第5章

“CurseQuick，“saidOliveragain，withtheutmostenergy。“I"llgivehimamonth"snoticethisverynight。”

“Don"t，“Isaid，“forthenyou"llobligehimtotakeservicewithBarung，wherehewouldbemostdangerous。Lookhere，Orme，todropchaff，thisisaprettymess。”

“Why?What"swrongaboutit，Doctor?“heaskedindignantly。“Ofcourse，she"saJewofsomedilutedsortorother，andI"maChristian；butthosethingsadaptthemselves。Ofcourse，too，she"smysuperior，butafterallhersisastrictlylocalrank，andinEuropeweshouldbeonmuchthesamefooting。AsforherbeinganEastern，whatdoesthatmatter?Surelyitisnotanobjectionwhichshouldhaveweightwith/you/。Andfortherest，didyoueverseeherequal?“

“Never，never，/never/！“Iansweredwithenthusiasm。“Theyoungladytowhomanygentlemanhasjustengagedhimselfisalwaysabsolutelyunequalled，and，letmeadmitatoncethatthisisperhapsthemostoriginalandcharmingthatIhaveevermetinallCentralAfrica。

Only，whatevermaybethecasewithyou，Idon"tknowwhetherthisfactwillconsolemeandQuickwhenourthroatsarebeingcut。Lookhere，Orme，“Iadded，“didn"tItellyoulongagothattheonethingyoumust/not/dowastomakelovetotheChildofKings?“

“Didyou?Really，Iforget；youtoldmesuchalotofthings，Doctor，“

heansweredcoollyenough，onlyunfortunatelythecolourthatroseinhischeeksbetrayedhislips。

Atthismoment，Quick，whohadenteredtheroomunobserved，gaveadrycough，andremarked:

“Don"tblametheCaptain，Doctor，becausehedon"tremember。There"snothinglikeshockfromanexplosionforupsettingthememory。I"veseenthatoftenintheBoerwar，when，afterabigshellhadgoneoffsomewherenearthem，theverybravestsoldierswouldcleanforgetthatitwastheirdutytostandstillandnotrunlikerabbits；indeed，ithappenedtomemyself。”

Ilaughed，andOliversaidsomethingwhichIcouldnothear，butQuickwentonimperturbably:

“Still，truthistruth，andiftheCaptainhasforgotten，themorereasonthatweshouldremindhim。ThateveningattheProfessor"shouseinLondonyoudidwarnhim，sir，andheansweredthatyouneedn"tbotheryourheadaboutthefascinationsofaniggerwoman——“

“Niggerwoman，“brokeoutOliver；“Ineverusedsuchwords；Inevereventhoughtthem，andyouareanimpertinentfellowtoputthemintomymouth。Niggerwoman！Goodheavens！It"sdesecration。”

“Verysorry，Captain，nowIcometothinkofit，Ibelieveyousaidblackwoman，speakinginyourhaste。YesandIbeggedyounottobrag，seeingthatifyoudidwemightlivetoseeyoucrawlingafterher，withmyself，SamuelQuickbringinguptherear。Well，thereitisweare，andtheworstofitisthatIcan"tblameyou，beingasanticipatedintheprophecy——forthat"swhatitwasthoughIdidn"tknowitmyselfatthetime——exactlyinthesamestatemyself，though，ofcourse，atadistance，bringinguptherearrespectfully，assaid。”

“Youdon"tmeanthatyouareinlovewiththeChildofKings?“saidOliver，staringattheSergeant"sgrimandbatteredfigure。

“Beggingyourpardon，Captain，thatisexactlywhatIdomean。Ifacatmaylookataqueen，whymayn"tamanloveher?Howsoever，mykindofloveain"tlikelytointerferewithyours。Mykindmeanssentry-goandperhapsaknifeinmygizzard；yours——well，wesawwhatyoursmeansthisafternoon，thoughwhatitwillallleadtowedidn"tsee。

Still，Captain，speakingasonewhohasn"tbeenkeenonthesexheretofore，Isay——sailin，sinceit"sworthit，evenifyou"vegottosinkafterwards，forthislady，althoughsheishalfaJew，andI

nevercouldabideJews，isthesweetestandtheloveliestandthebestandthebravestlittlewomanthateverwalkedGod"searth。”

AtthispointOliverseizedhishandandshookitwarmly，andImaymentionthatIthinksomereportofQuick"ssummaryofhercharactermusthavereachedMaqueda"sears。Atanyrate，thenceforwarduntiltheendshealwaystreatedtheoldfellowwithwhattheFrenchcallthe“mostdistinguishedconsideration。”

But，asIwasnotinlove，nooneshookmyhand，so，leavingtheothertwotodiscussthevirtuesandgracesoftheChildofKings，Iwentofftobedfilledwiththegloomiestforbodings。WhatafoolIhadbeennottoinsistthatwhateverexpertaccompaniedHiggsshouldbeamarriedman。Andyet，nowwhenIcametothinkofit，thatmightnothavebetteredmatters，andperhapswouldonlyhaveaddedtothetransactionadegreeofmoralturpitudewhichatpresentwaslacking，sinceevenmarriedmenaresometimesweak。

ThetruthwasthatMaqueda"sattractionswereextraordinarilygreat。

Toherremarkablebeautysheaddedawonderfulcharmofmannerandforceofmind。Alsohersituationmusttouchtheheartandpityofanyman，sohelplesswassheinthemidstofallherhollowgrandeur，solonelyamongstanationofcurswhomshestroveinvaintosave，andshouldsheescapedestructionwiththem，doomedtososadandrepulsiveafate，namelytobecomethewifeofafatpoltroonwhowasherownuncle。Well，weknowtowhatemotionpityisakin，andthecatastrophehadoccurredalittlesoonerthanIhadexpected，thatwasall。

Doubtlesstoher，incomparisonwiththementowhomshewasaccustomedandallowedbyetiquettetotakeasherassociates，thisbraveandhandsomeyoungEnglishman，whohadcomeintohercaresickandshatteredafterthedoingofagreatdeed，musthaveseemedaveritablefairyprince。Andshehadhelpedtonursehim，andhehadshownhimselfgratefulforherkindnessandcondescension，and——therestfollowed，assurelyasthedayfollowsthenight。

Buthowwoulditend?Soonerorlaterthesecretmustcomeout，foralreadytheAbatinobles，ifImaycallthemsoforwantofabettername，andespeciallyJoshua，werebitterlyjealousofthefavourtheirladyshowedtotheforeigner，andwatchedthemboth。Thenwhat——whatwouldhappen?UndertheAbatilawitwasdeathforanyoneoutsideofthepermitteddegreeofrelationshiptotamperwiththeaffectionsoftheChildofKings。Norwasthiswonderful，sincethatpersonheldherseatinvirtueofhersupposeddirectdescentfromSolomonandthefirstMaqueda，QueenofSheba，andthereforetheintroductionofanyalienbloodcouldnotbetolerated。

Moreover，Orme，havingswornanoathofallegiance，hadbecomesubjecttothoselaws。Lastly，Icouldnotintheleasthopefromthecharacterofthepairconcernedthatthiswasbutapassingflirtation。

Oh！withoutadoubtthesetwohadsignedtheirowndeath-warrantyonderintheCaveofDeath，andincidentallyoursalso。ThismustbetheendofouradventureandmylongsearchforthesonwhomIhadlost。

CHAPTERXI

THERESCUEFAILS

Ourbreakfastonthefollowingmorningwasasomewhatgloomymeal。Bycommonconsentnoallusionwasmadetotheeventsofthepreviousday，ortoourconversationatbedtime。

Indeed，therewasnotalkatalltospeakof，since，notknowingwhatelsetodo，IthoughtIcouldbestshowmyattitudeofmindbypreservingaseveresilence，whileQuickseemedtobeabsorbedinphilosophicalreflections，andOrmelookedratherexcitedanddishevelled，asthoughhehadbeenwritingpoetry，asIdaresaywasthecase。Inthemidstofthisdrearymealamessengerarrived，whoannouncedthattheWaldaNagastawouldbepleasedtoseeusallwithinhalf-an-hour。

FearinglestOrmeshouldsaysomethingfoolish，Iansweredbrieflythatwewouldwaituponher，andthemanwent，leavinguswonderingwhathadhappenedtocausehertodesireourpresence。

Attheappointedtimewewereshownintothesmallaudienceroom，and，aswepasseditsdoor，IventuredtowhispertoOliver:

“Foryourownsakeandhers，aswellasthatoftherestofus，I

imploreyoutobecareful。Yourfaceiswatchedaswellasyourwords。”

“Allright，oldfellow，“heanswered，colouringalittle。“Youmaytrustme。”

“IwishIcould，“Imuttered。

Thenwewereshowninceremoniously，andmadeourbowstoMaqueda，whowasseated，surroundedbysomeofthejudgesandofficers，amongthem，PrinceJoshua，andtalkingtotworough-lookingmencladinordinarybrownrobes。Shegreetedus，andaftertheexchangeoftheusualcompliments，said:

“Friends，Ihavesummonedyouforthisreason。ThismorningwhenthetraitorShadrachwasbeingledouttoexecutionatthehandsofthesemen，theofficersofthelaw，hebeggedforadelay。Whenaskedwhy，ashispetitionforreprievehadbeenrefused，hesaidthatifhislifewassparedhecouldshowhowyourcompanion，hewhomtheycallBlackWindows，mayberescuedfromtheFung。”

“How?“askedOrmeandIinonebreath。

“Idonotknow，“sheanswered，“butwiselytheysparedtheman。Lethimbebroughtin。”

Adooropened，andShadrachentered，hishandsboundbehindhisbackandshacklesonhisfeet。HewasaveryfearfulandmuchchastenedShadrach，forhiseyesrolledandhisteethchatteredwithterror，as，havingprostratedhimselftotheWaldaNagasta，hewriggledroundandtriedtokissOrme"sboot。Theguardspulledhimtohisfeetagain，andMaquedasaid:

“Whathaveyoutotellus，traitor，beforeyoudie?“

“Thethingissecret，OBudoftheRose。MustIspeakbeforesomany?“

“Nay，“sheanswered，andorderedmostofthosepresenttoleavetheroom，includingtheexecutionersandsoldiers。

“Themanisdesperate，andtherewillbenonelefttoguardhim，“saidJoshuanervously。

“I"lldothat，yourHighness，“answeredQuickinhisbadArabic，andsteppingupbehindShadrachheaddedinEnglish，“Nowthen，Pussy，youbehave，oritwillbetheworseforyou。”

WhenallhadgoneagainShadrachwascommandedtospeakandsayhowhecouldsavetheEnglishmanwhomhehadbetrayedintothehandsoftheFung。

“Thus，ChildofKings，“heanswered，“BlackWindows，asweknow，isimprisonedinthebodyofthegreatidol。”

“Howdoyouknowit，man?“

“OLady，Idoknowit，andalsotheSultansaidso，didhenot?Well，Icanshowasecretroadtothatidolwhencehemaybereachedandrescued。InmyboyhoodI，whoamcalledCat，becauseIcanclimbsowell，foundthatroad，andwhentheFungtookmeafterwardandthrewmetothelions，whereIgotthesescarsuponmyface，byitI

escaped。Spareme，andIwillshowittoyou。”

“Itisnotenoughtoshowtheroad，“saidMaqueda。“Dog，youmustsavetheforeignlordwhomyoubetrayed。Ifyoudonotsavehimyoudie。Doyouunderstand?“

“Thatisahardsaying，Lady，“answeredtheman。“AmIGodthatI

shouldpromisetosavethisstrangerwhoperchanceisalreadydead?

YetIwilldomybest，knowingthatifIfailyouwillkillme，andthatifIsucceedIshallbespared。Atanyrate，Iwillshowyoutheroadtowhereheisorwasimprisoned，althoughIwarnyouthatitisaroughone。”

“Whereyoucantravelwecanfollow，“saidMaqueda。“Tellusnowwhatwemustdo。”

Sohetoldher，andwhenhehaddonethePrinceJoshuaintervened，sayingthatitwasnotfittingthattheChildofKingsinherownsacredpersonshouldundertakesuchadangerousjourney。Shelistenedtohisremonstrancesandthankedhimforhiscareofher。

“StillIamgoing，“shesaid，“notforthesakeofthestrangerwhoiscalledBlackWindows，butbecause，ifthereisasecretwayoutofMurIthinkitwellthatIshouldknowthatway。YetIagreewithyou，myuncle，thatonsuchajourneyIoughtnottobeunprotected，andthereforeIpraythatyouwillbereadytostartwithusatnoon，sinceIamsurethatthenweshallallbesafe。”

NowJoshuabegantomakeexcuses，butshewouldnotlistentothem。

“No，no，“shesaid，“youaretoohonest。ThehonouroftheAbatiisinvolvedinthismanner，since，alas！itwasanAbatithatbetrayedBlackWindows，andanAbati——namely，yourself——mustsavehim。Youhaveoftentoldme，myuncle，howcleveryouareatclimbingrocks，andnowyoushallmakeproofofyourskillandcouragebeforetheseforeigners。Itisacommand，speaknomore，“andsherose，toshowthattheaudiencewasfinished。

ThatsameafternoonShadrach，bymountainpathsthatwereknowntohim，ledalittlecompanyofpeopletothecrestofthewesternprecipiceofMur。Fifteenhundredfeetormorebeneathuslaythegreatplainsuponwhich，somemilesaway，couldbeseenthecityofHarmac。Buttheidolinthevalleywecouldnotsee，becauseheretheprecipicebentoverandhiditfromoursight。

“Whatnow，fellow，“saidMaqueda，whowascladintheroughsheepskinofapeasantwoman，whichsomehowlookedcharminguponher。“Hereisthecliff，thereliestheplain；Iseenoroadbetweenthetwo，andmywiseuncle，theprince，tellsmethatheneverheardofone。”

“Lady，“answeredtheman，“nowItakecommand，andyoumustfollowme。

Butfirstletusseethatnobodyandnothingarelacking。”

Thenhewentroundthecompanyandnumberedthem。Inallweweresixteen；MaquedaandJoshua，wethreeEnglishmen，armedwithrepeatingriflesandrevolvers，ourguideShadrach，andsomepickedMountaineerschosenfortheirskillandcourage。ForeveninMurtherewerebravemenleft，especiallyamongtheshepherdsandhuntsmen，whosehomeswereonthecliffs。Thesesturdyguideswereladenwithropes，lamps，andlong，slenderladdersthatcouldbestrappedtogether。

Wheneverythinghadbeencheckedandalltheladdersandstrapstested，Shadrachwenttoaclumpofbusheswhichgrewfeeblyonthewind-sweptcrestoftheprecipice。Inthemidstofthesehefoundandremovedalargeflatstone，revealingwhatevidentlyhadbeentheheadofastair，althoughnowitsstepsweremuchwornandcrumbledbythewaterthatinthewetseasonfollowedthisnaturaldraintothedepthsbelow。

“Thisisthatroadtheancientsmadeforpurposesoftheirown，“

explainedShadrach，“which，asIhavesaid，IchancedtodiscoverwhenIwasaboy。Butletnonefollowitwhoareafraid，foritissteepandrough。”

NowJoshua，whowasalreadywearywithhislongrideandwalkuptothecrestoftheprecipice，imploredMaquedaalmostpassionatelytoabandontheideaofenteringthishorridhole，whileOliverbackeduphisentreatieswithfewwordsbutmanyappealingglances，foronthispoint，thoughfordifferentreasons，theprinceandhewereatone。

Butshewouldnotlisten。

“Myuncle，“shesaid，“withyou，theexperiencedmountaineer，whyshouldIbeafraid?IftheDoctorhere，whoisoldenoughtobethefatherofeitherofus“(sofarasJoshuawasconcernedthisremarklackedtruth)，“iswillingtogo，surelyIcangoalso?Moreover，ifI

remainedbehind，youwouldwishtostaytoguardme，andnevershouldIforgivemyselfifIdeprivedyouofsuchagreatadventure。Also，likeyou，Iloveclimbing。Come，letuswastenomoretime。”

Sowewereropedup。FirstwentShadrach，withQuicknexttohim，apositionwhichtheSergeantinsisteduponoccupyingashiscustodian，andseveraloftheMountaineers，carryingladders，lamps，oil，foodandotherthings。Theninasecondgangcametwomoreofthesemen，Oliver，Maqueda，myself，andnexttome，Joshua。Theremainingmountaineersbroughtuptherear，carryingsparestores，ladders，andsoforth。Whenallwasreadythelampswerelit，andwestarteduponaverystrangejourney。

Forthefirsttwohundredfeetorsothestairs，thoughwornandalmostperpendicular，fortheplacewasliketheshaftofamine，werenotdifficulttodescend，toanyofusexceptJoshua，whomIheardpuffingandgroaningbehindme。Thencameagalleryrunningeastwardatasteepslopeforperhapsfiftypaces，andattheendofitasecondshaftofaboutthesamedepthasthefirst，butwiththestairsmuchmoreworn，apparentlybythewashingofwater，ofwhichagooddealtrickledoutofthesidesoftheshaft。Anotherdifficultywasthattheairrushingupfrombelowmadeithardtokeepthelampsalight。

Towardthebottomofthissectiontherewasscarcelyanystairleft，andtheclimbingbecameverydangerous。Here，indeed，Joshuaslipped，andwithawailofterrorsliddowntheshaftandlandedwithhislegsacrossmybackinsuchafashionthathadInothappenedtohavegoodhandandfootholdatthetime，hewouldhavepropelledmeontoMaqueda，andwemusthaveallrolleddownheadlong，probablytoourdeaths。

Asitwas，thisfatandterrifiedfellowcasthisarmsaboutmyneck，towhichheclung，nearlychokingme，until，justwhenIwasabouttofaintbeneathhisweightandpressure，theMountaineersinthethirdpartyarrivedanddraggedhimoff。Whentheyhadgothimincharge，forIrefusedtomoveanotherstepwhilehewasimmediatelybehindme，wedescendedbyaladderwhichthefirstpartyhadsetup，tothesecondlevel，wherebegananotherlong，eastwardslopingpassagethatendedatthemouthofathirdpit。

HerearosethegreatquestionastowhatwastobedonewiththePrinceJoshua，whovowedthathecouldgonofarther，anddemandedloudlytobetakenbacktothetopofthecliff，althoughShadrachassuredhimthatthenceforwardtheroadwasmucheasier。AtlengthwewereobligedtoreferthemattertoMaqueda，whosettleditinveryfewwords。

“Myuncle，“shesaid，“youtellusthatyoucannotcomeon，anditiscertainthatwecannotsparethetimeandmentosendyouback。

Therefore，itseemsthatyoumuststopwhereyouareuntilwereturn，andifweshouldnotreturn，makethebestofyourownwayuptheshaft。Farewell，myuncle，thisplaceissafeandcomfortable，andifyouarewiseyouwillrestawhile。”

“Heartlesswoman！“gobbledJoshua，whowasshakinglikeajellywithfearandrage。“Wouldyouleaveyouraffiancedlordandloveraloneinthishauntedholewhileyouscrambledownrockslikeawildcatwithstrangers?IfImuststay，doyoustaywithme?“

“Certainlynot，“repliedMaquedawithdecision。“ShallitbesaidthattheChildofKingsisafraidtogowhereherguestscantravel?“

Well，theendofitwasthatJoshuacameoninthecentreofthethirdbodyofMountaineers，whowerepracticallyobligedtocarryhim。

Shadrachwasright，sinceforsomereasonorotherthestairsthenceforwardremainedmoreperfect。Onlytheyseemedalmostendless，andbeforewereachedourgoalIcalculatedthatwemusthavedescendedquitetwelvehundredfeetintothebowelsoftherock。Atlength，whenIwasalmosttiredoutandMaquedawassobreathlessthatshewasobligedtoleanonOliver，draggingmebehindherlikeadogonastring，ofasuddenwesawaglimmerofdaylightthatcreptintothetunnelthroughasmallhole。Bythemouthofyetanotherpitorshaft，wefoundShadrachandtheotherswaitingforus。Saluting，hesaidthatwemustunrope，leaveourlampsbehind，andfollowhim。

Oliveraskedhimwhitherthislastshaftled。

“Toastilllowerlevel，lord，“heanswered，“butonewhichyouwillscarcelycaretoexplore，sinceitendsinthegreatpitwheretheFungkeeptheirsacredlions。”

“Indeed，“saidOliver，muchinterestedforreasonsofhisown，andheglancedatQuick，whonoddedhisheadandwhistled。

ThenweallfollowedShadrachtofindourselvespresentlyuponaplateauaboutthesizeofaracquetcourtwhich，eitherbynatureorbythehandofman，hadbeenrecessedintothefaceofthatgiganticcliff。Goingtotheedgeofthisplateau，whereongrewmanytree-fernsandsomethickgreenbushesthatwouldhavemadeusinvisiblefrombelowevenhadtherebeenanyonetoseeus，wesawthatthesheerprecipicerandownbeneathforseveralhundredfeet。Oftheseyawningdepths，however，wedidnotatthemomentmakeoutmuch，partlybecausetheywereplungedinshadowandpartlyforanotherreason。

Risingoutofthegulfbelowwaswhatwetookatfirsttobearoundedhillofblackrock，oblonginshape，fromwhichprojectedagiganticshaftofstoneendinginakindoffrettedbushthatalonewasofthesizeofacottage。Thepointofthisbush-likerockwasexactlyoppositethelittleplateauontowhichwehademergedanddistantfromitnotmorethanthirty，oratmost，fortyfeet。

“Whatisthat?“askedMaqueda，ofShadrach，pointinginfrontofher，asshehandedbacktooneoftheMountaineersacupfromwhichshehadbeendrinkingwater。

“That，OWaldaNagasta，“heanswered，“isnothingelsethanthebackofthemightyidoloftheFung，whichisshapedlikealion。Thegreatshaftofrockwiththebushattheendofitisthetailofthelion。

Doubtlessthisplatformonwhichwestandisaplacewhencetheoldpriests，whentheyownedMuraswellasthelandoftheFung，usedtohidethemselvestowatchwhateveritwastheywantedtosee。Look，“

andhepointedtocertaingroovesinthefaceoftherock，“Ithinkthatheretherewasonceabridgewhichcouldbeletdownatwillontothetailofthelion-god，thoughlongagoithasrottedaway。YeterenowIhavetravelledthisroadwithoutit。”

Westaredathimastonished，andinthesilencethatfollowedIheardMaquedawhispertoOliver:

“PerhapsthatishowhewhomwecallCatescapedfromtheFung；orperhapsthatishowhecommunicateswiththemasaspy。”

“Orperhapsheisaliar，myLady，“interruptedQuick，whohadalsooverheardtheirtalk，asolutionwhich，Iconfess，commendeditselftome。

“Whyhaveyoubroughtushere?“askedMaquedapresently。

“DidInottellyouinMur，Lady——torescueBlackWindows?Listen，now，itisthecustomoftheFungtoallowthosewhoareimprisonedwithintheidoltowalkunguardeduponitsbackatdawnandsunset。Atleast，thisistheircustomwithBlackWindows——askmenothowIknowit；thisistruth，Iswearitonmylife，whichisatstake。Nowthisismyplan。Wehavewithusaladderwhichwillreachfromwherewestandtothetailoftheidol。Shouldtheforeignlordappearuponthebackofthegod，which，ifhestilllives，asIbelievehedoes，heisalmostsuretodoatsundown，asamanwhodwellsinthedarkalldaywilllovethelightandairwhenhecangetthem，thensomeofusmustcrossandbringhimbackwithus。Perhapsithadbestbeyou，mylordOrme，sinceifIwentalone，orevenwiththesemen，afterwhatispastBlackWindowsmightnotaltogethertrustme。”

“Fool，“brokeinMaqueda，“howcanamandosuchathing?“

“OLady，itisnotsodifficultasitlooks。Afewstepsacrossthegulf，andthenahundredfeetorsoalongthetailofthelionwhichisflatonthetopandsobroadthatonemayrundownitifcarefultofollowthecurves，thatisonastillday——nothingmore。But，ofcourse，iftheLordOrmeisafraid，whichIdidnotthinkwhohaveheardsomuchofhiscourage——“andtherogueshruggedhisshouldersandpaused。

“Afraid，fellow，“saidOliver，“well，Iamnotashamedtobeafraidofsuchajourney。YetifthereisneedIwillmakeit，thoughnotbeforeIseemybrotheraloneyonderontherock，sinceallthismaybebutatrickofyourstodelivermetotheFung，amongwhomIknowthatyouhavefriends。”

“Itismadness；youshallnotgo，“saidMaqueda。“Youwillfallandbedashedtopieces。Isaythatyoushallnotgo。”

“Whyshouldhenotgo，myniece?“interruptedJoshua。“Shadrachisright；wehaveheardmuchofthecourageofthisGentile。Nowletusseehimdosomething。”

SheturnedonthePrincelikeatiger。

“Verygood，myuncle，thenyoushallgowithhim。SurelyoneoftheancientbloodoftheAbatiwillnotshirkfromwhata"Gentile"

dares。”

OnhearingthisJoshuarelapsedintosilence，andIhavenoclearmemoryofwhathedidorsaidinconnectionwiththerestofthatthrillingscene。

NowfollowedapauseinthemidstofwhichOliversatdownandbegantotakeoffhisboots。

“Whydoyouundressyourself，friend?“askedMaquedanervously。

“Because，Lady，“heanswered，“ifIhavetowalkyonderroaditissafertodosoinmystockings。Havenofear，“headdedgently，“fromboyhoodIhavebeenaccustomedtosuchfeats，andwhenIservedinmycountry"sarmyitwasmypleasuretogiveinstructioninthem，althoughitistruethatthisonesurpassesallthateverI

attempted。”

“StillIdofear，“shesaid。

MeanwhileQuickhadsatdownandbeguntotakeoff/his/boots。

“Whatareyoudoing，Sergeant?“Iasked。

“GettingreadytoaccompanytheCaptainuponforlornhope，Doctor。”

“Nonsense，“Isaid，“youaretoooldforthegame，Sergeant。Ifanyonegoes，Ishould，seeingthatIbelievemysonisoverthere，butI

can"ttryit，asIknowmyheadwouldgiveout，andIshouldfallinasecond，whichwouldonlyupseteverybody。”

“Ofcourse，“brokeinOliver，whohadoverheardus，“I"mincommandhere，andmyordersarethatneitherofyoushallcome。Remember，Sergeant，thatifanythinghappenstomeitisyourbusinesstotakeoverthestoresandusethemifnecessary，whichyoualonecando。Nowgoandseetothepreparations，andfindouttheplanofcampaign，forIwanttorestandkeepquiet。Idaresaythewholethingishumbug，andweshallseenothingoftheProfessor；still，onemayaswellbeprepared。”

SoQuickandIwenttosuperintendthelashingoftwoofthelightladderstogetherandthesecuringofsomeplankswhichwehadbroughtwithusuponthetopoftherungs，soastomaketheseladderseasytowalkon。IaskedwhowouldbeofthepartybesidesShadrachandOrme，andwastoldnoone，asallwereafraid。Ultimately，however，amannamedJaphet，oneoftheMountaineers，volunteereduponbeingpromisedagrantoflandfromtheChildofKingsherself，whichgrantsheproclaimedbeforethemallwastobegiventohisrelativesintheeventofhisdeath。

Atlengtheverythingwasready，andtherecameanotherspellofsilence，forthenervesofallofusweresostrainedthatwedidnotseemabletotalk。Itwasbrokenbyasoundofsuddenandterribleroaringthatarosefromthegulfbeneath。

“ItisthehourofthefeedingofthesacredlionswhichtheFungkeepinthepitaboutthebaseoftheidol，“explainedShadrach。Thenheadded，“Unlessheshouldberescued，IbelievethatBlackWindowswillbegiventothelionsto-night，whichisthatoffullmoonandafestivalofHarmac，thoughmaybehewillbekepttillthenextfullmoonwhenalltheFungcomeuptoworship。”

Thisinformationdidnottendtoraiseanyone"sspirits，althoughQuick，whoalwaystriedtobecheerful，remarkedthatitwasprobablyfalse。

TheshadowsbegantogatherintheValleyofHarmac，wherebyweknewthatthesunwassettingbehindthemountains。Indeed，haditnotbeenforaclearandcuriousglowreflectedfromtheeasternsky，thegulfwouldhaveplungedusingloom。Presently，farawayuponariseofrockwhichweknewmustbethesphinxheadofthehugeidol，alittlefigureappearedoutlinedagainstthesky，andtherebegantosing。ThemomentthatIheardthedistantvoiceIwentneartofainting，andindeedshouldhavefallenhadnotQuickcaughtme。

“Whatisit，Adams?“askedOliver，lookingupfromwhereheandMaquedasatwhisperingtoeachotherwhilethefatJoshuagloweredattheminthebackground。“HasHiggsappeared?“

“No，“Ianswered，“but，thankGod，mysonstilllives。Thatishisvoice。Oh！ifyoucan，savehim，too。”

Nowtherewasmuchsuppressedexcitement，andsomeonethrustapairoffield-glassesintomyhand，buteithertheywerewronglysetorthestateofmynerveswouldnotallowmetoseethroughthem。SoQuicktookthemandreported。

“Tall，slimfigurewearingawhiterobe，butatthedistanceinthislightcan"tmakeouttheface。Onemighthailhim，perhaps，onlyitwouldgiveusaway。Ah！thehymnisdoneandhe"sgone；seemedtojumpintoaholeintherock，whichshowsthathe"sallright，anyway，orhecouldn"tjump。Socheerup，Doctor，foryouhavemuchtobethankfulfor。”

“Yes，“Irepeatedafterhim，“muchtobethankfulfor，butstillI

wouldthatIhadmoreafteralltheseyearstosearch。TothinkthatI

shouldbesoclosetohimandheknownothingofit。”

Aftertheceasingofthesongandthedepartureofmyson，thereappeareduponthebackoftheidolthreeFungwarriors，finefellowscladinlongrobesandarmedwithspears，andbehindthematrumpeterwhocarriedahornorhollowedelephant"stusk。Thesemenmarchedupanddownthelengthoftheplatformfromtheriseofthenecktotherootofthetail，apparentlytomakeaninspection。Havingfoundnothing，for，ofcourse，theycouldnotseeushiddenbehindthebushesonourlittleplateau，ofwhichnodoubttheydidnotevenknowtheexistence，andmuchlessthatitwasconnectedwiththemountainplainofMur，thetrumpeterblewashrillblastuponhishorn，andbeforetheechoesofithaddiedaway，vanishedwithhiscompanions。

“Sunsettourofinspection。SeenthesamekindofthingasatGib。，“

saidtheSergeant。“Oh！byJingo！Pussyisn"tlyingafterall——thereheis，“andhepointedtoafigurethatrosesuddenlyoutoftheblackstoneoftheidol"sbackjustastheguardshaddone。

ItwasHiggs，Higgswithoutadoubt；Higgswearinghisbatteredsun-

helmetandhisdarkspectacles；Higgssmokinghisbigmeerschaumpipe，andengagedinmakingnotesinapocket-bookascalmlyasthoughhesatbeforeanewobjectintheBritishMuseum。

Igaspedwithastonishment，forsomehowIhadneverexpectedthatweshouldreallyseehim，butOrme，risingveryquietlyfromhisseatbesideMaqueda，onlysaid:

“Yes，that"stheoldfellowrightenough。Well，nowforit。You，Shadrach，runoutyourladderandcrossfirstthatImaybesureyouplaynotrick。”

“Nay，“brokeinMaqueda，“thisdogshallnotgo，forneverwouldhereturnfromhisfriendstheFung。Man，“shesaid，addressingJaphet，theMountaineertowhomshehadpromisedland，“goyouoverfirstandholdtheendoftheladderwhilethislordcrosses。Ifhereturnssafeyourrewardisdoubled。”

Japhetsaluted，theladderwasrunoutanditsendsetupontheroughnessesintherockthatrepresentedthehairofthesphinx"stail。TheMountaineerpausedamomentwithhandsandfaceuplifted；

evidentlyhewaspraying。Thenbiddinghiscompanionsholdthehitherendoftheladder，andhavingfirsttesteditwithhisfootandfoundthatithungfirm，calmlyhewalkedacross，beingabravefellow，andpresentlywasseenseatedontheopposingmassofrock。

NowcameOliver"sturn。HenoddedtoMaqueda，whowentwhiteasasheet，mutteringsomewordstoherthatdidnotreachme。Thenheturnedandshookmyhand。

“Ifyoucan，savemysonalso，“Iwhispered。

“I"lldomybestifIcangetholdofhim，“heanswered。“Sergeant，ifanythinghappenstomeyouknowyourduty。”

“I"lltryandfollowyourexample，Captain，underallcircumstances，thoughthatwillbehard，“repliedQuickinarathershakyvoice。

Oliversteppedoutontheladder。Ireckonedthattwelveorfourteenshortpaceswouldtakehimacross，andthefirsthalfoftheseheaccomplishedwithquietcertainty。Whenhewasintheexactmiddleofthepassage，however，theendofoneoftheuprightsoftheladderatthefarthersideslippedalittle，notwithstandingtheeffortsofJaphettokeepitstraight，withtheresultthattheplankboundontherungslostitslevel，sinkinganinchorsototheright，andnearlycausingOlivertofallfromitintothegulf。Hewaveredlikeawind-shakenreed，attemptedtostepforward，hesitated，stopped，andslowlysankontohishandsandknees。

“/Ah/！“pantedMaqueda。

“TheGentilehaslosthishead，“beganJoshuainavoicefullofthetriumphthathecouldnothide。“He——will——“

Joshuagotnofurther，forQuick，turning，threatenedhimsavagelywithhisfist，sayinginEnglish:

“Stowyourjawifyoudon"twanttofollowhim，youswine，“whereonJoshua，whounderstoodthegesture，ifnotthewords，relapsedintosilence。

NowtheMountaineeronthefarthersidespoke，saying:

“Havenofear，theladderissafe。”

ForamomentOliverremainedinhiscrouchingpostureontheboard，whichwasallthatseparatedhimfromanawfuldeathinthegulfbeneath。Next，whilewewatched，agonized，herosetohisfeetagain，andwithperfectcalmnesswalkedacrosstoitsotherend。

“Welldoneourside！“saidQuick，addressingJoshua，“whydon"tyourRoyalHighnesscheer?No，youleavethatknifealone，orpresentlythere"llbeahogthelessinthisworld，“andstoopingdownherelievedthePrinceoftheweaponwhichhewasfingeringwithhisroundeyesfixedupontheSergeant。

Maqueda，whohadnotedall，nowinterfered。

“Myuncle，“shesaid，“bravemenareriskingtheirlivesyonderwhilewesitinsafety。Besilentandceasefromquarrelling，Iprayyou。”

NextmomentwehadforgottenallaboutJoshua，beingutterlyabsorbedinwatchingthedramainprogressuponthefarthersideofthegulf。

Afteraslightpausetorecoverhisnerveorbreath，Ormerose，andprecededbyJaphet，climbedupthebush-likerocktillhereachedtheshaftofthesphinx"stail。Hereheturnedandwavedhishandtous，thenfollowingtheMountaineer，walked，apparentlywiththeutmostconfidence，alongthecurvesofthetailtowhereitsprangfromthebodyoftheidol。Atthisspottherewasalittledifficultyinclimbingoverthesmoothslopeofrockontothebroadterrace-likeback。Soon，however，theysurmountedit，andvanishingforafewsecondsintothehollowoftheloins，which，ofcourse，wasagoodmanyfeetdeep，re-appearedmovingtowardtheshoulders。BetweenthesewecouldseeHiggsstandingwithhisbacktowardus，utterlyunconsciousofallthatwaspassingbehindhim。

PassingJaphet，OliverwalkeduptotheProfessorandtouchedhimonthearm。Higgsturned，staredatthepairforamoment，andthen，inhisastonishment，orsoweguessed，satdownplumpupontherock。Theypulledhimtohisfeet，Ormepointingtothecliffbehind，andevidentlyexplainingthesituationandwhatmustbedone。Thenfollowedashortandanimatedtalk。ThroughtheglasseswecouldevenseeHiggsshakinghishead。Hetoldthemsomething，theycametoadetermination，fornowheturned，steppedforwardapaceortwo，andvanished，asIlearntafterwards，tofetchmyson，withoutwhomhewouldnottrytoescape。

Awhilewentby；itseemedanage，butreallywasunderaminute。Weheardthesoundofshouts。Higgs"swhitehelmetreappeared，andthenhisbody，withtwoFungguardsclingingontohim。HeyelledoutinEnglishandthewordsreachedusfaintly:

“Saveyourself！I"llholdthesedevils。Run，youinfernalfool，run！“

Oliverhesitated，althoughtheMountaineerwaspullingathim，tilltheheadsofmoreFungappeared。Then，withagestureofdespair，heturnedandfled。FirstranOliver，thenJaphet，whomhehadoutpaced，andafterthemcameanumberofpriestsorguards，wavingknives，whileinthebackgroundHiggsrolledontherockwithhiscaptors。

Therestwasveryshort。Ormesliddowntherumpoftheidolontothetail，followedbytheMountaineer，andaftertheminsinglefilecamethreeFung，whoapparentlythoughtnomoreoftheperilousnatureoftheirfootholdthandothesheiksoftheEgyptianpyramidswhentheyswarmaboutthosemonumentslikelizards。Nor，forthematterofthat，didOliverorJaphet，whodoubleddownthetailasthoughitwerearacetrack。Oliverswunghimselfontotheladder，andinasecondwashalfacrossit，weholdingitsotherend，whensuddenlyheheardhiscompanioncryout。AFunghadgotholdofJaphetbythelegandhelayfacedownwardontheboard。

Oliverhaltedandslowlyturnedround，drawinghisrevolverashedidso。Thenheaimedandfired，andtheFung，leavinggoofJaphet"sleg，threwuphisarmsandplungedheadlongintothegulfbeneath。ThenextthingIrememberisthattheywerebothamongus，andsomebodyshouted，“Pullintheladder。”

“No，“saidQuick，“waitabit。”

VaguelyIwonderedwhy，tillIperceivedthatthreeofthosecourageousFungwerefollowingacrossit，restingtheirhandsuponeachother"sshoulders，whiletheircompanionscheeredthem。

“Now，pull，brothers，pull！“shoutedtheSergeant，andpullwedid。

PoorFung！theydeservedabetterfate。

“Alwaysinflictlossupontheenemywhenyougetachance，“remarkedtheSergeant，asheopenedfirewithhisrepeatingrifleuponotherFungwhobynowwereclusteringuponthebackoftheidol。Thisposition，however，theysoonabandonedasuntenable，exceptoneortwoofthemwhoremainedthere，deadorwounded。

Asilencefollowed，inthemidstofwhichIheardQuicksayingtoJoshuainhisveryworstArabic:

“NowdoesyourRoyalHighnessthinkthatweGentilesarecowards，althoughitistruethoseFungareasgoodmenasweanyday?“

Joshuadeclinedargument，andIturnedtowatchOliver，whohadcoveredhisfacewithhishands，andseemedtobeweeping。

“Whatisit，Ofriend，whatisit?“IheardMaquedasayinhergentlevoice——avoicefulloftears，tearsofgratitudeIthink。“Youhavedoneagreatdeed；youhavereturnedsafe；alliswell。”

“Nay，“heanswered，forgettinghertitlesinhisdistress，“allisill。Ihavefailed，andto-nighttheythrowmybrothertothelions。

Hetoldmeso。”

Maqueda，findingnoanswer，stretchedoutherhandtotheMountaineer，hiscompanioninadventure，whokissedit。

“Japhet，“shesaid，“Iamproudofyou；yourrewardisfourfold，andhenceforthyouareacaptainofmyMountaineers。”

“Telluswhathappened，“IsaidtoOliver。

“This，“heanswered:“Irememberedaboutyourson，andsodidHiggs。

Infact，hespokeofhimfirst——theyseemtohavebecomefriends。Hesaidhewouldnotescapewithouthim，andcouldfetchhiminamoment，ashewasonlyjustbelow。Well，hewenttodoso，andmusthavefoundtheguardinstead，who，Isuppose，hadheardustalking。YouknowasmuchabouttherestasIdo。To-night，whenthefullmoonistwohourshigh，thereistobeaceremonyofsacrifice，andpoorHiggswillbeletdownintothedenoflions。Hewaswritinghiswillinanote-bookwhenwesawhim，asBarunghadpromisedtosendittous。”

“Doctor，“saidtheSergeant，inaconfidentialvoice，whenhehaddigestedthisinformation，“wouldyoutranslateformeabit，asI

wanttohaveatalkwithCatthere，andmyArabicdon"truntoit?“

Inodded，andwewenttothatcorneroftheplateauwhereShadrachstoodapart，watchingandlistening。

“Now，Cat，“saidtheSergeant(Igivehisremarksinhisownlanguage，leavingoutmyrendering)“justlistentome，andunderstandthatifyoutellliesorplaygameseitheryouorIdon"treachthetopofthiscliffagainalive。Doyoucatchon?“

Shadrachrepliedthathecaughton。

“Verywell。You"vetoldusthatonceyouwereaprisoneramongtheFungandthrowntotheseholylions，butgotout。Nowjustexplainwhathappened。”

“This，OQuick。Afterceremoniesthatdonotmatter，Iwasletdowninthefood-basketintothefeeding-den，andthrownoutofthebasketlikeanyothermeat。Thenthegateswereliftedupbythechains，andthelionscameintodevourmeaccordingtotheircustom。”

“Andwhathappenednext，Shadrach?“

“Whathappened?Why，ofcourseIhidmyselfintheshadowasmuchaspossible，rightagainstthewallsoftheprecipice，untilasatanofashe-lionsnuffledmeoutandgaveastrokeatme。Look，herearethemarksofherclaws，“andhepointedtothescarsuponhisface。“Thoseclawsstunglikescorpions；theymadememad。TheterrorwhichIhadlostwhenIsawtheiryelloweyescamebacktome。Irushedattheprecipiceasacatthatishuntedbyadogrushesatawall。Iclungtoitssmoothsidewithmynails，withmytoes，withmyteeth。Alionleapedupandtorethefleshofmyleg，here，here，“andheshowedthemarks，whichwecouldscarcelyseeinthatdimlight。“Heranbackforanotherspring。AbovemeIsawatinyledge，bigenoughforahawktositon——nomore。Ijumped，Icaughtit，drawingupmylegssothatthelionmissedme。Imadetheeffortamanmakesonceinhislife。

SomehowIdraggedmyselftothatledge；Irestedonethighuponitandpressedagainsttherocktosteadymyself。Thentherockgave，andI

tumbledbackwardintothebottomofatunnel。AfterwardsIescapedtothetopofthecliffinthedark，OGodofIsrael！inthedark，smellingmyway，climbinglikeababoon，riskingdeathathousandtimes。Ittookmetwowholedaysandnights，andthelastofthosenightsIknewnotwhatIdid。YetIfoundmyway，andthatiswhymypeoplenamemeCat。”

“Iunderstand，“saidQuickinanewandmorerespectfulvoice，“andhoweverbigarascalyoumaybe，you"vegotpluck。Now，say，rememberingwhatItoldyou，“andhetappedthehandleofhisrevolver，“isthatfeeding-denwhereitusedtobe?“

“Ibelieveso，OQuick；whyshoulditbechanged?Thevictimsareletdownfromthebellyofthegod，justtherebetweenhisthighswherearedoors。Thefeeding-placeliesinahollowofthecliff；thisplatformonwhichwestandisoverit。Nonesawmyescape，thereforenonesearchedforthemeansofit，sincetheythoughtthatthelionshaddevouredme，astheyhavedevouredthousands。Nooneentersthere，onlywhenthebeastshavefedfulltheydrawbacktotheirsleeping-

dens，andthosewhowatchaboveletdownthebars。Listen，“andashespokeweheardacrashandarattlefarbelow。“Theyfallnow，thelionshavingeaten。WhenBlackWindowsandperhapsothersarethrowntothem，byandby，theywillbedrawnupagain。”

“Isthatholeintherockstillthere，Shadrach?“

“Withoutdoubt，thoughIhavenotbeendowntolook。”

“Then，myboy，youaregoingnow，“remarkedQuickgrimly。

CHAPTERXII

THEDENOFLIONS

WereturnedtotheothersandtoldthemeverythingthatwehadlearnedfromShadrach。

“What"syourplan，Sergeant?“askedOliverwhenhehadheard。“Tellme，forIhavenone；myheadismuddled。”

“This，Captain，forwhatitisworth；thatIshouldgodownthroughtheholethatCatherespeaksof，andgetintotheden。ThenwhentheyletdowntheProfessor，iftheydo，andpullupthegates，thatI

shouldkeepbackthelionswithmyriflewhileheboltstotheladderwhichisreadyforhim，andIfollowifIcan。”

“Capital，“saidOrme，“butyoucan"tgoalone。I"llcometoo。”

“AndIalso，“Isaid。

“Whatschemesdoyoumake?“askedMaquedaeagerly，for，ofcourse，shecouldnotunderstandourtalk。

Weexplained。

“What，myfriend，“shesaidtoOliverreproachfully，“wouldyouriskyourlifeagainto-night?SurelyitistemptingthegoodnessofGod。”

“ItwouldbetemptingthegoodnessofGodmuchmoreifIleftmyfriendtobeeatenbylions，Lady，“heanswered。

Thenfollowedmuchdiscussions。Intheenditwasagreedthatweshoulddescendtotheleveloftheden，ifthiswerepossible；thatOliverandQuickshouldgodownintothedenwithJaphet，whoinstantlyvolunteeredtoaccompanythem，andthatI，withsomeoftheMountaineers，shouldstopinthemouthoftheholeasareservetocovertheirretreatfromthelions。Ipleadedtobeallowedtotakeamoreactivepart，butofthistheywouldnothear，sayingwithsometruth，thatIwasbyfarthebestshotofthethree，andcoulddomuchmoretohelpthemfromabove，if，aswashoped，themoonshouldshinebrightly。

ButIknewtheyreallymeantthatIwastoooldtobeofserviceinsuchanadventureasthis。Alsotheydesiredtokeepmeoutofrisk。

Thencamethequestionastowhoshoulddescendthelasttunneltotheplaceofoperations。OliverwishedMaquedatoreturntothetopofthecliffandwaitthere，butshesaidatoncethatshecouldnotthinkofattemptingtheascentwithoutouraid；alsothatshewasdeterminedtoseetheendofthematter。EvenJoshuawouldnotgo；Ithink，thatbeinganunpopularcharacteramongthem，hedistrustedtheMountaineers，whosedutyitwouldhavebeentoescorthim。

Itwassuggestedthatheshouldremainwherehewasuntilwereturned，ifwedidreturn，butthisideacommendeditselftohimstilllessthantheother。Indeedhepointedoutwithmuchtruthwhatwehadoverlooked，namely，thatnowtheFungknewofthepassageandwerequitecapableofplayingourowngame，thatis，ofthrowingabridgeacrossfromthesphinx"stailandattemptingthestormofMur。

“AndthenwhatshouldIdoiftheyfoundmeherealone?“headdedpathetically。

Maquedaansweredthatshewassureshedidnotknow，butthatmeanwhileitmightbewisetoblockthemouthofthetunnelbywhichwehadreachedtheplateauinsuchafashionthatitcouldnoteasilybeforced。

“Yes，“answeredOliver，“andifweevergetoutofthis，toblowtheshaftinandmakesurethatitcannotbeused。”

“Thatshaftmightbeuseful，Captain，“saidQuickdoubtfully。

“Thereisabetterway，Sergeant，ifwewanttomineunderthesphinx；

ImeanthroughtheTombofKings。Itookthelevelsroughly，andtheendofitcan"tbefaroff。Anyhow，thisshaftisofnomoreusetousnowthattheFunghavefounditout。”

Thenwesettoworktofillinthemouthofthepassagewithsuchloosestonesaswecouldfind。Itwasadifficultbusiness，butintheendtheMountaineersmadeaveryfairjobofitunderourdirection，pilingtherocksinsuchafashionthattheycouldscarcelybeclearedawayinanyshorttimewithouttheaidofexplosives。

Whilethisworkwasgoingon，Japhet，Shadrach，andtheSergeantinchargeofhim，undertooktoexplorethelastshaftwhichleddowntotheleveloftheden。Toourrelief，justaswehadfinishedbuildingupthehole，theyreturnedwiththenewsthatnowaftertheyhadremovedafallenstoneortwoitwasquitepracticablewiththeaidofropesandladders。

So，inthesameorderasbefore，wecommenceditspassage，andinabouthalf-an-hour，foritwasunderthreehundredfeetindepth，arrivedsafelyatthefoot。Herewefoundabat-hauntedplacelikearoomthatevidentlyhadbeenhollowedoutbyman。AsShadrachhadsaid，atitseasternextremitywasalarge，oblongboulder，sobalancedthatifevenonepersonpushedoneitherofitsendsitswungaround，leavingoneachsideapassagelargeenoughtoallowamantowalkthroughinacrouchingattitude。

Verysilentlyweproppedopenthisprim?valdoorandlookedout。Nowthefullmoonwasup，andherbrilliantlighthadbeguntofloodthegulf。Byitwesawadenseshadow，thatreachedfromthegroundtothreehundredfeetorsoaboveus。Thisweknewtobethatthrownbytheflanksofthegiganticsphinxwhichprojectedbeyondthemountainofstonewhereonitrested，thoseflankswhence，accordingtoShadrach，Higgswouldbeloweredinafood-basket。Inthisshadowandoneithersideofit，coveringaspaceofquiteahundredyardssquare，laythefeeding-den，whencearoseasicklyandhorribleodoursuchasiscommontoanyplacefrequentedbycats，mingledwiththemorepungentsmellofdecayingflesh。

Thisdarksomedenwassurroundedonthreesidesbyprecipices，andonthefourth，thattowardtheeast，enclosedbyawallorbarrierofrockpiercedwithseveralgatesmadeofbarsofmetal，orsowejudgedbythelightthatflowedthroughthem。

Frombeyondthiseasternwallcamedreadfulsoundsofroars，snarls，andwhimperings。Evidentlytherethesacredlionshadtheirhome。

Onlyonemorethingneedbementioned。Ontherockflooralmostimmediatelybeneathuslayremainswhich，fromtheirtornclothesandhair，weknewmustbehuman。Assomebodyexplained，IthinkitwasShadrach，theywerethoseofthemanwhomOrmehadshotuponthetailofthesphinx，andofhiscompanionswhohadbeentiltedofftheladder。

Forawhilewegazedatthishorribleholeinsilence。ThenOlivertookouthiswatch，whichwasarepeater，andstruckit。

“Higgstoldme，“hesaid，“thathewastobethrowntothelionstwohoursaftermoonrise，whichiswithinfifteenminutesorso。Sergeant，Ithinkwehadbetterbegettingready。”

“Yes，Captain，“answeredQuick；“buteverythingisquiteready，includingthosebrutes，tojudgebythenoisetheymake，exceptingperhapsSamuelQuick，whoneverfeltlessreadyforanythinginhislife。Nowthen，Pussy，runoutthatladder。Here"syourrifle，Captain，andsixreloadclipsofcartridges，fivehollow-nosedbulletsineach。You"llneverwantmorethanthat，andit"snousecarryingextraweight。Inyourright-handpocket，Captain，don"tforget。I"vethesameinmine。Doctor，here"sapileforyou；laiduponthatstone。

Ifyouliethere，you"llhaveagoodlightandrestforyourelbow，andatthisrangeoughttomakeveryprettyshooting，eveninthemoonlight。Bestkeepyourpistolonthesafe，Captain；atleast，I"mdoingso，aswemightgetafall，andthesenew-fangledweaponsareveryhair-triggered。Here"sJaphetready，too，sogiveusyourmarchingorders，sir，andwewillgotobusiness；theDoctorwilltranslatetoJaphet。”

“Wedescendtheladder，“saidOrme，“andadvanceaboutfiftypacesintotheshadow，wherewecanseewithoutbeingseen；wherealso，accordingtoShadrach，thefood-basketisletdown。Thereweshallstandandawaitthearrivalofthisbasket。IfitcontainstheProfessor，hewhomtheFungandtheAbatiknowasBlackWindows，Japhet，youaretoseizehimandlead，orifnecessarycarry，himtotheladder，upwhichsomeofthemountaineersmustbereadytohelphim。Yourduty，Sergeant，andmine，alsothatoftheDoctorfiringfromabove，willbetokeepoffthelionsasbestwecan，shouldanylionsappear，retreatingaswefire。Ifthebrutesgetoneofushemustbeleft，sinceitisfoolishthatbothlivesshouldbesacrificedneedlessly。Fortherest，you，Sergeant，andyou，Japhet，mustbeguidedbycircumstancesandactuponyourowndiscretion。DonotwaitforspecialordersfrommewhichImaynotbeabletogive。Now，comeon。Ifwedonotreturn，Adams，youwillseetheChildofKingssafelyuptheshaftsandconducthertoMur。Good-bye，Lady。”

“Good-bye，“answeredMaquedainabravevoice；Icouldnotseeherfaceinthedarkness。“Presently，Iamsure，youwillreturnwithyourbrother。”

JustthenJoshuabrokein:

“IwillnotbeoutdoneincouragebytheseGentiles，“hesaid。

“Lackingtheirterribleweapons，Icannotadvanceintotheden，butI

willdescendandguardthefootoftheladder。”

“Verywell，sir，“answeredOrmeinanastonishedvoice，“gladtohaveyourcompany，Iamsure。Onlyrememberthatyoumustbequickingoingupitagain，sincehungrylionsareactive，andletalltakenoticethatwearenotresponsibleforanythingthatmayhappentoyou。”

“Surelyyouhadbetterstopwhereyouare，myuncle，“remarkedMaqueda。

“Tobemockedbyyouforeverafter，myniece。No，Igotofacethelions，“andveryslowlyhecreptthroughtheholeandbegantodescendtheladder。Indeed，whenQuickfollowedafteranintervalhefoundhimonlyhalf-waydown，andhadtohurryhismovementsbyaccidentallytreadingonhisfingers。

Aminuteortwolater，peepingovertheedge，Isawthattheywereallintheden，thatis，exceptJoshua，whohadreascendedtheladdertotheheightofaboutsixfeet，andstoodonitfaceoutward，holdingtotherockoneithersidewithhishandsasthoughhehadbeencrucified。Fearinglestheshouldbeseenthere，evenintheshadow，I

suggestedtoMaquedathatsheshouldorderhimeithertogodown，ortoreturn，whichshedidvigorously，butwithouteffect。Sointheendwelefthimalone。

Meanwhilethethreehadvanishedintotheshadowofthesphinx，andwecouldseenothingofthem。Thegreatroundmoonrosehigherandhigher，floodingtherestofthecharnel-housewithlight，and，saveforanoccasionalroarorwhimperfromthelionsbeyondthewall，thesilencewasintense。NowIcouldmakeoutthemetalgatesinthiswall，andevendarkandstealthyformswhichpassedandrepassedbeyondtheirbars。ThenImadeoutsomethingelsealso，thefiguresofmengatheringonthetopofthewall，thoughwhencetheycameIknewnot。Bydegreestheirnumberincreasedtilltherewerehundredsofthem，forthewallwasbroadasaroadway。

Evidentlythesewerespectators，cometowitnesstheceremonyofsacrifice。

“Prince，“IwhisperedtoJoshua，“youmustgetdownofftheladderoryouwillbetrayusall。Nay，itistoolatetocomeuphereagain，foralreadythemoonlightstrikesjustaboveyourhead。Godown，orwewillcasttheladderlooseandletyoufall。”

Sohewentdownandhidhimselfamongsomefernsandbusheswherewesawnomoreofhimforawhile，and，totellthetruth，forgothisexistence。

Far，faraboveus，fromthebackoftheidolIsuppose，cameafaintsoundofsolemnchanting。Itsank，andweheardshouts。Thensuddenlyitswelledagain。NowMaqueda，whokneltnearme，touchedmyarmandpointedtotheshadowwhichgraduallywasbecominginfiltratedwiththemoonlightflowingintoitfromeitherside。Ilooked，andhighintheair，perhapstwohundredfeetfromtheground，sawsomethingdarkdescendingslowly。DoubtlessitwasthebasketcontainingHiggs，andwhetherbycoincidenceorno，atthismomentthelionsonthefarthersideofthewallburstintopealuponpealofterrificroaring。

Perhapstheirsentrieswatchingatthegatesaworsmeltthefamiliarbasket，andcommunicatedtheintelligencetotheirfellows。

Slowly，slowlyitdescended，tillitwaswithinafewfeetoftheground，whenitbegantoswaybackwardandforwardlikeapendulum，ateachswingcoveringawiderarc。Presently，whenithungovertheedgeoftheshadowthatwasnearesttous，itwasletdownwitharunandoverset，andoutofit，lookingverysmallinthosevastsurroundingsandthatmysteriouslight，rolledthefigureofaman。Althoughatthatdistancewecouldseelittleofhim，accidentassuredusofhisidentity，forasherolledthehatheworefellfromhim，andIknewitatonceforHiggs"ssun-helmet。Herosefromtheground，limpedveryslowlyandpainfullyafterthehelmet，pickeditup，andproceededtouseittodusthisknees。Atthismomenttherewasaclankingsound。

“Oh！theyliftthegates！“murmuredMaqueda。

Thenfollowedmoresounds，thistimeofwildbeastsragingfortheirprey，andofotherhumanbeastsshriekingwithexcitementonthewallabove。TheProfessorturnedandsaw。Foramomentheseemedabouttorun，thenchangedhismind，clappedthehelmetonhishead，foldedhisarmsandstoodstill，remindingmeinsomecuriousway，perhaps，becauseoftheshortnessofhisthickfigure，ofapictureIhadseenofthegreatNapoleoncontemplatingadisaster。

Todescribewhatfollowedisextremelydifficult，forwewatchednotonebutseveralsimultaneousscenes。Forinstance，therewerethelions，whichdidnotbehaveasmighthavebeenexpected。Ithoughtthattheywouldrushthroughthedoorsandbounduponthevictim，butwhetheritwasbecausetheyhadalreadybeenfedthatafternoonorbecausetheythoughtthatasinglehumanbeingwasnotworththetrouble，theyacteddifferently。

Throughtheopengatestheycame，intwoindolentyellowlines，malelions，femalelions，half-grownlions，cublionsthatcuffedeachotherinplay，inallperhapsfiftyorsixtyofthem。OftheseonlytwoorthreelookedtowardstheProfessor，fornoneofthemranorgalloped，whiletherestspreadovertheden，someofthemvanishingintotheshadowattheedgeofthesurroundingcliffwherethemoonlightcouldnotreach。

Hereoneofthem，atanyrate，musthavetravelledfastenough，foritseemedonlyafewsecondslaterthatweheardaterrificyellbeneathus，andcraningovertherockIsawthePrinceJoshuarunninguptheladdermoreswiftlythaneverdidanyLondonlamplighterwhenIwasaboy。

Butquicklyashecame，thelong，thin，sinuousthingbeneathcamequicker。Itreareditselfonitshindlegs，itstretchedupagreatpaw——Icanseethegleamingclawsinitnow——andstruckorhookedatpoorJoshua。Thepawcaughthiminthesmalloftheback，andseemedtopinhimagainsttheladder。Thenitwasdrawnslowlydownward，andheaven！howJoshuahowled。Upcametheotherpawtorepeattheoperation，when，stretchingmyselfoutwardanddownward，withanAbatiholdingmebytheankles，Imanagedtoshootthebeastthroughtheheadsothatitfellallofaheap，takingwithitalargeportionofJoshua"snethergarments。

Afewsecondslaterhewasamongus，andtumbledgroaningintoacorner，wherehelayinchargeofsomeofthemountaineers，forIhadnotimetoattendtohimjustthen。

Whenthesmokeclearedatlength，IsawthatJaphethadreachedHiggs，andwasgesticulatingtohimtorun，whiletwolions，amaleandafemale，stoodatalittledistance，regardingthepairinaninterestedfashion。Higgs，aftersomebriefwordsofexplanation，pointedtohisknee。Evidentlyhewaslamedandcouldnotrun。Japhet，risingtotheoccasion，pointedtohisback，andbentdown。Higgsflunghimselfuponit，andwashitcheduplikeasackofflour。Thepairbegantoadvancetowardtheladder，JaphetcarryingHiggsasoneschoolboycarriesanother。

Thelionsatdownlikeagreatdog，watchingthisstrangeproceedingwithmildinterest，butthelioness，filledwithfemininecuriosity，followedsniffingatHiggs，wholookedoverhisshoulder。Takingoffhisbatteredhelmet，hethrewitatthebeast，hittingheronthehead。Shegrowled，thenseizedthehelmet，playingwithitforamomentasakittendoeswithaballofwool，andnextinstant，findingitunsatisfying，utteredashortandsavageroar，ranforward，andcrouchedtospring，lashinghertail。Icouldnotfire，becauseabulletthatwouldhithermustfirstpassthroughJaphetandHiggs。

But，justwhenIthoughtthattheendhadcome，ariflewentoffintheshadowandsherolledover，kickingandbitingtherock。Thereontheindolentmalelionseemedtoawake，andsprang，notatthemen，butatthewoundedlioness，andahellishfightensued，ofwhichthedetailsandendwerelostinamistofdustandflyinghair。

Thecrowduponthewall，becomingalivetotherealsituation，begantoscreaminindignantexcitementwhichquicklycommunicateditselftothelesssavagebeasts。Thesesetupaterribleroaring，andranabout，keepingforthemostparttotheshadows，whileJaphetandhisburdenmadeslowbutsteadyprogresstowardtheladder。

Thenfromthegloombeneaththehind-quartersofthesphinxroseasoundofrapidfiring，andpresentlyOrmeandQuickemergedintothemoonlight，followedbyanumberofangrylionsthatadvancedinshortrushes。Evidentlythepairhadkepttheirheads，andwereactingonaplan。

Oneofthememptiedhisrifleatthepursuingbeasts，whiletheotherranbackafewpaces，thrustinginafreshclipofcartridgesashewent。Thenhebegantofire，andhiscompanioninturnretreatedbehindhim。Inthiswaytheyknockedoveranumberoflions，fortherangewastooshortforthemtomissoften，andtheexpandingbulletsdidtheirworkverywell，paralyzingevenwhentheydidnotkill。I

alsoopenedfireovertheirheads，and，althoughinthatuncertainlightthemajorityofmyshotsdidnodamage，theothersdisposedofseveralanimalswhichIsawwerebecomingdangerous。

Sothingswentonuntilallfour，thatis，JaphetwithHiggsuponhisback，andOrmeandQuick，werewithintwentypacesoftheladder，althoughseparatedfromeachotherbyperhapshalfthelengthofacricketpitch。Wethoughtthattheyweresafe，andshoutedinourjoy，whilethehundredsofspectatorsonthewallwhofortunatelydarednotdescendintothedenbecauseofthelions，whichareundiscriminatingbeasts，yelledwithrageattheimminentrescueofthesacrifice。

Thenofasuddenthepositionchanged。Fromeveryquarterfreshlionsseemedtoarrive，ringingthemenroundandclearlybentonslaughter，althoughtheshoutingandthesoundoffirearms，whichtheyhadneverheardbefore，frightenedthemandmadethemcautious。

Ahalf-growncubrushedinandknockedoverJaphetandHiggs。Ifiredandhititintheflank。Itbitsavagelyatitswound，thensprangontotheprostratepair，andstoodoverthemgrowling，butinsuchpainthatitforgottokillthem。Theringofbeastsclosedin——wecouldseetheiryelloweyesglowinginthegloom。OrmeandQuickmighthavegotthroughbythehelpoftheirrifles，buttheycouldnotleavetheothers。Thedreadfulclimaxseemedathand。

“Followme，“saidMaqueda，whoallthiswhilehadwatchedpantingatmyside，androsetoruntotheladder。Ithrustherback。

“Nay，“Ishouted。“Followme，Abati！Shallawomanleadyou?“

OfhowIdescendedthatladderIhavenorecollection，nordoIintheleastknowhowtheMountaineerscameafterme，butIthinkthatthemostofthemrolledandscrambleddownthethirtyfeetofrock。Atleast，totheirhonourbeitsaid，theydidcome，yellinglikedemonsandwavinglongknivesintheirhands。

Theeffectofoursuddenarrivalfromabovewasextraordinary。Scaredbytherushandthenoise，thelionsgaveway，thenboltedineverydirection，thewoundedcub，whichcouldnot，orwouldnotmove，beingstabbedtodeathwhereitstoodoverHiggsandJaphet。

Fiveminutesmoreandallofusweresafeinthemouthofthetunnel。

ThatwashowwerescuedHiggsfromthedenofthesacredlionswhichguardedtheidoloftheFung。

CHAPTERXIII

THEADVENTURESOFHIGGS

AmorewearyanddishevelledsetofpeoplethanthatwhichaboutthehourofdawnfinallyemergedfromthemouthoftheancientshaftontothecliffsofMurithasseldombeenmylottobehold。Yetwithasingleexceptionthepartywasahappyone，forwehadcometriumphantthroughgreatdangers，andactuallyeffectedourobject——therescueofHiggs，which，underthecircumstancesmostpeoplewouldhavethoughtimpossible。Yes，therehewasinthefleshbeforeus，havinginjuredhiskneeandlosthishat，butotherwisequitesoundsaveforafewtriflingscratchesinflictedbythecub，andstillwearingwhatthenativescalledhis“blackwindows。”

EventhePrinceJoshuawashappy，thoughwrappedinapieceofcoarsesackingbecausethelionhadtakenmostofhisposteriorclothing，andterriblysorefromthedeepcutsleftbytheclaws。

Hadhenotdaredthedangersoftheden，andthusprovedhimselfaherowhosefamewouldlastforgenerations?HadInotassuredhimthathishonourablewounds，thoughpainful(asamatteroffact，aftertheyhadset，theykepthimstiffasamummyforsomedays，sothatunlesshestooduponhisfeet，hehadtobecarried，orlierigidonhisface)wouldprobablynotprovefatal?Andhadhenotactuallysurvivedtoreachtheupperairagain，whichwasmorethanheeverexpectedtodo?Nowonderthathewashappy。

Ialonecouldnotshareinthegeneraljoy，since，althoughmyfriendwasrestoredtome，mysonstillremainedaprisoneramongtheFung。

Yeteveninthismatterthingsmighthavebeenworse，sinceIlearnedthathewaswelltreated，andinnodanger。ButofthatIwillwritepresently。

NevershallIforgetthesceneafterthearrivalofHiggsinourhole，whentheswingingboulderhadbeenclosedandmadesecureandthelampslighted。Therehesatonthefloor，hisredhairglowinglikeatorch，hisclothestornandbloody，hisbeardraggedandstretchinginaNewgatefrilltohisears。Indeed，hiswholeappearance，accentuatedbythebluespectacleswithwiregauzeside-pieces，wasmoredisreputablethanwordscantell；moreover，hesmelthorriblyoflion。

Heputhishandintohispocket，andproducedhisbigpipe，whichhadremainedunbrokeninitscase。

“Sometobacco，please，“hesaid。(Thosewerehisfirstwordstous！)

“Ihavefinishedmine，savedupthelasttosmokejustbeforetheyputmeintothatstinkingbasket。”

Igavehimsome，andashelithispipethelightofthematchfelluponthefaceofMaqueda，whowasstaringathimwithamusedastonishment。

“Whatanuncommonlyprettywoman，“hesaid。“What"sshedoingdownhere，andwhoisshe?“