“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，“saidtheSergeantIgivehisremarksinhisownlanguage，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，thoughpainfulasamatteroffact，aftertheyhadset，theykepthimstiffasamummyforsomedays，sothatunlesshestooduponhisfeet，hehadtobecarried，orlierigidonhisfacewouldprobablynotprovefatal?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?“