第4章
Andyet，oddlyenough，theircountryistherichestingoldandothermetalsthatIhaveeverheardofeveninAfrica——sorichthat，accordingtoHiggs，theoldEgyptiansdrewbullionfromittothevalueofmillionsofpoundseveryyear。This，indeed，Icanwellbelieve，forIhaveseentheancientmineswhichwereworked，forthemostpartasopenquarries，stillshowingplentyofvisiblegoldonthefaceoftheslopes。YettotheseallegedJewsthisgoldwasofnoaccount。Imagineit；asQuicksaid，suchatopsy-turvystateofthingswasenoughtomakeamereChristianfeelcolddownthebackandgotobedthinkingthattheworldmustbecomingtoanend。
Toreturn，theprinceJoshua，whoappearedtobegeneralissimoofthearmy，inwhatwasevidentlyasetphrase，exhortedtheguardsatthelastgatestobebraveand，ifneedwere，dealwiththeheathenassomeoneorotherdealtwithOg，KingofBashan，andotherunluckypersonsofadifferentfaith。Inreplyhereceivedtheirearnestcongratulationsuponhisescapefromthefrightfuldangersofourjourney。
Theseformalitiesconcluded，castingofftheirondisciplineofwar，wedescendedajoyousmob，orrathertheAbatidid，topartakeofthedelightsofpeace。Really，conquerorsreturningfromsomedesperateadventurecouldnothavebeenmorewarmlygreeted。Asweenteredthesuburbsofthetown，women，someofthemveryhandsome，ranoutandembracedtheirlordsorlovers，holdingupbabiesforthemtokiss，andalittlefartheronchildrenappeared，throwingrosesandpomegranateflowersbeforetheirtriumphantfeet。Andallthisbecausethesegallantmenhadriddentothebottomofapassandbackagain！
“Heavens！Doctor，“exclaimedthesardonicQuick，aftertakingnoteofthesedemonstrations，“Heavens！whataheroIfeelmyselftobe。AndtothinkthatwhenIgotbackfromthewarwiththemBoers，afterbeingleftfordeadonSpionKopwithabulletthroughmylungandmentionedinadispatch——yes，I，SergeantQuick，mentionedinadispatchbythebiggestassofageneralaseverIclappedeyeson，forajobthatIwon"tdetail，nooneinmynativevillageevertooknonoteofme，althoughIhadwrittentotheparishclerk，whohappenstobemybrother-in-law，andtoldhimthetrainIwascomingby。I
tellyou，Doctor，noonesomuchasstoodmeapintofbeer，letalonewine，“andhepointedtoaladywhowasprofferingthatbeveragetosomeonewhomsheadmired。
“Andasforchuckingtheirarmsroundmyneckandkissingme，“andheindicatedanotherepisode，“allmyoldmothersaid——shewasalivethen——wasthatshe"hopedI"ddonefoolingaboutfurrin"partsasIcalledsoldiering，andcomehometoliverespectable，betterlatethannever。"Well，Doctor，circumstancesaltercases，orbloodandclimatedo，whichisthesamething，andIdidn"tmisswhatIneverexpected，whyshouldIwhenothersliketheCaptainthere，whohaddonesomuchmore，faredworse?But，Lord！theseAbatiareasickeninglot，andI
wishwewereclearofthem。OldBarung"stheboyforme。”
PassingdownthemainstreetofthischarmingtownofMur，accompaniedbythesejoyousdemonstrators，wecameatlasttoitscentralsquare，alarge，openspacewhere，inthemoistandgenialclimate，forthehighsurroundingmountainsattractedplentifulshowersofrain，treesandflowersgrewluxuriantly。Attheheadofthissquarestoodalong，lowbuildingwithwhite-washedwallsandgildeddomes，backedbythetoweringcliff，butatalittledistancefromit，andsurroundedbydoublewallswithamoatofwaterbetweenthem，dugforpurposesofdefence。
Thiswasthepalace，whichonmypreviousvisitIhadonlyenteredonceortwicewhenIwasreceivedbytheChildofKingsinformalaudience。Roundtherestofthissquare，eachplacedinitsowngarden，werethehousesofthegreatnoblesandofficials，andatitswesternend，amongotherpublicbuildings，asynagogueortemplewhichlookedlikeamodelofthatbuiltbySolomoninJerusalem，fromthedescriptionofwhichithadindeedbeencopied，though，ofcourse，uponasmallscale。
Atthegateofthepalacewehalted，andJoshua，ridingup，askedMaquedasulkilywhetherheshouldconduct“theGentiles，“forthatwashispolitedescriptionofus，tothelodgingforpilgrimsinthewesterntown。
“No，myuncle，“answeredMaqueda；“theseforeignlordswillbehousedintheguest-wingofthepalace。”
“Intheguest-wingofthepalace?Itisnotusual，“gobbledJoshua，swellinghimselfoutlikeagreatturkeycock。“Remember，Oniece，thatyouarestillunmarried。Idonotyetdwellinthepalacetoprotectyou。”
“SoIfoundoutintheplainyonder，“shereplied；“still，Imanagedtoprotectmyself。Now，Iprayyou，nowords。Ithinkitnecessarythatthesemyguestsshouldbewheretheirgoodsalreadyare，inthesafestplaceinMur。You，myuncle，asyoutoldus，arebadlyhurt，bywhichaccidentyouwerepreventedfromacceptingthechallengeoftheSultanoftheFung。Go，then，andrest；Iwillsendthecourtphysiciantoyouatonce。Good-night，myuncle；whenyouarerecoveredwewillmeetagain，forwehavemuchthatwemustdiscuss。Nay，nay，youaremostkind，butIwillnotdetainyouanotherminute。Seekyourbed，myuncle，andforgetnottothankGodforyourescapefrommanyperils。”
AtthispolitemockeryJoshuaturnedperfectlypalewithrage，liketheturkeycockwhenhiswattlesfadefromscarletintowhite。Beforehecouldmakeanyanswer，however，Maquedahadvanishedunderthearchway，sohisonlyresourcewastocurseus，andespeciallyQuick，whohadcausedhimtofallfromhishorse。UnfortunatelytheSergeantunderstoodquiteenoughArabictobeawareofthetenorofhisremarks，whichheresentedandreturned:
“Shutit，Porpoise，“hesaid，“andkeepyoureyeswhereNatureput"em，orthey"llfallout。”
“WhatsaystheGentile?“splutteredJoshua，whereonOrme，wakingupfromoneofhisfitsoflethargy，repliedinArabic:
“Hesaysthathepraysyou，OPrinceofprinces，tocloseyournoblemouthandtokeepyourhigh-bredeyeswithintheirsocketslestyoushouldlosethem“；atwhichwordsthosewhowerelisteningbrokeintoafitoflaughter，foroneredeemingcharacteristicamongtheAbatiwasthattheyhadasenseofhumour。
AfterthisIdonotquiteknowwhathappenedforOrmeshowedsignsoffainting，andIhadtoattendtohim。WhenIlookedroundagainthegateswereshutandwewerebeingconductedtowardtheguest-wingofthepalacebyanumberofgailydressedattendants。
Theytookustoourrooms——cool，loftychambersornamentedwithglazedtilesofquaintcolourandbeautifuldesign，andfurnishedsomewhatscantilywitharticlesmadeofrich-huedwoods。Thisguest-wingofthepalace，wheretheseroomsweresituated，formed，wenoted，aseparatehouse，havingitsowngateway，but，sofaraswecouldsee，nopassageorotherconnectionjoiningittothemainbuilding。Infrontofitwasasmallgarden，andatitsbackacourtyardwithbuildings，inwhichwewereinformedourcamelshadbeenstabled。Atthetimewenotednomore，fornightwasfalling，and，evenifithadnotbeen，weweretoowornouttomakeresearches。
Moreover，Ormewasnowdesperatelyill——soillthathecouldscarcelywalkleaningevenonourshoulders。Still，hewouldnotbesatisfiedtillhewassurethatourstoresweresafe，and，beforehecouldbepersuadedtoliedown，insisteduponbeingsupportedtoavaultwithcopper-bounddoors，whichtheofficersopened，revealingthepackagesthathadbeentakenfromthecamels。
“Countthem，Sergeant，“hesaid，andQuickobeyedbythelightofalampthattheofficerheldattheopendoor。“Allcorrect，sir，“hesaid，“sofarasIcanmakeout。”
“Verygood，Sergeant。Lockthedoorandtakethekeys。”
Againheobeyed，and，whentheofficerdemurredtotheirsurrender，turnedonhimsofiercelythatthemanthoughtbetterofitanddepartedwithashrugofhisshoulders，asIsupposedtomakereporttohissuperiors。
ThenatlengthwegotOrmetobed，and，ashecomplainedofintolerablepainsinhisheadandwouldtakenothingbutsomemilkandwater，havingfirstascertainedthathehadnoseriousphysicalinjuriesthatIcoulddiscover，Iadministeredtohimastrongsleeping-draughtfrommylittletravellingmedicinecase。Toourgreatreliefthistookeffectuponhiminabouttwentyminutes，causinghimtosinkintoastuporfromwhichhedidnotawakeformanyhours。
QuickandIwashedourselves，atesomefoodthatwasbroughttous，andthentookturnstowatchOrmethroughoutthenight。WhenIwasatmypostaboutsixo"clockonthefollowingmorninghewokeupandaskedfordrink，whichIgavetohim。Afterswallowingithebegantowanderinhismind，and，ontakinghistemperature，Ifoundthathehadoverfivedegreesoffever。Theendofitwasthathewentofftosleepagain，onlywakingupfromtimetotimeandaskingformoredrink。
TwiceduringthenightandearlymorningMaquedasenttoinquireastohiscondition，and，apparentlynotsatisfiedwiththereplies，abouttenintheforenoonarrivedherself，accompaniedbytwowaiting-ladiesandalong-beardedoldgentlemanwho，Iunderstood，wasthecourtphysician。
“MayIseehim?“sheaskedanxiously。
Iansweredyes，ifsheandthosewithherwerequitequiet。ThenIledthemintothedarkenedroomwhereQuickstoodlikeastatueattheheadofthebed，onlyacknowledgingherpresencewithasilentsalute。
ShegazedatOliver"sflushedfaceandtheforeheadblackenedwherethegasesfromtheexplosionhadstruckhim，andasshegazedIsawherbeautifulvioleteyesfillwithtears。Thenabruptlysheturnedandleftthesick-chamber。Outsideitsdoorsshewavedbackherattendantsimperiouslyandaskedmeinawhisper:
“Willhelive?“
“Idonotknow，“Ianswered，forIthoughtitbestthatsheshouldlearnthetruth。“Ifheisonlysufferingfromshock，fatigue，andfever，Ithinkso，butiftheexplosionortheblowonhisheadwhereitcuthasfracturedtheskull，then——“
“Savehim，“shemuttered。“IwillgiveyouallI——nay，pardonme；whatneedistheretotemptyou，hisfriend，withreward?Onlysavehim，savehim。”
“IwilldowhatIcan，Lady，buttheissueisinotherhandsthanmine，“Ianswered，andjustthenherattendantscameupandputanendtotheconversation。
Tothisdaythememoryofthatoldrabbi，thecourtphysician，affectsmelikeanightmare，forofallthemedicalfoolsthateverImethewasbyfarthemostpre-eminent。AllabouttheplacehefollowedmesuggestingremediesthatwouldhavebeenabsurdevenintheMiddleAges。Theleastharmfulofthem，Iremember，wasthatpoorOrme"sheadshouldbeplasteredwithacompoundofbutterandthebonesofastill-bornchild，andthatheshouldbegivensomefilthycompoundtodrinkwhichhadbeenspeciallyblessedbythepriests。Otherstherewerealsothatwouldcertainlyhavekilledhiminhalf-an-hour。
Well，Igotridofhimatlastforthetime，andreturnedtomyvigil。
Itwasmelancholywork，sincenoskillthatIhadcouldtellmewhethermypatientwouldliveordie。Nowadaystheyoungmenmightknow，orsaythattheydid，butitmustberememberedthat，asadoctor，Iamentirelysuperannuated。Howcoulditbeotherwise，seeingthatIhavepassedthebestofmylifeinthedesertwithoutanyopportunityofkeepingupwiththetimes。
Threedayswentbyinthisfashion，andveryanxiousdaystheywere。
Formypart，althoughIsaidnothingofittoanyone，Ibelievedthattherewassomeinjurytothepatient"sskullandthathewoulddie，oratbestbeparalyzed。Quick，however，hadadifferentopinion。Hesaidthathehadseentwomeninthisstatebeforefromtheconcussioncausedbytheburstingoflargeshellsneartothem，andthattheybothrecoveredalthoughoneofthembecameanidiot。
ButitwasMaquedawhofirstgavemeanydefinitehope。OnthethirdeveningshecameandsatbyOrmeforawhile，herattendantsstandingatalittledistance。Whenshelefthimtherewasanewlookuponherface——averyjoyfullook——whichcausedmetoaskherwhathadhappened。
“Oh！hewilllive，“sheanswered。
Iinquiredwhatmadeherthinkso。
“This，“shereplied，blushing。“Suddenlyhelookedupandinmyowntongueaskedmeofwhatcolourweremyeyes。Iansweredthatitdependeduponthelightinwhichtheymightbeseen。
“"Notatall，"hesaid。"Theyarealways/vi-o-let/，whetherthecurtainisdrawnorno。"Now，physicianAdams，tellmewhatisthiscolour/vi-o-let/?“
“ThatofalittlewildflowerwhichgrowsintheWestinthespring，O
Maqueda——averybeautifulandsweet-scentedflowerwhichisdarkbluelikeyoureyes。”
“Indeed，Physician，“shesaid。“Well，Idonotknowthisflower，butwhatofthat?Yourfriendwillliveandbesane。Adyingmandoesnottroubleaboutthecolourofalady"seyes，andonewhoismaddoesnotgivethatcolourright。”
“Areyouglad，OChildofKings?“Iasked。
“Ofcourse，“sheanswered，“seeingthatIamtoldthatthiscaptainalonecanhandlethefirestuffswhichyouhavebroughtwithyou，and，therefore，thatitisnecessarytomethatheshouldnotdie。”
“Iunderstand，“Ireplied。“Letuspraythatwemaykeephimalive。
Buttherearemanykindsoffirestuffs，OMaqueda，andofoneofthemwhichchancestogiveoutvioletflamesIamnotsurethatmyfriendismaster。Yetinthiscountryitmaybethemostdangerousofall。”
NowwhensheheardthesewordstheChildofKingslookedmeupanddownangrily。Thensuddenlyshelaughedalittleinakindofsilentwaythatispeculiartoher，and，withoutsayinganything，beckonedtoherladiesandlefttheplace。
“Veryvariegatedthing，woman，sir，“remarkedQuick，whowaswatching。
(Ithinkhemeanttosay“variable。”)“Thisone，forinstance，comesupthatpassagelikeatiredhorse——shuffle，shuffle，shuffle——forI
couldheartheheelsofherslippersonthefloor。Butnowshegoesoutlikeabuckseekingitsmate——headinairandhooflifted。Howdoyouexplainit，Doctor?“
“Youhadbetterasktheladyherself，Quick。DidtheCaptaintakethatsoupshebroughthim?“
“Everydrop，sir，andtriedtokissherhandafterward，beingstilldazed，poorman，poorman！Isawhimdoit，knowingnobetter。He"llbesorryenoughwhenhecomestohimself。”
“Nodoubt，Sergeant。Butmeanwhileletusbegladthatboththeirspiritsseemtohaveimproved，andifshebringsanymoresoupwhenI
amnotthere，Ishouldlethimhaveit。Itisalwayswelltohumourinvalidsandwomen。”
“Yes，Doctor；but，“headded，withasuddenfallofface，“invalidsrecoversometimes，andthenhowaboutthewomen。”
“Sufficienttothedayistheevilthereof，“Ianswered；“youhadbettergooutforexercise；itismywatch。”ButtomyselfIthoughtthatFatewasalreadythrowingitsominousshadowbefore，andthatitlaydeepinMaqueda"svioleteyes。
Well，tocutalongstoryshort，thiswastheturning-pointofOrme"sillness，andfromthatdayherecoveredrapidly，for，asitproved，therewasnosecretinjurytotheskull，andhewassufferingfromnothingexceptshockandfever。DuringhisconvalescencetheChildofKingscametoseehimseveraltimes，ortobeaccurate，ifmymemoryservesmeright，everyafternoon。Ofcourse，hervisitswerethoseofceremony——thatistosay，shewasalwaysaccompaniedbyseveralofherladies，thatthorninmyflesh，theolddoctor，andoneortwosecretariesandofficers-in-waiting。
ButasOliverwasnowmovedbydayintoahugereceptionroom，andthesepeopleofthecourtwereexpectedtostopatoneendofitwhilesheconversedwithhimattheother，toallintentsandpurposes，saveforthepresenceofmyselfandQuick，hercallswereofaprivatenature。Norwerewealwayspresent，since，nowthatmypatientwasoutofdangertheSergeantandIwentoutridingagooddeal——
investigatingMuranditssurroundings。
Itmaybeaskedwhattheytalkedaboutontheseoccasions。Icanonlyanswerthat，sofarasIheard，thegeneralsubjectwasthepoliticsofMuranditsperpetualwarwiththeFung。Still，theremusthavebeenothertopicswhichIdidnothear，sinceincidentlyIdiscoveredthatOrmewasacquaintedwithmanyofMaqueda"sprivateaffairswhereofhecouldonlyhavelearnedfromherlips。
ThuswhenIventuredtoremarkthatperhapsitwasnotaltogetherwiseforayoungmaninhispositiontobecomesointimatewiththehereditaryrulerofanexclusivetribeliketheAbati，herepliedcheerfullythatthisdidnotintheleastmatter，as，ofcourse，accordingtotheirancientlaws，shecouldonlymarrywithoneofherownfamily，afactwhichmadeallcomplicationsimpossible。Iinquiredwhichofhercousins，ofwhomIknewshehadseveral，wasthehappyman。Hereplied:
“Noneofthem。Asamatteroffact，Ibelievethatsheisofficiallyaffiancedtothatfatuncleofhers，thefellowwhoblowshisowntrumpetsomuch，butIneedn"taddthatthisisonlyaformtowhichshesubmitsinordertokeeptheothersoff。”
“Ah！“Isaid。“IwonderifPrinceJoshuathinksitonlyaform?“
“Don"tknowwhathethinks，anddon"tcare，“hereplied，yawning；“I
onlyknowthatthingsstandasIsay，andthattheporpoise-manhasasmuchchanceofbecomingthehusbandofMaquedaasyouhaveofmarryingtheEmpressofChina。Andnow，todropthismatrimonialconversationandcometosomethingmoreimportant，haveyouheardanythingaboutHiggsandyourson?“
“YouaremoreinthewayoflearningstatesecretsthanIam，Orme，“I
answeredsarcastically，beingratherirritatedatthecourseofeventsandhisfoolishness。“Whathaveyouheard?“
“This，oldfellow。Ican"tsayhowsheknowsit，butMaquedasaysthattheyarebothingoodhealthandwelltreated。OnlyourfriendBarungstickstohiswordandproposestosacrificepooroldHiggsonthisdayfortnight。Now，ofcourse，thatmustbepreventedsomehow，andpreventeditshallbeifitcostsmemylife。Don"tyousupposethatI
havebeenthinkingaboutmyselfallthetime，foritisn"tso，onlythetroubleisthatIcan"tfindanyplanofrescuewhichwillholdwater。”
“Thenwhat"stobedone，Orme?Ihaven"tspokenmuchofthematterbeforeforfearofupsettingyouwhenyouwerestillweak，butnowthatyouareallrightagainwemustcometosomedecision。”
“Iknow，Iknow，“heansweredearnestly；“andItellyouthis，thatratherthanletHiggsdiealonethere，IwillgivemyselfuptoBarung，and，ifIcan"tsavehim，sufferwithhim，orforhimifI
can。Listen:thereistobeagreatcouncilheldbytheChildofKingsonthedayafterto-morrowwhichwemustattend，forithasonlybeenpostponeduntilIwaswellenough。AtthiscouncilthatrogueShadrachistobeputuponhistrial，andwill，Ibelieve，becondemnedtodeath。AlsoweareformallytoreturnSheba"sringwhichMaquedalenttoyoutobeusedinproofofherstory。Well，wemaylearnsomethingthen，oratanyratemustmakeupourmindstodefiniteaction。AndnowIamtohavemyfirstride，amInot?Comeon，Pharaoh，“headdedtothedog，whichhadstuckathisbedsideallthroughhisillnesssocloselythatitwasdifficulttoenticehimawayeventoeat；“wearegoingforaride，Pharaoh；doyouhearthat，youfaithfulbeast?“
CHAPTERIX
THESWEARINGOFTHEOATH
Twoorthreedaysafterthisconversation，Iforgetexactlywhichitwas，Maquedaheldhercouncilinthegreathallofthepalace。Whenweenteredtheplaceinchargeofaguard，asthoughwewereprisoners，wefoundsomehundredsofAbatigatheredtherewhowereseatedinorderlyrowsuponbenches。Atthefartherend，inanapse-shapedspace，sattheChildofKingsherselfonagildedorperhapsagoldenchairofwhichthearmsterminatedinlions"heads。Shewasdressedinarobeofglitteringsilver，andworeaceremonialveilembroideredwithstars，alsoofsilver，andaboveit，setuponherdarkhair，alittlecircletofgold，inwhichshoneasinglegemthatlookedlikearuby。Thusattired，althoughherstatureissmall，herappearancewasverydignifiedandbeautiful，especiallyasthegossamerveiladdedmysterytoherface。
Behindthethronestoodsoldiersarmedwithspearsandswords，andatitssidesandinfrontofitweregatheredhercourttothenumberofahundredormore，includingherwaiting-ladies，whointwocompanieswerearrangedtotherightandleft。Eachmemberofthiscourtwasgorgeouslydressedaccordingtohisprofession。
TherewerethegeneralsandcaptainswithPrinceJoshuaattheheadofthemintheirNorman-likechainarmour。Therewerejudgesinblackrobesandpriestsingorgeousgarments；therewereterritoriallords，ofwhoseattireIrememberonlythattheyworehighboots，andmenwhowerecalledMarket-masters，whosebusinessitwastoregulatetherateofexchangeofproducts，andwiththemtherepresentativesofothertrades。
Inshort，herewascollectedallthearistocracyofthelittlepopulationofthetownandterritoryofMur，everyoneofwhom，aswefoundafterwards，possessedsomehigh-soundingtitleansweringtothoseofourdukesandlordsandRightHonourables，andknights，tosaynothingofthePrincesoftheBlood，ofwhomJoshuawasthefirst。
Really，althoughitlookedsofineandgay，thespectaclewas，inasense，piteous，beingevidentlybutapoormockeryandsurvivalofthepageantryofapeoplethathadoncebeengreat。Thevasthallinwhichtheywereassembledshowedthis，since，althoughtheoccasionwasonethatexcitedpublicinterest，itwasafterallbutaquarterfilledbythosewhohadarighttobepresent。
Withmuchdignityandtothesoundofmusicweweremarchedupthebroadnave，ifImaydescribeitthus，forthebuilding，withitsapseandsupportingcedarcolumns，boresomeresemblancetoacathedral，tillwereachedtheopenspaceinfrontofthethrone，whereourguardsprostratedthemselvesintheirEasternfashion，andwesaluteditsoccupantinourown。Then，chairshavingbeengiventous，afterapauseatrumpetblew，andfromasidechamberwasproducedourlateguide，Shadrach，heavilymanacledandlookingextremelyfrightened。
ThetrialthatfollowedIneednotdescribeatlength。Ittookalongwhile，andthethreeofuswerecalledupontogiveevidenceastothequarrelbetweenourcompanion，theProfessor，andtheprisoneraboutthedogPharaohandothermatters。Thetestimony，however，thatproclaimedtheguiltofShadrachwasthatofhiscompanionguides，who，itappeared，hadbeenthreatenedwithfloggingsunlesstheytoldthetruth。
Thesemenswore，oneaftertheother，thattheabandonmentofHiggshadbeenapreconceivedplan。SeveralofthemaddedthatShadrachwasintraitorouscommunicationwiththeFung，whomhehadwarnedofouradventbyfiringthereeds，andhadevencontrivedtoarrangethatweweretobetakenwhileheandtheotherAbati，withthecamelsladenwithourriflesandgoodswhichtheyhopedtosteal，passedthroughinsafety。
IndefenceShadrachboldlydeniedthewholestory，andespeciallythathehadpushedtheGentile，Higgs，offhisdromedary，aswasalleged，andmountedithimselfbecausehisownbeasthadbrokendownorbeeninjured。
However，hisliesavailedhimlittle，since，afterconsultationwiththeChildofKings，presentlyoneoftheblack-robedjudgescondemnedhimtosufferdeathinaverycruelfashionwhichwasreservedfortraitors。Further，hispossessionsweretobeforfeitedtotheState，andhiswifeandchildrenandhouseholdtobecomepublicslaves，whichmeantthatthemaleswouldbecondemnedtoserveassoldiers，andthefemalesallottedtocertainofficialsintheorderoftheirrank。
SeveralofthosewhohadconspiredwithhimtobetrayustotheFungwerealsodeprivedoftheirpossessionsandcondemnedtothearmy，whichwastheirformofpenalservitude。
Thusamidstamightywailingofthoseconcernedandoftheirfriendsandrelativesendedthisremarkabletrial，ofwhichIgivesomeaccountbecauseitthrowslightuponthesocialconditionsofAbati。
Whathopeisthereforapeoplewhenitscriminalsaresent，nottojail，buttoserveassoldiers，andtheirwomenfolkhoweverinnocent，aredoomedtobecometheslavesofthejudgesorwhoeverthesemayappoint。Beitadded，however，thatinthisinstanceShadrachandhisfriendsdeservedalltheygot，since，evenallowingforacertainamountoffalseevidence，undoubtedly，forthepurposesofrobberyandprivatehate，theydidbetraythosewhomtheirrulerhadsentthemtoguideandprotect。
WhenthistrialwasfinishedandShadrachhadbeenremoved，howlingformercyandattemptingtokissourfeetlikethecurhewas，theaudiencewhohadcollectedtohearitandtoseeus，theGentilestrangers，dispersed，andthemembersofthePrivyCouncil，ifImaycallitso，weresummonedbynametoattendtotheirduties。Whenallhadgathered，wethreewererequestedtoadvanceandtakeseatswhichhadbeenplacedforusamongthecouncillors。
Thencameapause，and，asIhadbeeninstructedthatIshoulddo，I
advancedandlaidSheba"sringuponacushionheldbyoneofthecourtofficers，whocarriedittoMaqueda。
“ChildofKings，“Isaid，“takebackthisancienttokenwhichyoulenttometobeaproofofyourgoodfaithandmine。KnowthatbymeansofitIpersuadedourbrotherwhoiscaptive，amanlearnedinallthathastodowiththepast，toundertakethismission，andthroughhimtheCaptainOrmewhostandsbeforeyou，andhisservant，thesoldier。”
Shetookitand，afterexamination，showedittoseveralofthepriests，bywhomitwasidentified。
“ThoughIpartedfromitwithfearanddoubt，theholyringhasserveditspurposewell，“shesaid，“andIthankyou，Physician，forreturningittomypeopleandtomeinsafety。”
Thenshereplaceditonthefingerfromwhichithadbeenwithdrawnwhenshegaveittomemanymonthsbefore。
There，then，thatmatterended。
Nowanofficercried:
“WaldaNagastaspeaks！“whereoneveryonerepeated，“WaldaNagastaspeaks，“andwassilent。
ThenMaquedabegantoaddressusinhersoftandpleasantvoice。
“StrangersfromtheWesterncountrycalledEngland，“shesaid，“bepleasedtohearme。YouknowourcasewiththeFung——thattheysurroundusandwoulddestroyus。YouknowthatinourextremityI
tookadvantageofthewanderinghitherofoneofyouayearagotobeghimtogotohisownlandandthereobtainfirestuffsandthosewhounderstandthem，withwhichtodestroythegreatandancientidoloftheFung。Forthatpeopledeclarethatifthisidolisdestroyedtheywillleavethelandtheydwellinforanother，suchbeingtheirancientprophecy。”
“Pardon，OChildofKings，“interruptedOrme，“butyouwillrememberthatonlytheotherdayBarung，SultanoftheFung，saidthatinthiseventhisnationwouldstillliveontoavengetheirgod，Harmac。AlsohesaidthatofalltheAbatihewouldleaveyoualivealone。”
Nowattheseill-omenedwordsashiverandamurmurwentthroughtheCouncil。ButMaquedaonlyshruggedhershoulders，causingthesilvertrimmingsonherdresstotinkle。
“Ihavetoldyoutheancientprophecy，“sheanswered，“andfortherestwordsarenotdeeds。Ifthefoulfiend，Harmac，goesIthinkthattheFungwillfollowhim。Otherwise，whydotheymakesacrificetoEarthquakeastheevilgodtheyhavetofear?Andwhensomefivecenturiesago，suchanearthquakeshookdownpartofthesecretcityinthebowelsofthemountainsthatIwillshowtoyouafterwards，whydidtheyflyfromMurandtakeuptheirabodeintheplain，astheysaid，toprotectthegod?“
“Idonotknow，“answeredOliver。“Ifourbrotherwerehere，hewhomtheFunghavecaptured，hemightknow，beinglearnedinthewaysofidol-worshipping，savagepeoples。”
“Alas！OSonofOrme，“shesaid，“thankstothattraitorwhombutnowwehavecondemned，heisnothereand，perhaps，couldtellusnothingifhewere。Atleast，thesayingrunsasIhavespokenit，andformanygenerations，becauseofit，weAbatihavedesiredtodestroytheidoloftheFungtowhichsomanyofushavebeenofferedinsacrificethroughthejawsoftheirsacredlions。NowIask，“andsheleanedforward，lookingatOliver，“willyoudothisforme?“
“Speakofthereward，myniece，“brokeinJoshuainhisthickvoicewhenhesawthatwehesitatedwhattoanswer，“IhaveheardthattheseWesternGentilesareaverygreedypeople，wholiveanddieforthegoldwhichwedespise。”
“Askhim，Captain，“exclaimedQuick，“iftheydespiselandalso，sinceyesterdayafternoonIsawoneofthemtrytocutthethroatofanotheroverapiecenotbiggerthanalargedog-kennel。”
“Yes，“Iadded，forIconfessthatJoshua"sremarksnettledme，“andaskhimwhethertheJewsdidnotdespoiltheEgyptiansoftheirornamentsofgoldintheolddays，andwhetherSolomon，whomheclaimsasaforefather，didnottradeingoldtoOphir，andlastlywhetherheknowsthatmostofhiskindredinotherlandsmakeaverygodofgold。”
SoOrme，asourspokesman，putthesequestionswithgreatgustotoJoshua，whomhedislikedintensely，whereatsomeoftheCouncil，thosewhowerenotofthepartyofthePrince，smiledorevenlaughed，andthesilveryornamentsuponMaqueda"sdressbegantoshakeagainasthoughshealsowerelaughingbehindherveil。Still，shedidnotseemtothinkitwisetoallowJoshuatoanswer——ifhecould——butdidsoherself，saying:
“Thetruthis，Omyfriends，thatherewesetsmallstorebygoldbecause，beingshutinandunabletotrade，itisofnousetoussaveasanornament。Wereitotherwise，doubtlessweshouldvalueitasmuchastherestoftheworld，JeworGentile，andshalldosowhenwearefreedfromourfoeswhohemusin。Therefore，myuncleiswrongtoclaimasavirtuethatwhichisonlyanecessity，especiallywhen，asyourservantsays，“andshepointedtotheSergeant，“ourpeoplemakelandtheirgoldandwillspendtheirlivesingainingmoreofit，evenwhentheyhaveenough。”
“ThendotheGentilesseeknorewardfortheirservices?“sneeredJoshua。
“Bynomeans，Prince，“answeredOliver，“wearesoldiersoffortune，sinceotherwisewhyshouldwehavecomeheretofightyourquarrel(layinganunpleasantemphasisonthe“your“)“againstachiefwho，ifhalfsavage，tousseemstohavesomemerits，thoseofhonourandcourage，forinstance?Ifweriskourlivesanddoourwork，wearenottooproudtotakewhateverwecanearn。Whyshouldwebe，seeingthatsomeofusneedwealth，andthatourbrother，whoisasgoodasdeadyonder，owingtothetreacheryofthosewhoweresenttoguardhim，hasrelativesinEnglandwhoarepoorandshouldbecompensatedforhisloss?“
“Why，indeed?“ejaculatedMaqueda。“Listen，now，myfriends。InmyownnameandinthatoftheAbatipeopleIpromisedtoyouasmanycamel-
loadsofthisgoldasyoucancarryawayfromMur，andbeforethedayisdoneIwillshowittoyouifyoudarefollowmetowhereitlieshid。”
“Firstthework，thenthepay，“saidOliver。“Nowtellus，ChildofKings，whatisthatwork?“
“This，OSonofOrme。Youmustswear——ifthisisnotagainstyourconsciencesasChristians——thatforthespaceofoneyearfromto-dayyouwillservemeandfightformeandbesubjecttomylaws，strivingallthewhiletodestroytheidolHarmacbyyourWesternskillandweapons，afterwhichyoushallbefreetogowhitheryouwillwithyourreward。”
“Andifweswear，Lady，“askedOliverafterreflection，“telluswhatrankshallweholdinyourservice?“
“Youshallbemychiefcaptainforthisenterprise，OSonofOrme，andthosewithyoushallserveunderyouinsuchpositionsasyoumayplease。”
Atthesewordsamurmurofdissatisfactionarosefromthemail-cladgeneralsintheCouncil。
“Arewethen，toobeythisstranger，OChildofKings?“queriedJoshuaastheirspokesman。
“Aye，myuncle，sofarasthisgreatenterpriseisconcerned，asI
havesaid。Canyouhandlethefirestuffsofwhichtheyalonehavethesecret?CouldanythreeofyouhaveheldthegateofHarmacagainstthearmiesoftheFungandsentitflyingskyward?“
Shepausedandwaitedinthemidstofasullensilence。
“Youdonotanswerbecauseyoucannot，“continuedMaqueda。“Thenforthispurposebecontenttoserveawhileunderthecommandofthosewhohavetheskillandpowerwhichyoulack。”
Stilltherewasnoanswer。
“Lady，“saidOrmeinthisominousquiet，“youaresogoodastomakemeageneralamongyoursoldiers，butwilltheyobeyme?Andwhoareyoursoldiers?DoeseverymanoftheAbatibeararms?“
“Alas！no，“shereplied，fixinguponthislatterquestionperhapsbecauseshecouldnotanswerthefirst。“Alas！no。Intheolddaysitwasotherwise，whenmygreatancestressesruled，andthenwedidnotfeartheFung。Butnowthepeoplewillnotserveassoldiers。Theysayittakesthemfromtheirtradesandthegamestheylove；theysaytheycannotgivethetimeinyouth；theysaythatitdegradesamantoobeytheordersofthosesetoverhim；theysaythatwarisbarbarousandshouldbeabolished，andallthewhilethebraveFungwaitwithouttomassacreourmenandmakeourwomenslaves。Onlytheverypoorandthedesperate，andthosewhohaveoffendedagainstthelawswillserveinmyarmy，exceptitbeasofficers。Oh！andthereforearetheAbatidoomed，“and，throwingbackherveil，suddenly，sheburstintotearsbeforeusall。
IdonotknowthatIeverrememberseeingasightmorepatheticinitswaythanthatofthisbeautifulandhigh-spiritedyoungwomanweepinginthepresenceofherCouncilovertheutterdegeneracyoftheraceshewascalledupontorule。BeingoldandaccustomedtotheseEasternexpressionsofemotion，Iremainedsilent，however；butOliverwassodeeplyaffectedthatIfearedlestheshoulddosomethingfoolish。Hewentred，hewentwhite，andwasrisingfromhisseattogotoher，hadInotcaughthimbythearmandpulledhimback。AsforQuick，heturnedhiseyestotheceiling，asthoughengagedinprayer，andI
heardhimmuttering:
“TheLordhelpthepoorthing，theLordhelpher；theonepearlinthesnoutofallthesegildedswine！Well，IunderstandIamabitofageneralnow，andifIdon"tmake"emsitupforhersakemynameain"tSamuelQuick。”
MeanwhiletherewasmuchconsternationandindignantmurmuringamongsttheCourt，whichfeltthatreflectionshadbeenthrownuponitcollectivelyandindividually。Atsuchacrisis，asusual，PrinceJoshuatookthelead。Risingfromhisseat，heknelt，notwithoutdifficulty，beforethethrone，andsaid:
“OChildofKings，whydoyoudistressuswithsuchwords?HaveyounottheGodofSolomontoprotectyou?“
“Godprotectsthosewhoprotectthemselves，“sobbedMaqueda。
“Andhaveyounotmanybraveofficers?“
“Whatareofficerswithoutanarmy?“
“Andhaveyounotme，youruncle，youraffianced，yourlover?“andhelaidhishandwhereheconceivedhishearttobe，andstaredupatherwithhisrolling，fish-likeeyes。“HaditnotbeenfortheinterferenceoftheseGentiles，inwhomyouseemtoputsuchtrust，“
hewenton，“shouldInothavetakenBarungcaptivetheotherday，andlefttheFungwithoutahead?“
“AndtheAbatiwithoutsuchshredsofhonourasstillbelongtothem，myuncle。”
“Letusbewed，OBudoftheRose，OFlowerofMur，andsoonIwillfreeyoufromtheFung。Wearehelplessbecauseweareseparate，buttogetherweshalltriumph。Say，OMaqueda，whenshallwebewed?“
“WhentheidolHarmacisutterlydestroyed，andtheFunghavedepartedforever，myuncle，“sheansweredimpatiently。“Butisthisatimetotalkofmarriage?IdeclaretheCouncilclosed。LetthepriestsbringtherollsthatthesestrangersfromtheWestmaytaketheoath，andthenpardonmeifIleaveyou。”
Nowfrombehindthethronethereappearedagorgeousgentlemanarrayedinahead-dressthatremindedmefaintlyofabishop"smitre，andwearingoverhisrobesabreastplateofpreciousstonesroughlypolished，whichwashalfhiddenbyaverylongwhitebeard。
Thisperson，whoitseemedwasthehighpriest，carriedinhishandadoublerollofparchmentwrittenoverwithcharacterswhichweafterwardsdiscoveredwerebastardHebrew，veryancientandonlydecipherablebythreeorfouroftheAbati，ifindeedanyofthemcouldreallyreadit。AtleastitwassaidtobetherollofthelawbroughtbytheirforefatherscenturiesagofromAbyssinia，togetherwithSheba"sringandafewotherrelics，amongthemthecradle(apalpableforgery)，inwhichthechildofSolomonandMaqueda，orBelchis，thefirstknownQueenofSheba，wastraditionallyreportedtohavebeenrocked。Thisrollofthelaw，whichforgenerationshadbeenusedatallimportantceremoniesamongtheAbati，suchastheswearing-inoftheirqueensandchiefofficers，wasnowtenderedtoustoholdandkisswhilewetooktheoathofobedienceandallegianceinthenamesofJehovahandofSolomon(astrangemixture，itstruckus)，solemnlyvowingtoperformthosethingswhichIhavealreadysetout。
“Thisseemsaprettywidepromise，“saidOliver，afterithadbeenreadtousandtranslatedbymetoQuick。“Doyouthinkthatweoughttotakeiton?“
Ianswered“Yes，“thatwasfrommypointofview，sinceotherwiseI
sawnochanceofachievingtheobjectthathadcausedmetoenteruponthisadventure。Then，beingespeciallyrequestedtodoso，theSergeant，afterreflectingawhile，gavehisconsideredopinion。
“Sir，“hesaidtoOrme，“wearethreewhitemenhereconsortingwithamobofquarter-bredAfricanJewsandonereallady。Itseemstomethatwehadbestswearanythingtheywantusto，trustingtotheladytoseeusthroughthemess，sinceotherwiseweshallbemerefilibustersinthecountrywithoutofficialrank，andliablethereforetobeshotonsightbytheenemy，oranymutineerswhogettheupperhandhere。Also，wehavetheProfessorandtheDoctor"ssontothinkof。ThereforeIsay:Sweartoanythinginreason，reservingallegiancetotheCrownofGreatBritain，andtrusttoluck。Yousee，Captain，weareintheirpoweranyway，andthisoathmayhelp，butcan"thurtus，whiletorefuseitmustgiveoffencetoalltheseskunks，andperhapstotheladyalso，whichisofmoreconsequence。”
“Ithinkyouareprobablyright，Sergeant，“saidOrme。“Anyway，inforapenny，inforapound。”
ThenheturnedtoMaqueda，whohadbeenwatchingthisconferenceinanunknowntonguewithsomeanxiety，orsoitseemedtome，andaddedinArabic:“OChildofKings，wewilltakeyouroath，althoughitiswide，trustingtoyourhonourtoprotectusfromanypitfallswhichitmaycover，forwewouldaskyoutorememberthatwearestrangersinyourlandwhodonotunderstanditslawsandcustoms。Onlywestipulatethatweretainourallegiancetoourownrulerfaraway，remainingthesubjectsofthatmonarchwithallrightstheretoappertaining。Also，westipulatethatbeforeweenteronourduties，oratanyrateduringthoseduties，weshallbeatfulllibertytoattempttherescueofourfriendandcompanion，nowaprisonerinthehandsoftheFung，andofthesonofoneofuswhoisbelievedtobeaslavetothem，andthatweshallhavealltheassistancewhichyoucangiveusinthismatter。Moreover，wedemandthatifweshouldbetriedforanyoffenceunderthisoath，youtowhomweswearallegianceshallbeourjudgealone，noneothersintermeddlinginthetrial。Ifyouacceptthesetermswewillsweartheoath；otherwiseweswearnothing，butwillactasoccasionmayarise。”
NowwewererequestedtostandbackwhiletheChildofKingsconsultedwithheradvisers，whichshedidforaconsiderabletime，sinceevidentlythequestionsraisedinvolveddifferencesofopinion。Intheend，however，sheandthosewhosupportedherseemedtooverruletheobjectors，andwewerecalledupandtoldthatourtermshadbeenacceptedandengrossedupontheformoftheoath，andthateverythingthereincludedwouldbefaithfullyobservedbytheRulerandCounciloftheAbati。
Sowesignedandswore，kissingthebook，orrathertheroll，inthecivilizedfashion。Afterwards，verytired，forallthisbusinesshadbeenanxious，wewereconductedbacktoourownquarterstolunch，orrathertodine，fortheAbatiatetheirheaviestmealatmidday，takingasiestaafteritaccordingtothecommonEasterncustom。
Aboutfouro"clockofthatafternoonIwasawakenedfrommynapbythegrowlsofPharaoh，andlookeduptoseeamancrouchingagainstthedoor，evidentlyinfearofthedog"sfangs。HeprovedtobeamessengerfromMaqueda，senttoaskusifwecaredtoaccompanyhertoaplacethatwehadneverseen。Ofcourseweanswered“Yes，“andwereatonceledbythemessengertoadisusedanddustyhallatthebackofthepalace，wherepresentlyMaquedaandthreeofherladiesjoinedus，andwiththemanumberofmenwhocarriedlightedlamps，gourdsofoil，andbundlesoftorches。
“Doubtless，friends，“saidMaqueda，whowasunveiledandappearedtohavequiterecoveredfromouroutburstofthemorning，“youhaveseenmanywonderfulplacesinthisAfricaandotherlands，butnowIamabouttoshowyouonethat，Ithink，isstrangerthanthemall。”
Followingher，wecametoadoorattheendofthehallwhichthemenunboltedandshutagainbehindus，andthencepassedintoalongpassagecutintherock，thatslopedcontinuouslydownwardsandatlengthledthroughanotherdoorwaytothevastestcavethatwehadeverheardoforseen。Sovastwasit，indeed，thatthefeeblelightofourlampsdidnotsufficetoreachtheroof，andonlydimlyshowedtorightandlefttheoutlinesofwhatappearedtobeshatteredbuildingsofrock。
“BeholdthecavecityofMur，“saidMaqueda，wavingthelampsheheld。
“HereitwasthattheancientswhomwebelievetohavebeentheforefathersoftheFung，hadtheirsecretstronghold。Thesewallswerethoseoftheirgranaries，temples，andplacesofceremonial，but，asI
havetoldyou，centuriesagoanearthquakeshatteredthem，leavingthemastheyarenow。Also，itbrokedownmuchofthecaveitself，causingtherooftofall，sothattherearemanypartswhereitisnotsafetoenter。Comenowandseewhatisleft。”
Wefollowedherintothedepthofthewonderfulplace，ourlanternsandtorchesmakinglittlestarsoflightinthatgreatblackness。WesawtheruinsofgranariesstillfilledwiththedustofwhatI
supposehadoncebeencorn，andcameatlengthtoahuge，rooflessbuildingofwhichtheareawasstrewnwithshatteredcolumns，andamongthemovergrownstatues，coveredsothickbydustthatwecouldonlydiscoverthatmostofthemseemedtobeshapedlikesphinxes。
“IfonlyHiggswerehere，“saidOliverwithasigh，andpassedontoMaqueda，whowascallinghimtolookatsomethingelse。
Leavingthetempleinwhichitwasunsafetowalk，sheledustowhereastrongspring，thewatersupplyoftheplace，bubbledupintoarockbasin，andoverflowingthencethroughpreparedopenings，ranawayweknewnotwhither。
“Look，thisfountainisveryancient，“saidMaqueda，pointingtothelipofthebasinthatwaswornawaytothedepthofseveralincheswherethosewhodrewwaterhadformanygenerationsrestedtheirhandsuponthehardrock。
“Howdidtheylightsovastacavern?“askedOliver。
“Wedonotknow，“sheanswered，“sincelampswouldscarcelyhaveservedthem。ItisasecretofthepastwhichnoneoftheAbatihavecaredtorecover，andanotherishowtheairisalwayskeptfreshsodeepinthebowelsofthemountain。Wecannotevensaywhetherthisplaceisnatural，asIthink，orhollowedoutbymen。”
“Both，Iexpect，“Ianswered。“Buttellme，Lady，dotheAbatimakeanyuseofthisgreatcave?“
“Somecornisstillstoredhereinpitsincaseofsiege，“shereplied，addingsadly，“butitisnotenoughtobeofrealservice，sincealmostallofitcomesfromtheestatesoftheChildofKings。
InvainhaveIprayedthepeopletocontribute，ifonlyahundredthpartoftheirharvest，buttheywillnot。Eachsaysthathewouldgiveifhisneighbourgave，andsononegive。Andyetadaymaycomewhenastoreofcornalonewouldstandbetweenthemanddeathbyhunger——iftheFungheldthevalley，forinstance，“andsheturnedimpatientlyandwalkedforwardtoshowusthestableswheretheancientskepttheirhorsesandthemarksoftheirchariotwheelsinthestonefloor。
“Nicepeople，theAbati，sir，“saidQuicktome。“Ifitweren"tforthewomenandchildren，and，aboveall，forthislittlelady，whomI
ambeginningtoworshiplikemymaster，asindutybound，I"dliketoseethemdoabitofhungering。”
“Thereisonemoreplacetoshowyou，“saidMaqueda，whenwehadinspectedthestablesandarguedastowhatpossiblecausescouldhaveinducedtheancientstokeephorsesunderground，“whichperhapsyouwillthinkworthavisit，sinceitholdsthetreasuresthatare，orshallbe，yours。Come！“
Westartedforwardagainalongvariouspassages，thelastofwhichsuddenlywidenedintoabroadandsteepinclineofrock，whichwefollowedforquitefiftypacestillitendedinwhatseemedtobeablankwall。HereMaquedabadeherladiesandattendantshalt，whichindeedtheyseemedveryanxioustodo，thoughatthemomentwedidnotknowwhy。Thenshewenttooneendofthewallwhereitjoinedthatofthepassage，and，showingussomeloosestones，askedmetopullthemout，whichIdid，notwithoutdifficulty。Whenanaperturehadbeenmadelargeenoughforamantocreepthrough，sheturnedtoherpeopleandsaid:
“You，Iknow，believethisplacetobehaunted，norwouldthebravestofyouenteritsavebyexpresscommand。ButIandthesestrangershavenosuchfears。Thereforegiveusagourdofoilandsometorchesandbidewhereyouaretillwereturn，settingalampintheholeinthewalltoguideusincaseourownshouldbecomeextinguished。No，donotreasonbutobey。Thereisnodanger，forthoughhot，theairwithinispure，asIknowwhohavebreatheditmorethanonce。”
ThenshegaveherhandtoOliver，andwithhisassistancecreptthroughthehole。Wefollowed，tofindourselvesinanothercavern，where，asshehadsaid，thetemperaturewasmuchhotterthanthatwithout。
“Whatisthisplace?“askedOrmeinalowvoice，foritsaspectseemedtoawehim。
“ThetomboftheoldkingsofMur，“shereplied。“Presentlyyoushallsee，“andoncemoreshetookhishand，fortheslopewassharpandslippery。
Onwewent，alwaysdescending，forperhapsfourhundredyards，ourfootfallsechoingloudlyintheintensesilence，andourlamps，roundwhichthebatscircledinhundreds，makingfourstarsoflightintheutterblackness，tillatlengththepassagewidenedoutintowhatappearedtobeavastcirculararena，withaloftydome-likeroofofrock。Maquedaturnedtotheright，and，haltingbeforesomeobjectsthatglimmeredwhitely，heldupherlight，saying，“Look！“
Thiswaswhatwesaw:Agreatstonechairand，pileduponitsseatanduponitsbase，humanbones。Amongstthesewasaskull，andonit，grotesquelytilted，acrownofgold，whileotherornaments——sceptres，rings，necklaces，weaponsandarmour——weremingledwiththebones。Norwasthisall，forinawidecircleroundthechairwereotherskeletons，fiftyormoreofthem，andamongstthemtheornamentsthattheirownershadworn。
Also，infrontofeachstoodatrayofsomemetal，whichweafterwardsdiscoveredtobesilverorcopper，andheapeduponiteverykindofvaluable，suchasgoldencupsandvases，toiletutensils，necklaces，pectorals，bracelets，leglets，earringsandbeadsthatseemedtobecutfrompreciousstones，pilesofringmoney，andahundredotherthingssuchashavebeenprizedbymankindsincethebeginningofcivilization。
“Youunderstand，“saidMaqueda，aswestared，open-mouthedatthisawfulandmarvelloussight，“heinthechairwastheking。Thoseabouthimwerehisofficers，guards，andwomen。Whenhewasburiedtheybroughthishouseholdhere，bearinghiswealth，satthemdownabouthim，andkilledthem。Blowawaythedust，andyouwillseethattherockbeneathisstillstainedwiththeirblood；also，therearethesword-marksontheirskulls，andneckbones。”
Quick，whowasofaninquiringmind，steppedforwardandverifiedthesestatements。
“Golly！“hesaid，throwingdowntheskullofamanoverwhomthetiredexecutionershadevidentlybungledbadly，“I"mgladIdidn"tservetheoldkingsofMur。Butthesamegamegoesoninasmallwayto-dayinAfrica，forwhenIwascampaigningontheWestCoastIcameacrossitnotafortnightold，onlytheretheyhadburiedthepoorbeggarsliving。”
“Perhaps，“saidMaqueda，whentheSergeant"sremarkshadbeentranslatedtoher。“YetIdonotthinkthecustomisonethatmypeoplewouldlove，“andshelaughedalittle，thenadded，“forward，friends，therearemanymoreofthesekingsandoildoesnotburnforever。”
Sowemovedon，andatadistanceofsometwentypacesfoundanotherchairwithscatteredbonesonandabouttheseat，lyingwhereeachhadfallenasthedeadmandecayed。Rounditweretheskeletonsoftheunfortunateswhohadbeendoomedtoaccompanyhimuponhislastjourney，everyoneofthembehindhistrayofgoldenobjects，orofsimpletreasure。Infrontofthisking"schairalsowerethebonesofadogwithajewelledcollar。
Againweproceededtoathirdmortuary，ifitmaysobecalled，andhereMaquedapointedouttheskeletonofaman，infrontofwhichstoodatraypiledupwithwhatevidentlyhadbeenthemedicinebottlesoftheperiodandamongthemanumberofrudesurgicalinstruments。
“Say，OPhysicianAdams，“sheremarkedwithasmile，“wouldyouhavewishedtobecourtdoctortothekingsofMur，ifindeedthatwasthentheircity"sname?“
“No，Lady，“Ianswered；“butIdowishtoexaminehisinstrumentsifI
haveyourleave，“andwhileshehurriedforwardIstoopeddownandfilledmypockets。HereImayremark，thatuponsubsequentinspectionIfoundamongtheseinstruments，manufacturedIknownotwhatnumberofthousandsofyearsago——foronthatpointcontroversyragesamongthelearned——manythatwithmodificationsarestillinuseto-day。
Ofthatstrangeanddreadfulsepulchrethereislittlemoretotell。
Frommonarchtomonarchwemarchedontillatlengthwegrewwearyofstaringatbonesandgold。EvenQuickgrewweary，whohadpassedhisearlyyouthinassistinghisfather，theparishsexton，andtherefore，likemyself，regardedtheserelicswithprofessionalinterest，thoughofadifferentdegree。Atanyrate，heremarkedthatthisfamilyvaultwasuncommonlyhot，andperhaps，ifitpleasedherMajesty，ashecalledMaqueda，wemighttaketherestofthedeceasedgentlemenasread，likearecruit"sattestationquestions。
ButjustthenwecametoNo。25，accordingtomycounting，andwereobligedtostoptowonder，forclearlythiskinghadbeenthegreatestofthemall，sinceroundhimlayabouttwoorthreetimestheaveragenumberofdead，andanenormousquantityofwealth，someofitintheformoflittlestatuesofmenandwomen，orperhapsofgods。Yet，oddlyenough，hewashunchbackwithahugeskull，almostamonstrosityindeed。Perhapshismindpartookoftheabnormalqualitiesofhisbody，sincenolessthanelevenlittlechildrenhadbeensacrificedathisobsequies，twoofwhom，judgingfromtheircrookedbones，musthavebeenhisown。
OnewonderswhatchancedinMurandthesurroundingterritorieswhichthenacknowledgeditsswaywhenKingHunchbackruled。Alas！historywritesnorecord。
CHAPTERX
QUICKLIGHTSAMATCH
“Herewebegintoturn，forthiscaveisagreatcircle，“saidMaquedaoverhershoulder。
ButOliver，whomsheaddressed，hadlefthersideandwasengagedintakingobservationsbehindthehunchback"sfuneralchairwithaninstrumentwhichhehadproducedfromhispocket。
Shefollowedhimandaskedcuriouslywhatthisthingmightbe，andwhyhemadeuseofithere。
“Wecallitacompass，“heanswered，“andittellsmethatbeyondusliestheeast，wherethesunrises；alsoitshowsatwhatheightwestandabovethesea，thatgreatwaterwhichyouhaveneverseen，O
ChildofKings。Saynow，ifwecouldwalkthroughthisrock，whatshouldwefindoutyonder?“
“Thelion-headedidoloftheFung，Ihavebeentold，“sheanswered。
“ThatwhichyousawbeforeyoublewupthegateofthecityHarmac。
ButhowfaroffitmaybeIdonotknow，forIcannotseethroughstone。FriendAdams，helpmetorefillthelamps，fortheyburnlow，andallthesedeadwouldbeillcompanyinthedark。Soatleastmypeoplethink，sincethereisnotoneofthemthatdarestoenterthisplace。Whenfirstwefounditonlyafewyearsagoandsawthecompanyitheld，theyfled，andleftmetosearchitalone。Look，yonderaremyfootstepsinthedust。”
SoIrefilledtheshallowhand-lamps，andwhileIdidsoOrmetooksomehastyobservationsofwhichhejotteddowntheresultsinhispocket-book。
“Whathaveyoulearned?“sheasked，whenatlastherejoinedussomewhatunwillingly，forshehadbeencallingtohimtocome。
“NotsomuchasIshouldhavedoneifyoucouldhavegivenmemoretime，“hereplied，addinginexplanation，“Lady，Iwasbroughtupasanengineer，thatis，onewhoexecutesworks，andtodosotakesmeasurementsandmakescalculations。Forinstance，thosedeadmenwhohollowedordressedthesecavesmusthavebeenengineersandnomeanones。”
“Wehavesuchamongusnow，“shesaid。“Theyraisedamsandmakedrainsandhouses，thoughnotsogoodasthosewhichwerebuiltofold。ButagainIask——whathaveyoulearned，OwiseEngineer?“
“OnlythatherewestandnotsoveryfarabovethecityHarmac，ofwhichIchancedtotakethelevel，andthatbehindyonderchairtherewas，Ithink，onceapassagewhichhasbeenbuiltup。Butbepleasedtosaynothingofthematter，Lady，andtoaskmenomorequestionsatpresent，asIcannotanswerthemwithcertainty。”
“Iseethatyouarediscreetaswellaswise，“sherepliedwithsomesarcasm。“Well，sinceImaynotbetrustedwithyourcounsel，keepittoyourself。”
Oliverbowedandobeyedthiscurtinstruction。
Thenwebeganourreturnjourney，passingmanymoregroupsofskeletonswhichnowwescarcelytroubledtolookat，perhapsbecausetheheavyairfilledwithdustthatoncehadbeenthefleshofmen，wastellingonourenergies。OnlyInoticed，orrathertheobservantQuickcalledmyattentiontothefact，thataswewentthekingsintheirchairsweresurroundedbyfewerandfewerattendantsandwomen，andthattheofferingsplacedattheirfeetwereofanever-lesseningvalue。Indeed，afterwehadpassedanotherfiveorsixofthem，theirmurderedretinuesdwindledtoafewfemaleskeletons，doubtlessthoseoffavouritewiveswhohadbeensingledoutforthisparticularhonour。
Atlengththerewerenoneatall，thepoormonarchs，whonowwerecrowdedclosetogether，beinglefttoexploretheshadesalone，adornedmerelywiththeirownjewelleryandregalia。Ultimatelyeventhesewerereplacedbyfuneralgold-foilornaments，andthetraysoftreasurebyearthenwarejarswhichappearedtohavecontainednothingbutfoodandwine，andaddedtotheseafewspearsandotherweapons。
Thelastoftheoccupiedchairs，fortherewereemptyonesbeyond，containedboneswhich，fromtheirslendernessandthesmallsizeofthebraceletsamongthem，Isawatoncehadbelongedtoawomanwhohadbeensenttothegravewithoutcompanionsoranyofferingsatall。
“Doubtless，“saidMaqueda，whenIpointedthisouttoher，“atthattimetheancientshadgrownweakandpoor，sinceaftersomanykingstheypermittedawomantoruleoverthemandhadnowealthtowasteuponherburial。Thatmayhavebeenaftertheearthquake，whenonlyafewpeoplewereleftinMurbeforetheAbatitookpossessionofit。”
“Where，then，arethoseofyourownhouseburied?“askedOliver，staringattheemptychairs。
“Oh！notinthisplace，“sheanswered；“Ihavetoldyouitwasdiscoveredbutafewyearsago。Werestintombsoutside，andformypartIwillsleepinthesimpleearth，sothatImayliveoningrassandflowers，ifinnootherway。Butenoughofdeathanddoom。Soon，whocantellhowsoon?weshallbeastheseare，“andsheshuddered。
“Meanwhile，webreathe，soletusmakethebestofbreath。Youhaveseenyourfee，say，doesitcontentyou?“
“Whatfee?“heasked。“Death，therewardofLife?HowcanItelluntilIhavepasseditsgate?“
HerethisphilosophicaldiscussionwasinterruptedbythesuddendeceaseofQuick"slamp。
“Thoughttherewassomethingwrongwiththebloomingthing，“saidtheSergeant，“butcouldn"tturnitup，asithasn"tgotascrew，withoutwhichtheseold-fashionedcolzaoilsneverwerenogood。Hullo！
Doctor，theregoesyours，“andashespoke，goitdid。
“Thewicks！“exclaimedMaqueda，“weforgottobringnewwicks，andwithoutthemofwhatuseisoil?Come，beswift；wearestillfarfromthemouthofthiscave，wherenoneexceptthehighpriestswilldaretoseekus，“and，takingOliverbythehand，shebegantorun，leavingustwotofollowasbestwecould。
“Steady，Doctor，“saidQuick，“steady。Inthepresenceofdisastercomradesshouldalwayssticktogether，asitsaysintheRed-bookpresentedbythecrowntowarrantofficers，butpaidforoutoftheirdeferredallowance。Takemyarm，Doctor。Ah！Ithoughtso，themorehastethelessspeed。Lookthere，“andhepointedtotheflyingshapesahead，nowalongwayoff，andwithonlyonelampbetweenthem。
NextinstantMaquedaturnedroundholdingupthisremaininglampandcalledtous。Isawthefaintlightgleamuponherbeautifulfaceandglitterdownthesilverornamentsofherdress。Verywildandstrangeshelookedinthathugevault，seenthusforasinglemoment，thenseennomore，forpresentlywheretheflamehadbeenwasbutaredspark，andthennothingatall。
“Stopstilltillwecomebacktoyou，“criedOliver，“andshoutatintervals。”
“Yes，sir，“saidQuick，andinstantlyletoffafearfulyell，whichechoedbackwardandforwardacrossthevaulttillIwasquitebewildered。
“Allright，coming，“answeredOliver，andhisvoicesoundedsofartotheleftthatQuickthoughtitwisetoyellagain。
Tocutalongstoryshort，wenextheardhimonourrightandthenbehindus。
“Can"ttrustsoundshere，sir，echoesaretoouncertain，“saidtheSergeant；“butcomeon，IthinkI"veplacedthemnow，“andcallingto/them/nottomove，weheadedinwhatweweresurewastherightdirection。
TheendofthatadventurewasthatpresentlyItrippedupoveraskeletonandfoundmyselflyinghalfstunnedamidsttraysoftreasure，affectionatelyclaspingaskullundertheimpressionthatitwasQuick"sboot。
Hehauledmeupagainsomehow，and，aswedidnotknowwhattodo，wesatdownamidstthedeadandlistened。BynowtheotherswereapparentlysofaroffthatthesoundofOliver"scallingonlyreachedusinfaint，mysteriousnotesthatcamefromweknewnotwhence。
“As，likeidiots，westartedinsuchahurrythatweforgottobringanymatcheswithus，thereisnothingtobedone，exceptwait，“I
said。“NodoubtinduecoursethoseAbatiwillgetovertheirfearofghostsandcometolookforus。”
“WishIcoulddothesame，sir。Ididn"tmindthosedeadersinthelight，butthedark"sadifferentmatter。Can"tyouhearthemrattlingtheirshanksandtalkingallroundus?“
“CertainlyIdohearsomething，“Ianswered，“butIthinkitmustbetheechoofourownvoices。”
“Well，letusholdourjaw，sir，andperhapstheywillholdtheirs，forthiskindofconversationain"tnice。”
Soweweresilent，butthestrangemurmuringstillwenton，comingapparentlyfromthewallofthecavebehindus，anditoccurredtomethatIhadonceheardsomethinglikeitbefore，thoughatthetimeI
couldnotthinkwhere。AfterwardsIrememberedthatitwaswhen，asaboy，IhadbeentakentoseetheWhisperingGalleryinSt。Paul"sCathedralinLondon。
Half-an-hourorsowentbyinthisfashion，andstilltherewerenosignsoftheAbatiorofourmissingpair。Quickbegantofumbleamonghisclothes。Iaskedhimwhathewasdoing。
“Can"thelpthinkingI"vegotawaxmatchsomewhere，Doctor。I
rememberfeelingitinoneofthepocketsofthiscoatonthedaybeforeweleftLondon，andthinkingafterwardsitwasn"tsafetohavehaditpackedinaboxmarked"Hold。"NowifonlyIcouldfindthatmatch，wehavegotplentyoftorches，forI"vestucktomybundleallthrough，althoughIneverthoughtofthemwhenthelampsweregoingout。”
HavingsmallbeliefintheSergeant"smatch，Imadenoanswer，andthesearchwentontillpresentlyIheardhimejaculate:
“ByJingo，hereitis，inthelining。Yes，andtheheadfeelsallright。Now，Doctor，holdtwoofthetorchestowardme；makeready，present，fire！“andhestruckthematchandappliedittotheheadsoftheresinoustorches。
Instantlytheseblazedup，givinganintenselightinthatawfuldarkness。Bythislight，foronemomentonly，wesawastrange，andnotunattractivespectacle。IthinkIforgottosaythatinthecentreofthisvaultstoodakindofaltar，whichuntilthatmoment，indeed，Ihadnotseen。Thisaltar，which，doubtless，hadbeenusedforceremonialpurposesatthefuneralsoftheancientKings，consistedofaplainblockofbasaltstone，whereonwascutthesymbolofahumaneye，thestonebeingapproachedbystepsandsupporteduponcarvedandcrouchingsphinxes。
Onthelowestofthesesteps，nearenoughtoenableustoseethemquiteclearly，wereseatedOliverOrmeandMaqueda，ChildofKings。
Theywereseatedveryclosetogether；indeed，ifImusttellthetruth，Oliver"sarmwasaboutMaqueda"swaist，herheadresteduponhisshoulder，andapparentlyhewasengagedinkissingheruponthelips。
“Rightaboutface，“hissedtheSergeant，inatoneofcommand，“andmarktime！“
Soweright-aboutedforadecentperiod，then，coughingloudly——
becauseoftheirritantsmokeofthetorches——advancedtocrossthecavern，andbyaccidentstumbleduponourlostcompanions。IconfessthatIhadnothingtosay，butQuickrosetotheoccasionnobly。
“Gladtoseeyou，Captain，“hesaidtoOliver。“Wasgettingveryanxiousaboutyou，sir，untilbygoodluckIfoundamatchintheliningofmycoat。IftheProfessorhadbeenherehe"dhavehadplenty，whichisanargumentinfavourofcontinuoussmoking，evenwhenladiesarepresent。Ah！nowonderherMajestyisfaintinthishotplace，pooryoungthing。It"sluckyyoudidn"tleaveholdofher，sir。Doyouthinkyoucouldmanagetosupporther，sir，asweoughttobemoving。Can"toffertodosomyself，asIhavelamedmyfootwiththetoothofadeadking，alsomyarmsarefulloftorches。ButifyouprefertheDoctor——whatdoyousay，sir?Thatyou/can/manage?Thereissuchanechointhisvaultthatitisdifficulttohear——verywell，letusgoon，forthesetorcheswon"tlastforever，andyouwouldn"tlikeustohavetospendawholenightherewiththeladyinsuchadelicatecondition，wouldyou，especiallyasthosenasty-temperedAbatimightsaythatyouhaddoneitonpurpose?TakeherMajesty"sarm，Doctor，andletustrek。I"llgoaheadwiththetorches。”
ToallthisartlessharangueOliveranswerednotasingleword，butglaredatussuspiciouslyovertheshapeofMaqueda，whoapparentlyhadfainted。OnlywhenIventuredtoofferhersomeprofessionalassistancesherecovered，andsaidthatshecouldgetonquitewellalone，whichmeantuponOrme"sarm。
Well，theendofitwasthatshegoton，andsodidwe，forthetorcheslasteduntilwereachedthenarrow，slopingpassage，and，roundingthecorner，sawthelanternburningintheholeinthewall，afterwhich，ofcourse，thingswereeasy。
“Doctor，“saidOlivertomeinavoiceofstudiednonchalancethatnight，aswewerepreparingtoturnin，“didyounoticeanythingintheVaultofKingsthisafternoon?“
“Oh，yes，“Ianswered，“lots！Ofcourse，myself，Iamnotgiventoarch?ology，likepoorHiggs，butthesightstruckmeasabsolutelyunique。IfIwereinclinedtomoralize，forinstance，whatacontrastbetweenthosedeadrulersandtheiryoungandbeautifulsuccessor，fulloflifeandlove“——herehelookedatmesharply——“loveofherpeople，suchasIhavenodoubtintheirday——“
“Oh，shutit，Adams！Idon"twantaphilosophicallecturewithhistoricalcomparisons。Didyounoticeanythingexceptbonesandgoldwhenthatunutterableass，Quick，suddenlyturnedonthelights——I
meanstruckthematchwhichunfortunatelyhehadwithhim。”
NowIgaveitupandfacedthesituation。
“Well，ifyouwantthetruth，“Isaid，“not/very/muchmyself，formysightisn"tasgoodasitusedtobe。ButtheSergeant，whohasextraordinarilysharpeyes，thoughtthathesawyoukissingMaqueda，asuppositionthatyourrelativeattitudesseemedtoconfirm，whichexplains，moreover，someofthecurioussoundsweheardbeforehelitthetorches。That"swhyheaskedmetoturnmyback。But，ofcourse，wemayhavebeenmistaken。DoIunderstandyoutosaythattheSergeantwasmistaken?“
OliverconsignedtheSergeant"seyestoanultimatefateworsethanthatwhichbefellthoseofPeepingTom；then，inaburstofcandour，forsubterfugeneverwashisforte，ownedup:
“Youmadenomistake，“hesaid，“weloveeachother，anditcameoutsuddenlyinthedark。Isupposethattheunusualsurroundingsactedonournerves。”
“FromamoralpointofviewIamgladthatyouloveeachother，“I
remarked，“sinceembracesthataremerelynervouscannotbecommended。
Butfromeveryother，inourcircumstancestheresultingsituationstrikesmeasalittleshortofawful，althoughQuick，amostobservantman，warnedmetoexpectitfromthefirst。”