CHAPTERIV——
THESQUALL
HowdifferentisthescenethatIhavenowtotellfromthatwhichhasjustbeentold！Gonearethequietcollegerooms，gonethewind-swayedEnglishelmsandcawingrooks，andthefamiliarvolumesontheshelves，andintheirplacethererisesavisionofthegreatcalmoceangleaminginshadedsilverlightsbeneaththebeamsofthefullAfricanmoon。Agentlebreezefillsthehugesailsofourdhow，anddrawsusthroughthewaterthatripplesmusicallyagainstoursides。
Mostofthemenaresleepingforward，foritisnearmidnight，butastout，swarthyArab，Mahomedbyname，standsatthetiller，lazilysteeringbythestars。
Threemilesormoretoourstarboardisalowdimline。ItistheeasternshoreofCentralAfrica。Wearerunningtothesouthward，beforethenortheastmonsoon，betweenthemainlandandthereefthatforhundredsofmilesfringesthatperilouscoast。Thenightisquiet，soquietthatawhispercanbeheardforeandaftthedhow;soquietthatafaintboomingsoundrollsacrossthewatertousfromthedistantland。
TheArabatthetillerholdsuphishand，andsaysoneword：“Simbalion！”
Weallsitupandlisten。Thenitcomesagain，aslow，majesticsound，thatthrillsustothemarrow。
“To-morrowbyteno’clock，“Isay，“weought，ifthecaptainisnotoutinhisreckoning，whichIthinkveryprobable，tomakethismysteriousrockwithaman’shead，andbeginourshooting。”
“AndbeginoursearchfortheruinedcityandtheFireofLife，“correctedLeo，takinghispipefromhismouth，andlaughingalittle。
“Nonsense！”Ianswered。“YouwereairingyourArabicwiththatmanatthetillerthisafternoon。Whatdidhetellyou？Hehasbeentradingslave-tradingprobablyupanddowntheselatitudesforhalfofhisiniquitouslife，andoncelandedonthisvery’man’
rock。Didheeverhearanythingoftheruinedcityorthecaves？”
“No，“answeredLeo。“Hesaysthatthecountryisallswampbehind，andfullofsnakes，especiallypythons，andgame，andthatnomanlivesthere。ButthenthereisabeltofswampallalongtheEastAfricancoast，sothatdoesnotgoformuch。”
“Yes，“Isaid，“itdoes——itgoesformalaria。Youseewhatsortofanopinionthesegentryhaveofthecountry。Notoneofthemwillgowithus。Theythinkthatwearemad，anduponmywordIbelievethattheyareright。IfeverweseeoldEnglandagainIshallbeastonished。However，itdoesnotgreatlymattertomeatmyage，butIamanxiousforyou，Leo，andforJob。
It’saTomFool’sbusiness，myboy。”
“Allright，UncleHorace。SofarasIamconcerned，I
amwillingtotakemychance。Look！Whatisthatcloud？”andhepointedtoadarkblotchuponthestarrysky，somemilesasternofus。
“Goandaskthemanatthetiller，“Isaid。
Herose，stretchedhisarms，andwent。Presentlyhereturned。
“Hesaysitisasquall，butitwillpassfarononesideofus。”
JustthenJobcameup，lookingverystoutandEnglishinhisshooting-suitofbrownflannel，andwithasortofperplexedappearanceuponhishonestroundfacethathadbeenverycommonwithhimsincehegotintothesestrangewaters。
“Please，sir，“hesaid，touchinghissunhat，whichwasstuckontothebackofhisheadinasomewhatludicrousfashion，“aswehavegotallthosegunsandthingsinthewhale-boatastern，tosaynothingoftheprovisionsinthelockers，IthinkitwouldbebestifIgotdownandsleptinher。Idon’tlikethelooks“
herehedroppedhisvoicetoaportentouswhisper
“oftheseblackgentry;theyhavesuchawonderfulthievishwayaboutthem。Supposingnowthatsomeofthemweretoslipintotheboatatnightandcutthecable，andmakeoffwithher！Thatwouldbeaprettygo，thatwould。”
Thewhale-boat，Imayexplain，wasonespeciallybuiltforusatDundee，inScotland。Wehadbroughtitwithus，asweknewthatthiscoastwasanetworkofcreeks，andthatwemightrequiresomethingtonavigatethemwith。Shewasabeautifulboat，thirtyfeetinlength，withacentre-boardforsailing，copper-bottomedtokeepthewormoutofher，andfullofwatertightcompartments。Thecaptainofthedhowhadtoldusthatwhenwereachedtherock，whichheknew，andwhichappearedtobeidenticalwiththeonedescribeduponthesherdandbyLeo’sfather，hewouldprobablynotbeabletorunuptoitonaccountoftheshallowsandbreakers。Thereforewehademployedthreehoursthatverymorning，whileweweretotallybecalmed，thewindhavingdroppedatsunrise，intransferringmostofourgoodsandchattelstothewhale-boat，andplacingtheguns，ammunition，andpreservedprovisionsinthewater-tightlockersspeciallypreparedforthem，sothatwhenwedidsightthefabledrockweshouldhavenothingtodobutstepintotheboatandrunherashore。AnotherreasonthatinducedustotakethisprecautionarystepwasthatArabcaptainsareapttorunpastthepointthattheyaremaking，eitherfromcarelessnessorowingtoamistakeinitsidentity。Now，assailorsknow，itisquiteimpossibleforadhowwhichisonlyriggedtorunbeforethemonsoontobeatbackagainstit。
Thereforewegotourboatreadytorowfortherockatanymoment。
“Well，Job，“Isaid，“perhapsitwouldbeaswell。
Therearelotsofblanketsthere，onlybecarefultokeepoutofthemoon，oritmayturnyourheadorblindyou。”
“Lord，sir！Idon’tthinkitwouldmuchmatterifitdid;itisthatturnedalreadywiththesightoftheseblackamoorsandtheirfilthy，thievingways。Theyareonlyfitformuck，theyare;andtheysmellbadenoughforitalready。”
Job，itwillbeperceived，wasnoadmirerofthemannersandcustomsofourdark-skinnedbrothers。
Accordinglywehauleduptheboatbythetow-ropetillitwasrightunderthesternofthedhow，andJobbundledintoherwithallthegraceofafallingsackofpotatoes。Thenwereturnedandsatdownonthedeckagain，andsmokedandtalkedinlittlegustsandjerks。Thenightwassolovely，andourbrainsweresofullofsuppressedexcitementofonesortandanother，thatwedidnotfeelinclinedtoturnin。Fornearlyanhourwesatthus，andthen，Ithink，webothdozedoff。AtleastIhaveafaintrecollectionofLeosleepilyexplainingthattheheadwasnotabadplacetohitabuffalo，ifyoucouldcatchhimexactlybetweenthehorns，orsendyourbulletdownhisthroat，orsomenonsenseofthesort。
ThenIremembernomore;tillsuddenly——afrightfulroarofwind，ashriekofterrorfromtheawakeningcrew，andawhiplikestingofwaterinourfaces。
Someofthemenrantoletgothehalyardsandlowerthesail，buttheparraljammedandtheyardwouldnotcomedown。Isprangtomyfeetandhungontoarope。
Theskyaftwasdarkaspitch，butthemoonstillshonebrightlyaheadofusandlituptheblackness。
Beneathitssheenahugewhite-toppedbreaker，twentyfeethighormore，wasrushingontous。Itwasonthebreak——themoonshoneonitscrestandtippeditsfoamwithlight。Onitrushedbeneaththeinkysky，drivenbytheawfulsquallbehindit。Suddenly，inthetwinklingofaneye，Isawtheblackshapeofthewhale-boatcasthighintotheaironthecrestofthebreakingwave。Then——ashockofwater，awildrushofboilingfoam，andIwasclingingformylifetotheshroud，aye，sweptstraightoutfromitlikeaflaginagale。
Wewerepooped。
Thewavepassed。ItseemedtomethatIwasunderwaterforminutes——reallyitwasseconds。Ilookedforward。Theblasthadtornoutthegreatsail，andhighintheairitwasflutteringawaytoleewardlikeahugewoundedbird。Thenforamomenttherewascomparativecalm，andinitIheardJob’svoiceyellingwildly，“Comeheretotheboat。”
BewilderedandhalfdrownedasIwas，Ihadthesensetorushaft。Ifeltthedhowsinkingundermeshewasfullofwater。Underhercounterthewhale-boatwastossingfuriously，andIsawtheArabMahomed，whohadbeensteering，leapintoher。Igaveonedesperatepullatthetowropetobringtheboatalongside。
WildlyIsprangalso，andJobcaughtmebyonearmandIrolledintothebottomoftheboat。Downwentthedhowbodily，andasshedidsoMahomeddrewhiscurvedknifeandseveredthefibre-ropebywhichwewerefasttoher，andinanothersecondweweredrivingbeforethestormovertheplacewherethedhowhadbeen。
“GreatGod！”Ishrieked，“whereisLeo？Leo！Leo！”
“He’sgone，sir，Godhelphim！”roaredJobintomyear;andsuchwasthefuryofthesquallthathisvoicesoundedlikeawhisper。
Iwrungmyhandsinagony。Leowasdrowned，andIwasleftalivetomournhim。
“Lookout;“yelledJob，“herecomesanother。”
Iturned;asecondhugewavewasovertakingus。Ihalfhopedthatitwoulddrownme。WithacuriousfascinationIwatcheditsawfuladvent。Themoonwasnearlyhiddennowbythewreathsoftherushingstorm，butalittlelightstillcaughtthecrestofthedevouringbreaker。Therewassomethingdarkonit——apieceofwreckage。Itwasonusnow，andtheboatwasnearlyfullofwater。Butshewasbuiltinair-tightcompartments——Heavenblessthemanwhoinventedthem！
andliftedupthroughitlikeaswan。ThroughthefoamandturmoilIsawtheblackthingonthewavehurryingrightatme。Iputoutmyrightarmtowarditfromme，andmyhandclosedonanotherarm，thewristofwhichmyfingersgrippedlikeavise。lamaverystrongman，andhadsomethingtoholdto，butmyarmwasnearlytornfromitssocketbythestrainandweightofthefloatingbody。HadtherushlastedanothertwosecondsImusteitherhaveletgoorgonewithit。Butitpassed，leavingusuptoourkneesinwater。
“Bailout！bailout！”shoutedJob，suitingtheactiontotheword。
ButIcouldnotbailjustthen，forasthemoonwentoutandleftusintotaldarkness，onefaint，flyingrayoflightlituponthefaceofthemanIhadgripped，whowasnowhalflying，halffloatinginthebottomoftheboat。
ItwasLeo。Leobroughtbackbythewave——back，deadoralive，fromtheveryjawsofDeath。
“Bailout！bailout！”yelledJob，“orweshallfounder。”
Iseizedalargetinbowlwithahandletoit，whichwasfixedunderoneoftheseats，andthethreeofusbailedawayfordearlife。Thefurioustempestdroveoverandroundus，flingingtheboatthiswayandthat，thewindandthestormwreathsandthesheetsofstingingsprayblindedandbewilderedus，butthroughitallweworkedlikedemonswiththewildexhilarationofdespair，forevendespaircanexhilarate。Oneminute！threeminutes！sixminutes！
Theboatbegantolighten，andnofreshwaveswampedus。Fiveminutesmore，andshewasfairlyclear。Then，suddenly，abovetheawfulshriekingsofthehurricanecameaduller，deeperroar。Greatheavens！Itwasthevoiceofbreakers！
Atthatmomentthemoonbegantoshineforthagain——
thistimebehindthepathofthesquall。Outfaracrossthetornbosomoftheoceanshottheraggedarrowsofherlight，andthere，halfamileaheadofus，wasawhitelineoffoam，thenalittlespaceofopenmouthedblackness，andthenanotherlineofwhite。
Itwasthebreakers，andtheirroargrewclearerandyetmoreclearaswespeddownuponthemlikeaswallow。Theretheywere，boilingupinsnowyspoutsofspray，smitingandgnashingtogetherlikethegleamingteethofhell。
“Takethetiller，Mahomed！”IroaredinArabic。“Wemusttryandshootthem。”AtthesamemomentIseizedanoar，andgotitout，motioningtoJobtodolikewise。
Mahomedclamberedaft，andgotholdofthetiller，andwithsomedifficultyJob，whohadsometimespulledatubuponthehomelyCam，gotouthisoar。Inanotherminutetheboat’sheadwasstraightontotheever-
nearingfoam，towardswhichsheplungedandtorewiththespeedofaracehorse。Justinfrontofusthefirstlineofbreakersseemedalittlethinnerthantotherightorleft——therewasagapofratherdeeperwater。Iturnedandpointedtoit。
“Steerforyourlife，Mahomed！”Iyelled。Hewasaskilfulsteersman，andwellacquaintedwiththedangersofthismostperilouscoast，andIsawhimgripthetillerandbendhisheavyframeforward，andstareatthefoamingterrortillhisbigroundeyeslookedasthoughtheywouldstartoutofhishead。Thesendoftheseawasdrivingtheboat’sheadroundtostarboard。Ifwestruckthelineofbreakersfiftyyardstostarboardofthegapwemustsink。Itwasagreatfieldoftwisting，spoutingwaves。Mahomedplantedhisfootagainsttheseatbeforehim，and，glancingathimIsawhisbrowntoesspreadoutlikeahandwiththeweightheputuponthemashetookthestrainofthetiller。Shecameroundabit，butnotenough。IroaredtoJobtobackwater，whileIdraggedandlaboredatmyoar。Sheanswerednow，andnonetoosoon。
Heavens，wewereinthem！AndthenfollowedacoupleofminutesofheartbreakingexcitementsuchasI
cannothopetodescribe。AllIrememberisashriekingseaoffoam，outofwhichthebillowsrosehere，there，andeverywhere，likeavengingghostsfromtheiroceangrave。Oncewewereturnedrightround，buteitherbychance，orthroughMahomed’sskilfulsteering，theboat’sheadcamestraightagainbeforeabreakerfilledus。Onemore——amonster。Wewerethroughitoroverit——morethroughthanover——andthen，withawildyellofexultationfromtheArab，weshotoutintothecomparativelysmoothwaterofthemouthofseabetweentheteethlikelinesofgnashingwaves。
Butwewerehalffullofwateragain，andnotmorethanhalfamileaheadwasthesecondlineofbreakers。Againwesettoandbailedfuriously。
Fortunatelythestormhadnowquitegoneby，andthemoonshonebrightly，revealingarockyheadlandrunninghalfamileormoreoutintothesea，ofwhichthissecondlineofbreakersappearedtobeacontinuation。Atanyrate，theyboiledarounditsfoot。Probablytheridgethatformedtheheadlandranoutintotheocean，onlyatalowerlevel，andmadethereefalso。Thisheadlandwasterminatedbyacuriouspeakthatseemednottobemorethanamileawayfromus。Justaswegottheboatprettyclearforthesecondtime，Leo，tomyimmenserelief，openedhiseyesandremarkedthattheclotheshadtumbledoffthebed，andthathesupposeditwastimetogetupforchapel。Itoldhimtoshuthiseyesandkeepquiet，whichhedidwithoutintheslightestdegreerealizingtheposition。Asformyself，hisreferencetochapelmademereflect，withasortofsicklonging，onmycomfortableroomsatCambridge。WhyhadIbeensuchafoolastoleavethem？Thisisareflectionthathasseveraltimesrecurredtomesince，andwithever-
increasingforce。
Butnowagainwearedriftingdownonthebreakers，thoughwithlessenedspeed，forthewindhadfallen，andonlythecurrentorthetideitafterwardsturnedouttobethetidewasdrivingus。
Anotherminute，andwithasortofhowltoAllahfromtheArab，apiousejaculationfrommyself，andsomethingthatwasnotpiousfromJob，wewereinthem。Andthenthewholescene，downtoourfinalescape，repeateditself，onlynotquitesoviolently。
Mahomed’sskilfulsteeringandtheair-tightcompartmentssavedourlives。Infiveminuteswewerethrough，anddrifting——forweweretooexhaustedtodoanythingtohelpourselvesexceptkeepherheadstraight——withthemoststartlingrapidityroundtheheadlandwhichIhavedescribed。
Roundwewentwiththetide，untilwegotwellundertheleeofthepoint，andthensuddenlythespeedslackened，weceasedtomakeway，andfinallyappearedtobeindeadwater。Thestormhadentirelypassed，leavingaclean-washedskybehindit;theheadlandinterceptedtheheavyseathathadbeenoccasionedbythesquall，andthetide，whichhadbeenrunningsofiercelyuptheriverforwewerenowinthemouthofariver，wassluggishbeforeitturned，sowefloatedquietly，andbeforethemoonwentdownmanagedtobailouttheboatthoroughlyandgetheralittleship-
shape。Leowassleepingprofoundly，andonthewholeI
thoughtitwisenottowakehim。Itwastruehewassleepinginwetclothes，butthenightwasnowsowarmthatIthoughtandsodidJobthattheywerenotlikelytoinjureamanofhisunusuallyvigorousconstitution。Besides，wehadnodryonesathand。
Presentlythemoonwentdown，andleftusfloatingonthewaters，nowonlyheavinglikesometroubledwoman’sbreast，givingusleisuretoreflectuponallthatwehadgonethroughandallthatwehadescaped。
Jobstationedhimselfatthebow，Mahomedkepthispostatthetiller，andIsatonaseatinthemiddleoftheboatclosetowhereLeowaslying。
Themoonwentslowlydowninchastenedloveliness;shedepartedlikesomesweetbrideintoherchamber，andlong，veil-likeshadowscreptuptheskythroughwhichthestarspeepedshylyout。Soon，however，theytoobegantopalebeforeasplendorintheeast，andthenthequiveringfootstepsofthedawncamerushingacrossthenew-bornblue，andshooktheplanetsfromtheirplaces。Quieterandyetmorequietgrewthesea，quietasthesoftmistthatbroodedonherbosom，andcovereduphertroubling，astheillusivewreathsofsleepbrooduponapain-rackedmind，causingittoforgetitssorrow。Fromtheeasttothewestspedtheangelsofthedawn，fromseatosea，frommountain-toptomountain-top，scatteringlightwithboththeirhands。Ontheyspedoutofthedarkness，perfect，glorious，likespiritsofthejustbreakingfromthetomb;on，overthequietsea，overthelowcoast-line，andtheswampsbeyond，andthemountainsbeyondthem;
overthosewhosleptinpeace，andthosewhowokeinsorrow;overtheevilandthegood;overthelivinganddead;overthewideworldandallthatbreathesorhasbreathedthereon。
Itwasawonderfullybeautifulsight，andyetsad，perhapsfromtheveryexcessofitsbeauty。Thearisingsun;thesettingsun！Therewehavethesymbolandthetypeofhumanity，andallthingswithwhichhumanityhastodo。Thesymbolandthetype，yes，andtheearthlybeginning，andtheendalso。
Andonthatmorningthiscamehometomewithapeculiarforce。Thesunthatroseto-dayforushadsetlastnightforeighteenofourfellowvoyagers！——
hadsetforeverforeighteenwhomweknew！
Thedhowhadgonedownwiththem，theyweretossingaboutnowamongtherocksandseaweed，somuchhumandriftonthegreatoceanofdeath！Andwefourweresaved。Butonedayasunrisewillcomewhenweshallbeamongthosewhoarelost，andthenotherswillwatchthosegloriousrays，andgrowsadinthemidstofbeauty，anddreamofDeathinthefullglowofarisingLife！
Forthisisthelotofman。
CHAPTERV——
THEHEADOFTHEETHIOPIAN
ATlengththeheraldsandforerunnersoftheroyalsunhaddonetheirwork，and，searchingouttheshadows，causedthemtofleeaway。Thenuphecameingloryfromhisocean-bed，andfloodedtheearthwithwarmthandIsatthereintheboatlisteningtothegentlelappingofthewaterandwatchedhimrise，tillpresentlytheslightdriftoftheboatbroughttheoddshapedrock，orpeak，attheendofthepromontorywhichwehadweatheredwithsomuchperil，betweenmeandthemajesticsight，andblotteditfrommyview。I
stillcontinuedtostareattherock，however，absentlyenough，tillpresentlyitbecameedgedwiththefireofthegrowinglightbehindit，andthenI
started，aswellImight，forIperceivedthatthetopofthepeak，whichwasabouteightyfeethighbyonehundredandfiftythickatitsbase，wasshapedlikeanegro’sheadandface，whereonwasstampedamostfiendishandterrifyingexpression。Therewasnodoubtaboutit;therewerethethicklips，thefatcheeks，andthesquatnosestandingoutwithstartlingclearnessagainsttheflamingbackground。There，too，wastheroundskull，washedintoshapeperhapsbythousandsofyearsofwindandweather，and，tocompletetheresemblance，therewasascrubbygrowthofweedsorlichenuponit，whichagainstthesunlookedforalltheworldlikethewoolonacolossalnegro’shead。Itcertainlywasveryodd;sooddthatnowIbelievethatitisnotamerefreakofnature，butagiganticmonumentfashioned，likethewell-knownEgyptianSphinx，byaforgottenpeopleoutofapileofrockthatlentitselftotheirdesign，perhapsasanemblemofwarninganddefiancetoanyenemieswhoapproachedtheharbor。Unfortunatelywewereneverabletoascertainwhetherornotthiswasthecase，inasmuchastherockwasdifficultofaccessbothfromthelandandthewater-side，andwehadotherthingstoattendto。Myself，consideringthematterbythelightofwhatweafterwardssaw，Ibelievethatitwasfashionedbyman;butwhetherornotthisisso，thereitstands，andsullenlystaresfromagetoageoutacrossthechangingsea——thereitstoodtwothousandyearsandmoreago，whenAmenartas，theEgyptianprincess，andthewifeofLeo’sremoteancestorKallikrates，gazeduponitsdevilishface——andthereI
havenodoubtitwillstillstandwhenasmanycenturiesasarenumberedbetweenherdayandourownareaddedtotheyearthatboreustooblivion。
“Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Job？”Iaskedofourretainer，whowassittingontheedgeoftheboat，tryingtogetasmuchsunshineaspossible，andgenerallylookinguncommonlywretched，andIpointedtothefieryanddemoniacalhead。
“OhLord，sir，“answeredJob，whonowperceivedtheobjectforthefirsttime，“Ithinkthattheoldgentlemanmusthavebeensittingforhisportrait，onthemrocks。”
Ilaughed，andthelaughwokeupLeo。
“Hullo，“hesaid，“What’sthematterwithme？Iamallstiff——whereisthedhow？Givemesomebrandy，please。”
“Youmaybethankfulthatyouarenotstiffer，myboy，“Ianswered。“Thedhowissunk，andeverybodyonboardherisdrowned，withtheexceptionofusfour，andyourownlifewasonlysavedbyamiracle;“andwhileJob，nowthatitwaslightenough，searchedaboutinalockerforthebrandyforwhichLeoasked，Itoldhimthehistoryofournight’sadventure。
“Greatheavens！”hesaid，faintly;“andtothinkthatweshouldhavebeenchosentolivethroughit！”
Bythistimethebrandywasforthcoming，andweallhadagoodpullatit，andthankfulenoughwewereforit。Alsothesunwasbeginningtogetstrength，andwarmourchilledbones，forwehadbeenwetthroughforfivehoursormore。
“Why，“saidLeo，withagaspasheputdownthebrandybottle，“thereistheheadthewritingtalksof，the’rockcarvenliketheheadofanEthiopian。’“
“Yes，“Isaid，“thereitis。”
“Well，then，“heanswered，“thewholethingistrue。”
“Idon’tatallseethatthatfollows，“Ianswered。
“Weknewthisheadwashere，yourfathersawit。Verylikelyitisnotthesameheadthatthewritingtalksof;orifitis，itprovesnothing。”
Leosmiledatmeinasuperiorway。“YouareanunbelievingJew，UncleHorace，“hesaid。“Thosewholivewillsee。”
“Exactlyso，“Ianswered，“andnowperhapsyouwillobservethatwearedriftingacrossasandbankintothemouthoftheriver。Getholdofyouroar，Job，andwewillrowinandseeifwecanfindaplacetoland。”
Theriver-mouthwhichwewereenteringdidnotappeartobeaverywideone，thoughasyetthelongbanksofsteamingmistthatclungaboutitsshoreshadnotliftedsufficientlytoenableustoseeitsexactwidth。Therewas，asisthecasewithnearlyeveryEastAfricanriver，aconsiderablebaratthemouth，which，nodoubt，whenthewindwasonshoreandthetiderunningout，wasabsolutelyimpassableevenforabeatdrawingonlyafewinches。Butasthingswereitwasmanageableenough，andwedidnotshipacupfulofwater。Intwentyminuteswewerewellacrossit，withbutslightassistancefromourselves，andbeingcarriedbyastrongthoughsomewhatvariablebreezewelluptheharbor。Bythistimethemistwasbeingsuckedupbythesun，whichwasgettinguncomfortablyhot，andwesawthatthemouthofthelittleestuarywashereabouthalfamileacross，andthatthebankswereverymarshy，andcrowdedwithcrocodileslyingaboutonthemudlikelogs。Aboutamileaheadofus，however，waswhatappearedtobeastripoffirmland，andforthiswesteered。Inanotherquarterofanhourwewerethere，and，makingtheboatfasttoabeautifultreewithbroad，shiningleaves，andflowersofthemagnoliaspecies，onlytheywererose-coloredandnotwhite，whichhungoverthewater，wedisembarked。Thisdone，weundressed，washedourselves，andspreadourclothesandthecontentsoftheboatinthesuntodry，whichtheyveryquicklydid。Then，takingshelterfromthesunundersometrees，wemadeaheartybreakfastoffa“Paysandu“
pottedtongue，ofwhichwehadbroughtagoodquantitywithusfromtheArmyandNavyStores，congratulatingourselvesloudlyonourgoodfortuneinhavingloadedandprovisionedtheboatonthepreviousday，beforethehurricanedestroyedthedhow。Bythetimethatwehadfinishedourmealourclotheswerequitedry，andwehastenedtogetintothem，feelingnotalittlerefreshed。Indeed，withtheexceptionofwearinessandafewbruises，noneofusweretheworsefortheterrifyingadventurewhichhadbeenfataltoallourcompanions。Leo，itistrue，hadbeenhalfdrowned，butthatisnogreatmattertoavigorousyoungathleteoffive-and-twenty。
Afterbreakfastwestartedtolookaboutus。Wewereonastripofdrylandabouttwohundredyardsbroadbyfivehundredlong，borderedononesidebytheriver，andontheotherthreebyendlessdesolateswamps，thatstretchedasfarastheeyecouldreach。
Thisstripoflandwasraisedabouttwenty-fivefeetabovetheplainofthesurroundingswampsandtheriverlevel;indeed，ithadeveryappearanceofhavingbeenmadebythehandofman。
“Thisplacehasbeenawharf，“saidLeo，dogmatically。
“Nonsense，“Ianswered。“Whowouldbestupidenoughtobuildawharfinthemiddleofthesedreadfulmarshesinacountryinhabitedbysavages，thatisifitisinhabitedatall？”
“Perhapsitwasnotalwaysmarsh，andperhapsthepeoplewerenotalwayssavage，“hesaid，dryly，lookingdownthesteepbankforwewerestandingbytheriver。“Lookthere，“hewenton，pointingtoaspotwherethehurricaneofthepreviousnighthadtornuponeofthemagnolia-trees，whichhadgrownontheextremeedgeofthebankjustwhereitslopeddowntothewater，bytheroots，andliftedalargecakeofearthwiththem。“Isnotthatstonework？Ifnot，itisverylikeit。”
“Nonsense，“Isaid，again，andweclambereddowntothespot，andgotbetweentheupturnedrootsandthebank。
“Well？”hesaid。
ButIdidnotanswerthistime。Ionlywhistled。Forthere，laidbarebytheremovaloftheearth，wasanundoubtedfacingofsolidstonelaidinlargeblocksandboundtogetherwithbrowncement，sohardthatI
couldmakenoimpressiononitwiththefileinmyshooting-knife。Norwasthisall;seeingsomethingprojectingthroughthesoilatthebottomofthebaredpatchofwalling，Iremovedthelooseearthwithmyhands，andrevealedahugestonering，afootormoreindiameter，andaboutthreeinchesthick。Thisfairlystaggeredme。
“Looksratherlikeawharfwheregood-sizedvesselshavebeenmoored，doesitnot，UncleHorace？”saidLeo，withanexcitedgrin。
Itriedtosay“Nonsense“again，butthewordstuckinmythroat——theringspokeforitself。Insomepastagevessels_i_had_i_beenmooredthere，andthisstonewallwasundoubtedlytheremnantofasolidlyconstructedwharf。Probablythecitytowhichithadbelongedlayburiedbeneaththeswampbehindit。
“Beginstolookasthoughthereweresomethinginthestoryafterall，UncleHorace，“saidtheexultantLeo;
and，reflectingonthemysteriousnegro’sheadandtheequallymysteriousstonework，Imadenodirectreply。
“AcountrylikeAfrica，“Isaid，“issuretobefulloftherelicsoflongdeadandforgottencivilizations。NobodyknowstheageoftheEgyptiancivilization，andverylikelyithadoffshoots。ThenthereweretheBabyloniansandthePhoenicians，andthePersians，andallmannerofpeople，allmoreorlesscivilized，tosaynothingoftheJews，whomeverybody’wants’nowadays。Itispossiblethatthey，oranyoneofthem，mayhavehadcoloniesortrading-
stationsabouthere。RememberthoseburiedPersiancitiesthattheconsulshowedusatKilwa。”
“Quiteso，“saidLeo，“butthatisnotwhatyousaidbefore。”
“Well，whatistobedonenow？”Iasked，turningtheconversation。
Asnoanswerwasforthcomingweproceededtotheedgeoftheswamp，andlookedoverit。Itwasapparentlyboundless，andvastflocksofeverysortofwaterfowlcameflyingfromitsrecesses，tillitwassometimesdifficulttoseethesky。Nowthatthesunwasgettinghighitdrewthin，sicklylookingcloudsofpoisonousvaporfromthesurfaceofthemarshandfromthescummypoolsofstagnantwater。
“Twothingsarecleartome，“Isaid，addressingmythreecompanions，whostaredatthisspectacleindismay：“first，thatwecan’tgoacrossthere“I
pointedtotheswamp，“and，secondly，thatifwestophereweshallcertainlydieoffever。”
“That’sasclearasahaystack，sir，“saidJob。
“Verywell，then;therearetwoalternativesbeforeus。Oneisto’boutship，andtryandrunforsomeportinthewhale-boat，whichwouldbeasufficientlyriskyproceeding，andtheothertosailorrowonuptheriver，andseewherewecometo。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyouaregoingtodo，“saidLeo，settinghismouth，“butIamgoingupthatriver。”
Jobturnedupthewhitesofhiseyesandgroaned，andtheArabmurmured“Allah，“andgroanedalso。Asforme，Iremarkedsweetlythatasweseemedtobebetweenthedevilandthedeepsea，itdidnotmuchmatterwherewewent。ButinrealityIwasasanxioustoproceedasLeo。Thecolossalnegro’sheadandthestonewharfhadexcitedmycuriositytoanextentofwhichIwassecretlyashamed，andIwaspreparedtogratifyitatanycost。Accordingly，havingcarefullyfittedthemast，restowedtheboat，andgotoutourrifles，weembarked。Fortunatelythewindwasblowingonshorefromtheocean，sowewereabletohoistthesail。Indeed，weafterwardsfoundoutthatasageneralrulethewindsetonshorefromdaybreakforsomehours，andoffshoreagainatsunset，andtheexplanationthatIofferofthisis，thatwhentheearthiscooledbythedewandthenightthehotairrises，andthedraughtrushesinfromtheseatillthesunhasoncemoreheateditthrough。Atleastthatappearedtobetherulehere。
Takingadvantageofthisfavoringwind，wesailedmerrilyuptheriverforthreeorfourhours。Oncewecameacrossaschoolofhippopotami，whichrose，andbelloweddreadfullyatuswithintenoradozenfathomsoftheboat，muchtoJob’salarm，and，Iwillconfess，tomyown。Thesewerethefirsthippopotamithatwehadeverseen，and，tojudgebytheirinsatiablecuriosity，Ishouldjudgethatwewerethefirstwhitementhattheyhadeverseen。Uponmywordlonceortwicethoughtthattheywerecomingintotheboattogratifyit。Leowantedtofireatthem，butI
dissuadedhim，fearingtheconsequences。Alsowesawhundredsofcrocodilesbaskingonthemuddybanks，andthousandsuponthousandsofwaterfowl。Someoftheseweshot，andamongthemwasawildgoose，which，inadditiontothesharpcurvedspursonitswings，hadaspuraboutthreequartersofaninchlonggrowingfromtheskulljustbetweentheeyes。Wenevershotanotherlikeit，soIdonotknowifitwasa“sport“oradistinctspecies。Inthelattercasethisincidentmayinterestnaturalists。JobnamedittheUnicornGoose。
Aboutmiddaythesungrewintenselyhot，andthestenchdrawnupbyitfromthemarsheswhichtheriverdrainswassomethingtooawful，andcausedusinstantlytoswallowprecautionarydosesofquinine。
Shortlyafterwardsthebreezediedawayaltogether，and，asrowingourheavyboatagainststreamintheheatwasoutofthequestion，wewerethankfulenoughtogetundertheshadeofagroupoftrees——aspeciesofwillow——thatgrewbytheedgeoftheriver，andliethereandgasptillatlengththeapproachofsunsetputaperiodtoourmiseries。Seeingwhatappearedtobeanopenspaceofwaterstraightaheadofus，wedeterminedtorowtherebeforesettlingwhattodoforthenight。Justaswewereabouttoloosentheboat，however，abeautifulwater-buck，withgreathornscurvingforward，andawhitestripeacrosstherump，camedowntotherivertodrink，withoutperceivingushiddenawaywithinfiftyyardsunderthewillows。Leowasthefirsttocatchsightofit，andbeinganardentsportsman，thirstingforthebloodofbiggame，aboutwhichhehadbeendreamingformonths，heinstantlystiffenedallover，andpointedlikeasetterdog。Seeingwhatwasthematter，Ihandedhimhisexpressrifle，atthesametimetakingmyown。
“Nowthen，“Iwhispered，“mindyoudon’tmiss。”
“Miss！”hewhisperedback，contemptuously;“IcouldnotmissitifItried。”
Heliftedtherifle，andtheroan-coloredbuck，havingdrunkhisfill，raisedhisheadandlookedoutacrosstheriver。Hewasstandingrightagainstthesunsetskyonalittleeminence;orridgeofground，whichranacrosstheswamp，evidentlyafavoritepathforgame，andtherewassomethingverybeautifulabouthim。Indeed，IdonotthinkthatifIlivetoahundredIshalleverforgetthatdesolateandyetmostfascinatingscene;itisstampeduponmymemory。Totherightandleftwerewidestretchesoflonely，death-breedingswamp，unbrokenandunrelievedsofarastheeyecouldreach，excepthereandtherebypondsofblackandpeatywaterthat，mirror-like，flasheduptheredraysofthesettingsun。Behindusandbeforestretchedthevistaofthesluggishriver，endinginglimpsesofareed-fringedlagoon，onthesurfaceofwhichthelonglightsoftheeveningplayedasthefaintbreezestirredtheshadows。Tothewestloomedthehugeredballofthesinkingsun，nowvanishingdownthevaporyhorizon，andfillingthegreatheaven，highacrosswhosearchthecranesandwildfowlstreamedinline，square，andtriangle，withflashesofflyinggoldandtheluridstainofblood。Andthenourselves——threemodernEnglishmeninamodernEnglishboat——seemingtojaruponandlookingoutoftonewiththatmeasurelessdesolation;andinfrontofusthenoblebucklimnedoutuponabackgroundofruddysky。
_i_Bang！_i_Awayhegoeswithamightybound。Leohasmissedhim。_i_Bang！_i_rightunderhimagain。
Nowforashot。Imusthaveone，thoughheisgoinglikeanarrow，andahundredyardsawayandmore。ByJove！overandoverandover！“Well，IthinkI’vewipedyoureyethere，MasterLeo，“Isay，strugglingagainsttheungenerousexultationthatinsuchasuprememomentofone’sexistencewillriseinthebest-manneredsportsman’sbreast。
“Confoundyou，yes，“growledLeo;andthen，withthatquicksmilethatisoneofhischarmslightinguphishandsomefacewitharayoflight，“Ibegyourpardon，oldfellow。Icongratulateyou;itwasalovelyshot，andminewerevile。”
Wegotoutoftheboatandrantothebuck，whichwasshotthroughthespineandstonedead。Ittookusaquarterofanhourormoretocleanitandcutoffasmuchofthebestmeataswecouldcarry，and，havingpackedthisaway，wehadbarelylightenoughtorowupintothelagoon-likespace，intowhich，therebeingahollowintheswamp，theriverhereexpanded。Justasthelightvanishedwecastanchoraboutthirtyfathomsfromtheedgeofthelake。Wedidnotdaretogoashore，notknowingifweshouldfinddrygroundtocampon，andgreatlyfearingthepoisonousexhalationsfromthemarsh，fromwhichwethoughtweshouldbefreeronthewater。Sowelightedalantern，andmadeoureveningmealoffanotherpottedtongueinthebestfashionthatwecould，andthenpreparedtogotosleep，only，however，tofindthatsleepwasimpossible。For，whethertheywereattractedbythelantern，orbytheunaccustomedsmellofawhiteman，forwhichtheyhadbeenwaitingforthelastthousandyearsorso，Iknownot;butcertainlywewerepresentlyattackedbytensofthousandsofthemostbloodthirsty，pertinacious，andhugemosquitoesthatI
eversaworreadof。Incloudstheycame，andpingedandbuzzedandbittillwewerenearlymad。Tobaccosmokeonlyseemedtostirthemintoamerrierandmoreactivelife，tillatlengthweweredriventocoveringourselveswithblankets，headandall，andsittingtoslowlystewandcontinuallyscratchandswearbeneaththem。Andaswesat，suddenlyrollingoutlikethunderthroughthesilencecamethedeeproarofalion，andthenofasecondlion，movingamongthereedswithinsixtyyardsofus。
“Isay，“saidLeo，stickinghisheadoutfromunderhisblanket，“luckyweain’tonthebank，eh，avuncular？”Leosometimesaddressedmeinthisdisrespectfulway。“Curseit！amosquitohasbittenmeonthenose，“andtheheadvanishedagain。
Shortly，afterthisthemooncameup，andnotwithstandingeveryvarietyofroarthatechoedoverthewatertousfromthelionsonthebanks，webegan，thinkingourselvesperfectlysecure，tograduallydozeoff。
Idonotquiteknowwhatitwasthatmademepokemyheadoutofthefriendlyshelteroftheblanket，perhapsbecauseIfoundthatthemosquitoeswerebitingrightthroughit。Anyhow，asIdidsoIheardJobwhisper，afrightenedvoice——
“Oh，mystars，lookthere！”
Instantlyweallofuslooked，andthiswaswhatwesawinthemoonlight。Neartheshoreweretwowideandever-wideningcirclesofconcentricringsripplingawayacrossthesurfaceofthewater，andintheheartandcentreofthecirclesweretwodarkmovingobjects。
“Whatisit？”askedI。
“Itisthosedamnedlions，sir，“answeredJob，inatonewhichwasanoddmixtureofasenseofpersonalinjury，habitualrespect，andacknowledgedfear，“andtheyareswimmingheretoheatus，“headded，nervouslypickingupan“h“inhisagitation。
Ilookedagain，therewasnodoubtaboutit;Icouldcatchtheglareoftheirferociouseyes。Attractedeitherbythesmellofthenewlykilledwaterbuckmeatorofourselves，thehungrybeastswereactuallystormingourposition。
Leoalreadyhadhisrifleinhishand。Icalledtohimtowaittilltheywerenearer，andmeanwhilegrabbedmyown。Somefifteenfeetfromusthewatershallowedonabanktothedepthofaboutfifteeninches，andpresentlythefirstofthem——itwasthelioness——gotontoitandshookherselfandroared。AtthatmomentLeofired，andthebulletwentrightdownheropenmouthandoutatthebackofherneck，anddownshedropped，withasplash，dead。Theotherlion——afull-
grownmale——wassometwopacesbehindher。Atthissecondhegothisforepawsontothebank，whenastrangethinghappened。Therewasarushanddisturbanceofthewater，suchasoneseesinapondinEnglandwhenapiketakesalittlefish，onlyathousandtimesfiercerandlarger，andsuddenlytheliongaveamostterrificsnarlingroarandsprangforwardontothebank，draggingsomethingblackwithhim。
“Allah！”shoutedMahomed，“acrocodilehasgothimbytheleg！”andsureenoughhehad。Wecouldseethelongsnoutwithitsgleaminglinesofteethandthereptilebodybehindit。
Andthenfollowedanextraordinaryscene，indeed。Thelionmanagedtogetwellontothebank，thecrocodilehalfstandingandhalfswimming，stillnippinghishind-leg。Heroaredtilltheairquiveredwiththesound，andthen，withasavage，shriekingsnarl，turnedroundandclawedholdofthecrocodile’shead。
Thecrocodileshiftedhisgrip，having，asweafterwardsdiscovered，hadoneofhiseyestornout，andslightlyturnedover，andinstantlytheliongothimbythethroatandheldon，andthenoverandovertheyrolleduponthebank，strugglinghideously。Itwasimpossibletofollowtheirmovements，butwhennextwegotaclearviewthetableshadturned，forthecrocodile，whoseheadseemedtobeamassofgore，hadgotthelion’sbodyinhisironjawsjustabovethehips，andwassqueezinghimandshakinghimtoandfro。Forhispartthetorturedbrute，roaringinagony，wasclawingandbitingmadlyathisenemy’sscalyhead，andfixinghisgreathindclawsinthecrocodile’s，comparativelyspeaking，softthroat，rippingitopenasonewouldripaglove。
Then，allofasudden，theendcame。Thelion’sheadfellforwardonthecrocodile’sback，andwithanawfulgroanhedied，andthecrocodile，afterstandingforaminutemotionless，slowlyrolledoverontohisside，hisjawsstillfixedacrossthecarcassofthelion，whichweafterwardsfoundhehadbittenalmostinhalves。
Thisdueltothedeathwasawonderfulandashockingsight，andonethatIsupposefewmenhaveseen——andthusitended。
Whenitwasallover，leavingMahomedtokeepalookout，wemanagedtospendtherestofthenightasquietlyasthemosquitoeswouldallow。
CHAPTERVI——
ANEARLYCHRISTIANCEREMONY
Nextmorning，attheearliestblushofdawn，werose，performedsuchablutionsascircumstanceswouldallow，andgenerallymadereadytostart。Iamboundtosaythatwhentherewassufficientlighttoenableustoseeeachother’sfacesI，forone，burstoutintoaroaroflaughter。Job’sfatandcomfortablecountenancewasswollenouttonearlytwiceitsnormalsizefrommosquitobites，andLeo’sconditionwasnotmuchbetter。Indeed，ofthethreeIhadcomeoffmuchthebest，probablyowingtothetoughnessofmydarkskin，andtothefactthatagooddealofitwascoveredbyhair，forsincewestartedfromEnglandI
hadallowedmynaturallyluxuriantbeardtogrowatitsownsweetwill。Buttheothertwowere，comparativelyspeaking，cleanshaved，whichofcoursegavetheenemyalargerextentofopencountrytooperateon，thoughasforMahomed，themosquitoes，recognizingthetasteofatruebeliever，wouldnottouchhimatanyprice。Howoften，Iwonder，duringthenextweekorsodidwewishthatwewereflavoredlikeanArab！
Bythetimethatwehaddonelaughingasheartilyasourswollenlipswouldallow，itwasdaylight，andthemorningbreezewascomingupfromthesea，cuttinglanesthroughthedensemarshmists，andhereandthererollingthembeforeitingreatballsoffleecyvapor。Sowesetoursail，andhavingfirsttakenalookatthetwodeadlionsandthedeadalligator，whichwewereofcourseunabletoskin，beingdestituteofmeansofcuringthepelts，westarted，and，sailingthroughthelagoon，followedthecourseoftheriveronthefartherside。Atmidday，whenthebreezedropped，wewerefortunateenoughtofindaconvenientpieceofdrylandonwhichtocampandlightafire，andherewecookedtwowildduckandsomeofthewaterbuck’sflesh——notinaveryappetizingway，itistrue，butstillsufficiently。
Therestofthebuck’sfleshwecutintostripsandhunginthesuntodryinto“biltong，“asIbelieveSouthAfricanDutchcallfleshthusprepared。Onthiswelcomepatchofdrylandwestoppeduntilthefollowingdawn，and，asbefore，spentthenightinwarfarewiththemosquitoes，butwithoutothertroubles。Thenextdayortwopassedinsimilarfashion，andwithoutnoticeableadventures，exceptthatweshotaspecimenofapeculiarlygracefulhornlessbuck，andsawmanyvarietiesofwater-liliesinfullbloom，someofthemblueandofexquisitebeauty，thoughfewoftheflowerswereperfect，owingtotheprevalenceofawhitewater-maggotwithagreenheadthatfeduponthem。
Itwasonthefifthdayofourjourney，whenwehadtravelled，sofaraswecouldreckon，aboutonehundredandthirty-fivetoahundredandfortymileswestwardfromthecoast，thatthefirsteventofanyrealimportanceoccurred。Onthatmorningtheusualwindfailedusabouteleveno’clock，andafterpullingalittlewaywewereforcedtohaltmoreorlessexhaustedatwhatappearedtobethejunctionofourstreamwithanotherofauniformwidthofaboutfiftyfeet。Sometreesgrewnearathand——theonlytreesinallthiscountrywerealongthebanksoftheriver——
andunderthesewerested，andthen，thelandbeingfairlydryjusthere，walkedalittlewayalongtheedgeoftherivertoprospect，andshootafewwaterfowlforfood。Beforewehadgonefiftyyardsweperceivedthatallhopesofgettingfartherupthestreaminthewhale-boatwereatanend，fornottwohundredyardsabovewherewehadstoppedwereasuccessionofshallowsandmud-banks，withnotsixinchesofwateroverthem。Itwasawatery_i_cul-de-
sac_i_。
Turningback，wewalkedsomewayalongthebanksoftheotherriver，andsooncametotheconclusion，fromvariousindications，thatitwasnotariveratall，butanancientcanal，liketheonewhichistobeseenaboveMombasa，ontheZanzibarcoast，connectingtheTanaRiverwiththeOzy，insuchawayastoenabletheshippingcomingdowntheTanatocrosstotheOzy，andreachtheseabyit，andthusavoidtheverydangerousbarthatblocksthemouthoftheTuna。Thecanalbeforeushadevidentlybeendugoutbymanatsomeremoteperiodoftheworld’shistory，andtheresultsofhisdiggingstillremainedintheshapeoftheraisedbanksthathadnodoubtonceformedtowing-
paths。Excepthereandthere，wheretheyhadbeenhollowedoutorfallenin，thesebanksofstiff，bindingclaywereatauniformdistancefromeachother，andthedepthofthewateralsoappearedtobeuniform。Currenttherewaslittleornone，and，asaconsequence，thesurfaceofthecanalwaschokedwithvegetablegrowth，intersectedbylittlepathsofclearwater，made，Isuppose，bytheconstantpassageofwaterfowl，iguanas，andothervermin。Now，asitwasevidentthatwecouldnotproceeduptheriver，itbecameequallyevidentthatwemusteithertrythecanalorelsereturntothesea。Wecouldnotstopwherewewere，tobebakedbythesunandeatenupbythemosquitoes，tillwediedoffeverin。thatdrearymarsh。
“Well，Isupposethatwemosttryit，“Isaid;andtheothersassentedintheirvariousways——Leo，asthoughitwerethebestjokeintheworld;Job，inrespectfuldisgust;andMahomed，withaninvocationtotheProphet，andacomprehensivecurseuponallunbelieversandtheirwaysofthoughtandtravel。
Accordingly，assoonasthesungotlow，havinglittleornothingmoretohopefor-fromourfriendlywind，westared。Forthefirsthourorsowemanagedtorowtheboat，thoughwithgreatlabor;butafterthattheweedsgottoothicktoallowofit，andwewere，obligedtoresorttotheprimitiveandmostexhaustingresourceoftowingher。Fortwohourswelabored，Mahomed，Job，andI，whowassupposedtobestrongenoughtopullagainstthetwoofthem，onthebank，whileLeosatinthebowoftheboat，andbrushedawaytheweedswhichcollectedroundthecutwaterwithMahomed’ssword。Atdarkwehaltedforsomehourstorestandenjoythemosquitoes，butaboutmidnightwewentonagain，takingadvantageofthecomparativecoolofthenight。Atdawnwerestedforthreehours，andthenstartedoncemore，andlaboredontillaboutteno’clock，whenathunderstorm，accompaniedbyadelugeofrain，overtookus，andwespentthenextsixhourspracticallyunderwater。
Idonotknowthatthereisanynecessityformetodescribethenextfourdaysofourvoyageindetail，furtherthantosaythattheywere，onthewhole，themostmiserablethatIeverspentinmylife，formingonemonotonousrecordofheavylabor，heat，misery，andmosquitoes。Allthewaywepassedthrougharegionofalmostendlessswamp，andIcanonlyattributeourescapefromfeveranddeathtotheconstantdosesofquinineandpurgativeswhichwetook，andtheunceasingtoilwhichwewereforcedtoundergo。Onthethirddayofourjourneyupthecanalwehadsightedaroundhillthatloomeddimlythroughthevaporsofthemarsh，andontheeveningofthefourthnight，whenwecamped，thishillseemedtobewithinfive-and-twentyorthirtymilesofus。Wewerebynowutterlyexhausted，andfeltasthoughourblisteredhandscouldnotpulltheboatayardfarther，andthatthebestthingthatwecoulddowouldbetoliedownand。
dieinthatdreadfulwildernessofswamp。Itwasanawfulposition，andonein。whichItrustnootherwhitemanwilleverbeplaced;andasIthrewmyselfdownintheboattosleepthesleepofutterexhaustion，Ibitterlycursedmyfollyineverhavingbeenapartytosuchamadundertaking，whichcould，I
saw，onlyendinourdeathinthisghastlyland。I
thought，Iremember，asIslowlysankintoadoze，ofwhattheappearanceoftheboatandherunhappycrewwouldbeintwoorthreemonths’timefromthatnight。
Thereshewouldlie，withgapingseamsandhalffilledwithfetidwater，which，whenthemist-ladenwindstirredher，wouldwashbackwardandforwardthroughourmoulderingbones，andthatwouldbetheendofher，andofthoseinherwhowouldfollowaftermythsandseekoutthesecretsofnature。
AlreadyIseemedtohearthewaterripplingagainstthedesiccatedbonesandrattlingthemtogether，rollingmyskullagainstMahomed’s，andhisagainstmine，tillatlastMahomed’sstoodstraightupuponitsvertebrae，andglaredatmethroughitsemptyeyeholes，andcursedmewithitsgrinningjaws，becauseI，adogofaChristian，disturbedthelastsleepofatruebeliever。Iopenedmyeyes，andshudderedatthehorriddream，andthenshudderedagainatsomethingthatwasnotadream，fortwogreateyesweregleamingdownatmethroughthemistydarkness。Istruggledup，andinmyterrorandconfosionshrieked，andshriekedagain，sothattheothersspranguptoo，reeling，anddrunkenwithsleepandfear。Andthenallofasuddentherewasaflashofcoldsteel，andagreatspearwasheldagainstmythroat，andbehinditotherspearsgleamedcruelly。
“Peace，“saidavoice，speakinginArabic，orratherinsomedialectintowhichArabicenteredverylargely;“whoareyewhocomehitherswimmingonthewater？Speakoryedie，“andthesteelpressedsharplyagainstmythroat，sendingacoldchilithroughme。
“Wearetravellers，andhavecomehitherbychance，“I
answeredinmybestArabic，whichappearedtobeunderstood，forthemanturnedhisheadand，addressingatallformthattoweredupinthebackground，said，“Father，shallweslay？”
“Whatisthecolorofthemen？”saidadeepvoiceinanswer。
“Whiteistheircolor。”
“Slaynot，“wasthereply。“Foursunssincewasthewordbroughttomefrom_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_
，’Whitemencome;ifwhitemencome，slaythemnot。
Letthembebroughttothelandof_i_She-who-must-
be-obeyed_i_。’Bringforththemen，andletthatwhichtheyhavewiththembebroughtforthalso。”
“Come，“saidtheman，halfleadingandhalfdraggingmefromtheboat，andashedidsoIperceivedothermendoingthesamekindofficetomycompanions。
Onthebankweregatheredacompanyofsomefiftymen。
InthatlightallIcouldmakeoutwasthattheywerearmedwithhugespearswereverytall，andstronglybuilt，comparativelylightincolor，andnude，saveforaleopardskintiedroundthemiddle。
PresentlyLeoandJobwerebundledoutandplacedbesideme。
“Whatonearthisup？”saidLeo，rubbinghiseyes。
“Oh，Lord！sir，here’sarumgo，“ejaculatedJob;andjustatthatmomentadisturbanceensued，andMahomedcametumblingbetweenus，followedbyashadowyformwithanup-liftedspear。
“Allah！Allah！”howledMahomed，feelingthathehadlittletohopefromman，“protectme！protectme！”
“Father，itisablackone，“saidavoice。“Whatsaid’She-who-must-be-obeyed’abouttheblackone？”
“Shesaidnaught;butslayhimnot。Comehither，myson。”
Themanadvanced，andthetail，shadowyformbentforwardandwhisperedsomething。
“Yes，yes，“saidtheother，andchuckledinaratherblood-curdlingtone。
“Arethethreewhitementhere？”askedtheform。
“Yes，theyarethere。”
“Thenbringupthatwhichismadereadyforthem，andletthementakeallthatcanbebroughtfromthethingwhichfloats。”
Hardlyhadhespokenwhenmencamerunningup，carryingontheirshouldersneithermorenorlessthanpalanquins——fourbearersandtwosparementoapalanquin——andintheseitwaspromptlyindicatedwewereexpectedtostowourselves。
“Well！”saidLeo，“itisablessingtofindanybodytocarryusafterhavingtocarryourselvessolong。”’
Leoalwaystakesacheerfulviewofthings。
Therebeingnohelpforit，afterseeingtheothersintotheirsItumbledintomyownlitter，andverycomfortableIfoundit。Itappearedtobemanufacturedofclothwovenfromgrassfibre，whichstretchedandyieldedtoeverymotionafterthebody，and，beingboundtopandbottomtothebearingpole，gaveagratefulsupporttotheheadandneck。
ScarcelyhadIsettledmyselfwhen，accompanyingtheirstepswithamonotonoussong，thebearersstartedataswingingtrot。ForhalfanhourorsoIlaystill，reflectingontheveryremarkableexperiencesthatweweregoingthrough，andwonderingifanyofmyeminentlyrespectablefossilfriendsdownatCambridgewouldbelievemeifIweretobemiraculouslysetatthefamiliardinner-tableforthepurposeofrelatingthem。Idon’twanttoconveyanydisrespectfulnotionorslightwhenIcallthosegoodandlearnedmenfossils，butmyexperienceisthatpeopleareapttofossilizeevenatauniversityiftheyfollowthesamepathstoopersistently。Iwasgettingfossilizedmyself，butoflatemystockofideashasbeenverymuchenlarged。Well，Ilayandreflected，andwonderedwhatonearthwouldbetheendofitall，tillatlastlceasedtowonder，andwenttosleep。
IsupposeImusthavesleptforsevenoreighthours，gettingthefirstrealrestthatIhadhadsincethenightbeforethelossofthedhow，forwhenIwokethesunwashighintheheavens。Wewerestilljourneyingonatapaceofaboutfourmilesanhour。Peepingoutthroughthemistlikecurtainsofthelitter，whichwereingeniouslyfixedtothebearingpole，I
perceivedtomyinfinitereliefthatwehadpassedoutoftheregionofeternalswamp，andwerenowtravellingoverswellinggrassyplainstowardsacup-
shapedhill。WhetherornotitwasthesamehillthatwehadseenfromthecanalIdonotknow，andhaveneversincebeenabletodiscover，for，asweafterwardsfoundout，thesepeoplewillgivelittleinformationuponsuchpoints。NextIglancedatthemenwhowerebearingme。Theywereofamagnificentbuild，fewofthembeingundersixfeetinheight，andyellowishincolor。GenerallytheirappearancehadagooddealincommonwiththatoftheEastAfricanSomali，onlytheirhairwasnotfrizzedup，andhunginthickblacklocksupontheirshoulders。Theirfeatureswereaquiline，andinmanycasesexceedinglyhandsome，theteethbeingespeciallyregularandbeautiful。Butnotwithstandingtheirbeauty，itstruckmethat，onthewhole，Ihadneverseenamoreevillookingsetoffaces。Therewasanaspectofcoldandsullencrueltystampeduponthemthatrevoltedme，andwhichinsomecaseswasalmostuncannyinitsintensity。
Anotherthingwhichstruckmeaboutthemwasthattheyneverseemedtosmile。SometimestheysangthemonotonoussongofwhichIhavespoken，butwhentheywerenotsingingtheyremainedalmostperfectlysilent，andthelightofalaughnevercametobrightentheirsombreandevilcountenances。Ofwhatracecouldthesepeoplebe？TheirlanguagewasabastardArabic，andyettheywerenotArabs;Iwasquitesureofthat。Foronethingtheyweretoodark，or，rather，yellow。Icouldnotsaywhy，butIknowthattheirappearancefilledmewithasickfearofwhichIfeltashamed。WhileIwasstillwonderinganotherlittercameupalongsideofmine。Init——forthecurtainsweredrawn——satanoldman，clothedinawhitishrobe，madeapparentlyfromcoarselinen，thathunglooselyabouthim，who，Iatoncejumpedtotheconclusion，wastheshadowyfigurewhohadstoodonthebankandbeenaddressedas“Father。”
Hewasawonderful-lookingoldman，withasnowybeard，solongthattheendsofithungoverthesidesofthelitter，andhehadahookednose，abovewhichflashedoutapairofeyesaskeenasasnake’s，whilehiswholecountenancewasinstinctwithalookofwiseandsardonichumorimpossibletodescribeonpaper。
“Artthouawake，stranger？”hesaid，inadeepandlowvoice。
“Surely，myfather，“Ianswered，courteously，feelingcertainthatIshoulddowelltoconciliatethisancientMammonofUnrighteousness。
Hestrokedhisbeautifulwhitebeard，andsmiledfaintly。
“Fromwhatevercountrythoucamest，“hesaid，“and，bytheway，itmustbefromonewheresomewhatofourlanguageisknown，theyteachtheirchildrencourtesythere，mystrangerson。Andnow，whereforecomestthouuntothisland，whichscarceanalienfoothaspressedfromthetimethatmanknoweth？Artthouandthosewiththeewearyoflife？”
“’Wecametofindnewthings，“Iansweredboldly。“Wearetiredoftheoldthings;wehavecomeupoutoftheseatoknowthatwhichisunknown。Weareofabraveracewhofearnotdeath，myverymuchrespectedfather——thatis，ifwecangetalittlefreshinformationbeforewedie。”
“Humph！”saidtheoldgentleman，“thatmaybetrue;itisrashtocontradict，otherwiseIshouldsaythatthouwastlying，myson。However，Idaresaythat_i_
She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_willmeetthywishesinthematter。”
“Whois’_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_’？”Iasked，curiously。
Theoldmanglancedatthebearers，andthenanswered，withalittlesmilethatsomehowsentmybloodtomyheart——
“Surely，mystrangerson，thouwiltlearnsoonenough，ifitbeherpleasuretoseetheeatallintheflesh。”
“Intheflesh？”Ianswered。“Whatmaymyfatherwishtoconvey？”
Buttheoldmanonlylaughedadreadfullaugh，andmadenoreply。
“Whatisthenameofmyfather’speople？”Iasked。
“ThenameofmypeopleisAmahagger“thePeopleoftheRocks。
“And，if。asonmightask，whatisthenameofmyfather？”
“MynameisBillali。”
“Andwhithergowe，myfather？”
“Thatshaltthousee，“andatasignfromhimhisbearersstaredforwardataruntilltheyreachedthelitterinwhichJobwasreposingwithoneleghangingovertheside。Apparently，however，hecouldnotmakemuchoutofJob，forpresentlyIsawhisbearerstrotforwardtoLeo’slitter。
Andafterthat，asnothingfreshoccurred，Iyieldedtothepleasantswayingmotionofthelitter，andwenttosleepagain。Iwasdreadfullytired。WhenIwokeI
foundthatwewerepassingthrougharockydefileofalavaformationwithprecipitoussides，inwhichgrewmanybeautifultreesandfloweringshrubs。
Presentlythisdefiletookaturn，andalovelysightunfoldeditselftomyeyes。Beforeuswasavastcupofgreenfromfourtosixmilesinextent，oftheshapeofaRomanamphitheatre。Thesidesofthisgreatcupwererocky，andclothedwithbush，butthecentrewasoftherichestmeadowland，studdedwithsingletreesofmagnificentgrowth，andwateredbymeanderingbrooks。Onthisrichplaingrazedherdsofgoatsandcattle，butIsawnosheep。AtfirstIcouldnotimaginewhatthisstrangespotcouldbe，butpresentlyitflasheduponmethatitmustrepresentthecraterofsomelong-extinctvolcano，whichhadafterwardsbeenalake，andwasultimatelydrainedinsomeunexplainedway。AndhereImaystatethatfrommysubsequentexperienceofthisandamuchlarger，butotherwisesimilarspot，whichIshallhaveoccasiontodescribebyandby，Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethatthisconclusionwascorrect。Whatpuzzledme，however，wasthat，althoughtherewerepeoplemovingaboutherdingthegoatsandcattle，Isawnosignsofanyhumanhabitation。Wheredidtheyalllive？I
wondered。Mycuriositywassoondestinedtobegratified。Turningtotheleft，thestringoflittersfollowedthecliffysidesofthecraterforadistanceofabouthalfamile，orperhapsalittleless，andthenhalted。Seeingtheoldgentleman，myadopted“father，“Billali，emergefromhislitter，Ididthesame，andsodidLeoandJob。ThefirstthingIsawwasourwretchedArabcompanion，Mahomed，lyingexhaustedontheground。Itappearedthathehadnotbeenprovidedwithalitter，buthadbeenforcedtoruntheentiredistance，and，ashewasalreadyquitewornoutwhenwestarted，hisconditionnowwasoneofgreatprostration。
Onlookingroundwediscoveredthattheplacewherewehadhaltedwasaplatforminfrontofthemouthofagreatcave，andpileduponthisplatformweretheentirecontentsofthewhaleboat，evendowntotheoarsandsail。Roundthecavestoodgroupsofthemenwhohadescortedus，andothermenofasimilarstamp。
Theywerealltallandallhandsome，thoughtheyvariedintheirdegreeofdarknessofskin，somebeingasdarkasMahomed，andsomeasyellowasaChinese。
Theywerenaked，exceptfortheleopard-skinroundthewaist，andeachofthemcarriedahugespear。
Therewerealsosomewomenamongthem，who，insteadoftheleopard-skin，woreatannedhideofasmallredbuck，somethinglikethatoftheoribe’，onlyratherdarkerincolor。Thesewomenwere，asaclass，exceedinglygood-looking，withlarge，darkeyes，well-
cutfeatures，andathickbushofcurlinghair——notcrispedlikeanegro’s——rangingfromblacktochestnutinhue，withallshadesofintermediatecolor。Some，butveryfewofthem，woreayellowishlinengarment，suchasIhavedescribedaswornbyBillali，butthis，asweafterwardsdiscovered，wasamarkofrank，ratherthananattemptatclothing。Fortherest，theirappearancewasnotquitesoterrifyingasthatofthemen，andtheysometimes，thoughrarely，smiled。
Assoonaswehadalightedtheygatheredroundusandexamineduswithcuriosity，butwithoutexcitement。
Leo’stall，athleticformandclear-cutGrecianface，however，evidentlyexcitedtheirattention，andwhenhepolitelyliftedhishattothem，andshowedhiscurlingyellowhair，therewasaslightmurmurofadmiration。Nordiditstopthere;for，afterregardinghimcriticallyfromheadtofoot，thehandsomestoftheyoungwomen——onewearingarobe，andwithhairofashadebetweenbrownandchestnut——
deliberatelyadvancedtohim，andinawaythatwouldhavebeenwinninghaditnotbeensodetermined，quietlyputherarmroundhisneck，bentforward，andkissedhimonthelips。
Igaveagasp，expectingtoseeLeoinstantlyspeared;
andJobejaculated，“Thehussy——well，Inever！”AsforLeo，helookedslightlyastonished;andthen，remarkingthatwehadgotintoacountrywheretheyclearlyfollowedthecustomsoftheearlyChristians，deliberatelyreturnedtheembrace。
AgainIgasped，thinkingthatsomethingwouldhappen;
but。tomysurprise，thoughsomeoftheyoungwomenshowedtracesofvexation，theolderonesandthemenonlysmiledslightly。Whenwecametounderstandthecustomsofthisextraordinarypeoplethemysterywasexplained。Itthenappearedthat，indirectoppositiontothehabitsofalmosteveryothersavageraceintheworld，womenamongtheAmahaggerarenotonlyupontermsofperfectequalitywiththemen，butarenotheldtothembyanybindingties。Descentistracedonlythroughthelineofthemother，andwhileindividualsareasproudofalongandsuperiorfemaleancestryasweareofourfamiliesinEurope，theyneverpayattentionto，orevenacknowledge，anymanastheirfather，evenwhentheirmaleparentageisperfectlywellknown。Thereisbutonetitularmaleparentofeachtribe，or，astheycallit，“household，“andheisitselectedandimmediateruler，withthetitleof“Father。”Forinstance，themanBillaliwasthefatherofthis“household，“whichconsistedofaboutseventhousandindividualsalltold，andnoothermanwasevercalledbythatname。
Whenawomantookafancytoamanshesignifiedherpreferencebyadvancingandembracinghimpublicly，inthesamewaythatthishandsomeandexceedinglypromptyounglady，whowascalledUstane，hadembracedLeo。
Ifhekissedherinreturnitwasatokenthatheacceptedher，andthearrangementcontinuedtilloneofthemweariedofit。Iambound，however，tosaythatthechangeofhusbandswasnotnearlysofrequentasmighthavebeenexpected。Nordidquarrelsariseoutofit，atleastamongthemen，who，whentheirwivesdesertedtheminfavorofarival，acceptedthewholethingmuchasweaccepttheincome-taxorourmarriagelaws，assomethingnottobedisputed，andastendingtothegoodofthecommunity，howeverdisagreeabletheymayinparticularinstancesprovetotheindividual。
Itisverycurioustoobservehowthecustomsofmankindonthismattervaryindifferentcountries，makingmoralityanaffairoflatitude，andwhatisrightandproperinoneplacewrongandimproperinanother。Itmust，however，beunderstoodthat，asallcivilizednationsappeartoacceptitasanaxiomthatceremonyisthetouchstoneofmorality，thereis，evenaccordingtoourcanons，nothingimmoralaboutthisAmahaggercustom，seeingthattheinterchangeoftheembraceanswerstoourceremonyofmarriage，which，asweknow，justifiesmostthings。
CHAPTERVII——
USTANESINGS
Whenthekissingoperationwasfinished——bytheway，noneoftheyoungladiesofferedtopetmeinthisfashion，thoughIsawonehoveringroundJob，tothatrespectableindividual’sevidentalarm——theoldmanBillaliadvanced，andgraciouslywavedusintothecave，whitherwewent，followedbyUstane，whodidnotseeminclinedtotakethehintsIgaveherthatwelikedprivacy。
BeforewehadgonefivepacesitstruckmethatthecavethatwewereenteringwasnoneofNature’shandiwork，but，onthecontrary，hadbeenhollowedbythehandofman。Sofaraswecouldjudgeitappearedtobeaboutonehundredfeetinlengthbyfiftywide，andverylofty，resemblingacathedralaislemorethananythingelse。Fromthismainaisleopenedpassagesatadistanceofeverytwelveorfifteenfeet，leading，I
supposed，tosmallerchambers。Aboutfiftyfeetfromtheentranceofthecave，justwherethelightbegantogetdim，afirewasburning，whichthrewhugeshadowsuponthegloomywallsaround。HereBillalihalted，andaskedustobeseated，sayingthatthepeoplewouldbringusfood，andaccordinglywesquattedourselvesdownupontherugsofskinswhichwerespreadforus，andwaited。Presentlythefood，consistingofgoat’sfleshboiled，freshmilkinanearthenwarepot，andboiledcobsofIndiancorn，wasbroughtbyyounggirls。Wewerealmoststarving，andI
donotthinkthatIeverinmylifeatewithsuchsatisfaction。Indeed，beforewehadfinishedweliterallyateupeverythingthatwassetbeforeus。
Whenwehaddone，oursomewhatsaturninehost，Billali，whohadbeenwatchingusinperfectsilence，roseandaddressedus。Hesaidthatitwasawonderfulthingthathadhappened。NomanhadeverknownorheardofwhitestrangersarrivinginthecountryofthePeopleoftheRocks。Sometimes，thoughrarely，blackmenhadcomehere，andfromthemtheyhadheardoftheexistenceofmenmuchwhiterthanthemselves，whosailedontheseainships，butforthearrivalofsuchtherewasnoprecedent。Wehad，however，beenseendraggingtheboatupthecanal，andhetoldusfranklythathehadatoncegivenordersforourdestruction，seeingthatitwasunlawfulforanystrangertoenterhere，whenamessagehadcomefrom“
_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_，“sayingthatourlivesweretobespared，andthatweweretobebroughthither。
“Pardonme，myfather，“Iinterruptedatthispoint;
“butif，asIunderstand，_i_She-who-must-be-obeyed_i_livesyetfartheroff，howcouldshehaveknownofourapproach？”
Billaliturned，andseeingthatwewerealone——fortheyounglady，Ustane，hadwithdrawnwhenhehadbeguntospeak——said，withacuriouslittlelaugh——
“Aretherenoneinyourlandwhocanseewithouteyesandhearwithoutears？Asknoquestions;_i_She_i_
knew。”