第2章
NowIsaidnothing，forthesimplereasonthat，havingsuchbigmattersonhand，althoughIwasalwaysfondofsport，Ididnotwishanyofustobeledoffaftertheselions。Thereisatimetohuntandatimetoceasefromhunting，anditseemedtome，exceptforthepurposesoffood，thatthisjourneyofourswasthelatter。However，asIexpected，OliverOrmeliterallyleapedattheidea。SodidHiggs，whooflatehadbeenpractisingwitharifleandbegantofancyhimselfashot。Heexclaimedloudlythatnothingwouldgivehimgreaterpleasure，especiallyashewassurethatlionswereinfactcowardlyandoverratedbeasts。
FromthatmomentIforebodeddisasterinmyheart。Still，IsaidI
wouldcometoo，partlybecauseIhadnotshotalionformanyadayandhadascoretosettlewiththosebeastswhich，itmayberemembered，nearlykilledmeontheMountainofMur，andpartlybecause，knowingthedesertandalsotheZeupeoplemuchbetterthaneithertheProfessororOrme，IthoughtthatImightpossiblybeofservice。
Sowefetchedourriflesandcartridges，towhichbyanafterthoughtweaddedtwolargewater-bottles，andateaheartybreakfast。Aswewerepreparingtostart，Shadrach，theleaderoftheAbaticamel-
drivers，thatmanwiththescarredfacewhowasnicknamedtheCat，cameuptomeandaskedmewhitherweweregoing。Itoldhim，whereonhesaid:
“Whathaveyoutodowiththesesavagesandtheirtroubles，lords?Ifafewofthemarekilleditisnomatter，butasyoushouldknow，O
Doctor，ifyouwishtohuntlionsthereareplentyinthatlandwhitheryoutravel，seeingthatthelionisthefetishoftheFungandthereforeneverkilled。ButthedesertaboutZeuisdangerousandharmmaycometoyou。”
“Thenaccompanyus，“brokeintheProfessor，betweenwhomandShadrachtherewasnolovelost，"for，ofcourse，withyouweshouldbequitesafe。”
“Notso，“hereplied，“Iandmypeoplerest；onlymadmenwouldgotohuntworthlesswildbeastswhentheymightrest。Havewenotenoughofthedesertanditsdangersasitis?IfyouknewallthatIdooflionsyouwouldleavethemalone。”
“Ofthedesertwehaveplentyalso，butofshootingverylittle，“
remarkedtheCaptain，whotalkedArabicwell。“Lieinyourbeds；wegotokillthebeaststhatharassthepoorpeoplewhohavetreatedussokindly。”
“Sobeit，“saidShadrachwithasmilethatstruckmeasmalicious。“A
lionmadethis“——pointingtothedreadfulthreefoldscaruponhisface。“MaytheGodofIsraelprotectyoufromlions。Remember，lords，that，thecamelsbeingfreshagain，wemarchthedayafterto-morrow，shouldtheweatherhold，forifthewindblowsonyondersand-hills，nomanmayliveamongthem；“and，puttinguphishand，hestudiedtheskycarefullyfrombeneathitsshadow，then，withagrunt，turnedandvanishedbehindahut。
AllthiswhileSergeantQuickwasengagedatalittledistanceinwashingupthetinbreakfastthings，toallappearancequiteunconsciousofwhatwasgoingon。Ormecalledhim，whereuponheadvancedandstoodtoattention。Irememberthinkinghowcurioushelookedinthosesurroundings——histall，bonyframeclothedinsemi-
militarygarments，hiswoodenfaceperfectlyshaved，hisiron-greyhairneatlypartedandplastereddownuponhisheadwithpomadeorsomeequivalentaftertheoldprivatesoldierfashion，andhissharpferret-likegreyeyestakingineverything。
“Areyoucomingwithus，Sergeant?“askedOrme。
“Notunlessorderedsotodo，Captain。Ilikeabitofhuntingwellenough，but，withallthreeofficersaway，someoneshouldmountguardoverthestoresandtransport，soIthinkthedogPharaohandIhadbeststopbehind。”
“Perhapsyouareright，Sergeant，onlytiePharaohup，orhe"llfollowme。Well，whatdoyouwanttosay?Outwithit。”
“Onlythis，Captain。AlthoughIhaveservedinthreecampaignsamongthesehereArabians(toQuick，allAfricannativesnorthoftheEquatorwereArabians，andallsouthofit，niggers)，Ican"tsayI
talktheirlingowell。Still，ImadeoutthatthefellowtheycallCatdon"tlikethistripofyours，and，beggingyourpardon，Captain，whateverelseCatmaybe，heain"tnofool。”
“Can"thelpit，Sergeant。Foronething，itwouldneverdotogiveintohisfanciesnow。”
“That"strue，Captain。Whenonceit"shoist，rightorwrong，keeptheflagflying，andnodoubtyou"llcomebacksafeandsoundifyou"remeantto。”
Then，havingrelievedhismind，theSergeantranhiseyeoverourequipmenttoseethatnothinghadbeenforgotten，rapidlyassuredhimselfthattherifleswereinworkingorder，reportedallwell，andreturnedtohisdishes。Littledidanyofusguessunderwhatcircumstancesweshouldnextmeetwithhim。
Afterleavingthetownandmarchingforamileorsoalongtheoasis，accompaniedbyamoboftheZeusarmedwithspearsandbows，wewereledbythebereavedchief，whoalsoactedastracker，outintothesurroundingsands。Thedeserthere，althoughIremembereditwellenough，wasdifferentfromanythatwehadyetencountereduponthisjourney，beingcomposedofhugeandabruptsand-hills，someofwhichwerequitethreehundredfeethigh，separatedfromeachotherbydeep，wind-cutvalleys。
Foradistance，whiletheywerewithinreachofthemoistairoftheoasis，thesesand-mountainsproducedvegetationofvarioussorts。
Presently，however，wepassedoutintothewildernessproper，andforawhileclimbedupanddownthesteep，shiftingslopes，tillfromthecrestofoneofthemthechiefpointedoutwhatinSouthAfricaiscalledapan，or/vlei/，coveredwithgreenreeds，andexplainedbysignsthatintheselaythelions。Descendingasteepdeclivity，wepostedourselves，Iatthetop，andHiggsandOrmealittlewaydowneithersideofthis/vlei/。Thisdone，wedispatchedtheZeustobeatitouttowardsus，foralthoughthereedsgrewthickalongthecourseoftheundergroundwater，itwasbutanarrowplace，andnotmorethanaquarterofamileinlength。
Scarcelyhadthebeatersenteredthetallreeds，evidentlywithtrepidation，foragoodmanyofthemheldbackfromtheadventure，whenasoundofloudwailinginformedusthatsomethinghadhappened。
Aminuteortwolaterwesawtwoofthembearingawaywhatappearedtobethemangledremainsofthechief"ssonwhohadbeencarriedoffonthepreviousnight。
Justthen，too，wesawsomethingelse，forhalf-waydownthemarshagreatmalelionbrokecover，andbegantostealofftowardthesand-
hills。ItwasabouttwohundredyardsfromHiggs，whochancedtobenearesttoit，and，therefore，asanybig-gamehunterwillknow，forpracticalpurposes，faroutofshot。ButtheProfessor，whowasquiteunaccustomedtothis，or，indeed，anykindofsport，and，likeallbeginners，wildlyanxiousforblood，liftedhisrifleandfired，ashemighthavedoneatarabbit。Bysomemarvellousaccidenttheaimwasgood，andthebulletfromtheexpress，strikingthelionfairbehindtheshoulder，passedthroughitsheart，andknockeditoverdeadasastone。
“ByJingo！Didyouseethat?“screamedHiggsinhisdelight。Then，withoutevenstoppingtoreloadtheemptybarrel，hesetoffatthetopofhisspeedtowardtheprostratebeast，followedbymyselfandbyOrme，asfastasourastonishmentwouldallow。
Runningalongtheedgeofthemarsh，Higgshadcoveredaboutahundredyardsofthedistance，whensuddenly，chargingstraightathimoutofthetallreeds，appearedasecondlion，orratherlioness。Higgswheeledround，andwildlyfiredtheleftbarrelofhisriflewithouttouchingtheinfuriatedbrute。Nextinstant，toourhorror，wesawhimuponhisback，withthelionessstandingoverhim，lashinghertail，andgrowling。
Weshoutedasweran，andsodidtheZeus，althoughtheymadenoattemptatrescue，withtheresultthatthelioness，insteadoftearingHiggstopieces，turnedherheadconfusedlyfirsttoonesideandthentotheother。BynowI，whohadalongstartofOrme，wasquiteclose，saywithinthirtyyards，thoughfireIdarednotasyet，fearinglest，shouldIdoso，Imightkillmyfriend。Atthismomentthelioness，recoveringhernerves，squatteddownontheprostrateHiggs，andthoughhehitatherwithhisfists，droppedhermuzzle，evidentlywiththeintentionofbitinghimthroughthehead。
NowIfeltthatifIhesitatedanymore，allwouldbefinished。ThelionesswasmuchlongerthanHiggs——ashort，stoutman——andherhindquartersprojectedbeyondhisfeet。AttheseIaimedrapidly，and，pressingthetrigger，nextsecondheardthebulletclapuponthegreatbeast"shide。Upshesprangwitharoar，onehindlegdangling，andafteramoment"shesitation，fledtowardthesand-hill。
NowOrme，whowasbehindme，firedalso，knockingupthedustbeneaththelioness"sbelly，butalthoughhehadmorecartridgesinhisrifle，whichwasarepeater，beforeeitherheorIcouldgetanotherchance，itvanishedbehindamound。Leavingittogowhereitwould，weranontowardsHiggs，expectingtofindhimeitherdeadorbadlymauled，but，toouramazementanddelight，upjumpedtheProfessor，hisbluespectaclesstillonhisnose，and，loadinghisrifleashewent，chargedawayafterthewoundedlioness。
“Comeback，“shoutedtheCaptainashefollowed。
“NotforJoe！“yelledHiggsinhishighvoice。“IfyoufellowsthinkthatI"mgoingtoletagreatcatsitonmystomachfornothing，youarejollywellmistaken。”
Atthetopofthefirstrisethelong-leggedOrmecaughthim，butpersuadehimtoreturnwasmorethanhe，orIwhenIarrived，coulddo。Beyondascratchonhisnose，whichhadstunghimandcoveredhimwithblood，wefoundthathewasquiteuninjured，exceptintemperanddignity。Butinvaindidwebeghimtobecontentwithhisluckandthehonourshehadwon。
“Why?“heanswered，“Adamswoundedthebeast，andI"dratherkilltwolionsthanone；alsoIhaveascoretosquare。Butifyoufellowsareafraid，yougohome。”
Well，IconfessIfeltinclinedtoaccepttheinvitation，butOrme，whowasnettled，replied:
“Come，come；thatsettlesthequestion，doesn"tit?Youmustbeshakenbyyourfall，oryouwouldnottalklikethat，Higgs。Look，hererunsthespoor——seetheblood?Well，let"sgosteadyandkeepourwind。Wemaycomeonheranywhere，butdon"tyoutryanymorelongdistanceshots。Youwon"tkillanotherlionattwohundredandfiftyyards。”
“Allright，“saidHiggs，“don"tbeoffended。Ididn"tmeananything，exceptthatIamgoingtoteachthatbeastthedifferencebetweenawhitemanandaZeu。”
Thenwebeganourmarch，followingthebloodtracksupanddownthesteepsand-slopes。Whenwehadbeenatitforabouthalf-an-hourourspiritswerecheeredbycatchingsightofthelionessonaridgefivehundredyardsaway。Justthen，too，someoftheZeusovertookusandjoinedthehunt，thoughwithoutzeal。
Meanwhile，asthedaygrew，theheatincreaseduntilitwassointensethatthehotairdancedabovethesandslopeslikebillionsofmidges，andthisalthoughthesunwasnotvisible，beinghiddenbyasortofmist。Astrangesilence，unusualeveninthedesert，pervadedtheearthandsky；wecouldhearthegrainsofsandtricklingfromtheridges。TheZeus，whoaccompaniedus，grewuneasy，andpointedupwardwiththeirspears，thenbehindtowardtheoasisofwhichwehadlonglostsight。Finally，whenwewerenotlooking，theydisappeared。
NowIwouldhavefollowedthem，guessingthattheyhadsomegoodreasonforthissuddendeparture。ButHiggsrefusedtocome，andOrme，inwhomhisfoolishtauntseemedstilltorankle，onlyshruggedhisshouldersandsaidnothing。
“Lettheblackcursgo，“exclaimedtheProfessorashepolishedhisbluespectaclesandmoppedhisface。“Theyareawhite-liveredlotofsneaks。Look！Theresheis，creepingofftotheleft。Ifwerunroundthatsand-hillweshallmeether。”
Soweranroundthesand-hill，butwedidnotmeether，althoughafterlonghuntingwestruckthebloodspoorafresh，andfolloweditforseveralmiles，firstinthisdirection，andtheninthat，untilOrmeandIwonderedatHiggs"sobstinacyandendurance。Atlength，whenevenhewasbeginningtodespair，weputupthelionessinahollow，andfiredseveralshotsatherasshehobbledovertheopposingslope，oneofwhichhither，forsherolledover，thenpickedherselfupagain，roaring。Asamatteroffact，itcamefromtheCaptain"srifle，butHiggs，who，likemanyaninexperiencedpersonwasajealoussportsman，declaredthatitwashisandwedidnotthinkitworthwhiletocontradicthim。
Onwetoiled，and，justbeyondtheridge，walkedstraightintothelioness，sittinguplikeagreatdog，soinjuredthatshecoulddonothingbutsnarlhideouslyandpawattheair。
“Nowitismyturn，oldlady，“ejaculatedHiggs，andstraightwaymissedhercleanfromadistanceoffiveyards。Asecondshotwasmoresuccessful，andsherolledover，dead。
“Comeon，“saidtheexultantProfessor，“andwe"llskinher。Shesatonme，andImeantositonherformanyaday。”
Sowebeganthejob，althoughI，whohadlargeexperienceofthisdesert，anddidnotliketheappearanceoftheweather，wishedtoleavethebeastwhereitlayandgetbacktotheoasis。Itprovedlong，forIwastheonlyoneofuswhohadanypracticalknowledgeofflayinganimals，andinthatheatextremelyunpleasant。
Atlengthitwasdone，and，havingdoubledthehideoverariflefortwoofustocarryinturns，werefreshedourselvesfromthewater-
bottles(IevencaughttheProfessorwashingthebloodoffhisfaceandhandswithsomeofthepreciousfluid)。Thenwestartedfortheoasis，onlytodiscover，thoughwewereallsurethatweknewtheway，thatnotoneofushadaslightestideaofitsrealdirection。Inthehurryofourdeparturewehadforgottentobringacompass，andthesun，thatwouldhavebeenourguideinordinarycircumstances，andtowhichwealwaystrustedintheopendesert，washiddenbythecurioushazethathasbeendescribed。
So，sensiblyenough，wedeterminedtoreturntothesandcrestwherewehadkilledthelioness，andthentraceourownfootprintsbackward。
Thisseemedsimpleenough，forthere，withinhalf-a-mile，rosetheidenticalridge。
Wereachedit，grumbling，forthelion-skinwasheavy，onlytodiscoverthatitwasatotallydifferentridge。Now，afterreflectionandargument，wesawourexactmistake，andmadeforwhatwasobviouslytherealridge——withthesameresult。
Wewerelostinthedesert！
CHAPTERIV
THEDEATHWIND
“Thefactis，“saidHiggspresently，speakingwiththeairofanoracle，“thefactisthatalltheseaccursedsand-hillsareaslikeeachotherasmummybeadsonthesamenecklace，andthereforeitisverydifficulttoknowthemapart。Givemethatwater-bottle，Adams；I
amasdryasalime-kiln。”
“No，“Isaidshortly；“youmaybedrierbeforetheend。”
“Whatdoyoumean?Oh！Isee；butthat"snonsense；thoseZeuswillhuntusup，or，attheworst，wehaveonlytowaittillthesungetsout。”
Ashespoke，suddenlytheairbecamefilledwithacurioussingingsoundimpossibletodescribe，causedasIknew，whohadoftenhearditbefore，bymillionsandmillionsofparticlesofsandbeingrubbedtogether。Weturnedtoseewhenceitcame，andperceived，faraway，rushingtowardsuswithextraordinaryswiftness，ahugeanddensecloudprecededbyisolatedcolumnsandfunnelsofsimilarclouds。
“Asand-storm，“saidHiggs，hisfloridfacepalingalittle。“Badluckforus！That"swhatcomesofgettingoutofbedthewrongsidefirstthismorning。No，it"syourfault，Adams；youhelpedmetosaltlastnight，inspiteofmyremonstrances“(theProfessorhassundrylittlesuperstitionsofthissort，particularlyabsurdinsolearnedaman)。
“Well，whatshallwedo?Getundertheleeofthehilluntilitblowsover?“
“Don"tsupposeitwillblowover。Can"tseeanythingtodoexceptsayourprayers，“remarkedOrmewithsweetresignation。Oliveris，I
think，thecoolesthandinanemergencyofanyoneIevermet，except，perhaps，SergeantQuick，aman，ofcourse，nearlyoldenoughtobehisfather。“Thegameseemstobeprettywellup，“headded。“Well，youhavekilledtwolions，Higgs，andthatissomething。”
“Oh，hangit！Youcandieifyoulike，Oliver。Theworldwon"tmissyou；butthinkofitslossifanythinghappenedto/me/。Idon"tintendtobewipedoutbyabeastlysand-storm。IintendtolivetowriteabookonMur，“andHiggsshookhisfistattheadvancingcloudswithanairthatwasreallynoble。ItremindedmeofAjaxdefyingthelightning。
MeanwhileIhadbeenreflecting。
“Listen，“Isaid。“Ouronlychanceistostopwhereweare，forifwemoveweshallcertainlybeburiedalive。Look；thereissomethingsolidtolieon，“andIpointedtoaridgeofrock，akindofcoreofcongealedsand，fromwhichthesurfacehadbeensweptbygales。“Downwithyou，quick，“Iwenton，“andlet"sdrawthatlion-skinoverourheads。Itmayhelptokeepthedustfromchokingus。Hurry，men；it"scoming！“
Coming，itwasindeed，withamighty，wailingroar。Scarcelyhadwegotourselvesintoposition，ourbackstotheblastandourmouthsandnosesburiedafterthefashionofcamelsinasimilarpredicament，thelion-skincoveringourheadsandbodiestothemiddle，withthepawstuckedsecurelybeneathustopreventitfrombeingblownaway，whenthestormleapeduponusfuriously，bringingdarknessinitstrain。
Therewelayforhourafterhour，unabletosee，unabletotalkbecauseoftheroaringnoiseaboutus，andonlyfromtimetotimeliftingourselvesalittleuponourhandsandkneestodisturbtheweightofsandthataccumulatedonourbodies，lestitshouldencaseusinalivingtomb。
Dreadfulwerethemiserieswesuffered——themiseryoftheheatbeneaththestinkingpeltofthelion，themiseryofthedust-ladenairthatchokedusalmosttosuffocation，themiseryofthirst，forwecouldnotgetatourscantysupplyofwatertodrink。Butworstofallperhaps，wasthepaincausedbythecontinualfrictionofthesharpsanddrivenalongathurricanespeed，which，incredibleasitmayseem，finallyworeholesinourthinclothingandfiledourskinstorawness。
“NowondertheEgyptianmonumentsgetsuchabeautifulshineonthem，“
IheardpoorHiggsmutteringinmyearagainandagain，forhewasgrowinglight-headed；“nowonder，nowonder！Myshin-boneswillbeveryusefultopolishQuick"stallriding-boots。Oh！cursethelions。
Whydidyouhelpmetosalt，youoldass；whydidyouhelpmetosalt?
It"spicklingmebehind。”
Thenhebecamequiteincoherent，andonlygroanedfromtimetotime。
Perhaps，however，thissufferingdidusaservice，sinceotherwiseexhaustion，thirst，anddustmighthaveoverwhelmedoursenses，andcausedustofallintoasleepfromwhichwenevershouldhaveawakened。Yetatthetimewewerenotgratefultoit，foratlasttheagonybecamealmostunbearable。Indeed，OrmetoldmeafterwardsthatthelastthinghecouldrememberwasaquaintfancythathehadmadeacolossalfortunebysellingthesecretofanewtorturetotheChinese——thatofhotsanddrivenontothevictimbyacontinuousblastofhotair。
Afterawhilewelostcountoftime，norwasituntillaterthatwelearnedthatthestormenduredforfulltwentyhours，duringthelatterpartofwhich，notwithstandingourmanifoldsufferings，wemusthavebecomemoreorlessinsensible。Atanyrate，atonemomentI
rememberedtheawfulroarandthestingingofthesandwhips，followedbyakindofvisionofthefaceofmyson——thatbeloved，long-lostsonwhomIhadsoughtforsomanyyears，andforwhosesakeIenduredallthesethings。Then，withoutanyinterval，asitwere，Ifeltmylimbsbeingscorchedasthoughbyhotironsorthroughaburning-glass，andwithafearfuleffortstaggereduptofindthatthestormhadpassed，andthatthefurioussunwasblisteringmyexcoriatedskin。Rubbingthecakeddirtfrommyeyes，Ilookeddowntoseetwomoundslikethoseofgraves，outofwhichprojectedlegsthathadbeenwhite。Justthenonepairoflegs，thelongerpair，stirred，thesandheavedupconvulsively，and，utteringwanderingwordsinachokyvoice，therearosethefigureofOliverOrme。
Foramomentwestoodandstaredateachother，andstrangespectacleswewere。
“Ishedead?“mutteredOrme，pointingtothestillburiedHiggs。
“Fearso，“Ianswered，“butwe"lllook；“andpainfullywebegantodisinterhim。
Whenwecametoitbeneaththelion-skin，theProfessor"sfacewasblackandhideoustosee，but，toourrelief，weperceivedthathewasnotdead，forhemovedhishandandmoaned。Ormelookedatme。
“Waterwouldsavehim，“Isaid。
Thencametheanxiousmoment。Oneofourwater-bottleswasemptiedbeforethestormbegan，buttheother，alarge，patentflaskcoveredwithfelt，andhavingascrewvulcanitetop，shouldstillcontainagoodquantity，perhapsthreequarts——thatis，ifthefluidhadnotevaporatedinthedreadfulheat。Ifthishadhappened，itmeantthatHiggswoulddie，andunlesshelpcame，thatsoonweshouldfollowhim。
Ormeunscrewedtheflask，formyhandsrefusedthatoffice，andusedhisteethtodrawthecork，which，providentiallyenoughthethoughtfulQuickhadsetintheneckbeneaththescrew。Someofthewater，which，althoughitwasquitehot，had/not/evaporated，thankGod！flewagainsthisparchedlips，andIsawhimbitethemtillthebloodcameinthefiercenessofthetemptationtoassuagehisragingthirst。Butheresisteditlikethemanheis，and，withoutdrinkingadrop，handedmethebottle，sayingsimply:
“Youaretheoldest；takecareofthis，Adams。”
Nowitwasmyturntobetempted，butI，too，overcame，and，sittingdown，laidHiggs"sheaduponmyknee；then，dropbydrop，letalittleofthewatertricklebetweenhisswollenlips。
Theeffectwasmagical，forinlessthanaminutetheProfessorsatup，graspedattheflaskwithbothhands，andstrovetotearitaway。
“Youcruelbrute！Youcruelselfishbrute！“hemoanedasIwrencheditfromhim。
“Lookhere，Higgs，“Iansweredthickly；“OrmeandIwantwaterbadlyenough，andwehavehadnone。Butyoumighttakeitallifitwouldsaveyou，onlyitwouldn"t。Wearelostinthedesert，andmustbesparing。Ifyoudrankeverythingnow，inafewhoursyouwouldbethirstyagainanddie。”
Hethoughtawhile，thenlookedupandsaid:
“Begpardon——Iunderstand。I"mtheselfishbrute。Butthere"sagoodlotofwaterthere；let"seachhaveadrink；wecan"tmoveunlesswedo。”
Sowedrank，measuringoutthewaterinalittleindia-rubbercupwhichwehadwithus。Itheldaboutasmuchasaportwineglass，andeachofusdrank，orratherslowlysipped，threecupfuls；wewhofeltasthoughwecouldhaveswallowedagallonapiece，andaskedformore。
Smallaswastheallowance，itworkedwondersinus；weweremenagain。
Westoodupandlookedaboutus，butthegreatstormhadchangedeverything。Wheretherehadbeensand-hillsahundredfeethigh，nowwereplainsandvalleys；wheretherehadbeenvalleysappearedsand-
hills。Onlythehighridgeuponwhichwehadlainwasasbefore，becauseitstoodabovetheothersandhadacoreofrock。Wetriedtodiscoverthedirectionoftheoasisbythepositionofthesun，onlytobebaffled，sinceourtwowatcheshadrundown，andwedidnotknowthetimeofdayorwherethesunoughttobeintheheavens。Also，inthathowlingwildernesstherewasnothingtoshowusthepointsofthecompass。
Higgs，whoseobstinacyremainedunimpaired，whatevermayhavehappenedtotherestofhisvitalforces，hadoneviewofthematter，andOrmeanotherdiametricallyopposedtoit。Theyevenarguedastowhethertheoasislaytoourrightortoourleft，fortheirpoorheadsweresoconfusedthattheywerescarcelycapableofaccuratethoughtorobservation。MeanwhileIsatdownuponthesandandconsidered。
ThroughthehazeIcouldseethepointsofwhatIthoughtmustbethehillswhencetheZeusdeclaredthatthelionscame，althoughofcourse，foraughtIknew，theymightbeotherhills。
“Listen，“Isaid；“iflionsliveuponthosehills，theremustbewaterthere。Letustrytoreachthem；perhapsweshallseetheoasisaswego。”
Thenbeganourdreadfulmarch。Thelion-skinthathadsavedourlives，andwasnowbakedhardasaboard，weleftbehind，buttherifleswetook。Alldaylongwedraggedourselvesupanddownsteepsand-slopes，pausingnowagaintodrinkasipofwater，andhopingalwaysthatfromthetopofthenextslopeweshouldseearescuepartyheadedbyQuick，orperhapstheoasisitself。Indeed，oncewedidseeit，greenandshining，notmorethanthreemilesaway，butwhenwegottotheheadofthehillbeyondwhichitshouldliewefoundthatthevisionwasonlyamirage，andourheartsnearlybrokewithdisappointment。
Oh！tomendyingofthirst，thatmiragewasindeedacruelmockery。
Atlengthnightapproached，andthemountainswereyetalongwayoff。
Wecouldmarchnomore，andsankdownexhausted，lyingonourfaces，becauseourbacksweresocutbythedrivingsandandblisteredbythesunthatwecouldnotsit。Bynowalmostallourwaterwasgone。
SuddenlyHiggsnudgedusandpointedupwards。Followingthelineofhishand，wesaw，notthirtyyardsawayandshowingclearagainstthesky，afileofantelopestrekkingalongthesand-ridge，doubtlessonanightjourneyfromonepasturagetoanother。
“Youfellowsshoot，“hemuttered；“Imightmissandfrightenthemaway，“forinhisdistresspoorHiggswasgrowingmodest。
SlowlyOrmeandIdrewourselvestoourknees，cockingourrifles。Bythistimeallthebucksaveonehadpassed；therewerebutsixofthem，andthisonemarchedalongabouttwentyyardsbehindtheothers。
Ormepulledthetrigger，buthisriflewouldnotgooffbecause，ashediscoveredafterwards，somesandhadworkedintothemechanismofthelock。
MeanwhileIhadalsocoveredthebuck，butthesunsetdazzledmyweakenedeyes，andmyarmswerefeeble；alsomyterribleanxietyforsuccess，sinceIknewthatonthisshothungourlives，unnervedme。
Butitmustbenowornever；inthreemorepacesthebeastwouldbedownthedip。
Ifired，andknowingthatIhadmissed，turnedsickandfaint。Theantelopeboundedforwardafewyardsrighttotheedgeofthedip；
then，neverhavingheardsuchasoundbefore，andbeingovercomebysomefatalcuriosity，stoppedandturnedaround，staringatthedirectionwhenceithadcome。
DespairinglyIfiredagain，almostwithouttakingaim，andthistimethebulletwentinbeneaththethroat，and，rakingtheanimal，droppeditdeadasastone。Wescrambledtoit，andpresentlywereengagedinanawfulmealofwhichweneverafterwardslikedtothink。Happilyforusthatantelopemusthavedrunkwaternotlongbefore。
Ourhungerandthirstassuagedafterthishorriblefashion，wesleptawhilebythecarcase，thenaroseextraordinarilyrefreshed，and，havingcutoffsomehunksofmeattocarrywithus，startedonagain。
Bythepositionofthestars，wenowknewthattheoasismustliesomewheretotheeastofus；butasbetweenusanditthereappearedtobenothingbuttheseeternalsand-hillsstretchingawayformanymiles，andasinfrontofustowardtherangethecharacterofthedesertseemedtobechanging，wethoughtitsafer，ifthewordsafetycanbeusedinsuchaconnection，tocontinuetoheadforthatrange。
Alltheremainderofthisnightwemarched，and，aswehadnofuelwherewithtocookit，atdawnatesomeoftherawmeat，whichwewasheddownwiththelastdropsofourwater。
Nowwewereoutofthesand-hills，andhadenteredonagreatpebblyplainthatlaybetweenusandthefootofthemountains。Theselookedquietclose，butinfactwerestillfaroff。Feeblyandevermorefeeblywestaggeredon，meetingnooneandfindingnowater，thoughhereandtherewecameacrosslittlebushes，ofwhichwechewedthestringyandaromaticleavesthatcontainedsomemoisture，butdrewupourmouthsandthroatslikealum。
Higgs，whowasthesoftestofus，gaveoutthefirst，thoughtothelasthestruggledforwardwithsurprisingpluck，evenafterhehadbeenobligedtothrowawayhisrifle，becausehecouldnolongercarryit，thoughthiswedidnotnoticeatthetime。Whenhecouldnotsupporthimselfuponhisfeet，Ormetookhimbyonearm，andIbytheother，andhelpedhimon，muchasIhaveseentwoelephantsdobyawoundedcompanionoftheherd。
Half-an-hourorsolatermystrengthfailedmealso。Althoughadvancedinyears，Iamtoughandaccustomedtothedesertandhardships；whowouldnotbewhohadbeenaslavetotheKhalifa?ButnowIcoulddonomore，andhalting，beggedtheotherstogoonandleaveme。Orme"sonlyanswerwastoproffermehisleftarm。Itookit，forlifeissweettousall，especiallywhenonehassomethingtolivefor——adesiretofulfilasIhad，thoughtotellthetruth，evenatthetimeIfeltashamedofmyself。
Thus，then，weproceededawhile，resemblingasobermanattemptingtoleadtwodrunkenfriendsoutofreachofthatsternpoliceman，Death。
Orme"sstrengthmustbewonderful；orwasithisgreatspiritandhistenderpityforourhelplessnesswhichenabledhimtoendurebeneaththisdoubleburden。
Suddenlyhefelldownasthoughhehadbeenshot，andlaytheresenseless。TheProfessor，however，retainedsomeportionofhismind，althoughitwandered。Hebecamelight-headed，andrambledonaboutourmadnessinhavingundertakensuchajourney，“justtopotacoupleofbeastlylions，“andalthoughIdidnotanswerthem，Iagreedheartilywithhisremarks。ThenheseemedtoimaginethatIwasaclergyman，andkneelingonthesand，hemadealengthyconfessionofhissinswhich，sofarasIgathered，thoughIdidnotpaymuchattentiontothem，forIwasthinkingofmyown，appearedchieflytoconsistoftheunlawfulacquisitionofcertainobjectsofantiquity，orofhavingovermatchedothersinthepurchaseofsuchobjects。
Topacifyhim，forIfearedlestheshouldgoravingmad，Ipronouncedsomereligiousabsolution，whereonpoorHiggsrolledoverandlaystillbyOrme。Yes；he，thefriendwhomIhadalwaysloved，forhisveryfailingswereendearing，wasdeadoratthepointofdeath，likethegallantyoungmanathisside，andImyselfwasdying。Tremorsshookmylimbs；horriblewavesofblacknessseemedtowellupfrommyvitals，throughmybreasttomybrain，andthencetoevaporateinqueer，jaggedlinesandpatches，whichIrealized，butcouldnotactuallysee。Gaymemoriesofmyfar-offchildhoodaroseinme，particularlythoseofaChristmaspartywhereIhadmetalittlegirldressedlikeanelf，alittlegirlwithblueeyeswhomIhadloveddearlyforquiteafortnight，tobebeatendown，stampedout，swallowedbythatvisionoftheimminentshadowwhichawaitsallmankind，theblackwombofare-birth，ifre-birththerebe。
WhatcouldIdo?Ithoughtoflightingafire；atanyrateitwouldservetoscarethelionsandotherwildbeastswhichelsemightpreyuponusbeforewewerequitedead。Itwouldbedreadfultoliehelplessbutsentient，andfeeltheirrendingfangs。ButIhadnostrengthtocollectthematerial。Todosoatbestmusthavemeantalongwalk，forevenhereitwasnotplentiful。Ihadafewcartridgesleft——three，tobeaccurate——inmyrepeatingrifle；therestIhadthrownawaytoberidoftheirweight。Ideterminedtofirethem，since，inmystateIthoughttheycouldnolongerserveeithertowinfoodorforthepurposesofdefence，although，asithappened，inthisIwaswrong。Itwaspossiblethat，eveninthatendlessdesert，someonemightheartheshots，andifnot——well，good-night。
SoIsatupandfiredthefirstcartridge，wonderinginachildishfashionwherethebulletwouldfall。ThenIwenttosleepforawhile。
Thehowlingofahyenawokemeup，and，onglancingaround，Isawthebeast"sflamingeyesquiteclosetome。Iaimedandshotatit，andheardayellofpain。Thathyena，Ireflected，wouldwantnomorefoodatpresent。
Thesilenceofthedesertoverwhelmedme；itwassoterriblethatI
almostwishedthehyenabackforcompany。Holdingtherifleabovemyhead，Ifiredthethirdcartridge。ThenItookthehandofHiggsinmyown，for，afterall，itwasalink——thelastlinkwithhumanityandtheworld——andlaydowninthecompanyofdeaththatseemedtofalluponmeinblackandsmotheringveils。
Iwokeupandbecameawarethatsomeonewaspouringwaterdownmythroat。Heaven！Ithoughttomyself，foratthattimeheavenandwaterweresynonymousinmymind。Idrankagooddealofit，notallI
wantedbyanymeans，butasmuchasthepourerwouldallow，thenraisedmyselfuponmyhandsandlooked。Thestarlightwasextraordinarilyclearinthatpuredesertatmosphere，andbyitIsawthefaceofSergeantQuickbendingoverme。Also，IsawOrmesittingup，staringabouthimstupidly，whileagreatyellowdog，withaheadlikeamastiff，lickedhishand。Iknewthedogatonce；itwasthatwhichOrmehadboughtfromsomewanderingnatives，andnamedPharaohbecauseheruledoverallotherdogs。Moreover，Iknewthetwocamelsthatstoodnearby。SoIwasstillonearth——unless，indeedwehadallmovedonastep。
“Howdidyoufindus，Sergeant?“Iaskedfeebly。
“Didn"tfindyou，Doctor，“answeredQuick，“dogPharaohfoundyou。Inabusinesslikethisadogismoreusefulthanman，forhecansmellwhatonecan"tsee。Now，ifyoufeelbetter，Doctor，pleaselookatMr。Higgs，forIfearhe"sgone。”
Ilooked，and，althoughIdidnotsayso，wasofthesameopinion。Hisjawhadfallen，andhelaylimpandsenseless；hiseyesIcouldnotsee，becauseoftheblackspectacles。
“Water，“Isaid，andQuickpouredsomeintohismouth，whereitvanished。
Stillhedidnotstir，soIopenedhisgarmentsandfelthisheart。AtfirstIcoulddetectnothing；thentherewastheslightestpossibleflutter。
“There"shope，“Isaidinanswertothequestioninglooks。“Youdon"thappentohaveanybrandy，doyou?“Iadded。
“Nevertravelledwithoutityet，Doctor，“repliedQuickindignantly，producingametalflask。
“Givehimsome，“Isaid，andtheSergeantobeyedwithliberalityandalmostinstantaneouseffect，forHiggssatupgaspingandcoughing。
“Brandy；filthystuff；teetotaller！Cursedtrick！Neverforgiveyou。
Water，water，“hesplutteredinathick，lowvoice。
Wegaveittohim，andhedrankcopiously，untilwewouldlethimhavenomoreindeed。Then，bydegrees，hissensescamebacktohim。Hethrustuphisblackspectacleswhichhehadwornallthiswhile，andstaredattheSergeantwithhissharpeyes。
“Iunderstand，“hesaid。“Sowearenotdead，afterall，whichperhapsisapityaftergettingthroughthebeastlypreliminaries。Whathashappened?“
“Don"tquiteknow，“answeredOrme；“askQuick。”
ButtheSergeantwasalreadyengagedinlightingalittlefireandsettingacamp-kettletoboil，intowhichhepouredatinofbeefextractthathehadbroughtwithothereatablesfromourstoresonthechancethathemightfindus。Infifteenminutesweweredrinkingsoup，forIforbadeanythingmoresolidasyet，and，oh！whatablessedmealwasthat。Whenitwasfinished，Quickfetchedsomeblanketsfromthecamels，whichhethrewoverus。
“Liedownandsleep，gentlemen，“hesaid；“PharaohandIwillwatch。”
ThelastthingIrememberwasseeingtheSergeant，inhisownfashionanextremelyreligiousman，andnotashamedofit，kneelinguponthesandandapparentlysayinghisprayers。Asheexplainedafterwards，ofcourse，asafatalist，heknewwellthatwhatevermusthappenwouldhappen，butstillheconsidereditrightandpropertoreturnthankstothePowerwhichhadarrangedthatonthisoccasionthehappeningsshouldbegood，andnotill，asentimentwithwhicheveryoneofusagreed。Oppositetohim，withoneofhisfaithfuleyesfixedonOrme，satPharaohingravecontemplation。Doubtless，beinganEasterndog，heunderstoodthemeaningofpublicprayer；orperhapshethoughtthatheshouldreceivesomeshareofgratitudeandthanks。
Whenweawokethesunwasalreadyhigh，andtoshowusthatwehaddreamednodream，therewasQuickfryingtinnedbaconoverthefire，whilePharaohsatstillandwatchedhim——orthebacon。
“Look，“saidOrmetome，pointingtothemountains，“theyarestillmilesaway。Itwasmadnesstothinkthatwecouldreachthem。”
Inodded，thenturnedtostareatHiggs，whowasjustwakingup，for，indeed，hewasasighttosee。Hisfieryredhairwasfullofsand，hisnethergarmentsweregone，apparentlyatsomestageinourmarchhehaddispensedwiththeremainsofthembecausetheychafedhissorelimbs，andhisfairskin，notexcludingthatofhisface，wasamassofblisters，raisedbythesun。Infacthewassodisfiguredthathisworstenemywouldnothaveknownhim。Heyawned，stretchedhimself，alwaysagoodsigninmanorbeast，andaskedforabath。
“Iamafraidyouwillhavetowashyourselfinsandhere，sir，likethemfilthyArabians，“saidQuick，saluting。“Nowatertospareforbathsinthisdrycountry。ButI"vegotatubeofhazeline，alsoahair-brushandalooking-glass，“headded，producingthesearticles。
“Quiteso，Sergeant，“saidHiggs，ashetookthem；“it"ssacrilegetothinkofusingwatertowash。Iintendnevertowasteitinthatwayagain。”Thenhelookedathimselfintheglass，andletitfalluponthesand，ejaculating，“Oh！goodLord，isthatme?“
“Pleasebecareful，sir，“saidtheSergeantsternly；“youtoldmetheotherdaythatit"sunluckytobreakalooking-glass；alsoIhavenoother。”
“Takeitaway，“saidtheProfessor；“Idon"twantitanymore，and，Doctor，comeandoilmyface，there"sagoodfellow；yes，andtherestofmealso，ifthereisenoughhazeline。”
Sowetreatedeachotherwiththeointment，whichatfirstmadeussmartfearfully，andthen，verygingerlysatdowntobreakfast。
“Now，Sergeant，“saidOrme，ashefinishedhisfifthpannikinoftea，“tellusyourstory。”
“Thereisn"tmuchofastory，Captain。ThoseZeufellowscamebackwithoutyou，and，notknowingthelingo，Icouldmakenothingoftheirtale。Well，IsoonmadeShadrachandCo。understandthat，death-windornodeath-wind——that"swhattheycallit——theymustcomewithmetolookforyou，andatlastwestarted，althoughtheysaidthatIwasmad，asyouweredeadalready。Indeed，itwasn"tuntilIaskedthatfellowShadrachifhewantedtobedeadtoo“——andtheSergeanttappedhisrevolvergrimly——“thathewouldletanyonego。
“Asitproved，hewasright，forwecouldn"tfindyou，andafterawhilethecamelsrefusedtofacethestormanylonger；alsooneoftheAbatidriverswaslost，andhasn"tbeenheardofsince。Itwasalltherestofuscoulddotogetbacktotheoasisalive，norwouldShadrachgooutagainevenafterthestormhadblownitselfaway。Itwasnousearguingwiththepig，so，asIdidnotwanthisblooduponmyhands，ItooktwocamelsandstartedwiththedogPharaohforcompany。
“Nowthiswasmythought，althoughIcouldnotexplainittotheAbaticrowd，thatifyoulivedatall，youwouldalmostcertainlyheadforthehillsasIknewyouhadnocompass，andyouwouldnotbeabletoseeanythingelse。SoIrodealongtheplainwhichstretchesbetweenthedesertandthemountains，keepingontheedgeofthesand-hills。I
rodeallday，butwhennightcameIhalted，sinceIcouldseenomore。
ThereIsatinthatgreatplace，thinking，andafteranhourortwoI
observedPharaohprickhisearsandlooktowardthewest。SoIalsostartedtowardthewest，andpresentlyIthoughtthatIsawonefaintstreakoflightwhichseemedtogoupward，andthereforecouldn"tcomefromafallingstar，butmighthavecomefromariflefiredtowardthesky。
“Ilistened，butnosoundreachedme，onlypresently，somesecondsafterwards，thedogagainprickedhisearsasthough/he/heardsomething。Thatsettledme，andImountedandrodeforwardthroughthenighttowardtheplacewhereIthoughtIhadseentheflash。FortwohoursIrode，firingmyrevolverfromtimetotime；thenasnoanswercame，gaveitupasabadjob，andstopped。ButPharaohtherewouldn"tstop。Hebegantowhineandsniffandrunforward，andatlastboltedintothedarkness，outofwhichpresentlyIheardhimbarkingsomehundredsofyardsaway，tocallme，Isuppose。SoIfollowedandfoundyouthreegentlemen，dead，asIthoughtatfirst。That"sallthestory，Captain。”
“Onewithagoodend，anyway，Sergeant。Weoweourlivestoyou。”
“Begyourpardon，Captain，“answeredQuickmodestly；“nottomeatall，buttoProvidencefirstthatarrangedeverything，beforewewerebornperhaps，andnexttoPharaoh。He"sawisedog，Pharaoh，thoughfiercewithsome，andyoudidagooddealwhenyouboughthimforabottleofwhiskyandasixpennypocket-knife。”
Itwasdawnonthefollowingmorningbeforewesightedtheoasis，whitherwecouldtravelbutslowly，since，owingtothelackofcamels，twoofusmustwalk。Ofthesetwo，asmaybeguessed，theSergeantwasalwaysoneandhismastertheother，forofallthemenI
everknewIthinkthatinsuchmattersOrmeisthemostunselfish。
Nothingwouldinducehimtomountoneofthecamels，evenforhalf-an-
hour，sothatwhenIwalked，thebrutewentriderless。Ontheotherhand，oncehewason，notwithstandingtheagonieshesufferedfromhissoreness，nothingwouldinduceHiggstogetoff。
“HereIamandhereIstop，“hesaidseveraltimes，inEnglish，French，andsundryOrientallanguages。“I"vetrampeditenoughtolastmetherestofmylife。”
BothofusweredozinguponoursaddleswhensuddenlyIheardtheSergeantcallingtothecamelstohaltandaskedwhatwasthematter。
“LookslikeArabians，Doctor，“hesaid，pointingtoacloudofdustadvancingtowardus。
“Well，ifso，“Ianswered，“ourbestchanceistoshownofearandgoon。Idon"tthinktheywillharmus。”
So，havingmadereadysuchweaponsaswehad，weadvanced，OrmeandtheSergeantwalkingbetweenthetwocamels，untilpresentlyweencounteredtheothercaravan，and，toourastonishment，sawnoneotherthanShadrachridingattheheadofit，mountedonmydromedary，whichhisownmistress，theLadyoftheAbati，hadgiventome。Wecamefacetoface，andhalted，staringateachother。
“BythebeardofAaron！isityou，lords?“heasked。“Wethoughtyouweredead。”
“BythehairofMoses！soIgather，“Iansweredangrily，“seeingthatyouaregoingoffwithallourbelongings，“andIpointedtothebaggagecamelsladenwithgoods。
Thenfollowedexplanationsandvolubleapologies，whichHiggsforoneacceptedwithaverybadgrace。Indeed，ashecantalkArabicanditsdialectsperfectly，hemadeuseofthattonguetopourupontheheadsofShadrachandhiscompanionsastreamofEasterninvectivethatmusthaveastonishedthem，ablysecondedasitwasbySergeantQuickinEnglish。
Ormelistenedforsometime，thensaid:
“That"lldo，oldfellow；ifyougoon，youwillgetuparow，and，Sergeant，begoodenoughtoholdyourtongue。Wehavemetthem，sothereisnoharmdone。Now，friendShadrach，turnbackwithustotheoasis。Wearegoingtorestthereforsomedays。”
Shadrachlookedsulky，andsaidsomethingaboutourturningandgoingonwith/them/，whereonIproducedtheancientring，Sheba"sring，whichIhadbroughtasatokenfromMur。ThisIheldbeforehiseyes，saying:
“Disobey，andtherewillbeanaccounttosettlewhenyoucomeintothepresenceofherwhosentyouforth，forevenifwefourshoulddie“——andIlookedathimmeaningly——“thinknotthatyouwillbeabletohidethismatter；therearetoomanywitnesses。”
Then，withoutmorewords，hesalutedthesacredring，andweallwentbacktoZeu。
CHAPTERV
PHARAOHMAKESTROUBLE
Anothersixweeksorsohadgoneby，andatlengththecharacterofthecountrybegantochange。Atlastwewerepassingoutoftheendlessdesertoverwhichwehadtravelledforsomanyhundredsofmiles；atleastathousand，accordingtoourobservationsandreckonings，whichIcheckedbythosethatIhadtakenuponmyeastwardjourney。Ourmarch，afterthegreatadventureattheoasis，wassingularlydevoidofstartlingevents。Indeed，ithadbeenawfulinitsmonotony，andyet，oddlyenough，notwithoutacertaincharm——atanyrateforHiggsandOrme，towhomtheexperiencewasnew。
Daybydaytotravelonacrossanendlessseaofsandsoremote，sounvisitedthatforwholeweeksnoman，notevenawanderingBedouinofthedesert，crossedourpath。Daybydaytoseethegreatredsunriseoutoftheeasternsands，and，itsjourneyfinished，sinkintothewesternsands。Nightbynighttowatchthemoon，thesamemoononwhichwerefixedthemillioneyesofcities，turningthosesandstoasilversea，or，inthatpureair，toobservetheconstellationsbywhichwesteeredourpathmakingtheirmajesticmarchthroughspace。
Andyettoknowthatthisvastregion，nowsoutterlylonesomeanddesolate，hadoncebeenfamiliartothefeetoflong-forgottenmenwhohadtrodthesandswewalked，anddugthewellsatwhichwedrank。
Armieshadmarchedacrossthesedeserts，also，andperishedthere。Foroncewecametoaplacewherearecentfearfulgalehadalmostdenudedtheunderlyingrock，andtherefoundtheskeletonsofthousandsuponthousandsofsoldiers，withthoseoftheirbeastsofburden，andamongthemheadsofarrows，sword-blades，fragmentsofarmourandofpaintedwoodenshields。
Hereawholehosthaddied；perhapsAlexandersentitforth，orperhapssomefarearliermonarchwhosenamehasceasedtoechoontheearth。Atleasttheyhaddied，fortherewesawthememorialofthatburiedenterprise。Therelaythekings，thecaptains，thesoldiers，andtheconcubines，forIfoundthefemalebonesheapedapart，somewiththelonghairstillupontheskulls，showingwherethepoor，affrightedwomenhadhivedtogetherinthelastcatastropheofslaughteroroffamine，thirst，anddrivensand。Oh，ifonlythosebonescouldspeak，whatatalewastheirstotell！
Therehadbeencitiesinthisdesert，too，whereoncewereoases，nowoverwhelmed，exceptperhapsforasand-chokedspring。Twicewecameuponthefoundationsofsuchplaces，oldwallsofclayorstone，starkskeletonsofancienthomesthattheshiftingsandshaddisinterred，whichoncehadbeenthetheatreofhumanhopesandfears，whereoncemenhadbeenborn，loved，anddied，whereoncemaidenshadbeenfair，andgoodandevilwrestled，andlittlechildrenplayed。SomeJobmayhavedwelthereandwrittenhisimmortalplaint，orsomekingofSodom，andsufferedtheuttermostcalamity。Theworldisveryold；allweWesternslearnedfromthecontemplationofthesewrecksofmenandoftheirworkswasjustthattheworldisveryold。
Oneeveningagainsttheclearskythereappearedthedimoutlineoftoweringcliffs，shapedlikeahorseshoe。TheyweretheMountainsofMurmanymilesaway，butstilltheMountainsofMur，sightedatlast。
Nextmorningwebegantodescendthroughwoodedlandtowardawideriverthatis，Ibelieve，atributaryoftheNile，thoughuponthispointIhavenocertaininformation。Threedayslaterwereachedthebanksofthisriver，followingsomeoldroad，andfaringsumptuouslyalltheway，sinceheretherewasmuchgameandgrassinplentyforthecamelsthat，aftertheirlongabstinence，ateuntilwethoughtthattheywouldburst。Evidentlywehadnotarrivedanhourtoosoon，fornowtheMountainsofMurwerehidbyclouds，andwecouldseethatitwasrainingupontheplainswhichlaybetweenusandthem。Thewetseasonwassettingin，and，hadwebeenasingleweeklater，itmighthavebeenimpossibleforustocrosstheriver，whichwouldthenhavebeeninflood。Asitwas，wepasseditwithoutdifficultybytheancientford，thewaterneverrisingabovethekneesofourcamels。
Uponitsfurtherbankwetookcounsel，fornowwehadenteredtheterritoryoftheFung，andwerefacetofacewiththerealdangersofourjourney。FiftymilesorsoawayrosethefortressofMur，but，asIexplainedtomycompanions，thequestionwashowtopassthosefiftymilesinsafety。Shadrachwascalledtoourconference，andatmyrequestsetoutthefacts。
Yonder，hesaid，rosetheimpregnablemountainhomeoftheAbati，butallthevastplainincludedintheloopoftheriverwhichhecalledEbur，wasthehomeofthesavageFungrace，whosewarriorscouldbecountedbythetenthousand，andwhoseprincipalcity，Harmac，wasbuiltoppositetothestoneeffigyoftheiridol，thatwasalsocalledHarmac——
“Harmac——thatisHarmachis，godofdawn。YourFunghadsomethingtodowiththeoldEgyptians，orbothofthemcamefromacommonstock，“
interruptedHiggstriumphantly。
“Idaresay，oldfellow，“answeredOrme；“IthinkyoutoldusthatbeforeinLondon；butwewillgointothearch?ologyafterwardsifwesurvivetodoso。LetShadrachgetonwithhistale。”
Thiscity，whichhadquitefiftythousandinhabitants，continuedShadrach，commandedthemouthofthepassorcleftbywhichwemustapproachMur，havingprobablybeenfirstbuiltthereforthatverypurpose。
Ormeaskediftherewasnootherwayintothestronghold，which，heunderstood，theembassyhadleftbybeingletdownaprecipice。
Shadrachansweredthatthiswastrue，butthatalthoughthecamelsandtheirloadshadbeenletdownthatprecipitousplace，owingtotheformationofitsoverhangingrocks，itwouldbeperfectlyimpossibletohaulthemupitwithanytacklethattheAbatipossessed。
Heaskedagainiftherewasnotawayround，ifthatcircleofmountainshadnobackdoor。Shadrachrepliedthattherewassuchabackdoorfacingtothenorthsomeeightdays"journeyaway。Onlyatthisseasonoftheyearitcouldnotbereached，sincebeyondtheMountainsofMurinthatdirectionwasagreatlake，outofwhichflowedtheriverEburintwoarmsthatenclosedthewholeplainofFung。Bynowthislakewouldbefull，swollenwithrainsthatfellonthehillsofNorthernAfrica，andthespacebetweenitandtheMurrangenothingbutanimpassableswamp。
Beingstillunsatisfied，Ormeinquiredwhether，ifweabandonedthecamels，wecouldnotthenclimbtheprecipicedownwhichtheembassyhaddescended。Tothistheanswer，whichIcorroborated，wasthatifourapproachwereknownandhelpgiventousfromabove，itmightbepossible，providedthatwethrewawaytheloads。
“Seeingwhattheseloadsare，andthepurposeforwhichwehavebroughtthemsofar，thatisoutofthequestion，“saidOrme。
“Therefore，tellusatonce，Shadrach，howwearetowinthroughtheFungtoMur。”
“Inonewayonly，OsonofOrme，shoulditbethewillofGodthatwedosoatall；bykeepingourselveshiddenduringthedaytimeandmarchingatnight。Accordingtotheircustomatthisseason，to-morrow，aftersunset，theFungholdtheirgreatspringfeastinthecityofHarmac，andatdawngouptomakesacrificetotheiridol。Butaftersunsettheyeatanddrinkandaremerry，andthenitistheirhabittowithdrawtheirguards，thattheymaytakepartinthefestival。ForthisreasonIhavetimedourmarchthatweshouldarriveonthenightofthisfeast，whichIknowbytheageofthemoon，when，inthedarkness，withGod"shelp，perchancewemayslippastHarmac，andatthefirstlightfindourselvesinthemouthoftheroadthatrunsuptoMur。Moreover，Iwillgivewarningtomypeople，theAbati，thatwearecoming，sothattheymaybeathandtohelpusifthereisneed。”
“How?“askedOrme。
“Byfiringthereeds“——andhepointedtothedensemassesofdeadvegetationabout——“asIarrangedthatIwoulddobeforeweleftMurmanymonthsago。TheFung，iftheyseeit，willthinkonlythatitistheworkofsomewanderingfisherman。”
Ormeshruggedhisshoulders，saying:
“Well，friendShadrach，youknowtheplaceandthesepeople，andIdonot，sowemustdowhatyoutellus。ButIsayatoncethatif，asI
understand，yonderFungwillkillusiftheycan，tomeyourplanseemsverydangerous。”
“Itisdangerous，“heanswered，addingwithasneer，“butIthoughtthatyoumenofEnglandwerenotcowards。”
“Cowards！yousonofadog！“brokeinHiggsinhishighvoice。“Howdareyoutalktouslikethat?Youseethismanhere“——andhepointedtoSergeantQuick，who，tallandupright，stoodwatchingthisscenegrimly，andunderstandingmostofwhatpassed——“well，heisthelowestamongus——aservantonly“(heretheSergeantsaluted)，“butItellyouthatthereismorecourageinhislittlefingerthaninyourwholebody，orinthatofalltheAbatipeople，sofarasIcanmakeout。”
HeretheSergeantsalutedagain，murmuringbeneathhisbreath，“Ihopeso，sir。BeingaChristian，Ihopeso，buttillitcomestothesticking-point，onecanneverbesure。”
“Youspeakbigwords，OHiggs，“answeredShadrachinsolently，for，asIthinkIhavesaid，hehatedtheProfessor，whosmelttherogueinhim，andscourgedhimcontinuallywithhissharptongue，“butiftheFunggetholdofyou，thenweshalllearnthetruth。”
“ShallIpunchhishead，sir?“queriedQuickinameditativevoice。
“Bequiet，please，“interruptedOrme。“Wehavetroublesenoughbeforeus，withoutmakingmore。ItwillbetimetosettleourquarrelswhenwehavegotthroughtheFung。”
ThenheturnedtoShadrachandsaid:
“Friend，thisisnotimeforangrywords。Youaretheguideofthisparty；leadusasyouwill，rememberingonlythatifitcomestowar，I，bythewishofmycompanions，amCaptain。Also，thereisanotherthingwhichyoushouldnotforget——namely，thatintheendyoumustmakeanswertoyourownruler，shewho，Iunderstandfromthedoctorhere，iscalledWaldaNagasta，theChildofKings。Now，nomorewords；
wemarchasyouwishandwhereyouwish。Onyourheadbeit！“
TheAbatiheardandbowedsullenly。Then，withalookofhateatHiggs，heturnedandwentabouthisbusiness。
“Muchbettertohaveletmepunchhishead，“soliloquizedQuick。“Itwouldhavedonehimaworldofgood，andperhapssavedmanytroubles，for，totellthetruth，Idon"ttrustthatquarter-bredHebrew。”
Thenhedepartedtoseetothecamelsandthegunswhiletherestofuswenttoourtentstogetsuchsleepasthemosquitoeswouldallow。
Inmyowncaseitwasnotmuch，sincethefearofeviltocomeweigheduponme。AlthoughIknewtheenormousdifficultyofenteringthemountainstrongholdofMurbyanyotherway，suchasthatbywhichI
hadquittedit，burdenedaswewerewithourlongtrainofcamelsladenwithrifles，ammunition，andexplosives，IdreadedtheresultsofanattempttopassthroughtheFungsavages。
Moreover，itoccurredtomethatShadrachhadinsisteduponthisroutefromakindofjealousobstinacy，andtobeinoppositiontousEnglishmen，whomhehatedinhisheart，orperhapsforsomedarkandsecretreason。Still，thefactremainedthatwewereinhispower，sinceowingtothecircumstancesinwhichIhadenteredandlefttheplace，itwasimpossibleformetoactasguidetotheparty。IfI
attemptedtodoso，nodoubtheandtheAbatiwithhimwoulddesert，leavingthecamelsandtheirloadsuponourhands。Whyshouldtheynot，seeingthattheywouldbequitesafeinconcludingthatweshouldneverhaveanopportunityoflayingoursideofthecasebeforetheirruler?
Justasthesunwassetting，Quickcametocallme，sayingthatthecamelswerebeingloadedup。
“Idon"tmuchlikethelookofthings，Doctor，“hesaidashehelpedmetopackmyfewbelongings，“forthefactisIcan"ttrustthatShadrachman。Hispalscallhim"Cat，"agoodnameforhim，Ithink。
Also，heisshowinghisclawsjustnow，thetruthbeingthathehatesthelotofus，andwouldliketogetbackintoPurrorMur，orwhateverthenameoftheplaceis，havinglostusontheroad。YoushouldhaveseenthewayhelookedattheProfessorjustnow。Oh！I
wishtheCaptainhadletmepunchhishead。I"msureitwouldhaveclearedtheairalot。”
Asitchanced，Shadrachwasdestinedtogethishead“punched“afterall，butbyanotherhand。Ithappenedthus。Thereedswerefired，asShadrachhaddeclareditwasnecessarytodo，inorderthattheAbatiwatchmenonthedistantmountainsmightseeandreportthesignal，althoughinthelightofsubsequenteventsIambynomeanscertainthatthiswarningwasnotmeantforothereyesaswell。Then，asarranged，westartedout，leavingthemburninginagreatsheetofflamebehindus，andallthatnightmarchedbytheshineofthestarsalongsomebroken-downandundoubtedlyancientroad。
AtthefirstsignofdawnweleftthisroadandcampedamidtheovergrownruinsofadesertedtownthathadbeenbuiltalmostbeneaththeprecipitouscliffsofMur，fortunatelywithouthavingmetanyoneorbeingchallenged。Itookthefirstwatch，whiletheothersturnedintosleepafterwehadallbreakfastedoffcoldmeats，forherewedarednotlightafire。Asthesungrewhigh，dispellingthemists，I
sawthatwewereenteringuponathickly-populatedcountrywhichwasnostrangertocivilizationofasort。Belowus，notmorethanfifteenorsixteenmilesaway，andclearlyvisiblethroughmyfield-glasses，laythegreattownofHarmac，which，duringmypreviousvisittothisland，Ihadneverseen，asIpasseditinthenight。
ItwasacityoftheWestCentralAfricantype，withopenmarket-
placesandwidestreets，containingthousandsofwhite，flat-roofedhouses，themostimportantofwhichweresurroundedbygardens。Rounditranahighandthickwall，built，apparently，ofsun-burntbrick，andinfrontofthegateways，ofwhichIcouldseetwo，stoodsquaretowerswhencethesemightbeprotected。Allaboutthiscitytheflatandfertilelandwasundercultivation，fortheseasonbeingthatofearlyspring，alreadythemaizeandothercropsshowedgreenupontheground。
Beyondthisbeltofplough-lands，withtheaidofthefield-glasses，I
couldmakeoutgreatherdsofgrazingcattleandhorses，mixedwithwildgame，afactthatassuredmeofthetruthofwhatIhadheardduringmybriefvisittoMur，thattheFunghadfewornofirearms，sinceotherwisethebuckandquaggawouldhavekeptatadistance。Faroff，too，andevenonthehorizon，Isawwhatappearedtobeothertownsandvillages。Evidentlythiswasaverynumerouspeople，andonewhichcouldnotjustlybedescribedassavage。NowonderthatthelittleAbatitribefearedthemsointensely，notwithstandingthemightyprecipicesbywhichtheywereprotectedfromtheirhate。
Abouteleveno"clockOrmecameonwatch，andIturnedin，havingnothingtoreport。SoonIwasfastasleep，notwithstandingtheanxietiesthat，hadIbeenlessweary，mightwellhavekeptmewakeful。Fortheseweremany。OnthecomingnightwemustslipthroughtheFung，andbeforemiddayonthemorrowweshouldeitherhaveenteredMur，orfailedtohaveenteredMur，whichmeant——death，or，whatwasworse，captivityamongbarbarians，andsubsequentexecution，precededprobablybytortureofonesortoranother。
Ofcourse，however，wemightcomethitherwithoutaccident，travellingwithgoodguidesonadarknight，for，afterall，theplacewasbig，andtheroadlonelyandlittleused，sothatunlesswemetawatch，which，weweretold，wouldnotbethere，ourlittlecaravanhadagoodchancetopassunobserved。Shadrachseemedtothinkthatweshoulddoso，buttheworstofitwasthat，likeQuick，IdidnottrustShadrach。EvenMaqueda，theLadyoftheAbati，shewhomtheycalledChildofKings，hadherdoubtsabouthim，orsoithadseemedtome。
Atanyrate，shehadtoldmebeforeIleftMurthatshechosehimforthismissionbecausehewasboldandcunning，oneoftheveryfewofherpeoplealsowho，inhisyouth，hadcrossedthedesertand，therefore，knewtheroad。“Yet，Physician，“sheaddedmeaningly，“watchhim，forishenotnamed"Cat"?Yes，watchhim，fordidInotholdhiswifeandchildrenhostages，andwereInotsurethathedesirestowinthegreatrewardinlandwhichIhavepromisedtohim，Iwouldnottrustyoutothisman"skeeping。”
Well，aftermanyexperiencesinhiscompany，myopinioncoincidedwithMaqueda"s，andsodidthatofQuick，nomeanjudgeofmen。
“Lookathim，Doctor，“hesaidwhenhecametotellmethatIcouldturnin，forwhetheritwerehiswatchornot，theSergeantneverseemedtobeoffduty。“Look，athim，“andhepointedtoShadrach，whowasseatedundertheshadeofatree，talkingearnestlyinwhisperswithtwoofhissubordinateswithaverycuriousandunpleasingsmileuponhisface。“IfGodAlmightyevermadeascamp，he"ssquattingyonder。MybeliefisthathewantedtoberidofusallatZeu，sothathemightstealourgoods，andIhopehewon"tplaythesametrickagainto-night。Eventhedogcan"tabidehim。”
BeforeIcouldanswer，Ihadproofofthislaststatement，forthegreatyellowhound，Pharaoh，thathadfoundusinthedesert，hearingourvoices，emergedfromsomecornerwhereitwashidden，andadvancedtowardus，waggingitstail。AsitpassedShadrach，itstoppedandgrowled，thehairrisingonitsback，whereonhehurledastoneatitandhititsleg。NextinstantPharaoh，abeastofenormouspower，wasonthetopofhim，andreally，Ithought，abouttotearouthisthroat。
Well，wegothimoffbeforeanyharmwasdone，butShadrach"sface，linedwithitslividscars，wasathingtoremember。Betweenrageandfear，itlookedlikethatofadevil。
Toreturn。AfterthisbusinessIwenttosleep，wonderingifitweremylastrestupontheearth，andwhether，havingenduredsomuchforhissake，itwouldorwouldnotbemyfortunetoseethefaceofmysonagain，if，indeed，hestilllived，yondernotascoreofmilesaway——oranywhere。
TowardeveningIwasawakenedbyafearfulhubbub，inwhichI
distinguishedtheshrillvoiceofHiggsejaculatinglanguagewhichI
willnotrepeat，thebayingofPharaoh，andthesmotheredgroansandcursesofanAbati。Runningfromthelittletent，Isawacurioussight，thatoftheProfessorwithShadrach"sheadunderhisleftarm，inchancery，asweusedtocallitatschool，whilewithhisrighthepunchedthesaidShadrach"snoseandcountenancegenerallywithallhisstrength，which，Imayadd，isconsiderable。Closeby，holdingPharaohbythecollar，whichwehadmanufacturedforhimoutoftheskinofacamelthathaddied，stoodSergeantQuick，alookofgrimamusementonhiswoodenface，whilearound，gesticulatingaftertheirEasternfashion，andutteringgutturalsoundsofwrath，wereseveraloftheAbatidrivers。Ormewasabsent，being，infact，asleepatthetime。
“Whatareyoudoing，Higgs?“Ishouted。
“Can"t——you——see，“hespluttered，accompanyingeachwordwithablowontheunfortunateShadrach"sprominentnose。“Iampunchingthisfellow"sbeastlyhead。Ah！you"dbite，wouldyou?Thentakethat，andthatand——that。Lord，howhardhisteethare。Well，Ithinkhehashadenough，“andsuddenlyhereleasedtheAbati，who，agoryandmostunpleasantspectacle，felltothegroundandlaytherepanting。Hiscompanions，seeingtheirchief"smelancholyplight，advancedupontheProfessorinathreateningfashion；indeed，oneofthemdrewaknife。
“Putupthatthing，sonny，“saidtheSergeant，“orbyheaven，I"llloosethedoguponyou。Gotyourrevolverhandy，Doctor?“
Evidently，ifthemandidnotunderstandQuick"swords，theirpurportwascleartohim，forhesheathedhisknifeandfellbackwiththeothers。Shadrach，too，rosefromthegroundandwentwiththem。Atadistanceofafewyards，however，heturned，and，glaringatHiggsoutofhisswolleneyes，said:
“Besure，accursedGentile，thatIwillrememberandrepay。”
Atthismoment，too，Ormearriveduponthescene，yawning。
“Whatthedeuceisthematter?“heasked。
“I"dgivefivebobforapintoficedstoneginger，“repliedHiggsinconsequently。Thenhedrankoffapannikinofwarmish，muddy-
colouredwaterwhichQuickgavetohim，andhandeditback，saying:
“Thanks，Sergeant；that"sbetterthannothing，andcolddrinkisalwaysdangerousifyouarehot。What"sthematter?Oh！notmuch。
ShadrachtriedtopoisonPharaoh；that"sall。Iwaswatchinghimoutofthecornerofmyeye，andsawhimgotothestrychninetin，rollabitofmeatinitwhichhehadfirstwetted，andthrowittothepoorbeast。Igotholdofitintime，andchuckeditoverthatwall，whereyouwillfinditifyoucaretolook。IaskedShadrachwhyhehaddonesuchathing。Heanswered，"TokeepthedogquietwhilewearepassingthroughtheFung，"addingthatanyhowitwasasavagebeastandbestoutoftheway，asithadtriedtobitehimthatmorning。ThenIlostmytemperandwentfortheblackguard，andalthoughIgaveupboxingtwentyyearsago，verysoonhadthebestofit，for，asyoumayhaveobserved，noOrientalcanfightwithhisfists。That"sall。Givemeanothercupofwater，Sergeant。”
“Ihopeitmaybe，“answeredOrme，shrugginghisshoulders。“Totellthetruth，oldfellow，itwouldhavebeenwisertodeferblackingShadrach"seyestillweweresafeinMur。Butit"snousetalkingnow，andIdaresayIshouldhavedonethesamemyselfifIhadseenhimtrytopoisonPharaoh，“andhepattedtheheadofthegreatdog，ofwhichwewereallexceedinglyfond，althoughinrealityitonlycaredforOrme，merelytoleratingtherestofus。