Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1889 — KING SOLOMON’S MINES. [ARTICLE]

KING SOLOMON’S MINES.

BY H. RIDER HAGGARD.

CHAPTER IX—Continvbd. TWAbA TBBKIOO. We stood and watched the jovely gjghtfwhikt the stare grew pale before chastened majesty, and. felt our lifted up in the presence of a beauty we could not realise, much lesg describe. Mine has been a rough life, but there are a f w things I am thankful to hare lived for, and one of them is to have seen that moon ri<e over Kukuanaland. Presently our meditations were broken in upon by our poli'e friend Infadoos. f •‘lf my lords are ready we will journev on to Leo, where a hut is made ready for my lords to-night. The moon is now aright, so that we shall not fall on the way.” We assented, and in an hour’s time were at the outskirts of the' town, of which the extent, mapped out as it was by tWtiusuids of camp fires, appeared absolutely endless. Indeed, Good, who was alwavs fond of a bad joke, christened it “Unlimited Loo.” Presently we came to a moat with a draw-bridge, where we were met by the rat tle of arms and the hoarse challenge of a sentry. Infadoos gave some password that I could not catch, which was met with a salute, and we passed on through the street of the great grass city. After nearlv an hour’s tramp, past endks< lines of huts, Infadoos.at last halted at the gate of a little group of huts which surround'd a small court-yard of powdered limestone, and informed us that then** were to be our ‘ poor” quarters. ' We entered, and found hat a hut had been assigned to each of us. Tnese huts were superior to any which we had seen, and in erci was a .most comfortable bed made of tanned skins soread upon mattrers-s of aromatic grass.' Food t»o was ready for us, and as soon as we had washed ourselves with water, which stood ready in earthenware jars, some young women of handsome appearance brought us roasted meat and mealie ctbs daintily served on wooden platters, and presented it to us with deep obeisances. We eat and drank, and then the beds having by our request been all moved into one hut, a precaution at which the amiable young ladies smiled, we flung ourselves down to s’eep, thoroughly wearied out with our long journey. When we woke, it was to find that the sun was high in the Jieavens. and that tne female attendants, who did not seem to be troubled by any false shame, L were already standing inside the hut, having been ordered to attend and help us to ‘‘make ready.” “Make ready, indeed,” growled Good, “when one ha§”only a flinnel shirt and a pair of boots, that does not take long. I wish you would ask them for my trousers.” I asked accordingly, but was informed that these sacred relics bad already been taken to the king, who would see us in the forenoon.

Having, somewhat to their astonishment and .disappointment, requested the young ladies to step outaids, We proceeded to make the beet toilet that the circumstances admitted oL Good even went to the length of again shaving the right side of his face; the left, on which now appeared a very fair crop of whiskers, we impressed upon him he must on no account touch. As for ourselves, we were contented with a good wash and combing our hair. ” Sir Henry’s yellow locks were now almost down to his shoulders, and he looked more like an ancient Dane than ever, while my grizzled scrub was fully an inch long,, instead of half an inch, which in a general way I considered my maximum length. By the time that we had ea(yn our breakfasts and smoked a pipe, a message was brought to us by no less a personage than Infadoos himself that Tw da, the king, was ready to see ns, if we would be pleased to come. We remarked in reply that we should S refer to wdt till the sun was a little igher, we were yet weary from our iourney, etc, etc. It was always well, when dealing with uncivilized people, not to be in too great a hurry. They are apt to mistake politeness for awe or ser’vlitv. So, although we were 1 quite as anxious to see twala as Twala could be ■oueo us. we sat down and waited for an their, employing the interval in preparing such as our slender stock of _oods permitted—namely, the Winrifle which had been used by po 3 Ventvogel, and some be ids. The rifle and ammunition we determined to present to his Royal Highness, and the beads were for his wives and courtiers. We had already given a tew to Infadoos and Scragga. and found that they were delighted with them, never having seen r anything like them before, At length we declared that we were ready, and guided by Infadoos, started off to the levee. Umbopa carrying the.rifle and beads.

After walking a few hundred yards, we came to an inclosure, something like that which surrounded the huts that had been slotted to ns, only fifty times as*hig. It could not have’been nor seven acres in extent, e outside fence was a row of were the habitations of the b. Exactly opposite the n the further side of the was a very large hut, which self, in which his majesty resided. All the rest was open ground; that is to say, it would have been open pad it not been filled by comyany after company of warriors, who were mustered there to the number of seven or eight thousand. These men - stood as still statues as we advanced through them, And it would be impossible to give an idea of the grandeur of the spectacle which they presented in their waving plumes, their glancing spears, and ironbacked ox-hide shields. The space in front of the large hut was empty, but betore it were placed” several stools, ©n the three of these, at a sign from Infadoos, we seated ourselves, Um bo pa standing be,'hind us. As for Infadoos, he took up a position by the door of the hut. So we waited for ten minutes or more in the midst of a dead silence, but conscious that we were the object of the concentrated gaxe of some eight thousand pairs of eyes. It was a somewhat trying ordeal, but we carried it oft as best we could. At lengfi the door of the hut opened, and a gigantic figure, with a splendid tigerakin karros flung over its shoulders, stepped out, followed by the boy Scragga. and what appeared to ns to be a Withered up monkey, wrapped in a fur cloak.

The figure seated itself upon a stool, bcngga took his stand behind it, ana the withered-up monkey crept on ail fours into the shade of the hut and squatted down. 1 Bill there silence. Then the gigantic figure slipped , pfl the karroos and stood up before us a trqly alarming spectacle- It was that of an enormous man with the most entirely repulsive countenance »e had ever beheld. The Ups were as thick as a Negro’s, the nose was fiat, it had but one gleaming black eye (for the other was represented by a hallow in ihe face), and its whole expression was cruel and sensual to a degree. From the large head rose a magnificent plume of white ostrich.deathers, the body was clad in a shirt of shining chain armor, jrhilalxound the waist und right knee was the usual garnish of white ox tails. In the right hand was a huge spear. Round the neck was a thick torgue of gold, and hound on to the forhead was a single and enormous uncut diamond. Still there was silence, but-not for king. Presently the figure, whom we rightly guessed to be tlie king, r-dsed the great spear in its hand. Instantly eight tbousa d spears were raised in answer, and from eight thousand throats rang but the royal salute of “Koorn.” Three times this was repeated, and ea:h time the earth shook with the noise/ that can only be compared to the deepest notes of thunder.

“Be humble, oh, people,” piped out a thin voice which seemed to come from the monkey in the shade, “it is the king." V “It is the king,” boomed out eight thousand throats in answew, “Be humble, oh. people, it is the king.” Then there was silence aga n—dead silence. Presently, however, it was broken. A soldier on our left dropped bis shield, which fell with a clatter on the lime-stone floor. Twala turned his one cold eye in the direction of the noise. “Come hither, thou,” he said, in a voice of thunder. ' A A.fine young manfstepped out of the ranks, and stood before him. “It was thy shield that fell, thou awkward dog. Wilt thou make me a reproach in the eyes of strangers from the stars? What hast thou to say? And then we saw the poor fellow turn pale under his dusky skin. • ■“lt was by chance, oh, calf of the black cow,” he murmured. “Then it is a chance for which thou must pay. Thou has made me foolish; prepare for death.” “I am the king’s ox,” was the low answer. ’ * .

“Scragga,” roared the king, “let me see how thou caust use thy spear. Kill me this awkward dog.” Scragga stepped forward with an illfavored grin, and lifted his spear. The poor victim co ered his eyes with his hand and stood still. As for us, we were petntb’d with horror. “Once, twice,” he waved the spear and then struck, oh, God! right home — ihe spear stood out a foot behind the soldier’s bacx. He flung up his hands and dropped dead. From the multitude around rose something like a murmur, it rolled' round and round, and died away. The tragedy was finished; there lay the corpse, and we had not yet rea’ized that it had been enacted. Sir Henry sprung up and swore a great rath, then, overpowered by the sense of silence, sat down again. “The thrust was a good one,” said the king; “take him away.” . Four men stepped out of ranks, and lifting the body of the murdered man carried it away. “Cover up the blood-stains, cover them up,” piped out the thin voice from the moukey-iike figure, “the king’s word is spoken, the\king’s doom js done.” Thereupon a “girl came forward from behind the hut, bearing a jar filled with powdered lime, which she scattered over the red mark, blotting it from sight. Sir Henry meanwhile was foiling with rage at’ what had happened; indeed it was with difficulty that we could keep him still. “Sit down, for Heaven’s sake.” I whispered; “our lives depend on it.” He yielded and remained quiet. Twalasat still until the traces of the tragedy had been removed, then addressed us.

“White people,” he said, “who comb hither, whence J know not, why I know not, greeting.” “Greeting Twala, King of the Kukuanas,” I answered. “White people, whence come ye and what seek ye?” “We come from the stars, ask us not how. We come to see this land.” “Ye come from far to see a little thing. And that man with ye,” pointing to Umbopa, “does he come from the stare?” “Even so; there are people of thy color in the heavens above; hut ask not of matters too high for thee, Twala, the king.” “fe speak with a loud voice, people of£he stars.” Twala answered, in a tone which I scarcely liked. “Remember that the stars are far off. and ye are here. How if I make ye as him whom they bear away. I laughed out loud, though there was little laughter in my heart. “Oh, king,” I said, “be careful, walk wearily over hot stones, Ist thou shouldst burn thy feet; hgid thy spear by the handle, jest thou shouldst cut thy hands. Touch but one hair of our heads, and destruction shall come upon thee, what, have not these,” pointing to Infadoes and Scragga (who, young villain that he was, was employed in cleaning the blood of the soldier off his spear, )“told thee what manner of men we are? Hast thou ever seen the likes of us?” and I pointed to Good, feeling quite sure that he had never seen anybody before who looked hrthe least like him as he then appeared. ‘ “It is true, I have not,” Baid the king- “ Have they told thee how we strike with death from afar?” I went on. “They have told me, but I believe them not. Let me see you kill. Kill me a man among those who stand yonder”—and he pointed to the opposite side of the kraal—“and I will believe? “Nay,” I* answered; '"we shed no blood of man except in just punishment; but if thou wilt see, bid thyt servants drive in »n ox through the kraal gates, and before he has run twenty paces I Wil! strike him dead.” “Nay,” laughed the king, “kill me a man, and I will believe.” ; “Good, oh, king, so be it,”! answered, ' coolly, “do thou walk across the open I space, and before thy feet reach the gate | thou shalt be dead; or, if thou wilt not, send thy son Scragga” ( whom kt, that ; moment it would have given me> much • pleasure to shoot). ' ‘ :

On hearing this suggestion Scragga gave a sort di howl, ana bolted into the' hut. JTwala frowned majestically; the suggestion did not please him.' ■* "Let a young ox'be driven in,”he said. Two men at once departed, tunning swiftly.'' “Jfow, Sir Henry,” said I, “do you boot. 1 want to show this uffian/ that lam not the only magician of the party.” . - ; /'» •..-1. Sir Henry accordingly took the “express,” and made ready. f'T hope I shall make a good shot,” he groaned. • ; \ '“You must,” I answered. “If you miss with the first barrel let him have the second. Sight for 15 > yards, and wait till the beast turns broadside on. I Then came a pause, till presently we caught sight of an qx running straight for the kraal gale. It came on through the gate, and teen, catching signt of the vast concourse of people stopped stupidly, turned-round, and bellowed. “Now’s your time,” I wnispered. Up went the rifle. Bang! thud! and the ox was kicking on h ; s back, shot in tbe ribs. ' The semihollow bullet had done its work well, and a sigh of astonishment went up from the assembled thousands. I turned coolly round— ■ “Have I lied, oh, king?” - “Nay, white man, it is a truth,” was the somewhat awed answer. “Listen, Twala, I went on. “Thou hast seen. Now know ye we come in peace, not in war. See here (and I held up tbe Winchester repealer), here is a hollow staff that shall enable y u to kill even as wa kill, only this charm 1 lay upon it: thou shall kill no man with it. If thou Lftest it against a man it hall kill thee. Stay, I will show thee. Bid a man step forty paces and place the shaft of a spear in the ground so that the flat blade looks toward us.”

In a few seconds it was done. • “Now, see, I will break the spear.” Taking a careful sight, I fired. The bullet struck the flit bf the spear, and broke the blade in fragments. Again the sigh of astonishment went up. “Now, Twala,” (handing him the rifle) “this magic tube we give to thee, and by and by I will show th' e how to use it, but beware how thou usest the magic of the stars against a man of earth,” and I handed him the rifle. He took it very gingerly, and laid, it down at his feet. As he did so I observed the wizened, monkey-like figure creeping up from the shadow of the “hut. It crept on all foui e, but when it reached the place where the king sat, it rose Upon its fe<>t, and throwing the furry covering off its face, revealed a most extraordinary and weird countenance. It was (apparently) that of a woman of great age, soshrunken that in size it was no larger than that of a year-old child, and was made up of a collection of deep yellow wrinkles. Set in the wrinkles was a supken slit, that represented the mouth, beneath which the chin curyed outward to a point, There was no nose to speak of; indeed, the whole countenance might have been taken for that of asundried corpse had it not been fora pair of large black eyes, still full of fire and intelligence, which gleamed and played under the enow white eye brows and the projecting parchment-colored skull, like jewels in a charnel-house. As for the skull itself, it was perfectly bare, and yellow in hue. The figure to whom this fearful coun - tenance, which caused a shiver of fear to pass through us as we gazed on it, be~ Idnged.stood still for a moment,and then suddenly-projected a skinny claw arm ed with naiia nearly an inchldhg, and laid it on the shoulder of Twala,the king, and began to speak in a thin, piercing voice.

“Listen, O king! Listen, O people! Listen, O mountains and plains and rivers, home of the Kukuana race! Listen, O skies and sun, 0 rain and storm and mist! Listen, all things that live and must die! Listen, all dead things that must live to die again! Listen, the spirit of life is in me, and I prophesy. I prophesy! I prophesy!” The words died away in a faint wail, and terrqr seemed to seize upon the hearts of all who heard them, including ourselves. The old woman was very terrible. “Blood! blood! blood! riverff of blood; blood everywhere. I see it, I smell it, I taste it it is salt; it runs red upon the ground, it rains down from the skies. “Footsteps! footsteps! footsteps! the tread of the white man coming from afar. It shakes the earth; the earth trembles before her master.

“Blood is good, the red blood is bright; there is no smell like the smell cf newshed blood. The lions shall lap it and roar, the vultures shall wash their wings in it,, and shriek in joy. “I am pld! I am old! I have seen much blood, ha, ha! but I shall see more ere 1 die. and be merry. How eld am I. think ye? Your fathers knew me, and their fathers knew me, and their fathers’ fathers. I have seen the white man, and know bis desires. I am old, but the mountains are older than I. Who made the great road, tell me? Who wrote in pictures on the ro;:ks, tell me? Who reared no the three silent ones vnder. who gaze across the pit, tell me?” (And she pointed toward.the three precipitous mountains we had noticed on the previous night.) “Ye know not, but I know. It was a white people who were before ye are. who shall be when ye are not, who shall eat ye up, and destroy ye. Yea! yea! yea! “And what came they for, the white ones, the terrible ones, the skilled in magic and all iea-hing, the strong, the unswerving? What is that bright stone upon thy forehead, O king"? Whose hands made iron garments upon thy breast. O king? Ye know not,but I know, I the oid one. I the wise one, I the Isanusi!” (witch doetress). Then she turned her bald vulturehead toward us. “What seek ye, white men of the stars—ah, yes. of the stars? Do ye seek a lost one? Ye shall not find him here. He is not here. Never for ag«s upon ages has a white foot, pressed this land; never but once, and he left it but to die. Ye come for bright stones; ye shall find them when the blood is dry; but shall ye return whence ye <*ame, or shall ye stop with me? Ha! ha! ha! “And thou; thou *itu the dark skin and the,proud bearing” (pointing her skinny finger at Umbopa), “who art thou, and what seekest thou? Not stones that shine, not yellow metal that gleams; teat thou leayeet to ‘white [ men from the stars.’ Methinks I know thee; methinks I can smell the smell of the blood in thy veins. Strip off the girdle—” \

Here the features of this extraordinary creature became convulsed, and she fell to tbe gmund foaming in an epileptic fit. and was earned off into the hut, , The king rose up trembling, and waved his hand. Instantly the regunente began to file off, and in ten minutes, save for ourselves, the king, and a few attendants, the great space was left clear. “White penpie,” he said, “it passes in my mind to kill ye. i-agool has spoken strange words. Whatsavye?” I laughed. “Be careful.o ting, we are not easy to slay. Thou na-t seen the fate of the ox; wouldsttbou be as the ox?” The king frowned, “It is not well <o threaten a king.” * / “We threaten not, we" speak what is true. Try to kill us, O king! and learn.”. The great man put his hand to hia forehead. “Go in peace.” he said,at length. “Tonight is the preat dance. Ye shall see iti Fear not that I shall set a snare for ye. To-mOrrow I shall think.” “It is well, O king,". I answered; unconcernedly, and then, accompanied by Infadoos, we rose, and went baok to Our kraal. Continued next week. ,