the fourth side opened funnel-shaped upon a long, winding pathway between precipitous rocks, leading to the plain far below. This entry was commanded by several guns; indeed, the place was fortified so thoroughly that it seemed to be impregnable. The disaster which had come upon the former encampment had had its lesson for the outlaws.

Caves of various sizes, most of which were occupied as dwellings or store-places, ran into the rocky sides of the valley. In one of these orifices I had been examined ; in a second the Cadi had been held a prisoner ; a third, into which the brigand conducted me, was evidently the armoury. There, rifles of the most modern European pattern stood in stacks, tiers of them rising one above the other, so that I calculated many thousands of rifles were there. Leading from the main room in which the rifles were, were several smaller orifices. In these latter were men, stripped to the waist, working at their own particular branch of gun-making. In a large cave apart from the rest the ammunition was manufactured. Passing through one of these caves I saw a prisoner chained to the wall.

"Our discipline is naturally stern," said the brigand, as he saw me glance pityingly at the prisoner; "men who carry their lives in their hands cannot afford to be squeamish." I grew silent and fell to wondering what was the prisoner's offence. In the afternoon the main body of the brigand's followers were put through some military evolutions in the valley, and I was permitted to be present. Leitner, the German officer, for such I heard he had been, displayed remarkable abilities in handling the men. The precision of their movements and the way they manoeuvred convinced me that the men were occasionally used for other purposes than mere defence.

On the second day of my perforce stay with the brigand, a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition was placed upon camels after being concealed in unsuspecting bales of merchandise. While I was watching the men loading the camels, the brigand came up.

"Do you understand us any better now?" he asked, with a smile.

"I understand this much," I retorted: "you have a vast organization of men engaged trafficking in arms. I can understand now, easily enough, how arms of European pattern get into Africa and are disposed of to the tribes. You are directly responsible or arming the natives who resist the influence of the various European spheres."

"Yes, we arm unwilling slaves against their masters— is that a great crime?"

"About as bad as chaining a man to a wall till his hair turns grey," I retorted.

"Hark you," said the brigand, in no amiable tones, "my scheme is what it is. When injustice drives a man to the hills to die or herd with brutes, small wonder that he sides with and assists those who are oppressed and down-trodden. You can be of great service to the cause I am helping forward: you have made friends with a number of important chiefs and headmen. There is that Kwembi, for instance, the Englishman you mentioned who rules a most important tribe of Africans. Consider how you could help me to dispose of arms among those tribes with whom at present I have no dealings. I will treat you liberally enough— be sensible, and join us."

I was startled by the proposal.

"Not for worlds," I answered, promptly. "Nothing would ever induce me to do as you say."

"We shall see," the brigand answered, with a flash of fire from his kindling eyes as he drew close together his brows. "Of one thing I am determined, you shall not go back to Kairouin again."

"Do I understand that I am a prisoner?" I asked.

"You are singularly clear-headed," he said, raising his brows.

"What ransom do you demand?" I questioned.

"It is not a case of ransom. I accepted one for the Cadi because we are always in need of such a large sum as he paid, and in a year or two I mean to recapture him and hang him— there is really no hurry; the Cadi is quite safe in my hands; I have a hundred spies in Kairouin at least. What I want from you is your promise to join us; until that is given you may consider yourself a prisoner."

"But I will give no such promise; after detaining me in this way, I can put no trust in anything you say. I will escape, I warn you, if a chance occur."

"Then you may trust what I say to the latter part of that remark," the brigand said, knitting his brows darkly again; "for I swear if you are caught trying to escape, I will hang you on the spot."

"If you catch me, you may," I said, walking off in dudgeon, for I felt my hardihood in venturing to take the Cadi's ransom had been ill repaid. From that hour one thought was uppermost in my mind— how to escape from the brigand of Kairouin.

iii

I TRIED to bribe more than one of the brigand's followers to connive in my proposed attempts at escape, but the shrewd fellows took my bribes and then failed to assist me at the critical moment. Every hour I expected that El Hamam, the brigand, would hear of my doings and promptly hang me.

Nothing occurred, however, and, finding it useless to approach the men directly on the subject which was uppermost in my mind, I ventured to mention the matter to one of the Moorish women who wandered freely about the camp. She sympathized with me, but declared that escape was well-nigh impossible; El Hamam, the brigand, was all eyes and ears. Still, I spoke of the matter several times to her; indeed, it served as a convenient subject for converse whenever we met.

One day, as I stood idly dropping stones into a natural fountain which sprang up in the valley, I saw Fatima, for so I learnt the Moorish woman was named, approaching me. There was unusual animation in her dark eyes as she drew near me.

"Christian dog," Fatima said, but in no unkindly tone : "I have thought of a way by which you may escape."

"Tell me how!" I answered, excitedly.

"Not now, not here," she said, hurriedly, for several of the other women were approaching with envious glances. "To-night, while the camp sleeps, do thou be wakeful— I will send one who shall show thee the way to escape."

A minute after, the Moorish woman had left me and was joining heartily with the others in the epithets which it pleased them to hurl at me whenever they saw me and thought I could hear.

When night came, I lay down on the mat which was spread in the cave I usually occupied, and waited anxiously for Fatima's promised visitor. Hour after hour wore wearily away without anything transpiring.

It was about an hour before dawn, when, as I lay there half-asleep, I saw someone enter the cave and stoop over me. The light of a Moorish lantern flashed in my face, and, glancing up, my eyes rested upon the face of a young Moor. He motioned to me to follow him, and at once I did so.

We passed out of the cave into another of considerable length. At the end of this latter my guide removed, with my assistance, a piece of rock covering a hole. He disappeared through the orifice and I quickly followed, replacing the stone from below.

Our way lay along a narrow, excavated passage in the rock, which slanted upward. After we had proceeded in silence some considerable distance, my guide stopped to rest for a minute and to explain.

"This passage is the scheme of Leitner," he said; "it leads to the powder magazine. The latter has a secret entry and exit; follow me closely and watch each footstep you take." The Moor held the lantern so that its light fell upon the floor of the rock-hewn passage, and well it was he did so, for countless abysmal traps for unwary feet were visible at each few yards we advanced.

More cautiously than ever my guide advanced, until we came to where the rocky path had an abrupt end. The Moor held the lantern aloft.

"See," he whispered, as if afraid of the gloom through which the rays of the lantern struggled; "there is the basket by which the powder is raised from the magazine." I glanced up and saw a great wheel fixed in the rock above our heads; a basket with a long rope was attached to it.

At my guide's request, I lowered him into the depths below, the light from the lantern gleaming like a firefly in the dark, as the basket to which it was attached de scended lower and lower.

A sudden jerk told me that the basket had reached its destination. I let down the great length of rope; my guide caught it from beneath. The basket was raised and I entered it, to be lowered down, down, into the darkness below.

As I stood once more upon the solid rock, I held up the lantern and glanced round. Barrels of powder were ranged in rows that seemed endless, while heaps of cartridges and cannon-shot showed from. alcoves in the walls.

"I will show you the way of exit," said my guide; "then you must raise me by means of the basket to the passage above. Returning, you can easily make your escape. Allah bless you, and grant that you may become a Moslem and kiss the Holy Kaaba before you die."

I pressed his hand fervently as we went on towards the exit I sought. We had reached it, and were digging our fingers into the crevices to remove a stone which blocked its small orifice, when I chanced to hear a slight sound. I looked up, and as I held up the lantern, its rays fell upon the brigand's face !

"El Hamam," I gasped, in astonishment.

"You are lost!" cried my guide. "Lost! While I— I—"

"You are a traitor, and shall be hanged likewise!" answered the brigand.

I glanced round to see if there were others to face. I could see no more. Before El Hamam suspected what I would do, I flung myself upon him, and we rolled upon the floor struggling for the mastery. He was strong beyond the strength of a man, it seemed to me ; his hands gripped me like the claws of a pair of steel pincers, so that my struggle to overmaster him was in vain. Then the overwhelming coolness of the man brought him victory over us both. He pinned me down with one knee, and, seizing the lantern which was lying close by, he broke its thin sheet of horn, and held the flare right over an open barrel of powder.

"Traitor," he cried to the Moor who had conducted me there, "take off my turban and bind this fellow!"

The Moor hesitated.

"I will blow the three of us to perdition if you hesitate another second," the brigand insisted.

My guide uttered a cry of fear. Coming forward, he unwound the brigand's turban and bound me fast with it. El Hamam then removed the stone covering the orifice, and I was forced through. My guide, too terrified to escape, followed, the brigand coming last.

Once we were in the open air, the brigand fired a pistol-shot, the sound of which brought half-a-dozen of his followers upon us. El Hamam explained to the excited knot of listeners what had happened.

"What is your will?" asked one of the fellows, a half-naked muleteer, who carried a rifle like the rest of the brigand's outposts.

"Hang them both to the nearest tree!" answered El Hamam. I saw there was no hope of escape for me. My guide apparently had not known how rigidly the retreat was surrounded day and night by outposts. He had led me into certain capture.

"El Hamam," I said, when I stood beneath the tree, with the rope adjusted about my neck, as was also the case with my companion: "for myself I ask nothing, but this Moor who guided me is a mere youth: set him free at least."

"Nay, I do not desire it," cried the Moor: "El Hamam, who has always been called The Just, means to hang a fellow-country- man, as you are, innocently ! "

Something in the Moor's voice startled the brigand.

"Fellow, who are you?" El Hamam asked, roughly. The Moor did not reply.

"Take off his turban!" cried the brigand.

He stared incredulously as the turban was removed. "Fatima!" he cried, blankly. It was the brigand's wife! She had failed to induce anyone to assist me, and so had disguised herself and personated a Moorish soldier in order to help me herself.

"Take the rope from her neck!" said El Hamam, eagerly, for he loved the woman beyond measure, and her reproof for his unfairness towards me unnerved him.

"From both or neither!" insisted Fatima.

The brigand finally agreed, but with no good will. The next day my camel was given back to me, and one of El Hamam's followers accompanied me part of the way to Kairouin, which I reached in safety after so prolonged an absence.

***

8: The City of the Scarlet Scarabeus

Strand Magaine Feb 1896

"I FANCY our guide has got us into a scrape from which not even his ingenuity can extricate us," I said to Denviers, disconsolately. " Both the people and the two Queens of this district were well disposed towards us at first: I wish we had left the Arab behind; I don't believe we shall be alive in twenty-four hours' time."

"Matters are going very badly with us, I must confess," acquiesced my companion. " Certainly, if Hassan thinks we are all to shuffle off this mortal coil shortly, he has determined to make the most of the few hours of life that remain."

As he spoke, Denviers pointed to where the Arab was standing in close conversation with the younger of the two Queens in whose chief city we then were.

On leaving Tripoli, we had turned in a south-westerly direction, and, after an uneventful march of thirty days, had made our way to this city, incited by the curiosity which an Arab slaver, with whom we had come in contact, had aroused within us.

Two days after parting with the slaver, Abu Teleck by name, we had entered a deep ravine, which appeared to have once been the bed of a river-course, for the huge boulders, overgrown or interspersed with rank vegetation, had a rounded appearance and lay scattered between the two high, per- pendicular sides of the ravine.

Passing along this ravine in pursuit of a jaguar which we had wounded, we suddenly found the animal bounding across the level, stone-flagged square of a city, of which we were later on to learn the history. The two sides of the ravine there widened out in graceful curves, the utter bareness of the rocky declivities being amply compensated for by the wondrous tints of the sandstone of which they were composed. As the rays of the sun glinted into the ravine, or valley, the waving streaks of stone seemed as if they were composed of countless glittering gems of varied hues. Like a broad silver crescent, set in a purple sheath, shot with orange, glittered one of these belts of stone; of green and saffron, of grey and crimson, were the others that hemmed it about. Towards the base of the sandstone the sides sloped somewhat, and were carved into caves, serving as burial-places for the dead, and it was in one of these that we four had now found a temporary place of refuge, two weeks after our appearance in the city.

Below, the city spread out: its meanest dwelling rich with sculptured cornices and pilasters, while balus- traded staircases, carved in the solid rock, led from the bottom of the valley to the caves. In the centre of the city stood a magnificent palace, built of various- hued limestone which, although raised centuries before, had resisted the ravages of Time. Beyond the palace was a great open amphi- theatre, with circle on circle of ascending seats, while in the centre of this stood the strangest erection of this extraordinary city. It was a column constructed of perfectly-fitting blocks of grey granite, the top of which was shaped like a vast urn. The base of this column measured some eighty paces on each of its four sides, the faces themselves being perfectly smooth and perpendicular, the mass of granite rising to a considerable height in the air. Some attempt had doubtless been made to climb one of the faces of the square column so as to reach the great vase at the top, for some rudely cut niches were visible up to a considerable height. There the rough steps ended abruptly, the daring climber having either lost courage or, becoming dizzy, fallen headlong from the scanty foothold which his hands had carved in the granite.

We found that the city was ruled over by the two daughters of its late Sultan, who were bound, under pain of death, to be loyal to each other. No sooner had we been welcomed in the city than the two Queens seemed to forget our presence in their palace, or at most only tolerated it, while Hassan, our guide, received every mark of approval that could be bestowed upon him.

It was the custom in this city to hold contests in the open amphitheatre between man and man, and even between man and beast. To celebrate such a rare occurrence as the arrival of strangers, a pageant had been arranged in our honour. During its progress, Hassan had challenged the favourite wrestler to a trial of his skill, and our guide, by sheer persistence and pluck, had thrown the fellow. From that hour Hassan ingratiated himself into the favour of the two Queens, as we plainly saw, while the chief Arabs of the city at once began to form plots for his destruction and ours with him.

It soon became evident that our discriminating guide selected the younger of the two Queens to whom to pay marked attentions. Hour after hour he passed in her presence, telling of the adventures which he had jointly encountered with us. Furious at this, the other Queen lent a ready ear to her wily counsellors, who declared that the Arab, with our help, was arranging a plot by which he might obtain the rule of the city, taking the younger Queen as his bride, while the other was to be deposed and driven from the city.

One night, while Hassan was recounting an adventure to Ahillah, the younger Queen, and we were resting upon cushions near, a number of armed attendants broke into the palace and, in spite of our struggles, Hassan and the Queen, together with Denviers and myself, were thrust into the streets. Annoyed at this indignity, we prepared to defend ourselves, and at once our weapons were taken from us. We next attempted to leave the city, but the two entrances, those at each end of the valley, were too strongly held for us to succeed. To scale the perpendicular cliffs was impossible, so that we were securely imprisoned in the city until some definite decision had been made concerning us. None of the inhabitants dared either to shelter or even to speak to us, so that, with Ahillah, we were perforce driven to take shelter in the cave I have mentioned.

The cave itself was extremely lofty, and was partly uncovered, so that the light entered it freely from above. Denviers was about to call Hassan to where we two lay idly stretched upon the stone flooring of the cave, when we heard the sound of approaching foot-steps. Going hastily to the entrance, we saw the rival Queen approaching in state the winding stairway leading to where we were. Before her slaves ran, strewing flowers in her path, while other slaves screened her head from the rays of the sun with palm-leaves held high. Behind the Queen came several stalwart and swarthy Arabs, the chief of which was the one Hassan had overthrown at the wrestle; his face was strikingly Hebraic in mould, the long ear-rings in his ears glittering against his swarthy skin and hanging, black hair. The Arab wore gems that shone lustrous in his tunic, spotlessly white turban, and sleeveless cloak: in one hand he carried a wide, curved sword, upon his left arm rested a shield.

No sooner had Ahillah set her glances upon those who were approaching than she cried out that our doom had been pronounced, and ran shrieking to the farthest part of the cave, where our guide followed her.

Up the stairway the procession came and, a few minutes after, we stood before Sargona, Ahillah's sister, waiting her will. The chief Arab came forward, and bowing low before Sargona, he cried—

"The Queen has been injured; the wrongdoers are before her; say, O Sargona, what is the penalty thou hast decreed?"

Sargona glanced angrily at our guide, and her dark eyes flashed as she answered—

"Death to the Arab who has plotted against us, death to him and those who plot with him: I have said!"

Before either Denviers or myself could speak, Ahillah had thrown herself at her sister's feet—

"Spare all, or spare none!" she cried. "What fate is mine?"

Sargona raised Ahillah roughly from the ground.

"Thou shalt live, girl, but thou art deposed. The Council has decreed that thou shalt be a vestal of the temple. Go!"

The Queen clapped her hands, and immediately Ahillah was seized and dragged away, in spite of our guide's efforts to prevent it.

"Slaves," she continued: "two days shall ye live, on the third shall ye die! Yet, if ye will carve a way to the great treasure urn, your lives shall be spared on condition that the gems there, which are as the grains of sand of the Sahara in number, be placed in our hands, and ye depart from the city. Many have tried to reach the great urn: none have succeeded. Ye are subtle as snakes; by to-morrow's dawn say if ye will try the task, or if ye prefer to die without attempting it."

Out from the cave Sargona went with her attendants, while we were left behind, strongly guarded, and feeling that the Queen's words concerning the great urn were only intended to rouse, in Hassan's mind especially, a hope of escape which was futile.

ii

DENVIERS and I lay for some time discussing our unfortunate plight, but without any possible plan of escape occurring to either of us. At last my companion called the Arab, who was disconsolately lamenting the loss of Ahillah, and, when he came over to us, asked him—

"Do you think we have any chance of escape, Hassan? Can you suggest one?"

"Allah and Mahomet preserve the sahibs; the dust of their feet has been the cause of their misfortune! He knows of no way at present; if the slightest idea occur, their slave will at once speak of it. At present, Hassan can only wish their fate had been different— but water runs out at last, and the biggest sack of dates comes to an end. The sahibs have met with their last adventure— their slave will lament it to his death."

"Which won't be particularly long in coming, Hassan," I said, gloomily. "What was it that Sargona said about the great urn? Does she expect us to cut a way up to it when no one else has ever been able to do so? If so, we would rather be excused; if treasures are there, I hope she may get them, that's all."

"Sahib Derwent," the Arab replied, "to cut a way up there in the allotted time would be impossible; indeed, with all time at their disposal, no one has ever reached the vase. Ahillah has told the latchet of the sahibs' shoes the strange story of the urn. Shall their slave repeat it?"

"Spin us the yarn by all means," said Denviers, as he threw a stone idly at a huge scarlet beetle that had just fallen from the wall fronting us, and which was again making its way up the hard surface. "We may as well listen to you as not, while we are cooped up here."

Hassan sank down at our feet and began—

"Sahibs, of all the strange cities scattered throughout this dark continent, none had a stranger origin or a stranger history than this. Far back in the misty ages some Edomites are said to have wandered into this continent. Near here they had grassy lands in common, but, as all men do, they quarrelled. The strong oppressed the weak, and drove them forth to find other lands. Wandering here they entered the ravine, and finding in it many caves, dwelt therein, tilling the land to the south. Now, all things prospered with them, and they grew rich in herds, while misfortune fell upon those who had persecuted them. So at last messengers came from the tribesmen saying that they would forget their quarrel, and asking to have once more all in common. Those dwelling in the caves refused the bargain, whereupon their outnumbering tribesmen determined to be revenged for being set at naught. They drew a great ring round the pasture, circling the valley, and when all the rich flocks were out, the tribesmen fired the lands.

"The darting tongues of flame flashed up the dry bark of the trees and the great stems blazed, then grew red-hot, while the verdure beneath, in wave upon wave of fire, rolled its flames and smoke nearer to the steep sides of the ravine. Burning leaves and showers of sparks were flung into the air, while the flocks ran towards the ravine, nearer and still nearer. Huddled together they kept till the very grass beneath was aflame, and then, in inextricable confusion, the animals leaped headlong into the sheer ravine, their herdsmen with them, only to be dashed to pieces on the rocks below, or to be drowned in a great river which then hurled its waters along through the ravine.

"Still, in spite of all they suffered, the inhabitants of the valley refused the terms offered them, and posted men, who, for a time, successfully defended the entrances of the ravine. The persecuting tribesmen turned aside the river's course, and then first the people of the valley began to despair. Through traffic with another tribe they had obtained ornaments wrought in gold, with many an uncut gem adorned, and, convinced that they were reduced to their last desperate strait, the people of the valley determined to prevent this treasure from falling into the foe's hands. To hide it in the rock they thought useless, so they consulted how to dispose of the treasure.

"In the course of the stream there stood a wide block of stone, and upon this eager hands raised a mighty column, building it of blocks of granite. A stairway was left to the top where is a great urn, which ye have seen, and the women, passing up the stairs, flung in their greatest treasures. When everything was safely protected, the stairway was carefully blocked in while those of the tribe once more returned to the caves in which their dwellings were. So the rival tribesmen, still failing to take the city, consulted together and agreed to win over another tribe to their assistance. This they succeeded in doing by promising to their allies all the loot taken in the city. So the defenders were overthrown, the women and children being afterwards sold as slaves, while the men were slain.

"When, however, the captors of the city explored its every recess, they could find none of the women's treasures. At this the allies, thinking they had been deceived, fell upon the victorious tribesmen, slew them in turn, and took possession of the city. They kept it for centuries, till Trajan the Emperor overcame them and made it a Roman city. Long after that the Arabs took it and kept it, as they have even unto this day. Each century has seen efforts made to reach the great urn, but none have succeeded. The last Sultan, before he died, made a law that anyone condemned to die might choose to attempt to reach the urn; if he succeeded in getting its treasures for the city, then his life must be spared. It was of this decree that Sargona spoke, but Hassan, the sahibs' slave, counts at little that chance to escape death."

Hassan ceased ; both Denviers and I doubted the truth of the legend. Treasures might be hidden in the vast urn, we thought, but upon the base of the column we had seen part of an inscription which read : Trajanus Aedificavit. Indeed, our idea of the reason of the building of the column, surmounted by the great urn, was quite a different one to that which Hassan gave, and proved to be correct. Our discovery of this was made in a singular and unexpected way.

iii

JUST BEFORE daybreak I was awakened by Hassan, who cautiously roused me. Raising myself to a sitting posture I found Denviers near, while Ahillah stood before us.

"Hist!" Ahillah cried: "I could not rest, knowing that I have been the unhappy means of bringing this trouble upon you all."

I glanced at the deposed Queen. She was clad in a robe of white silk, as I perceived by the light of some half-spent torches thrust in grippers of the wall. Down almost to her waist her dishevelled black hair fell; her dress was heavily embroidered with pearls, the straps of her sandals being similarly adorned. Surpassingly beautiful I thought the maiden, as I saw the expression of pity which our unhappy position wrought upon her olive countenance and inspired the troubled look in her dark eyes.

"To reach the urn is impossible for ye, yet that is the only barrier between ye and death! Long hours have I racked my brain for some way of escape for ye, and Allah has filled me with a strange thought. Here, when I waited for Sargona to decide with her Ministers whether she would slay or spare, I saw, climbing and falling, yet ever climbing again, upon yonder wall, the rare scarlet scarabaeus. Not once in years is it seen in this city, and then the foolish and ignorant declare it comes at the bidding of Allah for some strange purpose. They say that if once a scarabaeus reaches the urn, then a human being will do so that very day. The superstition I believe not, but the sight of the scarabaeus set me thinking. What my plan is I will tell to Hassan, even the one who has favoured me, though death be his for so doing. The guards I found asleep, but ye cannot escape that way, so test it not. Hear from the illustrious Arab, he who is the prince of wrestlers, and my adored, what I have devised. If it fail, ye can be no worse off than ye are now: if it succeed, your lives will be spared."

Ahillah drew Hassan aside, and, after a few minutes' conversation, left the Arab, giving him meantime a package which she had brought. Before departing from the cave, the Queen pointed to the scarabaeus, which, from its scarlet colour, could plainly be seen a few yards from one of the torches, the pleasant warmth of which had doubtless caused it to cease its efforts to reach the top of the wall of the cave.

In safety the Queen passed by the sleeping sentries, while we drew together, discussing her plan with Hassan. At first we almost ridiculed it, then, after we had grown more accustomed to the strange notion, we began to be impatient for the hour when we could test its possibility.

When dawn had fully come, the chief Arab of the city again visited us and asked, in derision, if we wished to attempt to get the long-lost treasure from the urn. To his great surprise, Hassan answered—

"Allah has given us his promise to aid us. See! This has he sent— lo! the Scarlet Scarabaeus!"

We were certainly surprised at the effect of Hassan's words upon the Arab, He seemed disconcerted at first, then asked, assuming indifference—

"Slaves, what will ye?"

"We would be led to the column of the great urn," Hassan responded.

"Come, then!" cried the chief Arab, and, without delay, we followed him down the great stairway, through the streets, past the assembling citizens, into the great amphitheatre, until we stood before the column supporting the strange urn.

The people, quickly learning what our intention was, thronged into the seats of the amphitheatre, and as we glanced about we saw the faces of thousands of excited spectators.

If Hassan should fail in the strange task he had undertaken! I glanced at the frenzied faces of the fanatics— if we had raised a false hope we should be torn to pieces.

Even as we stood there, with our foes filling every tier of the vast amphitheatre, Sargona entered and seated herself, surrounded by her chief men, where she could clearly see what we attempted. I saw her sister, Ahillah, enter and place herself in one of the seats in the lowest tier, whence she glanced eagerly at us. Hassan, turning his gaze upon Ahillah, saw that she pointed to a large grating and, following the direction indicated, saw something that startled him.

"Sahibs!" he whispered. "See! If Ahillah's plan fail, our fate will not long be in doubt. Allah send us a quick death!"

Looking at the grating, we saw several forms pacing restlessly behind its bars; it lay in shadow, but we understood. If the urn were not reached, then the grating would open and, defenceless as we were, we should be matched against the captive lions, already impatient for their human spoil.

Hassan unfastened the package and laid a quantity of cordage exposed to view. To one end of this he attached a silk thread of very considerable length, and while both Denviers and I were eagerly watching his preparations, we saw the Arab unroll his turban and disclose the huge scarlet scarabaeus which we had seen endeavouring to climb the wall of the cave. The scarabaeus was, like its genus, very strong and tenacious, for when Hassan raised it deftly with his thumb and forefinger, it carried the turban in its prehensile, claw-like feet.

The Arab quickly attached the free end of the silken thread to the body of the scarabaeus, and then placed the scarlet beetle upon the polished granite pillar.

A strange hush came over those in the amphitheatre as they saw what the Arab planned to do; moreover, as the whisper went round that the scarabaeus was scarlet, the Arabs recalled their tradition and became almost breathless with excitement, as they watched Hassan's endeavours to guide the beetle upward.

At first the scarabaeus, finding some strange burden attached to its body, dropped from the granite pillar and ran along the ground. Hassan caught it, and time after time, as the scarabaeus tried the same manoeuvre, did the Arab replace it on the pillar. At last the scarlet beetle ceased to fall, and ran heedlessly about the pillar. Hassan, with his hand, checked it in every direction but one, and then, with a frantic effort for liberty as it seemed, the scarlet scarabaeus ran perpendicularly up the wall!

So large was the scarabaeus and so distinct its colour, that we could see it plainly as it crawled higher and higher. Half-way up the pillar the scarabaeus lost its hold, for the blocks of granite were highly polished, and it fell.

My glance turned from the excited throng to where the lions were. Looking again at the pillar I saw that the Arab had placed the scarabaeus upon it once more.

Six times did the scarabaeus fall, only to be placed upon the pillar again, but the seventh time it ran right up the granite blocks and reached the circular base of the urn.

Denviers and I grew pale with excitement; Sargona's face grew dark with wrath; Ahillah clapped her hands— Hassan gave no sign that aught disturbed him. Calmly, true believer in fate that he was, our Arab watched patiently the movements of the scarabaeus as it reached the urn.

The thread of silk waved in the air as the scarabaeus ran about the circular base of the urn.

"Allah! If the scarabaeus twines the thread too tightly round the urn, our deaths are near," said Hassan, as he watched the scarlet beetle, which made a complete circuit of the urn and then was about to go round a second time.

Hassan stooped down, and selecting several pieces of granite, flung them in a shower at the scarabaeus, which he missed. His second attempt succeeded, however, for we saw the scarabaeus dangling helplessly in the air at the end of the silken thread.

The weight of the thread was more than overcome by that of the scarabaeus, which slipped slowly down, down to the ground, where Hassan seized it eagerly and snapped the thread. Ahillah, who saw the scarabaeus crawling away, left her seat and seized it, holding it high before her sister Sargona.

"Lo!" she cried; "the ancient rune reads right! By the scarlet scarabaeus, I swear the treasures of the urn shall be ours this day!"

At this, many of those about Sargona glanced darkly at her— already they repented that her sister had been so harshly treated, for it was Ahillah's plan they understood that Hassan was carrying out.

The Arab carefully hauled in the silken thread, and as he did so, the light, strong cord attached to it gradually reached the urn, wound round its base, and then came down until the nearer end was in Hassan's hand. To hoist a rope sufficient to bear his weight was an easy matter for the Arab.

A few minutes afterwards, Denviers and I were pulling hard at the rope as we hoisted the Arab high up the polished pillar of stone. He reached the urn, and, clambering up one of its huge handles, disappeared within it. When Hassan reappeared he held high a string of pearls.

"Ahillah! she must come, and then the sahibs!" cried Hassan. No one questioned why that should be, and accordingly, when Denviers and I had raised Ahillah to where the Arab leant over and drew her up, we were hoisted in turn by the ready hands of three men of the city.

"Draw up the rope, sahibs!" said the Arab, and at once we did so.

We found ourselves upon a curving platform of granite, which ran down in a winding way right into the granite pillar, which proved to be hollow. The path we traversed was more like the thread of a gigantic screw, and led us down until we were below the surface of the earth.

We went on wonderingly, following Hassan, who had improvished a torch from a portion of the rope which we had brought, until we came to a rough-hewn chamber. There, in the light of the flaring torch, we looked upon a strange scene.

The rock had been roughly hollowed into a great gallery, for from floor to ceiling rose great pillars of granite, while, at the end furthest from where we stood, could be seen a half-raised portcullis, beyond which was a rocky vestibule.

It was not the strange, uncouth carving of the gallery, however, which drew our attention, for, lying there, in confused heaps, were hundreds of mummies. Denviers had suggested to me before that the urn itself, by means of which we had entered that strange place, had been the tomb of some illustrious rulers of the city upon which we had come. We agreed then, that it was a more likely theory than that such a huge structure had been raised for the mere purpose of containing treasure. Whichever view was right, one thing was evident: the gallery in which we were had been looted by impious' hands. Save for the string of pearls which Hassan had held temptingly up, we found no other treasure in the abode of the dead.

From great niches in the walls, from chambers running out of the galleries, from sarcophagi lying broken and ransacked, the mummies had been dragged into the centre of the gallery and there despoiled. Mummy cloths had been unwound ; limbs wrenched off ruthlessly: a horde of barbarians alone could have wrought such ruin.

"There are no treasures!" cried Ahillah. Then raising her hand she cried : "Listen! The people grow impatient!"

So engrossed had we been that we had forgotten those watching for our reappearance from the urn.

"I don't believe Trajan ever wrote that inscription on the pillar," commented Denviers: "it was some traveller's trick, merely. But what are we to do? If we go back we may be torn to pieces."

"We had better explore this gallery and see if there is any way of escape by it," I responded, as I caught the sounds of clamorous voices, and understood that if we went back and acknowledged our failure to find the gems, we should have to bear the fury of the disappointed throng.

So we went on, on till the portcullis and portico were passed, and we found ourselves in a stranger part still of the underground way. The great orifice widened out until we traversed a vast stretch of marsh, where rank, white verdure grew, for there no rays of light seemed to enter. Deeper we sank in the swamp at each step we took almost; a hundred yards were scarcely passed over when the fetid slush was breast high.

Hassan passed the torch to me; Denviers cut off a length from the rope and, kindling it, we two went on before, lighting the way for Hassan, who bore Ahillah in his arms. We pushed doggedly on— on to where fantastic shapes of mist rose about us on every side, and seemed to mock our attempts to find a way out of that sickening, underground marsh.

For fully three hours we advanced, slowly and painfully, the foul odours nearly stifling us— then we became aware that there was a current flowing in the dark waters. We tried to avoid it, but in our efforts to do so ran right into the danger we wished to escape. The bed of the marsh suddenly deepened, we lost our footing, and the next minute we were all struggling for life in the engulfing waters. The torches were extinguished, and save for a strange, phosphorescent gleam which lit up the marsh at fitful intervals, we were in profound darkness.

In spite of our struggles, the current bore us away, away to where we could hear the roar of waters tumbling over a precipice, it seemed. Faster the current bore us on, faster and faster still; I caught sight of Ahillah's and Hassan's face as they were swept past me.

The roar of the waters increased; the current swept on with appalling rapidity; I was sucked over a mass of rock and then went down, sheer down into a vortex of foamy, grinding waters. When next I came to my senses I was lying on the bank of a river at some con- siderable distance from the cataract. Den- viers had suffered a similar experience to my own, but had escaped with much less bruising than I had. He found me lying senseless on a little stretch of sand on the shelving shore of the river, where the waters flowed in comparative calm.

Hassan and Ahillah were nowhere to be found!

For two days we searched diligently for the bodies of the deposed Queen, Ahillah, and that of our faithful guide. At last we gave up the quest, and struck for our camp, guided by the sun. We were a considerable distance from the camp; indeed, it was ten days after our escape from the waters before we reached it.

On arriving at the camp, the first of those who came out to meet us was Hassan. We started at the sight of the Arab, for we had conclusively argued that he was dead.

"Sahibs," said Hassan, as he bent before us, "fate has been unkind, for Ahillah was drowned; it has also been kind, for the sahibs still live to be the light of their unworthy servant's countenance," and the Arab bowed to the very dust.

"Well, Hassan," said Denviers to our Arab, when the latter had told of his own escape and how it came about that he reached the camp before us; "I don't think any of us are born to be drowned."

"It is hard to say, sahib," Hassan replied, gravely; "yet surely is it easier for a blind camel to find the distant oasis than for man to unravel the twisted skein of his fate."

***

9:  The Wolves Of The Atlas

The Strand Magazine March 1896

ON the night when this strange adventure began, we sat round the camp fire, listening to Hassan, who was telling us a story.

For many days we had pushed on our way, making for a coast town of Morocco, over a waving, shifting sea of sand. Waterless, treeless, with scarcely a sign of life, save for the sand lizard that rustled across the path of the camels' hoofs, had that journey been; many a deceitful stretch of mirage had lured us out of our way, under a burning sun that sucked up a mist of white heat about us as on we went.

Towards afternoon we had entered upon a different region, for the low, sandy plain gave way to a rocky soil, and soon we reached the verdant valley where we were encamped for the night.

Round us on every side rose gaunt, fantastic mountain peaks, whose frowning sides were honeycombed with countless caves— but there was no sign of human life. The whole surface of the valley was covered with sea-green grass; flowers of every hue sprang up beneath our feet; every scarp and crag of the mountains was festooned with creepers: and climbing, blossoming plants. Glad were we, indeed, to find such a halting-place upon our way. So we hobbled the camels and pitched the tent, intending to stay in the valley for a few days, and to explore the caves about us.

The flicker of the camp fire flung lights and shadows upon the rocks about, and these, more than once, attracted our guide's attention.

"Sahibs," said Hassan, breaking off in his story, "I saw something moving by yonder crag."

We glanced to where the Arab pointed, but no sign of life was there.

"Go on with the story, Hassan," said Uenviers; "the only living thing in this valley besides ourselves and the camels is that lizard. I notice, whenever your yarns get to a difficult point, you always invent some excuse to stop and think."

As he spoke, Denviers pointed to a little grey lizard which had crept close to the camp fire and was watching us, it seemed, with its miniature, star-like eyes.

"The sahib is as disbelieving as ever," remonstrated the Arab; "besides, Hassan, his slave, heard something as well."

Denviers laughed.

"What did you hear, Hassan?"

"Voices," the Arab answered, conclusively, "and I will prove that my words are true." Hassan rose, and, going to where our rifles stood, piled together, he took his own and went off in the direction he had indicated.

A few minutes afterwards our guide came stumbling towards the camp fire, carrying bodily in his arms a prisoner, who was strug- gling hard to free himself from Hassan's grip.

We rose hastily from before the camp fire and looked in astonishment at the captive, whom Hassan had freed, and who stood scowling at us.

The man was a dwarf, his height being not more than four feet ; he wore a white loin- cloth, which contrasted with the dark colour of his skin ; his hair was tufted and reddish in hue ; his features were typically African ; his face was round and small, his body being well proportioned to the man's height.

Denviers and I discussed Hassan's capture with the Arab, who told us that as soon as he came upon the dwarf, the latter had flung himself upon our guide with the utmost courage, exhibiting a strength far beyond what his appearance indicated.

Hassan then interrogated the dwarf in Arabic, who appeared to understand, but instead of replying to the Arab, he uttered a loud click-like cry, which seemed to be answered at once from the mountains around.

" Look out, Harold ! " cried Denviers, snatching up the rifles and thrusting mine into my hand. I had hardly seized the weapon when I saw, to my astonishment, that the face of the cliffs around us swarmed with dwarfs. They climbed agilely down the rocky walls, issuing from the many caves we had seen, and in a few minutes the valley was filled with an excited and armed body of dwarfs. Our camels were seized and led away, while a number of the dwarfs ran towards us and attacked us. For a time we hesitated to defend ourselves against our strange foes, but we soon had to, for our lives were in danger from their spear-thrusts.

Owing to the overwhelming number and pertinacity of the dwarfs, we were eventually overpowered by them and securely, bound. We were then dragged away, separately, into the caves at the base of the cliff which faced westward.

In my own case, I was hurried through a long passage in the mountain side, and then up a wide, hewn flight of steps into a second gallery. The men who held me as their prisoner forced me on by thrusting at me, bound as I was, with their spears, until a second stairway was reached. At the top of the stairway I passed through a winding passage, and then abruptly entered a great cavern in the mountain.

The cavern was extremely large and lofty, and in it, as I subsequently learnt, all the dwarf women and children had been assembled. In various parts of the cavern were great fires of wood, round which were gathered hundreds of armed dwarfs.

At the far end of the cave, a fire, larger than the rest, shot up its tongue of flame till the glare lit up the jagged roof above. On the left of this fire, surrounded by his head-men, stood the chief of the dwarfs, interrogating two captives. When I was led close to where the captives were, I found they were Denviers and Hassan, who were being closely questioned as to our presence in the valley. There was a moment's pause as I was placed beside my companions.

I glanced at the chief of the dwarfs curiously. He was slightly shorter than the dwarf whom Hassan had captured; his white robe, which was caught up under the left arm, had a wide strip which passed across the right shoulder, leaving the arm bare. The garment hung down in graceful folds, and was plentifully adorned with various charms. The chief's features did not differ from those of the rest of his tribe; his hair was white with age, and he leant upon a spear.

The whole cave was rich in treasure ; great piles of ostrich feathers lay heaped up with many other articles of value, while behind where the chief of the dwarfs stood rose a throne of gold, representing in delicate work- manship a succession of ostrich feathers, inset with countless glittering gems.

"Ye are spies of the Marabout's," the chief said, in Arabic, to Denviers, as the latter attempted to allay, in some degree, the excitement our presence had caused.

"We do not know of this Marabout, or religious leader," answered Denviers; "we have been crossing the desert for many days and stayed in the valley by chance."

"Ye are spies!" the chief insisted; "day and night do we expect the host of the Marabout. With him is the scabbard, with me the sword. When the one shall sheathe the sword in the other's body, then shall that one own sword and scabbard, too! Then shall the hated Moors be overrun, and the religion of Islam be a thing of the past!"

A wild light shone in the eyes of the chief as he spoke. We could make nothing out of his words. Hassan, despite the chief's threat against Islam, tried to conciliate him.

"We are thy friends, not thy foes," said Hassan. The chief glanced sharply into the Arab's face.

"Wilt thou fight for those of my tribe?" he asked.

"Give us good reason for so doing and we will," Denviers answered, in place of the Arab.

"A man has but friends and foes," the chief answered: "those who fight for him and those who fight against him. Those who stand by are enemies— they will join his foes should these be victorious ! Swear to fight for me and your bonds shall be undone, if not—" The chief did not finish his sentence, but pointed with his spear to the crimson flame rising high beside him.

We talked together for a few minutes dis- cussing what answer should be given. It was evident we were completely in the power of our strange captors, and that fact alone influenced our decision.

"We will fight for you," Denviers answered, at last.

We were compelled to swear to do this by each plucking a burning ember from the fire and holding it up in the right hand, at the same time kneeling before the dwarf chief, our bonds having been loosened.

"Come with me," said the chief. He moved away slowly, and following him up some wide stone stairs, we found ourselves in a squared chamber of rock. The chief flung himself upon a couch of skins, and then clapped his hands. In- stantly an attendant entered, to whom the chief gave a com mand.

The man shortly returned and, kneeling before the chief, held up in both hands a Moorish sword, heavily jewelled about the hilt. The chief dismissed the attendant, then gave us the sword to examine. There was an inscription cut into the finely-tempered blade; Hassan read it. It ran: "To the Wolves of the Atlas. From Houssa."

"Rest ye," said the chief, pointing to some skins which were spread before him. We according reclined there, and the chief, who had noticed our curious glances at the sword, without commenting thereon, began his strange narrative, which was fated to have, had we known, a stranger interruption.

ii

"FRIENDS of the Wolves of the Atlas, listen!" the chief began. "Many are the wise fools who have sought us out to learn our history. They have talked to the false Moors, and learnt by that nothing: they have captured, occasionally, one of the men of our tribe and tried to wrest from him our secret— by that they learnt less! Yet we are a strange race— for the land of the Moors was ours long before the followers of Islam dwelt in it! We are a people who live in caves, for we are sprung from those who lived for centuries beneath the earth. Hear our strange story—

"In the south of this vast continent dwells the race from which we are sprung; the poorest savage among them knows of caves with passages, miles in length, leading whither few can tell. There were three chiefs with kraals not far from each other. Two were rich in cattle, one old, one young; the third was poor, but had a daughter to wed, and she was beautiful beyond all women, and loved the chief who was young, bidding her father send back the cattle that the old chief sent to buy her with. So the father gave the girl to the young chief, and the lovers' hearts were glad.

"Sagai, the disappointed chief, whose braves were as many as spears of grass beside a well, gathered his men. They sharpened their spears; they held the dance of war; when the gloom gathered they stole forth; when dawn broke, shimmering in the east, they fell upon the kraal of the young chief; there was spearing and crashing of shields— by nightfall the young chief had been defeated. He fled to the hills, bearing with him his young bride and accompanied by a few braves and those women of their kraal they had carried away with them.

"No rest that night the young chief knew; hour after hour he lay watching the glowing embers of the fire they had made in the cave wherein they had taken refuge.

"As the young chief rested by the fire, one of his braves drew near and made a motion that he would speak. The chief bade him open his lips—

" 'Tali,' said the young chief, 'thou hast a stout heart and a true spear, yet art thou strange in many ways. Thou art he whom the Rainmakers most did hate, for they promised things that did not always come to pass— thou art the Dreamer, whose dreams come ever true! Open thy lips, and say what, even during this night of my trouble, thy dream has been!'

"And the Dreamer, making obeisance to the chief, whom he loved beyond all things else, knelt before the fire, and, blowing it with his breath, made it glow white hot. He glanced at the shapes in the glowing embers, and held up his hand as one who would have another listen—

" 'A dream I have dreamed; and lo! in the glowing embers I see each part of it is true ! And this is what I dreamed : A young chief, beaten in battle, but victorious in love, lay down in a cave with his followers to rest. When day dawned, the chief knew not where to go, for his kraal was burnt, his best warriors slain, his enemy watched to slay him. A long passage ran from the cave, and the chief determined to explore it; he followed that strange way, and when at last he and those with him emerged, they found themselves in a land beautiful to look upon. There the chief grew in power and wealth until his followers, who were then many, were feared by all. They overran the lands around, and were masters of every nation they thought fit to bring into subjection.'

" 'And who was this chief?' he asked the Dreamer.

" 'Thyself,' Tali answered. The young chief grew thoughtful. For three days after Tali's dream they stored what provision they could get from the surrounding country; on the fourth they started, holding torches of twisted grass in their hands, to explore that great passage.

"Long they wandered, and strange things they saw until, at last, they came to a place where the passage divided. Whether to go to left or right they did not know. They took the wrong way and there, under the earth, they were lost! Long after, they found a great orifice through which ran a stream; there they determined to settle, their sole food being the strange reptiles that flitted about with bird-like wings.

"Generatio ns passed by; deprived of the light of the sun, they kept fires burning from a forest of black, shining trees which they discovered, but their stature diminished perceptibly each generation. One day, from every gap and fissure, smoke and vapour, heat, and even columns of fire, spurted up about them. Then the whole earth seemed to rock and rend. When next they remembered aught they were above the ground, thrown there by some great convulsion of the earth. Some were slain by the strange occurrence, others wounded; many were lost altogether.

"The survivors found themselves in this land; in time they peopled it and became a great nation. Then came the Moors, who drove them from their possessions to dwell in the caves. Already in the mountains dwelt a fierce race, the Riffe, and to these, Houssa, the great Moor, sent a jewelled scabbard, but to us he sent the sword ye have seen. Houssa was once the Sultan's favourite, but he fell into disgrace. The day before he was bow-stringed, he sent these two presents. Gifted with prophecy, as are men whom death beckons, Houssa declared that if my tribe took the scabbard from the Riffs in war and sheathed in it the sword, then the Riffs would be overcome and henceforth fight on our side, so that when we attacked each city of the Moslems we should defeat the Moors and drive them from the land they once stole from us."

"And I suppose Houssa told the Marabout, the leader of the Riffs, that if he took the sword from you, your tribe would become the subject one and help him to conquer the Moors?" asked Uenviers.

"Knowing and true are thy words," the chief of the dwarfs answered.

Denviers whispered to me—

"It looks as if the Moor meant to get rid of both the dwarfs and the Riffs by giving them a reason for fighting each other to the death!"

"I think the Sultan lost a good diplomatist in Houssa, if he did have the fellow bow-stringed," I answered, thoughtfully.

"The Riffs have sworn to take the sword from us; they who cannot scale the outer face of the cliffs to the caves, have learnt some other way into our stronghold. Just as the valley ye entered is surrounded by cliffs, so is the greater hollow wherein is our city. The caves ye were brought by run through this rock which lies between the two valleys. Now must ye seek rest, for the dawn is at hand; when ye are refreshed with sleep I will—"

The chief of the dwarfs suddenly stopped speaking, for into his audience chamber ran half-a-dozen excited dwarfs

"Great chief, the Riffs are upon us!" cried one. "They are storming the valley of the city!" cried another. "They hold every crest above us!" cried a third.

The chief of the dwarfs hurriedly passed through a rock-cut passage to a rough platform of rock, which commanded a view of the valley and the heights. Without hesitation we followed him, and this is what we saw—

With shouts and cries to Allah for aid, the Riff Highlanders were charging down the slopes, with fixed bayonets, upon the spear-armed dwarfs who were struggling upwards and gallantly defending each foot of the way!

iii

"WELL, Harold," said Denviers, gloomily, to me at the close of that eventful day; "I think it is all over with us at last."

"I wouldn't give much for our chance of escape," I answered, slowly; "we seem to be shut up with the chief of the dwarfs here like three rats in a trap."

We grew silent at the end of a short conversation. All that day the dwarfs had fought the Riffs with the courage that is born of despair. Unequally armed and out- numbered, they had disputed every foot of their city with the attacking Riffs. Their chief had begged us to fulfil our promise, and accordingly we fought on the side of the dwarfs. Their city proved to be of considerable extent, and when the Riffs poured in a mad stream through its narrow streets, they met with the utmost resistance. Towards the afternoon, however, the whole city was in the Riffs' possession, every building and open space showing the slaughter and destruction which alone had brought about this result.

The chief retreated, at last, to his audience chamber; there, Denviers and I, together with a few dwarfs, made a last stand as the Riffs dashed up the wide, rock-cut stairs which led into it. Hassan we had lost in the city, during the fight there, and we felt sure that he was killed. I can only attribute the stand which Denviers made to the vengeance he sought to obtain from the Riffs for the loss of our faithful guide's services and life.

Denviers stood upon the fourth step of the way; behind him was a handful of dwarfs, as well as myself and the chief dwarf. We had obtained bayoneted rifles, taken from slain Riffs, and with one of these weapons Denviers thrust down to death each man that tried to win the stairs. I have mentioned my companion's stature and strength, but his deeds that afternoon seemed even beyond what such could give him power to do. More than once the Riffs drew back from the fight in sheer amazement ; they would draw together and talk to each other as if almost despairing to win the way. Then they would come on again, shouting and cheering each other on. They had no ammunition left, as we soon saw, or Denviers would have been shot down in an instant. At last one of the fanatic Riffs made a dash at Denviers, who thrust him through with his bayonet, but as the man fell backward, and before Denviers could defend himself, another Riff threw down his own weapon and closed with my companion.

The next instant Den- viers was down and secured by several Riffs, while the others char- ged upon us who still opposed them.

We fought till we were overpowered; they slaughtered the dwarfs with the exception of the chief, whose appearance and apparel showed he was someone of importance. Soon afterwards, Denviers, with the chief of the dwarfs and myself, were thrust into the chief's audience chamber. We were all wounded— Denviers very seriously. There we were guarded, after being disarmed, by several Riffs. A message then came to the chief of the dwarfs, demanding the strange sword which had been the cause of the invasion. He did not know where it was; during some part of the fray it had been wrested from his hand.

"I expect," said Denviers, resuming the conversation which had ceased, "that we shall not live much longer."

"It is this sword that has saved our lives even for a short while," I answered. "I feel quite certain of the fact: the Marabout who leads these Riffs thinks, if we three are slain, there will be no one to question as to its whereabouts. He fancies, no doubt, that we have the sword, and will, I daresay, try to wrest from us the secret of its hiding-place."

I had scarcely made answer so, when one of the Riffs who guarded us entered the audience chamber, and bade us rise and follow him. Knowing that resistance was useless, we did so, and were marched through several of those strange passages in which the mountains abounded.

At last we found ourselves in what we learnt was called the Hall of the Well. This was a great circular room, hewn out of the solid rock, its sides being polished by some art known to the dwarfs. Round the room ran tiers of stone seats; one was elevated more than the others, and upon it sat the Marabout who had summoned us into his presence.

At the foot of the lowest tier of seats was a great flagged, circular space, in the centre of which was the mouth of a well. The waters of the well were dried up; indeed, the room had long been used as one in which to publicly execute criminals, who were flung alive into the well.

The Marabout, who was of Moorish appearance, wore a green robe and turban. Fastened to his side was the scabbard of the sword which he desired to possess. His dark eyes glittered as he saw the chief of the dwarfs thrust before him.

"The scabbard is here— yonder, the well of death," the Marabout said, glancing at his rival; "give up the sword and thou shalt be spared."

The chief of the dwarfs knew that by sparing his life, the Marabout would fail to carry out the prophecy in which both men so strangely believed. He glanced back at the Marabout as he answered—

"The well is not for my body while I live. Thou must first find the sword and slay me ere thou canst hope for the promise of the great Houssa to be fulfilled!"

"I will slay thee and thy allies; the well waits; when the sword is found it shall pass through thy body, which shall be dragged lifeless from the well."

The Marabout motioned to his attendant Riffs, two of whom seized the dwarf and forced him towards the well. Just as the man was being held with his head and part of his body right over the mouth of the well, one of the Riffs suddenly entered the Hall of the Well, uttering a loud cry of appeal to the Marabout.

"Lo! illustrious Marabout. I have found the sword!" cried the man. The Marabout beckoned for his foe to be brought from the well. The two men forced the dwarf to his knees before the Marabout, while the one who had found the sword made humble obeisance, as he presented the weapon.

"Slay the dwarf with thine own hand, illustrious Marabout," cried the Riff; "then shall it be ever after sheathed in thy scabbard in peace!"

The Marabout stretched forth his hand to take the weapon from the Riff, when the latter suddenly plunged it into his breast!

The Riffs darted forward to seize the man's arm, but were too late, for the Marabout fell dead upon the stone steps.

The Riffs had hardly recovered from their astonishment when, in half-a-dozen places at once, the flagging of the floor was thrust up, and out from the orifices swarmed a number of dwarfs, who fell fiercely upon the Riffs. We wrenched weapons from the men nearest us, and fought the Riffs until they turned and fled precipitately— the man who held the jewelled sword leading us on in the attack.

The disorganized Riffs were hunted and slain for the most part; some of them, however, escaped when the night came on. We owed so much to the Riff who had slain the Marabout, that when we gathered about him at a later time that night, Denviers asked the man why he had killed his leader. For answer, the man drew off the covering upon his head, and exposed his features— it was Hassan !

Our guide told us next day, after we had parted with the strange dwarf tribe, of his adventures in that cave-eaten place; how he had found the sword, and hearing where the Marabout was, had got together the dwarfs, who had fled to the caves, in order to make one final attempt to free us.

We reached Tangier, our destination, in safety, and there our journey across the Dark Continent ended.

End

Table of Contents

1: The Veiled Idol of Kor

2: The Wizard of Swazi Swamp

3: The Hidden Egyptian Shield

4: The Dervish of the Nile Pyramid

5: The Lost Fetish of Walai

6: The Great Dial of the Gold-Finders

7: The Brigand of Kairouin the Holy

8: The City of the Scarlet Scarabæus

9: The Wolves of the Atlas