第6章

Itoldhim，whereonherose，orrathertriedto，feltforhishat，which，ofcourse，hadgone，withtheideaoftakingitoff，andinstantlyaddressedherinhisbeautifulandfluentArabic，sayinghowgladhewastohavethisunexpectedhonour，andsoforth。

Shecongratulatedhimonhisescape，whereonhisfacegrewserious。

“Yes，anastybusiness，“hesaid，“asyetIcanhardlyrememberwhethermynameisDaniel，orPtolemyHiggs。”Thenheturnedtousandadded，“Lookhere，youfellows，ifIdon"tthankyouitisn"tbecauseIamnotgrateful，butbecauseIcan"t。Thetruthis，I"mabitdazed。

Yoursonisallright，Adams；he"sagoodfellow，andwegrewgreatfriends。Safe?Oh！yes，he"ssafeasachurch！OldBarung，he"stheSultan，andanothergoodfellow，althoughhedidthrowmetothelions——becausethepriestsmadehim——isveryfondofhim，andisgoingtomarryhimtohisdaughter。”

Atthismomentthemenannouncedthateverythingwasreadyforourascent，andwhenIhadattendedtoJoshuawithaheartmadethankfulbyHiggs"snews，webeganthattoilsomebusiness，and，asIhavealreadysaid，atlengthaccomplisheditsafely。Buteventhenourlabourswerenotended，sinceitwasnecessarytofillupthemouthoftheshaftsoastomakeitimpossiblethatitshouldbeusedbytheFung，whonowknewofitsexistence。

Norwasthisabusinessthatcouldbedelayed，foraswepassedtheplateauwhenceOliverandJaphethadcrossedtothesphinx，weheardthevoicesofmenonthefarthersideoftheroughwallthatwehadbuiltthere。Evidentlythepriests，oridolguards，infuriatedbytherescueoftheirvictim，hadalreadymanagedtobridgethegulfandwerecontemplatingassault，aknowledgewhichcausedustohurryourmovementsconsiderably。Iftheyhadgotthroughbeforewepassedthem，ourfatewouldhavebeenterrible，sinceatthebestwemusthaveslowlystarvedinthepitbelow。

Indeed，assoonaswereachedthetopandhadblockedittemporarily，Quick，wearyashewas，wassentoffonhorseback，accompaniedbyMaqueda，Shadrach，nowunderthetermsofhiscontractoncemoreafreeman，andtwoMountaineers，togalloptothepalaceofMur，andfetchasupplyofexplosives。Therestofus，forHiggsdeclinedtoleave，andwehadnomeansofcarryingJoshua，remainedwatchingtheplace，orrathertheAbatiwatchedwhilewesleptwithourriflesinourhands。BeforenoonQuickreturned，accompaniedbymanymenwithlittersandallthingsneedful。

Thenwepulledoutthestones，andOliver，Japhet，andsomeothersdescendedtothefirstlevelandarrangedblastingcharges。Awhileafterhereappearedwithhiscompanions，lookingsomewhatpaleandanxious，andshoutedtoustogetback。Followingourretreattoacertaindistance，unwindingawireashecame，presentlyhestoppedandpressedthebuttonofabatterywhichheheldinhishand。Therewasamuffledexplosionandatremorofthesoilliketothatofanearthquake，whilefromthemouthoftheshaftstonesleaptintotheair。

Itwasover，andallthatcouldbenotedwasasinkageinthegroundwheretheancientpithadbeen。

“Iamsorryforthem，“saidOliverpresently，“butithadtobedone。”

“Sorryforwhom?“Iasked。

“ForthoseFungpriestsorsoldiers。Thelevelsbelowarefullofthem，deadoralive。Theywerepouringupatourheels。Well，noonewilltravelthatroadagain。”

Later，intheguesthouseatMur，Higgstoldushisstory。AfterhisbetrayalbyShadrach，which，itappeared，wasmeanttoincludeusall，fortheProfessoroverheardthehurriedtalkbetweenhimandaFungcaptain，hewasseizedandimprisonedinthebodyofthegreatsphinx，wheremanychambersanddungeonshadbeenhollowedoutbytheprim?valracethatfashionedit。HereBarungtheSultanvisitedhimandinformedhimofhismeetingwiththerestofus，towhomapparentlyhehadtakenagreatliking，andalsothatwehadrefusedtopurchaseachanceofhisreleaseatthepriceofbeingfalsetoourtrust。

“Youknow，“saidHiggs，“thatwhenfirstIheardthisIwasveryangrywithyou，andthoughtyouasetofbeasts。ButonconsideringthingsI

sawtheothersideofit，andthatyouwereright，althoughInevercouldcometofancytheideaofbeingsacrificedtoasphinxbybeingchuckedlikeapieceofhorse-fleshtoalotofholylions。However，Barung，anexcellentfellowinhisway，assuredmethattherewasnoroadoutofthematterwithoutgivinggraveoffencetothepriests，whoareverypowerfulamongtheFung，andbringingafearfulcurseonthenation。

“Meanwhile，hemademeascomfortableashecould。Forinstance，Iwasallowedtowalkuponthebackoftheidol，toassociatewiththepriests，asuspiciousandmostexclusiveset，andtostudytheirentirereligioussystem，fromwhichIhavenodoubtthatofEgyptwasderived。Indeed，Ihavemadeagreatdiscoverywhich，ifeverwegetoutofthis，willcarrymynamedowntoallgenerations。TheforefathersoftheseFungwereundoubtedlyalsotheforefathersofthepre-dynasticEgyptians，asisshownbythesimilarityoftheircustomsandspiritualtheories。Further，intercoursewaskeptupbetweentheFung，whothenhadtheirheadquartershereinMur，andtheEgyptiansinthetimeoftheancientempire，tilltheTwentiethDynasty，indeed，ifnotlater。Myfriends，inthedungeonsinwhichIwasconfinedthereisaninscription，or，rather，a/graffite/，madebyaprisonerextraditedtoMurbyRamesesII。，aftertwentyyears"residenceinEgypt，whichwaswrittenbyhimonthenightbeforehewasthrowntothesacredlions，thateveninthosedayswereanestablishedinstitution。AndIhavegotacopyofthatinscriptioninmypocket-

book。Itellyou，“headdedinascreamoftriumph，“I"vegotacertifiedcopyofthatinscription，thankstoShadrach，onwhosedirtyheadbeblessings！“

Icongratulatedhimheartilyuponthistriumph，andbeforeheproceededtogiveusfurtherarch?ologicaldetails，askedhimforsomeinformationaboutmyboy。

“Oh，“saidHiggs，“heisaveryniceyoungmanandextremelygoodlooking。Indeed，Iamquiteproudtohavesuchagodson。Hewasmuchinterestedtohearthatyouwerehuntingforhimaftersomanyyears，quitetouchedindeed。HestilltalksEnglish，thoughwithaFungaccent，and，ofcourse，wouldliketoescape。Meanwhile，heishavingaverygoodtime，beingchiefsingertothegod，forhisvoiceisreallybeautiful，anofficewhichcarrieswithitallsortsofprivileges。Itoldyou，didn"tI，thatheistobemarriedtoBarung"sonlylegitimatedaughteronthenightofthenextfullmoonbutone。

TheceremonyistotakeplaceinHarmacCity，andwillbethegreatestofitssortforgenerations，afeastoftheentirepeopleinshort。I

shouldverymuchliketobepresentatit，butbeinganintelligentyoungmanhehaspromisedtokeepnotesofeverything，whichIhopemaybecomeavailableinduecourse。”

“Andisheattachedtothissavagelady?“Iaskeddismayed。

“Attached?Oh，dearno，Ithinkhesaidhehadneverseenher，andonlyknewthatshewasratherplainandreportedtopossessahaughtytemper。Heisaphilosophicalyoungman，however，asmightbeexpectedfromonewhohasundergonesomanyvicissitudes，and，therefore，takesthingsastheycome，thankingheaventhattheyarenoworse。Yousee，asthehusbandoftheSultan"sdaughter，unlessthepairquarrelveryviolently，hewillbesafefromthelions，andhecouldneverquitesayasmuchbefore。Butwedidn"tgointothesedomesticmattersverydeeplyasthereweresomanymoreimportantthingstointerestusboth。Hewantedtoknowallaboutyouandourplans，andnaturallyI

wantedtoknowallabouttheFungandtheritualandtraditionsconnectedwiththeworshipofHarmac，sothatwewereneverdullforasinglemoment。Infact，Iwishthatwecouldhavehadlongertogether，forwebecameexcellentfriends。Butwhateverhappens，IthinkthatI

havecollectedthecreamofhisinformation，“andhetappedafatnote-bookinhishands，adding:

“Whatanawfulthingitwouldhavebeenifalionhadeatenthis。Formyselfitdidnotmatter；theremaybemanybetterEgyptologists，butIdoubtifanyoneofthemwillagainhavesuchopportunitiesoforiginalresearch。However，Itookeverypossibleprecautiontosavemynotesbyleavingacopyofthemostimportantofthemwrittenwithnativeinkuponsheepskininchargeofyourson。Indeed，Imeanttoleavetheoriginalsalso，butfortunatelyforgotintheexcitementofmyveryhurrieddeparture。”

Iagreedwithhimthathischanceshadbeenuniqueandthathewasamostluckyarch?ologist，andpresentlyhewentonpuffingathispipe。

“Ofcourse，whenOliverturnedupinthatunexpectedfashiononthebackoftheidol，rememberingyourwishesandnaturaldesiretorecoveryourson，Ididmybesttorescuehimalso。Buthewasn"tintheroombeneath，whereIthoughtIshouldfindhim。Thepriestswerethereinstead，andtheyhadheardustalkingabove，andyouknowtherest。Well，asithappens，itdidn"tmatter，thoughthatdescentintothedenoflions——thereweretwoorthreehundredfeetofit，andtheropeseemedwornuncommonlythinwithuse——wasatryingbusinesstothenerves。”

“Whatdidyouthinkaboutallthetime?“askedOlivercuriously。

“Thinkabout?Ididn"tthinkmuch，wasintoogreatafright。IjustwonderedwhetherSt。Paulhadthesamesensationswhenhewasletdowninabasket；wonderedwhattheearlyChristianmartyrsfeltlikeinthearena；wonderedwhetherBarung，withwhommypartingwasquiteaffectionate，wouldcomeinthemorningandlookformeasDariusdidforDanielandhowmuchhewouldfindifhedid；hopedthatmyspecswouldgiveoneofthosebrutesappendicitis，andsoforth。Myword！itwassickening，especiallythatkindofschool-treatswingandbumpattheend。Inevercouldbearswinging。Still，itwasallforthebest，asIshouldn"thavegoneayardalongthatsphinx"stailwithouttumblingoff，tight-ropewalkingnotbeinginmyline；andI"lltellyouwhat，youarejustthebestthreefellowsinthewholeworld。

Don"tyouthinkIforgetthatbecauseIhaven"tsaidmuch。Andnowlet"shaveyouryarn，forIwanttohearhowthingsstand，whichI

neverexpectedtodothissideofJudgment-day。”

Sowetoldhimall，whilehelistenedopen-mouthed。WhenwecametothedescriptionoftheTomboftheKingshisexcitementcouldscarcelyberestrained。

“Youhaven"ttouchedthem，“healmostscreamed；“don"tsayyouhavebeenvandalsenoughtotouchthem，foreveryarticlemustbecatalogued/insitu/anddrawingsmustbemade。Ifpossible，specimengroupswiththeirsurroundingofferingsshouldbemovedsothattheycanbesetupagaininmuseums。Why，there"ssixmonths"workbeforeme，atleast。Andtothinkthatifithadn"tbeenforyou，bynowI

shouldbeinprocessofdigestionbyalion，astinking，mangy，sacredlion！“

NextmorningIwasawakenedbyHiggslimpingintomyroominsomeweirdsleeping-suitthathehadcontrivedwiththehelpofQuick。

“Isay，oldfellow，“hesaid，“tellmesomemoreaboutthatgirl，WaldaNagasta。Whatasweetfaceshe"sgot，andwhatpluck！Ofcourse，suchthingsain"tinmyline，neverlookedatawomanthesetwentyyearspast，hardenoughtorememberhernextmorning，but，byJingo！

theeyesofthatonemademefeelquitequeerhere，“andhehitthesleeping-suitsomewhereinthemiddle，“thoughperhapsitwasonlybecauseshewassuchacontrasttothelions。”

“Ptolemy，“Iansweredinasolemnvoice，“letmetellyouthatsheismoredangeroustomeddlewiththananylion，andwhat"smore，ifyoudon"twanttofurthercomplicatematterswithaflamingrow，youhadbetterkeeptoyouroldhabitsandleavehereyesalone。ImeanthatOliverisinlovewithher。”

“Ofcourseheis。Ineverexpectedanythingelse，butwhat"sthatgottodowithit?Whyshouldn"tIbeinlovewithhertoo?ThoughI

admit，“headdedsadly，contemplatinghisrotundform，“thechancesareinhisfavour，especiallyashe"sgotthestart。”

“Theyare，Ptolemy，forshe"sinlovewithhim，“andItoldhimwhatwehadseenintheTombofKings。

Firstheroaredwithlaughter，thenonsecondthoughtsgrewexceedinglyindignant。

“IcallitscandalousofOliver，compromisingusallinthisway——theluckydog！Theseselfish，amorousadventureswillletusinfornoendoftrouble。Itisevenprobably，Adams，thatyouandImaycometoamiserableend，solelybecauseofthisyoungman"serotictendencies。

Justfancyneglectingbusinessinordertorunafterapretty，round-

facedJewess，thatisifshe/is/aJewess，whichIdoubt，asthebloodmusthavegotconsiderablymixedbynow，andthefirstQueenofSheba，ifsheeverexisted，wasanEthiopian。Asafriendalmostoldenoughtobehisfather，Ishallspeaktohimveryseriously。”

“Allright，“Icalledafterhimashehobbledofftotakehisbath，“onlyifyouarewise，youwon"tspeaktoMaqueda，forshemightmisinterpretyourmotivesifyougoonstaringatherasyoudidyesterday。”

ThatmorningIwassummonedtoseethePrinceJoshuaanddresshiswounds，which，althoughnotofaseriousnature，wereverypainful。

ThemomentthatIenteredtheman"spresenceInoticedachangeinhisface。LiketherestofusIhadalwayssetthisfellowdownasamerepoltroonandwindbag，ablowerofhisowntrumpet，asOliverhadcalledhim。NowIgotaninsightintohisrealnaturewhichshowedmethatalthoughhemightbethesethingsandworse，hewasalsoaverydeterminedanddangerousperson，animatedbyambitionswhichhemeanttosatisfyatallhazards。

WhenIhaddonewhatIcouldforhimandtoldhimthatinmyopinionhehadnoillresultstofearfromhishurts，sincethethickclotheshewaswearingatthetimehadprobablycleanedthelion"spawsofanypoisonthatmighthavebeenonthem，hesaid，“Physician，Idesireprivatewordswithyou。”

Ibowed，andhewenton:

“TheChildofKings，hereditaryrulerofthisland，somewhatagainsttheadviceofherCouncil，hasthoughtfittoemployyouandyourGentilecompanionsinorderthatbyyourskillandcertainartsofwhichyouaremastersyoumaydamageitsancientenemies，theFung，andinrewardhaspromisedtopayyouwellshouldyousucceedinyourendeavours。Now，Iwishyoutounderstandthatthoughyouthinkyourselvesgreatmen，andmayforaughtIknowbegreatinyourowncountry，hereyouarebutservantslikeanyothermercenarieswhomitmaypleaseustohire。”

Histonewassooffensivethat，thoughitmighthavebeenwisertokeepsilent，Icouldnothelpinterruptinghim。

“Youusehardwords，Prince，“Isaid；“letmethenexplainwhatistherealpayforwhichweworkandundergosomerisks。Mineisthehopeofrecoveringasonwhoistheslaveofyourenemies。ThatoftheCaptainOrmeisthequestofadventureandwar，sincebeingarichmaninhisowncountryheneedsnofurtherwealth。ThatofhimwhomyoucallBlackWindows，butwhosenameisHiggs，isthepureloveoflearning。

InEnglandandthroughouttheWestheisnotedforhisknowledgeofdeadpeoples，theirlanguages，andcustoms，anditistostudythesethathehasundertakensoterribleajourney。AsforQuick，heisOrme"sman，whohasknownhimfromchildhood，anoldsoldierwhohasservedwithhiminwarandcomeshithertobewiththemasterwhomheloves。”

“Ah！“saidJoshua，“aservant，apersonofnodegree，whoyetdarestothreatenme，thepremierprinceoftheAbati，tomyface。”

“Inthepresenceofdeathallmenareequal，Prince。Youactedinafashionthatmighthavebroughthislord，whowasdaringadesperatedeed，toahideousdoom。”

“AndwhatdoIcareabouthislord"sdesperatedeeds，Physician?Iseethatyousetstorebysuchthings，andthinkthosewhoaccomplishthemgreatandwonderful。Well，wedonot。ThereisnosavageamongthebarbarousFungwouldnotdoallthatyourOrmedoes，andmore，justbecauseheisasavage。Wewhoarecivilized，wewhoarecultivated，wewhoarewise，knowbetter。Ourlivesweregivenustoenjoy，nottothrowawayortoloseatthesword"spoint，and，therefore，nodoubt，youwouldcalluscowards。”

“Yet，Prince，thosewhobearthattitleofcowardwhichyouholdoneofhonour，areapttoperish"atthesword"spoint。"TheFungwaitwithoutyourgates，OPrince。”

“Andtherefore，OGentile，wehireyoutofighttheFung。Still，I

bearnogrudgeagainstyourservant，Quick，whoishimselfbutawhite-skinnedFung，forheactedaccordingtohisnature，andI

forgivehim；onlyinthefuturelethimbeware！Andnow——foragreatermatter。TheChildofKingsisbeautiful，sheisyoungandhighspirited；anewfacefromanotherlandmayperchancetouchherfancy。

But，“headdedmeaningly，“lettheownerofthatfacerememberwhosheisandwhatheis；lethimrememberthatforanyoutsidethecircleoftheancientbloodtolifthiseyestothedaughterofSolomonistoearndeath，deathslowandcruelforhimselfandallwhoaidandabethim。Lethimremember，lastly，thatthishigh-bornladytowhomhe，anunknownandvagrantGentile，darestotalkasequaltoequal，hasfromchildhoodbeenmyaffianced，whowillshortlybemywife，althoughitmaypleasehertoseemtofloutmeafterthefashionofmaidens，andthatweAbatiarejealousofthehonourofourwomen。Doyouunderstand?“

“Yes，Prince，“Ianswered，forbynowmytemperwasroused。“ButI

wouldhaveyouunderstandsomethingalso——thatwearemenofahighracewhosearmstretchesoverhalftheworld，andthatwedifferfromthelittletribeoftheAbati，whosefameisnotknowntous，inthis——thatwearejealousofourownhonour，anddonotneedtohirestrangerstofightthefoeswefeartoface。NexttimeIcometoattendtoyourwounds，OPrince，Itrustthattheywillbeinfront，andnotbehind。Onewordmore，ifyouwillbeadvisedbymeyouwillnotthreatenthatCaptainwhomyoucallaGentileandamercenary，lestyoushouldlearnthatitisnotalwayswelltobeacoward，ofbloodhoweverancient。”

Then，inatoweringrage，Ilefthim，feelingthatIhadmadeathoroughfoolofmyself。ButthetruthwasthatIcouldnotsitstillandhearmensuchasmycompanions，tosaynothingofmyself，spokenofthusbyabloatedcur，whocalledhimselfaprinceandboastedofhisownpoltroonery。HegloweredatmeasIwent，andthemenofhispartywhohungabouttheendofthegreatroomandinhiscourts，gloweredatmealso。Clearlyhewasaverydangerouscur，andIalmostwishedthatinsteadofthreateningtoslaphisfacedowninthetunnel，Quickhadbrokenhisneckandmadeanendofhim。

SodidtheotherswhenItoldthemthestory，althoughIthinkitopenedtheireyes，andespeciallythoseofOliver，tothegraveandgrowingdangersofthesituation。AfterwardheinformedmethathehadspokenofthematterwithMaqueda，andthatshewasmuchfrightenedforoursakes，andsomewhatforherown。Joshua，shesaid，wasamancapableofanycrime，whohadathisbackthegreatmajorityoftheAbati；ajealous，meanandintolerantracewhomadeupincunningforwhattheylackedincourage。

Yet，asIsawwell，theperiloftheirsituationdidnothingtoseparatethispairortolessentheirlove。Indeed，ratherdiditseemtobindthemclosertogether，andtomakethemmorecompletelyone。Inshort，thetragedytookitsappointedcourse，whilstwestoodbyandwatchedithelplessly。

OntheafternoonofmyangryinterviewwithJoshuaweweresummonedtoameetingoftheCouncil，whitherwewent，notwithoutsometrepidation，expectingtrouble。Troubletherewas，butofadifferentsorttothatwhichwefeared。ScarcelyhadweenteredthegreatroomwheretheChildofKingswasseatedinherchairofstatesurroundedbyallthepompandceremonyofhermimiccourt，whenthebigdoorsattheendofitwereopened，andthroughthemmarchedthreegray-beardedmeninwhiterobeswhomwesawatoncewereheraldsorambassadorsfromtheFung。ThesemenbowedtotheveiledMaquedaand，turningtowardwherewestoodinalittlegroupapart，bowedtousalso。

ButofJoshua，whowastheresupportedbytwoservants，forhecouldnotyetstandalone，andtheothernotablesandpriestsoftheAbati，theytooknottheslightestheed。

“Speak，“saidMaqueda。

“Lady，“answeredthespokesmanoftheembassy，“wearesentbyourSultan，Barung，sonofBarung，RuleroftheFungnation。ThesearethewordsofBarung:OWaldaNagasta！"Bythehandsandthewitofthewhitelordswhomyouhavecalledtoyouraid，youhaveoflatedonemucheviltothegodHarmacandtomehisservant。Youhavedestroyedoneofthegatesofmycity，andwithitmanyofmypeople。Youhaverescuedaprisoneroutofmyhands，robbingHarmacofhissacrificeandtherebybringinghiswrathuponus。Youhaveslainsundryofthesacredbeaststhatarethemouthofsacrifice，youhavekilledcertainofthepriestsandguardsofHarmacinaholeoftherocks。Moreovermyspiestellmethatyouplanfurtherillsagainstthegodandagainstme。NowIsendtotellyouthatfortheseandotheroffencesI

willmakeanendofthepeopleoftheAbati，whomhithertoIhavespared。InalittlewhileImarrymydaughtertothewhiteman，thatpriestofHarmacwhoiscalledSingerofEgypt，andwhoissaidtobethesonofthephysicianinyourservice，butafterIhavecelebratedthisfeastandmypeoplehavefinishedthehoeingoftheircrops，I

takeuptheswordinearnest，norwillIlayitdownagainuntiltheAbatiarenomore。

“"Learnthatlastnightaftertheholybeastshadbeenslainandthesacrificesnatchedaway，thegodHarmacspoketohispriestsinprophecy。Andthiswashisprophecy；thatbeforethegatheringinoftheharvesthis/head/shouldsleepabovetheplainofMur。Weknownottheinterpretationofthesaying，butthisIknow，thatbeforethegatheringoftheharvestI，orthosewhoruleafterme，willliedowntosleepwithinmycityofMur。"

“"Now，choose——surrenderforthwithand，saveforthedog，Joshua，whotheotherdaytriedtoentrapmeagainstthecustomofpeoples，andtenotherswhomIshallname，Iwillsparethelivesofallofyou，thoughJoshuaandthesetenIwillhang，sincetheyarenotworthytodiebythesword。Orresist，andbyHarmachimselfIswearthateverymanamongtheAbatishalldiesavethewhitelordswhomIhonourbecausetheyarebrave，andthatservantofyourswhostoodwiththemlastnightinthedenoflions，andthateverywomanshallbemadeaslave，saveyou，OWaldaNagasta，becauseofyourgreatheart。Youranswer，OLadyoftheAbati！"“

NowMaquedalookedaroundthefacesofherCouncil，andsawfearwrittenuponthemall。Indeed，aswenoted，manyofthemshookintheirterror。

“Myanswerwillbeshort，ambassadorsofBarung，“shereplied，“still，Iambutonewoman，anditisfittingthatthosewhorepresentthepeopleshouldspeakforthepeople。Myuncle，Joshua，youarethefirstofmyCouncil，whathaveyoutosay?AreyouwillingtogiveupyourlifewithtenotherswhosenamesIdonotknow，thattheremaybepeacebetweenusandtheFung?“

“What?“answeredJoshua，withasplutterofrage，“doIlivetohearaWaldaNagastasuggestthatthefirstprinceoftheland，heruncleandaffiancedhusband，shouldbesurrenderedtoourhereditaryfoestobehangedlikeaworn-outhound，anddoyou，Ounknownten，whodoubtlessstandinthischamber，livetohearitalso?“

“Myuncle，youdonot。Iaskedifsuchwasyourwish，thatisall。”

“ThenIanswerthatitisnotmywish，northewishoftheten，northewishoftheAbati。Nay，wewillfighttheFunganddestroythem，andoftheirbeast-headedidolHarmacwewillmakeblockstobuildoursynagoguesandstonestopaveourroads。Doyouhear，savagesofFung?“andassistedbyhistwoservantshehobbledtowardsthem，grinningintheirfaces。

Theenvoyslookedhimupanddownwiththeirquieteyes。“Wehearandweareverygladtohear，“theirspokesmananswered，“sinceweFunglovetosettleourquarrelswiththeswordandnotbytreaty。Buttoyou，Joshua，wesay:MakehastetodiebeforeweenterMur，sincetheropeisnottheonlymeansofdeathwhereofweknow。”

Verysolemnlythethreeambassadorssaluted，firsttheChildofKingsandnextourselves，thenturnedtogo。

“Killthem！“shoutedJoshua，“theyhavethreatenedandinsultedme，thePrince！“

Butnooneliftedahandagainstthemen，whopassedsafelyoutofthepalacetothesquare，whereanescortwaitedwiththeirhorses。

CHAPTERXIV

HOWPHARAOHMETSHADRACH

Whentheambassadorshadgone，atfirsttherewassilence，averyheavysilence，sinceeventhefrivolousAbatifeltthatthehourwasbigwithfate。Ofasudden，however，themembersoftheCouncilbegantochatterlikesomanymonkeys，eachtalkingwithoutlisteningtowhathisneighboursaid，tillatlengthagorgeouslydressedperson，I

understoodthathewasapriest，steppedforward，andshouteddowntheothers。

Thenhespokeinanexcitedandvenomousfashion。HepointedoutthatweGentileshadbroughtallthistroubleuponMur，sincebeforewecametheAbati，althoughthreatened，hadlivedinpeaceandglory——heactuallyusedthewordglory！——forgenerations。ButnowwehadstungtheFung，asahornetstingsabull，andmadethemmad，sothattheywishedtotosstheAbati。Heproposed，therefore，thatweshouldatoncebeejectedfromMur。

AtthispointIsawJoshuawhisperintotheearofaman，whocalledout:——

“No，no，forthentheywouldgototheirfriend，Barung，asavagelikethemselves，andhavinglearnedoursecrets，woulddoubtlessusethemagainstus。Isaythattheymustbekilledinstantly，“andhedrewasword，andwavedit。

Quickwalkeduptothefellowandclappedapistoltohishead。

“Dropthatsword，“hesaid，“or/you/"llneverheartheendofthestory，“andheobeyed，whereuponQuickcameback。

NowMaquedabegantospeak，quietlyenough，althoughIcouldseethatshewasquakingwithpassion。

“Thesemenareourguests，“shesaid，“comehithertoserveus。Doyoudesiretomurderourguests?Moreover，ofwhatusewouldthatbe?Onethingalonecansaveus，thedestructionofthegodoftheFung，since，accordingtotheancientsayingofthatpeople，whentheidolisdestroyedtheFungwillleavetheircityofHarmac。Moreover，astothisnewprophecyofthepriestsoftheidol，thatbeforethegatheringinoftheharvesthisheadshallsleepabovetheplainofMur，howcanthathappenifitisdestroyed，unlessindeeditmeansthatHarmacshallsleepintheheavens。Thereforewhathaveyoutofearfromthreatsbuiltuponthatwhichcannothappen?

“Butcan/you/destroythisfalsegodHarmac，ordare/you/fighttheFung?Youknowthatitisnotso，forhaditbeensowhatneedwasthereformetosendfortheseWesterns?Andifyoumurderthem，willBarungtherebybeappeased?Nay，Itellyouthatbeingabraveandhonourableman，althoughourenemy，hewillbecometentimesmorewrothwithyouthanhewasbefore，andexactavengeanceevenmoreterrible。Itellyoualso，thatthenyoumustfindanotherWaldaNagastatoruleoveryou，sinceI，Maqueda，willdosonomore。”

“Thatisimpossible，“saidsomeone，“youarethelastwomanofthetrueblood。”

“Thenyoucanchooseoneofbloodthatisnottrue，orelectaking，astheJewselectedSaul，forifmyguestsarebutcheredIshalldieofveryshame。”

ThesewordsofhersseemedtocowtheCouncil，oneofwhomaskedwhatwouldshehavethemdo?

“Do?“shereplied，throwingbackherveil，“why，bemen，raiseanarmyofeverymalewhocancarryasword；helptheforeigners，andtheywillleadyoutovictory。PeopleoftheAbati，wouldyoubeslaughtered，wouldyouseeyourwomenslaves，andyourancientnameblottedoutfromthelistofpeoples?“

Nowsomeofthemcried，“No。”

“Thensaveyourselves。Youarestillmany，thestrangersherehaveskillinwar，theycanleadifyouwillfollow。Bebraveawhile，andIsweartoyouthatbyharvesttheAbatishallsitinthecityofHarmacandnottheFunginMur。Ihavespoken，nowdowhatyouwill，“

andrisingfromherchairofstateMaquedaleftthechamber，motioningtoustodolikewise。

TheendofallthisbusinesswasthatapeacewasmadebetweenusandtheCounciloftheAbati。Aftertheirpompous，pedanticfashiontheysworesolemnlyontherolloftheLawthattheywouldaidusineverywaytoovercometheFung，andevenobeysuchmilitaryordersaswemightgivethem，subjecttotheconfirmationoftheseordersbyasmallcounciloftheirgenerals。Inshort，beingveryfrightened，foratimetheyforgottheirhatredofusforeigners。

Soaschemeofoperationswasagreedupon，andsomelawpassedbytheCouncil，theonlygoverningbodyamongtheAbati，fortheypossessednorepresentativeinstitutions，underwhichlawakindofconscriptionwasestablishedforawhile。Letmesayatoncethatitmetwiththemostintenseopposition。TheAbatiwereagriculturalistswholoathedmilitaryservice。Fromtheirchildhoodtheyhadheardoftheimminenceofinvasion，butnoactualinvasionhadeveryettakenplace。TheFungwerealwayswithout，andtheywerealwayswithin，aninlandisle，thewallofrockthattheythoughtimpassablebeingtheirseawhichprotectedthemfromdanger。

Theyhadnoexperienceofslaughterandrapine，theirimaginationswerenotsufficientlystrongtoenablethemtounderstandwhatthesethingsmeant；theywerelostinthepettinessofdailylifeanditspressinglocalinterests。Theirhomesinflames，theythemselvesmassacred，theirwomenandchildrendraggedofftobetheslavesofthevictors，apoorremnantlefttodieofstarvationamongthewastedfieldsortobecomewildmenoftherocks！Allthesethingstheylookeduponasameretale，aromancesuchastheirlocalpoetsrepeatedintheeveningsofawetseason，dimandfar-offeventswhichmighthavehappenedtotheCanaanitesandJebusitesandAmalekitesintheancientdayswhereofthebookoftheirLawtoldthem，butwhichcouldneverhappento/them/，thecomfortableAbati。InthatbooktheIsraelitesalwaysconqueredintheend，althoughthePhilistines，aliasFung，satattheirgates。ForitwillberememberedthatitincludesnoaccountofthefinalfallofJerusalemandawfuldestructionofitscitizens，ofwhichtheyhadlittleifanyknowledge。

Soitcameaboutthatourrecruitingparties，perhapspressgangswouldbeabetterterm，werenotwellreceived。Iknowit，forthisbranchofthebusinesswashandedovertome，ofcourseasadvisertotheAbaticaptains，andonseveraloccasions，whenridingroundthevillagesontheshoresoftheirbeautifullake，weweremetbyshowersofstones，andwereeventheobjectofactiveattackswhichhadtobeputdownwithbloodshed。Still，anarmyoffiveorsixthousandmenwasgottogethersomehow，andformedintocamps，whencedesertionswereincessant，onceortwiceaccompaniedbythemurderofofficers。

“It"s"opeless，downright"opeless，Doctor，“saidQuicktome，droppinghish"s，ashesometimesdidintheexcitementofthemoment。

“Whatcanonedowithacrowdofpigs，everyoneofthembentonboltingtohisownsty，oranywhereexcepttowardtheenemy?ThesoonertheFunggetthemthebetterforallconcerned，sayI，andifitwasn"tforourLadyyonder“(QuickalwayscalledMaquedaafter“ourLady，“afterithadbeenimpresseduponhimthat“herMajesty“wasanincorrecttitle)，myadvicetotheCaptainandyougentlemenwouldbe:

Getoutofthisinfernalholeasquickasyourlegscancarryyou，andlet"sdoabitofhuntingonthewayhome，leavingtheAbatitosettletheirownaffairs。”

“Youforget，Sergeant，thatIhaveareasonforstayinginthispartoftheworld，andsoperhapshavetheothers。Forinstance，theProfessorisveryfondofthoseoldskeletonsdowninthecave，“andI

paused。

“Yes，Doctor，andtheCaptainisveryfondofsomethingmuchbetterthanaskeleton，andsoareweall。Well，we"vegottoseeitthrough，butsomehowIdon"tthinkthateveryoneofuswillhavethatluck，thoughit"struethatwhenamanhaslivedfairlystraightaccordingtohislightsafewyearsmoreorlessdon"tmattermuchonewayortheother。Afterall，exceptyougentlemen，whoistherethatwillmissSamuelQuick?“

Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，drawinghimselfupstraightasaramrodhemarchedofftoassistsomepopinjaysofAbatiofficers，whomhehatedandwhohatedhim，toinstiltheelementsofdrillintoanewlyraisedcompany，leavingmetowonderwhatfearsorpremonitionsfilledhishonestsoul。

ButthiswasnotQuick"sprincipalwork，sinceforatleastsixhoursofeverydayhewasengagedinhelpingOliverinourgreatenterpriseofdrivingatunnelfromtheendoftheTombofKingsdeepintothesolidrockthatformedthebaseofthemightyidoloftheFung。Thetaskwasstupendous，andwouldindeedhavebeenimpossiblehadnotOrme"sconjecturethatsomepassagehadoncerunfromtheextremityofthecavetowardtheidolprovedtobeperfectlyaccurate。Suchapassageindeedwasfoundwalledupatthebackofthechaircontainingthebonesofthehunchbackedking。Itdescendedverysharplyforadistanceofseveralhundredyards，afterwhichforanotherhundredyardsormoreitswallsandroofweresorivenandshakythat，forfearofaccidents，wefounditnecessarytotimberthemaswewent。

Atlastwecametoaplacewheretheyhadfalleninaltogether，shakendown，Ipresume，bythegreatearthquakewhichhaddestroyedsomuchoftheancientcave-city。Atthisspot，ifOliver"sinstrumentsandcalculationscouldbetrusted，wewerewithinabouttwohundredfeetofthefloorofthedenoflions，towhichitseemedprobablethatthepassageonceled，andofcoursethequestionaroseastowhatshouldbedone。

ACouncilwasheldtodiscussthisproblem，atwhichMaquedaandafewoftheAbatinotableswerepresent。TotheseOliverexplainedthatevenifthatwerepossibleitwouldbeuselesstoclearouttheoldpassageandattheendfindourselvesoncemoreinthedenoflions。

“What，then，isyourplan?“askedMaqueda。

“Lady，“heanswered，“I，yourservant，aminstructedtoattempttodestroytheidolHarmac，bymeansoftheexplosiveswhichwehavebroughtwithusfromEngland。First，Iwouldaskyouifyoustillclingtothatdesign?“

“Whyshoulditbeabandoned?“inquiredMaqueda。“Whathaveyouagainstit?“

“Twothings，Lady。Asanactofwarthedeedseemsuseless，sincesupposingthatthesphinxisshatteredandacertainnumberofpriestsandguardsaredestroyed，howwillthatadvanceyourcause?Secondly，suchdestructionwillbeverydifficult，ifitcanbedoneatall。Thestuffwehavewithus，itistrue，isoffearfulstrength，yetwhocanbesurethatthereisenoughofittomovethismountainofhardrock，ofwhichIcannotcalculatetheweight，nothavingthemeasurementsoranyknowledgeofthesizeofthecavitieswithinitsbulk。Lastly，iftheattemptistobemade，atunnelmustbehollowedofnotlessthanthreehundredfeetinlength，firstdownwardandthenupwardintotheverybaseoftheidol，andifthisistobedonewithinsixweeks，thatis，bythenightofthemarriageofthedaughterofBarung，theworkwillbeveryhard，ifindeeditcanbecompletedatall，althoughhundredsofmenlabourdayandnight。”

NowMaquedathoughtawhile，thenlookedupandsaid:

“Friend，youarebraveandskilful，tellusallyourmind。Ifyousatinmyplace，whatwouldyoudo?“

“Lady，Iwouldleadouteveryable-bodiedmanandattackthecityoftheFung，say，onthenightofthegreatfestivalwhentheyareofftheirguard。IwouldblowinthegatesofthecityofHarmac，andstormitanddriveawaytheFung，andafterwardstakepossessionoftheidol，andifitisthoughtnecessary，destroyitpiecemealfromwithin。”

NowMaquedaconsultedwithhercouncillors，whoappearedtobemuchdisturbedatthissuggestion，andfinallycalledusbackandgaveusherdecision。

“TheselordsoftheCouncil，“shesaid，speakingwitharingofcontemptinhervoice，“declarethatyourplanismad，andthattheywillneversanctionitbecausetheAbaticouldnotbepersuadedtoundertakesodangerousanenterpriseasanattackuponthecityofHarmac，whichwouldend，theythink，inallofthembeingkilled。Theypointout，OOrme，thattheprophecyisthattheFungwillleavetheplainofHarmacwhentheirgodisdestroyedandnotbefore，andthatthereforeitmustbedestroyed。Theysay，further，OOrme，thatforayearyouandyourcompanionsaretheswornservantsoftheAbati，andthatitisyourbusinesstoreceiveorders，nottogivethem，alsothattheconditionuponwhichyouearnyourpayisthatyoudestroytheidoloftheFung。ThisisthedecisionoftheCouncil，spokenbythemouthoftheprinceJoshua，whocommandfurtherthatyoushallatoncesetaboutthebusinesstoexecutewhichyouandyourcompanionsarepresenthereinMur。”

“Isthat/your/commandalso，OChildofKings?“answeredOliver，colouring。

“SinceIalsothinkthattheAbaticanneverbeforcedtoattackthecityoftheFung，itis，OOrme，thoughthewordsinwhichitiscouchedarenotmywords。”

“Verywell，OChildofKings，Iwilldomybest。Onlyblameusnotiftheendofthismatterisotherthantheseadvisersofyoursexpect。

Propheciesaretwo-edgedswordstoplaywith，andIdonotbelievethataraceoffightingmenliketheFungwillflyandleaveyoutriumphantjustbecauseastoneimageisshattered，ifthatcanbedoneinthetimeandwiththemeanswhichwepossess。Meanwhile，IaskthatyoushouldgivemetwohundredandfiftypickedmenoftheMountaineers，notofthetownspeople，underthecaptaincyofJaphet，whomustchoosethem，toassistusinourwork。”

“Itshallbedone，“sheanswered，andwemadeourbowsandwent。AswepassedthroughtheCouncilweheardJoshuasayinaloudvoicemeantforustohear:

“ThanksbetoGod，thesehiredGentileshavebeentaughttheirplaceatlast。”

Oliverturnedonhimsofiercelythatherecoiled，thinkingthathewasabouttostrikehim。

“Becareful，PrinceJoshua，“hesaid，“thatbeforethisbusinessisfinishedyouarenottaughtyours，whichIthinkmaybelowly，“andhelookedmeaninglyattheground。

Sothelabourbegan，anditwasheavyindeedaswellasdangerous。

Fortunately，inadditiontothepicratecompoundsthatQuickcalled“azurestingingbees，“wehadbroughtwithusafewcasesofdynamite，ofwhichwenowmadeuseforblastingpurposes。Aholewasdrilledinthefaceofthetunnel，andthechargeinserted。ThenallretreatedbackintotheTombofKingstillthecartridgehadexploded，andthesmokeclearedoff，whichtookalongwhile，whenourpeopleadvancedwithironbarsandbaskets，andclearedawaythedébris，afterwhichtheprocessmustberepeated。

Oh！theheatofthatnarrowholedeepinthebowelsoftherock，andthereekofthestagnantairwhichsometimeswassobadthatthelightswouldscarcelyburn。Indeed，afterahundredfeethadbeencompleted，wethoughtthatitwouldbeimpossibletoproceed，sincetwomendiedofasphyxiationandtheothers，althoughtheyweregoodfellowsenough，refusedtoreturnintothetunnel。Atlength，however，OrmeandJaphetpersuadedsomeofthebestofthemtodoso，andshortlyafterthistheatmosphereimprovedverymuch，Isupposebecausewecutsomecrannyorshaftwhichcommunicatedwiththeopenair。

Therewereotherdangersalso，notablyofthecollapseofthewholeroofwheretherockwasrotten，aswefoundittobeinplaces。Thenitprovedveryhardtodealwiththewater，foronceortwicewestrucksmallspringsimpregnatedwithcopperorsomeothermineralthatblisteredthefeetandskin，sinceeverydropofthisacidwaterhadtobecarriedoutinwoodenpails。ThatdifficultyweovercameatlastbysinkinganarrowwelldowntotheleveloftheancienttunnelofwhichIhavespokenashavingbeenshakeninbytheearthquake。

Thuswe，orratherOliverandQuickwiththeMountaineers，toiledon。

Higgsdidhisbest，butafterawhileprovedquiteunabletobeartheheat，whichbecametoomuchforsostoutaman。TheendofitwasthathedevotedhimselftothesuperintendenceoftheremovaloftherubbishintotheTombofKings，thecareofthestoresandsoforth。

Atleastthatwassupposedtobehisbusiness，butreallyheemployedmostofhistimeindrawingandcataloguingtheobjectsofantiquityandthegroupsofbonesthatwereburiedthere，andinexploringtheremainsoftheundergroundcity。Intruth，thistaskofdestructionwasmostrepellenttothepoorProfessor。

“Tothink，“hesaidtous，“tothinkthatI，whoallmylifehavepreachedtheiniquityofnotconservingeveryrelicofthepast，shouldnowbeemployedinattemptingtoobliteratethemostwonderfulobjecteverfashionedbytheancients！ItisenoughtomakeaVandalweep，andIprayheaventhatyoumaynotsucceedinyourinfamousdesign。WhatdoesitmatteriftheAbatiarewipedout，aslotsofbetterpeoplehavebeenbeforethem?Whatdoesitmatterifweaccompanythemtooblivionsolongasthatnoblesphinxispreservedtobethewonderoffuturegenerations?Well，thankgoodness，atanyrateIhaveseenit，whichismore，probably，thananyofyouwilleverdo。There，anotherbruteisdumpinghisrubbishovertheskullofNo。14！“

Thuswelabouredcontinually，eachathisdifferenttask，fortheworkinthemineneverstopped，OliverbeinginchargeduringthedayandQuickatnightforawholeweek，sinceoneachSundaytheychangedwiththeirgangs，QuicktakingthedayshiftandOliverthenight，or/viceversa/。SometimesMaquedacamedownthecavetoinspectprogress，always，Inoticed，atthosehourswhenOliverhappenedtobeoffduty。ThenonthispretextoronthattheywouldwanderawaytogethertovisitIknownotwhatintherecessesoftheundergroundcity，orelsewhere。InvaindidIwarnthemthattheireverystepwasdogged，andthattheireverywordandactionwerenotedbyspieswhocreptafterthemcontinually，sincetwiceIcaughtoneofthesegentryintheact。Theywereinfatuated，andwouldnotlisten。

AtthistimeOliveronlylefttheundergroundcitytwiceorthriceaweektobreathethefreshairforanhourortwo。Intruth，hehadnoleisure。Forthissamereasonhefittedhimselfupabedinwhathadbeenapriest"schamber，orasanctuaryintheoldtemple，andsleptthere，generallywithnootherguardbutthegreatdog，Pharaoh，hisconstantcompanionevenintherecessesofthemine。

Itwascurioustoseehowthisfaithfulbeastaccustomeditselftothedarkness，andmadeitsothersenses，especiallythatofsmell，servethepurposeofeyesasdotheblind。Bydegrees，too，itlearnedallthedetailsoftheoperations；thus，whenthecartridgewasinplaceforfiring，itwouldriseandbegintowalkoutofthetunnelevenbeforethemenincharge。

OnenightthetragedythatIfearedverynearlyhappened，andindeedmusthavehappenedhaditnotbeenforthissamehound，Pharaoh。Aboutsixo"clockintheeveningOlivercameoffdutyafteraneight-hourshiftinthetunnel，leavingHiggsincommandforalittlewhileuntilitwastimeforQuicktotakecharge。Ihadbeenatworkoutsidealldayinconnectionwiththenewconscriptarmy，aregimentofwhichwasinrevolt，becausethemen，mostofwhomwerewhatweshouldcallsmall-holders，declaredthattheywantedtogohometoweedtheircrops。Indeed，ithadprovednecessaryfortheChildofKingsherselftobesummonedtopleadwiththemandcondemnsomeoftheringleaderstopunishment。

Whenatlengththisbusinesswasoverwelefttogether，andthepoorlady，exasperatedalmosttomadness，sharplyrefusingtheescortofanyofherpeople，requestedmetoaccompanyhertothemine。

AtthemouthofthetunnelshemetOliver，asprobablyshehadarrangedtodo，andafterhehadreportedprogresstoher，wanderedawaywithhimasusual，eachofthemcarryingalamp，intosomerecessoftheburiedcity。Ifollowedthematadistance，notfromcuriosity，orbecauseIwishedtoseemoreofthewondersofthatcitywhereofI

washeartilysick，butbecauseIsuspectedthattheywerebeingspiedupon。

ThepairvanishedroundacornerthatIknewendedina/cul-de-sac/，soextinguishingmylamp，IsatdownonafallencolumnandwaitedtillIshouldseetheirlightreappear，whenIproposedtoeffectmyretreat。WhilstIsatthus，thinkingonmanythingsand，totellthetruth，verydepressedinmind，Iheardasoundasofsomeonemovingandinstantlystruckamatch。ThelightofitfellfulluponthefaceofamanwhomIrecognizedatonceasabody-servantoftheprinceJoshua，thoughwhetherhewaspassingmetowardthepairorreturningfromtheirdirectionIcouldnotbesure。

“Whatareyoudoinghere?“Iasked。

“Whatisthattoyou，Physician?“heanswered。

Thenthematchburntout，andbeforeIcouldlightanotherhehadvanished，likeasnakeintoastonewall。

MyfirstimpulsewastowarnMaquedaandOliverthattheywerebeingwatched，butreflectingthatthebusinesswasawkward，andthatthespywoulddoubtlesshavegivenoverhistaskforthisday，Ileftitalone，andwentdowntotheTomboftheKingstohelpHiggs。JustafterwardsQuickcameonduty，longbeforehistime，thefactbeingthathehadnoconfidenceintheProfessorasadirectorofminingoperations。WhenheappearedHiggsandIretreatedfromthatcloseandfilthytunnel，and，bywayofrecreation，putinanhourorsoatthecataloguingandarch?ologicalresearchinwhichhissouldelighted。

“IfonlywecouldgetallthislotoutofMur，“hesaid，withasweepofhishand，“weshouldbethemostfamousmeninEuropeforatleastthreedays，andrichintothebargain。”

“Ptolemy，“Ianswered，“weshallbefortunateifwegetourselvesaliveoutofMur，letalonethesebonesandancienttreasures，“andI

toldhimwhatIhadseenthatevening。

Hisfatandkindlyfacegrewanxious。

“Ah！“hesaid。“Well，Idon"tblamehim；shouldprobablydothesamemyselfifIgotthechance，andsowouldyou——ifyouweretwentyyearsyounger。No，Idon"tblamehim，orhereither，forthefactisthatalthoughtheirrace，education，andcircumstancesaresodifferent，theyareoneofNature"spairs，andwhiletheyarealivenothingwillkeepthemapart。Youmightaswellexpectamagnetandabitofirontoremainseparateonasheetofnotepaper。Moreover，theygivethemselvesaway，aspeopleinthatstatealwaysdo。Thepursuitofarch?ologyhasitsdangers，butitisajollysightsaferthanthatofwoman，thoughitdidlandmeinadenoflions。What"sgoingtohappen，oldfellow?“

“Can"tsay，butIthinkitveryprobablethatOliverwillbemurdered，andthatweshallfollowthesameroad，or，ifwearelucky，beonlybundledoutofMur。Well，it"stimefordinner；ifIgetachanceI

willgivethemahint。”

Sowemadeourwaytotheoldtempleinthegreatcave，wherewekeptourstoresandOliverhadhisheadquarters。Herewefoundhimwaitingforusandourmealready，forfoodwasalwaysbroughttousbythepalaceservants。Whenwehadeatenandthesemenhadclearedaway，welitourpipesandfedthedogPharaohuponthescrapsthathadbeenreservedforhim。ThenItoldOliveraboutthespywhomIhadcaughttrackinghimandMaqueda。

“Well，whatofit?“hesaid，colouringinhistell-talefashion；“sheonlytookmetoseewhatshebelievedtobeanancientinscriptiononacolumninthatnorthernaisle。”

“Thenshe"dhavedonebettertotakeme，myboy，“saidHiggs。“Whatwasthecharacterlike?“

“Don"tknow，“heansweredguiltily。“Shecouldnotfinditagain。”

Anawkwardsilencefollowed，whichIbroke。

“Oliver，“Isaid，“Idon"tthinkyououghttogoonsleepingherealone。Youhavetoomanyenemiesinthisplace。”

“Rubbish，“heanswered，“thoughit"struePharaohseemeduneasylastnight，andthatonceIwokeupandthoughtIheardfootstepsinthecourtoutside。Isetthemdowntoghosts，inwhichIhavealmostcometobelieveinthishauntedplace，andwenttosleepagain。”

“Ghostsbeblowed！“saidHiggsvulgarly，“ifthereweresuchthingsI

havesleptwithtoomanymummiesnottoseethem。ThatconfoundedJoshuaisthewizardwhoraisesyourghosts。Lookhere，oldboy，“headded，“letmecampwithyouto-night，sinceQuickmustbeinthetunnel，andAdamshastosleepoutsideincaseheiswantedonthearmybusiness。”

“Notabitofit，“heanswered；“youknowyouaretooasthmaticaltogetawinkinthisatmosphere。Iwon"thearofsuchathing。”

“Thencomeandsleepwithusintheguest-house。”

“Can"tbedone；theSergeanthasgotaverynastyjobdownthereaboutoneo"clock，andIpromisedtobehandyincasehecallsmeup，“andhepointedtotheportablefieldtelephonethatfortunatelywehadbroughtwithusfromEngland，whichwasfixedclosedby，adding，“ifonlythatsillythinghadanotherfewhundredyardsofwire，I"dcome；

but，yousee，ithasn"tandImustbeintouchwiththework。”

Atthismomentthebelltinkled，andOrmemadeajumpforthereceiverthroughwhichforthenextfiveminuteshewasengagedingivingrapidandtousquiteunintelligibledirections。

“Thereyouare，“hesaid，whenhehadreplacedthemouthpieceonitshook，“ifIhadn"tbeenheretheywouldprobablyhavehadtheroofofthetunneldownandkilledsomepeople。No，no；Ican"tleavethatreceiverunlessIgobacktothemine，whichIamtootiredtodo。

However，don"tyoufret。Withapistol，atelephone，andPharaohI"msafeenough。Andnow，goodnight；youfellowshadbetterbegettinghomeasImustbeupearlyto-morrowandwanttosleepwhileIcan。”

Onthefollowingmorningaboutfiveo"clockHiggsandIwereawakenedbysomeoneknockingatourdoor。Iroseandopenedit，whereoninwalkedQuick，agrimandgrimyfigure，for，ashissoakedclothesandsoiledfacetoldus，hehadbutjustlefthisworkinthemine。

“Captainwantstoseeyouassoonaspossible，gentlemen，“hesaid。

“What"sthematter，Sergeant?“askedHiggs，aswegotintoourgarments。

“You"llseeforyourselfpresently，Professor，“wasthelaconicreply，norcouldwegetanythingmoreoutofhim。

Fiveminuteslaterwewereadvancingatarunthroughthedensedarknessoftheundergroundcity，eachofuscarryingalamp。I

reachedtheruinsoftheoldtemplefirst，forQuickseemedverytiredandlaggedbehind，andinthatatmosphereHiggswasscantofbreathandcouldnottravelfast。AtthedoorwayoftheplacewherehesleptstoodthetallformofOliverholdingalampaloft。Evidentlyhewaswaitingforus。Byhissidesatthebigyellowdog，Pharaoh，that，whenhesmeltus，gambolledforward，wagginghistailingreeting。

“Comehere，“saidOrme，inalowandsolemnvoice，“Ihavesomethingtoshowyou，“andheledthewayintothepriest"schamber，orsanctuary，whateveritmayhavebeen，wherehesleptuponarough，native-madebedstead。Atthedoorwayhehalted，loweredthelampheheld，andpointedtosomethingdarkonthefloortotherightofhisbedstead，saying，“Look！“

Therelayadeadman，andbyhissideagreatknifethatevidentlyhadfallenfromhishand。Atthefirstglancewerecognisedthefacewhich，bytheway，wassingularlypeaceful，asthoughitwerethatofoneplungedindeepsleep。Thisseemedodd，sincethethroatbelowwasliterallytornout。

“Shadrach！“wesaid，withonevoice。

Shadrachitwas；Shadrach，ourformerguide，whohadbetrayedus；

Shadrachwho，tosavehisownlife，hadshownushowtorescueHiggs，andforthatservicebeenpardoned，asIthinkImentioned。Shadrachandnoother！

“Pussyseemstohavebeenontheprowlandtohavemetadog，“

remarkedQuick。

“Doyouunderstandwhathashappened?“askedOliver，inadry，hardvoice。“PerhapsIhadbetterexplainbeforeanythingismoved。

Shadrachmusthavecreptinherelastnight——Idon"tknowatwhattime，forIsleptthroughitall——forpurposesofhisown。ButheforgothisoldenemyPharaoh，andPharaohkilledhim。Seehisthroat?

WhenPharaohbiteshedoesn"tgrowl，and，ofcourse，Shadrachcouldsaynothing，or，ashehaddroppedhisknife，forthematterofthat，doanythingeither。WhenIwaswokeupaboutanhouragobythetelephonebellthedogwasfastasleep，forheisaccustomedtothatbell，withhisheadrestinguponthebodyofShadrach。NowwhydidShadrachcomeintomyroomatnightwithadrawnknifeinhishand?“

“Doesn"tseemadifficultquestiontoanswer，“repliedHiggs，inthehighvoicewhichwascommontohimwhenexcited。“Hecameheretomurderyou，andPharaohwastooquickforhim，that"sall。Thatdogwasthecheapestpurchaseyouevermade，friendOliver。”

“Yes，“answeredOrme，“hecameheretomurderme——youwererightabouttherisk，afterall——butwhatIwonderis，whosenthim?“

“Andsoyoumaygoonwonderingfortherestofyourlife，Captain，“

exclaimedQuick。“Still，Ithinkwemightguessifwetried。”

Thennewsofwhathadhappenedwassenttothepalace，andwithinlittleoveranhourMaquedaarrived，accompaniedbyJoshuaandseveralothermembersofherCouncil。Whenshesawandunderstoodeverythingshewashorrified，andsternlyaskedJoshuawhatheknewofthisbusiness。Ofcourse，heprovedtobecompletelyinnocent，andhadnottheslightestideaofwhohadsetthemurdererontoworkthisdeedofdarkness。Norhadanybodyelse，thegeneralsuggestionbeingthatShadrachhadattempteditoutofrevenge，andmetwiththeduerewardofhiscrime。

OnlythatdaypoorPharaohwaspoisoned。Well，hehaddonehiswork，andhismemoryisblessed。

CHAPTERXV

SERGEANTQUICKHASAPRESENTIMENT

Fromthistimeforwardallofus，andespeciallyOliver，wereguardednightanddaybypickedmenwhoitwasbelievedcouldnotbecorrupted。Asaconsequence，theTsarofRussiascarcelyleadsalifemoreirksomethanoursbecameatMur。Ofprivacytherewasnonelefttous，sincesentriesanddetectiveslurkedateverycorner，whiletasterswereobligedtoeatofeachdishanddrinkfromeachcupbeforeittouchedourlips，lestourfateshouldbethatofPharaoh，whoselosswemournedasmuchasthoughthepoordoghadbeensomebelovedhumanbeing。

Mostofallwasitirksome，Ithink，toOliverandMaqueda，whoseopportunitiesofmeetingweremuchcurtailedbytheexigenciesofthisrigidespionage。Whocanmurmursweetnothingstohisadoredwhentwosoldiersarmedtotheteethhavebeeninstructednevertolethimoutoftheirsight?Particularlyisthissoiftheadoredhappenstobetherulerofthosesoldierstowhomthepersonguardedhasnorighttobemakinghimselfagreeable。Forwhenoffdutyeventhemostfaithfulguardiansareapttotalk。Ofcourse，theresultwasthatthepairtookriskswhichdidnotescapeobservation。Indeed，theirintimaterelationsbecameamatterofgossipthroughouttheland。

Still，annoyingastheymightbe，theseprecautionssucceeded，fornoneofuswerepoisonedorgotourthroatscut，althoughwewereconstantlythevictimsofmysteriousaccidents。Thus，aheavyrockrolleddownuponuswhenwesattogetheroneeveninguponthehill-

side，andaflightofarrowspassedbetweenuswhilewewereridingalongtheedgeofathicket，byoneofwhichHiggs"shorsewaskilled。

Onlywhenthemountainandthethicketweresearchednoonecouldbefound。Moreover，agreatplotagainstuswasdiscoveredinwhichsomeofthelordsandpriestswereimplicated，butsuchwasthestateoffeelinginthecountrythat，beyondwarningthemprivatelythattheirmachinationswereknown，Maquedadidnotdaretotakeproceedingsagainstthesemen。

Alittlelateronthingsmendedsofaraswewereconcerned，forthefollowingreason:Onedaytwoshepherdsarrivedatthepalacewithsomeoftheircompanions，sayingthattheyhadnewstocommunicate。Onbeingquestioned，thesepeasantsaverredthatwhiletheywereherdingtheirgoatsuponthewesterncliffsmanymilesaway，suddenlyonthetopofthehillsappearedabodyoffifteenFung，whoboundandblindfoldedthem，tellingtheminmockinglanguagetotakeamessagetotheCouncilandtothewhitemen。

Thiswasthemessage:ThattheyhadbettermakehastetodestroythegodHarmac，sinceotherwisehisheadwouldmovetoMuraccordingtotheprophecy，andthatwhenitdidso，theFungwouldfollowastheyknewhowtodo。Thentheysetthetwomenonarockwheretheycouldbeseen，andonthefollowingmorningwereinfactfoundbysomeoftheirfellows，thosewhoaccompaniedthemtotheCourtandcorroboratedthisstory。

Ofcoursethematterwasdulyinvestigated，butasIknow，forIwentwiththesearchparty，whenwegottotheplacenotraceoftheFungcouldbefound，exceptoneoftheirspears，ofwhichthehandlehadbeendrivenintotheearthandthebladepointedtowardMur，evidentlyinthreatordefiance。Noothertokenofthemremained，for，asithappened，aheavyrainhadfallenandobliteratedtheirfootprints，whichinanycasemusthavebeenfaintonthisrockyground。

Notwithstandingthemostdiligentsearchbyskilledmen，theirmodeofapproachandretreatremainedamystery，as，indeed，itdoestothisday。TheonlyplaceswhereitwassupposedtobepossibletoscaletheprecipiceofMurwerewatchedcontinually，sothattheycouldhaveclimbedupbynoneofthese。Theinferencewas，therefore，thattheFunghaddiscoveredsomeunknownpath，and，iffifteenmencouldclimbthatpath，whynotfifteenthousand！

Only，wherewasthispath?Invainweregreatrewardsinlandandhonoursofferedtohimwhoshoulddiscoverit，foralthoughsuchdiscoverieswerecontinuallyreported，oninvestigationthesewerefoundtobeinventionsormares"nests。Nothingbutabirdcouldhavetravelledbysuchroads。

ThenatlastwesawtheAbatithoroughlyfrightened，for，withadditions，thestorysoonpassedfrommouthtomouthtillthewholepeopletalkedofnothingelse。ItwasasthoughweEnglishlearnedthatahugeforeignarmyhadsuddenlylandedonourshoresand，havingcutthewiresandseizedtherailways，wasmarchinguponLondon。Theeffectofsuchtidingsuponanationthatalwaysbelievedinvasiontobeimpossiblemayeasilybeimagined，onlyIhopethatweshouldtakethembetterthandidtheAbati。

Theirswagger，theirself-confidence，theirtalkaboutthe“rockywallsofMur，“evaporatedinanhour。NowitwasonlyofthedisciplinedandterribleregimentsoftheFung，amongwhomeverymanwastrainedtowar，andofwhatwouldhappentothem，thecivilizedanddomesticatedAbati，apeace-lovingpeoplewhorightlyenough，astheydeclared，hadrefusedallmartialburdens，shouldtheseregimentssuddenlyappearintheirmidst。Theycriedoutthattheywerebetrayed——theyclamouredforthebloodofcertainoftheCouncillors。

Thatcarpetknight，Joshua，lostpopularityforawhile，whileMaqueda，whowasknownalwaystohavebeeninfavourofconscriptionandperfectreadinesstorepelattack，gainedwhathehadlost。

Leavingtheirfarms，theycrowdedtogetherintothetownsandvillages，wheretheymadewhatinSouthAfricaarecalledlaagers。

Religion，whichpracticallyhadbeendeadamongthem，fortheyretainedbutfewtracesoftheJewishfaithif，indeed，theyhadeverreallypractisedit，becamethecrazeofthehour。Priestswereatapremium；sheepandcattleweresacrificed；itwasevensaidthat，afterthefashionoftheirfoestheFung，somehumanbeingssharedthesamefate。AtanyratetheAlmightywasimportunedhourlytodestroythehatedFungandtoprotectHispeople——theAbati——fromtheresultsoftheirownbaseselfishnessandcowardlyneglect。

Well，theworldhasseensuchexhibitionsbeforeto-day，andwilldoubtlessseemoreofthemintheinstanceofgreaterpeopleswhoallowluxuryandpleasure-seekingtosaptheirstrengthandmanhood。

TheupshotofitallwasthattheAbatibecameobsessedwiththesayingoftheFungscoutstotheshepherds，which，afterall，wasbutarepetitionofthatoftheirenvoysdeliveredtotheCouncilalittlewhilebefore:thattheyshouldhastentodestroytheidolHarmac，lestheshouldmovehimselftoMur。Howanidolofsuchproportions，orevenitshead，couldmoveatalltheydidnotstoptoinquire。Itwasobvioustothem，however，thatifhewasdestroyedtherewouldbenothingtomoveand，further，thatweGentilesweretheonlypersonswhocouldpossiblyeffectsuchdestruction。Sowealsobecamepopularforalittlewhile。Everybodywaspleasantandflatteredus——

everybody，evenJoshua，bowedwhenweapproached，andtookamostlivelyinterestintheprogressofourwork，whichmanydeputationsandprominentindividualsurgedustoexpedite。

Betterstill，theuntowardaccidentssuchasthoseIhavementioned，ceased。Ourdogs，forwehadobtainedsomeothers，werenolongerpoisoned；rocksthatappearedfixeddidnotfall；noarrowswhistledamonguswhenwewentoutriding。Weevenfounditsafeoccasionallytodispensewithourguards，sinceitwaseveryone"sinteresttokeepusalive——forthepresent。Still，Iforonewasnotdeceivedforasinglemoment，andinseasonandoutofseasonwarnedtheothersthatthewindwouldsoonblowagainfromalessfavourablequarter。

Weworked，weworked，weworked！Heavenaloneknowshowwedidwork。

Thinkofthetask，which，afterall，wasonlyoneofseveral。Atunnelmustbebored，forIforgethowfar，throughvirginrock，withthehelpofinadequatetoolsandunskilledlabour，andthistunnelmustbefinishedbyacertaindate。Ahundredunexpecteddifficultiesarose，andonebyonewereconquered。Greatdangersmustberun，andwereavoided，whiletheresponsibilityofthistremendousengineeringfeatlayupontheshouldersofasingleindividual，OliverOrme，who，althoughhehadbeeneducatedasanengineer，hadnogreatpracticalexperienceofsuchenterprises。

Trulytheoccasionmakestheman，forOrmerosetoitinawaythatI

canonlycallheroic。Whenhewasnotactuallyinthetunnelhewaslabouringathiscalculations，ofwhichmanymustbemade，ortakinglevelswithsuchinstrumentsashehad。Forifthereprovedtobetheslightesterrorallthistoilwouldbeinvain，andresultonlyintheblowingofauselessholethroughamassofrock。Thentherewasagreatquestionastotheeffectwhichwouldbeproducedbytheamountofexplosiveathisdisposal，sinceterribleasmightbetheforceofthestuff，unlessitwerescientificallyplacedanddistributeditwouldassuredlyfailtoaccomplishthedesiredend。

Atlast，aftersuperhumanefforts，theminewasfinished。Ourstockofconcentratedexplosive，aboutfourfullcamelloadsofit，wassetinasmanyseparatechambers，eachofthemjustlargeenoughtoreceivethecharge，hollowedintheprim?valrockfromwhichtheidolhadbeenhewn。

Thesechamberswereabouttwentyfeetfromeachother，althoughiftherehadbeentimetoprolongthetunnel，thedistanceshouldhavebeenatleastfortyinordertogivethestuffawiderrangeofaction。AccordingtoOliver"smathematicalreckoning，theywerecutintheexactcentreofthebaseoftheidol，andaboutthirtyfeetbelowtheactualbodyofthecrouchingsphinx。Asamatteroffactthisreckoningwaswronginseveralparticulars，thechargeshavingbeensetfarthertowardtheeastorheadofthesphinxandhigherupinthebasethanhesupposed。Whenitisrememberedthathehadfoundnoopportunityofmeasuringthemonumentwhichpracticallywehadonlyseenoncefrombehindunderconditionsnotfavourabletoaccuracyinsuchrespects，orofknowingitsactuallengthanddepth，thesetriflingerrorswerenotremarkable。

Whatwasremarkableisthathisgeneralplanofoperations，foundeduponamerehypotheticalestimate，shouldhaveprovedasaccurateasitdid。

Atlengthallwasprepared，andthedeadlycast-ironflaskshadbeenpackedinsand，togetherwithdynamitecartridges，thenecessarydetonators，electricwires，andsoforth，ananxiousandindeedawfultaskexecutedentirelyinthatstiflingatmospherebythehandsofOrmeandQuick。Thenbegananotherlabour，thatofthefillinginofthetunnels。This，itseems，wasnecessary，orsoIunderstood，lesttheexpandinggases，followingthelineofleastresistance，shouldblowback，asitwere，throughthevent-hole。Whatmadethattaskthemoredifficultwastheneedofcuttingalittlechannelintherocktocontainthewires，andtherebylessentheriskofthefractureofthesewiresinthecourseofthebuilding-upprocess。Ofcourse，ifbyanyaccidentthisshouldhappen，thecircuitwouldbesevered，andnoexplosionwouldfollowwhentheelectricbatterywassettowork。

Thearrangementwasthatthemineshouldbefiredonthenightofthatfullmoononwhichwehadbeentold，andspiesconfirmedtheinformation，thefeastofthemarriageofBarung"sdaughtertomysonwouldbecelebratedinthecityofHarmac。ThisdatewasfixedbecausetheSultanhadannouncedthatsosoonasthatfestivity，whichcoincidedwiththeconclusionoftheharvest，wasended，hemeanttodeliverhisattackonMur。

Also，wewereanxiousthatitshouldbeadheredtoforanotherreason，sinceweknewthatonthisdaybutasmallnumberofpriestsandguardswouldbeleftinchargeoftheidol，andmysoncouldnotbeamongthem。Now，whatevermayhavebeentheviewsoftheAbati，weasChristianswhoborethemnomalicedidnotatalldesiretodestroyanenormousnumberofinnocentFung，asmighthavehappenedifwehadfiredourminewhenthepeopleweregatheredtosacrificetotheirgod。

Thefataldayarrivedatlast。Allwascompleted，savefortheblockingofthepassage，whichstillwenton，or，rather，wasbeingreinforcedbythepilingupoflooserocksagainstitsmouth，atwhichahundredorsomenlabouredincessantly。ThefiringwireshadbeenledintothatlittlechamberintheoldtemplewherethedogPharaohtoreoutthethroatofShadrach，andnoinchofthemwasleftunguardedforfearofaccidentortreachery。

Theelectricbatteries——twoofthem，incaseoneshouldfail——hadbeentestedbutnotconnectedwiththewires。Theretheystooduponthefloor，lookinginnocentenough，andwefoursatroundthemlikewizardsroundtheirmagicpot，whoawaittheworkingofsomespell。Wewerenotcheerful；whocouldbeundersointenseastrain?Orme，indeed，whohadgrownpaleandthinwithcontinuouslabourofmindandbody，seemedquitewornout。Hecouldnoteatnorsmoke，andwithdifficultyIpersuadedhimtodrinksomeofthenativewine。Hewouldnotevengotolookatthecompletionoftheworkortotestthewires。

“Youcanseetoit，“hesaid；“IhavedoneallIcan。Nowthingsmusttaketheirchance。”

Afterourmiddaymealhelaydownandsleptquitesoundlyforseveralhours。Aboutfouro"clockthosewhowerelabouringatthepilingupofdébrisoverthemouthofthetunnelcompletedtheirtask，and，inchargeofQuick，weremarchedoutoftheundergroundcity。

ThenHiggsandItooklampsandwentalongthelengthofthewires，whichlayinalittletrenchcoveredoverwithdust，removingthedustandinspectingthematintervals。Discoveringnothingamiss，wereturnedtotheoldtemple，andatitsdoorwaymetthemountaineer，Japhet，whothroughoutalltheseproceedingshadbeenourpropandstay。Indeed，withouthishelpandthatofhisauthorityovertheAbatitheminecouldneverhavebeencompleted，atanyratewithinthetime。

Thelightofthelampshowedthathisfacewasveryanxious。

“Whatisthematter?“Iasked。

“OPhysician，“heanswered，“IhavewordsfortheearoftheCaptainOrme。Bepleasedtoleadmetohim。”

Weexplainedthathesleptandcouldnotbedisturbed，butJaphetonlyansweredasbefore，adding:

“Comeyouwithme，mywordsareforyourearsaswellashis。”