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diff --git a/2761-h/2761-h.htm b/2761-h/2761-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..354e004 --- /dev/null +++ b/2761-h/2761-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10199 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Benita, an African Romance, by H. Rider Haggard</title> + +<style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: 90%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Benita, by H. Rider Haggard</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Benita<br /> +An African Romance</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: H. Rider Haggard</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August, 2001 [eBook #2761]<br /> +[Most recently updated: August 22, 2021]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: John Bickers, Emma Dudding, Dagny and David Widger</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENITA ***</div> + + <h1> + BENITA + </h1> + +<h3>AN AFRICAN ROMANCE</h3> + + <h2> + By H. Rider Haggard + </h2> + +<hr /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0000">NOTE.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0001">CHAPTER I. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0002">CHAPTER II. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0003">CHAPTER III. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0004">CHAPTER IV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0005">CHAPTER V. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0006">CHAPTER VI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0007">CHAPTER VII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0008">CHAPTER VIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0009">CHAPTER IX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0010">CHAPTER X. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0011">CHAPTER XI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0012">CHAPTER XII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0013">CHAPTER XIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0014">CHAPTER XIV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0015">CHAPTER XV. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0016">CHAPTER XVI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0017">CHAPTER XVII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0018">CHAPTER XVIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0019">CHAPTER XIX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0020">CHAPTER XX. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0021">CHAPTER XXI. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0022">CHAPTER XXII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0023">CHAPTER XXIII. </a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#link2H_4_0024">CHAPTER XXIV. </a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="link2H_4_0000" id="link2H_4_0000"></a>NOTE.</h2> + +<p> + It may interest readers of this story to know that its author + believes it to have a certain foundation in fact. +</p> + +<p> + It was said about five-and-twenty or thirty years ago that an + adventurous trader, hearing from some natives in the territory + that lies at the back of Quilimane, the legend of a great treasure + buried in or about the sixteenth century by a party of Portuguese + who were afterwards massacred, as a last resource attempted its + discovery by the help of a mesmerist. According to this history + the child who was used as a subject in the experiment, when in a + state of trance, detailed the adventures and death of the unhappy + Portuguese men and women, two of whom leapt from the point of a + high rock into the Zambesi. Although he knew no tongue but + English, this clairvoyant child is declared to have repeated in + Portuguese the prayers these unfortunates offered up, and even to + have sung the very hymns they sang. Moreover, with much other + detail, he described the burial of the great treasure and its + exact situation so accurately that the white man and the mesmerist + were able to dig for and find the place where <i>it had been</i>—for + the bags were gone, swept out by the floods of the river. +</p> + +<p> + Some gold coins remained, however, one of them a ducat of Aloysius + Mocenigo, Doge of Venice. Afterwards the boy was again thrown into + a trance (in all he was mesmerized eight times), and revealed + where the sacks still lay; but before the white trader could renew + his search for them, the party was hunted out of the country by + natives whose superstitious fears were aroused, barely escaping + with their lives. +</p> + +<p> + It should be added that, as in the following tale, the chief who + was ruling there when the tragedy happened, declared the place to + be sacred, and that if it were entered evil would befall his + tribe. Thus it came about that for generations it was never + violated, until at length his descendants were driven farther from + the river by war, and from one of them the white man heard the + legend. +</p> + +<hr /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2> + BENITA<br /> + AN AFRICAN ROMANCE + </h2> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"></a> + I.<br/> + CONFIDENCES</h2> + <p> + Beautiful, beautiful was that night! No air that stirred; the black smoke + from the funnels of the mail steamer <i>Zanzibar</i> lay low over the + surface of the sea like vast, floating ostrich plumes that vanished one by + one in the starlight. Benita Beatrix Clifford, for that was her full name, + who had been christened Benita after her mother and Beatrix after her + father’s only sister, leaning idly over the bulwark rail, thought to + herself that a child might have sailed that sea in a boat of bark and come + safely into port. + </p> + <p> + Then a tall man of about thirty years of age, who was smoking a cigar, + strolled up to her. At his coming she moved a little as though to make + room for him beside her, and there was something in the motion which, had + anyone been there to observe it, might have suggested that these two were + upon terms of friendship, or still greater intimacy. For a moment he + hesitated, and while he did so an expression of doubt, of distress even, + gathered on his face. It was as though he understood that a great deal + depended on whether he accepted or declined that gentle invitation, and + knew not which to do. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, much did depend upon it, no less than the destinies of both of + them. If Robert Seymour had gone by to finish his cigar in solitude, why + then this story would have had a very different ending; or, rather, who + can say how it might have ended? The dread, foredoomed event with which + that night was big would have come to its awful birth leaving certain + words unspoken. Violent separation must have ensued, and even if both of + them had survived the terror, what prospect was there that their lives + would again have crossed each other in that wide Africa? + </p> + <p> + But it was not so fated, for just as he put his foot forward to continue + his march Benita spoke in her low and pleasant voice. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to the smoking-room or to the saloon to dance, Mr. Seymour? + One of the officers just told me that there is to be a dance,” she added, + in explanation, “because it is so calm that we might fancy ourselves + ashore.” + </p> + <p> + “Neither,” he answered. “The smoking-room is stuffy, and my dancing days + are over. No; I proposed to take exercise after that big dinner, and then + to sit in a chair and fall asleep. But,” he added, and his voice grew + interested, “how did you know that it was I? You never turned your head.” + </p> + <p> + “I have ears in my head as well as eyes,” she answered with a little + laugh, “and after we have been nearly a month together on this ship I + ought to know your step.” + </p> + <p> + “I never remember that anyone ever recognized it before,” he said, more to + himself than to her, then came and leaned over the rail at her side. His + doubts were gone. Fate had spoken. + </p> + <p> + For a while there was silence between them, then he asked her if she were + not going to the dance. + </p> + <p> + Benita shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Why not? You are fond of dancing, and you dance very well. Also there are + plenty of officers for partners, especially Captain——” and he + checked himself. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” she said; “it would be pleasant, but—Mr. Seymour, will you + think me foolish if I tell you something?” + </p> + <p> + “I have never thought you foolish yet, Miss Clifford, so I don’t know why + I should begin now. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not going to the dance because I am afraid, yes, horribly afraid.” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid! Afraid of what?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t quite know, but, Mr. Seymour, I feel as though we were all of us + upon the edge of some dreadful catastrophe—as though there were + about to be a mighty change, and beyond it another life, something new and + unfamiliar. It came over me at dinner—that was why I left the table. + Quite suddenly I looked, and all the people were different, yes, all + except a few.” + </p> + <p> + “Was I different?” he asked curiously. + </p> + <p> + “No, you were not,” and he thought he heard her add “Thank God!” beneath + her breath. + </p> + <p> + “And were you different?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. I never looked at myself; I was the seer, not the seen. I + have always been like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Indigestion,” he said reflectively. “We eat too much on board ship, and + the dinner was very long and heavy. I told you so, that’s why I’m taking—I + mean why I wanted to take exercise.” + </p> + <p> + “And to go to sleep afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, first the exercise, then the sleep. Miss Clifford, that is the rule + of life—and death. With sleep thought ends, therefore for some of us + your catastrophe is much to be desired, for it would mean long sleep and + no thought.” + </p> + <p> + “I said that they were changed, not that they had ceased to think. Perhaps + they thought the more.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us pray that your catastrophe may be averted. I prescribe for + you bismuth and carbonate of soda. Also in this weather it seems difficult + to imagine such a thing. Look now, Miss Clifford,” he added, with a note + of enthusiasm in his voice, pointing towards the east, “look.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes followed his outstretched hand, and there, above the level ocean, + rose the great orb of the African moon. Lo! of a sudden all that ocean + turned to silver, a wide path of rippling silver stretched from it to + them. It might have been the road of angels. The sweet soft light beat + upon their ship, showing its tapering masts and every detail of the + rigging. It passed on beyond them, and revealed the low, foam-fringed + coast-line rising here and there, dotted with kloofs and their clinging + bush. Even the round huts of Kaffir kraals became faintly visible in that + radiance. Other things became visible also—for instance, the + features of this pair. + </p> + <p> + The man was light in his colouring, fair-skinned, with fair hair which + already showed a tendency towards greyness, especially in the moustache, + for he wore no beard. His face was clean cut, not particularly handsome, + since, their fineness notwithstanding, his features lacked regularity; the + cheekbones were too high and the chin was too small, small faults redeemed + to some extent by the steady and cheerful grey eyes. For the rest, he was + broad-shouldered and well-set-up, sealed with the indescribable stamp of + the English gentleman. Such was the appearance of Robert Seymour. + </p> + <p> + In that light the girl at his side looked lovely, though, in fact, she had + no real claims to loveliness, except perhaps as regards her figure, which + was agile, rounded, and peculiarly graceful. Her foreign-looking face was + unusual, dark-eyed, a somewhat large and very mobile mouth, fair and + waving hair, a broad forehead, a sweet and at times wistful face, + thoughtful for the most part, but apt to be irradiated by sudden smiles. + Not a beautiful woman at all, but exceedingly attractive, one possessing + magnetism. + </p> + <p> + She gazed, first at the moon and the silver road beneath it, then, + turning, at the land beyond. + </p> + <p> + “We are very near to Africa, at last,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Too near, I think,” he answered. “If I were the captain I should stand + out a point or two. It is a strange country, full of surprises. Miss + Clifford, will you think me rude if I ask you why you are going there? You + have never told me—quite.” + </p> + <p> + “No, because the story is rather a sad one; but you shall hear it if you + wish. Do you?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded, and drew up two deck chairs, in which they settled themselves + in a corner made by one of the inboard boats, their faces still towards + the sea. + </p> + <p> + “You know I was born in Africa,” she said, “and lived there till I was + thirteen years old—why, I find I can still speak Zulu; I did so this + afternoon. My father was one of the early settlers in Natal. His father + was a clergyman, a younger son of the Lincolnshire Cliffords. They are + great people there still, though I don’t suppose that they are aware of my + existence.” + </p> + <p> + “I know them,” answered Robert Seymour. “Indeed, I was shooting at their + place last November—when the smash came,” and he sighed; “but go + on.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my father quarrelled with his father, I don’t know what about, and + emigrated. In Natal he married my mother, a Miss Ferreira, whose name—like + mine and her mother’s—was Benita. She was one of two sisters, and + her father, Andreas Ferreira, who married an English lady, was half Dutch + and half Portuguese. I remember him well, a fine old man with dark eyes + and an iron-grey beard. He was wealthy as things went in those days—that + is to say, he had lots of land in Natal and the Transvaal, and great herds + of stock. So you see I am half English, some Dutch, and more than a + quarter Portuguese—quite a mixture of races. My father and mother + did not get on well together. Mr. Seymour, I may as well tell you all the + truth: he drank, and although he was passionately fond of her, she was + jealous of him. Also he gambled away most of her patrimony, and after old + Andreas Ferreira’s death they grew poor. One night there was a dreadful + scene between them, and in his madness he struck her. + </p> + <p> + “Well, she was a very proud woman, determined, too, and she turned on him + and said—for I heard her—‘I will never forgive you; we have + done with each other.’ Next morning, when my father was sober, he begged + her pardon, but she made no answer, although he was starting somewhere on + a fortnight’s trek. When he had gone my mother ordered the Cape cart, + packed up her clothes, took some money that she had put away, drove to + Durban, and after making arrangements at the bank about a small private + income of her own, sailed with me for England, leaving a letter for my + father in which she said that she would never see him again, and if he + tried to interfere with me she would put me under the protection of the + English court, which would not allow me to be taken to the home of a + drunkard. + </p> + <p> + “In England we went to live in London with my aunt, who had married a + Major King, but was a widow with five children. My father often wrote to + persuade my mother to go back to him, but she never would, which I think + was wrong of her. So things went on for twelve years or more, till one day + my mother suddenly died, and I came into her little fortune of between + £200 and £300 a year, which she had tied up so that nobody can touch it. + That was about a year ago. I wrote to tell my father of her death, and + received a pitiful letter; indeed, I have had several of them. He implored + me to come out to him and not to leave him to die in his loneliness, as he + soon would do of a broken heart, if I did not. He said that he had long + ago given up drinking, which was the cause of the ruin of his life, and + sent a certificate signed by a magistrate and a doctor to that effect. + Well, in the end, although all my cousins and their mother advised me + against it, I consented, and here I am. He is to meet me at Durban, but + how we shall get on together is more than I can say, though I long to see + him, for after all he is my father.” + </p> + <p> + “It was good of you to come, under all the circumstances. You must have a + brave heart,” said Robert reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “It is my duty,” she answered. “And for the rest, I am not afraid who was + born to Africa. Indeed, often and often have I wished to be back there + again, out on the veld, far away from the London streets and fog. I am + young and strong, and I want to see things, natural things—not those + made by man, you know—the things I remember as a child. One can + always go back to London.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, or at least some people can. It is a curious thing, Miss Clifford, + but as it happens I have met your father. You always reminded me of the + man, but I had forgotten his name. Now it comes back to me; it <i>was</i> + Clifford.” + </p> + <p> + “Where on earth?” she asked, astonished. + </p> + <p> + “In a queer place. As I told you, I have visited South Africa before, + under different circumstances. Four years ago I was out here big-game + shooting. Going in from the East coast my brother and I—he is dead + now, poor fellow—got up somewhere in the Matabele country, on the + banks of the Zambesi. As we didn’t find much game there we were going to + strike south, when some natives told us of a wonderful ruin that stood on + a hill overhanging the river a few miles farther on. So, leaving the + waggon on the hither side of the steep nek, over which it would have been + difficult to drag it, my brother and I took our rifles and a bag of food + and started. The place was farther off than we thought, although from the + top of the nek we could see it clearly enough, and before we reached it + dark had fallen. + </p> + <p> + “Now we had observed a waggon and a tent outside the wall which we thought + must belong to white men, and headed for them. There was a light in the + tent, and the flap was open, the night being very hot. Inside two men were + seated, one old, with a grey beard, and the other, a good-looking fellow—under + forty, I should say—with a Jewish face, dark, piercing eyes, and a + black, pointed beard. They were engaged in examining a heap of gold beads + and bangles, which lay on the table between them. As I was about to speak, + the black-bearded man heard or caught sight of us, and seizing a rifle + that leaned against the table, swung round and covered me. + </p> + <p> + “‘For God’s sake don’t shoot, Jacob,’ said the old man; ‘they are + English.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Best dead, any way,’ answered the other, in a soft voice, with a slight + foreign accent, ‘we don’t want spies or thieves here.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘We are neither, but I can shoot as well as you, friend,’ I remarked, for + by this time my rifle was on him. + </p> + <p> + “Then he thought better of it, and dropped his gun, and we explained that + we were merely on an archæological expedition. The end of it was that we + became capital friends, though neither of us could cotton much to Mr. + Jacob—I forget his other name. He struck me as too handy with his + rifle, and was, I gathered, an individual with a mysterious and rather + lurid past. To cut a long story short, when he found out that we had no + intention of poaching, your father, for it was he, told us frankly that + they were treasure-hunting, having got hold of some story about a vast + store of gold which had been hidden away there by Portuguese two or three + centuries before. Their trouble was, however, that the Makalanga, who + lived in the fortress, which was called Bambatse, would not allow them to + dig, because they said the place was haunted, and if they did so it would + bring bad luck to their tribe.” + </p> + <p> + “And did they ever get in?” asked Benita. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I don’t know, for we went next day, though before we left we + called on the Makalanga, who admitted us all readily enough so long as we + brought no spades with us. By the way, the gold we saw your father and his + friend examining was found in some ancient graves outside the walls, but + had nothing to do with the big and mythical treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “What was the place like? I love old ruins,” broke in Benita again. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! wonderful. A gigantic, circular wall built by heaven knows who, then + half-way up the hill another wall, and near the top a third wall which, I + understood, surrounded a sort of holy of holies, and above everything, on + the brink of the precipice, a great cone of granite.” + </p> + <p> + “Artificial or natural?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know. They would not let us up there, but we were introduced to + their chief and high priest, Church and State in one, and a wonderful old + man he was, very wise and very gentle. I remember he told me he believed + we should meet again, which seemed an odd thing for him to say. I asked + him about the treasure and why he would not let the other white men look + for it. He answered that it would never be found by any man, white or + black, that only a woman would find it at the appointed time, when it + pleased the Spirit of Bambatse, under whose guardianship it was.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was the Spirit of Bambatse, Mr. Seymour?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t tell you, couldn’t make out anything definite about her, except + that she was said to be white, and to appear sometimes at sunrise, or in + the moonlight, standing upon the tall point of rock of which I told you. I + remember that I got up before the dawn to look for her—like an + idiot, for of course I saw nothing—and that’s all I know about the + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you have any talk with my father, Mr. Seymour—alone, I mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a little. The next day he walked back to our waggon with us, being + glad, I fancy, of a change from the perpetual society of his partner + Jacob. That wasn’t wonderful in a man who had been brought up at Eton and + Oxford, as I found out he had, like myself, and whatever his failings may + have been—although we saw no sign of them, for he would not touch a + drop of spirits—was a gentleman, which Jacob wasn’t. Still, he—Jacob—had + read a lot, especially on out-of-the-way subjects, and could talk every + language under the sun—a clever and agreeable scoundrel in short.” + </p> + <p> + “Did my father say anything about himself?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he told me that he had been an unsuccessful man all his life, and + had much to reproach himself with, for we got quite confidential at last. + He added that he had a family in England—what family he didn’t say—whom + he was anxious to make wealthy by way of reparation for past misdeeds, and + that was why he was treasure-hunting. However, from what you tell me, I + fear he never found anything.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Seymour, he never found it and never will, but all the same I am + glad to hear that he was thinking of us. Also I should like to explore + that place, Bambatse.” + </p> + <p> + “So should I, Miss Clifford, in your company, and your father’s, but not + in that of Jacob. If ever you should go there with him, I say:—‘Beware + of Jacob.’” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I am not afraid of Jacob,” she answered with a laugh, “although I + believe that my father still has something to do with him—at least + in one of his letters he mentioned his partner, who was a German.” + </p> + <p> + “A German! I think that he must have meant a German Jew.” + </p> + <p> + After this there was silence between them for a time, then he said + suddenly, “You have told me your story, would you like to hear mine?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it won’t take you long to listen to it, for, Miss Clifford, like + Canning’s needy knife-grinder, I have really none to tell. You see before + you one of the most useless persons in the world, an undistinguished + member of what is called in England the ‘leisured class,’ who can do + absolutely nothing that is worth doing, except shoot straight.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Benita. + </p> + <p> + “You do not seem impressed with that accomplishment,” he went on, “yet it + is an honest fact that for the last fifteen years—I was thirty-two + this month—practically my whole time has been given up to it, with a + little fishing thrown in in the spring. As I want to make the most of + myself, I will add that I am supposed to be among the six best shots in + England, and that my ambition—yes, great Heavens! my ambition—was + to become better than the other five. By that sin fell the poor man who + speaks to you. I was supposed to have abilities, but I neglected them all + to pursue this form of idleness. I entered no profession, I did no work, + with the result that at thirty-two I am ruined and almost hopeless.” + </p> + <p> + “Why ruined and hopeless?” she asked anxiously, for the way in which they + were spoken grieved her more than the words themselves. + </p> + <p> + “Ruined because my old uncle, the Honourable John Seymour Seymour, whose + heir I was, committed the indiscretion of marrying a young lady who has + presented him with thriving twins. With the appearance of those twins my + prospects disappeared, as did the allowance of £1,500 a year that he was + good enough to make me on which to keep up a position as his next-of-kin. + I had something of my own, but also I had debts, and at the present moment + a draft in my pocket for £2,163 14s. 5d., and a little loose cash, + represents the total of my worldly goods, just about the sum I have been + accustomed to spend per annum.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t call that ruin, I call that riches,” said Benita, relieved. “With + £2,000 to begin on you may make a fortune in Africa. But how about the + hopelessness?” + </p> + <p> + “I am hopeless because I have absolutely nothing to which to look forward. + Really, when that £2,000 is gone I do not know how to earn a sixpence. In + this dilemma it occurred to me that the only thing I could do was to turn + my shooting to practical account, and become a hunter of big game. + Therefore I propose to kill elephants until an elephant kills me. At + least,” he added in a changed voice, “I did so propose until half an hour + ago.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"></a> + II.<br/> + THE END OF THE “ZANZIBAR.”</h2> + <p> + “Until half an hour ago? Then why——” and Benita stopped. + </p> + <p> + “Have I changed my very modest scheme of life? Miss Clifford, as you are + so good as to be sufficiently interested, I will tell you. It is because a + temptation which hitherto I have been able to resist, has during the last + thirty minutes become too strong for me. You know everything has its + breaking strain.” He puffed nervously at his cigar, threw it into the sea, + paused, then went on: “Miss Clifford, I have dared to fall in love with + you. No; hear me out. When I have done it will be quite time enough to + give me the answer that I expect. Meanwhile, for the first time in my + life, allow me the luxury of being in earnest. To me it is a new + sensation, and therefore very priceless. May I go on?” + </p> + <p> + Benita made no answer. He rose with a certain deliberateness which + characterized all his movements—for Robert Seymour never seemed to + be in a hurry—and stood in front of her so that the moonlight shone + upon her face, while his own remained in shadow. + </p> + <p> + “Beyond that £2,000 of which I have spoken, and incidentally its owner, I + have nothing whatsoever to offer to you. I am an indigent and worthless + person. Even in my prosperous days, when I could look forward to a large + estate, although it was often suggested to me, I never considered myself + justified in asking any lady to share—the prospective estate. I + think now that the real reason was that I never cared sufficiently for any + lady, since otherwise my selfishness would probably have overcome my + scruples, as it does to-night. Benita, for I will call you so, if for the + first and last time, I—I—love you. + </p> + <p> + “Listen now,” he went on, dropping his measured manner, and speaking + hurriedly, like a man with an earnest message and little time in which to + deliver it, “it is an odd thing, an incomprehensible thing, but true, true—I + fell in love with you the first time I saw your face. You remember, you + stood there leaning over the bulwark when I came on board at Southampton, + and as I walked up the gangway, I looked and my eyes met yours. Then I + stopped, and that stout old lady who got off at Madeira bumped into me, + and asked me to be good enough to make up my mind if I were going backward + or forward. Do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Which things are an allegory,” he continued. “I felt it so at the time. + Yes, I had half a mind to answer ‘Backward’ and give up my berth in this + ship. Then I looked at you again, and something inside of me said + ‘Forward.’ So I came up the rest of the gangway and took off my hat to + you, a salutation I had no right to make, but which, I recall, you + acknowledged.” + </p> + <p> + He paused, then continued: “As it began, so it has gone on. It is always + like that, is it not? The beginning is everything, the end must follow. + And now it has come out, as I was fully determined that it should not do + half an hour ago, when suddenly you developed eyes in the back of your + head, and—oh! dearest, I love you. No, please be quiet; I have not + done. I have told you what I am, and really there isn’t much more to say + about me, for I have no particular vices except the worst of them all, + idleness, and not the slightest trace of any virtue that I can discover. + But I have a certain knowledge of the world acquired in a long course of + shooting parties, and as a man of the world I will venture to give you a + bit of advice. It is possible that to you my life and death affair is a + mere matter of board-ship amusement. Yet it is possible also that you + might take another view of the matter. In that case, as a friend and a man + of the world, I entreat you—don’t. Have nothing to do with me. Send + me about my business; you will never regret it.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you making fun, or is all this meant, Mr. Seymour?” asked Benita, + still speaking beneath her breath, and looking straight before her. + </p> + <p> + “Meant? Of course it is meant. How can you ask?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I have always understood that on such occasions people wish to + make the best of themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, but I never do what I ought, a fact for which I am grateful now + come to think of it, since otherwise I should not be here to-night. I wish + to make the worst of myself, the very worst, for whatever I am not, at + least I am honest. Now having told you that I am, or was half an hour ago, + an idler, a good-for-nothing, prospectless failure, I ask you—if you + care to hear any more?” + </p> + <p> + She half rose, and, glancing at him for the first time, saw his face + contract itself and turn pale in the moonlight. It may be that the sight + of it affected her, even to the extent of removing some adverse impression + left by the bitter mocking of his self-blame. At any rate, Benita seemed + to change her mind, and sat down again, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Go on, if you wish.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed slightly, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I thank you. I have told you what I <i>was</i> half an hour ago; now, + hoping that you will believe me, I will tell you what I <i>am</i>. I am a + truly repentant man, one upon whom a new light has risen. I am not very + old, and I think that underneath it all I have some ability. Opportunity + may still come my way; if it does not, for your sake I will make the + opportunity. I do not believe that you can ever find anyone who would love + you better or care for you more tenderly. I desire to live for you in the + future, more completely even than in the past I have lived for myself. I + do not wish to influence you by personal appeals, but in fact I stand at + the parting of the ways. If you will give yourself to me I feel as though + I might still become a husband of whom you could be proud—if not, I + write ‘Finis’ upon the tombstone of the possibilities of Robert Seymour. I + adore you. You are the one woman with whom I desire to pass my days; it is + you who have always been lacking to my life. I ask you to be brave, to + take the risk of marrying me, although I can see nothing but poverty ahead + of us, for I am an adventurer.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t speak like that,” she said quickly. “We are all of us adventurers + in this world, and I more than you. We have just to consider ourselves, + not what we have or have not.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, Miss Clifford. Then I have nothing more to say; now it is for + you to answer.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the sound of the piano and the fiddle in the saloon ceased. One + of the waltzes was over, and some of the dancers came upon deck to flirt + or to cool themselves. One pair, engaged very obviously in the former + occupation, stationed themselves so near to Robert and Benita that further + conversation between them was impossible, and there proceeded to + interchange the remarks common to such occasions. + </p> + <p> + For a good ten minutes did they stand thus, carrying on a mock quarrel as + to a dance of which one of them was supposed to have been defrauded, until + Robert Seymour, generally a very philosophical person, could have slain + those innocent lovers. He felt, he knew not why, that his chances were + slipping away from him; that sensation of something bad about to happen, + of which Benita had spoken, spread from her to him. The suspense grew + exasperating, terrible even, nor could it be ended. To ask her to come + elsewhere was under the circumstances not feasible, especially as he would + also have been obliged to request the other pair to make way for them, and + all this time, with a sinking of the heart, he felt that probably Benita + was beating down any tenderness which she might feel towards him; that + when her long-delayed answer did come the chances were it would be “No.” + </p> + <p> + The piano began to play again in the saloon, and the young people, still + squabbling archly, at length prepared to depart. Suddenly there was a stir + upon the bridge, and against the tender sky Robert saw a man dash forward. + Next instant the engine-room bell rang fiercely. He knew the signal—it + was “Stop,” followed at once by other ringings that meant “Full speed + astern.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what is up?” said the young man to the young woman. + </p> + <p> + Before the words had left his lips they knew. There was a sensation as + though all the hull of the great ship had come to a complete standstill, + while the top part of her continued to travel forward; followed by another + sensation still more terrible and sickening in its nature—that of + slipping over something, helplessly, heavily, as a man slips upon ice or a + polished floor. Spars cracked, ropes flew in two with a noise as of pistol + shots. Heavy objects rushed about the deck, travelling forwards all of + them. Benita was hurled from her chair against Robert so that the two of + them rolled into the scuppers. He was unhurt and picked himself up, but + she lay still, and he saw that something had struck her upon the head, for + blood was running down her cheek. He lifted her, and, filled with black + horror and despair—for he thought her gone—pressed his hand + upon her heart. Thank God! it began to beat again—she still lived. + </p> + <p> + The music in the saloon had stopped, and for a little while there was + silence. Then of an instant there arose the horrible clamour of shipwreck; + wild-eyed people rushed to and fro aimlessly; here and there women and + children shrieked; a clergyman fell upon his knees and began to pray. + </p> + <p> + This went on for a space, till presently the second officer appeared and, + affecting an unconcerned air, called out that it was all right, the + captain said no one was to be afraid. He added that they were not more + than six miles from the shore, and that the ship would be beached in half + an hour. Indeed, as he spoke the engines, which had been stopped, + commenced to work again, and her head swung round in a wide circle, + pointing to the land. Evidently they had passed over the rock and were + once more in deep water, through which they travelled at a good speed but + with a heavy list to starboard. The pumps got to work also with a + monotonous, clanging beat, throwing out great columns of foaming water on + to the oily sea. Men began to cut the covers off the boats, and to swing + some of them outboard. Such were the things that went on about them. + </p> + <p> + With the senseless Benita clasped to his breast, the blood from her cut + head running down his shoulder, Robert stood still awhile, thinking. Then + he made up his mind. As it chanced, she had a deck cabin, and thither he + forced his way, carrying her tenderly and with patience through the + distracted throng of passengers, for there were five hundred souls on + board that ship. He reached the place to find that it was quite empty, her + cabinmate having fled. Laying Benita upon the lower bunk, he lit the + swinging candle. As soon as it burned up he searched for the lifebelts and + by good fortune found two of them, one of which, not without great + difficulty, he succeeded in fastening round her. Then he took a sponge and + bathed her head with water. There was a great bruise upon her temple where + the block or whatever it was had struck her, and the blood still flowed; + but the wound was not very deep or extensive, nor, so far as he could + discover, did the bone appear to be broken or driven in. He had good hope + that she was only stunned, and would revive presently. Unable to do more + for her, a thought struck him. On the floor of the cabin, thrown by the + shock from the rack, lay her writing case. He opened it, and taking a + piece of paper wrote these words hurriedly in pencil: + </p> + <p> + “You gave me no answer, and it is more than probable that I shall receive + none in this world which one or both of us may be upon the verge of + leaving. In the latter case we can settle the matter elsewhere—perhaps. + In the former, should it be my lot to go and yours to stay, I hope that + you will think kindly of me at times as of one who loved you truly. Should + it be yours to go, then you will never read these words. Yet if to the + dead is given knowledge, be assured that as you left me so you shall find + me, yours and yours alone. Or perhaps we both may live; I pray so.—S. + R. S.” + </p> + <p> + Folding up the paper, he undid a button of Benita’s blouse and thrust it + away there, knowing that thus she would certainly find it should she + survive. Then he stepped out on to the deck to see what was happening. The + vessel still steamed, but made slow progress; moreover, the list to + starboard was now so pronounced that it was difficult to stand upright. On + account of it nearly all the passengers were huddled together upon the + port side, having instinctively taken refuge as far as possible above the + water. A man with a white, distraught face staggered towards him, + supporting himself by the bulwarks. It was the captain. For a moment he + paused as though to think, holding to a stanchion. Robert Seymour saw his + opportunity and addressed him. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” he said; “I do not like interfering with other people’s + business, but for reasons unconnected with myself I suggest to you that it + would be wise to stop this ship and get out the boats. The sea is calm; if + it is not left till too late there should be no difficulty in launching + them.” + </p> + <p> + The man stared at him absently, then said: + </p> + <p> + “They won’t hold everybody, Mr. Seymour. I hope to beach her.” + </p> + <p> + “At least they will hold some,” he answered, “whereas——” And + he pointed to the water, which by now was almost level with the deck. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are right, Mr. Seymour. It doesn’t matter to me, anyway. I am + a ruined man; but the poor passengers—the poor passengers!” And he + scrambled away fiercely towards the bridge like a wounded cat along the + bough of a tree, whence in a few seconds Robert heard him shouting orders. + </p> + <p> + A minute or so afterwards the steamer stopped. Too late the captain had + decided to sacrifice his ship and save those she carried. They were + beginning to get out the boats. Now Robert returned to the cabin where + Benita was lying senseless, and wrapped her up in a cloak and some + blankets. Then, seeing the second lifebelt on the floor, by an + afterthought he put it on, knowing that there was time to spare. Next he + lifted Benita, and feeling sure that the rush would be for the starboard + side, on which the boats were quite near the water, carried her, with + difficulty, for the slope was steep, to the port-cutter, which he knew + would be in the charge of a good man, the second officer, whom he had seen + in command there at Sunday boat-drills. + </p> + <p> + Here, as he had anticipated, the crowd was small, since most people + thought that it would not be possible to get this boat down safely to the + water; or if their powers of reflection were gone, instinct told them so. + That skilful seaman, the second officer, and his appointed crew, were + already at work lowering the cutter from the davits. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” he said, “women and children first.” + </p> + <p> + A number rushed in, and Robert saw that the boat would soon be full. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid,” he said, “that I must count myself a woman as I carry one,” + and by a great effort, holding Benita with one arm, with the other he let + himself down the falls and, assisted by a quartermaster, gained the boat + in safety. + </p> + <p> + One or two other men scrambled after him. + </p> + <p> + “Push her off,” said the officer; “she can hold no more,” and the ropes + were let go. + </p> + <p> + When they were about twelve feet from the ship’s side, from which they + thrust themselves clear with oars, there came a rush of people, + disappointed of places in the starboard boats. A few of the boldest of + these swarmed down the falls, others jumped and fell among them, or missed + and dropped into the sea, or struck upon the sides of the boat and were + killed. Still she reached the water upon an even keel, though now much + overladen. The oars were got out, and they rowed round the bow of the + great ship wallowing in her death-throes, their first idea being to make + for the shore, which was not three miles away. + </p> + <p> + This brought them to the starboard side, where they saw a hideous scene. + Hundreds of people seemed to be fighting for room, with the result that + some of the boats were overturned, precipitating their occupants into the + water. Others hung by the prow or the stern, the ropes having jammed in + the davits in the frantic haste and confusion, while from them human + beings dropped one by one. Round others not yet launched a hellish + struggle was in progress, the struggle of men, women, and children + battling for their lives, in which the strong, mad with terror, showed no + mercy to the weak. + </p> + <p> + From that mass of humanity, most of them about to perish, went up a babel + of sounds which in its sum shaped itself to one prolonged scream, such as + might proceed from a Titan in his agony. All this beneath a brooding, + moonlit sky, and on a sea as smooth as glass. Upon the ship, which now lay + upon her side, the siren still sent up its yells for succour, and some + brave man continued to fire rockets, which rushed heavenwards and burst in + showers of stars. + </p> + <p> + Robert remembered that the last rocket he had seen was fired at an evening + <i>fête</i> for the amusement of the audience. The contrast struck him as + dreadful. He wondered whether there were any power or infernal population + that could be amused by a tragedy such as enacted itself before his eyes; + how it came about also that such a tragedy was permitted by the merciful + Strength in which mankind put their faith. + </p> + <p> + The vessel was turning over, compressed air or steam burst up the decks + with loud reports; fragments of wreckage flew into the air. There the poor + captain still clung to the rail of the bridge. Seymour could see his white + face—the moonlight seemed to paint it with a ghastly smile. The + officer in command of their boat shouted to the crew to give way lest they + should be sucked down with the steamer. + </p> + <p> + Look! Now she wallowed like a dying whale, the moonrays shone white upon + her bottom, showing the jagged rent made in it by the rock on which she + had struck, and now she was gone. Only a little cloud of smoke and steam + remained to mark where the <i>Zanzibar</i> had been. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"></a> + III.<br/> + HOW ROBERT CAME ASHORE</h2> + <p> + In place of the <i>Zanzibar</i> a great pit on the face of the ocean, in + which the waters boiled and black objects appeared and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “Sit still, for your lives’ sake,” said the officer in a quiet voice; “the + suck is coming.” + </p> + <p> + In another minute it came, dragging them downward till the water trickled + over the sides of the boat, and backward towards the pit. But before ever + they reached it the deep had digested its prey, and, save for the great + air-bubbles which burst about them and a mixed, unnatural swell, was calm + again. For the moment they were safe. + </p> + <p> + “Passengers,” said the officer, “I am going to put out to sea—at any + rate, till daylight. We may meet a vessel there, and if we try to row + ashore we shall certainly be swamped in the breakers.” + </p> + <p> + No one objected; they seemed too stunned to speak, but Robert thought to + himself that the man was wise. They began to move, but before they had + gone a dozen yards something dark rose beside them. It was a piece of + wreckage, and clinging to it a woman, who clasped a bundle to her breast. + More, she was alive, for she began to cry to them to take her in. + </p> + <p> + “Save me and my child!” she cried. “For God’s sake save me!” + </p> + <p> + Robert recognized the choking voice; it was that of a young married lady + with whom he had been very friendly, who was going out with her baby to + join her husband in Natal. He stretched out his hand and caught hold of + her, whereon the officer said, heavily: + </p> + <p> + “The boat is already overladen. I must warn you that to take more aboard + is not safe.” + </p> + <p> + Thereon the passengers awoke from their stupor. + </p> + <p> + “Push her off,” cried a voice; “she must take her chance.” And there was a + murmur of approval at the dreadful words. + </p> + <p> + “For Christ’s sake—for Christ’s sake!” wailed the drowning woman, + who clung desperately to Robert’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “If you try to pull her in, we will throw you overboard,” said the voice + again, and a knife was lifted as though to hack at his arm. Then the + officer spoke once more. + </p> + <p> + “This lady cannot come into the boat unless someone goes out of it. I + would myself, but it is my duty to stay. Is there any man here who will + make place for her?” + </p> + <p> + But all the men there—seven of them, besides the crew—hung + their heads and were silent. + </p> + <p> + “Give way,” said the officer in the same heavy voice; “she will drop off + presently.” + </p> + <p> + While the words passed his lips Robert seemed to live a year. Here was an + opportunity of atonement for his idle and luxurious life. An hour ago he + would have taken it gladly, but now—now, with Benita senseless on + his breast, and that answer still locked in her sleeping heart? Yet Benita + would approve of such a death as this, and even if she loved him not in + life, would learn to love his memory. In an instant his mind was made up, + and he was speaking rapidly. + </p> + <p> + “Thompson,” he said to the officer, “if I go, will you swear to take her + in and her child?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Mr. Seymour.” + </p> + <p> + “Then lay to; I am going. If any of you live, tell this lady how I died,” + and he pointed to Benita, “and say I thought that she would wish it.” + </p> + <p> + “She shall be told,” said the officer again, “and saved, too, if I can do + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold Mrs. Jeffreys, then, till I am out of this. I’ll leave my coat to + cover her.” + </p> + <p> + A sailor obeyed, and with difficulty Robert wrenched free his hand. + </p> + <p> + Very deliberately he pressed Benita to his breast and kissed her on the + forehead, then let her gently slide on to the bottom of the boat. Next he + slipped off his overcoat and slowly rolled himself over the gunwale into + the sea. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” he said, “pull Mrs. Jeffreys in.” + </p> + <p> + “God bless you; you are a brave man,” said Thompson. “I shall remember you + if I live a hundred years.” + </p> + <p> + But no one else said anything; perhaps they were all too much ashamed, + even then. + </p> + <p> + “I have only done my duty,” Seymour answered from the water. “How far is + it to the shore?” + </p> + <p> + “About three miles,” shouted Thompson. “But keep on that plank, or you + will never live through the rollers. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye,” answered Robert. + </p> + <p> + Then the boat passed away from him and soon vanished in the misty face of + the deep. + </p> + <p> + Resting on the plank which had saved the life of Mrs. Jeffreys, Robert + Seymour looked about him and listened. Now and again he heard a faint, + choking scream uttered by some drowning wretch, and a few hundred yards + away caught sight of a black object which he thought might be a boat. If + so, he reflected that it must be full. Moreover, he could not overtake it. + No; his only chance was to make for the shore. He was a strong swimmer, + and happily the water was almost as warm as milk. There seemed to be no + reason why he should not reach it, supported as he was by a lifebelt, if + the sharks would leave him alone, which they might, as there was plenty + for them to feed on. The direction he knew well enough, for now in the + great silence of the sea he could hear the boom of the mighty rollers + breaking on the beach. + </p> + <p> + Ah, those rollers! He remembered how that very afternoon Benita and he had + watched them through his field glass spouting up against the cruel walls + of rock, and wondered that when the ocean was so calm they had still such + power. Now, should he live to reach them, he was doomed to match himself + against that power. Well, the sooner he did so the sooner it would be + over, one way or the other. This was in his favour: the tide had turned, + and was flowing shorewards. Indeed, he had little to do but to rest upon + his plank, which he placed crosswise beneath his breast, and steered + himself with his feet. Even thus he made good progress, nearly a mile an + hour perhaps. He could have gone faster had he swum, but he was saving his + strength. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange journey upon that silent sea beneath those silent stars, + and strange thoughts came into Robert’s soul. He wondered whether Benita + would live and what she would say. Perhaps, however, she was already dead, + and he would meet her presently. He wondered if he were doomed to die, and + whether this sacrifice of his would be allowed to atone for his past + errors. He hoped so, and put up a petition to that effect, for himself and + for Benita, and for all the poor people who had gone before, hurled from + their pleasure into the halls of Death. + </p> + <p> + So he floated on while the boom of the breakers grew ever nearer, + companioned by his wild, fretful thoughts, till at length what he took to + be a shark appeared quite close to him, and in the urgency of the moment + he gave up wondering. It proved to be only a piece of wood, but later on a + real shark did come, for he saw its back fin. However, this cruel creature + was either gorged or timid, for when he splashed upon the water and + shouted, it went away, to return no more. + </p> + <p> + Now, at length, Robert entered upon the deep hill and valley swell which + preceded the field of the rollers. Suddenly he shot down a smooth slope, + and without effort of his own found himself borne up an opposing steep, + from the crest of which he had a view of white lines of foam, and beyond + them of a dim and rocky shore. At one spot, a little to his right, the + foam seemed thinner and the line of cliff to be broken, as though here + there was a cleft. For this cleft, then, he steered his plank, taking the + swell obliquely, which by good fortune the set of the tide enabled him to + do without any great exertion. + </p> + <p> + The valleys grew deeper, and the tops of the opposing ridges were crested + with foam. He had entered the rollers, and the struggle for life began. + Before him they rushed solemn and mighty. Viewed from some safe place even + the sight of these combers is terrible, as any who have watched them from + this coast, or from that of the Island of Ascension, can bear witness. + What their aspect was to this shipwrecked man, supported by a single + plank, may therefore be imagined, seen, as he saw them, in the mysterious + moonlight and in utter loneliness. Yet his spirit rose to meet the dread + emergency; if he were to die, he would die fighting. He had grown cold and + tired, but now the chill and weariness left him; he felt warm and strong. + From the crest of one of the high rollers he thought he saw that about + half a mile away from him a little river ran down the centre of the gorge, + and for the mouth of this river he laid his course. + </p> + <p> + At first all went well. He was borne up the seas; he slid down the seas in + a lather of white foam. Presently the rise and fall grew steeper, and the + foam began to break over his head. Robert could no longer guide himself; + he must go as he was carried. Then in an instant he was carried into a + hell of waters where, had it not been for his lifebelt and the plank, he + must have been beaten down and have perished. As it was, now he was driven + into the depths, and now he emerged upon their surface to hear their + seething hiss around him, and above it all a continuous boom as of great + guns—the boom of the breaking seas. + </p> + <p> + The plank was almost twisted from his grasp, but he clung to it + desperately, although its edges tore his arms. When the rollers broke over + him he held his breath, and when he was tossed skywards on their curves, + drew it again in quick, sweet gasps. Now he sat upon the very brow of one + of them as a merman might; now he dived like a dolphin, and now, just as + his senses were leaving him, his feet touched bottom. Another moment and + Robert was being rolled along that bottom with a weight on him like the + weight of mountains. The plank was rent from him, but his cork jacket + brought him up. The backwash drew him with it into deeper water, where he + lay helpless and despairing, for he no longer had any strength to struggle + against his doom. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that there came a mighty roller, bigger than any that he had + seen—such a one as on that coast the Kaffirs call “a father of + waves.” It caught him in the embrace of its vast green curve. It bore him + forward as though he were but a straw, far forward over the stretch of + cruel rocks. It broke in thunder, dashing him again upon the stones and + sand of the little river bar, rolling him along with its resistless might, + till even that might was exhausted, and its foam began to return seawards, + sucking him with it. + </p> + <p> + Robert’s mind was almost gone, but enough of it remained to tell him that + if once more he was dragged into the deep water he must be lost. As the + current haled him along he gripped at the bottom with his hands, and by + the mercy of Heaven they closed on something. It may have been a + tree-stump embedded there, or a rock—he never knew. At least, it was + firm, and to it he hung despairingly. Would that rush never cease? His + lungs were bursting; he must let go! Oh! the foam was thinning; his head + was above it now; now it had departed, leaving him like a stranded fish + upon the shingle. For half a minute or more he lay there gasping, then + looked behind him to see another comber approaching through the gloom. He + struggled to his feet, fell, rose again, and ran, or rather, staggered + forward with that tigerish water hissing at his heels. Forward, still + forward, till he was beyond its reach—yes, on dry sand. Then his + vital forces failed him; one of his legs gave way, and, bleeding from a + hundred hurts, he fell heavily onto his face, and there was still. + </p> + <p> + The boat in which Benita lay, being so deep in the water, proved very hard + to row against the tide, for the number of its passengers encumbered the + oarsmen. After a while a light off land breeze sprang up, as here it often + does towards morning; and the officer, Thompson, determined to risk + hoisting the sail. Accordingly this was done—with some difficulty, + for the mast had to be drawn out and shipped—although the women + screamed as the weight of the air bent their frail craft over till the + gunwale was almost level with the water. + </p> + <p> + “Anyone who moves shall be thrown overboard!” said the officer, who + steered, after which they were quiet. + </p> + <p> + Now they made good progress seawards, but the anxieties of those who knew + were very great, since the wind showed signs of rising, and if any swell + should spring up that crowded cutter could scarcely hope to live. In fact, + two hours later they were forced to lower the sail again and drift, + waiting for the dawn. Mr. Thompson strove to cheer them, saying that now + they were in the track of vessels, and if they could see none when the + light came, he would run along the shore in the hope of finding a place + free of breakers where they might land. If they did not inspire hope, at + least his words calmed them, and they sat in heavy silence, watching the + sky. + </p> + <p> + At length it grew grey, and then, with a sudden glory peculiar to South + Africa, the great red sun arose and began to dispel the mist from the + surface of the sea. Half an hour more and this was gone, and now the + bright rays brought life back into their chilled frames as they stared at + each other to see which of their company were still left alive. They even + asked for food, and biscuit was given to them with water. + </p> + <p> + All this while Benita remained unconscious. Indeed, one callous fellow, + who had been using her body as a footstool, said that she must be dead, + and had better be thrown overboard, as it would lighten the boat. + </p> + <p> + “If you throw that lady into the sea, living or dead,” said Mr. Thompson, + with an ominous lift of his eye, “you go with her, Mr. Batten. Remember + who brought her here and how he died.” + </p> + <p> + Then Mr. Batten held his peace, while Thompson stood up and scanned the + wide expanse of sea. Presently he whispered to a sailor near him, who also + stood up, looked, and nodded. + </p> + <p> + “That will be the other Line’s intermediate boat,” he said, and the + passengers, craning their heads round, saw far away to the right a streak + of smoke upon the horizon. Orders were given, a little corner of sail was + hoisted, with a white cloth of some sort tied above it, and the oars were + got out. Once more the cutter moved forward, bearing to the left in the + hope of intercepting the steamer. + </p> + <p> + She came on with terrible swiftness, and they who had miles of water to + cover, dared hoist no more sail in that breeze. In half an hour she was + nearly opposite to them, and they were still far away. A little more sail + was let out, driving them through the water at as quick a rate as they + could venture to go. The steamer was passing three miles or so away, and + black despair took hold of them. Now the resourceful Thompson, without + apologies, undressed, and removing the white shirt that he had worn at the + dance, bade a sailor to tie it to an oar and wave it to and fro. + </p> + <p> + Still the steamer went on, until presently they heard her siren going, and + saw that she was putting about. + </p> + <p> + “She has seen us,” said Thompson. “Thank God, all of you, for there is + wind coming up. Pull down that sail; we shan’t need it any more.” + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later, with many precautions, for the wind he prophesied was + already troubling the sea and sending little splashes of water over the + stern of their deeply laden boat, they were fast to a line thrown from the + deck of the three thousand ton steamer <i>Castle</i>, bound for Natal. + Then, with a rattle, down came the accommodation ladder, and strong-armed + men, standing on its grating, dragged them one by one from the death to + which they had been so near. The last to be lifted up, except Thompson, + was Benita, round whom it was necessary to reeve a rope. + </p> + <p> + “Any use?” asked the officer on the grating as he glanced at her quiet + form. + </p> + <p> + “Can’t say; I hope so,” answered Thompson. “Call your doctor.” And gently + enough she was borne up the ship’s side. + </p> + <p> + They wanted to cast off the boat, but Thompson remonstrated, and in the + end that also was dragged to deck. Meanwhile the news had spread, and the + awakened passengers of the <i>Castle</i>, clad in pyjamas, dressing-gowns, + and even blankets, were crowding round the poor castaways or helping them + to their cabins. + </p> + <p> + “I am a teetotaller,” said second officer Thompson when he had made a + brief report to the captain of the <i>Castle</i>, “but if anyone will + stand me a whiskey and soda I shall be obliged to him.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"></a> + IV.<br/> + MR. CLIFFORD</h2> + <p> + Although the shock of the blow she had received upon her head was + sufficient to make her insensible for so many hours, Benita’s injuries + were not of a really serious nature, for as it happened the falling block, + or whatever it may have been, had hit her forehead slantwise, and not + full, to which accident she owed it that, although the skin was torn and + the scalp bruised, her skull had escaped fracture. Under proper medical + care her senses soon came back to her, but as she was quite dazed and + thought herself still on board the <i>Zanzibar</i>, the doctor considered + it wise to preserve her in that illusion for a while. So after she had + swallowed some broth he gave her a sleeping draught, the effects of which + she did not shake off till the following morning. + </p> + <p> + Then she came to herself completely, and was astonished to feel the pain + in her head, which had been bandaged, and to see a strange stewardess + sitting by her with a cup of beef-tea in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Where am I? Is it a dream?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Drink this and I will tell you,” answered the stewardess. + </p> + <p> + Benita obeyed, for she felt hungry, then repeated her question. + </p> + <p> + “Your steamer was shipwrecked,” said the stewardess, “and a great many + poor people were drowned, but you were saved in a boat. Look, there are + your clothes; they were never in the water.” + </p> + <p> + “Who carried me into the boat?” asked Benita in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “A gentleman, they say, Miss, who had wrapped you in a blanket and put a + lifebelt on you.” + </p> + <p> + Now Benita remembered everything that happened before the darkness fell—the + question to which she had given no answer, the young couple who stood + flirting by her—all came back to her. + </p> + <p> + “Was Mr. Seymour saved?” she whispered, her face grey with dread. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say, Miss,” answered the stewardess evasively. “But there is no + gentleman of that name aboard this ship.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment the doctor came in, and him, too, she plied with questions. + But having learned the story of Robert’s self-sacrifice from Mr. Thompson + and the others, he would give her no answer, for he guessed how matters + had stood between them, and feared the effects of the shock. All he could + say was that he hoped Mr. Seymour had escaped in some other boat. + </p> + <p> + It was not until the third morning that Benita was allowed to learn the + truth, which indeed it was impossible to conceal any longer. Mr. Thompson + came to her cabin and told her everything, while she listened silently, + horrified, amazed. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Clifford,” he said, “I think it was one of the bravest things that a + man ever did. On the ship I always thought him rather a head-in-air kind + of swell, but he was a splendid fellow, and I pray God that he has lived, + as the lady and child for whom he offered himself up have done, for they + are both well again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she repeated after him mechanically, “splendid fellow indeed, and,” + she added, with a strange flash of conviction, “I believe that he <i>is</i> + still alive. If he were dead I should know it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to hear you say so,” said Mr. Thompson, who believed the exact + contrary. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” she went on. “I will tell you something. When that dreadful + accident occurred Mr. Seymour had just asked me to marry him, and I was + going to answer that I would—because I love him. I believe that I + shall still give him that answer.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Thompson replied again that he hoped so, which, being as honest and + tender-hearted as he was brave and capable, he did most earnestly; but in + his heart he reflected that her answer would not be given this side of the + grave. Then, as he had been deputed to do, he handed her the note which + had been found in the bosom of her dress, and, able to bear no more of + this painful scene, hurried from the cabin. She read it greedily twice, + and pressed it to her lips, murmuring: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will think kindly of you, Robert Seymour, kindly as woman can of + man, and now or afterwards you shall have your answer, if you still wish + for it. Whenever you come or wherever I go, it shall be ready for you.” + </p> + <p> + That afternoon, when she was more composed, Mrs. Jeffreys came to see + Benita, bringing her baby with her. The poor woman was still pale and + shaken, but the child had taken no hurt at all from its immersion in that + warm water. + </p> + <p> + “What can you think of me?” she said, falling on her knees by Benita. “But + oh! I did not know what I was doing. It was terror and my child,” and she + kissed the sleeping infant passionately. “Also I did not understand at the + time—I was too dazed. And—that hero—he gave his life for + me when the others wished to beat me off with oars. Yes, his blood is upon + my hands—he who died that I and my child might live.” + </p> + <p> + Benita looked at her and answered, very gently: + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he did not die after all. Do not grieve, for if he did it was a + very glorious death, and I am prouder of him than I could have been had he + lived on like the others—who wished to beat you off with oars. + Whatever is, is by God’s Will, and doubtless for the best. At the least, + you and your child will be restored to your husband, though it cost me one + who would have been—my husband.” + </p> + <p> + That evening Benita came upon the deck and spoke with the other ladies who + were saved, learning every detail that she could gather. But to none of + the men, except to Mr. Thompson, would she say a single word, and soon, + seeing how the matter stood, they hid themselves away from her as they had + already done from Mrs. Jeffreys. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Castle</i> had hung about the scene of the shipwreck for thirty + hours, and rescued one other boatload of survivors, also a stoker clinging + to a piece of wreckage. But with the shore she had been unable to + communicate, for the dreaded wind had risen, and the breakers were quite + impassable to any boat. To a passing steamer bound for Port Elizabeth, + however, she had reported the terrible disaster, which by now was known + all over the world, together with the names of those whom she had picked + up in the boats. + </p> + <p> + On the night of the day of Benita’s interview with Mrs. Jeffreys, the <i>Castle</i> + arrived off Durban and anchored, since she was too big a vessel to cross + the bar as it was in those days. At dawn the stewardess awoke Benita from + the uneasy sleep in which she lay, to tell her that an old gentleman had + come off in the tug and wished to see her; for fear of exciting false + hopes she was very careful to add that word “old.” With her help Benita + dressed herself, and as the sun rose, flooding the Berea, the Point, the + white town and fair Natal beyond with light, she went on to the deck, and + there, leaning over the bulwark, saw a thin, grey-bearded man of whom + after all these years the aspect was still familiar. + </p> + <p> + A curious thrill went through her as she looked at him leaning there lost + in thought. After all, he was her father, the man to whom she owed her + presence upon this bitter earth, this place of terrors and delights, of + devastation and hope supernal. Perhaps, too, he had been as much sinned + against as sinning. She stepped up to him and touched him on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” she said. + </p> + <p> + He turned round with all the quickness of a young man, for about him there + was a peculiar agility which his daughter had inherited. Like his mind, + his body was still nimble. + </p> + <p> + “My darling,” he said, “I should have known your voice anywhere. It has + haunted my sleep for years. My darling, thank you for coming back to me, + and thank God for preserving you when so many were lost.” Then he threw + his arms about her and kissed her. + </p> + <p> + She shrank from him a little, for by inadvertence he had pressed upon the + wound in her forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” she said; “it is my head. It was injured, you know.” + </p> + <p> + Then he saw the bandage about her brow, and was very penitent. + </p> + <p> + “They did not tell me that you had been hurt, Benita,” he exclaimed in his + light, refined voice, one of the stamps of that gentility of blood and + breeding whereof all his rough years and errors had been unable to deprive + him. “They only told me that you were saved. It is part of my ill-fortune + that at our first moment of greeting I should give you pain, who have + caused you so much already.” + </p> + <p> + Benita felt that the words were an apology for the past, and her heart was + touched. + </p> + <p> + “It is nothing,” she answered. “You did not know or mean it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, dear, I never knew or meant it. Believe me, I was not a willing + sinner, only a weak one. You are beautiful, Benita—far more so than + I expected.” + </p> + <p> + “What,” she answered smiling, “with this bandage round my head? Well, in + your eyes, perhaps.” But inwardly she thought to herself that the + description would be more applicable to her father, who in truth, + notwithstanding his years, was wonderfully handsome, with his quick blue + eyes, mobile face, gentle mouth with the wistful droop at the corners so + like her own, and grey beard. How, she wondered, could this be the man who + had struck her mother. Then she remembered him as he had been years before + when he was a slave to liquor, and knew that the answer was simple. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me about your escape, love,” he said, patting her hand with his thin + fingers. “You don’t know what I’ve suffered. I was waiting at the Royal + Hotel here, when the cable came announcing the loss of the <i>Zanzibar</i> + and all on board. For the first time for many a year I drank spirits to + drown my grief—don’t be afraid, dear—for the first time and + the last. Then afterwards came another cable giving the names of those who + were known to be saved, and—thank God, oh! thank God—yours + among them,” and he gasped at the recollection of that relief. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said; “I suppose I should thank—Him—and another. + Have you heard the story about—how Mr. Seymour saved me, I mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Some of it. While you were dressing yourself, I have been talking to the + officer who was in command of your boat. He was a brave man, Benita, and I + am sorry to tell you he is gone.” + </p> + <p> + She grasped a stanchion and clung there, staring at him with a wild, white + face. + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that, Father?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford drew a copy of the <i>Natal Mercury</i> of the previous day + from the pocket of his ulster, and while she waited in an agony he hunted + through the long columns descriptive of the loss of the <i>Zanzibar</i>. + Presently he came to the paragraph he sought, and read it aloud to her. It + ran: + </p> + <p> + “The searchers on the coast opposite the scene of the shipwreck report + that they met a Kaffir who was travelling along the seashore, who produced + a gold watch which he said he had taken from the body of a white man that + he found lying on the sand at the mouth of the Umvoli River. Inside the + watch is engraved, ‘To Seymour Robert Seymour, from his uncle, on his + twenty-first birthday.’ The name of Mr. Seymour appears as a first-class + passenger to Durban by the <i>Zanzibar</i>. He was a member of an old + English family in Lincolnshire. This was his second journey to South + Africa, which he visited some years ago with his brother on a big-game + shooting expedition. All who knew him then will join with us in deploring + his loss. Mr. Seymour was a noted shot and an English gentleman of the + best stamp. He was last seen by one of the survivors of the catastrophe, + carrying Miss Clifford, the daughter of the well-known Natal pioneer of + that name, into a boat, but as this young lady is reported to have been + saved, and as he entered the boat with her, no explanation is yet + forthcoming as to how he came to his sad end.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear that is clear enough,” said Mr. Clifford, as he folded up his + paper. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, clear enough,” she repeated in a strained voice. “And yet—yet—oh! + Father, he had just asked me to marry him, and I can’t believe that he is + dead before I had time to answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Good Heavens!” said the old man, “they never told me that. It is + dreadfully sad. God help you, my poor child! There is nothing more to say + except that he was only one among three hundred who have gone with him. Be + brave now, before all these people. Look—here comes the tug.” + </p> + <p> + The following week was very much of a blank to Benita. When they reached + shore some old friends of her father’s took her and him to their house, a + quiet place upon the Berea. Here, now that the first excitement of rescue + and grief was over, the inevitable reaction set in, bringing with it + weakness so distressing that the doctor insisted upon her going to bed, + where she remained for the next five days. With the healing up of the + wound in her head her strength came back to her at last, but it was a very + sad Benita who crept from her room one afternoon on to the verandah and + looked out at the cruel sea, peaceful now as the sky above. + </p> + <p> + Her father, who had nursed her tenderly during these dark days, came and + sat by her, taking her hand in his. + </p> + <p> + “This is capital,” he said, glancing at her anxiously. “You are getting + quite yourself again.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall never be myself again,” she answered. “My old self is dead, + although the outside of me has recovered. Father, I suppose that it is + wrong, but I wish that I were dead too. I wish that he had taken me with + him when he jumped into the sea to lighten the boat.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t speak like that,” he broke in hastily. “Of course I know that I am + not much to you—how can I be after all that is past? But I love you, + dear, and if I were left quite alone again——” And he broke + off. + </p> + <p> + “You shall not be left alone if I can help it,” she replied, looking at + the old man with her dark and tender eyes. “We have only each other in the + world now, have we? The rest have gone, never to return.” + </p> + <p> + He threw his arms about her, and, drawing her to him, kissed her + passionately. + </p> + <p> + “If only you could learn to love me!” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I do love you,” she answered, “who now shall never love any other man + upon the earth.” + </p> + <p> + This was the beginning of a deep affection which sprang up between Mr. + Clifford and his daughter, and continued to the end. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any news?” she asked a little later. + </p> + <p> + “None—none about him. The tide took his body away, no doubt, after + the Kaffir had gone. I remember him well now. He was a fine young man, and + it comes into my mind that when I said good-bye to him above those old + ruins, I wished that I had a son like that. And to think that he went so + near to becoming a son to me! Well, the grass must bend when the wind + blows, as the natives say.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you knew him,” she answered simply. + </p> + <p> + Then they began talking about other matters. He told her that all the + story had become known, and that people spoke of Robert Seymour as “the + hero”; also that there was a great deal of curiosity about her. + </p> + <p> + “Then let us get away as soon as we can,” she said nervously. “But, + Father, where are we going?” + </p> + <p> + “That will be for you to decide, love. Listen, now; this is my position. I + have been quite steady for years, and worked hard, with the result that I + and my partner have a fine farm in the Transvaal, on the high land near + Lake Chrissie, out Wakkerstroom way. We breed horses there, and have done + very well with them. I have £1,500 saved, and the farm brings us in quite + £600 a year beyond the expenses. But it is a lonely place, with only a few + Boers about, although they are good fellows enough. You might not care to + live there with no company.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think that I should mind,” she answered, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Not now, but by-and-by you would when you know what it is like. Now I + might sell my share in the farm to my partner, who, I think, would buy it, + or I might trust to him to send me a part of the profits, which perhaps he + would not. Then, if you wish it, we could live in or near one of the + towns, or even, as you have an income of your own, go home to England, if + that is your will.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it your will?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “No; all my life is here. Also, I have something to + find before I die—for your sake, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean up among those ruins?” she asked, looking at him curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. So you know about it?” he answered, with a flash of his blue eyes. + “Oh! of course, Seymour told you. Yes, I mean among the ruins—but I + will tell you that story another time—not here, not here. What do + you wish to do, Benita? Remember, I am in your hands; I will obey you in + all things.” + </p> + <p> + “Not to stop in a town and not to go to England,” she replied, while he + hung eagerly upon her words, “for this has become my holy land. Father, I + will go with you to your farm; there I can be quiet, you and I together.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he answered rather uneasily; “but, you see, Benita, we shall not be + quite alone there. My partner, Jacob Meyer, lives with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Jacob Meyer? Ah! I remember,” and she winced. “He is a German, is he not—and + odd?” + </p> + <p> + “German Jew, I imagine, and very odd. Should have made his fortune a dozen + times over, and yet has never done anything. Too unpractical, too + visionary, with all his brains and scheming. Not a good man, Benita, + although he suits me, and, for the matter of that, under our agreement I + cannot get rid of him.” + </p> + <p> + “How did he become your partner?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! a good many years ago he turned up at the place with a doleful story. + Said that he had been trading among the Zulus; he was what we call a + ‘smouse’ out here, and got into a row with them, I don’t know how. The end + of it was that they burned his waggon, looted his trade-goods and oxen, + and killed his servants. They would have killed him too, only, according + to his own account, he escaped in a very queer fashion.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he says by mesmerising the chief and making the man lead him + through his followers. An odd story enough, but I can quite believe it of + Jacob. He worked for me for six months, and showed himself very clever. + Then one night, I remember it was a few days after I had told him of the + story of the Portuguese treasure in Matabeleland, he produced £500 in Bank + of England notes out of the lining of his waistcoat, and offered to buy a + half interest in the farm. Yes, £500! Although for all those months I had + believed him to be a beggar. Well, as he was so <i>slim</i>, and better + than no company in that lonely place, in the end I accepted. We have done + well since, except for the expedition after the treasure which we did not + get, although we more than paid our expenses out of the ivory we bought. + But next time we shall succeed, I am sure,” he added with enthusiasm, + “that is, if we can persuade those Makalanga to let us search on the + mountain.” + </p> + <p> + Benita smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I think you had better stick to the horsebreeding,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “You shall judge when you hear the story. But you have been brought up in + England; will you not be afraid to go to Lake Chrissie?” + </p> + <p> + “Afraid of what?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! of the loneliness, and of Jacob Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “I was born on the veld, Father, and I have always hated London. As for + your odd friend, Mr. Meyer, I am not afraid of any man on earth. I have + done with men. At the least I will try the place and see how I get on.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” answered her father with a sigh of relief. “You can always + come back, can’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said indifferently. “I suppose that I can always come back.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"></a> + V.<br/> + JACOB MEYER</h2> + <p> + More than three weeks had gone by when one morning Benita, who slept upon + the cartel or hide-strung bed in the waggon, having dressed herself as + best she could in that confined place, thrust aside the curtain and seated + herself upon the voorkisse, or driving-box. The sun was not yet up, and + the air was cold with frost, for they were on the Transvaal high-veld at + the end of winter. Even through her thick cloak Benita shivered and called + to the driver of the waggon, who also acted as cook, and whose + blanket-draped form she could see bending over a fire into which he was + blowing life, to make haste with the coffee. + </p> + <p> + “By and by, Missie—by and by,” he answered, coughing the rank smoke + from his lungs. “Kettle no sing yet, and fire black as hell.” + </p> + <p> + Benita reflected that popular report painted this locality red, but + without entering into argument sat still upon the chest waiting till the + water boiled and her father appeared. + </p> + <p> + Presently he emerged from under the side flap of the waggon where he + slept, and remarking that it was really too cold to think of washing, + climbed to her side by help of the disselboom, and kissed her. + </p> + <p> + “How far are we now from Rooi Krantz, Father?” she asked, for that was the + name of Mr. Clifford’s farm. + </p> + <p> + “About forty miles, dear. The waggon cannot make it to-night with these + two sick oxen, but after the midday outspan we will ride on, and be there + by sundown. I am afraid you are tired of this trekking.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she answered. “I like it very much; it is so restful, and I sleep + sound upon that cartel. I feel as though I should like to trek on for the + rest of my life.” + </p> + <p> + “So you shall if you wish, dear, for whole months. South Africa is big, + and when the grass grows, if you still wish it, we will take a long + journey.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled, but made no answer, knowing that he was thinking of the place + so far away where he believed that once the Portuguese had buried gold. + </p> + <p> + The kettle was singing now merrily enough, and Hans, the cook, lifting it + from the fire in triumph—for his blowing exertions had been severe—poured + into it a quantity of ground coffee from an old mustard tin. Then, having + stirred the mixture with a stick, he took a red ember from the fire and + dropped it into the kettle, a process which, as travellers in the veld + know well, has a clearing effect upon the coffee. Next he produced + pannikins, and handed them up with a pickle jar full of sugar to Mr. + Clifford, upon the waggon chest. Milk they had none, yet that coffee + tasted a great deal better than it looked; indeed, Benita drank two cups + of it to warm herself and wash down the hard biscuit. Before the day was + over glad enough was she that she had done so. + </p> + <p> + The sun was rising; huge and red it looked seen through the clinging mist, + and, their breakfast finished, Mr. Clifford gave orders that the oxen, + which were filling themselves with the dry grass near at hand, should be + got up and inspanned. The voorlooper, a Zulu boy, who had left them for a + little while to share the rest of the coffee with Hans, rose from his + haunches with a grunt, and departed to fetch them. A minute or two later + Hans ceased from his occupation of packing up the things, and said in a + low voice: + </p> + <p> + “<i>Kek!</i> Baas”—that is “Look!” + </p> + <p> + Following the line of his outstretched hand, Benita and her father + perceived, not more than a hundred yards away from them, a great troop of + wilderbeeste, or gnu, travelling along a ridge, and pausing now and again + to indulge in those extraordinary gambols which cause the Boers to declare + that these brutes have a worm in their brains. + </p> + <p> + “Give me my rifle, Hans,” said Mr. Clifford. “We want meat.” + </p> + <p> + By the time that the Westley-Richards was drawn from its case and loaded, + only one buck remained, for, having caught sight of the waggon, it turned + to stare at it suspiciously. Mr. Clifford aimed and fired. Down went the + buck, then springing to its feet again, vanished behind the ridge. Mr. + Clifford shook his head sadly. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t often do that sort of thing, my dear, but the light is still very + bad. Still, he’s hit. What do you say? Shall we get on the horses and + catch him? A canter would warm you.” + </p> + <p> + Benita, who was tender-hearted, reflected that it would be kinder to put + the poor creature out of its pain, and nodded her head. Five minutes later + they were cantering together up the rise, Mr. Clifford having first + ordered the waggon to trek on till they rejoined it, and slipped a packet + of cartridges into his pocket. Beyond the rise lay a wide stretch of + marshy ground, bordered by another rise half a mile or more away, from the + crest of which—for now the air was clear enough—they saw the + wounded bull standing. On they went after him, but before they could come + within shot, he had moved forward once more, for he was only lightly hurt + in the flank, and guessed whence his trouble came. + </p> + <p> + Again and again did he retreat as they drew near, until at length, just as + Mr. Clifford was about to dismount to risk a long shot, the beast took to + its heels in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” he said; “don’t let’s be beat,” for by this time the hunter was + alive in him. + </p> + <p> + So off they went at a gallop, up slopes and down slopes that reminded + Benita of the Bay of Biscay in a storm, across half-dried vleis that in + the wet season were ponds, through stony ground and patches of ant-bear + holes in which they nearly came to grief. For five miles at least the + chase went on, since at the end of winter the wilderbeeste was thin and + could gallop well, notwithstanding its injury, faster even than their good + horses. At last, rising a ridge, they found whither it was going, for + suddenly they were in the midst of vast herds of game, thousands and tens + of thousands of them stretching as far as the eye could reach. + </p> + <p> + It was a wondrous sight that now, alas! will be seen no more—at any + rate upon the Transvaal veld; wilderbeeste, blesbok, springbok, in + countless multitudes, and amongst them a few quagga and hartebeeste. With + a sound like that of thunder, their flashing myriad hoofs casting up + clouds of dust from the fire-blackened veld, the great herds separated at + the appearance of their enemy, man. This way and that they went in groups + and long brown lines, leaving the wounded and exhausted wilderbeeste + behind them, so that presently he was the sole tenant of that great cup of + land. + </p> + <p> + At him they rode till Mr. Clifford, who was a little ahead of his + daughter, drew almost alongside. Then the poor maddened brute tried its + last shift. Stopping suddenly, it wheeled round and charged head down. Mr. + Clifford, as it came, held out his rifle in his right hand and fired at a + hazard. The bullet passed through the bull, but could not stop its charge. + Its horns, held low, struck the forelegs of the horse, and next instant + horse, man, and wilderbeeste rolled on the veld together. + </p> + <p> + Benita, who was fifty yards behind, uttered a little cry of fear, but + before ever she reached him, her father had risen laughing, for he was + quite unhurt. The horse, too, was getting up, but the bull could rise no + more. It struggled to its forefeet, uttered a kind of sobbing groan, + stared round wildly, and rolled over, dead. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew a wilderbeeste charge like that before,” said Mr. Clifford. + “Confound it! I believe my horse is lamed.” + </p> + <p> + Lamed it was, indeed, where the bull had struck the foreleg, though, as it + chanced, not badly. Having tied a handkerchief to the horn of the buck in + order to scare away the vultures, and thrown some tufts of dry grass upon + its body, which he proposed, if possible, to fetch or send for, Mr. + Clifford mounted his lame horse and headed for the waggon. But they had + galloped farther than they thought, and it was midday before they came to + what they took to be the road. As there was no spoor upon it, they + followed this track backwards, expecting to find the waggon outspanned, + but although they rode for mile upon mile, no waggon could they see. Then, + realizing their mistake, they retraced their steps, and leaving this path + at the spot where they had found it, struck off again to the right. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the sky was darkening, and at about three o’clock in the + afternoon a thunderstorm broke over them accompanied by torrents of icy + rain, the first fall of the spring, and a bitter wind which chilled them + through. More, after the heavy rain came drizzle and a thick mist that + deepened as evening approached. + </p> + <p> + Now their plight was very wretched. Lost, starved, soaked to the skin, + with tired horses one of which was lame, they wandered about on the lonely + veld. Only one stroke of fortune came to them. As the sun set, for a few + moments its rays pierced the mist, telling them in what direction they + should go. Turning their horses, they headed for it, and so rode on until + the darkness fell. Then they halted a while, but feeling that if they + stood still in that horrible cold they would certainly perish before + morning, once more pushed on again. By now Mr. Clifford’s horse was almost + too lame to ride, so he led it, walking at his daughter’s side, and + reproaching himself bitterly for his foolishness in having brought her + into this trouble. + </p> + <p> + “It doesn’t matter, Father,” she answered wearily, for she was very tired. + “Nothing matters; one may as well die upon the veld as in the sea or + anywhere else.” + </p> + <p> + On they plodded, they knew not whither. Benita fell asleep upon her + saddle, and was awakened once by a hyena howling quite close to them, and + once by her horse falling to its knees. + </p> + <p> + “What is the time?” she said at last. + </p> + <p> + Her father struck a match and looked at his watch. It was ten o’clock; + they had been fifteen hours away from the waggon and without food. At + intervals Mr. Clifford, who had remounted, fired his rifle. Now there was + but one cartridge left, and having caught sight of his daughter’s + exhausted face by the light of the match, he fired this also, though in + that desperate wilderness there was little hope of its bringing succour. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we stop or go on?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I do not care,” she answered. “Only if I stop I think it will be for + ever. Let us go on.” + </p> + <p> + Now the rain had ceased, but the mist was as dense as before. Also they + seemed to have got among bush, for wet leaves brushed their faces. Utterly + exhausted they stumbled forward, till suddenly Benita felt her horse stop + as though a hand had seized its bridle, and heard a man’s voice, speaking + with a foreign accent, say: + </p> + <p> + “Mein Gott! Where are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I knew,” she answered, like one in a dream. + </p> + <p> + At this instant the moon rose above the mists, and Benita saw Jacob Meyer + for the first time. + </p> + <p> + In that light his appearance was not unpleasing. A man of about forty + years of age, not over tall, slight and active in build, with a pointed + black beard, regular, Semitic features, a complexion of an ivory pallor + which even the African sun did not seem to tan, and dark, lustrous eyes + that appeared, now to sleep, and now to catch the fire of the thoughts + within. Yet, weary though she was, there was something in the man’s + personality which repelled and alarmed Benita, something wild and cruel. + She felt that he was filled with unsatisfied ambitions and desires, and + that to attain to them he would shrink at nothing. In a moment he was + speaking again in tones that compelled her attention. + </p> + <p> + “It was a good thought that brought me here to look for you. No; not a + thought—what do you call it?—an instinct. I think your mind + must have spoken to my mind, and called me to save you. See now, Clifford, + my friend, where you have led your daughter. See, see!” And he pointed + downwards. + </p> + <p> + They leaned forward and stared. There, immediately beneath them, was a + mighty gulf whereof the moonlight did not reveal the bottom. + </p> + <p> + “You are no good veld traveller, Clifford, my friend; one more step of + those silly beasts, and down below there would have been two red heaps + with bits of bones sticking out of them—yes, there on the rocks five + hundred feet beneath. Ah! you would have slept soundly to-night, both of + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is the place?” asked Mr. Clifford in a dazed fashion. “Leopard’s + Kloof?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; Leopard’s Kloof, no other. You have travelled along the top of the + hill, not at the bottom. Certainly that was a good thought which came to + me from the lady your daughter, for she is one of the thought senders, I + am sure. Ah! it came to me suddenly; it hit me like a stick whilst I was + searching for you, having found that you had lost the waggon. It said to + me, ‘Ride to the top of Leopard’s Kloof. Ride hard.’ I rode hard through + the rocks and the darkness, through the mist and the rain, and not one + minute had I been here when you came and I caught the lady’s bridle.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure we are very grateful to you,” murmured Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Then I am paid back ten thousand times. No; it is I who am grateful—I + who have saved your life through the thought you sent me.” + </p> + <p> + “Thought or no thought, all’s well that ends well,” broke in Mr. Clifford + impatiently. “And thank Heaven we are not more than three miles away from + home. Will you lead the way, Jacob? You always could see in the dark?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” and he took hold of Benita’s bridle with his firm, white hand. + “Oh! my horse will follow, or put your arm through his rein—so. Now + come on, Miss Clifford, and be afraid no more. With Jacob Meyer you are + safe.” + </p> + <p> + So they began their descent of the hill. Meyer did not speak again; all + his attention seemed to be concentrated upon finding a safe path on which + the horses would not stumble. Nor did Benita speak; she was too utterly + exhausted—so exhausted, indeed, that she could no longer control her + mind and imagination. These seemed to loose themselves from her and to + acquire new powers, notably that of entering into the secret thoughts of + the man at her side. She saw them pass before her like living things, and + yet she could not read them. Still, something she did understand—that + she had suddenly grown important to this man, not in the way in which + women are generally important to men, but otherwise. She felt as though + she had become interwoven with the objects of his life, and was henceforth + necessary to their fulfilment, as though she were someone whom he had been + seeking for years on years, the one person who could give him light in his + darkness. + </p> + <p> + These imaginings troubled her, so that she was very thankful when they + passed away as swiftly as they had arisen, and she knew only that she was + half dead with weariness and cold; that her limbs ached and that the steep + path seemed endless. + </p> + <p> + At length they reached level ground, and after travelling along it for a + while and crossing the bed of a stream, passed through a gate, and stopped + suddenly at the door of a house with lighted windows. + </p> + <p> + “Here is your home at last, Miss Clifford,” said the musical voice of + Jacob Meyer, “and I thank the Fate which rules us that it has taught me to + bring you to it safely.” + </p> + <p> + Making no answer she slid from the saddle, only to find that she could not + stand, for she sank into a heap upon the ground. With a gentle exclamation + he lifted her, and calling to two Kaffirs who had appeared to take the + horses, led her into the house. + </p> + <p> + “You must go to bed at once,” he said, conducting her to a door which + opened out of the sitting-room. “I have had a fire lit in your chamber in + case you should come, and old Tante Sally will bring you soup with brandy + in it, and hot water for your feet. Ah! there you are, old vrouw. Come + now; help the lady, your mistress. Is all ready?” + </p> + <p> + “All, Baas,” answered the woman, a stout half-breed with a kindly face. + “Come now, my little one, and I will undress you.” + </p> + <p> + Half an hour later Benita, having drunk more brandy than ever she had done + in her life before, was wrapped up and fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke the sun was streaming through the curtained window of her + room, and by the light of it she saw that the clock which stood upon the + mantelpiece pointed to half-past eleven. She had slept for nearly twelve + hours, and felt that, notwithstanding the cold and exposure, save for + stiffness and a certain numb feeling in her head—the result, + perhaps, of the unaccustomed brandy—she was well and, what was more, + quite hungry. + </p> + <p> + Outside on the verandah she heard the voice of Jacob Meyer, with which she + seemed already to have become familiar, telling some natives to stop + singing, as they would wake the chieftainess inside. He used the Zulu word + Inkosi-kaas, which, she remembered, meant head-lady or chieftainess. He + was very thoughtful for her, she reflected, and was grateful, till + suddenly she remembered the dislike she had taken to the man. + </p> + <p> + Then she looked round her room and saw that it was very pretty, well + furnished and papered, with water-colour pictures on the walls of no mean + merit, things that she had not expected in this far-off place. Also on a + table stood a great bowl of arum lilies. She wondered who had put them + there; whether it were the old half-breed, Sally, or Jacob Meyer. Also she + wondered who had painted the pictures, which were all of African scenery, + and something told her that both the flowers and the pictures came from + Jacob Meyer. + </p> + <p> + On the little table by her bed was a handbell, which presently she rang. + Instantly she heard the voice of Sally calling for the coffee “quick,” and + next minute the woman entered, bringing a tray with it, and bread and + butter—yes, and toast and eggs, which had evidently been made ready + for her. Speaking in English mixed with Dutch words, she told Benita that + her father was still in bed, but sent her his love, and wished to know how + she did. Then, while she ate her breakfast with appetite, Sally set her a + bath, and subsequently appeared carrying the contents of the box she had + used upon the waggon, which had now arrived safely at the farm. Benita + asked who had ordered the box to be unpacked, and Sally answered that the + Heer Meyer had ordered it so that she might not be disturbed in her sleep, + and that her things should be ready for her when she woke. + </p> + <p> + “The Heer Meyer thinks a great deal about other people,” said Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Ja, ja!” answered the old half-breed. “He tink much about people when he + want to tink about them, but he tink most about himself. Baas Meyer, he a + very clever man—oh! a very clever man, who want to be a great man + too. And one day, Missee, he be a great man, great and rich—if the + Heer God Almighty let him.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"></a> + VI.<br/> + THE GOLD COIN</h2> + <p> + Six weeks had gone by since the eventful evening of Benita’s arrival at + Rooi Krantz. Now the spring had fully come, the veld was emerald with + grass and bright with flowers. In the kloof behind the house trees had put + out their leaves, and the mimosas were in bloom, making the air heavy with + their scent. Amongst them the ringdoves nested in hundreds, and on the + steep rocks of the precipice the red-necked vultures fed their young. + Along the banks of the stream and round the borders of the lake the + pig-lilies bloomed, a sheet of white. All the place was beautiful and full + of life and hope. Nothing seemed dead and hopeless except Benita’s heart. + </p> + <p> + Her health had quite come back to her; indeed, never before had she felt + so strong and well. But the very soul had withered in her breast. All day + she thought, and all night she dreamed of the man who, in cold blood, had + offered up his life to save a helpless woman and her child. She wondered + whether he would have done this if he had heard the answer that was upon + her lips. Perhaps that was why she had not been given time to speak that + answer, which might have made a coward of him. For nothing more had been + heard of Robert Seymour; indeed, already the tragedy of the ship <i>Zanzibar</i> + was forgotten. The dead had buried their dead, and since then worse + disasters had happened in the world. + </p> + <p> + But Benita could not bury her dead. She rode about the veld, she sat by + the lake and watched the wild fowl, or at night heard them flighting over + her in flocks. She listened to the cooing of the doves, the booming of the + bitterns in the reeds, and the drumming of the snipe high in air. She + counted the game trekking along the ridge till her mind grew weary. She + sought consolation from the breast of Nature and found none; she sought it + in the starlit skies, and oh! they were very far away. Death reigned + within her who outwardly was so fair to see. + </p> + <p> + In the society of her father, indeed, she took pleasure, for he loved her, + and love comforted her wounded heart. In that of Jacob Meyer also she + found interest, for now her first fear of the man had died away, and + undoubtedly he was very interesting; well-bred also after a fashion, + although a Jew who had lost his own faith and rejected that of the + Christians. + </p> + <p> + He told her that he was a German by birth, that he had been sent to + England as a boy, to avoid the conscription, which Jews dislike, since in + soldiering there is little profit. Here he had become a clerk in a house + of South African merchants, and, as a consequence—having shown all + the ability of his race—was despatched to take charge of a branch + business in Cape Colony. What happened to him there Benita never + discovered, but probably he had shown too much ability of an oblique + nature. At any rate, his connection with the firm terminated, and for + years he became a wandering “smouse,” or trader, until at length he + drifted into partnership with her father. + </p> + <p> + Whatever might have been his past, however, soon she found that he was an + extremely able and agreeable man. It was he and no other who had painted + the water-colours that adorned her room, and he could play and sing as + well as he painted. Also, as Robert had told her, Mr. Meyer was very + well-read in subjects that are not usually studied on the veld of South + Africa; indeed, he had quite a library of books, most of them histories or + philosophical and scientific works, of which he would lend her volumes. + Fiction, however, he never read, for the reason, he told her, that he + found life itself and the mysteries and problems which surround it so much + more interesting. + </p> + <p> + One evening, when they were walking together by the lake, watching the + long lights of sunset break and quiver upon its surface, Benita’s + curiosity overcame her, and she asked him boldly how it happened that such + a man as he was content to live the life he did. + </p> + <p> + “In order that I may reach a better,” he answered. “Oh! no, not in the + skies, Miss Clifford, for of them I know nothing, nor, as I believe, is + there anything to know. But here—here.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by a better life, Mr. Meyer?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean,” he answered, with a flash of his dark eyes, “great wealth, and + the power that wealth brings. Ah! I see you think me very sordid and + materialistic, but money is God in this world, Miss Clifford—money + is God.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled and answered: “I fear, then, that he is likely to prove an + invisible god on the high veld, Mr. Meyer. You will scarcely make a great + fortune out of horse-breeding, and here there is no one to rule.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you suppose, then, that is why I stop at Rooi Krantz, just to breed + horses? Has not your father told you about the great treasure hidden away + up there among the Makalanga?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard something of it,” she answered with a sigh. “Also that both + of you went to look for it and were disappointed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! The Englishman who was drowned—Mr. Seymour—he spoke of + it, did he not? He found us there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and you wished to shoot him—do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “God in Heaven! Yes, because I thought he had come to rob us. Well, I did + not shoot, and afterwards we were hunted out of the place, which does not + much matter, as those fools of natives refused to let us dig in the + fortress.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do you still think about this treasure which probably does not + exist?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Miss Clifford, do you think about various things that probably do + not exist? Perhaps because you feel that here or elsewhere they <i>do</i> + exist. Well, that is what I feel about the treasure, and what I have + always felt. It exists, and I shall find it—now. I shall live to see + more gold than you can even imagine, and that is why I still continue to + breed horses on the Transvaal veld. Ah! you laugh; you think it is a + nightmare that I breed——” + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly he became aware of Sally, who had appeared over the fold of + the rise behind them, and asked irritably: + </p> + <p> + “What is it now, old vrouw?” + </p> + <p> + “The Baas Clifford wants to speak with you, Baas Jacob. Messengers have + come to you from far away.” + </p> + <p> + “What messengers?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” answered Sally, fanning her fat face with a yellow + pocket-handkerchief. “They are strange people to me, and thin with + travelling, but they talk a kind of Zulu. The Baas wishes you to come.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you come also, Miss Clifford? No? Then forgive me if I leave you,” + and lifting his hat he went. + </p> + <p> + “A strange man, Missee,” said old Sally, when he had vanished, walking + very fast. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Benita, in an indifferent voice. + </p> + <p> + “A very strange man,” went on the old woman. “Too much in his kop,” and + she tapped her forehead. “I tink it will burst one day; but if it does not + burst, then he will be great. I tell you that before, now I tell it you + again, for I tink his time come. Now I go cook dinner.” + </p> + <p> + Benita sat by the lake till the twilight fell, and the wild geese began to + flight over her. Then she walked back to the house thinking no more of + Heer Meyer, thinking only that she was weary of this place in which there + was nothing to occupy her mind and distract it from its ever present + sorrow. + </p> + <p> + At dinner, or rather supper, that night she noticed that both her father + and his partner seemed to be suffering from suppressed excitement, of + which she thought she could guess the cause. + </p> + <p> + “Did you find your messengers, Mr. Meyer?” she asked, when the men had lit + their pipes, and the square-face—as Hollands was called in those + days, from the shape of the bottle—was set upon the rough table of + speckled buchenhout wood. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I found them,” he answered; “they are in the kitchen now.” And he + looked at Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + “Benita, my dear,” said her father, “rather a curious thing has happened.” + Her face lit up, but he shook his head. “No, nothing to do with the + shipwreck—that is all finished. Still, something that may interest + you, if you care to hear a story.” + </p> + <p> + Benita nodded; she was in a mood to hear anything that would occupy her + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “You know something about this treasure business,” went on her father. + “Well, this is the tale of it. Years ago, after you and your mother had + gone to England, I went on a big game shooting expedition into the + interior. My companion was an old fellow called Tom Jackson, a rolling + stone, and one of the best elephant hunters in Africa. We did pretty well, + but the end of it was that we separated north of the Transvaal, I bringing + down the ivory that we had shot, and traded, and Tom stopping to put in + another season, the arrangement being that he was to join me afterwards, + and take his share of the money. I came here and bought this farm from a + Boer who was tired of it—cheap enough, too, for I only gave him £100 + for the 6,000 acres. The kitchens behind were his old house, for I built a + new one. + </p> + <p> + “A year had gone by before I saw any more of Tom Jackson, and then he + turned up more dead than alive. He had been injured by an elephant, and + lay for some months among the Makalanga to the north of Matabeleland, + where he got fever badly at a place called Bambatse, on the Zambesi. These + Makalanga are a strange folk. I believe their name means the People of the + Sun; at any rate, they are the last of some ancient race. Well, while he + was there he cured the old Molimo, or hereditary high-priest of this + tribe, of a bad fever by giving him quinine, and naturally they grew + friendly. The Molimo lived among ruins of which there are many over all + that part of South Africa. No one knows who built them now; probably it + was people who lived thousands of years ago. However, this Molimo told Tom + Jackson a more recent legend connected with the place. + </p> + <p> + “He said that six generations before, when his great-great-great + grandfather was chief (Mambo, he called it), the natives of all that part + of South Africa rose against the white men—Portuguese, I suppose—who + still worked the gold there. They massacred them and their slaves by + thousands, driving them up from the southward, where Lobengula rules now, + to the Zambesi by which the Portuguese hoped to escape to the coast. At + length a remnant of them, not more than about two hundred men and women, + arrived at the stronghold called Bambatse, where the Molimo now lives in a + great ruin built by the ancients upon an impregnable mountain which + overhangs the river. With them they brought an enormous quantity of gold, + all the stored-up treasure of the land which they were trying to carry + off. But although they reached the river they could not escape by it, + since the natives, who pursued them in thousands, watched day and night in + canoes, and the poor fugitives had no boats. Therefore it came about that + they were shut up in this fortress which it was impossible to storm, and + there slowly perished of starvation. + </p> + <p> + “When it was known that they were all dead, the natives who had followed + them from the south, and who wanted blood and revenge, not gold, which was + of no use to them, went away; but the old priest’s forefather who knew the + secret entrance to the place, and who had been friendly to the Portuguese, + forced his way in and there, amidst the dead, found one woman living, but + mad with grief—a young and beautiful girl, the daughter of the + Portuguese lord or captain. He gave her food, but in the night, when some + strength had returned to her, she left him, and at daybreak he found her + standing on the peak that overhangs the river, dressed all in white. + </p> + <p> + “He called some of his councillors, and they tried to persuade her to come + down from the rock, but she answered, ‘No, her betrothed and all her + family and friends were dead, and it was her will to follow them.’ Then + they asked where was the gold, for having watched day and night they knew + it had not been thrown into the river. She answered that it was where it + was, and that, seek as he might, no black man would ever find it. She + added that she gave it into his keeping, and that of his descendants, to + safeguard until she came again. Also she said that if they were faithless + to that trust, then it had been revealed to her from heaven above that + those same savages who had killed her father and her people, would kill + his people also. When she had spoken thus she stood a while praying on the + peak, then suddenly hurled herself into the river, and was seen no more. + </p> + <p> + “From that day to this the ruin has been held to be haunted, and save the + Molimo himself, who retires there to meditate and receive revelations from + the spirits, no one is allowed to set a foot in its upper part; indeed, + the natives would rather die than do so. Consequently the gold still + remains where it was hidden. This place itself Tom Jackson did not see, + since, notwithstanding his friendship for him, the Molimo refused to allow + him to enter there. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Tom never recovered; he died here, and is buried in the little + graveyard behind the house which the Boers made for some of their people. + It was shortly before his death that Mr. Meyer became my partner, for I + forgot to say that I had told him the story, and we determined to have a + try for that great wealth. You know the rest. We trekked to Bambatse, + pretending to be traders, and found the old Molimo who knew of me as + having been Tom Jackson’s friend. We asked him if the story he had told to + Jackson were true, and he answered that, surely as the sun shone in the + heavens, it was true—every word of it—for it, and much more + than he had spoken of, had been handed down from father to son, and that + they even knew the name of the white lady who had killed herself. It was + Ferreira—your mother’s name, Benita, though a common one enough in + South Africa. + </p> + <p> + “We asked him to allow us to enter the topmost stronghold, which stands + upon the hill, but he refused, saying that the curse still lay upon him + and his, and that no man should enter until the lady Ferreira came again. + For the rest the place was free to us; we might dig as we would. So we did + dig, and found some gold buried with the ancients, beads and bangles and + wire—about £100 worth. Also—that was on the day when the young + Seymours came upon us, and accounts for Meyer’s excitement, for he thought + that we were on the track of the treasure—we found a single gold + coin, no doubt one that had been dropped by the Portuguese. Here it is.” + And he threw a thin piece of gold on the table before her. “I have shown + it to a man learned in those matters, and he says that it is a ducat + struck by one of the doges of Venice. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we never found any more. The end of it was that the Makalanga + caught us trying to get in to the secret stronghold by stealth, and gave + us the choice of clearing out or being killed. So we cleared out, for + treasure is not of much use to dead men.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford ceased speaking, and filled his pipe, while Meyer helped + himself to squareface in an absent manner. As for Benita, she stared at + the quaint old coin, which had a hole in it, wondering with what scenes of + terror and of bloodshed it had been connected. + </p> + <p> + “Keep it,” said her father. “It will go on that bracelet of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, dear,” she answered. “Though I don’t know why I should take + all the Portuguese treasure since we shall never see any more of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not, Miss Clifford?” asked Meyer quickly. + </p> + <p> + “The story tells you why—because the natives won’t even let you look + for it; also, looking and finding are different things.” + </p> + <p> + “Natives change their minds sometimes, Miss Clifford. That story is not + done, it is only begun, and now you shall hear its second chapter. + Clifford, may I call in the messengers?” And without waiting for an answer + he rose and left the room. + </p> + <p> + Neither Mr. Clifford nor his daughter said anything after he had gone. + Benita appeared to occupy herself in fixing the broad gold coin to a + little swivel on her bracelet, but while she did so once more that sixth + sense of hers awoke within her. As she had been afraid at the dinner on + the doomed steamer, so again she was afraid. Again death and great fear + cast their advancing shadows on to her soul. That piece of gold seemed to + speak to her, yet, alas! she could not understand its story. Only she knew + that her father and Jacob Meyer and—yes, yes, yes—Robert + Seymour, had all a part in that tragedy. Oh! how could that be when he was + dead? How could this gold link him to her? She knew not—she cared + not. All she knew was that she would follow this treasure to the edge of + the world, and if need be, over it, if only it brought her back to him + again. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"></a> + VII.<br/> + THE MESSENGERS</h2> + <p> + The door opened, and through it came Jacob Meyer, followed by three + natives. Benita did not see or hear them; her soul was far away. There at + the head of the room, clad all in white, for she wore no mourning save in + her heart, illuminated by the rays of the lamp that hung above her, she + stood still and upright, for she had risen; on the face and in her wide, + dark eyes a look that was very strange to see. Jacob Meyer perceived it + and stopped; the three natives perceived it also and stopped. There they + stood, all four of them, at the end of the long sitting-room, staring at + the white Benita and at her haunted eyes. + </p> + <p> + One of the natives pointed with his thin finger to her face, and whispered + to the others. Meyer, who understood their tongue, caught the whisper. It + was: + </p> + <p> + “Behold the Spirit of the Rock!” + </p> + <p> + “What spirit, and what rock?” he asked in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “She who haunts Bambatse; she whom our eyes have seen,” answered the man, + still staring at Benita. + </p> + <p> + Benita heard the whispering, and knew it was about herself, though not one + word of it did she catch. With a sigh she shook herself free from her + visions and sat down in a chair close by. Then one by one the messengers + drew near to her, and each, as he came, made a profound obeisance, + touching the floor with his finger-tips, and staring at her face. But her + father they only saluted with an uplifted hand. She looked at them with + interest, and indeed they were interesting in their way; tall, spare men, + light coloured, with refined, mobile faces. Here was no negro-blood, but + rather that of some ancient people such as Egyptians or Phoenicians: men + whose forefathers had been wise and civilized thousands of years ago, and + perchance had stood in the courts of Pharaoh or of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + Their salutations finished, the three men squatted in a line upon the + floor, drawing their fur karosses, or robes, about them, and waited in + silence. Jacob Meyer thought a while, then said: + </p> + <p> + “Clifford, will you translate to your daughter, so that she may be sure + she is told exactly what passes?” + </p> + <p> + Next he turned and addressed the natives. + </p> + <p> + “Your names are Tamas, Tamala, and Hoba, and you, Tamas, are the son of + the Molimo of Bambatse, who is called Mambo, and you, Tamala and Hoba, are + his initiated councillors. Is it so?” + </p> + <p> + They bowed their heads. + </p> + <p> + “Good. You, Tamas, tell the story and give again your message that this + lady, the lady Benita, may hear it, for she has a part in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “We understand that she has a part,” answered Tamas. “We read in her face + that she has the greatest part. Doubtless it is of her that the Spirit + told my father. These, spoken by my mouth, are the words of the Molimo, my + father, which we have travelled so far to deliver. + </p> + <p> + “‘When you two white men visited Bambatse four years ago, you asked of me, + Mambo, to be admitted to the holy place, that you might look for the + treasure there which the Portuguese hid in the time of my ancestor in the + sixth generation. I refused to allow you to look, or even to enter the + holy place, because I am by birth the guardian of that treasure, although + I know not where it lies. But now I am in a great strait. I have news that + Lobengula the usurper, who is king of the Matabele, has taken offence + against me for certain reasons, among them that I did not send him a + sufficient tribute. It is reported to me that he purposes next summer to + despatch an impi to wipe me and my people out, and to make my kraal black + as the burnt veld. I have little strength to resist him who is mighty, and + my people are not warlike. From generation to generation they have been + traders, cultivators of the land, workers in metal, and men of peace, who + desire not to kill or be killed. Also they are few. Therefore I have no + power to stand against Lobengula. + </p> + <p> + “‘I remember the guns that you and your companion brought with you, which + can kill things from far away. If I had a supply of those guns from behind + my walls I might defy the impi of Lobengula, whose warriors use the + assegai. If you will bring me a hundred good guns and plenty of powder and + bullets for them, it is revealed to me that it will be lawful for me to + admit you to the secret, holy place, where you may look for the buried + gold for as long as you wish, and if you can find it, take it all away + without hindrance from me or my people. But I will be honest with you. + That gold will never be found save by the one appointed. The white lady + said so in the time of my forefather; he heard it with his ears, and I + have heard it from his descendants with my ears, and so it shall be. + Still, if you bring the guns you can come and see if either of you is that + one appointed. But I do not think that any man is so appointed, for the + secret is hid in woman. But of this you can learn for yourselves. I do but + speak as I am bidden. + </p> + <p> + “‘This is my message spoken by my mouth, Tamas, son of my body, and my + councillors who go with him will bear witness that he speaks the truth. I, + Mambo, the Molimo of Bambatse, send you greeting, and will give you good + welcome and fulfil my promise, if you come with the far-shooting guns, ten + times ten of them, and the powder, and the bullets wherewith I may drive + off the Matabele, but not otherwise. My son, Tamas, and my councillors + will drive your waggon into my country but you must bring no strange + servants. The Spirit of the white woman who killed herself before the eyes + of my forefather has been seen of late standing upon the point of rock; + also she has visited me at night in my secret place where her companions + died. I do not know all that this portends, but I think that amongst other + things she wished to tell me that the Matabele are about to attack us. I + await the decree of the Heavens. I send you two karosses as a gift, and a + little ancient gold, since ivory is too heavy for my messengers to carry, + and I have no waggon. Farewell.’” + </p> + <p> + “We have heard you,” said Meyer, when Mr. Clifford had finished + translating, “and we wish to ask you a question. What do you mean when you + say that the Spirit of the white woman has been seen?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean what I say, white man,” answered Tamas. “She was seen by all three + of us, standing upon the pinnacle at the dawn; also my father saw and + spoke with her alone in his sleep at night. This is the third time in my + father’s day that she has appeared thus, and always before some great + event.” + </p> + <p> + “What was she like?” asked Meyer. + </p> + <p> + “Like? Oh! like the lady who sits yonder. Yes, quite the same, or so it + seemed to us. But who knows? We have seen no other white women, and we + were not very near. Let the lady come and stand side by side with the + Spirit, so that we can examine them both, and we shall be able to answer + better. Do you accept the offer of the Molimo?” + </p> + <p> + “We will tell you to-morrow morning,” replied Meyer. “A hundred rifles are + many to find, and will cost much money. Meanwhile, for you there is food + and a sleeping-place.” + </p> + <p> + The three men seemed disappointed at his answer, which they evidently + believed to be preliminary to a refusal. For a moment or two they + consulted together, then Tamas put his hand into a pouch and drew from it + something wrapped in dry leaves, which he undid, revealing a quaint and + beautiful necklace, fashioned of twisted gold links, wherein were set + white stones, that they had no difficulty in recognising as uncut diamonds + of considerable value. From this necklace also hung a crucifix moulded in + gold. + </p> + <p> + “We offer this gift,” he said, “on behalf of Mambo, my father, to the lady + yonder, to whom the karosses and the rough gold are of no use. The chain + has a story. When the Portuguese lady hurled herself into the river she + wore it about her neck. As she fell into the river she struck against a + little point of rock which tore the chain away from her—see where it + is broken and mended with gold wire. It remained upon the point of rock, + and my forefather took it thence. It is a gift to the lady if she will + promise to wear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Accept it,” muttered Mr. Clifford, when he had finished translating this, + “or you will give offence.” + </p> + <p> + So Benita said: “I thank the Molimo, and accept his gift.” + </p> + <p> + Then Tamas rose, and, advancing, cast the ancient, tragic thing over her + head. As it fell upon her shoulders, Benita knew that it was a chain of + destiny drawing her she knew not where, this ornament that had last been + worn by that woman, bereaved and unhappy as herself, who could find no + refuge from her sorrow except in death. Had she felt it torn from her + breast, she wondered, as she, the living Benita of to-day, felt it fall + upon her own? + </p> + <p> + The three envoys rose, bowed, and went, leaving them alone. Jacob Meyer + lifted his head as though to address her, then changed his mind and was + silent. Both the men waited for her to speak, but she would not, and in + the end it was her father who spoke first. + </p> + <p> + “What do you say, Benita?” he asked anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “I? I have nothing to say, except that I have heard a very curious story. + This priest’s message is to you and Mr. Meyer, father, and must be + answered by you. What have I to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “A great deal, I think, my dear, or so those men seemed to believe. At any + rate, I cannot go up there without you, and I will not take you there + against your wish, for it is a long way off, and a queer business. The + question is, will you go?” + </p> + <p> + She thought a space, while the two men watched her anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered at length, in a quiet voice. “I will go if you wish to + go, not because I want to find treasure, but because the story and the + country where it happened interest me. Indeed, I don’t believe much in the + treasure. Even if they are superstitious and afraid to look for it + themselves, I doubt whether they would allow you to look if they thought + it could be found. To me the journey does not seem a good business + speculation, also there are risks.” + </p> + <p> + “We think it good enough,” broke in Meyer decidedly. “And one does not + expect to get millions without trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” said her father; “but she is right—there are risks, + great risks—fever, wild beasts, savages, and others that one cannot + foresee. Have I a right to expose her to them? Ought we not to go alone?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be useless,” answered Meyer. “Those messengers have seen your + daughter, and mixed her up with their superstitious story of a ghost, of + which I, who know that there are no such things, believe nothing. Without + her now we shall certainly fail.” + </p> + <p> + “As for the risks, father,” said Benita, “personally I take no account of + them, for I am sure that what is to happen will happen, and if I knew that + I was to die upon the Zambesi, it would make no difference to me who do + not care. But as it chances, I think—I cannot tell you why—that + you and Mr. Meyer are in more danger than I am. It is for you to consider + whether you will take the risks.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford smiled. “I am old,” he said; “that is my answer.” + </p> + <p> + “And I am accustomed to such things,” said Meyer, with a shrug of his + shoulders. “Who would not run a little danger for the sake of such a + glorious chance? Wealth, wealth, more wealth than we can dream of, and + with it, power—power to avenge, to reward, to buy position, and + pleasure, and all beautiful things which are the heritage of the very rich + alone,” and he spread out his hands and looked upwards, as though in + adoration of this golden god. + </p> + <p> + “Except such trifles as health and happiness,” commented Benita, not + without sarcasm, for this man and his material desires disgusted her + somewhat, especially when she contrasted him with another man who was lost + to her, though it was true that <i>his</i> past had been idle and + unproductive enough. Yet they interested her also, for Benita had never + met anyone like Mr. Meyer, so talented, so eager, and so soulless. + </p> + <p> + “Then I understand it is settled?” she said. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford hesitated, but Meyer answered at once: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, settled as far as anything can be.” + </p> + <p> + She waited a moment for her father to speak, but he said nothing; his + chance had gone by. + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Now we shall not need to trouble ourselves with further doubts + or argument. We are going to Bambatse on the Zambesi, a distant place, to + look for buried gold, and I hope, Mr. Meyer, that if you find it, the + results will come up to your expectations, and bring you all sorts of good + luck. Good-night, father dear, good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “My daughter thinks it will bring us ill-luck,” said Mr. Clifford, when + the door had closed behind her. “That is her way of saying so.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Meyer gloomily; “she thinks that, and she is one of those + who have vision. Well, she may be wrong. Also, the question is, shall we + seize our opportunity and its dangers, or remain here and breed bad horses + all our lives, while she who is not afraid laughs at us? I am going to + Bambatse.” + </p> + <p> + Again Mr. Clifford made no direct answer, only asked a question: + </p> + <p> + “How long will it take to get the guns and ammunition, and what will they + cost?” + </p> + <p> + “About a week from Wakkerstroom,” replied Meyer. “Old Potgieter, the + trader there, has just imported a hundred Martinis and a hundred + Westley-Richards falling-blocks. Fifty of each, with ten thousand rounds + of cartridges, will cost about £600, and we have as much as that in the + bank; also we have the new waggon, and plenty of good oxen and horses. We + can take a dozen of the horses with us, and sell them in the north of the + Transvaal for a fine price, before we get into the tetsefly belt. The oxen + will probably carry us through, as they are most of them salted.” + </p> + <p> + “You have thought it all out, Jacob, I see; but it means a lot of money + one way and another, to say nothing of other things.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a lot of money, and those rifles are too good for Kaffirs. + Birmingham gas-pipes would have done for them, but there are none to be + had. But what is the money, and what are the guns, compared to all they + will bring us?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you had better ask my daughter, Jacob. She seems to have her own + ideas upon the subject.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Clifford has made up her mind, and it will not change. I shall ask + her no more,” replied Meyer. + </p> + <p> + Then he, too, left the room, to give orders about the journey to + Wakkerstroom that he must take upon the morrow. But Mr. Clifford sat there + till past midnight, wondering whether he had done right, and if they would + find the treasure of which he had dreamed for years, and what the future + had in store for them. + </p> + <p> + If only he could have seen! + </p> + <p> + When Benita came to breakfast the next morning, she asked where Mr. Meyer + was, and learned that he had already departed for Wakkerstroom. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly he is in earnest,” she said with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered her father; “Jacob is always in earnest, though, somehow, + his earnestness has not brought him much good so far. If we fail, it will + not be want of thought and preparation on his part.” + </p> + <p> + Nearly a week went by before Meyer returned again, and meanwhile Benita + made ready for her journey. In the intervals of her simple preparations + also she talked a good deal, with the help of her father, to the three + sturdy-looking Makalanga, who were resting thankfully after their long + journey. Their conversation was general, since by tacit consent no further + mention was made of the treasure or of anything to do with it, but it + enabled her to form a fair opinion of them and their people. She gathered + that although they spoke a dialect of Zulu, they had none of the bravery + of the Zulus, and indeed lived in deadly terror of the Matabele, who are + bastard Zulus—such terror, in fact, that she greatly doubted whether + the hundred rifles would be of much use to them, should they ever be + attacked by that tribe. + </p> + <p> + They were what their fathers had been before them, agriculturists and + workers in metals—not fighting men. Also she set herself to learn + what she could of their tongue, which she did not find difficult, for + Benita had a natural aptitude for languages, and had never forgotten the + Dutch and Zulu she used to prattle as a child, which now came back to her + very fast. Indeed, she could already talk fairly in either of those + languages, especially as she spent her spare hours in studying their + grammar, and reading them. + </p> + <p> + So the days went on, till one evening Jacob Meyer appeared with two Scotch + carts laden with ten long boxes that looked like coffins, and other + smaller boxes which were very heavy, to say nothing of a multitude of + stores. As Mr. Clifford prophesied, he had forgotten nothing, for he even + brought Benita various articles of clothing, and a revolver for which she + had not asked. + </p> + <p> + Three days later they trekked away from Rooi Krantz upon a peculiarly + beautiful Sunday morning in the early spring, giving it out that they were + going upon a trading and shooting expedition in the north of the + Transvaal. Benita looked back at the pretty little stead and the wooded + kloof behind it over which she had nearly fallen, and the placid lake in + front of it where the nesting wildfowl wheeled, and sighed. For to her, + now that she was leaving it, the place seemed like home, and it came into + her mind that she would never see it any more. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"></a> + VIII.<br/> + BAMBATSE</h2> + <p> + Nearly four months had gone by when at length the waggon with which were + Mr. Clifford, Benita, and Jacob Meyer camped one night within the country + of the Molimo of Bambatse, whose name was Mambo. Or perhaps that was his + title, since (according to Tamas his son) every chief in succession was + called Mambo, though not all of them were Molimos, or representatives and + prophets of God, or the Great Spirit whom they knew as Munwali. Thus + sometimes the Molimo, or priest of Munwali, and the Mambo or chief were + different persons. For instance, he said that he, Tamas, would be Mambo on + his father’s death, but no visions were given to him; therefore as yet, at + any rate, he was not called to be Molimo. + </p> + <p> + In the course of this long journey they had met with many adventures, such + as were common to African travellers before the days of railroads; + adventures with wild beasts and native tribes, adventures with swollen + rivers also, and one that was worst, with thirst, since for three days + (owing to the failure of a pit or pan, where they expected to find water) + they were obliged to go without drink. Still, none of these were very + serious, nor had any of the three of them ever been in better health than + they were at this moment, for by good luck they had escaped all fever. + Indeed, their rough, wild life had agreed with Benita extraordinarily + well, so well that any who had known her in the streets of London would + scarcely have recognized her as the sunburnt, active and well-formed young + woman who sat that night by the camp fire. + </p> + <p> + All the horses they had brought with them had been sold, except some which + had died, and three that were “salted,” or proof against the deadly horse + sickness, which they took on with them. Their own servants also had been + sent back to Rooi Krantz in charge of a Scotch cart laden with ivory, + purchased from Boer hunters who had brought it down from the north of the + Transvaal. Therefore, for this was part of the bargain, the three + Makalanga were now their only attendants who drove and herded the cattle, + while Benita cooked the food which the two white men shot, or sometimes + bought from natives. + </p> + <p> + For days they had been passing through a country that was practically + deserted, and now, having crossed a high nek, the same on which Robert + Seymour had left his waggon, they were camped in low land which, as they + could see by the remains of walls that appeared everywhere, had once been + extensively enclosed and cultivated. To their right was a rising + mountainous ground, beyond which, said the Makalanga, ran the Zambesi, and + in front of them, not more than ten miles away, a great isolated hill, + none other than that place that they had journeyed so far to reach, + Bambatse, round which flowed the great river. Indeed, thither one of the + three Makalanga, he who was named Hoba, had gone on to announce their + approach. + </p> + <p> + They had outspanned amongst ruins, most of them circular in shape, and + Benita, studying them in the bright moonlight, guessed that once these had + been houses. That place now so solitary, hundreds or thousands of years + ago was undoubtedly the home of a great population. Thousands, rather than + hundreds, she thought, since close at hand in the middle of one of these + round houses, grew a mighty baobab tree, that could not have seen less + than ten or fifteen centuries since the seed whence it sprang pierced the + cement floor which was still visible about its giant bole. + </p> + <p> + Tamas, the Molimo’s son, saw her studying these evidences of antiquity, + and, approaching, saluted her. + </p> + <p> + “Lady,” he said in his own language, which by now she spoke very well, + “lady”—and he waved his hand with a fine gesture—“behold the + city of my people.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that it was their city?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, lady. Stones cannot speak, the spirits are silent, and we + have forgotten. Still, I think so, and our fathers have told us that but + six or eight generations ago many folk lived here, though it was not they + who built these walls. Even fifty years ago there were many, but now the + Matabele have killed them, and we are few; to-morrow you will see how few. + Come here and look,” and he led her through the entrance of a square + cattle kraal which stood close by. Within were tufts of rank grass, and a + few bushes, and among these scores of skulls and other bones. + </p> + <p> + “The Matabele killed these in the time of Moselikatse,” he said. “Now do + you wonder that we who remain fear the Matabele, and desire guns to defend + ourselves from them, even if we must sell our secrets, in order to buy + those guns, who have no money to pay for them?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she answered, looking at the tall, dignified man, into whose soul + the irons of fear and slavery had burnt so deep. “No, I do not wonder.” + </p> + <p> + Next morning at daybreak they trekked on, always through these evidences + of dead, forgotten people. They had not more than ten miles to cover to + reach their long journey’s end, but the road, if so it could be called, + ran up-hill, and the oxen, whereof only fourteen were now left to drag the + heavy-laden waggon, were thin and footsore, so that their progress was + very slow. Indeed, it was past midday when at length they began to enter + what by apology might be called the town of Bambatse. + </p> + <p> + “When we go away from this, it will have to be by water, I think, unless + we can buy trek-cattle,” said Meyer, looking at the labouring oxen with a + doubtful eye. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Mr. Clifford anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Because several of those beasts have been bitten by tetsefly, like my + horse, and the poison is beginning to work. I thought so last night, but + now I am sure. Look at their eyes. It was down in that bit of bush veld + eight days ago. I said that we ought not to camp there.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment they came to the crest of the ridge, and on its further + side saw the wonderful ruins of Bambatse close at hand. In front of them + stood a hill jutting out, as it were into the broad waters of the Zambesi + river, which, to a great extent, protected it upon three sides. The + fourth, that opposite to them, except at one place where a kind of natural + causeway led into the town, was also defended by Nature, since here for + more than fifty feet in height the granite rock of the base of the hill + rose sheer and unclimbable. On the mount itself, that in all may have + covered eight or ten acres of ground, and surrounded by a deep donga or + ditch, were three rings of fortifications, set one above the other, mighty + walls which, it was evident, had been built by no modern hand. Looking at + them Benita could well understand how it came about that the poor fugitive + Portuguese had chosen this as their last place of refuge, and were + overcome at length, not by the thousands of savages who followed and + surrounded them, but by hunger. Indeed, the place seemed impregnable to + any force that was not armed with siege guns. + </p> + <p> + On the hither side of this natural fosse, which, doubtless, in ancient + times had been filled with water led from the Zambesi, stood the village + of the Bambatse Makalanga, a collection of seventy or eighty wretched + huts, round, like those of their forefathers, but built of mud and thatch. + About them lay the gardens, or square fields, that were well cultivated, + and at this season rich with ripening corn. Benita, however, could see no + cattle, and concluded, therefore, that these must be kept on the hill for + safety, and within its walls. + </p> + <p> + Down the rough road they lumbered, and through the village, where the few + women and children stared at them in a frightened way. Then they came to + the causeway, which, on its further side, was blocked with thorns and + rough stones taken from the ruins. While they waited for these to be + removed by some men who now appeared, Benita looked at the massive, + circular wall still thirty or forty feet in height, by perhaps twenty + through its base, built of granite blocks without mortar, and ornamented + with quaint patterns of other coloured stones. In its thickness she could + see grooves, where evidently had once been portcullises, but these had + disappeared long ago. + </p> + <p> + “It is a wonderful place,” she said to her father. “I am glad that I came. + Have you been all over it?” + </p> + <p> + “No; only between the first and second walls, and once between the second + and third. The old temple, or whatever it is, is on the top, and into that + they would never admit us. It is there that the treasure lies.” + </p> + <p> + “That the treasure is supposed to lie,” she answered with a smile. “But, + Father, what guarantee have you that they will do so now? Perhaps they + will take the guns and show us the door—or rather the gate.” + </p> + <p> + “Your daughter is right, there is none; and before a box is taken off the + waggon we must get one,” said Meyer. “Oh! I know it is risky, and it would + have been better to make sure first, but it is too late to talk of that + now. Look, the stones are cleared. Trek on—trek!” + </p> + <p> + The long waggon-whip cracked, the poor, tired-out oxen strained at the + yokes, and on they went through the entrance of that fateful fortress that + was but just wide enough to admit them. Inside lay a great open space, + which, as they could see from the numerous ruins, had once been filled + with buildings that now were half hidden by grass, trees, and creepers. + This was the outer ring of the temple where, in ancient days, the priests + and captains had their home. Travelling across it for perhaps a hundred + and fifty yards, they came near the second wall, which was like the first, + only not quite so solid, and saw that on a stretch of beaten ground, and + seated in the shadow, for the day was hot, the people of Bambatse were + gathered to greet them. + </p> + <p> + When within fifty yards they dismounted from the horses, which were left + with the waggon in the charge of the Makalanga, Tamala. Then Benita taking + her position between her father and Jacob Meyer, they advanced towards the + ring of natives, of whom there may have been two hundred—all of them + adult men. + </p> + <p> + As they came, except one figure who remained seated with his back against + the wall, the human circle stood up as a token of respect, and Benita saw + that they were of the same stamp as the messengers—tall and + good-looking, with melancholy eyes and a cowed expression, wearing the + appearance of people who from day to day live in dread of slavery and + death. Opposite to them was a break in the circle, through which Tamas led + them, and as they crossed it Benita felt that all those people were + staring at her with their sad eyes. A few paces from where the man + crouched against the wall, his head hidden by a beautifully worked blanket + that was thrown over it, were placed three well-carved stools. Upon these, + at a motion from Tamas, they sat themselves down, and, as it was not + dignified for them to speak first, remained silent. + </p> + <p> + “Be patient and forgive,” said Tamas at length. “My father, Mambo, prays + to the Munwali and the spirits of his fathers that this coming of yours + may be fortunate, and that a vision of those things that are to be may + descend upon him.” + </p> + <p> + Benita, feeling nearly two hundred pairs of eyes concentrated upon her, + wished that the vision might come quickly, but after a minute or two fell + into tune with the thing, and almost enjoyed this strange experience. + Those mighty ancient walls built by hands unknown, which had seen so much + history and so much death; the silent, triple ring of patient, solemn men, + the last descendants of a cultured race, the crouching figure hidden + beneath the blanket, who imagined himself to be communicating with his god—it + was all very strange, very well worth the seeing to one who had wearied of + the monotony of civilization. + </p> + <p> + Look, the man stirred, and threw back his blanket, revealing a head white + with age, a spiritual, ascetic face, so thin that every bone showed in it, + and dark eyes which stared upwards unseeingly, like those of a person in a + trance. Thrice he sighed, while his tribesmen watched him. Then he let his + eyes fall upon the three white people seated in front of him. First he + looked at Mr. Clifford, and his face grew troubled; then at Jacob Meyer, + and it was anxious and alarmed. Lastly, he stared at Benita, and while he + did so the dark eyes became calm and happy. + </p> + <p> + “White maiden,” he said in a soft, low voice, “for you, at least, I have + good tidings. Though Death come near to you, though you see him on your + right hand and your left, and in front of you and behind you, I say, fear + not. Here you, who have known deep sorrow, shall find happiness and rest, + O maiden, with whom goes the spirit of one pure and fair as you, who died + so long ago.” + </p> + <p> + Then, while Benita wondered at his words, spoken with such sweet + earnestness that although she believed nothing of them, they brought a + kind of comfort to her, he looked once more at her father and Jacob Meyer, + and, as it were with an effort, was silent. + </p> + <p> + “Have you no pleasant prophecy for me, old friend,” said Jacob, “who have + come so far to hear it?” + </p> + <p> + At once the aged face grew inscrutable, all expression vanished behind a + hundred wrinkles, and he answered: + </p> + <p> + “None, white man—none that I am charged to deliver. Search the skies + for yourself, you who are so wise, and read them if you can. Lords,” he + went on in another voice, “I greet you in the name and presence of my + children. Son Tamas, I greet you also; you have done your mission well. + Listen, now—you are weary and would rest and eat; still, bear with + me, for I have a word to say. Look around you. You see all my tribe, not + twenty times ten above the age of boys, we who once were countless as the + leaves on yonder trees in spring. Why are we dead? Because of the + Amandabele, those fierce dogs whom, two generations ago, Moselikatse, the + general of Chaka, brought up to the south of us, who ravish us and kill us + year by year. + </p> + <p> + “We are not warlike, we who have outlived war and the lust of slaying. We + are men of peace, who desire to cultivate the land, and to follow our arts + which have descended to us from our ancestors, and to worship the Heavens + above us, whither we depart to join the spirits of our forefathers. But + they are fierce and strong and savage, and they come up and murder our + children and old people, and take away the young women and the maidens to + be slaves, and with them all our cattle. Where are our cattle? Lobengula, + chief of the Amandabele, has them; scarce a cow is left to give milk to + the sick or to the motherless babe. And yet he sends for cattle. Tribute, + say his messengers, deliver tribute, or my impi will come and take it with + your lives. But we have no cattle—all are gone. We have nothing left + to us but this ancient mountain and the works built thereon, and a little + corn on which we live. Yes, I say it—I, the Molimo—I whose + ancestors were great kings—I who have still more wisdom in me than + all the hosts of the Amandabele,” and as he spoke the old man’s grey head + sank upon his breast and the tears ran down his withered cheeks, while his + people answered: + </p> + <p> + “Mambo, it is true.” + </p> + <p> + “Now listen again,” he went on. “Lobengula threatens us, therefore I sent + to these white men who were here before, saying that if they would bring + me a hundred guns, and powder and ball, to enable us to beat off the + Amandabele from behind these strong walls of ours, I would take them into + the secret holy place where for six generations no white man has set a + foot, and there suffer them to search for the treasure which is hid + therein, no man knows where, that treasure which they asked leave to find + four winters gone. We refused it then and drove them hence, because of the + curse laid upon us by the white maid who died, the last of the Portuguese, + who foretold her people’s fate for us if we gave up the buried gold save + to one appointed. My children, the Spirit of Bambatse has visited me; I + have seen her and others have seen her, and in my sleep she said to me: + ‘Suffer the men to come and search, for with them is one of the blood to + whom my people’s wealth is given; and great is your danger, for many + spears draw nigh.’ My children, I sent my son and other messengers on a + far journey to where I knew the men dwelt, and they have returned after + many months bringing those men with them, bringing with them also another + of whom I knew nothing—yes, her who is appointed, her of whom the + Spirit spoke.” + </p> + <p> + Then he lifted his withered hand and held it towards Benita, saying: “I + tell you that yonder she sits for whom the generations have waited.” + </p> + <p> + “It is so,” answered the Makalanga. “It is the White Lady come again to + take her own.” + </p> + <p> + “Friends,” asked the Molimo, while they wondered at his strange speech, + “tell me, have you brought the guns?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” answered Mr. Clifford, “they are there in the waggon, every one + of them, the best that can be made, and with them ten thousand cartridges, + bought at a great cost. We have fulfilled our share of the bargain; now + will you fulfil yours, or shall we go away again with the guns and leave + you to meet the Matabele with your assegais?” + </p> + <p> + “Say you the agreement while we listen,” answered the Molimo. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Mr. Clifford. “It is this: That you shall find us food and + shelter while we are with you. That you shall lead us into the secret + place at the head of the hill, where the Portuguese died, and the gold is + hidden. That you shall allow us to search for that gold when and where we + will. That if we discover the gold, or anything else of value to us, you + shall suffer us to take it away, and assist us upon our journey, either by + giving us boats and manning them to travel down the Zambesi, or in + whatever fashion may be most easy. That you shall permit none to hurt, + molest, or annoy us during our sojourn among you. Is that our contract?” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite all of it,” said the Molimo. “There is this to add: first that + you shall teach us how to use the guns; secondly, that you shall search + for and find the treasure, if so it is appointed, without our help, since + in this matter it is not lawful for us to meddle; thirdly, that if the + Amandabele should chance to attack us while you are here, you shall do + your best to assist us against their power.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you, then, expect attack?” asked Meyer suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “White man, we always expect attack. Is it a bargain?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Mr. Clifford and Jacob Meyer in one voice, the latter + adding: “the guns and the cartridges are yours. Lead us now to the hidden + place. We have fulfilled our part; we trust to the honour of you and all + your people to fulfil yours.” + </p> + <p> + “White Maiden,” asked the Molimo, addressing Benita, “do you also say that + it is a bargain?” + </p> + <p> + “What my father says, I say.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said the Molimo. “Then, in the presence of my people, and in the + name of the Munwali, I, Mambo, who am his prophet, declare that it is so + agreed between us, and may the vengeance of the heavens fall upon those + who break our pact! Let the oxen of the white men be outspanned, their + horses fed, their waggon unloaded, that we may count the guns. Let food be + brought into the guest-house also, and after they have eaten, I, who alone + of all of you have ever entered it, will lead them to the holy place, that + there they may begin to search for that which the white men desire from + age to age—to find it if they can; if not, to depart satisfied and + at peace.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"></a> + IX.<br/> + THE OATH OF MADUNA</h2> + <p> + Mr. Clifford and Meyer rose to return to the waggon in order to + superintend the unyoking of the oxen and to give directions as to their + herding, and the off-saddling of the horses. Benita rose also, wondering + when the food that had been promised would be ready, for she was hungry. + Meanwhile, the Molimo was greeting his son Tamas, patting his hand + affectionately and talking to him, when suddenly Benita, who watched this + domestic scene with interest, heard a commotion behind her. Turning to + discover its cause, she perceived three great men clad in full war + panoply, shields on their left arms, spears in their right hands, black + ostrich plumes rising from the polished rings woven in their hair, black + moochas about their middles, and black oxtails tied beneath their knees, + who marched through the throng of Makalanga as though they saw them not. + </p> + <p> + “The Matabele! The Matabele are on us!” cried a voice; while other voices + shouted, “Fly to your walls!” and yet others, “Kill them! They are few.” + </p> + <p> + But the three men marched on unheeding till they stood before Mambo. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, and what do you seek?” the old man asked boldly, though the + fear that had taken hold of him at the sight of these strangers was + evident enough, for his whole body shook. + </p> + <p> + “Surely you should know, chief of Bambatse,” answered their spokesman with + a laugh, “for you have seen the like of us before. We are the children of + Lobengula, the Great Elephant, the King, the Black Bull, the Father of the + Amandabele, and we have a message for your ear, little Old Man, which, + finding that you leave your gate open, we have walked in to deliver.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak your message then, envoys of Lobengula, in my ear and in those of + my people,” said the Molimo. + </p> + <p> + “Your people! Are these all your people?” the spokesman replied + contemptuously. “Why then, what need was there for the indunas of the King + to send so large an impi under a great general against you, when a company + of lads armed with sticks would have served the turn? We thought that + these were but the sons of your house, the men of your own family, whom + you had called together to eat with the white strangers.” + </p> + <p> + “Close the entrance in the wall,” cried the Molimo, stung to fury by the + insult; and a voice answered: + </p> + <p> + “Father, it is already done.” + </p> + <p> + But the Matabele, who should have been frightened, only laughed again, and + their spokesman said: + </p> + <p> + “See, my brothers, he thinks to trap us who are but three. Well, kill on, + Old Wizard, if you will, but know that if a hand is lifted, this spear of + mine goes through your heart, and that the children of Lobengula die hard. + Know also that then the impi which waits not far away will destroy you + every one, man and woman, youth and maiden, little ones who hold the hand + and infants at the breast; none shall be left—none at all, to say, + ‘Here once lived the cowardly Makalanga of Bambatse.’ Nay, be not foolish, + but talk softly with us, so that perhaps we may spare your lives.” + </p> + <p> + Then the three men placed themselves back to back, in such fashion that + they faced every way, and could not be smitten down from behind, and + waited. + </p> + <p> + “I do not kill envoys,” said the Molimo, “but if they are foul-mouthed, I + throw them out of my walls. Your message, men of the Amandabele.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear you. Hearken now to the word of Lobengula.” + </p> + <p> + Then the envoy began to speak, using the pronoun I as though it were the + Matabele king himself who spoke to his vassal, the Makalanga chief: “I + sent to you last year, you slave, who dare to call yourself Mambo of the + Makalanga, demanding a tribute of cattle and women, and warning you that + if they did not come, I would take them. They did not come, but that time + I spared you. Now I send again. Hand over to my messengers fifty cows and + fifty oxen, with herds to drive them, and twelve maidens to be approved by + them, or I wipe you out, who have troubled the earth too long, and that + before another moon has waned. + </p> + <p> + “Those are the words of Lobengula,” he concluded, and taking the horn + snuff-box from the slit in his ear, helped himself, then insolently passed + it to the Molimo. + </p> + <p> + So great was the old chief’s rage that, forgetting his self-control, he + struck the box from the hand of his tormentor to the ground, where the + snuff lay spilled. + </p> + <p> + “Just so shall the blood of your people be spilled through your rash + foolishness,” said the messenger calmly, as he picked up the box, and as + much of the snuff as he could save. + </p> + <p> + “Hearken,” said the Molimo, in a thin, trembling voice. “Your king demands + cattle, knowing that all the cattle are gone, that scarce a cow is left to + give drink to a motherless babe. He asks for maidens also, but if he took + those he seeks we should have none left for our young men to marry. And + why is this so? It is because the vulture, Lobengula, has picked us to the + bone; yes, while we are yet alive he has torn the flesh from us. Year by + year his soldiers have stolen and killed, till at last nothing is left of + us. And now he seeks what we have not got to give, in order that he may + force a quarrel upon us and murder us. There is nought left for us to give + Lobengula. You have your answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” replied the envoy with a sneer. “How comes it, then, that yonder + I see a waggon laden with goods, and oxen in the yokes? Yes,” he repeated + with meaning, “with goods whereof we have known the like at Buluwayo; for + Lobengula also sometimes buys guns from white men, O! little Makalanga. + Come now, give us the waggon with its load and the oxen and the horses, + and though it be but a small gift, we will take it away and ask nothing + more this year.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I give you the property of my guests, the white men?” asked the + Molimo. “Get you gone, and do your worst, or you shall be thrown from the + walls of the fortress.” + </p> + <p> + “Good, but know that very soon we shall return and make an end of you, who + are tired of these long and troublesome journeys to gather so little. Go, + tend your corn, dwellers in Bambatse, for this I swear in the name of + Lobengula, never shall you see it ripen more.” + </p> + <p> + Now the crowd of listening Makalanga trembled at his words, but in the old + Molimo they seemed only to rouse a storm of prophetic fury. For a moment + he stood staring up at the blue sky, his arms outstretched as though in + prayer. Then he spoke in a new voice—a clear, quiet voice, that did + not seem to be his own. + </p> + <p> + “Who am I?” he said. “I am the Molimo of the Bambatse Makalanga; I am the + ladder between them and Heaven; I sit on the topmost bough of the tree + under which they shelter, and there in the crest of the tree Munwali + speaks with me. What to you are winds, to me are voices whispering in my + spirit’s ears. Once my forefathers were great kings, they were Mambos of + all the land, and that is still my name and dignity. We lived in peace; we + laboured, we did wrong to no man. Then you Zulu savages came upon us from + the south-east and your path was red with blood. Year after year you + robbed and you destroyed; you raided our cattle, you murdered our men, you + took our maidens and our children to be your women and your slaves, until + at length, of all this pit filled with the corn of life, there is left but + a little handful. And this you say you will eat up also, lest it should + fall into good ground and grow again. I tell you that I think it will not + be so; but whether or no that happens, I have words for the ear of your + king—a message for a message. Say to him that thus speaks the wise + old Molimo of Bambatse. + </p> + <p> + “I see him hunted like a wounded hyena through the rivers, in the deep + bush, and over the mountain. I see him die in pain and misery; but his + grave I see not, for no man shall know it. I see the white man take his + land and all his wealth; yea, to them and to no son of his shall his + people give the Bayéte, the royal salute. Of his greatness and his power, + this alone shall remain to him—a name accursed from generation to + generation. And last of all I see peace upon the land and upon my + children’s children.” He paused, then added: “For you, cruel dog that you + are, this message also from the Munwali, by the lips of his Molimo. I lift + no hand against you, but you shall not live to look again upon your king’s + face. Begone now, and do your worst.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment the three Matabele seemed to be frightened, and Benita heard + one of them say to his companions: + </p> + <p> + “The Wizard has bewitched us! He has bewitched the Great Elephant and all + his people! Shall we kill him?” + </p> + <p> + But quickly shaking off his fears their spokesman laughed, and answered: + </p> + <p> + “So that is what you have brought the white people here for, old traitor—to + plot against the throne of Lobengula.” + </p> + <p> + He wheeled round and stared at Mr. Clifford and Jacob Meyer; then added: + </p> + <p> + “Good, Grey-beard and Black-Beard: I myself will put you both to such a + death as you have never heard of, and as for the girl, since she is well + favoured, she shall brew the king’s beer, and be numbered amongst the + king’s wives—unless, indeed, he is pleased to give her to me.” + </p> + <p> + In an instant the thing was done! At the man’s words about Benita, Meyer, + who had been listening to his threats and bombast unconcerned, suddenly + seemed to awake. His dark eyes flashed, his pale face turned cruel. + Snatching the revolver from his belt he seemed to point and fire it with + one movement, and down—dead or dying—went the Matabele. + </p> + <p> + Men did not stir, they only stared. Accustomed as they were to death in + that wild land, the suddenness of this deed surprised them. The contrast + between the splendid, brutal savage who had stood before them a moment + ago, and the limp, black thing going to sleep upon the ground, was strange + enough to move their imaginations. There he lay, and there, over him, the + smoking pistol in his hand, Meyer stood and laughed. + </p> + <p> + Benita felt that the act was just, and the awful punishment deserved. Yet + that laugh of Jacob’s jarred upon her, for in it she thought she heard the + man’s heart speaking; and oh, its voice was merciless! Surely Justice + should not laugh when her sword falls! + </p> + <p> + “Behold, now,” said the Molimo in his still voice, pointing at the dead + Matabele with his finger; “do I speak lies, or is it true that this man + shall not look more upon his king’s face? Well, as it was with the + servant, so it shall be with the lord, only more slowly. It is the decree + of the Munwali, spoken by the voice of his Mouth, the Molimo of Bambatse. + Go, children of Lobengula, and bear with you as an offering this + first-fruit of the harvest that the white men shall reap among the + warriors of his people.” + </p> + <p> + The thin voice died away, and there was silence so intense that Benita + thought she heard the scraping of the feet of a green lizard which crept + across a stone a yard or two away. + </p> + <p> + Then of a sudden it ended. Of a sudden the two remaining Matabele turned + and fled for their lives, and as, when dogs run, a flock of sheep will + wheel about and pursue them, so did the Makalanga. They grabbed at the + messengers with their hands, tearing their finery from them; they struck + them with sticks, they pounded them with stones, till at length two + bruised and bleeding men, finding all escape cut off, and led perhaps by + some instinct, staggered back to where Benita stood horrified at this + dreadful scene, and throwing themselves upon the ground, clutched at her + dress and prayed for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “Move a little, Miss Clifford,” said Meyer. “Three of those brutes will + not weigh heavier than one upon my conscience.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, you shall not,” she answered. “Mambo, these men are messengers; + spare them.” + </p> + <p> + “Hearken to the voice of pity,” said the old prophet, “spoken in a place + where pity never was, and not in vain. Let them go. Give mercy to the + merciless, for she buys their lives with a prayer.” + </p> + <p> + “They will bring the others on us,” muttered Tamas, and even old Mr. + Clifford shook his head sadly. But the Molimo only said: + </p> + <p> + “I have spoken. Let them go. That which will befall must befall, and from + this deed no ill shall come that would not have come otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “You hear? Depart swiftly,” said Benita, in Zulu. + </p> + <p> + With difficulty the two men dragged themselves to their feet, and + supporting each other, stood before her. One of them, a clever, + powerful-faced man, whose black hair was tinged with grey, addressing + himself to Benita, gasped: + </p> + <p> + “Hear me. That fool there,” and he pointed to his dead companion, “whose + boasting brought his death upon him, was but a low fellow. I, who kept + silence and let him talk, am Maduna, a prince of the royal house who + justly deserve to die because I turned my back upon these dogs. Yet I and + my brother here take life at your hands, Lady, who, now that I have had + time to think, would refuse it at theirs. For, whether I stay or go does + not matter. The impi waits; the slayers are beneath the walls. Those + things which are decreed will happen; there, yonder old Wizard speaks + true. Listen, Lady: should it chance that you have cause to demand two + lives at the hands of Maduna, in his own name and the name of his king he + promises them to you. In safety shall they pass, they and all that is + theirs, without toll taken. Remember the oath of Maduna, Lady, in the hour + of your need, and do you, my brother, bear witness to it among our + people.” + </p> + <p> + Then, straightening themselves as well as they were able, these two sorely + hurt men lifted their right arms and gave Benita the salute due to a + chieftainess. This done, taking no note of any other creature there, they + limped away to the gate that had been opened for them, and vanished beyond + the wall. + </p> + <p> + All this while Meyer had stood silent; now he spoke with a bitter smile. + </p> + <p> + “Charity, Miss Clifford, said a certain Paul, as reported in your New + Testament, covers a multitude of sins. I hope very much that it will serve + to cover our remains from the aasvogels, after we have met our deaths in + some such fashion as that brute promised us,” and he pointed to the dead + man. + </p> + <p> + Benita looked at her father in question. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Meyer means, my dear, that you have done a foolish thing in begging + the lives of those Matabele. It would have been safer for us if they were + dead, who, as it is, have gone off burning for revenge. Of course, I + understand it was natural enough, but——” and he hesitated and + stopped. + </p> + <p> + “The chief did not say so,” broke in Benita with agitation; “besides, if + he had, I should not have cared. It was bad enough to see one man killed + like that,” and she shivered; “I could not bear any more.” + </p> + <p> + “You should not be angry at the fellow’s death, seeing that it was what he + said of you which brought it upon him,” Meyer replied with meaning. + “Otherwise he might have gone unharmed as far as I was concerned. For the + rest, I did not interfere because I saw it was useless; also I am a + fatalist like our friend, the Molimo, and believe in what is decreed. The + truth is,” he added sharply, “among savages ladies are not in place.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not say that down at Rooi Krantz, Jacob?” asked Mr. Clifford. + “You know I thought so all the while, but somehow I was over-ruled. Now + what I suggest is, that we had better get out of this place as fast as we + can—instantly, as soon as we have eaten, before our retreat is cut + off.” + </p> + <p> + Meyer looked at the oxen which had been outspanned: nine were wandering + about picking up what food they could, but the five which were supposed to + have been bitten by tetsefly had lain down. + </p> + <p> + “Nine worn-out and footsore oxen will not draw the waggon,” he said; “also + in all probability the place is already surrounded by Matabele, who merely + let us in to be sure of the guns which their spies must have told them we + were carrying. Lastly, having spent so much and come so far, I do not mean + to go without what we seek. Still, if you think that your daughter’s + danger is greater within these walls than outside of them, you might try, + if we can hire servants, which I doubt. Or possibly, if any rowers are to + be had, you could go down the Zambesi in a canoe, risking the fever. You + and she must settle it, Clifford.” + </p> + <p> + “Difficulties and dangers every way one looks. Benita, what do you say?” + asked her father distractedly. + </p> + <p> + Benita thought a moment. She wished to escape from Mr. Meyer, of whom she + was weary and afraid, and would have endured much to do so. On the other + hand, her father was tired out, and needed rest; also to turn his back + upon this venture now would have been a bitter blow to him. Moreover, + lacking cattle and men, how was it to be done? Lastly, something within + her, that same voice which had bidden her to come, seemed to bid her to + stay. Very soon she had made up her mind. + </p> + <p> + “Father, dear,” she said, “thank you for thinking of me, but as far as I + can see, we should run more risks trying to get away than we do in + stopping here. I wanted to come, though you warned me against it, and now + I must take my chance and trust to God to bring us safe through all + dangers. Surely with all those rifles the Makalanga ought to be able to + hold such a place as this against the Matabele.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” answered her father; “but they are a timid folk. Still, + though it would have been far better never to have come, I think with you + that it is best to stay where we are, and trust to God.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"></a> + X.<br/> + THE MOUNTAIN TOP</h2> + <p> + If our adventurers, or any of them, hoped that they were going to be led + to the secret places of the fortress that day, they were destined to + disappointment. Indeed, the remainder of it was employed arduously enough + in unpacking rifles, and a supply of ammunition; also in giving to a few + of the leading Makalanga preliminary lessons in the method of their use, a + matter as to which their ideas were of the vaguest. The rest of the tribe, + having brought their women and children into the outer enclosure of the + ancient stronghold, and with them their sheep and goats and the few cattle + which remained to them, were employed in building up the entrance + permanently with stones, a zigzag secret path upon the river side, that + could be stopped in a few minutes, being now their only method of ingress + and egress through the thickness of the walls. A certain number of men + were also sent out as spies to discover, if possible, the whereabouts of + the Matabele impi. + </p> + <p> + That there was some impi they were almost sure, for a woman who had + followed them reported that the injured captain, Maduna, and his companion + had been met at a distance of about three miles from Bambatse by a small + party of Matabele, who were hiding in some bushes, and that these men had + made litters for them, and carried them away; whither she did not know, + for she had not dared to pursue them further. + </p> + <p> + That night Benita passed in the guesthouse, which was only a hut rather + larger than the others, while the two men slept in the waggon just + outside. She was so tired that for a long while she could not rest. Her + mind kept flying back to all the events of the day: the strange words of + that mystic old Molimo, concerning herself; the arrival of the brutal + messengers and the indaba that followed; then the sudden and awful + destruction of their spokesman at the hand of Jacob Meyer. The scene would + not leave her eyes, she saw it again and yet again: the quick + transformation of Meyer’s indifferent face when the soldier began to + insult and threaten her, the lightning-like movement of his hand, the + flash, the report, the change from life to death, and the slayer’s cruel + laugh. He could be very terrible, Jacob Meyer, when his passions were + roused! + </p> + <p> + And what had roused them then? She could not doubt that it was herself—not + mere chivalry towards a woman. Even if he were capable of chivalry, merely + for that he would never have taken such risk of future trouble and + revenge. No; it was something deeper. He had never said anything or done + anything, yet long ago instinct or insight had caused Benita to suspect + the workings of his mind, and now she was sure of them. The thought was + terrible—worse than all her other dangers put together. True, she + had her father to rely on, but he had been somewhat ailing of late; age + and these arduous journeys and anxieties had told upon him. Supposing that + anything were to happen to him—if he died, for instance, how + dreadful her position might become, left alone far from the reach of help, + with savages—and Jacob Meyer. + </p> + <p> + Oh! if it had not been for that dreadful shipwreck, how different might be + her lot to-day! Well, it was the thought of the shipwreck and of him whom + she had lost therein, which had driven her on to this adventure, that in + it perhaps her suffering mind might be numbed to rest; and now she must + face its issues. God still remained above her, and she would put her trust + in Him. After all, if she died, what did it matter? + </p> + <p> + But that old Molimo had promised her that she was safe from death, that + she should find here happiness and rest, though not that of the grave. He + promised this, speaking as one who knew of all her grief, and a very + little while afterwards, in the case of the Matabele soldier, he had + proved himself a prophet of awful power. Also—she knew not how, she + knew not why—now, as before, her inmost heart seemed to bear witness + that this old dreamer’s words were true, and that for her, in some strange + manner unforeseen, there still remained a rest. + </p> + <p> + Comforted a little by this intuition, at length Benita fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Next morning, when she came out of the hut, Benita was met by her father, + who with a cheerful countenance informed her that at any rate as yet there + was no sign of the Matabele. A few hours later, too, some spies came in + who said that for miles round nothing could be seen or heard of them. + Still the preparations for defence went on, and the hundred best men + having been furnished with the rifles, were being drilled in the use of + them by Tamas and his two companions, Tamala and Hoba, who had learned how + to handle a gun very well in the course of their long journey. The + shooting of these raw recruits, however, proved to be execrable; indeed, + so dangerous were they that when one of them fired at a mark set upon the + wall, it was found necessary to order all the rest to lie down. As it was, + a poor trek ox—luckily it was sick—and two sheep were killed. + </p> + <p> + Foreseeing a scarcity of provisions in the event of a siege, Meyer, + provident as ever, had already decreed the death of the tetse-bitten + cattle. These were accordingly despatched, and having been skinned and cut + up, their flesh was severed into long strips to be dried in the burning + sun as biltong, which secretly Benita hoped she might never be called upon + to eat. Yet the time was to come when she would swallow that hard, + tetse-poisoned flesh with thankfulness. + </p> + <p> + At midday, after they had eaten, Mr. Clifford and Meyer went to the + Molimo, where he sat against the second wall, and, pointing to the men + with the guns, said: + </p> + <p> + “We have fulfilled our bargain. Now fulfil yours. Lead us to the holy + place that we may begin our search.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” he answered. “Follow me, white people.” + </p> + <p> + Then, quite unattended, he guided them round the inner wall till they came + to a path of rock not more than a yard wide, beneath which was a precipice + fifty feet or so in depth that almost overhung the river. This giddy path + they followed for about twenty paces, to find that it ended in a cleft in + the wall so narrow that only one person could walk through it at a time. + That it must have been the approach to the second stronghold was evident, + however, since it was faced on either side with dressed stones, and even + the foundation granite had been worn by the human feet which had passed + here for ages upon ages. This path zigzagged to and fro in the thickness + of the wall till it brought them finally within its circle, a broad belt + of steeply-rising ground, covered like that below with the tumbled ruins + of buildings amidst which grew bush and trees. + </p> + <p> + “Heaven send that the gold is not buried here,” said Mr. Clifford, + surveying the scene; “for if it is, we shall never find it.” + </p> + <p> + The Molimo seemed to guess the meaning of his words from his face, for he + answered: + </p> + <p> + “I think not here. The besiegers won this place and camped in it for many + weeks. I could show you where they built their fires and tried to undermine + the last wall within which the Portuguese sat about until hunger killed + them, for they could not eat their gold. Follow me again.” + </p> + <p> + So on they went up the slope till they came to the base of the third wall, + and as before, passed round it, and reached a point above the river. But + now there was no passage, only some shallow and almost precipitous steps + cut from single stones leading from the foot of the wall to its summit, + more than thirty feet above. + </p> + <p> + “Really,” said Benita, contemplating this perilous ascent with dismay, + “the ways of treasure seekers are hard. I don’t think I can,” while her + father also looked at them and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “We must get a rope,” said Meyer to the Molimo angrily. “How can we climb + that place without one, with such a gulf below?” + </p> + <p> + “I am old, but I climb it,” said the aged man in mild surprise, since to + him, who had trodden it all his life, it seemed not difficult. “Still,” he + added, “I have a rope above which I use upon dark nights. I will ascend + and let it down.” + </p> + <p> + Ascend he did accordingly; indeed, it was a wondrous sight to see his + withered legs scrambling from step to step as unconcernedly as though he + were going upstairs. No monkey could have been more agile, or more + absolutely impervious to the effects of height. Soon he vanished in—or, + rather, through—the crest of the wall, and presently appeared again + on the top step, whence he let down a stout hide rope, remarking that it + was securely tied. So anxious was Meyer to enter the hidden place of which + he had dreamed so long that he scarcely waited for it to reach his hand + before he began the climb, which he accomplished safely. Then, sitting on + the top of the wall, he directed Mr. Clifford to fasten the end of the + rope round Benita’s waist, and her turn came. + </p> + <p> + It was not so bad as she expected, for she was agile, and the knowledge + that the rope would prevent disaster gave her confidence. In a very little + while she had grasped Meyer’s outstretched hand, and been drawn into + safety through a kind of aperture above the top step. Then the rope was + let down again for her father, who tied it about his middle. Well was it + that he did so, since when he was about half-way up, awkwardness, or + perhaps loss of nerve—neither of them wonderful in an old man—caused + his foot to slip, and had it not been for the rope which Meyer and the + Molimo held, he would certainly have fallen into the river some hundreds + of feet below. As it was, he recovered himself, and presently arrived + panting and very pale. In her relief Benita kissed him, and even as she + did so thought again that she had been very near to being left alone with + Jacob Meyer. + </p> + <p> + “All’s well that ends well, my dear,” he said. “But upon my word I am + beginning to wish that I had been content with the humble profits of + horse-breeding.” + </p> + <p> + Benita made no answer; it seemed too late for any useful consideration of + the point. + </p> + <p> + “Clever men, those ancients,” said Meyer. “See,” and he pointed out to her + how, by drawing a heavy stone which still lay close by over the aperture + through which they had crept, the ascent of the wall could be made + absolutely impossible to any enemy, since at its crest it was battened + outwards, not inwards, as is usual in these ancient ruins. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered, “we ought to feel safe enough inside here, and that’s + as well since I do not feel inclined to go out again at present.” + </p> + <p> + Then they paused to look about them, and this was what they saw: + </p> + <p> + The wall, built like those below, of unmortared blocks of stone, remained + in a wonderfully good state of preservation, for its only enemies had been + time, the tropical rains, and the growth of shrubs and trees which here + and there had cracked and displaced the stones. It enclosed all the top of + the hill, perhaps three acres of ground, and on it at intervals were + planted soap-stone pillars, each of them about twelve feet in height, and + fashioned at the top to a rude resemblance of a vulture. Many of these + columns, however had been blown down, or perhaps struck by lightning, and + lay broken upon the wall, or if they had fallen inward, at its foot; but + some, six or eight perhaps, were still standing. + </p> + <p> + Benita learned afterwards that they must have been placed there by the + ancient Phoenicians, or whatever people constructed this gigantic + fortification, and had something to do with the exact recordings of the + different seasons of the year, and their sub-divisions, by means of the + shadows which they cast. As yet, however, she did not pay much attention + to them, for she was engaged in considering a more remarkable relic of + antiquity which stood upon the very verge of the precipice, the wall, + indeed, being built up to its base on either side. + </p> + <p> + It was the great cone of which Richard Seymour had told her, fifty feet + high or more, such as once was found in the Phoenician temples. But in + this case it was not built of masonry, but shaped by the hand of man out + of a single gigantic granite monolith of the sort that are sometimes to be + met with in Africa, that thousands or millions of years ago had been left + standing thus when the softer rock around it was worn away by time and + weather. On the inner side of this cone were easy steps whereby it could + be ascended, and its top, which might have been six feet in diameter, was + fashioned in the shape of a cup, probably for the purposes of acts of + worship and of sacrifice. This extraordinary monument, which, except on + the river side, could not be seen from below on account of the slope of + the hill, leaned slightly outwards, so that a stone dropped from its crest + would fall into the waters of the stream. + </p> + <p> + “Thence it was,” said the Molimo, “that my forefathers saw the last of the + Portuguese, the fair daughter of the great Captain Ferreira, hurl herself + to death after she had given the gold into our keeping, and laid the curse + upon it, until she came again. So in my dreams have I seen and heard her + also, ay, and others have seen her, but these only from by the river far + below.” + </p> + <p> + He paused awhile, looking at Benita with his queer, dreamy eyes; then said + suddenly: + </p> + <p> + “Say, Lady, do you remember nothing of that matter?” + </p> + <p> + Now Benita grew vexed, for the whole thing was uncanny and jarred upon + her. + </p> + <p> + “How can I remember,” she asked, “who was born not five and twenty years + ago?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” he answered. “How should I know, who am but an ignorant + old black man, who was born not much more than eighty years ago? Yet, + Lady, tell me, for I seek your wisdom, where were you born from? Out of + the earth, or out of the heavens? What? You shake your head, you who do + not remember? Well, neither do I remember. Yet it is true that all circles + meet somewhere, and it is true that the Portuguese maiden said she would + come again; and lastly it is true that she was such an one as you are, for + she haunts this place, and I, who have seen her sitting yonder in the + moonlight, know her beauty well. Yet mayhap she comes no more in flesh, + but still her spirit comes; for, Lady, out of those eyes of yours I see it + gaze at me. Come,” he added abruptly, “let us descend the wall, for as you + cannot remember, there is more to show you. Have no fear—the steps + are easy.” + </p> + <p> + So they went down without much difficulty, since, from the accumulation of + rubbish and other causes, the wall was a great deal lower on this side, + and found themselves in the usual dense growth of vegetation and brushwood + through which ran a little path. It led them past the ruins of buildings + whereof the use and purpose were long since forgotten, for their roofs had + fallen in hundreds or thousands of years ago, to the entrance of a cave + which was placed almost at the foot of the monolithic cone, but thirty or + forty yards further from the circle of the wall. Here the Molimo bade them + stay while he lit the lamps within. Five minutes passed and he returned, + saying that all was ready. + </p> + <p> + “Be not afraid of what you may see,” he added, “for know, white people, + that save my forefathers and myself, none have entered this place since + the Portuguese perished here, nor have we, who do but come hither to pray + and receive the word of the Munwali, ever ventured to disturb it. As it + was, so it is. Come, Lady, come; she whose spirit goes with you was the + last of your white race to pass this door. It is therefore fitting that + your feet and her spirit should be the first to enter it again.” + </p> + <p> + Benita hung back a little, for the adventure was eerie, then, determined + that she would show no fear in the presence of this old priest, took the + thin hand he stretched out to her, and walked forward with head erect. The + two men began to follow her, but the Molimo stopped them, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Not so. The maiden enters first alone with me; it is her house, and + should it please her to ask you to dwell therein, so be it. But first she + must visit her house alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense,” said Mr. Clifford angrily. “I will not have it. It will + frighten her.” + </p> + <p> + “Lady, do you trust me?” asked the Molimo. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered; adding, “Father, I think you had better let me go + alone. I am not afraid now, and it may be wisest not to thwart him. This + is a very strange business—not like anything else—and really I + think that I had better go alone. If I do not come back presently, you can + follow.” + </p> + <p> + “Those who break in upon the sleep of the dead should walk gently, + gently,” piped the old Molimo in a sing-song voice. “The maiden’s breath + is pure; the maiden’s foot is light; her breath will not offend the dead; + her step will not disturb the dead. White men, white men, anger not the + dead, for the dead are mighty, and will be revenged upon you when you are + dead; soon, very soon, when you are dead—dead in your sorrows, dead + in your sins, dead, gathered to that company of the dead who await us + here.” + </p> + <p> + And, still chanting his mystic song, he led Benita by the hand out of the + light, onward into darkness, away from life, onward into the place of + death. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"></a> + XI.<br/> + THE SLEEPERS IN THE CAVE</h2> + <p> + Like every other passage in this old fortress, the approach to the cave + was narrow and winding; presumably the ancients had arranged them thus to + facilitate their defence. After the third bend, however, Benita saw a + light ahead which flowed from a native lamp lit in the arched entrance. At + the side of this arch was a shell-shaped hollow, cut in the rock about + three feet above the floor. Its appearance seemed familiar to her; why, + she was soon to learn, although at the moment she did not connect it with + anything in particular. The cave beyond was large, lofty, and not + altogether natural, for its walls had evidently been shaped, or at any + rate trimmed, by man. Probably here the old Priests had established their + oracle, or place of offering. + </p> + <p> + At first Benita could not see much, since in that great cavern two lamps + of hippopotamus oil gave but little light. Presently, however, her eyes + became accustomed to the gloom, and as they advanced up its length she + perceived that save for a skin rug upon which she guessed the Molimo sat + at his solitary devotions, and some gourds and platters for water and + food, all the front part of the place appeared to be empty. Beyond, in its + centre, stood an object of some gleaming metal, that from its double + handles and roller borne upon supports of rock she took to be some kind of + winch, and rightly, for beneath it was the mouth of a great well, the + water supply of the topmost fortification. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the well was a stone altar, shaped like a truncated cone or + pyramid, and at some distance away against the far wall, as she dimly + discovered by the lamp that stood upon the altar, cut in relief upon that + wall indeed, a colossal cross to which, vigorously if rudely executed in + white stone, hung the image of Christ crucified, the crown of thorns upon + His drooping head. Now she understood. Whatever may have been the first + worship to which this place was dedicated, Christians had usurped it, and + set up here the sacred symbol of their faith, awful enough to look upon in + such surroundings. Doubtless, also, the shell-shaped basin at the entrance + had served the worshippers in this underground chapel as a stoup for holy + water. + </p> + <p> + The Molimo lifted the lamp from the altar, and having adjusted its wick, + held it up in front of the rood before which, although she was no + Catholic, Benita bowed her head and crossed herself, while he watched her + curiously. Then he lowered it, and she perceived that on the cemented + floor lay great numbers of shrouded forms that at first looked to her like + folk asleep. He stepped to one of them and touched it with his foot, + whereon the cloth with which it was covered crumbled into dust, revealing + beneath a white skeleton. + </p> + <p> + All those sleepers rested well indeed, for they had been dead at least two + hundred years. There they lay—men, women, and children, though of + the last but few. Some of them had ornaments on their bones, some were + clad in armour, and by all the men were swords, or spears, or knives, and + here and there what she took to be primitive fire-arms. Certain of them + also had turned into mummies in that dry air—grotesque and dreadful + objects from which she gladly averted her eyes. + </p> + <p> + The Molimo led her forward to the foot of the crucifix, where, upon its + lowest step and upon the cemented floor immediately beneath it + respectively, lay two shapes decorously covered with shawls of some heavy + material interwoven with gold wire, for the manufacture of which the + Makalanga were famous when first the Portuguese came into contact with + them. The Molimo took hold of the cloths that seemed almost as good now as + on the day when they were woven, and lifted them, revealing beneath the + figures of a man and woman. The features were unrecognizable, although the + hair, white in the man’s case and raven black in that of the woman, + remained perfect. They had been great people, for orders glittered upon + the man’s breast, and his sword was gold hilted, whilst the woman’s bones + were adorned with costly necklaces and jewels, and in her hand was still a + book bound in sheets of silver. Benita took it up and looked at it. It was + a missal beautifully illuminated, which doubtless the poor lady had been + reading when at length she sank exhausted into the sleep of death. + </p> + <p> + “See the Lord Ferreira and his wife,” said the Molimo, “whom their + daughter laid thus before she went to join them.” Then, at a motion from + Benita, he covered them up again with their golden cloths. + </p> + <p> + “Here they sleep,” he went on in his chanting voice, “a hundred and fifty + and three of them—a hundred and fifty and three; and when I dream in + this place at night, I have seen the ghosts of every one of them arise + from beside their forms and come gliding down the cave—the husband + with the wife, the child with the mother—to look at me, and ask when + the maiden returns again to take her heritage and give them burial.” + </p> + <p> + Benita shuddered; the solemn awfulness of the place and scene oppressed + her. She began to think that she, too, saw those ghosts. + </p> + <p> + “It is enough,” she said. “Let us be going.” + </p> + <p> + So they went, and the pitiful, agonized Christ upon the cross, at which + she glanced from time to time over her shoulder, faded to a white blot, + then vanished away in the darkness, through which, from generation to + generation, it kept its watch above the dead, those dead that in their + despair once had cried to it for mercy, and bedewed its feet with tears. + </p> + <p> + Glad, oh! glad was she when she had left that haunted place behind her, + and saw the wholesome light again. + </p> + <p> + “What have you seen?” asked her father and Meyer, in one breath, as they + noted her white and frightened face. + </p> + <p> + She sank upon a stone seat at the entrance of the cave, and before she + could open her lips the Molimo answered for her: + </p> + <p> + “The maiden has seen the dead. The Spirit who goes with her has given + greeting to its dead that it left so long ago. The maiden has done + reverence to the White One who hangs upon the cross, and asked a blessing + and a pardon of Him, as she whose Spirit goes with her did reverence + before the eyes of my forefathers, and asked a blessing and a pardon ere + she cast herself away.” And he pointed to the little golden crucifix which + hung upon Benita’s bosom, attached to the necklace which Tamas, the + messenger, had given her at Rooi Krantz. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” he went on, “now the spell is broken, and the sleepers must depart + to sleep elsewhere. Enter, white men; enter, if you dare, and ask for + pardon and for blessing if it may be found, and gather up the dry bones + and take the treasure that was theirs, if it may be found, and conquer the + curse that goes with the treasure for all save one, if you can, if you + can, if you can! Rest you here, maiden, in the sweet sunshine, and follow + me, white men; follow me into the dark of the dead to seek for that which + the white men love.” And once more he vanished down the passage, turning + now and again to beckon to them, while they went after him as though drawn + against their wish. For now, at the last moment, some superstitious fear + spread from him to them, and showed itself in their eyes. + </p> + <p> + To Benita, half fainting upon the stone seat, for this experience had + shaken her to the heart, it seemed but a few minutes, though really the + best part of an hour had gone by, when her father reappeared as + white-faced as she had been. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Mr. Meyer?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” he answered. “He is collecting all the golden ornaments off those + poor bodies, and tumbling their bones together in a corner of the cave.” + </p> + <p> + Benita uttered an exclamation of horror. + </p> + <p> + “I know what you mean,” said her father. “But, curse the fellow! he has no + reverence, although at first he seemed almost as scared as I was myself. + He said that as we could not begin our search with all those corpses + about, they had best be got out of the way as soon as possible. Or perhaps + it was because he is really afraid of them, and wanted to prove to himself + that they are nothing more than dust. Benita,” went on the old man, “to + tell you the truth, I wish heartily that we had left this business alone. + I don’t believe that any good will come of it, and certainly it has + brought enough trouble already. That old prophet of a Molimo has the + second sight, or something like it, and he does not hide his opinion, but + keeps chuckling away in that dreadful place, and piping out his promises + of ill to be.” + </p> + <p> + “He promised me nothing but good,” said Benita with a little smile. + “Though I don’t see how it can happen. But if you dislike the thing, + father, why not give it up and try to escape?” + </p> + <p> + “It is too late, dear,” he replied passionately. “Meyer would never come, + and I can’t in honour leave him. Also, I should laugh at myself for the + rest of my life; and, after all, why should we not have the gold if it can + be found? It belongs to nobody. We do not get it by robbery, or murder; + nuggets are of no use to Portuguese who have been dead two hundred years, + and whose heirs, if they have any, it is impossible to discover. Nor can + it matter to them whether they lie about singly as they died or were + placed after death, or piled together in a corner. Our fears were mere + churchyard superstitions, which we have caught from that ghoul of a + Molimo. Don’t you agree with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose so,” answered Benita, “though a fate may cling to certain + things or places, perhaps. At any rate, I think that it is of no use + turning back now, even if we had anywhere to turn, so we may as well go + through with the venture and await its end. Give me the water-bottle, + please. I am thirsty.” + </p> + <p> + A while later Jacob Meyer appeared, carrying a great bundle of precious + objects wrapped in one of the gold cere-cloths, which bundle he hid away + behind a stone. + </p> + <p> + “The cave is much tidier now,” he said, as he flicked the thick dust which + had collected on them during his unhallowed task from his hands, and hair, + and garments. Then he drank greedily, and asked: + </p> + <p> + “Have you two made any plans for our future researches?” + </p> + <p> + They shook their heads. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I have. I thought them out while I was bone-carting, and here + they are. It is no use our going down below again; for one thing, the + journey is too dangerous, and takes too long; and for another, we are + safer up above, where we have plenty to do.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Benita, “how about things to eat and sleep on, and the rest?” + </p> + <p> + “Simple enough, Miss Clifford; we must get them up. The Kaffirs will bring + them to the foot of the third wall, and we will haul them to its top with + a rope. Of water it seems there is plenty in that well, which is fed by a + spring a hundred and fifty feet down, and the old chain is still on the + roller, so we only need a couple of buckets from the waggon. Of wood for + cooking there is plenty also, growing on the spot; and we can camp in the + cave or outside of it, as we like, according to the state of the weather. + Now, do you rest here while I go down. I will be back in an hour with some + of the gear, and then you must help me.” + </p> + <p> + So he went, and the end of it was that before nightfall they had enough + things for their immediate needs, and by the second night, working very + hard, were more or less comfortably established in their strange + habitation. The canvas flap from the waggon was arranged as a tent for + Benita, the men sleeping beneath a thick-leaved tree near by. Close at + hand, under another tree, was their cooking place. The provisions of all + sorts, including a couple of cases of square-face and a large supply of + biltong from the slaughtered cattle, they stored with a quantity of + ammunition in the mouth of the cave. Fresh meat also was brought to them + daily, and hauled up in baskets—that is, until there was none to + bring—and with it grain for bread, and green mealies to serve as + vegetables. Therefore, as the water from the well proved to be excellent + and quite accessible, they were soon set up in all things necessary, and + to these they added from time to time as opportunity offered. + </p> + <p> + In all these preparations the old Molimo took a part, nor, when they were + completed, did he show any inclination to leave them. In the morning he + would descend to his people below, but before nightfall he always returned + to the cave, where for many years it had been his custom to sleep—at + any rate several times a week, in the gruesome company of the dead + Portuguese. Jacob Meyer persuaded Mr. Clifford that his object was to spy + upon them, and talked of turning him out; but Benita, between whom and the + old man had sprung up a curious friendship and sympathy, prevented it, + pointing out that they were much safer with the Molimo, as a kind of + hostage, than they could be without him; also, that his knowledge of the + place, and of other things, might prove of great help to them. So in the + end he was allowed to remain, as indeed he had a perfect right to do. + </p> + <p> + All this while there was no sign of any attack by the Matabele. Indeed, + the fear of such a thing was to some extent dying away, and Benita, + watching from the top of the wall, could see that their nine remaining + oxen, together with the two horses—for that belonging to Jacob Meyer + had died—and the Makalanga goats and sheep, were daily driven out to + graze; also, that the women were working in the crops upon the fertile + soil around the lowest wall. Still, a strict watch was kept, and at night + everyone slept within the fortifications; moreover, the drilling of the + men and their instruction in the use of firearms went on continually under + Tamas, who now, in his father’s old age, was the virtual chief of the + people. + </p> + <p> + It was on the fourth morning that at length, all their preparations being + completed, the actual search for the treasure began. First, the Molimo was + closely interrogated as to its whereabouts, since they thought that even + if he did not know this exactly, some traditions of the fact might have + descended to him from his ancestors. But he declared with earnestness that + he knew nothing, save that the Portuguese maiden had said that it was + hidden; nor, he added, had any dream or vision come to him concerning this + matter, in which he took no interest. If it was there, it was there; if it + was not there, it was not there—it remained for the white men to + search and see. + </p> + <p> + For no very good reason Meyer had concluded that the gold must have been + concealed in or about the cave, so here it was that they began their + investigations. + </p> + <p> + First, they bethought them of the well into which it might possibly have + been thrown, but the fact of this matter proved very difficult to + ascertain. Tying a piece of metal—it was an old Portuguese + sword-hilt—to a string, they let it down and found that it touched + water at a depth of one hundred and twenty feet, and bottom at a depth of + one hundred and forty-seven feet. Therefore there were twenty-seven feet + of water. Weighting a bucket they sank it until it rested upon this + bottom, then wound it up again several times. On the third occasion it + brought up a human bone and a wire anklet of pure gold. But this proved + nothing, except that some ancient, perhaps thousands of years ago, had + been thrown, or had fallen, into the well. + </p> + <p> + Still unsatisfied, Jacob Meyer, who was a most intrepid person, determined + to investigate the place himself, a task of no little difficulty and + danger, since proper ladders were wanting, nor, had they existed, was + there anything to stand them on. Therefore it came to this: a seat must be + rigged on to the end of the old copper chain, and be lowered into the pit + after the fashion of the bucket. But, as Benita pointed out, although they + might let him down, it was possible that they would not be able to draw + him up again, in which case his plight must prove unfortunate. So, when + the seat had been prepared, an experiment was made with a stone weighing + approximately as much as a man. This Benita and her father let down easily + enough, but, as they anticipated, when it came to winding it up again, + their strength was barely sufficient to the task. Three people could do it + well, but with two the thing was risky. Now Meyer asked—or, rather, + commanded—the Molimo to order some of his men to help him, but this + the old chief refused point blank to do. + </p> + <p> + First, he made a number of excuses. They were all employed in drilling, + and in watching for the Matabele; they were afraid to venture here, and so + forth. At last Meyer grew furious; his eyes flashed, he ground his teeth, + and began to threaten. + </p> + <p> + “White man,” said the Molimo, when he had done, “it cannot be. I have + fulfilled my bargain with you. Search for the gold; find it and take it + away if you can. But this place is holy. None of my tribe, save he who + holds the office of Molimo for the time, may set a foot therein. Kill me + if you will—I care not; but so it is, and if you kill me, afterwards + they will kill you.” + </p> + <p> + Now Meyer, seeing that nothing was to be gained by violence, changed his + tone, and asked if he himself would help them. + </p> + <p> + “I am old, my strength is small,” he replied; “yet I will put my hand to + the chain and do my best. But, if I were you, I would not descend that + pit.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, I will descend it, and to-morrow,” said Meyer. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"></a> + XII.<br/> + THE BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH</h2> + <p> + Accordingly, on the next day the great experiment was made. The chain and + ancient winding gear had been tested and proved to be amply sufficient to + the strain. Therefore, nothing remained save for Meyer to place himself in + the wooden seat with an oil-lamp, and in case this should be extinguished, + matches and candles, of both of which they had a large supply. + </p> + <p> + He did so boldly enough, and swung out over the mouth of the pit, while + the three of them clutched the handles of the winch. Then they began to + lower, and slowly his white face disappeared into the black depth. At + every few turns his descent was stopped that he might examine the walls of + the well, and when he was about fifty feet down he called to them to hold + on, which they did, listening while he struck at the rock with a hammer, + for here it sounded very hollow. + </p> + <p> + At length he shouted to them to lower away again, and they obeyed, until + nearly all the chain was out, and they knew he must be near the water. Now + Benita, peeping over the edge, saw that the star of light had vanished. + His lamp was out, nor did he appear to attempt to re-light it. They + shouted down the well to him, but no answer coming, began to wind up as + fast as they were able. It was all that their united strength could + manage, and very exhausted were they when at length Jacob reappeared at + the top. At first, from the look of him they thought that he was dead, and + had he not tied himself to the chain, dead he certainly would have been, + for evidently his senses had left him long ago. Indeed, he had fallen + almost out of the seat, over which his legs hung limply, his weight being + supported by the hide rope beneath his arms which was made fast to the + chain. + </p> + <p> + They swung him in and dashed water over his face, till, to their relief, + at last he began to gasp for breath, and revived sufficiently to enable + them to half-lead and half-carry him out into the fresh air. + </p> + <p> + “What happened to you?” asked Clifford. + </p> + <p> + “Poisoned with gases, I suppose,” Meyer answered with a groan, for his + head was aching sadly. “The air is often bad at the bottom of deep wells, + but I could smell or feel nothing until suddenly my senses left me. It was + a near thing—a very near thing.” + </p> + <p> + Afterwards, when he had recovered a little, he told them that at one spot + deep down in the well, on the river side of it, he found a place where it + looked as though the rock had been cut away for a space of about six feet + by four, and afterwards built up again with another sort of stone set in + hard mortar or cement. Immediately beneath, too, were socket-holes in + which the ends of beams still remained, suggesting that here had been a + floor or platform. It was while he was examining these rotted beams that + insensibility overcame him. He added that he thought that this might be + the entrance to the place where the gold was hidden. + </p> + <p> + “If so,” said Mr. Clifford, “hidden it must remain, since it can have no + better guardian than bad air. Also, floors like that are common in all + wells to prevent rubbish from falling into the water, and the stonework + you saw probably was only put there by the ancients to mend a fault in the + rock and prevent the wall from caving in.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” said Meyer, “since unless that atmosphere purifies a good + deal I don’t think that even I dare go down again, and until one gets + there, of that it is difficult to be sure, though of course a lantern on a + string will tell one something.” + </p> + <p> + This was the end of their first attempt. The search was not renewed until + the following afternoon, when Meyer had recovered a little from the + effects of the poisoning and the chafing of the hide ropes beneath his + arms. Indeed, from the former he never did quite recover, since + thenceforward Benita, who for her own reasons watched the man closely, + discovered a marked and progressive change in his demeanour. Hitherto he + had appeared to be a reserved man, one who kept tight hand upon himself, + and, if she knew certain things about him, it was rather because she + guessed, or deduced them, than because he allowed them to be seen. On two + occasions only had he shown his heart before her—when they had + spoken together by the shores of Lake Chrissie on the day of the arrival + of the messengers, and he declared his ardent desire for wealth and power; + and quite recently, when he killed the Matabele envoy. Yet she felt + certain that this heart of his was very passionate and insurgent; that his + calm was like the ice that hides the stream, beneath which its currents + run fiercely, none can see whither. The fashion in which his dark eyes + would flash, even when his pale countenance remained unmoved, told her so, + as did other things. + </p> + <p> + For instance, when he was recovering from his swoon, the first words that + passed his lips were in German, of which she understood a little, and she + thought that they shaped themselves to her name, coupled with endearing + epithets. From that time forward he became less guarded—or, rather, + it seemed as though he were gradually losing power to control himself. He + would grow excited without apparent cause, and begin to declaim as to what + he would do when he had found the gold; how he would pay the world back + all it had caused him to suffer—how he would become a “king.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that you will find that exalted position rather lonely,” said + Benita with a careless laugh, and next minute was sorry that she had + spoken, for he answered, looking at her in a way that she did not like: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! There will be a queen—a beautiful queen, whom I shall endow + with wealth, and deck with jewels, and surround with love and worship.” + </p> + <p> + “What a fortunate lady!” she said, still laughing, but taking the + opportunity to go away upon some errand. + </p> + <p> + At other times, especially after dark, he would walk up and down in front + of the cave, muttering to himself, or singing wild old German songs in his + rich voice. Also, he made a habit of ascending the granite pillar and + seating himself there, and more than once called down to her to come up + and share his “throne.” Still, these outbreaks were so occasional that her + father, whose perceptions appeared to Benita to be less keen than + formerly, scarcely noticed them, and for the rest his demeanour was what + it had always been. + </p> + <p> + Further researches into the well being out of the question, their next + step was to make a thorough inspection of the chapel-cave itself. They + examined the walls inch by inch, tapping them with a hammer to hear if + they sounded hollow, but without result. They examined the altar, but it + proved to be a solid mass of rock. By the help of a little ladder they had + made, they examined the crucifix, and discovered that the white figure on + the cross had evidently been fashioned out of some heathen statue of soft + limestone, for at its back were the remains of draperies, and long hair + which the artist had not thought it necessary to cut away. Also, they + found that the arms had been added, and were of a slightly different + stone, and that the weight of the figure was taken partly by an iron + staple which supported the body, and partly by strong copper wire twisted + to resemble cord, and painted white, which was passed round the wrists and + supported the arms. This wire ran through loops of rock cut in the + traverse of the cross, that itself was only raised in relief by chiselling + away the solid stone behind. + </p> + <p> + Curiously enough, this part of the search was left to Mr. Clifford and + Benita, since it was one that Jacob Meyer seemed reluctant to undertake. A + Jew by birth, and a man who openly professed his want of belief in that or + any other religion, he yet seemed to fear this symbol of the Christian + faith, speaking of it as horrible and unlucky; yes, he who, without qualm + or remorse, had robbed and desecrated the dead that lay about its feet. + Well, the crucifix told them nothing; but as Mr. Clifford, lantern in + hand, descended the ladder, which Benita held, Jacob Meyer, who was in + front of the altar, called to them excitedly that he had found something. + </p> + <p> + “Then it is more than we have,” said Mr. Clifford, as he laid down the + ladder and hurried to him. + </p> + <p> + Meyer was sounding the floor with a staff of wood—an operation which + he had only just begun after the walls proved barren. + </p> + <p> + “Listen now,” he said, letting the heavy staff drop a few paces to the + right of the altar, where it produced the hard, metallic clang that comes + from solid stone when struck. Then he moved to the front of the altar and + dropped it again, but now the note was hollow and reverberant. Again and + again he repeated the experiment, till they had exactly mapped out where + the solid rock ended and that which seemed to be hollow began—a + space of about eight feet square. + </p> + <p> + “We’ve got it,” he said triumphantly. “That’s the entrance to the place + where the gold is,” and the others were inclined to agree with him. + </p> + <p> + Now it remained to put their theory to the proof—a task of no small + difficulty. Indeed, it took them three days of hard, continual work. It + will be remembered that the floor of the cave was cemented over, and first + of all this cement, which proved to be of excellent quality, being largely + composed of powdered granite, must be broken up. By the help of a steel + crowbar, which they had brought with them in the waggon, at length that + part of their task was completed, revealing the rock beneath. By this time + Benita was confident that, whatever might lie below, it was not the + treasure, since it was evident that the poor, dying Portuguese would not + have had the time or the strength to cement it over. When she told the + others so, however, Meyer, convinced that he was on the right tack, + answered that doubtless it was done by the Makalanga after the Portuguese + days, as it was well known that they retained a knowledge of the building + arts of their forefathers until quite a recent period, when the Matabele + began to kill them out. + </p> + <p> + When at length the cement was cleared away and the area swept, they + discovered—for there ran the line of it—that here a great + stone was set into the floor; it must have weighed several tons. As it was + set in cement, however, to lift it, even if they had the strength to work + the necessary levers, proved quite impossible. There remained only one + thing to be done—to cut a way through. When they had worked at this + task for several hours, and only succeeded in making a hole six inches + deep, Mr. Clifford, whose old bones ached and whose hands were very sore, + suggested that perhaps they might break it up with gunpowder. Accordingly, + a pound flask of that explosive was poured into the hole, which they + closed over with wet clay and a heavy rock, leaving a quill through which + ran an extemporized fuse of cotton wick. All being prepared, their fuse + was lit, and they left the cave and waited. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes afterwards the dull sound of an explosion reached their ears, + but more than an hour went by before the smoke and fumes would allow them + to enter the place, and then it was to find that the results did not equal + their expectations. To begin with, the slab was only cracked—not + shattered, since the strength of the powder had been expended upwards, not + downwards, as would have happened in the case of dynamite, of which they + had none. Moreover, either the heavy stone which they had placed upon it, + striking the roof of the cave, or the concussion of the air, had brought + down many tons of rock, and caused wide and dangerous-looking cracks. + Also, though she said nothing of it, it seemed to Benita that the great + white statue on the cross was leaning a little further forward than it + used to do. So the net result of the experiment was that they were obliged + to drag away great fragments of the fallen roof that lay upon the stone, + which remained almost as solid and obdurate as before. + </p> + <p> + So there was nothing for it but to go on working with the crowbar. At + length, towards the evening of the third day of their labour, when the two + men were utterly tired out, a hole was broken through, demonstrating the + fact that beneath this cover lay a hollow of some sort. Mr. Clifford, to + say nothing of Benita, who was heartily weary of the business, wished to + postpone proceedings till the morrow, but Jacob Meyer would not. So they + toiled on until about eleven o’clock at night, when at length the aperture + was of sufficient size to admit a man. Now, as in the case of the well, + they let down a stone tied to a string, to find that the place beneath was + not more than eight feet deep. Then, to ascertain the condition of the + air, a candle was lowered, which at first went out, but presently burnt + well enough. This point settled, they brought their ladder, whereby Jacob + descended with a lantern. + </p> + <p> + In another minute they heard the sound of guttural German oaths rising + through the hole. Mr. Clifford asked what was the matter, and received the + reply that the place was a tomb, with nothing in it but an accursed dead + monk, information at which Benita could not help bursting into laughter. + </p> + <p> + The end of it was that both she and her father went down also, and there, + sure enough, lay the remains of the old missionary in his cowl, with an + ivory crucifix about his neck, and on his breast a scroll stating that he, + Marco, born at Lisbon in 1438, had died at Bambatse in the year 1503, + having laboured in the Empire of Monomotapa for seventeen years, and + suffered great hardships and brought many souls to Christ. The scroll + added that it was he, who before he entered into religion was a sculptor + by trade, that had fashioned the figure on the cross in this chapel out of + that of the heathen goddess which had stood in the same place from unknown + antiquity. It ended with a request, addressed to all good Christians in + Latin, that they who soon must be as he was would pray for his soul and + not disturb his bones, which rested here in the hope of a blessed + resurrection. + </p> + <p> + When this pious wish was translated to Jacob Meyer by Mr. Clifford, who + still retained some recollection of the classics which he had painfully + acquired at Eton and Oxford, the Jew could scarcely contain his wrath. + Indeed, looking at his bleeding hands, instead of praying for the soul of + that excellent missionary, to reach whose remains he had laboured with + such arduous, incessant toil, he cursed it wherever it might be, and + unceremoniously swept the bones, which the document asked him not to + disturb, into a corner of the tomb, in order to ascertain whether there + was not, perhaps, some stair beneath them. + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mr. Meyer,” said Benita, who, in spite of the solemnity of the + surroundings, could not control her sense of humour, “if you are not + careful the ghosts of all these people will haunt you.” + </p> + <p> + “Let them haunt me if they can,” he answered furiously. “I don’t believe + in ghosts, and defy them all.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment, looking up, Benita saw a figure gliding out of the + darkness into the ring of light, so silently that she started, for it + might well have been one of those ghosts in whom Jacob Meyer did not + believe. In fact, however, it was the old Molimo, who had a habit of + coming upon them thus. + </p> + <p> + “What says the white man?” he asked of Benita, while his dreamy eyes + wandered over the three of them, and the hole in the violated tomb. + </p> + <p> + “He says that he does not believe in spirits, and that he defies them,” + she answered. + </p> + <p> + “The white gold-seeker does not believe in spirits, and he defies them,” + Mambo repeated in his sing-song voice. “He does not believe in the spirits + that I see all around me now, the angry spirits of the dead, who speak + together of where he shall lie and of what shall happen to him when he is + dead, and of how they will welcome one who disturbs their rest and defies + and curses them in his search for the riches which he loves. There is one + standing by him now, dressed in a brown robe with a dead man cut in ivory + like to that,” and he pointed to the crucifix in Jacob’s hands, “and he + holds the ivory man above him and threatens him with sleepless centuries + of sorrow, when he is also one of those spirits in which he does not + believe.” + </p> + <p> + Then Meyer’s rage blazed out. He turned upon the Molimo and reviled him in + his own tongue, saying that he knew well where the treasure was hidden, + and that if he did not point it out he would kill him and send him to his + friends, the spirits. So savage and evil did he look that Benita retreated + a little way, while Mr. Clifford strove in vain to calm him. But although + Meyer laid his hand upon the knife in his belt and advanced upon him, the + old Molimo neither budged an inch nor showed the slightest fear. + </p> + <p> + “Let him rave on,” he said, when at length Meyer paused exhausted. “Just + so in a time of storm the lightnings flash and the thunder peals, and the + water foams down the face of rock; but then comes the sun again, and the + hill is as it has ever been, only the storm is spent and lost. I am the + rock, he is but the wind, the fire, and the rain. It is not permitted that + he should hurt me, and those spirits in whom he does not believe treasure + up his curses, to let them fall again like stones upon his head.” + </p> + <p> + Then, with a contemptuous glance at Jacob, the old man turned and glided + back into the darkness out of which he had appeared. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"></a> + XIII.<br/> + BENITA PLANS ESCAPE</h2> + <p> + The next morning, while she was cooking breakfast, Benita saw Jacob Meyer + seated upon a rock at a little distance, sullen and disconsolate. His chin + was resting on his hand, and he watched her intently, never taking his + eyes from her face. She felt that he was concentrating his will upon her; + that some new idea concerning her had come into his mind; for it was one + of her miseries that she possessed the power of interpreting the drift of + this man’s thoughts. Much as she detested him, there existed that curious + link between them. + </p> + <p> + It may be remembered that, on the night when they first met at the crest + of Leopard’s Kloof, Jacob had called her a “thought-sender,” and some + knowledge of their mental intimacy had come home to Benita. From that day + forward her chief desire had been to shut a door between their natures, to + isolate herself from him and him from her. Yet the attempt was never + entirely successful. + </p> + <p> + Fear and disgust took hold of her, bending there above the fire, all the + while aware of the Jew’s dark eyes that searched her through and through. + Benita formed a sudden determination. She would implore her father to come + away with her. + </p> + <p> + Of course, such an attempt would be terribly dangerous. Of the Matabele + nothing had been seen; but they might be about, and even if enough cattle + could be collected to draw the waggon, it belonged to Meyer as much as to + her father, and must therefore be left for him. Still, there remained the + two horses, which the Molimo had told her were well and getting fat. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Meyer rose and began to speak to her. + </p> + <p> + “What are you thinking of, Miss Clifford?” he asked in his soft foreign + voice. + </p> + <p> + She started, but answered readily enough: + </p> + <p> + “Of the wood which is green, and the kid cutlets which are getting smoked. + Are you not tired of kid, Mr. Meyer?” she went on. + </p> + <p> + He waved the question aside. “You are so good—oh! I mean it—so + really good that you should not tell stories even about small things. The + wood is not green; I cut it myself from a dead tree; and the meat is not + smoked; nor were you thinking of either. You were thinking of me, as I was + thinking of you; but what exactly was in your mind, this time I do not + know, and that is why I ask you to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mr. Meyer,” she answered flushing; “my mind is my own property.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! do you say so? Now I hold otherwise—that it is my property, as + mine is yours, a gift that Nature has given to each of us.” + </p> + <p> + “I seek no such gift,” she answered; but even then, much as she would have + wished to do so, she could not utter a falsehood, and deny this horrible + and secret intimacy. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry for that, as I think it very precious; more precious even than + the gold which we cannot find; for Miss Clifford, it brings me nearer + you.” + </p> + <p> + She turned upon him, but he held up his hand, and went on: + </p> + <p> + “Oh! do not be angry with me, and do not fear that I am going to trouble + you with soft speeches, for I shall not, unless a time should come, as I + think that perhaps it will, when you may wish to listen to them. But I + want to point out something to you, Miss Clifford. Is it not a wonderful + thing that our minds should be so in tune, and is there not an object in + all this? Did I believe as you do, I should say that it was Heaven working + in us—no: do not answer that the working comes from lower down. I + take no credit for reading that upon your lips; the retort is too easy and + obvious. I am content to say, however, that the work is that of instinct + and nature, or, if you will, of fate, pointing out a road by which + together we might travel to great ends.” + </p> + <p> + “I travel my road alone, Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, I know, and that is the pity of it. The trouble between man and + woman is that not in one case out of a million, even if they be lovers, do + they understand each other. Their eyes may seek one another, their hands + and lips may meet, and yet they remain distinct, apart, and often + antagonistic. There is no communication of the soul. But when it chances + to be hewn from the same rock as it were—oh! then what happiness may + be theirs, and what opportunities!” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly, Mr. Meyer; but, to be frank, the question does not interest + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet; but I am sure that one day it will. Meanwhile, I owe you an + apology. I lost my temper before you last night. Well, do not judge me + hardly, for I was utterly worn out, and that old idiot vexed me with his + talk about ghosts, in which I do not believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why did it make you so angry? Surely you could have afforded to + treat it with contempt, instead of doing—as you did.” + </p> + <p> + “Upon my word! I don’t know, but I suppose most of us are afraid lest we + should be forced to accept that which we refuse. This ancient place gets + upon the nerves, Miss Clifford; yours as well as mine. I can afford to be + open about it, because I know that you know. Think of its associations: + all the crime that has been committed here for ages and ages, all the + suffering that has been endured here. Doubtless human sacrifices were + offered in this cave or outside of it; that great burnt ring in the rock + there may have been where they built the fires. And then those Portuguese + starving to death, slowly starving to death while thousands of savages + watched them die. Have you ever thought what it means? But of course you + have, for like myself you are cursed with imagination. God in heaven! is + it wonderful that it gets upon the nerves? especially when one cannot find + what one is looking for, that vast treasure”—and his face became + ecstatic—“that shall yet be yours and mine, and make us great and + happy.” + </p> + <p> + “But which at present only makes me a scullery-maid and most unhappy,” + replied Benita cheerfully, for she heard her father’s footstep. “Don’t + talk any more of the treasure, Mr. Meyer, or we shall quarrel. We have + enough of that during business hours, when we are hunting for it, you + know. Give me the dish, will you? This meat is cooked at last.” + </p> + <p> + Still Benita could not be rid of that treasure, since after breakfast the + endless, unprofitable search began again. Once more the cave was sounded, + and other hollow places were discovered upon which the two men got to + work. With infinite labour three of them were broken into in as many days, + and like the first, found to be graves, only this time of ancients who, + perhaps, had died before Christ was born. There they lay upon their sides, + their bones burnt by the hot cement that had been poured over them, their + gold-headed and gold-ferruled rods of office in their hands, their + gold-covered pillows of wood, such as the Egyptians used, beneath their + skulls, gold bracelets upon their arms and ankles, cakes of gold beneath + them which had fallen from the rotted pouches that once hung about their + waists, vases of fine glazed pottery that had been filled with offerings, + or in some cases with gold dust to pay the expenses of their journey in + the other world, standing round them, and so forth. + </p> + <p> + In their way these discoveries were rich enough—from one tomb alone + they took over a hundred and thirty ounces of gold—to say nothing of + their surpassing archæological interest. Still they were not what they + sought: all that gathered wealth of Monomotapa which the fleeing + Portuguese had brought with them and buried in this, their last + stronghold. + </p> + <p> + Benita ceased to take the slightest interest in the matter; she would not + even be at the pains to go to look at the third skeleton, although it was + that of a man who had been almost a giant, and, to judge from the amount + of bullion which he took to the tomb with him, a person of great + importance in his day. She felt as though she wished never to see another + human bone or ancient bead or bangle; the sight of a street in Bayswater + in a London fog—yes, or a toy-shop window in Westbourne Grove—would + have pleased her a hundred times better than these unique remains that, + had they known of them in those days, would have sent half the learned + societies of Europe crazy with delight. She wished to escape from + Bambatse, its wondrous fortifications, its mysterious cone, its cave, its + dead, and—from Jacob Meyer. + </p> + <p> + Benita stood upon the top of her prison wall and looked with longing at + the wide, open lands below. She even dared to climb the stairs which ran + up the mighty cone of granite, and seated herself in the cup-like + depression on its crest, whence Jacob Meyer had called to her to come and + share his throne. It was a dizzy place, for the pillar leaning outwards, + its point stood almost clear of the water-scarped rock, so that beneath + her was a sheer drop of about four hundred feet to the Zambesi bed. At + first the great height made her feel faint. Her eyes swam, and unpleasant + tremors crept along her spine, so that she was glad to sink to the floor, + whence she knew she could not fall. By degrees, however, she recovered her + nerve, and was able to study the glorious view of stream and marshes and + hills beyond. + </p> + <p> + For she had come here with a purpose, to see whether it would not be + possible to escape down the river in a canoe, or in native boats such as + the Makalanga owned and used for fishing, or to cross from bank to bank. + Apparently it was impossible, for although the river beneath and above + them was still enough, about a mile below began a cataract that stretched + as far as she could see, and was bordered on either side by rocky hills + covered with forest, over which, even if they could obtain porters, a + canoe could not be carried. This, indeed, she had already heard from the + Molimo, but knowing his timid nature, she wished to judge of the matter + for herself. It came to this then: if they were to go, it must be on the + horses. + </p> + <p> + Descending the cone Benita went to find her father, to whom as yet she had + said nothing of her plans. The opportunity was good, for she knew that he + would be alone. As it chanced, on that afternoon Meyer had gone down the + hill in order to try to persuade the Makalanga to give them ten or twenty + men to help them in their excavations. In this, it will be remembered, he + had already failed so far as the Molimo was concerned, but he was not a + man easily turned from his purpose, and he thought that if he could see + Tamas and some of the other captains he might be able by bribery, threats, + or otherwise, to induce them to forget their superstitious fears, and help + in the search. As a matter of fact, he was utterly unsuccessful, since one + and all they declared that for them to enter that sacred place would mean + their deaths, and that the vengeance of Heaven would fall upon their tribe + and destroy it root and branch. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford, on whom all this heavy labour had begun to tell, was taking + advantage of the absence of his taskmaster, Jacob, to sleep awhile in the + hut which they had now built for themselves beneath the shadow of the + baobab-tree. As she reached it he came out yawning, and asked her where + she had been. Benita told him. + </p> + <p> + “A giddy place,” he said. “I have never ventured to try it myself. What + did you go up there for, dear?” + </p> + <p> + “To look at the river while Mr. Meyer was away, father; for if he had seen + me do so he would have guessed my reason; indeed, I dare say that he will + guess it now.” + </p> + <p> + “What reason, Benita?” + </p> + <p> + “To see whether it would not be possible to escape down it in a boat. But + there is no chance. It is all rapids below, with hills and rocks and trees + on either bank.” + </p> + <p> + “What need have you to escape at present?” he asked, eyeing + her curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Every need,” she answered with passion. “I hate this place; it is a + prison, and I loathe the very name of treasure. Also,” and she paused. + </p> + <p> + “Also what, dear?” + </p> + <p> + “Also,” and her voice sank to a whisper, as though she feared that he + should overhear her even at the bottom of the hill; “also, I am afraid of + Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + This confession did not seem to surprise her father, who merely nodded his + head and said: + </p> + <p> + “Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, I think that he is going mad, and it is not pleasant for us to be + cooped up here alone with a madman, especially when he has begun to speak + to me as he does now.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean that he has been impertinent to you,” said the old man, + flushing up, “for if so——” + </p> + <p> + “No, not impertinent—as yet,” and she told him what had passed + between Meyer and herself, adding, “You see, father, I detest this man; + indeed, I want to have nothing to do with any man; for me all that is over + and done with,” and she gave a dry little sob which appeared to come from + her very heart. “And yet, he seems to be getting some kind of power over + me. He follows me about with his eyes, prying into my mind, and I feel + that he is beginning to be able to read it. I can bear no more. Father, + father, for God’s sake, take me away from this hateful hill and its gold + and its dead, and let us get out into the veld again together.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad enough, dearest,” he answered. “I have had plenty of + this wild-goose chase, which I was so mad as to be led into by the love of + wealth. Indeed, I am beginning to believe that if it goes on much longer I + shall leave my bones here.” + </p> + <p> + “And if such a dreadful thing as that were to happen, what would become of + me, alone with Jacob Meyer?” she asked quietly. “I might even be driven to + the same fate as that poor girl two hundred years ago,” and she pointed to + the cone of rock behind her. + </p> + <p> + “For Heaven’s sake, don’t talk like that!” he broke in. + </p> + <p> + “Why not? One must face things, and it would be better than Jacob Meyer; + for who would protect me here?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford walked up and down for a few minutes, while his daughter + watched him anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “I can see no plan,” he said, stopping opposite her. “We cannot take the + waggon even if there are enough oxen left to draw it, for it is his as + much as mine, and I am sure that he will never leave this treasure unless + he is driven away.” + </p> + <p> + “And I am sure I hope that he will not. But, father, the horses are our + own; it was his that died, you remember. We can ride away on them.” + </p> + <p> + He stared at her and answered: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we could ride away to our deaths. Suppose they got sick or lame; + suppose we meet the Matabele, or could find no game to shoot; suppose one + of us fell ill—oh! and a hundred things. What then?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then it is just as well to perish in the wilderness as here, where + our risks are almost as great. We must take our chance, and trust to God. + Perhaps He will be merciful and help us. Listen now, father. To-morrow is + Sunday, when you and I do no work that we can help. Mr. Meyer is a Jew, + and he won’t waste Sunday. Well now, I will say that I want to go down to + the outer wall to fetch some clothes which I left in the waggon, and to + take others for the native women to wash, and of course you will come with + me. Perhaps he will be deceived, and stay behind, especially as he has + been there to-day. Then we can get the horses and guns and ammunition, and + anything else that we can carry in the way of food, and persuade the old + Molimo to open the gate for us. You know, the little side gate that cannot + be seen from up here, and before Mr. Meyer misses us and comes to look, we + shall be twenty miles away, and—horses can’t be overtaken by a man + on foot.” + </p> + <p> + “He will say that we have deserted him, and that will be true.” + </p> + <p> + “You can leave a letter with the Molimo explaining that it was my fault, + that I was getting ill and thought that I should die, and that you knew it + would not be fair to ask him to come, and so to lose the treasure, to + every halfpenny of which he is welcome when it is found. Oh! father, don’t + hesitate any longer; say that you will take me away from Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it then,” answered Mr. Clifford, and as he spoke, hearing a sound, + they looked up and saw Jacob approaching them. + </p> + <p> + Luckily he was so occupied with his own thoughts that he never noted the + guilty air upon their faces, and they had time to compose themselves a + little. But even thus his suspicions were aroused. + </p> + <p> + “What are you talking of so earnestly?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We were wondering how you were getting on with the Makalanga,” answered + Benita, fibbing boldly, “and whether you would persuade them to face the + ghosts. Did you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” he answered with a scowl. “Those ghosts are our worst enemies in + this place; the cowards swore that they would rather die. I should have + liked to take some of them at their word and make ghosts of them; but I + remembered the situation and didn’t. Don’t be afraid, Miss Clifford, I + never even lost my temper, outwardly at any rate. Well, there it is; if + they won’t help us, we must work the harder. I’ve got a new plan, and + we’ll begin on it to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Not to-morrow, Mr. Meyer,” replied Benita with a smile. “It is Sunday, + and we rest on Sunday, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I forgot. The Makalanga with their ghosts and you with your Sunday—really + I do not know which is the worse. Well, then, I must do my own share and + yours too, I suppose,” and he turned with a shrug of his shoulders. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"></a> + XIV.<br/> + THE FLIGHT</h2> + <p> + The next morning, Sunday, Meyer went to work on his new plan. What it was + Benita did not trouble to inquire, but she gathered that it had something + to do with the measuring out of the chapel cave into squares for the more + systematic investigation of each area. At twelve o’clock he emerged for + his midday meal, in the course of which he remarked that it was very + dreary working in that place alone, and that he would be glad when it was + Monday, and they could accompany him. His words evidently disturbed Mr. + Clifford not a little, and even excited some compunction in the breast of + Benita. + </p> + <p> + What would his feelings be, she wondered, when he found that they had run + away, leaving him to deal with their joint undertaking single-handed! + Almost was she minded to tell him the whole truth; yet—and this was + a curious evidence of the man’s ascendancy over her—she did not. + Perhaps she felt that to do so would be to put an end to their scheme, + since then by argument, blandishments, threats, force, or appeal to their + sense of loyalty, it mattered not which, he would bring about its + abandonment. But she wanted to fulfil that scheme, to be free of Bambatse, + its immemorial ruins, its graveyard cave, and the ghoul, Jacob Meyer, who + could delve among dead bones and in living hearts with equal skill and + insight, and yet was unable to find the treasure that lay beneath either + of them. + </p> + <p> + So they hid the truth, and talked with feverish activity about other + things, such as the drilling of the Makalanga, and the chances of an + attack by the Matabele, which happily now seemed to be growing small; also + of the conditions of their cattle, and the prospect of obtaining more to + replace those that had died. Indeed, Benita went farther; in her new-found + zeal of deception she proceeded to act a lie, yes, even with her father’s + reproachful eyes fixed upon her. Incidentally she mentioned that they were + going to have an outing, to climb down the ladder and visit the Makalanga + camp between the first and second walls and mix with the great world for a + few hours; also to carry their washing to be done there, and bring up some + clean clothes and certain books which she had left below. + </p> + <p> + Jacob came out of his thoughts and calculations, and listened gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “I have half a mind to come with you,” he said, words at which Benita + shivered. “It certainly is most cursed lonesome in that cave, and I seem + to hear things in it, as though those old bones were rattling, sounds like + sighs and whispers too, which are made by the draught.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why don’t you?” asked Benita. + </p> + <p> + It was a bold stroke, but it succeeded. If he had any doubts they + vanished, and he answered at once: + </p> + <p> + “Because I have not the time. We have to get this business finished one + way or another before the wet season comes on, and we are drowned out of + the place with rain, or rotted by fever. Take your afternoon out, Miss + Clifford; every maid of all work is entitled to as much, and I am afraid + that is your billet here. Only,” he added, with that care for her safety + which he always showed in his more temperate moods, “pray be careful, + Clifford, to get back before sundown. That wall is too risky for your + daughter to climb in the dusk. Call me from the foot of it; you have the + whistle, and I will come down to help her up. I think I’ll go with you + after all. No, I won’t. I made myself so unpleasant to them yesterday that + those Makalanga can’t wish to see any more of me at present. I hope you + will have a more agreeable afternoon than I shall. Why don’t you take a + ride outside the wall? Your horses are fat and want exercise, and I do not + think that you need be afraid of the Matabele.” Then without waiting for + an answer, he rose and left them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford looked after him doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know,” said Benita, “it seems horribly mean, but one must do shabby + things sometimes. Here are the bundles all ready, so let us be off.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they went, and from the top of the wall Benita glanced back to + bid goodbye to that place which she hoped never to see again. Yet she + could not feel as though she looked her last upon it; to her it wore no + air of farewell, and even as she descended the perilous stairs, she found + herself making mental notes as to how they might best be climbed again. + Also, she could not believe that she had done with Mr. Meyer. It seemed to + her as though for a long while yet her future would be full of him. + </p> + <p> + They reached the outer fortifications in safety, and there were greeted + with some surprise but with no displeasure by the Makalanga, whom they + found still drilling with the rifles, in the use of which a certain number + of them appeared to have become fairly proficient. Going to the hut in + which the spare goods from the waggon had been stored, they quickly made + their preparations. Here also, Mr. Clifford wrote a letter, one of the + most unpleasant that he had ever been called upon to compose. It ran thus: + </p> + <p> + “Dear Meyer, + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know what you will think of us, but we are escaping from this + place. The truth is that I am not well, and my daughter can bear it no + longer. She says that if she stops here, she will die, and that hunting + for treasure in that ghastly grave-yard is shattering her nerves. I should + have liked to tell you, but she begged me not, being convinced that if I + did, you would over-persuade us or stop us in some way. As for the gold, + if you can find it, take it all. I renounce my share. We are leaving you + the waggon and the oxen, and starting down country on our horses. It is a + perilous business, but less so than staying here, under the circumstances. + If we never meet again we hope that you will forgive us, and wish you all + good fortune.—Yours sincerely and with much regret, + </p> + <p> + “T. Clifford.” + </p> + <p> + The letter written, they saddled the horses which had been brought up for + their inspection, and were found to be in good case, and fastened their + scanty belongings, and as many cartridges as they could carry in packs + behind their saddles. Then, each of them armed with a rifle—for + during their long journeyings Benita had learned to shoot—they + mounted and made for the little side-entrance, as the main gate through + which they had passed on their arrival was now built up. This + side-entrance, a mere slit in the great wall, with a precipitous approach, + was open, for now that their fear of the Matabele had to some extent + passed off, the Makalanga used it to drive their sheep and goats in and + out, since it was so constructed with several twists and turns in the + thickness of the wall, that in a few minutes it could be effectually + blocked by stones that lay at hand. Also, the ancient architect had + arranged it in such a fashion that it was entirely commanded from the + crest of the wall on either side. + </p> + <p> + The Makalanga, who had been watching their proceedings curiously, made no + attempt to stop them, although they guessed that they might have a little + trouble with the sentries who guarded the entrances all day, and even when + it was closed at night, with whom also Mr. Clifford proposed to leave the + letter. When they reached the place, however, and had dismounted to lead + the horses down the winding passage and the steep ascent upon its further + side, it was to find that the only guard visible proved to be the old + Molimo himself, who sat there, apparently half asleep. + </p> + <p> + But as they came he showed himself to be very much awake, for without + moving he asked them at once whither they were going. + </p> + <p> + “To take a ride,” answered Mr. Clifford. “The lady, my daughter, is weary + of being cooped up in this fortress, and wishes to breathe the air + without. Let us pass, friend, or we shall not be back by sunset.” + </p> + <p> + “If you be coming back at sunset, white man, why do you carry so many + things upon your packs, and why are your saddle-bags filled with + cartridges?” he asked. “Surely you do not speak the truth to me, and you + hope that never more will you see the sun set upon Bambatse.” + </p> + <p> + Now understanding that it was hopeless to deceive him, Benita exclaimed + boldly: + </p> + <p> + “It is so; but oh! my Father, stay us not, for fear is behind us, and + therefore we fly hence.” + </p> + <p> + “And is there no fear before you, maiden? Fear of the wilderness, where + none wander save perchance the Amandabele with their bloody spears; fear + of wild beasts and of sickness that may overtake you so that, first one + and then the other, you perish there?” + </p> + <p> + “There is plenty, my Father, but none of them so bad as the fear behind. + Yonder place is haunted, and we give up our search and would dwell there + no more.” + </p> + <p> + “It is haunted truly, maiden, but its spirits will not harm you whom they + welcome as one appointed, and we are ever ready to protect you because of + their command that has come to me in dreams. Nor, indeed, is it the + spirits whom you fear, but rather the white man, your companion, who would + bend you to his will. Deny it not, for I have seen it all.” + </p> + <p> + “Then knowing the truth, surely you will let us go,” she pleaded, “for I + swear to you that I dare not stay.” + </p> + <p> + “Who am I that I should forbid you?” he asked. “Yet I tell you that you + would do well to stay and save yourselves much terror. Maiden, have I not + said it days and days ago, that here and here only you must accomplish your + fate? Go now if you will, but you shall return again,” and once more he + seemed to begin to doze in the sun. + </p> + <p> + The two of them consulted hastily together. + </p> + <p> + “It is no use turning back now,” said Benita, who was almost weeping with + doubt and vexation. “I will not be frightened by his vague talk. What can + he know of the future more than any of the rest of us? Besides, all he + says is that we shall come back again, and if that does happen, at least + we shall have been free for a little while. Come, father.” + </p> + <p> + “As you wish,” answered Mr. Clifford, who seemed too miserable and + depressed to argue. Only he threw down the letter upon the Molimo’s lap, + and begged him to give it to Meyer when he came to look for them. + </p> + <p> + The old man took no notice; no, not even when Benita bade him farewell and + thanked him for his kindness, praying that all good fortune might attend + him and his tribe, did he answer a single word or even look up. So they + led their horses down the narrow passage where there was scarcely room for + them to pass, and up the steep path beyond. On the further side of the + ancient ditch they remounted them while the Makalanga watched them from + the walls, and cantered away along the same road by which they had come. + </p> + <p> + Now this road, or rather track, ran first through the gardens and then + among the countless ruined houses that in bygone ages formed the great + city whereof the mount Bambatse had been the citadel and sanctuary. The + relics of a lost civilization extended for several miles, and were bounded + by a steep and narrow neck or pass in the encircling hills, the same that + Robert Seymour and his brother had found too difficult for their waggon at + the season in which they visited the place some years before. This pass, + or port as it is called in South Africa, had been strongly fortified, for + on either side of it were the ruins of towers. Moreover, at its crest it + was so narrow and steep-sided that a few men posted there, even if they + were armed only with bows and arrows, could hold an attacking force in + check for a considerable time. Beyond it, after the hill was descended, a + bush-clad plain dotted with kopjes and isolated granite pillars formed of + boulders piled one upon another, rolled away for many miles. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford and Benita had started upon their mad journey about three + o’clock in the afternoon, and when the sun began to set they found + themselves upon this plain fifteen or sixteen miles from Bambatse, of + which they had long lost sight, for it lay beyond the intervening hills. + Near to them was a kopje, where they had outspanned by a spring of water + when on their recent journey, and since they did not dare to travel in the + dark, here they determined to off-saddle, for round this spring was good + grass for the horses. + </p> + <p> + As it chanced, they came upon some hartebeeste here which were trekking + down to drink, but although they would have been glad of meat, they were + afraid to shoot, fearing lest they should attract attention; nor for the + same reason did they like to light a fire. So having knee-haltered the + horses in such fashion that they could not wander far, and turned them + loose to feed, they sat down under a tree, and made some sort of a meal + off the biltong and cooked corn which they had brought with them. By the + time this was finished darkness fell, for there was little moon, so that + nothing remained to do except to sleep within a circle of a few dead + thorn-boughs which they had drawn about their camp. This, then, they did, + and so weary were they both, that notwithstanding all the emotions through + which they had passed, and their fears lest lions should attack them—for + of these brutes there were many in this veld—rested soundly and + undisturbed till within half an hour of dawn. + </p> + <p> + Rising somewhat chilled, for though the air was warm a heavy dew had + soaked their blankets, once more they ate and drank by starlight, while + the horses, which they had tied up close to them during the night, filled + themselves with grass. At the first break of day they saddled them, and + before the sun rose were on their road again. At length up it came, and + the sight and warmth of it put new heart into Benita. Her fears seemed to + depart with the night, and she said to her father that this successful + start was of good augury, to which he only answered that he hoped so. + </p> + <p> + All that day they rode forward in beautiful weather, not pressing their + horses, for now they were sure that Jacob Meyer, who if he followed at all + must do so on foot, would never be able to overtake them. At noon they + halted, and having shot a small buck, Benita cooked some of it in the one + pot that they had brought with them, and they ate a good meal of fresh + meat. + </p> + <p> + Riding on again, towards sundown they came to another of their old + camping-places, also a bush-covered kopje. Here the spring of water was + more than halfway up the hill, so there they off-saddled in a green bower + of a place that because of its ferns and mosses looked like a rock garden. + Now, although they had enough cold meat for food, they thought themselves + quite safe in lighting a fire. Indeed, this it seemed necessary to do, + since they had struck the fresh spoor of lions, and even caught sight of + one galloping away in the tall reeds on the marshy land at the foot of the + hill. + </p> + <p> + That evening they fared sumptuously upon venison, and as on the previous + day lay down to rest in a little “boma” or fence made of boughs. But they + were not allowed to sleep well this night, for scarcely had they shut + their eyes when a hyena began to howl about them. They shouted and the + brute went away, but an hour or two later, they heard ominous grunting + sounds, followed presently by a loud roar, which was answered by another + roar, whereat the horses began to whinny in a frightened fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Lions!” said Mr. Clifford, jumping up and throwing dead wood on the fire + till it burnt to a bright blaze. + </p> + <p> + After that all sleep became impossible, for although the lions did not + attack them, having once winded the horses they would not go away, but + continued wandering round the kopje, grunting and growling. This went on + till abut three o’clock in the morning, when at last the beasts took their + departure, for they heard them roaring in the distance. Now that they + seemed safe, having first made up the fire, they tried to get some rest. + </p> + <p> + When, as it appeared to her, Benita had been asleep but a little while, + she was awakened by a new noise. It was still dark, but the starlight + showed her that the horses were quite quiet; indeed, one of them was lying + down, and the other eating some green leaves from the branches of the tree + to which it was tethered. Therefore that noise had not come from any wild + animal of which they were afraid. She listened intently, and presently + heard it again; it was a murmur like to that of people talking somewhere + at the bottom of the hill. Then she woke her father and told him, but + although once or twice they thought they heard the sound of footsteps, + nothing else could be distinguished. Still they rose, and having saddled + and bridled the horses as noiselessly as might be, waited for the dawn. + </p> + <p> + At last it came. Up on the side of the kopje they were in clear air, above + which shone the red lights of morning, but under them lay billows of + dense, pearl-hued mist. By degrees this thinned beneath the rays of the + risen sun, and through it, looking gigantic in that light, Benita saw a + savage wrapped in a kaross, who was walking up and down and yawning, a + great spear in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” she whispered, “look!” and Mr. Clifford stared down the line of + her outstretched finger. + </p> + <p> + “The Matabele,” he said. “My God! the Matabele!” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"></a> + XV.<br/> + THE CHASE</h2> + <p> + The Matabele it was, sure enough; there could be no doubt of it, for soon + three other men joined the sentry and began to talk with him, pointing + with their great spears at the side of the hill. Evidently they were + arranging a surprise when there was sufficient light to carry it out. + </p> + <p> + “They have seen our fire,” whispered her father to Benita; “now, if we + wish to save our lives, there is only one thing to do—ride for it + before they muster. The impi will be camped upon the other side of the + hill, so we must take the road we came by.” + </p> + <p> + “That runs back to Bambatse,” faltered Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Bambatse is better than the grave,” said her father. “Pray Heaven that we + may get there.” + </p> + <p> + To this argument there was no answer, so having drunk a sup of water, and + swallowing a few mouthfuls of food as they went, they crept to the horses, + mounted them, and as silently as possible began to ride down the hill. + </p> + <p> + The sentry was alone again, the other three men having departed. He stood + with his back towards them. Presently when they were quite close on to + him, he heard their horses’ hoofs upon the grass, wheeled round at the + sound, and saw them. Then with a great shout he lifted his spear and + charged. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford, who was leading, held out his rifle at arm’s length—to + raise it to his shoulder he had no time—and pulled the trigger. + Benita heard the bullet clap upon the hide shield, and next instant saw + the Matabele warrior lying on his back, beating the air with his hands and + feet. Also, she saw beyond the shoulder of the kopje, which they were + rounding, hundreds of men marching, and behind them a herd of cattle, the + dim light gleaming upon the stabbing spears and on the horns of the oxen. + She glanced to the right, and there were more men. The two wings of the + impi were closing upon them. Only a little lane was left in the middle. + They must get through before it shut. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” she gasped, striking the horse with her heel and the butt of her + gun, and jerking at its mouth. + </p> + <p> + Her father saw also, and did likewise, so that the beasts broke into a + gallop. Now from the point of each wing sprang out thin lines of men, + looking like great horns, or nippers, whose business it was to meet and + cut them off. Could they pass between them before they did meet? That was + the question, and upon its answer it depended whether or no they had + another three minutes to live. To think of mercy at the hands of these + bloodthirsty brutes, after they had just killed one of their number before + their eyes, was absurd. It was true he had been shot in self-defence; but + what count would savages take of that, or of the fact that they were but + harmless travellers? White people were not very popular with the Matabele + just then, as they knew well; also, their murder in this remote place, + with not another of their race within a couple of hundred miles, would + never even be reported, and much less avenged. It was as safe as any crime + could possibly be. + </p> + <p> + All this passed through their minds as they galloped towards those closing + points. Oh! the horror of it! But two hundred yards to cover, and their + fate would be decided. Either they would have escaped at least for a + while, or time would be done with them; or, a third alternative, they + might be taken prisoners, in all probability a yet more dreadful doom. + Even then Benita determined that if she could help it this should not + befall her. She had the rifle and the revolver that Jacob Meyer had given + her. Surely she would be able to find a moment to use one or the other + upon herself. She clenched her teeth, and struck the horse again and + again, so that now they flew along. The Matabele soldiers were running + their best to catch them, and if these had been given but five seconds of + start, caught they must have been. But that short five seconds saved their + lives. + </p> + <p> + When they rushed through them the foremost men of the nippers were not + more than twenty yards apart. Seeing that they had passed, these halted + and hurled a shower of spears after them. One flashed by Benita’s cheek, a + line of light; she felt the wind of it. Another cut her dress, and a third + struck her father’s horse in the near hind leg just above the knee-joint, + remaining fast there for a stride or two, and then falling to the ground. + At first the beast did not seem to be incommoded by this wound; indeed, it + only caused it to gallop quicker, and Benita rejoiced, thinking that it + was but a scratch. Then she forgot about it, for some of the Matabele, who + had guns, began to shoot them, and although their marksmanship was vile, + one or two of the bullets went nearer than was pleasant. Lastly a man, the + swiftest runner of them all, shouted after them in Zulu: + </p> + <p> + “The horse is wounded. We will catch you both before the sun sets.” + </p> + <p> + Then they passed over the crest of a rise and lost sight of them for a + while. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God!” gasped Benita when they were alone again in the silent veld; + but Mr. Clifford shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think they will follow us?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “You heard what the fellow said,” he answered evasively. “Doubtless they + are on their way to attack Bambatse, and have been round to destroy some + other wretched tribe, and steal the cattle which we saw. Yes, I fear that + they will follow. The question is, which of us can get to Bambatse first.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely we ought to on the horses, father.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if nothing happens to them,” and as he spoke the words the mare + which he was riding dropped sharply upon her hind leg, the same that had + been struck with the spear; then recovered herself and galloped on. + </p> + <p> + “Did you see that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + She nodded; then said: + </p> + <p> + “Shall we get off and look at the cut?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not,” he answered. “Our only chance is to keep her moving; if + once the wound stiffens, there’s an end. The sinew cannot have been + severed, or it would have come before now.” + </p> + <p> + So they pushed on. + </p> + <p> + All that morning did they canter forward wherever the ground was smooth + enough to allow them to do so, and notwithstanding the increasing lameness + of Mr. Clifford’s mare, made such good progress that by midday they + reached the place where they had passed the first night after leaving + Bambatse. Here sheer fatigue and want of water forced them to stop a + little while. They dismounted and drank greedily from the spring, after + which they allowed the horses to drink also; indeed it was impossible to + keep them away from the water. Then they ate a little, not because they + desired food, but to keep up their strength, and while they did so + examined the mare. By now her hind leg was much swollen, and blood still + ran from the gash made by the assegai. Moreover, the limb was drawn up so + that the point of the hoof only rested on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “We must get on before it sets fast,” said Mr. Clifford, and they mounted + again. + </p> + <p> + Great heavens! what was this? The mare would not stir. In his despair Mr. + Clifford beat it cruelly, whereupon the poor brute hobbled forward a few + paces on three legs, and again came to a standstill. Either an injured + sinew had given or the inflammation was now so intense that it could not + bend its knee. Understanding what this meant to them, Benita’s nerve gave + out at last, and she burst into weeping. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t cry, love,” he said. “God’s will be done. Perhaps they have given + up the hunt by now; at any rate, my legs are left, and Bambatse is not + more than sixteen miles away. Forward now,” and holding to her + saddle-strap they went up the long, long slope which led to the poort in + the hills around Bambatse. + </p> + <p> + They would have liked to shoot the mare, but being afraid to fire a rifle, + could not do so. So they left the unhappy beast to its fate, and with it + everything it carried, except a few of the cartridges. Before they went, + however, at Benita’s prayer, her father devoted a few seconds to + unbuckling the girths and pulling off the bridle, so that it might have a + chance of life. For a little way it hobbled after them on three legs, + then, the saddle still upon its back, stood whinnying piteously, till at + last, to Benita’s intense relief, a turn in their path hid it from their + sight. + </p> + <p> + Half a mile further on she looked round in the faint hope that it might + have recovered itself and followed. But no mare was to be seen. Something + else was to be seen, however, for there, three or four miles away upon the + plain behind them, easy to be distinguished in that dazzling air, were a + number of black spots that occasionally seemed to sparkle. + </p> + <p> + “What are they?” she asked faintly, as one who feared the answer. + </p> + <p> + “The Matabele who follow us,” answered her father, “or rather a company of + their swiftest runners. It is their spears that glitter so. Now, my love, + this is the position,” he went on, as they struggled forward: “those men + will catch us before ever we can get to Bambatse; they are trained to run + like that, for fifty miles, if need be. But with this start they cannot + catch your horse, you must go on and leave me to look after myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Never, never!” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “But you shall, and you must. I am your father and I order you. As for me, + what does it matter? I may hide from them and escape, or—at least I + am old, my life is done, whereas yours is before you. Now, good-bye, and + go on,” and he let go of the saddle-strap. + </p> + <p> + By way of answer Benita pulled up the horse. + </p> + <p> + “Not one yard,” she said, setting her mouth. + </p> + <p> + Then he began to storm at her, calling her disobedient, and undutiful, and + when this means failed to move her, to implore her almost with tears. + </p> + <p> + “Father, dear,” she said, leaning down towards him as he walked, for now + they were going on again, “I told you why I wanted to run away from + Bambatse, didn’t I?—because I would rather risk my life than stay. + Well, do you think that I wish to return there and live in that place + alone with Jacob Meyer? Also, I will tell you another thing. You remember + about Mr. Seymour? Well, I can’t get over that; I can’t get over it at + all, and therefore, although of course I am afraid, it is all one to me. + No, we will escape together, or die together; the first if we can.” + </p> + <p> + Then with a groan he gave up the argument, and as he found breath they + discussed their chances. Their first idea was to hide, but save for a few + trees all the country was open; there was no place to cover them. They + thought of the banks of the Zambesi, but between them and the river rose a + bare, rock-strewn hill with several miles of slope. Long before they could + reach its crest, even if a horse were able to travel there, they must be + overtaken. In short, there was nothing to do except to push for the nek, + and if they were fortunate enough to reach it before the Matabele, to + abandon the horse there and try to conceal themselves among the ruins of + the houses beyond. This, perhaps, they might do when once the sun was + down. + </p> + <p> + But they did not deceive themselves; the chances were at least fifty to + one against them, unless indeed their pursuers grew weary and let them go. + </p> + <p> + At present, however, they were by no means weary, for having perceived + them from far away, the long-legged runners put on the pace, and the + distance between them and their quarry was lessening. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Benita, “please understand one thing. I do not mean to be + taken alive by those savages.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! how can I——” he faltered. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t ask you,” she answered. “I will see to that myself. Only, if I + should make any mistake——” and she looked at him. + </p> + <p> + The old man was getting very tired. He panted up the steep hillside, and + stumbled against the stones. Benita noted it, and slipping from the horse, + made him mount while she ran alongside. Then when he was a little rested + they changed places again, and so covered several miles of country. + Subsequently, when both of them were nearly exhausted, they tried riding + together—she in front and he behind, for their baggage had long + since been thrown away. But the weary beast could not carry this double + burden, and after a few hundred yards of it, stumbled, fell, struggled to + its feet again, and stopped. + </p> + <p> + So once more they were obliged to ride and walk alternately. + </p> + <p> + Now there was not much more than an hour of daylight left, and the narrow + pass lay about three miles ahead of them. That dreadful three miles; ever + thereafter it was Benita’s favourite nightmare! At the beginning of it the + leading Matabele were about two thousand yards behind them; half-way, + about a thousand; and at the commencement of the last mile, say five + hundred. + </p> + <p> + Nature is a wonderful thing, and great are its resources in extremity. As + the actual crisis approached, the weariness of these two seemed to depart, + or at any rate it was forgotten. They no longer felt exhausted, nor, had + they been fresh from their beds, could they have climbed or run better. + Even the horse seemed to find new energy, and when it lagged Mr. Clifford + dug the point of his hunting knife into its flank. Gasping, panting, now + one mounted and now the other, they struggled on towards that crest of + rock, while behind them came death in the shape of those sleuth-hounds of + Matabele. The sun was going down, and against its flaming ball, when they + glanced back they could see their dark forms outlined; the broad spears + also looked red as though they had been dipped in blood. They could even + hear their taunting shouts as they called to them to sit down and be + killed, and save trouble. + </p> + <p> + Now they were not three hundred yards away, and the crest of the pass was + still half a mile ahead. Five minutes passed, and here, where the track + was very rough, the horse blundered upwards slowly. Mr. Clifford was + riding at the time, and Benita running at his side, holding to the stirrup + leather. She looked behind her. The savages, fearing that their victims + might find shelter over the hill, were making a rush, and the horse could + go no faster. One man, a great tall fellow, quite out-distanced his + companions. Two minutes more and he was not over a hundred paces from + them, a little nearer than they were to the top of the pass. Then the + horse stopped and refused to stir any more. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford jumped from the saddle, and Benita, who could not speak, + pointed to the pursuing Matabele. He sat down upon a rock, cocked his + rifle, took a deep breath, and aimed and fired at the soldier who was + coming on carelessly in the open. Mr. Clifford was a good shot, and shaken + though he was, at this supreme moment his skill did not fail him. The man + was struck somewhere, for he staggered about and fell; then slowly picked + himself up, and began to hobble back towards his companions, who, when + they met him, stopped a minute to give him some kind of assistance. + </p> + <p> + That halt proved their salvation, for it gave them time to make one last + despairing rush, and gain the brow of the poort. Not that this would have + saved them, however, since where they could go the Matabele could follow, + and there was still light by which the pursuers would have been able to + see to catch them. Indeed, the savages, having laid down the wounded man, + came on with a yell of rage, fifty or more of them. + </p> + <p> + Over the pass father and daughter struggled, Benita riding; after them, + perhaps sixty yards away, ran the Matabele, gathered in a knot now upon + the narrow, ancient road, bordered by steep hillsides. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly from all about them, as it appeared to Benita, broke out the + blaze and roar of rifles, rapid and continuous. Down went the Matabele by + twos and threes, till at last it seemed as though but quite a few of them + were left upon their feet, and those came on no more; they turned and fled + from the neck of the narrow pass to the open slope beyond. + </p> + <p> + Benita sank to the ground, and the next thing that she could remember was + hearing the soft voice of Jacob Meyer, who said: + </p> + <p> + “So you have returned from your ride, Miss Clifford, and perhaps it was as + well that the thought came from you to me that you wished me to meet you + here in this very place.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"></a> + XVI.<br/> + BACK AT BAMBATSE</h2> + <p> + How they reached Bambatse Benita never could remember, but afterwards she + was told that both she and her father were carried upon litters made of + ox-hide shields. When she came to her own mind again, it was to find + herself lying in her tent outside the mouth of the cave within the third + enclosure of the temple-fortress. Her feet were sore and her bones ached, + physical discomforts that brought back to her in a flash all the terrors + through which she had passed. + </p> + <p> + Again she saw the fierce pursuing Matabele; again heard their cruel shouts + and the answering crack of the rifles; again, amidst the din and the + gathering darkness, distinguished the gentle, foreign voice of Meyer + speaking his words of sarcastic greeting. Next oblivion fell upon her, and + after it a dim memory of being helped up the hill with the sun pouring on + her back and assisted to climb the steep steps of the wall by means of a + rope placed around her. Then forgetfulness again. + </p> + <p> + The flap of her tent was drawn aside and she shrank back upon her bed, + shutting her eyes for fear lest they should fall upon the face of Jacob + Meyer. Feeling that it was not he, or learning it perhaps from the + footfall, she opened them a little, peeping at her visitor from between + her long lashes. He proved to be—not Jacob or her father, but the + old Molimo, who stood beside her holding in his hand a gourd filled with + goat’s milk. Then she sat up and smiled at him, for Benita had grown very + fond of this ancient man, who was so unlike anyone that she had ever met. + </p> + <p> + “Greeting, Lady,” he said softly, smiling back at her with his lips and + dreamy eyes, for his old face did not seem to move beneath its thousand + wrinkles. “I bring you milk. Drink; it is fresh and you need food.” + </p> + <p> + So she took the gourd and drank to the last drop, for it seemed to her + that she had never tasted anything so delicious. + </p> + <p> + “Good, good,” murmured the Molimo; “now you will be well again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I shall get well,” she answered; “but oh! what of my father?” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not; he is still sick, but he will recover also. You shall see him + soon.” + </p> + <p> + “I have drunk all the milk,” she broke out; “there is none left for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty, plenty,” he answered, waving his thin hand. “There are two cups + full—one for each. We have not many she-goats down below, but the + best of their milk is saved for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me all that has happened, Father,” and the old priest, who liked her + to call him by that name, smiled again with his eyes, and squatted down in + the corner of the tent. + </p> + <p> + “You went away, you remember that you would go, although I told you that + you must come back. You refused my wisdom and you went, and I have learned + all that befell you and how you two escaped the impi. Well, that night + after sunset, when you did not return, came the Black One—yes, yes, + I mean Meyer, whom we name so because of his beard, and,” he added + deliberately, “his heart. He came running down the hill asking for you, + and I gave him the letter. + </p> + <p> + “He read it, and oh! then he went mad. He cursed in his own tongue; he + threw himself about; he took a rifle and wished to shoot me, but I sat + silent and looked at him till he grew quiet. Then he asked why I had + played him this trick, but I answered that it was no trick of mine who had + no right to keep you and your father prisoners against your will, and that + I thought you had gone away because you were afraid of him, which was not + wonderful if that was how he talked to you. I told him, too, I who am a + doctor, that unless he was careful he would go mad; that already I saw + madness in his eye; after which he became quiet, for my words frightened + him. Then he asked what could be done, and I said—that night, + nothing, since you must be far away, so that it would be useless to follow + you, but better to go to meet you when you came back. He asked what I + meant by your coming back, and I answered that I meant what I said, that + you would come back in great haste and peril—although you would not + believe me when I told you so—for I had it from the Munwali whose + child you are. + </p> + <p> + “So I sent out my spies, and that night went by, and the next day and + night went by, and we sat still and did nothing, though the Black One + wished to wander out alone after you. But on the following morning, at the + dawn, a messenger came in who reported that it had been called to him by + his brethren who were hidden upon hilltops and in other places for miles + and miles, that the Matabele impi, having destroyed another family of the + Makalanga far down the Zambesi, was advancing to destroy us also. And in + the afternoon came a second spy, who reported that you two had been + surrounded by the impi, but had broken through them, and were riding + hitherward for your lives. Then I took fifty of the best of our people and + put them under the command of Tamas, my son, and sent them to ambush the + pass, for against the Matabele warriors on the plain we, who are not + warlike, do not dare to fight. + </p> + <p> + “The Black One went with them, and when he saw how sore was your strait, + wished to run down to meet the Matabele, for he is a brave man. But I had + said to Tamas—‘No, do not try to fight them in the open, for there + they will certainly kill you.’ Moreover, Lady, I was sure that you would + reach the top of the poort. Well, you reached it, though but by the + breadth of a blade of grass, and my children shot with the new rifles, and + the place being narrow so that they could not miss, killed many of those + hyenas of Amandabele. But to kill Matabele is like catching fleas on a + dog’s back: there are always more. Still it served its turn, you and your + father were brought away safely, and we lost no one.” + </p> + <p> + “Where, then, are the Matabele now?” asked Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Outside our walls, a whole regiment of them: three thousand men or more, + under the command of the Captain Maduna, he of the royal blood, whose life + you begged, but who nevertheless hunted you like a buck.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he did not know who it was,” suggested Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” the Molimo answered, rubbing his chin, “for in such matters + even a Matabele generally keeps faith, and you may remember he promised + you life for life. However, they are here ravening like lions round the + walls, and that is why we carried you up to the top of the hill, that you + might be safe from them.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you safe, my Father?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” he replied with a dry little chuckle in his throat. “Whoever + built this fortress built it strong, and we have blocked the gates. Also, + they caught no one outside; all are within the walls, together with the + sheep and goats. Lastly, we have sent most of the women and children + across the Zambesi in canoes, to hide in places we know of whither the + Amandabele cannot follow, for they dare not swim a river. Therefore, for + those of us that remain we have food for three months, and before then the + rains will drive the impi out.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not all go across the river, Father?” + </p> + <p> + “For two reasons, Lady. The first is, that if we once abandoned our + stronghold, which we have held from the beginning, Lobengula would take + it, and keep it, so that we could never re-enter into our heritage, which + would be a shame to us and bring down the vengeance of the spirits of our + ancestors upon our heads. The second is, that as you have returned to us + we stay to protect you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very good to me,” murmured Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, nay, we brought you here, and we do what I am told to do from Above. + Trouble may still come upon you; yes, I think that it will come, but once + more I pray you, have no fear, for out of this evil root shall spring a + flower of joy,” and he rose to go. + </p> + <p> + “Stay,” said Benita. “Has the chief Meyer found the gold?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he has found nothing; but he hunts and hunts like a hungry jackal + digging for a bone. But that bone is not for him; it is for you, Lady, you + and you only. Oh! I know, you do not seek, still you shall find. Only the + next time that you want help, do not run away into the wilderness. Hear + the word of Munwali given by his mouth, the Molimo of Bambatse!” And as he + spoke, the old priest backed himself out of the tent, stopping now and + again to bow to Benita. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later her father entered, looking very weak and shaken, and + supporting himself upon a stick. Happy was the greeting of these two who, + with their arms about each other’s neck, gave thanks for their escape from + great peril. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Benita, we can’t get away from this place,” Mr. Clifford said + presently. “We must find that gold.” + </p> + <p> + “Bother the gold,” she answered with energy; “I hate its very name. Who + can think of gold with three thousand Matabele waiting to kill us?” + </p> + <p> + “Somehow I don’t feel afraid of them any more,” said her father; “they + have had their chance and lost it, and the Makalanga swear that now they + have guns to command the gates, the fortress cannot be stormed. Still, I + am afraid of someone.” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” + </p> + <p> + “Jacob Mayer. I have seen him several times, and I think that he is going + mad.” + </p> + <p> + “The Molimo said that too, but why?” + </p> + <p> + “From the look of him. He sits about muttering and glowing with those dark + eyes of his, and sometimes groans, and sometimes bursts into shouts of + laughter. That is when the fit is on him, for generally he seems right + enough. But get up if you think you can, and you shall judge for + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t want to,” said Benita feebly. “Father, I am more afraid of him + now than ever. Oh! why did you not let me stop down below, among the + Makalanga, instead of carrying me up here again, where we must live alone + with that terrible Jew?” + </p> + <p> + “I wished to, dear, but the Molimo said we should be safer above, and + ordered his people to carry you up. Also, Jacob swore that unless you were + brought back he would kill me. Now you understand why I believe that he is + mad.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, why?” gasped Benita again. + </p> + <p> + “God knows,” he answered with a groan; “but I think that he is sure that + we shall never find the gold without you, since the Molimo has told him + that it is for you and you alone, and he says the old man has second + sight, or something of the sort. Well, he would have murdered me—I + saw it in his eye—so I thought it better to give in rather than that + you should be left here sick and alone. Of course there was one way——” + and he paused. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him and asked: + </p> + <p> + “What way?” + </p> + <p> + “To shoot him before he shot me,” he answered in a whisper, “for your + sake, dear—but I could not bring myself to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said with a shudder, “not that—not that. Better that we + should die than that his blood should be upon our hands. Now I will get up + and try to show no fear. I am sure that is best, and perhaps we shall be + able to escape somehow. Meanwhile, let us humour him, and pretend to go on + looking for this horrible treasure.” + </p> + <p> + So Benita rose to discover that, save for her stiffness, she was but + little the worse, and finding all things placed in readiness, set to work + with her father’s help to cook the evening meal as usual. Of Meyer, who + doubtless had placed things in readiness, she saw nothing. + </p> + <p> + Before nightfall he came, however, as she knew he would. Indeed, although + she heard no step and her back was towards him, she felt his presence; the + sense of it fell upon her like a cold shadow. Turning round she beheld the + man. He was standing close by, but above her, upon a big granite boulder, + in climbing which his soft veld schoons, or hide shoes, had made no noise, + for Meyer could move like a cat. The last rays from the sinking sun struck + him full, outlining his agile, nervous shape against the sky, and in their + intense red light, which flamed upon him, he appeared terrible. He looked + like a panther about to spring; his eyes shone like a panther’s, and + Benita knew that she was the prey whom he desired. Still, remembering her + resolution, she determined to show no fear, and addressed him: + </p> + <p> + “Good-evening, Mr. Meyer. Oh! I am so stiff that I cannot lift my neck to + look at you,” and she laughed. + </p> + <p> + He bounded softly from the rock, like a panther again, and stood in front + of her. + </p> + <p> + “You should thank the God you believe in,” he said, “that by now you are + not stiff indeed—all that the jackals have left of you.” + </p> + <p> + “I do, Mr. Meyer, and I thank you, too; it was brave of you to come out to + save us. Father,” she called, “come and tell Mr. Meyer how grateful we are + to him.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford hobbled out from his hut under the tree, saying: + </p> + <p> + “I have told him already, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Jacob, “you have told me; why repeat yourself? I see that + supper is ready. Let us eat, for you must be hungry; afterwards I have + something to tell you.” + </p> + <p> + So they ate, with no great appetite, any of them—indeed Meyer + touched but little food, though he drank a good deal, first of strong + black coffee and afterwards of squareface and water. But on Benita he + pressed the choicest morsels that he could find, eyeing her all the while, + and saying that she must take plenty of nutriment or her beauty would + suffer and her strength wane. Benita bethought her of the fairy tales of + her childhood, in which the ogre fed up the princess whom he purposed to + devour. + </p> + <p> + “You should think of your own strength, Mr. Meyer,” she said; “you cannot + live on coffee and squareface.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all I need to-night. I am astonishingly well since you came back. I + can never remember feeling so well, or so strong. I can do the work of + three men, and not be tired; all this afternoon, for instance, I have been + carrying provisions and other things up that steep wall, for we must + prepare for a long siege together; yet I should never know that I had + lifted a single basket. But while you were away—ah! then I felt + tired.” + </p> + <p> + Benita changed the subject, asking him if he had made any discoveries. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, but now that you are back the discoveries will soon come. Do not + be afraid; I have my plan which cannot fail. Also, it was lonely working + in that cave without you, so I only looked about a little outside till it + was time to go to meet you, and shoot some of those Matabele. Do you know?—I + killed seven of them myself. When I was shooting for your sake I could not + miss,” and he smiled at her. + </p> + <p> + Benita shrank from him visibly, and Mr. Clifford said in an angry voice: + </p> + <p> + “Don’t talk of those horrors before my daughter. It is bad enough to have + to do such things, without speaking about them afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” he replied reflectively; “and I apologise, though + personally I never enjoyed anything so much as shooting those Matabele. + Well, they are gone, and there are plenty more outside. Listen! They are + singing their evening hymn,” and with his long finger he beat time to the + volleying notes of the dreadful Matabele war-chant, which floated up from + the plain below. “It sounds quite religious, doesn’t it? only the words—no, + I will not translate them. In our circumstances they are too personal. + </p> + <p> + “Now I have something to say to you. It was unkind of you to run away and + leave me like that, not honourable either. Indeed,” he added with a sudden + outbreak of the panther ferocity, “had you alone been concerned, Clifford, + I tell you frankly that when we met again, I should have shot you. + Traitors deserve to be shot, don’t they?” + </p> + <p> + “Please stop talking to my father like that,” broke in Benita in a stern + voice, for her anger had overcome her fear. “Also it is I whom you should + blame.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a pleasure to obey you,” he answered bowing; “I will never mention + the subject any more. Nor do I blame you—who could?—not Jacob + Meyer. I quite understand that you found it very dull up here, and ladies + must be allowed their fancies. Also you have come back; so why talk of the + matter? But listen: on one point I have made up my mind; for your own sake + you shall not go away any more until we leave this together. When I had + finished carrying up the food I made sure of that. If you go to look + to-morrow morning you will find that no one can come up that wall—and, + what is more, no one can go down it. Moreover, that I may be quite + certain, in future I shall sleep near the stair myself.” + </p> + <p> + Benita and her father stared at each other. + </p> + <p> + “The Molimo has a right to come,” she said; “it is his sanctuary.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he must celebrate his worship down below for a little while. The old + fool pretends to know everything, but he never guessed what I was going to + do. Besides, we don’t want him breaking in upon our privacy, do we? He + might see the gold when we find it, and rob us of it afterwards.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"></a> + XVII.<br/> + THE FIRST EXPERIMENT</h2> + <p> + Again Benita and her father stared at each other blankly, almost with + despair. They were trapped, cut off from all help; in the power of a man + who was going mad. Mr. Clifford said nothing. He was old and growing + feeble; for years, although he did not know it, Meyer had dominated him, + and never more so than in this hour of stress and bewilderment. Moreover, + the man had threatened to murder him, and he was afraid, not so much for + himself as for his daughter. If he were to die now, what would happen to + her, left alone with Jacob Meyer? The knowledge of his own folly, + understood too late, filled him with shame. How could he have been so + wicked as to bring a girl upon such a quest in the company of an + unprincipled Jew, of whose past he knew nothing except that it was murky + and dubious? He had committed a great crime, led on by a love of lucre, + and the weight of it pressed upon his tongue and closed his lips; he knew + not what to say. + </p> + <p> + For a little while Benita was silent also; hope died within her. But she + was a bold-spirited woman, and by degrees her courage re-asserted itself. + Indignation filled her breast and shone through her dark eyes. Suddenly + she turned upon Jacob, who sat before them smoking his pipe and enjoying + their discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + “How dare you?” she asked in a low, concentrated voice. “How dare you, you + coward?” + </p> + <p> + He shrank a little beneath her scorn and anger; then seemed to recover and + brace himself, as one does who feels that a great struggle is at hand, + upon the issue of which everything depends. + </p> + <p> + “Do not be angry with me,” he answered. “I cannot bear it. It hurts—ah! + you don’t know how it hurts. Well, I will tell you, and before your + father, for that is more honourable. I dare—for your sake.” + </p> + <p> + “For my sake? How can it benefit me to be cooped up in this horrible place + with you? I would rather trust myself with the Makalanga, or even,” she + added with bitter scorn, “even with those bloody-minded Matabele.” + </p> + <p> + “You ran away from them very fast a little while ago, Miss Clifford. But + you do not understand me. When I said for your sake, I meant for my own. + See, now. You tried to leave me the other day and did not succeed. Another + time you might succeed, and then—what would happen to me?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, Mr. Meyer,” and her eyes added—“I do not care.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! but I know. Last time it drove me nearly mad; next time I should go + quite mad.” + </p> + <p> + “Because you believe that through me you will find this treasure of which + you dream day and night, Mr. Meyer——” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he interrupted quickly. “Because I believe that in you I shall find + the treasure of which I dream day and night, and because that treasure has + become necessary to my life.” + </p> + <p> + Benita turned quickly towards her father, who was puzzling over the words, + but before either of them could speak Jacob passed his hand across his + brow in a bewildered way and said: + </p> + <p> + “What was I talking of? The treasure, yes, the uncountable treasure of + pure gold, that lies hid so deep, that is so hard to discover and to + possess; the useless, buried treasure that would bring such joy and glory + to us both, if only it could be come at and reckoned out, piece by piece, + coin by coin, through the long, long years of life.” + </p> + <p> + Again he paused; then went on. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Miss Clifford, you are quite right; that is why I have dared to + make you a prisoner, because, as the old Molimo said, the treasure is + yours and I wish to share it. Now, about this treasure, it seems that it + can’t be found, can it, although I have worked so hard?” and he looked at + his delicate, scarred hands. + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Mr. Meyer, it can’t be found, so you had better let us go down + to the Makalanga.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is a way, Miss Clifford, there is a way. You know where it + lies, and you can show me.” + </p> + <p> + “If I knew I would show you soon enough, Mr. Meyer, for then you could + take the stuff and our partnership would be at an end.” + </p> + <p> + “Not until it is divided ounce by ounce and coin by coin. But first—first + you must show me, as you say you will, and as you can.” + </p> + <p> + “How, Mr. Meyer? I am not a magician.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! but you are. I will tell you how, having your promise. Listen now, + both of you. I have studied. I know a great many secret things, and I read + in your face that you have the gift—let me look in your eyes a + while, Miss Clifford, and you will go to sleep quite gently, and then in + your sleep, which shall not harm you at all, you will see where that gold + lies hidden, and you will tell us.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” asked Benita, bewildered. + </p> + <p> + “I know what he means,” broke in Mr. Clifford. “You mean that you want to + mesmerize her as you did the Zulu chief.” + </p> + <p> + Benita opened her lips to speak, but Meyer said quickly: + </p> + <p> + “No, no; hear me first before you refuse. You have the gift, the precious + gift of clairvoyance, that is so rare.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that, Mr. Meyer? I have never been mesmerized in my + life.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not matter how. I do know it; I have been sure of it from the + moment when first we met, that night by the kloof. Although, perhaps, you + felt nothing then, it was that gift of yours working upon a mind in tune, + my mind, which led me there in time to save you, as it was that gift of + yours which warned you of the disaster about to happen to the ship—oh! + I have heard the story from your own lips. Your spirit can loose itself + from the body: it can see the past and the future; it can discover the + hidden things.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not believe it,” answered Benita; “but at least it shall not be + loosed by you.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall, it shall,” he cried with passion, his eyes blazing on her as he + spoke. “Oh! I foresaw all this, and that is why I was determined you + should come with us, so that, should other means fail, we might have your + power to fall back upon. Well, they have failed; I have been patient, I + have said nothing, but now there is no other way. Will you be so selfish, + so cruel, as to deny me, you who can make us all rich in an hour, and take + no hurt at all, no more than if you had slept awhile?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Benita. “I refuse to deliver my will into the keeping of + any living man, and least of all into yours, Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + He turned to her father with a gesture of despair. + </p> + <p> + “Cannot you persuade her, Clifford? She is your daughter, she will obey + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not in that,” said Benita. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Mr. Clifford. “I cannot, and I wouldn’t if I could. My + daughter is quite right. Moreover, I hate this supernatural kind of thing. + If we can’t find this gold without it, then we must let it alone, that is + all.” + </p> + <p> + Meyer turned aside to hide his face, and presently looked up again, and + spoke quite softly. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that I must accept my answer, but when you talked of any living + man just now, Miss Clifford, did you include your father?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Then will you allow him to try to mesmerize you?” + </p> + <p> + Benita laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, if he likes,” she said. “But I do not think that the operation + will be very successful.” + </p> + <p> + “Good, we will see to-morrow. Now, like you, I am tired. I am going to bed + in my new camp by the wall,” he added significantly. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Why are you so dead set against this business?” asked her father, when he + had gone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father!” she answered, “can’t you see, don’t you understand? Then it + is hard to have to tell you, but I must. In the beginning Mr. Meyer only + wanted the gold. Now he wants more, me as well as the gold. I hate him! + You know that is why I ran away. But I have read a good deal about this + mesmerism, and seen it once or twice, and who knows? If once I allow his + mind to master my mind, although I hate him so much, I might become his + slave.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand now,” said Mr. Clifford. “Oh, why did I ever bring you here? + It would have been better if I had never seen your face again.” + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the experiment was made. Mr. Clifford attempted to mesmerize + his daughter. All the morning Jacob, who, it now appeared, had practical + knowledge of this doubtful art, tried to instruct him therein. In the + course of the lesson he informed him that for a short period in the past, + having great natural powers in that direction, he had made use of them + professionally, only giving up the business because he found it wrecked + his health. Mr. Clifford remarked that he had never told him that before. + </p> + <p> + “There are lots of things in my life that I have never told you,” replied + Jacob with a little secret smile. “For instance, once I mesmerized you, + although you did not know it, and that is why you always have to do what I + want you to, except when your daughter is near you, for her influence is + stronger than mine.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford stared at him. + </p> + <p> + “No wonder Benita won’t let you mesmerize her,” he said shortly. + </p> + <p> + Then Jacob saw his mistake. + </p> + <p> + “You are more foolish than I thought,” he said. “How could I mesmerize you + without your knowing it? I was only laughing at you.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t see the laugh,” replied Mr. Clifford uneasily, and they went on + with the lesson. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon it was put to proof—in the cave itself, where Meyer + seemed to think that the influences would be propitious. Benita, who found + some amusement in the performance, was seated upon the stone steps + underneath the crucifix, one lamp on the altar and others one each side of + her. + </p> + <p> + In front stood her father, staring at her and waving his hands + mysteriously in obedience to Jacob’s directions. So ridiculous did he look + indeed while thus engaged that Benita had the greatest difficulty in + preventing herself from bursting into laughter. This was the only effect + which his grimaces and gesticulations produced upon her, although + outwardly she kept a solemn appearance, and even from time to time shut + her eyes to encourage him. Once, when she opened them again, it was to + perceive that he was becoming very hot and exhausted, and that Jacob was + watching him with such an unpleasant intentness that she re-closed her + eyes that she might not see his face. + </p> + <p> + It was shortly after this that of a sudden Benita did feel something, a + kind of penetrating power flowing upon her, something soft and subtle that + seemed to creep into her brain like the sound of her mother’s lullaby in + the dim years ago. She began to think that she was a lost traveller among + alpine snows wrapped round by snow, falling, falling in ten myriad flakes, + every one of them with a little heart of fire. Then it came to her that + she had heard this snow-sleep was dangerous, the last of all sleeps, and + that its victims must rouse themselves, or die. + </p> + <p> + Benita roused herself just in time—only just, for now she was being + borne over the edge of a precipice upon the wings of swans, and beneath + her was darkness wherein dim figures walked with lamps where their hearts + should be. Oh, how heavy were her eyelids! Surely a weight hung to each of + them, a golden weight. There, there, they were open, and she saw. Her + father had ceased his efforts; he was rubbing his brow with a red + pocket-handkerchief, but behind him, with rigid arms outstretched, his + glowing eyes fastened on her face, stood Jacob Meyer. By an effort she + sprang to her feet, shaking her head as a dog does. + </p> + <p> + “Have done with this nonsense,” she said. “It tires me,” and snatching one + of the lamps she ran swiftly down the place. + </p> + <p> + Benita expected that Jacob Meyer would be very angry with her, and braced + herself for a scene. But nothing of the sort happened. A while afterwards + she saw the two of them approaching, engaged apparently in amicable talk. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Meyer says that I am no mesmerist, love,” said her father, “and I can + quite believe him. But for all that it is a weary job. I am as tired as I + was after our escape from the Matabele.” + </p> + <p> + She laughed and answered: + </p> + <p> + “To judge by results I agree with you. The occult is not in your line, + father. You had better give it up.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you, then, feel nothing?” asked Meyer. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing at all,” she answered, looking him in the eyes. “No, that’s + wrong, I felt extremely bored and sorry to see my father making himself + ridiculous. Grey hairs and nonsense of that sort don’t go well together.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered. “I agree with you—not of that sort,” and the + subject dropped. + </p> + <p> + For the next few days, to her intense relief, Benita heard no more of + mesmerism. To begin with, there was something else to occupy their minds. + The Matabele, tired of marching round the fortress and singing endless + war-songs, had determined upon an assault. From their point of vantage on + the topmost wall the three could watch the preparations which they made. + Trees were cut down and brought in from a great distance that rude ladders + might be fashioned out of them; also spies wandered round reconnoitring + for a weak place in the defences. When they came too near the Makalanga + fired on them, killing some, so that they retreated to the camp, which + they had made in a fold of ground at a little distance. Suddenly it + occurred to Meyer that although here the Matabele were safe from the + Makalanga bullets, it was commanded from the greater eminence, and by way + of recreation he set himself to harass them. His rifle was a sporting + Martini, and he had an ample supply of ammunition. Moreover, he was a + beautiful marksman, with sight like that of a hawk. + </p> + <p> + A few trial shots gave him the range; it was a shade under seven hundred + yards, and then he began operations. Lying on the top of the wall and + resting his rifle upon a stone, he waited until the man who was + superintending the manufacture of the ladders came out into the open, + when, aiming carefully, he fired. The soldier, a white-bearded savage, + sprang into the air, and fell backwards, while his companions stared + upwards, wondering whence the bullet had come. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty, wasn’t it?” said Meyer to Benita, who was watching through a pair + of field-glasses. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say,” she answered. “But I don’t want to see any more,” and giving + the glasses to her father, she climbed down the wall. + </p> + <p> + But Meyer stayed there, and from time to time she heard the report of his + rifle. In the evening he told her that he had killed six men and wounded + ten more, adding that it was the best day’s shooting which he could + remember. + </p> + <p> + “What is the use when there are so many?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not much,” he answered. “But it annoys them and amuses me. Also, it was + part of our bargain that we should help the Makalanga if they were + attacked.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe that you like killing people,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t mind it, Miss Clifford, especially as they tried to kill you.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"></a> + XVIII.<br/> + THE OTHER BENITA</h2> + <p> + At irregular times, when he had nothing else to do, Jacob went on with his + man-shooting, in which Mr. Clifford joined him, though with less effect. + Soon it became evident that the Matabele were very much annoyed by the + fatal accuracy of this fire. Loss of life they did not mind in the + abstract, but when none of them knew but that their own turn might come + next to perish beneath these downward plunging bullets, the matter wore a + different face to them. To leave their camp was not easy, since they had + made a thorn <i>boma</i> round it, to protect them in case the Makalanga + should make a night sally; also they could find no other convenient spot. + The upshot of it all was to hurry their assault, which they delivered + before they had prepared sufficient ladders to make it effective. + </p> + <p> + At the first break of dawn on the third day after Mr. Clifford’s attempt + at mesmerism, Benita was awakened by the sounds of shouts and firing. + Having dressed herself hastily, she hurried in the growing light towards + that part of the wall from below which the noise seemed to come, and + climbing it, found her father and Jacob already seated there, their rifles + in hand. + </p> + <p> + “The fools are attacking the small gate through which you went out riding, + Miss Clifford, the very worst place that they could have chosen, although + the wall looks very weak there,” said the latter. “If those Makalanga have + any pluck they ought to teach them a lesson.” + </p> + <p> + Then the sun rose and they saw companies of Matabele, who carried ladders + in their hands, rushing onwards through the morning mist till their sight + of them was obstructed by the swell of the hill. On these companies the + two white men opened fire, with what result they could not see in that + light. Presently a great shout announced that the enemy had gained the + fosse and were setting up the ladders. Up to this time the Makalanga + appeared to have done nothing, but now they began to fire rapidly from the + ancient bastions which commanded the entrance the impi was striving to + storm, and soon through the thinning fog they perceived wounded Matabele + staggering and crawling back towards their camp. Of these, the light now + better, Jacob did not neglect to take his toll. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the ancient fortress rang with the hideous tumult of the + attack. It was evident that again and again, as their fierce war-shouts + proclaimed, the Matabele were striving to scale the wall, and again and + again were beaten back by the raking rifle fire. Once a triumphant yell + seemed to announce their success. The fire slackened and Benita grew pale + with fear. + </p> + <p> + “The Makalanga cowards are bolting,” muttered Mr. Clifford, listening with + terrible anxiety. + </p> + <p> + But if so their courage came back to them, for presently the guns cracked + louder and more incessant than before, and the savage cries of “Kill! + Kill! Kill!” dwindled and died away. Another five minutes and the Matabele + were in full retreat, bearing with them many dead and wounded men upon + their backs or stretched out on the ladders. + </p> + <p> + “Our Makalanga friends should be grateful to us for those hundred rifles,” + said Jacob as he loaded and fired rapidly, sending his bullets wherever + the clusters were thickest. “Had it not been for them their throats would + have been cut by now,” he added, “for they could never have stopped those + savages with the spear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and ours too before nightfall,” said Benita with a shudder, for the + sight of this desperate fray and fear of how it might end had sickened + her. “Thank Heaven, it is over! Perhaps they will give up the siege and go + away.” + </p> + <p> + But, notwithstanding their costly defeat, for they had lost over a hundred + men, the Matabele, who were afraid to return to Buluwayo except as + victors, did nothing of the sort. They only cut down a quantity of reeds + and scrub, and moved their camp nearly to the banks of the river, placing + it in such a position that it could no longer be searched by the fire of + the two white men. Here they sat themselves down sullenly, hoping to + starve out the garrison or to find some other way of entering the + fortress. + </p> + <p> + Now Meyer’s shooting having come to an end for lack of men to shoot at, + since the enemy exposed themselves no more, he was again able to give his + full attention to the matter of the treasure hunt. + </p> + <p> + As nothing could be found in the cave he devoted himself to the outside + enclosure which, it may be remembered, was grown over with grass and trees + and crowded with ruins. In the most important of these ruins they began to + dig somewhat aimlessly, and were rewarded by finding a certain amount of + gold in the shape of beads and ornaments, and a few more skeletons of + ancients. But of the Portuguese hoard there was no sign. Thus it came + about that they grew gloomier day by day, till at last they scarcely spoke + to each other. Jacob’s angry disappointment was written on his face, and + Benita was filled with despair, since to escape from their gaoler above + and the Matabele below seemed impossible. Moreover, she had another cause + for anxiety. + </p> + <p> + The ill-health which had been threatening her father for a long while now + fell upon him in earnest, so that of a sudden he became a very old man. + His strength and energy left him, and his mind was so filled with remorse + for what he held to be his crime in bringing his daughter to this awful + place, and with terror for the fate that threatened her, that he could + think of nothing else. In vain did she try to comfort him. He would only + wring his hands and groan, praying that God and she would forgive him. + Now, too, Meyer’s mastery over him became continually more evident. Mr. + Clifford implored the man, almost with tears, to unblock the wall and + allow them to go down to the Makalanga. He even tried to bribe him with + the offer of all his share of the treasure, if it were found, and when + that failed, of his property in the Transvaal. + </p> + <p> + But Jacob only told him roughly not to be a fool, as they had to see the + thing through together. Then he would go again and brood by himself, and + Benita noticed that he always took his rifle or a pistol with him. + Evidently he feared lest her father should catch him unprepared, and take + the law into his own hands by means of a sudden bullet. + </p> + <p> + One comfort she had, however: although he watched her closely, the Jew + never tried to molest her in any way, not even with more of his enigmatic + and amorous speeches. By degrees, indeed, she came to believe that all + this was gone from his mind, or that he had abandoned his advances as + hopeless. + </p> + <p> + A week passed since the Matabele attack, and nothing had happened. The + Makalanga took no notice of them, and so far as she was aware the old + Molimo never attempted to climb the blocked wall or otherwise to + communicate with them, a thing so strange that, knowing his affection for + her, Benita came to the conclusion that he must be dead, killed perhaps in + the attack. Even Jacob Meyer had abandoned his digging, and sat about all + day doing nothing but think. + </p> + <p> + Their meal that night was a miserable affair, since in the first place + provisions were running short and there was little to eat, and in the + second no one spoke a word. Benita could swallow no food; she was weary of + that sun-dried trek-ox, for since Meyer had blocked the wall they had + little else. But by good fortune there remained plenty of coffee, and of + this she drank two cups, which Jacob prepared and handed to her with much + politeness. It tasted very bitter to her, but this, Benita reflected, was + because they lacked milk and sugar. Supper ended, Meyer rose and bowed to + her, muttering that he was going to bed, and a few minutes later Mr. + Clifford followed his example. She went with her father to the hut beneath + the tree, and having helped him to remove his coat, which now he seemed to + find difficulty in doing for himself, bade him good-night and returned to + the fire. + </p> + <p> + It was very lonely there in the silence, for no sound came from either the + Matabele or the Makalanga camps, and the bright moonlight seemed to people + the place with fantastic shadows that looked alive. Benita cried a little + now that her father could not see her, and then also sought refuge in bed. + Evidently the end, whatever it might be, was near, and of it she could not + bear to think. Moreover, her eyes were strangely heavy, so much so that + before she had finished saying her prayers sleep fell upon her, and she + knew no more. + </p> + <p> + Had she remained as wakeful as it was often her fate to be during those + fearful days, towards midnight she might have heard some light-footed + creature creeping to her tent, and seen that the moon-rays which flowed + through the gaping and ill-closed flap were cut off by the figure of a man + with glowing eyes, whose projected arms waved over her mysteriously. But + Benita neither heard nor saw. In her drugged rest she did not know that + her sleep turned gradually to a magic swoon. She had no knowledge of her + rising, or of how she threw her thick cloak about her, lit her lamp, and, + in obedience to that beckoning finger, glided from the tent. She never + heard her father stumble from his hut, disturbed by the sound of + footsteps, or the words that passed between him and Jacob Meyer, while, + lamp in hand, she stood near them like a strengthless ghost. + </p> + <p> + “If you dare to wake her,” hissed Jacob, “I tell you that she will die, + and afterwards you shall die,” and he fingered the pistol at his belt. “No + harm shall come to her—I swear it! Follow and see. Man, man, be + silent; our fortunes hang on it.” + </p> + <p> + Then, overcome also by the strange fierceness of that voice and gaze, he + followed. + </p> + <p> + On they go to the winding neck of the cavern, first Jacob walking + backwards like the herald of majesty; then majesty itself in the shape of + this long-haired, death-like woman, cloaked and bearing in her hand the + light; and last, behind, the old, white-bearded man, like Time following + Beauty to the grave. Now they were in the great cavern, and now, avoiding + the open tombs, the well mouth and the altar, they stood beneath the + crucifix. + </p> + <p> + “Be seated,” said Meyer, and the entranced Benita sat herself down upon + the steps at the foot of the cross, placing the lamp on the rock pavement + before her, and bowing her head till her hair fell upon her naked feet and + hid them. He held his hands above her for a while, then asked: + </p> + <p> + “Do you sleep?” + </p> + <p> + “I sleep,” came the strange, slow answer. + </p> + <p> + “Is your spirit awake?” + </p> + <p> + “It is awake.” + </p> + <p> + “Command it to travel backwards through the ages to the beginning, and + tell me what you see here.” + </p> + <p> + “I see a rugged cave and wild folk dwelling in it; an old man is dying + yonder,” and she pointed to the right; “and a black woman with a babe at + her breast tends him. A man, it is her husband, enters the cave. He holds + a torch in one hand, and with the other drags a buck.” + </p> + <p> + “Cease,” said Meyer. “How long is this ago?” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty-three thousand two hundred and one years,” came the answer, spoken + without any hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Pass on,” he said, “pass on thirty thousand years, and tell me what you + see.” + </p> + <p> + For a long while there was silence. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not speak?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Be patient; I am living through those thirty thousand years; many a life, + many an age, but none may be missed.” + </p> + <p> + Again there was silence for a long while, till at length she spoke: + </p> + <p> + “They are done, all of them, and now three thousand years ago I see this + place changed and smoothly fashioned, peopled by a throng of worshippers + clad in strange garments with clasps upon them. Behind me stands the + graven statue of a goddess with a calm and cruel face, in front of the + altar burns a fire, and on the altar white-robed priests are sacrificing + an infant which cries aloud.” + </p> + <p> + “Pass on, pass on,” Meyer said hurriedly, as though the horror of that + scene had leapt to his eyes. “Pass on two thousand seven hundred years and + tell me what you see.” + </p> + <p> + Again there was a pause, while the spirit he had evoked in the body of + Benita lived through those ages. Then slowly she answered: + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, the place is black and desolate, only the dead sleep beneath its + floor.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait till the living come again,” he commanded; “then speak.” + </p> + <p> + “They are here,” she replied presently. “Tonsured monks, one of whom + fashions this crucifix, and their followers who bow before the Host upon + the altar. They come, they go—of whom shall I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me of the Portuguese; of those who were driven here to die.” + </p> + <p> + “I see them all,” she answered, after a pause. “Two hundred and three of + them. They are ragged and wayworn and hungry. Among them is a beautiful + woman, a girl. She draws near to me, she enters into me. You must ask + her,”—this was spoken in a very faint voice—“I am I no more.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford attempted to interrupt, but fiercely Meyer bade him to be + silent. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” he commanded, but the crouching figure shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” he said again, whereon another voice, not that of Benita, + answered in another tongue: + </p> + <p> + “I hear; but I do not understand your language.” + </p> + <p> + “Great Heaven!” said Meyer, “it is Portuguese,” and for a while the terror + of the thing struck him dumb, for he was aware that Benita knew no + Portuguese. He knew it, however, who had lived at Lorenço Marquez. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” he asked in that tongue. + </p> + <p> + “I am Benita da Ferreira. I am the daughter of the Captain da Ferreira and + of his wife, the lady Christinha, who stand by you now. Turn, and you will + see them.” + </p> + <p> + Jacob started and looked about him uneasily. + </p> + <p> + “What did she say? I did not catch it all,” asked Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + He translated her words. + </p> + <p> + “But this is black magic,” exclaimed the old man. “Benita knows no + Portuguese, so how comes she to speak it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because she is no longer our Benita; she is another Benita, Benita da + Ferreira. The Molimo was right when he said that the spirit of the dead + woman went with her, as it seems the name has gone,” he added. + </p> + <p> + “Have done,” said Mr. Clifford; “the thing is unholy. Wake her up, or I + will.” + </p> + <p> + “And bring about her death. Touch or disturb her, and I tell you she will + die,” and he pointed to Benita, who crouched before them so white and + motionless that indeed it seemed as though already she were dead. “Be + quiet,” he went on. “I swear to you that no hurt shall come to her, also + that I will translate everything to you. Promise, or I will tell you + nothing, and her blood be on your head.” + </p> + <p> + Then Mr. Clifford groaned and said: + </p> + <p> + “I promise.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me your story, Benita da Ferreira. How came you and your people + here?” + </p> + <p> + “The tribes of Monomotapa rose against our rule. They killed many of us in + the lower land, yes, they killed my brother and him to whom I was + affianced. The rest of us fled north to this ancient fortress, hoping + thence to escape by the river, the Zambesi. The Mambo, our vassal, gave us + shelter here, but the tribes besieged the walls in thousands, and burnt + all the boats so that we could not fly by the water. Many times we beat + them back from the wall; the ditch was full of their dead, and at last + they dared to attack no more. + </p> + <p> + “Then we began to starve and they won the first wall. We went on starving + and they won the second wall, but the third wall they could not climb. So + we died; one by one we laid ourselves down in this cave and died, till I + alone was left, for while our people had food they gave it to me who was + the daughter of their captain. Yes, alone I knelt at the foot of this + crucifix by the body of my father, praying to the blessed Son of Mary for + the death that would not come, and kneeling there I swooned. When I awoke + again the Mambo and his men stood about me, for now, knowing us to be + dead, the tribes had gone, and those who were in hiding across the river + had returned and knew how to climb the wall. They bore me from among the + dead, they gave me food so that my strength came back; but in the night I, + who in my wickedness would not live, escaped from them and climbed the + pillar of black rock, so that when the sun rose they saw me standing + there. They begged of me to come down, promising to protect me, but I said + ‘No,’ who in the evil of my heart only desired to die, that I might join + my father and my brother, and one who was dearer to me than all. They + asked of me where the great treasure was hidden.” + </p> + <p> + At these words Jacob gasped, then rapidly translated them, while the + figure before them became silent, as though it felt that for the moment + the power of his will was withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + “Speak on, I bid you,” he said, and she continued, the rich, slow voice + dropping word after word from the lips of Benita in the alien speech that + this Benita never knew. + </p> + <p> + “I answered that it was where it was, and that if they gave it up to any + save the one appointed, then that fate which had befallen my people would + befall theirs also. Yes, I gave it into their keeping until I came again, + since with his dying breath my father had commanded me to reveal it to + none, and I believed that I who was about to die should never come again. + </p> + <p> + “Then I made my last prayer, I kissed the golden crucifix that now hangs + upon this breast wherein I dwell,” and the hand of the living Benita was + lifted, and moving like the hand of a dead thing, slowly drew out the + symbol from beneath the cloak, held it for a moment in the lamplight, and + let it fall to its place again. “I put my hands before my eyes that I + might not see, and I hurled myself from the pinnacle.” + </p> + <p> + Now the voice ceased, but from the lips came a dreadful sound, such as + might be uttered by one whose bones are shattered upon rocks, followed by + other sounds like those of one who chokes in water. They were so horrible + to hear that Mr. Clifford nearly fainted, and even Jacob Meyer staggered + and turned white as the white face of Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Wake her! For God’s sake, wake her!” said her father. “She is dying, as + that woman died hundreds of years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Not till she has told us where the gold is. Be quiet, you fool. She does + not feel or suffer. It is the spirit within her that lives through the + past again.” + </p> + <p> + Once more there was silence. It seemed as though the story were all told + and the teller had departed. + </p> + <p> + “Benita da Ferreira,” said Meyer at length, “I command you, tell me, are + you dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! would that I were dead, as my body is dead!” wailed the lips of + Benita. “Alas! I cannot die who suffer this purgatory, and must dwell on + here alone until the destined day. Yes, yes, the spirit of her who was + Benita da Ferreira must haunt this place in solitude. This is her doom, to + be the guardian of that accursed gold which was wrung from the earth by + cruelty and paid for with the lives of men.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it still safe?” whispered Jacob. + </p> + <p> + “I will look;” then after a pause, “I have looked. It is there, every + grain of it, in ox-hide bags; only one of them has fallen and burst, that + which is black and red.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is it?” he said again. + </p> + <p> + “I may not tell you; never, never.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there anyone whom you may tell?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom?” + </p> + <p> + “Her in whose breast I lie.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell her then.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told her; she knows.” + </p> + <p> + “And may she tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “Let her guard the secret as she will. O my Guardian, I thank thee. My + burden is departed; my sin of self-murder is atoned.” + </p> + <p> + “Benita da Ferreira, are you gone?” + </p> + <p> + No answer. + </p> + <p> + “Benita Clifford, do you hear me?” + </p> + <p> + “I hear you,” said the voice of Benita, speaking in English, although + Jacob, forgetting, had addressed her in Portuguese. + </p> + <p> + “Where is the gold?” + </p> + <p> + “In my keeping.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, I command you.” + </p> + <p> + But no words came; though he questioned her many times no words came, till + at last her head sank forward upon her knees, and in a faint voice she + murmured: + </p> + <p> + “Loose me, or I die.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"></a> + XIX.<br/> + THE AWAKING</h2> + <p> + Still Jacob Meyer hesitated. The great secret was unlearned, and, if this + occasion passed, might never be learned. But if he hesitated, Mr. Clifford + did not. The knowledge of his child’s danger, the sense that her life was + mysteriously slipping away from her under pressure of the ghastly spell in + which she lay enthralled, stirred him to madness. His strength and manhood + came back to him. He sprang straight at Meyer’s throat, gripped it with + one hand, and with the other drew the knife he wore. + </p> + <p> + “You devil!” he gasped. “Wake her or you shall go with her!” and he lifted + the knife. + </p> + <p> + Then Jacob gave in. Shaking off his assailant he stepped to Benita, and + while her father stood behind him with the lifted blade, began to make + strange upward passes over her, and to mutter words of command. For a long + while they took no effect; indeed, both of them were almost sure that she + was gone. Despair gripped her father, and Meyer worked at his black art so + furiously that the sweat burst out upon his forehead and fell in great + drops to the floor. + </p> + <p> + Oh, at last, at last she stirred! Her head lifted itself a little, her + breast heaved. + </p> + <p> + “Lord in Heaven, I have saved her!” muttered Jacob in German, and worked + on. + </p> + <p> + Now the eyes of Benita opened, and now she stood up and sighed. But she + said nothing; only like a person walking in her sleep, she began to move + towards the entrance of the cave, her father going before her with the + lamp. On she went, and out of it straight to her tent, where instantly she + cast herself upon her bed and sank into deep slumber. It was as though the + power of the drug-induced oblivion, which for a while was over-mastered by + that other stronger power invoked by Jacob, had reasserted itself. + </p> + <p> + Meyer watched her for awhile; then said to Mr. Clifford: + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be afraid and don’t attempt to disturb her. She will wake naturally + in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so for both our sakes,” he answered, glaring at him, “for if not, + you or I, or the two of us, will never see another.” + </p> + <p> + Meyer took no notice of his threats; indeed the man seemed so exhausted + that he could scarcely stand. + </p> + <p> + “I am done,” he said. “Now, as she is safe, I don’t care what happens to + me. I must rest,” and he staggered from the tent, like a drunken man. + </p> + <p> + Outside, at the place where they ate, Mr. Clifford heard him gulping down + raw gin from the bottle. Then he heard no more. + </p> + <p> + All the rest of the night, and for some hours of the early morning, did + her father watch by the bed of Benita, although, lightly clad as he was, + the cold of dawn struck to his bones. At length, when the sun was well up, + she rose in her bed, and her eyes opened. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing here, father?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I have come to see where you were, dear. You are generally out by now.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that I must have overslept myself then,” she replied wearily. + “But it does not seem to have refreshed me much, and my head aches. Oh! I + remember,” she added with a start. “I have had such a horrid dream.” + </p> + <p> + “What about?” he asked as carelessly as he could. + </p> + <p> + “I can’t recall it quite, but it had to do with Mr. Meyer,” and she + shivered. “It seemed as though I had passed into his power, as though he + had taken possession of me, body and soul, and forced me to tell him all + the secret things.” + </p> + <p> + “What secret things, Benita?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know now, but we went away among dead people, and I told him + there. Oh! father, I am afraid of that man—terribly afraid! Protect + me from him,” and she began to cry a little. + </p> + <p> + “Of course I will protect you, dear. Something has upset your nerves. + Come, dress yourself and you’ll soon forget it all. I’ll light the fire.” + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later Benita joined him, looking pale and shaken, but + otherwise much as usual. She was ravenously hungry, and ate of the + biscuits and dried meat with eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “The coffee tastes quite different from that which I drank last night,” + she said. “I think there must have been something in it which gave me + those bad dreams. Where is Mr. Meyer? Oh, I know!” and again she put her + hand to her head. “He is still asleep by the wall.” + </p> + <p> + “Who told you that?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t say, but it is so. He will not come here till one o’clock. There, + I feel much better now. What shall we do, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Sit in the sun and rest, I think, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, let us do that, on the top of the wall. We can see the Makalanga + from there, and it will be a comfort to be sure that there are other human + beings left in the world besides ourselves and Jacob Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + So presently they went, and from the spot whence Meyer used to shoot at + the Matabele camp, looked down upon the Makalanga moving about the first + enclosure far below. By the aid of the glasses Benita even thought that + she recognised Tamas, although of this it was difficult to be sure, for + they were all very much alike. Still, the discovery quite excited her. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure it is Tamas,” she said. “And oh! how I wish that we were down + there with him, although it is true that then we should be nearer to the + Matabele. But they are better than Mr. Meyer, much better.” + </p> + <p> + Now for a while they were silent, till at length she said suddenly: + </p> + <p> + “Father, you are keeping something back from me, and things begin to come + back. Tell me; did I go anywhere last night with Mr. Meyer—you and + he and I together?” + </p> + <p> + He hesitated and looked guilty; Mr. Clifford was not a good actor. + </p> + <p> + “I see that we did; I am sure that we did. Father, tell me. I must know, I + will know.” + </p> + <p> + Then he gave way. + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t want to speak, dear, but perhaps it is best. It is a very + strange story. Will you promise not to be upset?” + </p> + <p> + “I will promise not to be more upset than I am at present,” she answered, + with a sad little laugh. “Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “You remember that Jacob Meyer wanted to mesmerize you?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not likely to forget it,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Well, last night he did mesmerize you.” + </p> + <p> + “What?” she said. “<i>What?</i> Oh! how dreadful! Now I understand it all. + But when?” + </p> + <p> + “When you were sound asleep, I suppose. At least, the first I knew of it + was that some noise woke me, and I came out of the hut to see you + following him like a dead woman, with a lamp in your hand.” + </p> + <p> + Then he told her all the story, while she listened aghast. + </p> + <p> + “How dared he!” she gasped, when her father had finished the long tale. “I + hate him; I almost wish that you had killed him,” and she clenched her + little hands and shook them in the air. + </p> + <p> + “That is not very Christian of you, Miss Clifford,” said a voice behind + her. “But it is past one o’clock, and as I am still alive I have come to + tell you that it is time for luncheon.” + </p> + <p> + Benita wheeled round upon the stone on which she sat, and there, standing + amidst the bushes a little way from the foot of the wall, was Jacob Meyer. + Their eyes met; hers were full of defiance, and his of conscious power. + </p> + <p> + “I do not want any luncheon, Mr. Meyer,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “But I am sure that you do. Please come down and have some. Please come + down.” + </p> + <p> + The words were spoken humbly, almost pleadingly, yet to Benita they seemed + as a command. At any rate, with slow reluctance she climbed down the + shattered wall, followed by her father, and without speaking they went + back to their camping place, all three of them, Jacob leading the way. + </p> + <p> + When they had eaten, or made pretence to eat, he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “I see that your father has told you everything, Miss Clifford, and of + that I am glad. As for me, it would have been awkward, who must ask your + forgiveness for so much. But what could I do? I knew, as I have always + known, that it was only possible to find this treasure by your help. So I + gave you something to make you sleep, and then in your sleep I hypnotized + you, and—you know the rest. I have great experience in this art, but + I have never seen or heard of anything like what happened, and I hope I + never shall again.” + </p> + <p> + Hitherto Benita had sat silent, but now her burning indignation and + curiosity overcame her shame and hatred. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Meyer,” she said, “you have done a shameful and a wicked thing, and I + tell you at once that I can never forgive you.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t say that. Please don’t say that,” he interrupted in tones of real + grief. “Make allowances for me. I had to learn, and there was no other + way. You are a born clairvoyante, one among ten thousand, my art told me + so, and you know all that is at stake.” + </p> + <p> + “By which you mean so many ounces of gold, Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “By which I mean the greatness that gold can give, Miss Clifford.” + </p> + <p> + “Such greatness, Mr. Meyer, as a week of fever, or a Matabele spear, or + God’s will can rob you of. But the thing is done, and soon or late the sin + must be paid for. Now I want to ask you a question. You believe in + nothing; you have told me so several times. You say that there is no such + thing as a spirit, that when we die, we die, and there’s an end. Do you + not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then tell me, what was it that spoke out of my lips last night, and how + came it that I, who know no Portuguese, talked to you in that tongue?” + </p> + <p> + He shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “You have put a difficult question, but one I think that can be answered. + There is no such thing as a spirit, an identity that survives death. But + there is such a thing as the sub-conscious self, which is part of the + animating principle of the universe, and, if only its knowledge can be + unsealed, knows all that has passed and all that is passing in that + universe. One day perhaps you will read the works of my compatriot, Hegel, + and there you will find it spoken of.” + </p> + <p> + “You explain nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “I am about to explain, Miss Clifford. Last night I gave to your + sub-conscious self—that which knows all—the strength of + liberty, so that it saw the past as it happened in this place. Already you + knew the story of the dead girl, Benita da Ferreira, and that story you + re-enacted, talking the tongue she used as you would have talked Greek or + any other tongue, had it been hers. It was not her spirit that animated + you, although at the time I called it so for shortness, but your own + buried knowledge, tricked out and furnished by the effort of your human + imagination. That her name, Benita, should have been yours also is no + doubt a strange coincidence, but no more. Also we have no proof that it + was so; only what you said in your trance.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said Benita, who was in no mood for philosophical argument. + “Perhaps also one day you will see a spirit, Mr. Meyer, and think + otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “When I see a spirit and know that it is a spirit, then doubtless I shall + believe in spirits. But what is the good of talking of such things? I do + not seek spirits; I seek Portuguese gold. Now, I am sure you can tell + where that gold lies. You would have told us last night, had not your + nervous strength failed you, who are unaccustomed to the state of trance. + Speaking as Benita da Ferreira, you said that you saw it and described its + condition. Then you could, or would, say no more, and it became necessary + to waken you. Miss Clifford, you must let me mesmerize you once again for + a few minutes only, for then we will waste no time on past histories, and + we shall find the gold. Unless, indeed,” he added by an afterthought, and + looking at her sharply, “you know already where it is; in which case I + need not trouble you.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, Mr. Meyer. I remember nothing about the gold.” + </p> + <p> + “Which proves my theory. What purported to be the spirit of Benita da + Ferreira said that it had passed the secret on to you, but in your waking + state you do not know that secret. In fact, she did not pass it on because + she had no existence. But in your sub-conscious state you will know. + Therefore I must mesmerize you again. Not at once, but in a few days’ + time, when you have quite recovered. Let us say next Wednesday, three days + hence.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall never mesmerize me again, Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not while I live,” broke in her father, who had been listening to + this discussion in silence. + </p> + <p> + Jacob bowed his head meekly. + </p> + <p> + “You think so now, but I think otherwise. What I did last night I did + against your will, and that I can do again, only much more easily. But I + had rather do it with your will, who work not for my own sake only, but + for the sake of all of us. And now let us talk no more of the matter, lest + we should grow angry.” Then he rose and went away. + </p> + <p> + The next three days were passed by Benita in a state of constant dread. + She knew in herself that Jacob Meyer had acquired a certain command over + her; that an invincible intimacy had sprung up between them. She was + acquainted with his thoughts; thus, before he asked for it, she would find + herself passing him some article at table or elsewhere, or answering a + question that he was only about to ask. Moreover, he could bring her to + him from a little distance. Thus, on two or three occasions when she was + wandering about their prison enclosure, as she was wont to do for the sake + of exercise, she found her feet draw to some spot—now one place and + now another—and when she reached it there before her was Jacob + Meyer. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me for bringing you here,” he would say, smiling after his + crooked fashion, and lifting his hat politely, “but I wish to ask you if + you have not changed your mind as to being mesmerized?” + </p> + <p> + Then for a while he would hold her with his eyes, so that her feet seemed + rooted to the ground, till at length it was as though he cut a rope by + some action of his will and set her free, and, choked with wrath and blind + with tears, Benita would turn and run from him as from a wild beast. + </p> + <p> + But if her days were evil, oh! what were her nights? She lived in constant + terror lest he should again drug her food or drink, and, while she slept, + throw his magic spell upon her. To protect herself from the first danger + she would swallow nothing that had been near him. Now also she slept in + the hut with her father, who lay near its door, a loaded rifle at his + side, for he had told Jacob outright that if he caught him at his + practices he would shoot him, a threat at which the younger man laughed + aloud, for he had no fear of Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the long hours of darkness they kept watch alternately, one of + them lying down to rest while the other peered and listened. Nor did + Benita always listen in vain, for twice at least she heard stealthy + footsteps creeping about the hut, and felt that soft and dreadful + influence flowing in upon her. Then she would wake her father, whispering, + “He is there, I can feel that he is there.” But by the time that the old + man had painfully dragged himself to his feet—for now he was + becoming very feeble and acute rheumatism or some such illness had got + hold of him—and crept from the hut, there was no one to be seen. + Only through the darkness he would hear the sound of a retreating step, + and of low, mocking laughter. + </p> + <p> + Thus those miserable days went by, and the third morning came, that + dreaded Wednesday. Before it was dawn Benita and her father, neither of + whom had closed their eyes that night, talked over their strait long and + earnestly, and they knew that its crisis was approaching. + </p> + <p> + “I think that I had better try to kill him, Benita,” he said. “I am + growing dreadfully weak, and if I put it off I may find no strength, and + you will be at his mercy. I can easily shoot him when his back is turned, + and though I hate the thought of such a deed, surely I shall be forgiven. + Or if not, I cannot help it. I must think of my duty to you, not of + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she answered. “I will not have it. It would be murder, although + he has threatened you. After all, father, I believe that the man is half + mad, and not responsible. We must take our chance and trust to God to save + us. If He does not,” she added, “at the worst I can always save myself,” + and she touched the pistol which now she wore day and night. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Mr. Clifford, with a groan. “Let us pray for deliverance + from this hell and keep our hands clean of blood.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"></a> + XX.<br/> + JACOB MEYER SEES A SPIRIT</h2> + <p> + For a while they were silent, then Benita said: + </p> + <p> + “Father, is it not possible that we might escape, after all? Perhaps that + stair on the rampart is not so completely blocked that we could not climb + over it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford, thinking of his stiff limbs and aching back, shook his head + and answered: + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know; Meyer has never let me near enough to see.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, why do you not go to look? You know he sleeps till late now, + because he is up all night. Take the glasses and examine the top of the + wall from inside that old house near by. He will not see or hear you, but + if I came near, he would know and wake up.” + </p> + <p> + “If you like, love, I can try, but what are you going to do while I am + away?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall climb the pillar.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean——” and he stopped. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, nothing of that sort. I shall not follow the example of Benita da + Ferreira unless I am driven to it; I want to look, that is all. One can + see far from that place, if there is anything to see. Perhaps the Matabele + are gone now, we have heard nothing of them lately.” + </p> + <p> + So they dressed themselves, and as soon as the light was sufficiently + strong, came out of the hut and parted, Mr. Clifford, rifle in hand, + limping off towards the wall, and Benita going towards the great cone. She + climbed it easily enough, and stood in the little cup-like depression on + its dizzy peak, waiting for the sun to rise and disperse the mists which + hung over the river and its banks. + </p> + <p> + Now whatever may have been the exact ceremonial use to which the ancients + put this pinnacle, without doubt it had something to do with sun-worship. + This, indeed, was proved by the fact that, at any rate at this season of + the year, the first rays of the risen orb struck full upon its point. Thus + it came about that, as she stood there waiting, Benita of a sudden found + herself suffused in light so vivid and intense that, clothed as she was in + a dress which had once been white, it must have caused her to shine like a + silver image. For several minutes, indeed, this golden spear of fire + blinded her so that she could see nothing, but stood quite still, afraid + to move, and waiting until, as the sun grew higher, its level rays passed + over her. This they did presently, and plunging into the valley, began to + drive away the fog. Now she looked down, along the line of the river. + </p> + <p> + The Matabele camp was invisible, for it lay in a hollow almost at the foot + of the fortress. Beyond it, however, was a rising swell of ground; it may + have been half a mile from where she stood, and on the crest of it she + perceived what looked like a waggon tent with figures moving round it. + They were shouting also, for through the silence of the African morn the + sound of their voices floated up to her. + </p> + <p> + As the mist cleared off Benita saw that without doubt it was a waggon, for + there stood the long row of oxen, also it had just been captured by the + Matabele, for these were about it in numbers. At the moment, however, they + appeared to be otherwise occupied, for they were pointing with their + spears to the pillar on Bambatse. + </p> + <p> + Then it occurred to Benita that, placed as she was in that fierce light + with only the sky for background, she must be perfectly visible from the + plain below, and that it might be her figure perched like an eagle between + heaven and earth which excited their interest. Yes, and not theirs only, + for now a white man appeared, who lifted what might have been a gun, or a + telescope, towards her. She was sure from the red flannel shirt and the + broad hat which he wore that he must be a white man, and oh! how her heart + yearned towards him, whoever he might be! The sight of an angel from + heaven could scarcely have been more welcome to Benita in her + wretchedness. + </p> + <p> + Yet surely she must be dreaming. What should a white man and a waggon be + doing in that place? And why had not the Matabele killed him at once? She + could not tell, yet they appeared to have no murderous intentions, since + they continued to gesticulate and talk whilst he stared upwards with the + telescope, if it were a telescope. So things went on for a long time, for + meanwhile the oxen were outspanned, until, indeed, more Matabele arrived, + who led off the white man, apparently against his will, towards their + camp, where he disappeared. Then there was nothing more to be seen. Benita + descended the column. + </p> + <p> + At its foot she met her father, who had come to seek her. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” he asked, noting her excited face. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” she said or rather sobbed, “there is a waggon with a white man + below. I saw the Matabele capture him.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am sorry for the poor devil,” answered the father, “for he is dead + by now. But what could a white man have been doing here? Some hunter, I + suppose, who has walked into a trap.” + </p> + <p> + The face of Benita fell. + </p> + <p> + “I hoped,” she said, “that he might help us.” + </p> + <p> + “As well might he hope that we could help him. He is gone, and there is an + end. Well, peace to his soul, and we have our own troubles to think of. I + have been to look at that wall, and it is useless to think of climbing it. + If he had been a professional mason, Meyer could not have built it up + better; no wonder that we have seen nothing more of the Molimo, for only a + bird could reach us.” + </p> + <p> + “Where was Mr. Meyer?” asked Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Asleep in a blanket under a little shelter of boughs by the stair. At + least, I thought so, though it was rather difficult to make him out in the + shadow; at any rate, I saw his rifle set against a tree. Come, let us go + to breakfast. No doubt he will turn up soon enough.” + </p> + <p> + So they went, and for the first time since the Sunday Benita ate a hearty + meal of biscuits soaked in coffee. Although her father was so sure that by + now he must have perished on the Matabele spears, the sight of the white + man and his waggon had put new life into her, bringing her into touch with + the world again. After all, might it not chance that he had escaped? + </p> + <p> + All this while there had been no sign of Jacob Meyer. This, however, did + not surprise them, for now he ate his meals alone, taking his food from a + little general store, and cooking it over his own fire. When they had + finished their breakfast Mr. Clifford remarked that they had no more + drinking water left, and Benita said that she would go to fetch a pailful + from the well in the cave. Her father suggested that he should accompany + her, but she answered that it was not necessary as she was quite able to + wind the chain by herself. So she went, carrying the bucket in one hand + and a lamp in the other. + </p> + <p> + As she walked down the last of the zigzags leading to the cave, Benita + stopped a moment thinking that she saw a light, and then went on, since on + turning the corner there was nothing but darkness before her. Evidently + she had been mistaken. She reached the well and hung the pail on to the + great copper hook, wondering as she did so how many folk had done likewise + in the far, far past, for the massive metal of that hook was worn quite + thin with use. Then she let the roller run, and the sound of the + travelling chain clanked dismally in that vaulted, empty place. At length + the pail struck the water, and she began to wind up again, pausing at + times to rest, for the distance was long and the chain heavy. The bucket + appeared. Benita drew it to the side of the well, and lifted it from the + hook, then took up her lamp to be gone. + </p> + <p> + Feeling or seeing something, which she was not sure, she held the lamp + above her head, and by its light perceived a figure standing between her + and the entrance to the cave. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” she asked, whereon a soft voice answered out of the + darkness, the voice of Jacob Meyer. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind standing still for a few minutes, Miss Clifford? I have some + paper here and I wish to make a sketch. You do not know how beautiful you + look with that light above your head illuminating the shadows and the + thorn-crowned crucifix beyond. You know, whatever paths fortune may have + led me into, by nature I am an artist, and never in my life have I seen + such a picture. One day it will make me famous. + </p> +<p class="poem"> + ‘How statue-like I see thee stand!<br/> + The agate lamp within thy hand.’ +</p> + <p class="noindent"> + That’s what I should put under it; you know the lines, don’t you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Meyer, but I am afraid you will have to paint your picture from + memory, as I cannot hold up this lamp any longer; my arm is aching + already. I do not know how you came here, but as you have followed me + perhaps you will be so kind as to carry this water.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not follow you, Miss Clifford. Although you never saw me I entered + the cave before you to take measurements.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you take measurements in the dark?” + </p> + <p> + “I was not in the dark. I put out my light when I caught sight of you, + knowing that otherwise you would run away, and fate stood me in good + stead. You came on, as I willed that you should do. Now let us talk. Miss + Clifford, have you changed your mind? You know the time is up.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall never change my mind. Let me pass you, Mr. Meyer.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, not until you have listened. You are very cruel to me, very cruel + indeed. You do not understand that, rather than do you the slightest harm, + I would die a hundred times.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not ask you to die; I ask you to leave me alone—a much easier + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can I leave you alone when you are a part of me, when—I + love you? There, the truth is out, and now say what you will.” + </p> + <p> + Benita lifted the bucket of water; its weight seemed to steady her. Then + she put it down again, since escape was impracticable; she must face the + situation. + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing to say, Mr. Meyer, except that <i>I</i> do not love <i>you</i> + or any living man, and I never shall. I thank you for the compliment you + have paid me, and there is an end.” + </p> + <p> + “Any living man,” he repeated after her. “That means you love a dead man—Seymour, + he who was drowned. No wonder that I hated him when first my eyes fell on + him years ago, long before you had come into our lives. Prescience, the + sub-conscious self again. Well, what is the use of loving the dead, those + who no longer have any existence, who have gone back into the clay out of + which they were formed and are not, nor evermore shall be? You have but + one life; turn, turn to the living, and make it happy.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not agree with you, Mr. Meyer. To me the dead are still living; one + day I shall find them. Now let me go.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not let you go. I will plead and wrestle with you as in the old + fable my namesake of my own race wrestled with the angel, until at length + you bless me. You despise me because I am a Jew, because I have had many + adventures and not succeeded; because you think me mad. But I tell you + that there is the seed of greatness in me. Give yourself to me and I will + make you great, for now I know that it was you whom I needed to supply + what is lacking in my nature. We will win the wealth, and together we will + rule——” + </p> + <p> + “Until a few days hence we starve or the Matabele make an end of us. No, + Mr. Meyer, no,” and she tried to push past him. + </p> + <p> + He stretched out his arms and stopped her. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” he said, “I have pleaded with you as man with woman. Now, as you + refuse me and as you alone stand between me and madness, I will take + another course. I am your master, your will is servant to my will; I bid + you obey me.” + </p> + <p> + He fixed his eyes upon hers, and Benita felt her strength begin to fail. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” he said, “you are my servant now, and to show it I shall kiss you on + the lips; then I shall throw the sleep upon you, and you will tell me what + I want to know. Afterwards we can be wed when it pleases me. Oh! do not + think that your father will defend you, for if he interferes I shall kill + that foolish old man, whom until now I have only spared for your sake. + Remember that if you make me angry, I shall certainly kill him, and your + father’s blood will be on your head. Now I am going to kiss you.” + </p> + <p> + Benita lifted her hand to find the pistol at her waist. It fell back + again; she had no strength; it was as though she were paralysed as a bird + is paralysed by a snake so that it cannot open its wings and fly away, but + sits there awaiting death. She was given over into the hands of this man + whom she hated. Could Heaven allow such a thing? she wondered dimly, and + all the while his lips drew nearer to her face. + </p> + <p> + They touched her own, and then, why or wherefore Benita never understood, + the spell broke. All his power was gone, she was as she had been, a free + woman, mistress of herself. Contemptuously she thrust the man aside, and, + not even troubling to run, lifted her pail of water and walked away. + </p> + <p> + Soon she saw the light again, and joyfully extinguished her lamp. Indeed, + the breast of Benita, which should have been so troubled after the scene + through which she had passed, strangely enough was filled with happiness + and peace. As that glorious sunlight had broken on her eyes, so had + another light of freedom arisen in her soul. She was no longer afraid of + Jacob Meyer; that coward kiss of his had struck off the shackles which + bound her to him. Her mind had been subject to his mind, but now that his + physical nature was brought into the play, his mental part had lost its + hold upon her. + </p> + <p> + As she approached the hut she saw her father seated on a stone outside it, + since the poor old man was now so weak and full of pain that he could not + stand for very long, and seeing, remembered Meyer’s threats against him. + At the thought all her new-found happiness departed. + </p> + <p> + She might be safe; she felt sure that she was safe, but how about her + father? If Meyer could not get his way probably he would be as good as his + word, and kill him. She shivered at the thought, then, recovering herself, + walked forward steadily with her bucket of water. + </p> + <p> + “You have been a long while gone, my love,” said Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, father, Mr. Meyer was in the cave, and kept me.” + </p> + <p> + “How did he get there, and what did he want?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know how he got there—crept in when we were not looking, I + suppose. But as for what he wanted—listen, dear,” and word for word + she told him what had passed. + </p> + <p> + Before she had finished, her father was almost choking with wrath. + </p> + <p> + “The dirty Jew! The villain!” he gasped. “I never dreamed that he would + dare to attempt such an outrage. Well, thank Heaven! I can still hold a + rifle, and when he comes out——” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” she said gently, “that man is mad. He is not responsible for his + actions, and therefore, except in self-defence, you must not think of such + a thing. As for what he said about you, I believe it was only an empty + threat, and for me you need have no fear, his power over me is gone; it + went like a flash when his lips touched me,” and she rubbed her own as + though to wipe away some stain. “I am afraid of nothing more. I believe—yes, + I believe the old Molimo was right, and that all will end well——” + </p> + <p> + As she was speaking Benita heard a shuffling sound behind her, and turned + to learn its cause. Then she saw a strange sight. Jacob Meyer was + staggering towards them, dragging one foot after the other through the + grass and stones. His face was ghastly pale, his jaw had dropped like that + of a dead man, and his eyes were set wide open and full of horror. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter with you, man?” asked Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + “I—I—have seen a ghost,” he whispered. “You did not come back + into the cave, did you?” he added, pointing at Benita, who shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “What ghost?” asked Mr. Clifford. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, but my lamp went out, and then a light began to shine + behind me. I turned, and on the steps of that crucifix I saw a woman + kneeling. Her arms clasped the feet of the figure, her forehead rested + upon the feet, her long black hair flowed down, she was dressed in white, + and the light came from her body and her head. Very slowly she turned and + looked at me, and oh, Heaven! that face——” and he put his hand + before his eyes and groaned. “It was beautiful; yes, yes, but fearful to + see, like an avenging angel. I fled, and the light—only the light—came + with me down the cave, even at the mouth of it there was a little. I have + seen a spirit, I who did not believe in spirits, I have seen a spirit, and + I tell you that not for all the gold in the world will I enter that place + again.” + </p> + <p> + Then before they could answer, suddenly as though his fear had got some + fresh hold of him, Jacob sprang forward and fled away, crashing through + the bushes and leaping from rock to rock like a frightened buck. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"></a> + XXI.<br/> + THE MESSAGE FROM THE DEAD</h2> + <p> + “Meyer always said that he did not believe in spirits,” remarked Mr. + Clifford reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he believes in them now,” answered Benita with a little laugh. + “But, father, the poor man is mad, that is the fact of it, and we must pay + no attention to what he says.” + </p> + <p> + “The old Molimo and some of his people—Tamas, for instance—declared + that they have seen the ghost of Benita da Ferreira. Are they mad also, + Benita?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, father. Who can say? All these things are a mystery. All I + do know is that I have never seen a ghost, and I doubt if I ever shall.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but when you were in that trance something that was not you spoke out + of your mouth, which something said that it was your namesake, the other + Benita. Well, as you say, we can’t fathom these things, especially in a + haunted kind of place like this, but the upshot of it is that I don’t + think we have much more to fear from Jacob.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so sure, father. Mad people change their moods very suddenly.” + </p> + <p> + As it happened Benita was quite right. Towards suppertime Jacob Meyer + reappeared, looking pale and shaken, but otherwise much as usual. + </p> + <p> + “I had a kind of fit this morning,” he explained, “the result of an + hallucination which seized me when my light went out in that cave. I + remember that I thought I had seen a ghost, whereas I know very well that + no such thing exists. I was the victim of disappointment, anxieties, and + other still stronger emotions,” and he looked at Benita. “Therefore, + please forget anything I said or did, and—would you give me some + supper?” + </p> + <p> + Benita did so, and he ate in silence, with some heartiness. When he had + finished his food, and swallowed two or three tots of squareface, he spoke + again: + </p> + <p> + “I have come here, where I know I am not welcome, upon business,” he said + in a calm, matter-of-fact voice. “I am tired of this place, and I think it + is time that we attained the object of our journey here, namely, to find + the hidden gold. That, as we all know, can only be done in a certain way, + through the clairvoyant powers of one of us and the hypnotic powers of + another. Miss Clifford, I request that you will allow me to throw you into + a state of trance. You have told us everything else, but you have not yet + told us where the treasure is hidden, and this it is necessary that we + should know.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I refuse, Mr. Meyer?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am sorry, but I must take means to compel your obedience. Under + those circumstances, much against my will, I shall be obliged”—here + his eye blazed out wildly—“to execute your father, whose obstinacy + and influence stand between us and splendid fortunes. No, Clifford,” he + added, “don’t stretch out your hand towards that rifle, for I am already + covering you with the pistol in my pocket, and the moment your hand + touches it I shall fire. You poor old man, do you imagine for a single + second that, sick as you are, and with your stiff limbs, you can hope to + match yourself against my agility, intellect, and strength? Why, I could + kill you in a dozen ways before you could lift a finger against me, and by + the God I do not believe in, unless your daughter is more compliant, kill + you I will!” + </p> + <p> + “That remains to be seen, my friend,” said Mr. Clifford with a laugh, for + he was a brave old man. “I am not certain that the God—whom you do + not believe in—will not kill you first.” + </p> + <p> + Now Benita, who had been taking counsel with herself, looked up and said + suddenly: + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Mr. Meyer, I consent—because I must. To-morrow morning + you shall try to mesmerize me, if you can, in the same place, before the + crucifix in the cave.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered quickly. “It was not there, it was here, and here it + shall be again. The spot you mention is unpropitious to me; the attempt + would fail.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the spot that I have chosen,” answered Benita stubbornly. + </p> + <p> + “And this is the spot that I have chosen, Miss Clifford, and my will must + prevail over yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Because you who do not believe in spirits are afraid to re-enter the + cave, Mr. Meyer, lest you should chance——” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind what I am or am not afraid of,” he replied with fury. “Make + your choice between doing my will and your father’s life. To-morrow + morning I shall come for your answer, and if you are still obstinate, + within half an hour he will be dead, leaving you and me alone together. + Oh! you may call me wicked and a villain, but it is you who are wicked, + you, you, <i>you</i> who force me to this deed of justice.” + </p> + <p> + Then without another word he sprang up and walked away from them + backwards, as he went covering Mr. Clifford with the pistol which he had + drawn from his pocket. The last that they saw of him were his eyes, which + glowered at them through the darkness like those of a lion. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Benita, when she was sure that he had gone, “that madman + really means to murder you; there is no doubt of it.” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever, dear; if I am alive to-morrow night I shall be lucky, + unless I can kill him first or get out of his way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” she said hurriedly, “I think you can. I have an idea. He is afraid + to go into that cave, I am sure. Let us hide ourselves there. We can take + food and shall have plenty of water, whereas, unless rain falls, he can + get nothing to drink.” + </p> + <p> + “But what then, Benita? We can’t stop in the dark for ever.” + </p> + <p> + “No, but we can wait there until something happens. Something must and + will happen. His disease won’t stand still. He may go raving mad and kill + himself. Or he may attempt to attack us, though that is not likely, and + then we must do what we can in self defence. Or help may reach us from + somewhere. At the worst we shall only die as we should have died outside. + Come, let us be quick, lest he should change his mind, and creep back upon + us.” + </p> + <p> + So Mr. Clifford gave way, knowing that even if he could steel himself to + do the deed of attempting to kill Jacob, he would have little chance + against that strong and agile man. Such a struggle would only end in his + own death, and Benita must then be left alone with Meyer and his insane + passions. + </p> + <p> + Hurriedly they carried their few belongings into the cave. First they took + most of the little store of food that remained, the three hand-lamps and + all the paraffin; there was but one tin. Then returning they fetched the + bucket, the ammunition, and their clothes. Afterwards, as there was still + no sign of Meyer, they even dared to drag in the waggon tent to make a + shelter for Benita, and all the wood that they had collected for firing. + This proved a wearisome business, for the logs were heavy, and in his + crippled state Mr. Clifford could carry no great burden. Indeed, towards + the end Benita was forced to complete the task alone, while he limped + beside her with his rifle, lest Jacob should surprise them. + </p> + <p> + When at length everything was done it was long past midnight, and so + exhausted were they that, notwithstanding their danger, they flung + themselves down upon the canvas tent, which lay in a heap at the end of + the cave near the crucifix, and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When Benita woke the lamp had gone out, and it was pitch dark. + Fortunately, however, she remembered where she had put the matches and the + lantern with a candle in it. She lit the candle and looked at her watch. + It was nearly six o’clock. The dawn must be breaking outside, within an + hour or two Jacob Meyer would find that they had gone. Suppose that his + rage should overcome his fear and that he should creep upon them. They + would know nothing of it until his face appeared in the faint ring of + light. Or he might even shoot her father out of the darkness. What could + she do that would give them warning? A thought came to her. + </p> + <p> + Taking one of the tent ropes and the lantern, for her father still slept + heavily, she went down to the entrance of the cave, and at the end of the + last zigzag where once a door had been, managed to make it fast to a stone + hinge about eighteen inches above the floor, and on the other side to an + eye opposite that was cut in the solid rock to receive a bolt of wood or + iron. Meyer, she knew, had no lamps or oil, only matches and perhaps a few + candles. Therefore if he tried to enter the cave it was probable that he + would trip over the rope and thus give them warning. Then she went back, + washed her face and hands with some water that they had drawn on the + previous night to satisfy their thirst, and tidied herself as best she + could. This done, as her father still slept, she filled the lamps, lit one + of them, and looked about her, for she was loth to wake him. + </p> + <p> + Truly it was an awful place in which to dwell. There above them towered + the great white crucifix; there in the corner were piled the remains of + the Portuguese. A skull with long hair still hanging to it grinned at her, + a withered hand was thrust forward as though to clutch her. Oh, no wonder + that in such a spot Jacob Meyer had seen ghosts! In front, too, was the + yawning grave where they had found the monk; indeed, his bones wrapped in + dark robes still lay within, for Jacob had tumbled them back again. Then + beyond and all around deep, dark, and utter silence. + </p> + <p> + At last her father woke, and glad enough was she of his human company. + They breakfasted upon some biscuits and water, and afterwards, while Mr. + Clifford watched near the entrance with his rifle, Benita set to work to + arrange their belongings. The tent she managed to prop up against the wall + of the cave by help of some of the wood which they had carried in. Beneath + it she spread their blankets, that it might serve as a sleeping place for + them both, and outside placed the food and other things. + </p> + <p> + While she was thus engaged she heard a sound at the mouth of the cave—Jacob + Meyer was entering and had fallen over her rope. Down it she ran, lantern + in hand, to her father, who, with his rifle raised, was shouting: + </p> + <p> + “If you come in here, I put a bullet through you!” + </p> + <p> + Then came the answer in Jacob’s voice, which rang hollow in that vaulted + place: + </p> + <p> + “I do not want to come in; I shall wait for you to come out. You cannot + live long in there; the horror of the dark will kill you. I have only to + sit in the sunlight and wait.” + </p> + <p> + Then he laughed, and they heard the sound of his footsteps retreating down + the passage. + </p> + <p> + “What are we to do?” asked Mr. Clifford despairingly. “We cannot live + without light, and if we have light he will certainly creep to the + entrance and shoot us. He is quite mad now; I am sure of it from his + voice.” + </p> + <p> + Benita thought a minute, then she answered: + </p> + <p> + “We must build up the passage. Look,” and she pointed to the lumps of rock + that the explosion of their mine had shaken down from the roof, and the + slabs of cement that they had broken from the floor with the crowbar. “At + once, at once,” she went on; “he will not come back for some hours, + probably not till night.” + </p> + <p> + So they set to work, and never did Benita labour as it was her lot to do + that day. Such of the fragments as they could lift they carried between + them, others they rolled along by help of the crowbar. For hour after hour + they toiled at their task. Luckily for them, the passage was not more than + three feet wide by six feet six high, and their material was ample. Before + the evening they had blocked it completely with a wall several feet in + thickness, which wall they supported on the inside with lengths of the + firewood lashed across to the old hinges and bolt-holes, or set obliquely + against its face. + </p> + <p> + It was done, and they regarded their work with pride, although it seemed + probable that they were building up their own tomb. Because of its + position at an angle of the passage, they knew that Meyer could not get to + it with a pole to batter it down. Also, there was no loose powder left, so + his only chance would be to pull it to pieces with his hands, and this, + they thought, might be beyond his power. At least, should he attempt it, + they would have ample warning. Yet that day was not to pass without + another trouble. + </p> + <p> + Just as they had rolled up and levered into place a long fragment of rock + designed to prevent the ends of their supporting pieces of wood from + slipping on the cement floor, Mr. Clifford uttered an exclamation, then + said: + </p> + <p> + “I have wrung my back badly. Help me to the tent. I must lie down.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly and with great pain they staggered up the cave, Mr. Clifford + leaning on Benita and a stick, till, reaching the tent at last, he almost + fell on to the blankets and remained there practically crippled. + </p> + <p> + Now began Benita’s terrible time, the worst of all her life. Every hour + her father became more ill. Even before they took refuge in the cave he + was completely broken down, and now after this accident he began to suffer + very much. His rheumatism or sciatica, or whatever it was, seemed to + settle upon the hurt muscles of his back, causing him so much pain that he + could scarcely sleep for ten minutes at a stretch. Moreover, he would + swallow but little of the rough food which was all Benita was able to + prepare for him; nothing, indeed, except biscuit soaked in black coffee, + which she boiled over a small fire made of wood that they had brought with + them, and occasionally a little broth, tasteless stuff enough, for it was + only the essence of biltong, or sun-dried flesh, flavoured with some salt. + </p> + <p> + Then there were two other terrors against she must fight, the darkness and + the dread of Jacob Meyer. Perhaps the darkness was the worse of them. To + live in that hideous gloom in which their single lamp, for she dared burn + no more lest the oil should give out, seemed but as one star to the whole + night, ah! who that had not endured it could know what it meant? There the + sick man, yonder the grinning skeletons, around the blackness and the + silence, and beyond these again a miserable death, or Jacob Meyer. But of + him Benita saw nothing, though once or twice she thought that she heard + his voice raving outside the wall which they had built. If so, either he + did not try to pull it down, or he failed in the attempt, or perhaps he + feared that should he succeed, he would be greeted by a bullet. So at last + she gave up thinking about him. Should he force his way into the cave she + must deal with the situation as best she could. Meanwhile, her father’s + strength was sinking fast. + </p> + <p> + Three awful days went by in this fashion, and the end drew near. Although + she tried to force herself to it, Benita could not swallow enough food to + keep up her strength. Now that the passage was closed the atmosphere of + this old vault, for it was nothing more, thickened by the smoke of the + fire which she was obliged to burn, grew poisonous and choked her. Want of + sleep exhausted her, dread of what the morrow might bring forth crushed + her strong spirit. She began to break down, knowing that the hour was near + when she and her father must die together. + </p> + <p> + Once, as she slept awhile at his side, being wakened by his groaning, + Benita looked at her watch. It was midnight. She rose, and going to the + embers of the little fire, warmed up some of her biltong broth which she + poured into a tin pannikin. With difficulty she forced him to swallow a + few mouthfuls of it, then, feeling a sudden weakness, drank the rest + herself. It gave her power to think, and her father dozed off into an + uneasy sleep. + </p> + <p> + Alas! thinking was of no use, nothing could be done. There was no hope + save in prayer. Restlessness seized Benita, and taking the lantern she + wandered round the cave. The wall that they had built remained intact, and + oh! to think that beyond it flowed the free air and shone the blessed + stars! Back she came again, skirting the pits that Jacob Meyer had dug, + and the grave of the old monk, till she reached the steps of the crucifix, + and holding up her candle, looked at the thorn-crowned brow of the Christ + above. + </p> + <p> + It was wonderfully carved; that dying face was full of pity. Would not He + Whom it represented pity her? She knelt down on the topmost step, and + clasping the pierced feet with her arms, began to pray earnestly, not for + herself but that she might save her father. She prayed as she had never + prayed before, and so praying, sank into a torpor or a swoon. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Benita that this sleep of hers suddenly became alive; in it + she saw many things. For instance, she saw herself seated in a state of + trance upon that very step where now she knelt, while before her stood her + father and Jacob Meyer. Moreover, something spoke in her; she could not + hear a voice, but she seemed to see the words written in the air before + her. These were the words:— + </p> + <p> + “<i>Clasp the feet of the Christ and draw them to the left. The passage + beneath leads to the chamber where the gold is hid, and thence to the + river bank. That is the secret which ere I depart, I the dead Benita, pass + on to you, the living Benita, as I am commanded. In life and death peace + be to your soul.</i>” + </p> + <p> + Thrice did this message appear to repeat itself in the consciousness of + Benita. Then, suddenly as she had slept, she woke again with every letter + of it imprinted on her mind. Doubtless it was a dream, nothing but a dream + bred by the fact that her arms were clasping the feet of the crucifix. + What did it say? “Draw them to the left.” + </p> + <p> + She did so, but nothing stirred. Again she tried, and still nothing + stirred. Of course it was a dream. Why had such been sent to mock her? In + a kind of mad irritation she put out all her remaining strength and + wrestled with those stony feet. <i>They moved a little</i>—then of a + sudden, without any further effort on her part, swung round as high as the + knees where drapery hung, concealing the join in them. Yes, they swung + round, revealing the head of a stair, up which blew a cold wind that it + was sweet to breathe. + </p> + <p> + Benita rose, gasping. Then she seized her lantern and ran to the little + tent where her father lay. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"></a> + XXII.<br/> + THE VOICE OF THE LIVING</h2> + <p> + Mr. Clifford was awake again now. + </p> + <p> + “Where have you been?” he asked querulously in a thin voice. “I wanted + you.” Then as the light from the candle shone upon it, he noted the change + that had come over her pale face, and added: “What has happened? Is Meyer + dead? Are we free?” + </p> + <p> + Benita shook her head. “He was alive a few hours ago, for I could hear him + raving and shouting outside the wall we built. But, father, it has all + come back to me; I believe that I have found it.” + </p> + <p> + “What has come back? What have you found? Are you mad, too, like Jacob?” + </p> + <p> + “What something told me when I was in the trance which afterwards I + forgot, but now remember. And I have found the passage which leads to + where they hid the gold. It begins behind the crucifix, where no one ever + thought of looking.” + </p> + <p> + This matter of the gold did not seem to interest Mr. Clifford. In his + state all the wealth beneath the soil of Africa would not have appealed to + him. Moreover, he hated the name of that accursed treasure, which was + bringing them to such a miserable end. + </p> + <p> + “Where does the passage run? Have you looked?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, but the voice in me said—I mean, I dreamed—that it + goes down to the river-side. If you leant on me do you think that you + could walk?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one inch,” he answered. “Here where I am I shall die.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, don’t talk like that. We may be saved now that I have found a + way. Oh, if only you could—if only you could walk, or if I had the + strength to carry you!” and she wrung her hands and began to weep, so weak + was she. + </p> + <p> + Her father looked at her searchingly. Then he said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, love, I cannot, so there’s an end. But you can, and you had better + go.” + </p> + <p> + “What! And leave you? Never.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and leave me. Look, there is but a little oil left and only a few + candles. The biscuits are done and neither of us can swallow that biltong + any more. I suppose that I am dying, and your health and strength are + failing you quickly in this darkness; if you stop here you must soon + follow me. And what is the alternative? The madman outside—that is, + if you could find strength to pull down the wall, which I doubt. You had + best go, Benita.” + </p> + <p> + But still she said she would not. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not see,” he added, “that it is my only chance of life? If you go + you may be able to bring me help before the end comes. Should there be a + passage the probability is that, although they know nothing of it, it + finishes somewhere by the wall of the first enclosure where the Makalanga + are. If so, you may find the Molimo, or if he is dead, Tamas or one of the + others, and they will help us. Go, Benita, go at once.” + </p> + <p> + “I never thought of that,” she answered in a changed voice. “Of course, it + may be so, if the passage goes down at all. Well, at least I can look and + come back to tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Then Benita placed the remainder of the oil close by her father’s side, so + that he could refill the lamp, for the use of his hands still remained to + him. Also, she set there such crumbs of biscuit as were left, some of the + biltong, a flask of Hollands, and a pail of water. This done, she put on + her long cloak, filled one of its pockets with biltong, and the other with + matches and three of the four remaining candles. The fourth she insisted + on leaving beside her father’s bed. When everything was ready she knelt + down at his side, kissed him, and from her heart put up a prayer that they + might both live to meet again, although she knew well that this they could + scarcely hope to do. + </p> + <p> + Had two people ever been in a more dreadful situation, she wondered, as + she looked at her father lying there, whom she must leave to fight with + Death alone in that awful place, while she went forth to meet him in the + unknown bowels of the earth! + </p> + <p> + Mr. Clifford read her thoughts. “Yes,” he said, “it is a strange parting + and a wild errand. But who knows? It may please Providence to take you + through, and if not—why, our troubles will soon be over.” + </p> + <p> + Then once more they kissed, and not daring to try to speak, Benita tore + herself away. Passing into the passage whereof the lower half of the + crucifix formed the door, she paused for a moment to examine it and to + place a fragment of rock in such fashion that it could not shut again + behind her. Her idea was that it worked by aid of some spring, but now she + saw that this was not so, as the whole mass hung upon three stone hinges + beautifully concealed. The dust and corrosion of ages which had made this + door so hard to open, by filling up the tiny spaces between it and its + framework, had also rendered these cracks utterly imperceptible to the + eye. So accurately was it fashioned, indeed, that no one who did not know + its secret would have discovered it if they searched for months or years. + </p> + <p> + Though at the time Benita took little note of such details, the passage + beyond and the stair descending from it showed the same perfect + workmanship. Evidently this secret way dated not from the Portuguese + period, but from that of the Phoenicians or other ancients, to whose + treasure-chamber it was the approach, opening as it did from their holy of + holies, to which none were admitted save the head priests. The passage, + which was about seven feet high by four wide, had been hewn out of the + live rock of the mountain, for thousands of little marks left by the + workmen’s chisels were still discernible upon its walls. So it was with + the stair, that had been but little used, and remained fresh as the day + when it was finished. + </p> + <p> + Down the steps, candle in hand, flitted Benita, counting them as she went. + The thirtieth brought her to a landing. Here it was that she saw the first + traces of that treasure which they had suffered so much to find. Something + glittered at her feet. She picked it up. It was a little bar of gold + weighing two or three ounces that doubtless had been dropped there. + Throwing it down again she looked in front of her, and to her dismay saw a + door of wood with iron bolts. But the bolts had never been shot, and when + she pulled at it the door creaked upon its rusty hinges and opened. She + was on the threshold of the treasure-chamber! + </p> + <p> + It was square and of the size of a small room, packed on either side + almost to the low, vaulted roof with small bags of raw hide, carelessly + arranged. Quite near to the door one of these bags had slipped down and + burst open. It was filled with gold, some in ingots and some in raw + nuggets, for there they lay in a shining, scattered heap. As she stooped + to look it came into the mind of Benita that her father had said that in + her trance she had told them that one of the bags of treasure was burst, + and that the skin of which it had been made was black and red. Behold! + before her lay the burst bag, and the colour of the hide was black and + red. + </p> + <p> + She shivered. The thing was uncanny, terrible. Uncanny was it also to see + in the thick dust, which in the course of twenty or more of centuries had + gathered on the floor, the mark of footprints, those of the last persons + who had visited this place. There had been two of them, a man and a woman, + and they were no savages, for they wore shoes. Benita placed her foot in + the print left by that dead woman. It filled it exactly, it might have + been her own. Perhaps, she thought to herself, that other Benita had + descended here with her father, after the Portuguese had hidden away their + wealth, that she might be shown where it was, and of what it consisted. + </p> + <p> + One more glance at all this priceless, misery-working gold, and on she + went, she who was seeking the gold of life and liberty for herself and him + who lay above. Supposing that the stairway ended there? She stopped, she + looked round, but could see no other door. To see the better she halted + and opened the glass of her lantern. Still she could perceive nothing, and + her heart sank. Yet why did the candle flicker so fiercely? And why was + the air in this deep place so fresh? She walked forward a pace or two, + then noticed suddenly that those footprints of the dead that she was + following disappeared immediately in front of her, and she stopped. + </p> + <p> + It was but just in time. One step more and she would have fallen down the + mouth of a deep pit. Once it had been covered with a stone, but this stone + was removed, and had never been replaced. Look! there it stood against the + wall of the chamber. Well was this for Benita, since her frail strength + would not have sufficed to stir that massive block, even if she had + discovered its existence beneath the dust. + </p> + <p> + Now she saw that down the pit ran another ladderlike stair of stone, very + narrow and precipitous. Without hesitation she began its descent. Down she + went and down—one hundred steps, two hundred steps, two hundred and + seventy-five steps, and all the way wherever the dust had gathered the + man’s and the woman’s footprints ran before her. There was a double line + of them, one line going down and the other line returning. Those that + returned were the last, for often they appeared over those that descended. + Why had these dead people returned, Benita wondered. + </p> + <p> + The stair had ended; now she was in a kind of natural cave, for its sides + and roof were rugged; moreover, water trickled and dripped from them. It + was not very large, and it smelt horribly of mud and other things. Again + she searched by the feeble light of her candle, but could see no exit. + Suddenly she saw something else, however, for stepping on what she took to + be a rock, to her horror it moved beneath her. She heard a snap as of + jaws, a violent blow upon the leg nearly knocked her off her feet, and as + she staggered backwards she saw a huge and loathsome shape rushing away + into the darkness. The rock that she had trodden on was a crocodile which + had its den here! With a little scream she retreated to her stair. Death + she had expected—but to be eaten by crocodiles! + </p> + <p> + Yet as Benita stood there panting a blessed hope rose in her breast. If a + crocodile came in there it must also get out, and where such a great + creature could go, a woman would be able to follow. Also, she must be near + the water, since otherwise it could never have chosen this hole for its + habitation. She collected her courage, and having clapped her hands and + waved the lantern about to scare any alligators that might still be + lurking there, hearing and seeing nothing more, she descended to where she + had trodden upon the reptile. Evidently this was its bed, for its long + body had left an impress upon the mud, and all about lay the remains of + creatures that it had brought in for food. Moreover, a path ran outwards, + its well-worn trail distinct even in that light. + </p> + <p> + She followed this path, which ended apparently in a blank wall. Then it + was that Benita guessed why those dead folks’ footprints had returned, for + here had been a doorway which in some past age those who used it built up + with blocks of stone and cement. How, then, did the crocodile get out? + Stooping down she searched, and perceived, a few yards to the right of the + door, a hole that looked as though it were water-worn. Now Benita thought + that she understood. The rock was softer here, and centuries of flood had + eaten it away, leaving a crack in the stratum which the crocodiles had + found out and enlarged. Down she went on her hands and knees, and + thrusting the lantern in front of her, crept along that noisome drain, for + this was what it resembled. And now—oh! now she felt air blowing in + her face, and heard the sound of reeds whispering, and water running, and + saw hanging like a lamp in the blue sky, a star—the morning star! + Benita could have wept, she could have worshipped it, yet she pushed on + between rocks till she found herself among tall reeds, and standing in + water. She had gained the banks of the Zambesi. + </p> + <p> + Instantly, by instinct as it were, Benita extinguished her candle, fearing + lest it should betray her, for constant danger had made her very cunning. + The dawn had not yet broken, but the waning moon and the stars gave a good + light. She paused to look. There above her towered the outermost wall of + Bambatse, against which the river washed, except at such times as the + present, when it was very low. + </p> + <p> + So she was not in the fortress as she had hoped, but without it, and oh! + what should she do? Go back again? How would that serve her father or + herself? Go on? Then she might fall into the hands of the Matabele whose + camp was a little lower down, as from her perch upon the top of the cone + she had seen that poor white man do. Ah! the white man! If only he lived + and she could reach him! Perhaps they had not killed him after all. It was + madness, yet she would try to discover; something impelled her to take the + risk. If she failed and escaped, perhaps then she might call to the + Makalanga, and they would let down a rope and draw her up the wall before + the Matabele caught her. She would not go back empty-handed, to die in + that dreadful place with her poor father. Better perish here in the sweet + air and beneath the stars, even if it were upon a Matabele spear, or by a + bullet from her own pistol. + </p> + <p> + She looked about her to take her bearings in case it should ever be + necessary for her to return to the entrance of the cave. This proved easy, + for a hundred or so feet above her—where the sheer face of the cliff + jutted out a little, at that very spot indeed on which tradition said that + the body of the Señora da Ferreira had struck in its fall, and the + necklace Benita wore to-day was torn from her—a stunted mimosa grew + in some cleft of the rock. To mark the crocodile run itself she bent down + a bunch of reeds, and having first lit a few Tandstickor brimstone matches + and thrown them about inside of it, that the smell of them might scare the + beast should it wish to return, she set her lantern behind a stone near to + the mouth of the hole. + </p> + <p> + Then Benita began her journey which, when the river was high, it would not + have been possible for her to make except by swimming. As it was, a margin + of marsh was left between her and the steep, rocky side of the mount from + which the great wall rose, and through this she made her way. Never was + she likely to forget that walk. The tall reeds dripped their dew upon her + until she was soaked; long, black-tailed finches—saccaboolas the + natives call them—flew up undisturbed, and lobbed away across the + river; owls flitted past and bitterns boomed at the coming of the dawn. + Great fish splashed also in the shallows, or were they crocodiles? Benita + hoped not—for one day she had seen enough of crocodiles. + </p> + <p> + It was all very strange. Could she be the same woman, she wondered, who + not a year before had been walking with her cousins down Westbourne Grove, + and studying Whiteley’s windows? What would these cousins say now if they + could see her, white-faced, large-eyed, desperate, splashing through the + mud upon the unknown banks of the Zambesi, flying from death to death! + </p> + <p> + On she struggled, above her the pearly sky in which the stars were fading, + around her the wet reeds, and pervading all the heavy low-lying mists of + dawn. She was past the round of the walls, and at length stood upon dry + ground where the Matabele had made their camp. But in that fog she saw no + Matabele; probably their fires were out, and she chanced to pass between + the sentries. Instinctively, more than by reason, she headed for that + hillock upon which she had seen the white man’s waggon, in the vague hope + that it might still be there. On she struggled, still on, till at length + she blundered against something soft and warm, and perceived that it was + an ox tied to a trek-tow, beyond which were other oxen and a white + waggon-cap. + </p> + <p> + So it <i>was</i> still there! But the white man, where was he? Through the + dense mist Benita crept to the disselboom. Then, seeing and hearing + nothing, she climbed to the voorkissie and kneeling on it, separated the + tent flaps and peered into the waggon. Still she could see nothing because + of the mist, yet she heard something, a man breathing in his sleep. + Somehow she thought that it was a white man; a Kaffir did not breathe like + that. She did not know what to do, so remained kneeling there. It seemed + as though the man who was asleep began to feel her presence, for he + muttered to himself—surely the words were English! Then quite + suddenly he struck a match and lit a candle which stood in a beer bottle + by his side. She could not see his face while he lit the match, for his + arm hid it, and the candle burned up slowly. Then the first thing she saw + was the barrel of a revolver pointing straight at her. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my black friend,” said a pleasant voice, “down you go or I shoot. + One, two! Oh, my God!” + </p> + <p> + The candle burned up, its light fell upon the white, elfish face of + Benita, whose long dark hair streamed about her; it shone in her great + eyes. Still she could see nothing, for it dazzled her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my God!” said the voice again. “Benita! Benita! Have you come to tell + me that I must join you? Well, I am ready, my sweet, my sweet! Now I shall + hear your answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she whispered, and crawling forward down the cartel Benita fell + upon his breast. + </p> + <p> + For she knew him at last—dead or living she cared not—she knew + him, and out of hell crept to him, her heaven and her home! + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"></a> + XXIII.<br/> + BENITA GIVES HER ANSWER</h2> + <p> + “Your answer, Benita,” Robert said dreamily, for to him this thing seemed + a dream. + </p> + <p> + “Have I not given it, months ago? Oh, I remember, it was only in my heart, + not on my lips, when that blow fell on me! Then afterwards I heard what + you had done and I nearly died. I wished that I might die to be with you, + but I could not. I was too strong; now I understand the reason. Well, it + seems that we are both living, and whatever happens, here is my answer, if + it is worth anything to you. Once and for all, I love you. I am not + ashamed to say it, because very soon we may be separated for the last + time. But I cannot talk now, I have come here to save my father.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is he, Benita?” + </p> + <p> + “Dying in a cave up at the top of that fortress. I got down by a secret + way. Are the Matabele still here?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much so,” he answered. “But something has happened. My guard woke me + an hour ago to say that a messenger had arrived from their king, + Lobengula, and now they are talking over the message. That is how you came + to get through, otherwise the sentries would have assegaied you, the + brutes,” and he drew her to him and kissed her passionately for the first + time; then, as though ashamed of himself, let her go. + </p> + <p> + “Have you anything to eat?” she asked. “I—I—am starving. I + didn’t feel it before, but now——” + </p> + <p> + “Starving, you starving, while I—look, here is some cold meat which + I could not get down last night, and put by for the Kaffirs. Great + Heavens! that I should feed you with Kaffirs’ leavings! But it is good—eat + it.” + </p> + <p> + Benita took the stuff in her fingers and swallowed it greedily; she who + for days had lived on nothing but a little biscuit and biltong. It tasted + delicious to her—never had she eaten anything so good. And all the + while he watched her with glowing eyes. + </p> + <p> + “How can you look at me?” she said at length. “I must be horrible; I have + been living in the dark and crawling through mud. I trod upon a + crocodile!” and she shuddered. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you are I never want to see you different,” he answered slowly. + “To me you are most beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + Even then, wreck as she was, the poor girl flushed, and there was a mist + in her eyes as she looked up and said: + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I don’t care now what happens to me, and what has happened + doesn’t matter at all. But can we get away?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” he answered; “but I doubt it. Go and sit on the waggon-box + for a few minutes while I dress, and we will see.” + </p> + <p> + Benita went. The mist was thinning now, and through it she saw a sight at + which her heart sank, for between her and the mount Bambatse Matabele were + pouring towards their camp on the river’s edge. They were cut off. A + couple of minutes later Robert joined her, and as he came she looked at + him anxiously in the growing light. He seemed older than when they had + parted on the <i>Zanzibar</i>; changed, too, for now his face was serious, + and he had grown a beard; also, he appeared to limp. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid there is an end,” she said, pointing to the Matabele below. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it looks like it. But like you, I say, what does it matter now?” and + he took her hand in his, adding: “let us be happy while we can if only for + a few minutes. They will be here presently.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you?” she asked. “A prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s it. I was following you when they captured me; for I have been + here before and knew the way. They were going to kill me on general + principles, only it occurred to one of them who was more intelligent than + the rest that I, being a white man, might be able to show them how to + storm the place. Now I was sure that you were there, for I saw you + standing on that point, though they thought you were the Spirit of + Bambatse. So I wasn’t anxious to help them, for then—you know what + happens when the Matabele are the stormers! But—as you still lived—I + wasn’t anxious to die either. So I set them to work to dig a hole with + their assegais and sharp axes, through granite. They have completed + exactly twenty feet of it, and I reckon that there are one hundred and + forty to go. Last night they got tired of that tunnel and talked of + killing me again, unless I could show them a better plan. Now all the fat + is in the fire, and I don’t know what is to happen. Hullo! here they come. + Hide in the waggon, quick!” + </p> + <p> + Benita obeyed, and from under cover of the tent where the Matabele could + not see her, watched and listened. The party that approached consisted of + a chief and about twenty men, who marched behind him as a guard. Benita + knew that chief. He was the captain Maduna, he of the royal blood whose + life she had saved. By his side was a Natal Zulu, Robert Seymour’s driver, + who could speak English and acted as interpreter. + </p> + <p> + “White man,” said Maduna, “a message has reached us from our king. + Lobengula makes a great war and has need of us. He summons us back from + this petty fray, this fight against cowards who hide behind walls, whom + otherwise we would have killed, everyone, yes, if we sat here till we grew + old. So for this time we leave them alone.” + </p> + <p> + Robert answered politely that he was glad to hear it, and wished them a + good journey. + </p> + <p> + “Wish yourself a good journey, white man,” was the stern reply. + </p> + <p> + “Why? Do you desire that I should accompany you to Lobengula?” + </p> + <p> + “No, you go before us to the kraal of the Black One who is even greater + than the child of Moselikatse, to that king who is called Death.” + </p> + <p> + Robert crossed his arms and said: “Say on.” + </p> + <p> + “White man, I promised you life if you would show us how to pierce or + climb those walls. But you have made fools of us—you have set us to + cut through rock with spears and axes. Yes, to hoe at rock as though it + were soil—you who with the wisdom of your people could have taught + us some better way. Therefore we must go back to our king disgraced, + having failed in his service, and therefore you who have mocked us shall + die. Come down now, that we may kill you quietly, and learn whether or no + you are a brave man.” + </p> + <p> + Then it was, while her lover’s hand was moving towards the pistol hidden + beneath his coat, that Benita, with a quick movement, emerged from the + waggon in which she crouched, and stood up at his side upon the driving + box. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Ow!</i>” said the Captain. “It is the White Maiden. Now how came she + here? Surely this is great magic. Can a woman fly like a bird?” and they + stared at her amazed. + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter how I came, chief Maduna?” she answered in Zulu. “Yet + I will tell you why I came. It was to save you from dipping your spear in + the innocent blood, and bringing on your head the curse of the innocent + blood. Answer me now. Who gave you and your brother yonder your lives + within that wall when the Makalanga would have torn you limb from limb, as + hyenas tear a buck? Was it I or another?” + </p> + <p> + “Inkosi-kaas—Chieftainess,” replied the great Captain, raising his + broad spear in salute. “It was you and no other.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did you promise me then, Prince Maduna?” + </p> + <p> + “Maiden of high birth, I promised you your life and your goods, should you + ever fall into my power.” + </p> + <p> + “Does a leader of the Amandabele, one of the royal blood, lie like a + Mashona or a Makalanga slave? Does he do worse—tell half the truth + only, like a cheat who buys and keeps back half the price?” she asked + contemptuously. “Maduna, you promised me not one life, but two, two lives + and the goods that belong to both. Ask of your brother there, who was + witness of the words.” + </p> + <p> + “Great Heavens!” muttered Robert Seymour to himself, as he looked at + Benita standing with outstretched hand and flashing eyes. “Who would have + thought that a starved woman could play such a part with death on the + hazard?” + </p> + <p> + “It is as this daughter of white chiefs says,” answered the man to whom + she had appealed. “When she freed us from the fangs of those dogs, you + promised her two lives, my brother, one for yours and one for mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear him,” went on Benita. “He promised me two lives, and how did this + prince of the royal blood keep his promise? When I and the old man, my + father, rode hence in peace, he loosed his spears upon us; he hunted us. + Yet it was the hunters who fell into the trap, not the hunted.” + </p> + <p> + “Maiden,” replied Maduna, in a shamed voice, “that was your fault, not + mine. If you had appealed to me I would have let you go. But you killed my + sentry, and then the chase began, and ere I knew who you were my runners + were out of call.” + </p> + <p> + “Little time had I to ask your mercy; but so be it,” said Benita. “I + accept your word, and I forgive you that offence. Now fulfil your oath. + Begone and leave us in peace.” + </p> + <p> + Still Maduna hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “I must make report to the king,” he said. “What is this white man to you + that I should spare him? I give you your life and your father’s life, not + that of this white man who has tricked us. If he were your father, or your + brother, it would be otherwise. But he is a stranger, and belongs to me, + not to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Maduna,” she asked, “do women such as I am share the waggon of a + stranger? This man is more to me than father or brother. He is my husband, + and I claim his life.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Ow!</i>” said the spokesman of the audience, “we understand now. She + is his wife, and has a right to him. If she were not his wife she would + not be in his waggon. It is plain that she speaks the truth, though how + she came here we do not know, unless, as we think, she is a witch,” and he + smiled at his own cleverness. + </p> + <p> + “Inkosi-kaas,” said Maduna, “you have persuaded me. I give you the life of + that white fox, your husband, and I hope that he will not trick you as he + has tricked us, and set you to hoe rock instead of soil,” and he looked at + Robert wrathfully. “I give him to you and all his belongings. Now, is + there anything else that you would ask?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Benita coolly, “you have many oxen there which you took + from the other Makalanga. Mine are eaten and I need cattle to draw my + waggon. I ask a present of twenty of them, and,” she added by an + afterthought, “two cows with young calves, for my father is sick yonder, + and must have milk.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! give them to her. Give them to her,” said Maduna, with a tragic + gesture that in any other circumstances would have made Benita laugh. + “Give them to her and see that they are good ones, before she asks our + shields and spears also—for after all she saved my life.” + </p> + <p> + So men departed to fetch those cows and oxen, which presently were driven + in. + </p> + <p> + While this talk was in progress the great impi of the Matabele was massing + for the march, on the flat ground a little to the right of them. Now they + began to come past in companies, preceded by the lads who carried the mats + and cooking-pots and drove the captured sheep and cattle. By this time the + story of Benita, the witch-woman whom they could not kill, and who had + mysteriously flown from the top of the peak into their prisoner’s waggon, + had spread among them. They knew also that it was she who had saved their + general from the Makalanga, and those who had heard her admired the wit + and courage with which she had pleaded and won her cause. Therefore, as + they marched past in their companies, singing a song of abuse and defiance + of the Makalanga who peered at them from the top of the wall, they lifted + their great spears in salutation to Benita standing upon the waggon-box. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, they were a wondrous and imposing spectacle, such a one as few + white women have ever seen. + </p> + <p> + At length all were gone except Maduna and a body-guard of two hundred men. + He walked to the front of the waggon and addressed Robert Seymour. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, you fox who set us to hoe granite,” he said indignantly. “You + have outwitted us this time, but if ever I meet you again, then you die. + Now I have given you your life, but,” he added, almost pleadingly, “if you + are really brave as white men are said to be, will you not come down and + fight me man to man for honour’s sake?” + </p> + <p> + “I think not,” answered Robert, when he understood this challenge, “for + what chance should I have against so brave a warrior? Also this lady—my + wife—needs my help on her journey home.” + </p> + <p> + Maduna turned from him contemptuously to Benita. + </p> + <p> + “I go,” he said, “and fear not; you will meet no Matabele on that journey. + Have you more words for me, O Beautiful One, with a tongue of oil and a + wit that cuts like steel?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Benita. “You have dealt well with me, and in reward I give + you of my good luck. Bear this message to your king from the White Witch + of Bambatse, for I am she and no other. That he leave these Makalanga, my + servants, to dwell unharmed in their ancient home, and that he lift no + spear against the White Men, lest that evil which the Molimo foretold to + you, should fall upon him.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Maduna, “now I understand how you flew from the mountain top + into this man’s waggon. You are not a white woman, you are the ancient + Witch of Bambatse herself. You have said it, and with such it is not well + to war. Great lady of Magic, Spirit from of old, I salute you, and I thank + you for your gifts of life and fortune. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + Then he, too, stalked away at the head of his guard, so that presently, + save for the three Zulu servants and the herd of cattle, Robert and Benita + were left utterly alone. + </p> + <p> + Now, her part played and the victory won, Benita burst into tears and fell + upon her lover’s breast. + </p> + <p> + Presently she remembered, and freed herself from his arms. + </p> + <p> + “I am a selfish wretch,” she said. “How dare I be so happy when my father + is dead or dying? We must go at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Go where?” asked the bewildered Robert. + </p> + <p> + “To the top of the mountain, of course, whence I came. Oh! please don’t + stop to question me, I’ll tell you as we walk. Stay,” and she called to + the Zulu driver, who with an air of utter amazement was engaged in milking + one of the gift cows, to fill two bottles with the milk. + </p> + <p> + “Had we not better shout to the Makalanga to let us in?” suggested Robert, + while this was being done, and Benita wrapped some cooked meat in a cloth. + </p> + <p> + “No, no. They will think I am what I said I was—the Witch of + Bambatse, whose appearance heralds misfortune, and fear a trap. Besides, + we could not climb the top wall. You must follow my road, and if you can + trust them, bring two of those men with you with lanterns. The lad can + stop to herd the cattle.” + </p> + <p> + Three minutes later, followed by the two Zulus, they were walking—or + rather, running—along the banks of the Zambesi. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not come quicker?” she asked impatiently. “Oh, I beg your + pardon, you are lame. Robert, what made you lame, and oh! why are you not + dead, as they all swore you were, you, you—hero, for I know that + part of the story?” + </p> + <p> + “For a very simple reason, Benita: because I didn’t die. When that Kaffir + took the watch from me I was insensible, that’s all. The sun brought me to + life afterwards. Then some natives turned up, good people in their way, + although I could not understand a word they said. They made a stretcher of + boughs and carried me for some miles to their kraal inland. It hurt + awfully, for my thigh was broken, but I arrived at last. There a Kaffir + doctor set my leg in his own fashion; it has left it an inch shorter than + the other, but that’s better than nothing. + </p> + <p> + “In that place I lay for two solid months, for there was no white man + within a hundred miles, and if there had been I could not have + communicated with him. Afterwards I spent another month limping up towards + Natal, until I could buy a horse. The rest is very short. Hearing of my + reported death, I came as fast as I could to your father’s farm, Rooi + Krantz, where I learned from the old vrouw Sally that you had taken to + treasure-hunting, the same treasure that I told you of on the <i>Zanzibar</i>. + </p> + <p> + “So I followed your spoor, met the servants whom you had sent back, who + told me all about you, and in due course, after many adventures, as they + say in a book, walked into the camp of our friends, the Matabele. + </p> + <p> + “They were going to kill me at once, when suddenly you appeared upon that + point of rock, glittering like—like the angel of the dawn. I knew + that it must be you, for I had found out about your attempted escape, and + how you were hunted back to this place. But the Matabele all thought that + it was the Spirit of Bambatse, who has a great reputation in these parts. + Well, that took off their attention, and afterwards, as I told you, it + occurred to them that I might be an engineer. You know the rest, don’t + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Benita softly. “I know the rest.” + </p> + <p> + Then they plunged into the reeds and were obliged to stop talking, since + they must walk in single file. Presently Benita looked up and saw that she + was under the thorn which grew in the cleft of the rock. Also, with some + trouble she found the bunch of reeds that she had bent down, to mark the + inconspicuous hole through which she had crept, and by it her lantern. It + seemed weeks since she had left it there. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” she said, “light your candles, and if you see a crocodile, please + shoot.” + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + + <h2><a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"></a> + XXIV.<br/> + THE TRUE GOLD</h2> + <p> + “Let me go first,” said Robert. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Benita. “I know the way; but please do watch for that + horrible crocodile.” + </p> + <p> + Then she knelt down and crept into the hole, while after her came Robert, + and after him the two Zulus, who protested that they were not ant-bears to + burrow under ground. Lifting the lantern she searched the cave, and as she + could see no signs of the crocodile, walked on boldly to where the stair + began. + </p> + <p> + “Be quick,” she whispered to Robert, for in that place it seemed natural + to speak low. “My father is above and near his death. I am dreadfully + afraid lest we should be too late.” + </p> + <p> + So they toiled up the endless steps, a very strange procession, for the + two Zulus, bold men enough outside, were shaking with fright, till at + length Benita clambered out of the trap door on to the floor of the + treasure chamber, and turned to help Robert, whose lameness made him + somewhat slow and awkward. + </p> + <p> + “What’s all that?” he asked, pointing to the hide sacks, while they waited + for the two scared Kaffirs to join them. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” she answered indifferently, “gold, I believe. Look, there is some of + it on the floor, over Benita da Ferreira’s footsteps.” + </p> + <p> + “Gold! Why, it must be worth——! And who on earth is Benita da + Ferreira?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you afterwards. She has been dead two or three hundred years; + it was her gold, or her people’s, and those are her footprints in the + dust. How stupid you are not to understand! Never mind the hateful stuff; + come on quickly.” + </p> + <p> + So they passed the door which she had opened that morning, and clambered + up the remaining stairway. So full was Benita of terrors that she could + never remember how she climbed them. Suppose that the foot of the crucifix + had swung to; suppose that her father were dead; suppose that Jacob Meyer + had broken into the cave? Well for herself she was no longer afraid of + Jacob Meyer. Oh, they were there! The heavy door <i>had</i> begun to + close, but mercifully her bit of rock kept it ajar. + </p> + <p> + “Father! Father!” she cried, running towards the tent. + </p> + <p> + No answer came. She threw aside the flap, held down the lantern and + looked. There he lay, white and still. She was too late! + </p> + <p> + “He is dead, he is dead!” she wailed. Robert knelt down at her side, and + examined the old man, while she waited in an agony. + </p> + <p> + “He ought to be,” he said slowly; “but, Benita, I don’t think he is. I can + feel his heart stir. No, don’t stop to talk. Pour out some of that + squareface, and here, mix it with this milk.” + </p> + <p> + She obeyed, and while he held up her father’s head, with a trembling hand + emptied a little of the drink into his mouth. At first it ran out again, + then almost automatically he swallowed some, and they knew that he was + alive, and thanked Heaven. Ten minutes later Mr. Clifford was sitting up + staring at them with dull and wondering eyes, while outside the two Zulus, + whose nerves had now utterly broken down, were contemplating the pile of + skeletons in the corner and the white towering crucifix, and loudly + lamenting that they should have been brought to perish in this place of + bones and ghosts. + </p> + <p> + “Is it Jacob Meyer who makes that noise?” asked Mr. Clifford faintly. + “And, Benita, where have you been so long, and—who is this gentleman + with you? I seem to remember his face.” + </p> + <p> + “He is the white man who was in the waggon, father, an old friend come to + life again. Robert, can’t you stop the howling of those Kaffirs? Though I + am sure I don’t wonder that they howl; I should have liked to do so for + days. Oh! father, father, don’t you understand me? We are saved, yes, + snatched out of hell and the jaws of death.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Jacob Meyer dead, then?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know where he is or what has happened to him, and I don’t care, + but perhaps we had better find out. Robert, there is a madman outside. + Make the Kaffirs pull down that wall, would you? and catch him.” + </p> + <p> + “What wall? What madman?” he asked, staring at her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course you don’t know that, either. You know nothing. I’ll show + you, and you must be prepared, for probably he will shoot at us.” + </p> + <p> + “It all sounds a little risky, doesn’t it?” asked Robert doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but we must take the risk. We cannot carry my father down that + place, and unless we can get him into light and air soon, he will + certainly die. The man outside is Jacob Meyer, his partner—you + remember him. All these weeks of hardship and treasure-hunting have sent + him off his head, and he wanted to mesmerize me and——” + </p> + <p> + “And what? Make love to you?” + </p> + <p> + She nodded, then went on: + </p> + <p> + “So when he could not get his way about the mesmerism and so forth, he + threatened to murder my father, and that is why we had to hide in this + cave and build ourselves up, till at last I found the way out.” + </p> + <p> + “Amiable gentleman, Mr. Jacob Meyer, now as always,” said Robert flushing. + “To think that you should have been in the power of a scoundrel like that! + Well, I hope to come square with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t hurt him, dear, unless you are obliged. Remember he is not + responsible. He thought he saw a ghost here the other day.” + </p> + <p> + “Unless he behaves himself he is likely to see a good many soon,” muttered + Robert. + </p> + <p> + Then they went down the cave, and as silently as possible began to work at + the wall, destroying in a few minutes what had been built up with so much + labour. When it was nearly down the Zulus were told that there was an + enemy outside, and that they must help to catch him if necessary, but were + not to harm him. They assented gladly enough; indeed, to get out of that + cave they would have faced half a dozen enemies. + </p> + <p> + Now there was a hole right through the wall, and Robert bade Benita stand + to one side. Then as soon as his eyes became accustomed to the little + light that penetrated there, he drew his revolver and beckoned the Kaffirs + to follow. Down the passage they crept, slowly, lest they should be + blinded when they came to the glare of the sunshine, while Benita waited + with a beating heart. + </p> + <p> + A little time went by, she never knew how long, till suddenly a rifle shot + rang through the stillness. Benita was able to bear no more. She rushed + down the winding passage, and presently, just beyond its mouth, in a + blurred and indistinct fashion saw that the two white men were rolling + together on the ground, while the Kaffirs sprang round watching for an + opportunity to seize one of them. At that moment they succeeded, and + Robert rose, dusting his hands and knees. + </p> + <p> + “Amiable gentleman, Mr. Jacob Meyer,” he repeated. “I could have killed + him as his back was towards me, but didn’t because you asked me not. Then + I stumbled with my lame leg, and he whipped round and let drive with his + rifle. Look,” and he showed her where the bullet had cut his ear. “Luckily + I got hold of him before he could loose off another.” + </p> + <p> + Benita could find no words, her heart was too full of thankfulness. Only + she seized Robert’s hand and kissed it. Then she looked at Jacob. + </p> + <p> + He was lying upon the broad of his back, the two big Zulus holding his + arms and legs; his lips were cracked, blue and swollen; his face was + almost black, but his eyes still shone bright with insanity and hate. + </p> + <p> + “I know you,” he screamed hoarsely to Robert. “You are another ghost, the + ghost of that man who was drowned. Otherwise my bullet would have killed + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Meyer,” Seymour answered, “I am a ghost. Now, you boys, here’s a + bit of rope. Tie his hands behind his back and search him. There is a + pistol in that pocket.” + </p> + <p> + They obeyed, and presently Meyer was disarmed and bound fast to a tree. + </p> + <p> + “Water,” he moaned. “For days I have had nothing but the dew I could lick + off the leaves.” + </p> + <p> + Pitying his plight, Benita ran into the cave and returned presently with a + tin of water. One of the Kaffirs held it to his lips, and he drank + greedily. Then, leaving one Zulu to watch him, Robert, Benita, and the + other Zulu went back, and as gently as they could carried out Mr. Clifford + on his mattress, placing him in the shade of a rock, where he lay blessing + them feebly, because they had brought him into the light again. At the + sight of the old man Meyer’s rage blazed up afresh. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he screamed, “if only I had killed you long ago, she would be mine + now, not that fellow’s. It was you who stood between us.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, my friend,” broke in Robert. “I forgive you everything else, + but, mad or sane, be good enough to keep Miss Clifford’s name off your + lips, or I will hand you over to those Kaffirs to be dealt with as you + deserve.” + </p> + <p> + Then Jacob understood, and was silent. They gave him more water and food + to eat, some of the meat that they had brought with them, which he + devoured ravenously. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sensible now?” asked Robert when he had done. “Then listen to me; + I have some good news for you. That treasure you have been hunting for has + been found. We are going to give you half of it, one of the waggons and + some oxen, and clear you out of this place. Then if I set eyes on you + again before we get to a civilized country, I shoot you like a dog.” + </p> + <p> + “You lie!” said Meyer sullenly. “You want to turn me out into the + wilderness to be murdered by the Makalanga or the Matabele.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Robert. “Untie him, boys, and bring him along. I will + show him whether I lie.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are they taking me to?” asked Meyer. “Not into the cave? I won’t go + into the cave; it is haunted. If it hadn’t been for the ghost there I + would have broken down their wall long ago, and killed that old snake + before her eyes. Whenever I went near that wall I saw it watching me.” + </p> + <p> + “First time I ever heard of a ghost being useful,” remarked Robert. “Bring + him along. No, Benita, he shall see whether I am a liar.” + </p> + <p> + So the lights were lit, and the two stalwart Zulus hauled Jacob forward, + Robert and Benita following. At first he struggled violently, then, on + finding that he could not escape, went on, his teeth chattering with fear. + </p> + <p> + “It is cruel,” remonstrated Benita. + </p> + <p> + “A little cruelty will not do him any harm,” Robert answered. “He has + plenty to spare for other people. Besides, he is going to get what he has + been looking for so long.” + </p> + <p> + They led Jacob to the foot of the crucifix, where a paroxysm seemed to + seize him, then pushed him through the swinging doorway beneath, and down + the steep stairs, till once more they all stood in the treasure-chamber. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” said Robert, and, drawing his hunting-knife, he slashed one of the + hide bags, whereon instantly there flowed out a stream of beads and + nuggets. “Now, my friend, am I a liar?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + At this wondrous sight Jacob’s terror seemed to depart from him, and he + grew cunning. + </p> + <p> + “Beautiful, beautiful!” he said, “more than I thought—sacks and + sacks of gold. I shall be a king indeed. No, no, it is all a dream—like + the rest. I don’t believe it’s there. Loose my arms and let me feel it.” + </p> + <p> + “Untie him,” said Robert, at the same time drawing his pistol and covering + the man; “he can’t do us any hurt.” + </p> + <p> + The Kaffirs obeyed, and Jacob, springing at the slashed bag, plunged his + thin hands into it. + </p> + <p> + “No lie,” he screamed, “no lie,” as he dragged the stuff out and smelt at + it. “Gold, gold, gold! Hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of gold! + Let’s make a bargain, Englishman, and I won’t kill you as I meant to do. + You take the girl and give me all the gold,” and in his ecstasy he began + to pour the glittering ingots over his head and body. + </p> + <p> + “A new version of the tale of Danaë,” began Robert in a sarcastic voice, + then suddenly paused, for a change had come over Jacob’s face, a terrible + change. + </p> + <p> + It turned ashen beneath the tan, his eyes grew large and round, he put up + his hands as though to thrust something from him, his whole frame + shivered, and his hair seemed to erect itself. Slowly he retreated + backwards, and would have fallen down the unclosed trap-hole had not one + of the Kaffirs pushed him away. Back he went, still back, till he struck + the further wall and stood there, perhaps for half a minute. He lifted his + hand and pointed first to those ancient footprints, some of which still + remained in the dust of the floor, and next, as they thought, at Benita. + His lips moved fast, he seemed to be pleading, remonstrating, yet—and + this was the ghastliest part of it—from them there came no sound. + Lastly, his eyes rolled up until only the whites of them were visible, his + face became wet as though water had been poured over it, and, still + without a sound, he fell forward and moved no more. + </p> + <p> + So terrible was the scene that with a howl of fear the two Kaffirs turned + and fled up the stairway. Robert sprang to the Jew, dragged him over on to + his back, put his hand upon his breast and lifted his eyelids. + </p> + <p> + “Dead,” he said. “Stone dead. Privation, brain excitement, heart failure—that’s + the story.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” answered Benita faintly; “but really I think that I begin to + believe in ghosts also. Look, I never noticed them before, and I didn’t + walk there, but those footsteps seem to lead right up to him.” Then she + turned too and fled. + </p> + <p> + Another week had gone by. The waggons were laden with a burden more + precious perhaps than waggons have often borne before. In one of them, on + a veritable bed of gold, slept Mr. Clifford, still very weak and ill, but + somewhat better than he had been, and with a good prospect of recovery, at + any rate for a while. They were to trek a little after dawn, and already + Robert and Benita were up and waiting. She touched his arm and said to + him: + </p> + <p> + “Come with me. I have a fancy to see that place once more, for the last + time.” + </p> + <p> + So they climbed the hill and the steep steps in the topmost wall that + Meyer had blocked—re-opened now—and reaching the mouth of the + cave, lit the lamps which they had brought with them, and entered. There + were the fragments of the barricade that Benita had built with desperate + hands, there was the altar of sacrifice standing cold and grey as it had + stood for perhaps three thousand years. There was the tomb of the old monk + who had a companion now, for in it Jacob Meyer lay with him, his bones + covered by the <i>débris</i> that he himself had dug out in his mad search + for wealth; and there the white Christ hung awful on His cross. Only the + skeletons of the Portuguese were gone, for with the help of his Kaffirs + Robert had moved them every one into the empty treasure-chamber, closing + the trap beneath, and building up the door above, so that there they might + lie in peace at last. + </p> + <p> + In this melancholy place they tarried but a little while, then, turning + their backs upon it for ever, went out and climbed the granite cone to + watch the sun rise over the broad Zambesi. Up it came in glory, that same + sun which had shone upon the despairing Benita da Ferreira, and upon the + English Benita when she had stood there in utter hopelessness, and seen + the white man captured by the Matabele. + </p> + <p> + Now, different was their state indeed, and there in that high place, + whence perhaps many a wretched creature had been cast to death, whence + certainly the Portuguese maiden had sought her death, these two happy + beings were not ashamed to give thanks to Heaven for the joy which it had + vouchsafed to them, and for their hopes of life full and long to be + travelled hand in hand. Behind them was the terror of the cave, beneath + them were the mists of the valley, but above them the light shone and + rolled and sparkled, and above them stretched the eternal sky! + </p> + <p> + They descended the pillar, and near the foot of it saw an old man sitting. + It was Mambo, the Molimo of the Makalanga: even when they were still far + away from him they knew his snow-white head and thin, ascetic face. As + they drew near Benita perceived that his eyes were closed, and whispered + to Robert that he was asleep. Yet he had heard them coming, and even + guessed her thought. + </p> + <p> + “Maiden,” he said in his gentle voice, “maiden who soon shall be a wife, I + do not sleep, although I dream of you as I have dreamt before. What did I + say to you that day when first we met? That for you I had good tidings; + that though death was all about you, you need not fear; that in this place + you who had known great sorrow should find happiness and rest. Yet, + maiden, you would not believe the words of the Munwali, spoken by his + prophet’s lips, as he at your side, who shall be your husband, would not + believe me in years past when I told him that we should meet again.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” she answered, “I thought your rest was that which we find only + in the grave.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not believe,” he went on without heeding her, “and therefore + you tried to fly, and therefore your heart was torn with terror and with + agony, when it should have waited for the end in confidence and peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, my trial was very sore.” + </p> + <p> + “Maiden, I know it, and because it was so sore that patient Spirit of + Bambatse bore with you, and through it all guided your feet aright. Yes, + with you has that Spirit gone, by day, by night, in the morning and in the + evening. Who was it that smote the man who lies dead yonder with horror + and with madness when he would have bent your will to his and made you a + wife to him? Who was it that told you the secret of the treasure-pit, and + what footsteps went before you down its stair? Who was it that led you + past the sentries of the Amandabele and gave you wit and power to snatch + your lord’s life from Maduna’s bloody hand? Yes, with you it has gone and + with you it will go. No more shall the White Witch stand upon the pillar + point at the rising of the sun, or in the shining of the moon.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, I have never understood you, and I do not understand you now,” + said Benita. “What has this spirit to do with me?” + </p> + <p> + He smiled a little, then answered slowly: + </p> + <p> + “That I may not tell you; that you shall learn one day, but never here. + When you also have entered into silence, then you shall learn. But I say + to you that this shall not be till your hair is as white as mine, and your + years are as many. Ah! you thought that I had deserted you, when fearing + for your father’s life you wept and prayed in the darkness of the cave. + Yet it was not so, for I did but suffer the doom which I had read to + fulfil itself as it must do.” + </p> + <p> + He rose to his feet and, resting on his staff, laid one withered hand upon + the head of Benita. + </p> + <p> + “Maiden,” he said, “we meet no more beneath the sun. Yet because you have + brought deliverance to my people, because you are sweet and pure and true, + take with you the blessing of Munwali, spoken by the mouth of his servant + Mambo, the old Molimo of Bambatse. Though from time to time you must know + tears and walk in the shade of sorrows, long and happy shall be your days + with him whom you have chosen. Children shall spring up about you, and + children’s children, and with them also shall the blessing go. The gold + you white folk love is yours, and it shall multiply and give food to the + hungry and raiment to those that are a-cold. Yet in your own heart lies a + richer store that cannot melt away, the countless treasure of mercy and of + love. When you sleep and when you wake Love shall take you by the hand, + till at length he leads you through life’s dark cave to that eternal house + of purest gold which soon or late those that seek it shall inherit,” and + with his staff he pointed to the glowing morning sky wherein one by one + little rosy clouds floated upwards and were lost. + </p> + <p> + To Robert and to Benita’s misty eyes they looked like bright-winged angels + throwing wide the black doors of night, and heralding that conquering + glory at whose advent despair and darkness flee away. + </p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BENITA ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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