Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1889 — KING SOLOMON’S MINES. [ARTICLE]

KING SOLOMON’S MINES.

BY H. RIDER H AGO ARD.

CHAPTER X.—Continued. r Almost before the words were uttered, the horrible deed was done. One man had driven his spear into the victim’s heart, and to make aitnrance dpubly sure, the other had dashed op t his Whins with a great clnb. ‘•One,” counted Twala the king; just like a black Madame Deforge, as Good said, and the body was dragged a few paces away and stretched out Hardly was this done before another poor wretch was brought up, like an ox to die slaughter. This time we could seo, from the leopard skin cloak, that the man was a person of rank. Again the awful syllables were spoken, and the victim fel|dead. “Two,”’ counted the king And so the deadly game went on, till some hundred bodies were stretched in rows behind us- I have heard of the gladiatorial shows of the Cicsars, aud of the Spanish bull fights, but I take the liberty of doubting if they were either of them half as horrible as this Kukuana witch hunt. Gladiatorial shows and Spanish bull fights, at any rate, contributed to the public amusement, which certainly was not the case here. The most confirmed sensation monger would fight shy of sensation if he kne w that it was well on the cards that he would, in his own proper person, be the subject of the next “event.” > . Once we rose and tried to remonstrate but we were sternly repressed by Twala. “Let the law . take its. course, white men. These dogs are magicians and evil-doers; it, is well that they should die,” was the only answer vouchsafed to us. * About midnigut there was a pause. The witch-finders gathered themselves together, apparently exhausted with their bloody work, and we thought that the whole performance yas done with. Bat it was not so, for presently, to our surprise, the old woman, Gagool, rose from her crouching position, and supporting herself with a stick, staggered off into the open space. It was an- extraordinary sight to see this frightful vulture-headed old creaiure, bent nearly double with extreme age, gather strength by degrees till at lastshe rushed about almost as actively as her illomened pupils To and fro she ran, chanting to herself, till suddenly she made a dash at a tall man standing in front of one of the regiments, and touched him. As she did so, a sort of groan went up from the regiment, which he evidently commanded. But all the same, two of its members seized him and brought him up for execution. We afterward learned that he was a man of great wealth and importance, being, indeed, a cousin of the king's. He was slain, and the king counted one hundred and’ three’. Then Gagool again sprang to and fro. gradually drawing nearer and nearer to ourselves. “Hang me, if I don’t believe she is going to try her games on us,” ejaculated Good, in horror. “Nonsense!” said Sir Henry. * As for myself, as I saw that old fiend dancing nearer and nearer, my heart positively sunk into my boots. I glanced behind us at the long rows of corpses, and shivered. Nearer and nearer waltzed Gagool, looking for all the world like an animated crooked stick, her horrid eyes gleaming aud glowing with a most unholy luster. / Nearer she came, aud nearer yet.every pair of. eyes in that vast assemblage watching her movements with intense anxiety. At last she stood still and pointed. ' * “Which is it to be?” asked Sir Henry to himself. * • “ \ In a moment all doubts were rest, for the old woman had rushed in and touched Umbopa, alias Ignosi, on the shoulder. “Israeli him out,” she shrieked. “Kill him, kill him, he is full-of evil; kill him, the stranger, before blood flaws for him. Slay him, Oh, king!” There was a pause, which I instantly took advantage of. “Oh, king!” I called out. rising from my seat, “this man is the servant of thy guests; he is their dog; whosoever sheds the blood of our dog sheds our blood. By the sacred law of hospitality I claim protection for him.” “Gagool, mother of the witch doctors, has smelled him out; he must die, white men.” was the sullen answer. “Nay, he shall not die.” I replied; “he who tries to touch him shall die indeed." “Seize him!” roared Twala to the executioners, who stood around red to the eyes with the blood of their victims. They advanced toward us, and’ then hesitated. As for Ignosi, he raised his spear,and raised it as though determined to sell his life dearly.’' 7 “Stand back, ye dogs,” I shouted, “if ye would see to morrow’s light Touch one hair of his head and your king dies:” and I covered Twala wiih my revolver. ‘ir Henry and Good their pistols, Sir Henry pointmg Sis at the leading executioner, who was advancing to cam’ but the sentence, and Good taking a deliberate aim & Gagool Twala winced perceptibly, as myJbarrel came in a line with his broad cheat. “Weil,l said.“what is it to be, Twlla?” Then he-spoke. “Put up your magic tubes,” he said, “ye have adjured me in the name of hos{litality, and for that reason.but not from ear of what ye can do, I spare him. Go in peace,” “It is well,” I answered, unconcernedly; “we are weary of slaughter and would sleep. Is the dance ended?” “It is ended,” Twala answered,sulkily. “Letthese dogs,” pointing to the long rows of corpses, “be flung outto the hyenas and the vultures,” as he (lifted his spear. / Instantly the regiments began in perfect silence to defile.off through the kraal gateway, a fatigue party only remaining behind to drag away the corpses of those who had been sacrificed. Then we, too, arose, and making our salaam to his majesty, which he hXrdly deigned to acknowledge, departed to our kraal “Weil” said Bir Henry, as we sat down, having first lit a lamp o«- the sort used by the • Kukuanas, of which the wick is made of the fiber of a species of y galm leaf, and the oil of dinned-hip-popotamus fat, “virpll, I feel uncommonly inclined to be sick.” “If 1 had any doubts about helping Umbopa to rebel against that infernal blackguard,” put in Good, “they are

gone now. It was as much as I could* do to sit still while that slaughter was going on. I trifid to keep iny eyes shut,' but they would open just at the wrong time. I wonder where Infadoos is. 1 Umbopa, my trierid, you ought to be hateful to us, your skin came near to gaving an air-hole made in it.” •I am grateful, Bougwan,” was Umbopa’s answer, when I had translated, “and I shall not forget. As for Ipfadoos. he will be here by and by. We must wait.” ' . So we lit our pipes and waited. OHAPTERXI. For a long while—two hours, I should think-we sat there in silence, for we were too overwhelmed by the recollection of the horro rs we had seen to talk; At fast, just as we were thinking of turning in—for already there were faint streaks of light in the eastern sky—we heard, trie sounds of steps. Then came the challenge of the sentry, who was posted at the kraal gate, which was apparently answered, though not in an audible tone, for the steps came on; and in another second Infadoos had entered the hut, followed by some half dozen statelylooking chiefs. “My lords,” he said, “Ihave come according to my word. My lords and Ignosi, rightful King of the Kukuanas, I have brought with me these men,” pointing to the row of chiefs, “who are great men among us, having each one of them the command of three thousand soldiers, who live but to do their bidding, under the king’s. I have told them ot what I have seen, and what my ears have heard. Now, let them also see snake around thee, and hear thy story, Ignosi, that they may say whether or no they will make cause with thee against Twala the king.”

For answer Ignosi again stripped off his girtlie and exhibited the snake tatooed around him. Each chief in turn drew near and examined it by the dim light of the lamp, and without saying a word passed on to the other side. Then Ignosi resumed his mpocha, and addressing them, repeated the history he had detailed in the morning. “Now ye have heard, chiefs,” said Infadoos, when he had done, “whatsav ye; will ye stand bv this man and help him to his father’s thone, or will ye not? The land cries out against Twala, and the blood of the people flows like the waters in spring. Ye nave seep to; night. Two other chiefs there Were with whom I had it in my mind to speak, and where are they- now? The hyenas howl over their corpses. Soon will ye be as they are if ye strike not. Choose then my brothers.” The eldest of the six men, a short, thick-set warrior with white hair, stepped forward and answered—- “ Thy words are true, Infadoos, the land cries out. -My own brother is among those who died to-night; but this is a great matter and the thing is hard to believe. How know we that if we lift our spears it may not be for an imposter? It is a great matter, I say, and none may see the end of. it. For of this be sure, blood will flow in rivers before the deed is done; many will still cleave to the king, for mfiri' worship the sun that still shines bright in the heavens, and not that which has not yet risen. Thpse white men from the stars, their magic is great, and Ignosi is under the cover of their wing. If he be indeed the rightful king letthein give us a sign, and let the people have a sign, that all may see. So shall men cleave to us, knowing that the white man’s magic is with them.” ~ “Ye have the sign of the snake,” I answered. “My lord, it is not enough. The snake may have been placed there since the man’s birth. Show us a sign.” We will not move without a sign.” —— The/dthers gave a decided assent, and I turned in perplexity to Sir Henry and Good, and explained the situation. “I think I have it,” said Good, exultingly; “ask them to give us a moment to think.” I did so, and the chiefs withdrew. As s'oon.as they were gone Good went to the little box in which his medicines were, unlocked it, and took out a notebook, ip the front of which was an almanac/ “Now, look here, you fellows, isn’t to-morrow the fourth of June?” We/had kept a careful note of the days/80 we were able to answer that it .was. x good; then here we have it —’4 June, total eclipse of the sun commences at 11.15 Greenwich time, visible in these islands—Africa etc.’ There’s a sign for you. Tell them that you will darken the sun ! to-morrow.” The idea was a splendid one; indeed, the only fear about it was a fear le,lt Good's almanac might be incorrect Is we made a false prophecy on such a subject our prestige would be gone forever, aud so would Ignosi’s chance of the throne of th 9 Kukuanas. “Suppose the almanac is wrong” suggested Sir Henry to Good, who was busily engaged in working out something on the fiy leaf of the book. I don’t see any reason to suppose anything of the sort,” was his answer. Eclipses always come up to time; at least, that is my experience with them, and it especially states that it will be Visible in Africa. I have worked on the reckonings as well as I can, without knowing our exact position: and I make out that theeclipse should begin here about one o’clock to-morrow, and last till half past two. For half an hour or more there should be total darkness,” “Well,” said Sir Henry, “I suppose we had better risk it” , I aequized, though doubtfully, for eclipses are queer cattle to deal with, and sent Umbopa to summon the chiefs back. Presently they caine, and I addressed them thus. “Great men of the Kukuanas, and thou, Infadoos, -listen. We are not fond of showing our powers, since to do so is to interfere with the course of nature, and plunge the world into fear and’ confusion; but as this matter is a great one and as we are , angered against the king because of the slaughter we have seen, and because of the act of the Isanusi Gagool, who would have put our friend death, we have, d*-term ned to do sO, and to give such a sign as aft men can see. pome hither,” and I led them to dotfr the pf the hut and pointe d to the fiery ball of the rising son; ‘whatsee ye there?” “We see the rising sun/’ answered the spokesman of the party. “It is so. Now tell me, can any mortal man put out that sun, so that night comes down on the land at midday?” Tie chief laughed a little. “No, my lord, that no man can do. The sun is stronger than man who looks on him.”

“Ye say so. Yet I tell you that this day, one hour after midday, will we put out that sun tor the space of an hour, and darkness shall cover the earth, and it shall be for a sign that We fire indeed men of honor, and that 1 gnoei is indeed king of the Kukuanas. If We do this thing will it satisfy ye?” ‘‘Yea, my lords,” answered the old chief with a smile, which was reflected on the faces of his companions; “if ye do this thing we will be satisfied indeed.” “It shall be done; we three, Incubu the Elephant, Bougwan the clear-eye, and Macumazahn/who watches in the night, have said it and it shall be dope. Dost thou hear, Infadoos.” ' “I hear, my lord, but it is a wonder ful thing that ye promise, to put out the sun, the father of all things, who shines’ forever.” ‘

“Yet shall we do it” ‘‘lt is well, my lords. To-day, a little after midday, will Twala send for my lords to witness the girls dance, and one hour after the dance begins shall the ‘girl whom Twala thinks the fairest be killed bv Scragga, the king’s son, as a sacrafice to the silent stone ones, who sit and keep watch by the mountains yonder,” and he pointed to the three strange-looking peaks where Solomon’s Road was supposed to end. Then let my lords darken the sun, and save the maiden’s life, and the people will .indeed believe. “Ay,” said the old chief, still smiling a little, “the people will indeed believe.” “Two miles from Loo,” went on Infadoos, “there is a hill curved like the new moon, a stronghold, where my regiment and three other regiments ' which these men command,are stationed. This morning we will make a plan whereby other regiments, two or three may be moved there also. Then if my .lords canindeed darken the sun in the darknesss I will take mylords bythehand and lead them out of Loo to this place, where they shall be safe, and thence can we make war upon Twala the king.” “It is good,’’said I. “Now leave us to sleep awhile and make ready our magic.” Infadoos rose, and, having saluted us, departed with the chiefs. “My friends,” said Ignosi, as soon as they were gone, “can ye indeed do this wonderful thing, or were ye speaking empty words to the men?” “We believe that we can do it, Umbopa—lgnosi, I mean.” “It he answered, “and had ve npt been Englishmen I would not have believed it; but English ‘gentlemen’ tell no lies. If we live through the matter, be sure I will repay ye!” “Ignosi,” said Sir Henry, “promise me one thing.” k “I will promise, Incubu, my friend r even before I hear it,” answered the big man, with a smile. “ What is it?” “This; that if you ever come to be king of this people you will do away with the smelling out of witches such as we have seen last night; and that the killing of men without trial shall not take place in the land.” Ignosi thought for a moment, after I had translated this, and then answered — “The ways of black people are not as the ways of white men, Incubu, nor do we hold life so dear as ye. Yet will I promise it. If it be in my power to hold them back, the witch-finders shall hunt no more, nor shall any man pay the death without judgment.” “That’s a bargain, then,” said Sir Henry; “axd|now let us get a little rest.” Thoroughly wearied out, we were soon sound asleep, and slept till Ignosi woke us about eleven o’clock, Then we got up, washed, and eat a hearty breakfast, not knowing when we should get any more food. After that we went outside tbe but and stared at the sun, Which we were distressed to observe presented a remarkably healthy appearance, without a sign of an eclipse anywhere about it. —“I hope it will come off,” said Sir Henry, doubtfully. “False prophets often find themselves in painful positions.” “If he does not it will soon be up with us,” I answered, mournfully; “for so sure as we are living men some of those chiefs will tell the whole story to the king, and then there will be another sort of an eclipse, and one that we shall not like.” Returning to the hut we dressed ourselyes, putting on the mail shirts which the king had sent us as before. Scarcely had we done so when a messenger came from Twala to bid us to the great annual “dance of girls,” which was about to be celebrated. [Continued Next Week] . ■ _