Chapter 18 of She and Allan This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander She and Allan by H-Rider Haggard, Chapter 18 The Slaying of Grisö At last we were on the plain, the bemused remnant of Grisö's armor still doubling before us like a mob of game pursued by wild dogs. Here we halted to reform our ranks. It seemed to me, although still she spoke no word, that some order reached me from the gleaming Asher that I should do this. The business took twenty minutes or so, and then, numbering about two thousand five hundred strong, for the rest had fallen in the fight of the square. We advanced again. Now there came that dusk, which often precedes the rising of the sun. And through it I could see that the battle was not yet over, since gathered in front of us was still a force about equal to our own. Asher pointed towards it with her wand, and we leapt forward to the attack. Here the men of Grisö stood awaiting us, for they seemed to overcome their terror with the approach of day. The battle was fierce, a very strange battle in that dim, uncertain light, which scarcely showed us friend from foe. Indeed, I am not sure that we should have won it, since Asher was no longer visible to give our Amahager confidence. And as the courage of the resweets increased, so there seemed to lessen with the passing of the night. Fortunately, however, just as these you hung doubtful, there was a shout to our left, and looking, I made out the tall shape of Goroko, the witch doctor, with the other Sulu followed by his two hundred and fifty men, and leaping onto the flank of the line of Grisö. That settled the business, the enemy crumpled up and melted, and just then the first lights at dawn appeared in the sky. I looked about me for Asher, but she had gone, where to I knew not, though at the moment I feared that she must have been killed in the melee. Then I gave up looking and thinking, since now or never was the time for action. Signalling and shouting to those hatchet-faced Amahager to advance, accompanied by Omslopogas, with Goroko, who joined us, and Hans, I sprang forward to give them an example, which to be just to them, they took. This is the mound on which Redbird should be," cried Hans as we faced a little slope. I ran up it, and through the gloom which precedes the actual dawn, saw a group of men gathered round something as people collect about a street accident. Redbird on the stone! They are killing him! Screeched Hans again. It was so. At least several white-robed priests were bending over a prostrate figure with knives in their hands, while behind stood the huge fellow whom I took to be Reisö, staring towards the east as though he were waiting for the rim of the sun to appear before he gave some order. At that very moment it did appear, just a thin edge of bright light on the horizon, and he turned, shouting the order. Too late for we were on them. Omslopogas cut down one of the priests with his axe, and the men about me dealt with the others, while Hans, with a couple of sweeps of his long knife, severed the cords with which Robertson was tied. The poor man, who in the growing light I could see was raving mad, sprang up calling out something in scotch about the dale, ceasing a great spear which had fallen from the hand of one of the priests. He rushed furiously at the giant, who had given the order, and with a gel drove it at his heart. I saw the spear snap from which I concluded that this man, whom rightly I took to be Reisö, wore some kind of armor. Next instant the axe he held, a great weapon, flashed aloft and down went Robertson before its awful stroke. Stone dead, for as we found out afterwards he was cloven almost in two. At the sight of the death of my poor friend, rage took hold of me. In my hand was a double-barreled rifle, an express loaded with hollow-pointed bullets. I covered the giant and let to drive. First with one barrel, and then with the other, and what is more, distinctly I heard both bullets strike upon him. Yet he did not fall. He rocked a little, that is all, then turned and marched off towards a hut that whereof Hans had told me, which stood about fifty yards away. Leave him to me, shouted Umslopogas, steel-cuts where bullets cannot pierce. And with a bound like that of a buck, the great Sule leapt away after him. I think that Reisö meant to enter the hut for some purpose of his own, but Umslopogas was too hard upon his tracks. At any rate he ran past it and down the other slope of the little hill, on to the plain behind where the remnants of his army were trying to reform. There in front of them the giant turned and stood at bay. Umslopogas halted also, waiting for us to come up. Since, cunning old warrior as he was, he fearless should he begin the fight before that happened. The horde of them would fall on him. Thirty seconds later we arrived and found him standing still with bent body, small shield advanced, and the great axe raised as though in the act of striking. A wondrous picture outlined as it was against a swiftly rising sun. Some ten paces away stood the giant leaning on the axe he bore, which was not unlike to that with which Woodman fell big trees. He was an evil man to see, and at this my first full sight of him I likened him in my mind to Goliath, whom David overthrew. Juge he was and hairy, with deep-set piercing eyes and a great hooked nose. His face seemed thin and ancient also, when with the motion of the great head he tossed his long locks back from about it. But his limbs were those of a Hercules and his movements full of a youthful vigor. Moreover his aspect as a whole was that of a devil rather than of a man. Indeed, the sight of it sickened me. Let me shoot him, I cried to Omsloporgas, for I had reloaded the rifle as I ran. Nay, watcher, by night answered the Sulu without moving his head. Rifle has had its chance and failed. Now let us see what axe can do. If I cannot kill this man, I will be born hence-feet first, who shall have made a long journey for nothing. Then the giant began to talk in a low, rumbling voice that reverberated from the slope of the little hill behind us. Who are you? He asked, speaking in the same tongue that the Amahagar used.  Blackhound, do you not know that I cannot be slay who have lived a year for every week of your life's days and set my foot upon the necks of men by thousands? Have you not seen the space shatter and the iron poles melt upon my breasts like raindrops? And would you try to bring me down with a toy you carry? My arm is defeated, I know it, but what matters that when I can get me more? Because the sacrifice was not completed and the White Queen was not wed, therefore my army was defeated by the magic of Lulala, the White Witch, who dwells in the tombs, but I am not defeated or cannot be slain until I show my back. And then, only by a certain axe, which long ago has rusted into dust. Now, of this long speech, Umslopogas understood nothing, so I answered for him briefly enough, but to the point, for there flashed into my mind all Asha's tale about an axe. A certain axe, I cried. Aye, a certain axe! Well, look at that which is held by the black one, the captain who is named Slaughterer, the ancient axe whose title is Chieftainess, because if so she wills, she takes the lives of all. Look at it well, Resu, giant and wizard, and say whether it is not that which your forefather lost, that which is destined to bring you to your doom. Thus I spoke very loudly that all might hear, slowly also, pausing between each word, because I wish to give time for the light to strengthen, seeing as I did that the rays of the rising sun struck upon the face of the giant, whereas the eyes of Umslopogas were less dazzled by it. Resu heard and stared at the axe which Umslopogas held aloft, causing it to quiver slightly by an imperceptible motion of his arm. As he stared, I saw his hideous face change, and that on it for the first time gathered a look of something resembling fear. Also his followers behind him, who were also studying the axe, began to murmur together. For here I should say that as though by common consent the battle had been stayed, we no longer attacked and the enemy no longer ran. They or those who were left of them stood still as though they felt that their all an ultimate issue of the fight depended upon the forthcoming duel between these two champions. Though of that issue they had little doubt, since, as I learned afterwards, they believed their king to be invulnerable. For quite a while Resu went on staring. Then he said aloud as if he were thinking to himself, It is very like the horn heft is the same, the pointed gorge is the same, the blade shaped like the jangmoon is the same. All the most could I think that before me shook the ancient holy axe. Nay, the gods have taken that back long ago, and this is but a trick of the witch who are love the caves. Thus he spoke, but still for a moment hesitated. Omsloporgas, I said in the deep silence that followed, hear me. I hear you, he answered without turning his head or moving his arms. What council watcher by night? This slaughterer, strike not at that man's face and breast, for there I think he is protected by witchcraft or by armor. Get behind him and strike at his back.  Nay, Makumasan, I understand not.  Now, be still. Then Omsloporgas threw the axe into the air and caught it as it fell, and as he did so he began to chant his own praises sullo fashion. O, he said, I am the child of the lion, the black-maned lion whose claws never loosened of their prey. I am the wolf king, he who hunted with the wolves upon the witch mountain with my brother, bearer the club, name-watcher of the fords. I am he who slew him, called the unconquered, chief of the people of the axe, he who bore the ancient axe before me. I am he who smote the Alakasi tribe in their caves and won me none of the lily to wife. I am he who took the king Dingan, a gift that he loved little. And afterward with Mopu, my foster sire, hurled this Dingan down to death. I am the royal one, named Bulalio the slaughterer, named Woodpecker, named Omslopekasi the captain before whom never yet man has stood in fear and opened fight. Now, thou wizard razor, now thou giant, now thou ghost man, come on against me, and before the sun has risen by a hand-spread all those who watch shall see which of us is better at the game of war. Come on then, come on, for I say that my blood boils over and my feet grow cold.  Thus he changed in his fierce boastful way while his two remaining sulus clapped their hands and sentence by sentence echoed his words and Goroko, the witch-doctor, muttered incantations behind him. While he sang thus Omslopekasi began to stir, first only his head and shoulders moved gently, swaying from side to side like a reed shaken in the wind or a snake about to strike. Then slowly he put out first one foot and next the other and drew them back again, as a dancer might do, tempting Resu to attack. But the giant would not, his shield held before him, he stood still and waited to see what this black warrior would do. The snake struck. Omslopekasi started in and at dry with the long axe, Resu raised his shield above his head and caught the blow. From the clank it made, I knew that this shield, which seemed to be of hide, was lined with iron. Resu smote back, but before the blow could fall, the sulu was out of his reach. This taught me how great was the giant's string, for though the stroke was heavy like the steel-hatted axe he bore, still when he saw that it had missed, he checked the weapon in midair, which only a mighty man could have done. Omslopekasi saw these things also and changed his tactics. His axe was six or eight inches longer in the heft than that of Resu, and therefore he could reach where Resu could not, for the giant was short-armed. He twisted it round in his hand so that the moon-shaped blade was uppermost, and keeping it almost at full length, began to peck with a gorge-shaped point on the back at the head and the arms of Resu, that as I knew was a favorite trick of his in fight, from which he won his name of Woodpecker. Resu defended his head with his shield as best he could against the sharp points of steel, which flashed all about him. Twice it seemed to me that the Sulur's pecs went home upon the giant's breast, but if so, they did no harm. Either Resu's thick beard or armor beneath it stopped them from penetrating his body. Still he roared out as though with pain or fury, or both, and growing mad charged Omslopekasi and smote with all his strength. The Sulur caught the blow upon his shield, through which his chore as though the tough hide were paper. Stay the stroke it could not, yet it turned its direction so that the falling axe slid past Omslopekasi's shoulder, doing him no hurt. Next instant before Resu could strike again, the Sulur threw the severed shield into his face and ceasing the axe with both hands leapt in and struck. It was a mighty blow, for I saw the re-knocker's horn-handled Musak's bend like a drawn bow, and it went home with a dull thud full upon Resu's breast. He shook, but no more. Evidently the razor-edge of Inkusikas had failed to pierce. There was a sound as though a hollow tree had been smitten, and some strands of the long beard, shorn off, fell to the ground. But that was all. Takati bewitched cried the watching Sulur's. That stroke should have cut him in two, while I thought to myself that this man knew how to make good armor. Resu laughed aloud, a bellowing kind of laugh, while Omslopekasi sprang back astonished. "'Is this thus?' he cried in Sulur. "'Well, all wizards have some door by which their spirit enters and depart. "'I must find the door, I must find the door!' So he spoke, and with the springing movements tried to get past Resu, first to the right and then to the left, all the while keeping out of reach. But Resu ever turned and faced him, as he did so, retreating step by step down the slope of the little hill, and striking whenever he found a chance, but without avail. For always Omslopekasi was beyond his reach. Also the sunlight which now grew strong dazzled him, or so I thought. Moreover he seemed to tire somewhat, or so I thought also. At any rate he determined to make an end of the play, for with a swift motion, as Omslopekasi had done, he threw away his shield and grasping the iron handle of his axe with both hands, charged the Sulur like a bull. Omslopekasi back out of reach. Then suddenly he turned and ran up the rise. Yes, Gulagliu, the slaughterer, ran. A roar of mockery went up from the sun worshippers behind, while our Amahagar laughed and Goroko and the two Sulur stared astonished and ashamed. Only I read his mind right and wondered what gil he had conceived. He ran and Resu ran after him, but never could he catch the swiftest footed man in Sulurland. To and fro he followed him. For Omslopekasi was taking as a zigzag path towards the crest of the slope, till at length Resu stopped breathless. But Omslopekasi still ran another twenty yards or so until he reached the top of the slope and there halted and wheeled round. For ten seconds or more he stood drawing his breath in great gasps and looking at his face I saw that he had become as the face of a wolf. His lips were drawn up into a terrible grin showing the white teeth between.  There he stood gathering himself together for one mighty effort.  Omslopekasi knew that they were mocking him, but he took no heed, only bent down and rubbed his sweetened hand in the grit of the dry earth. Then he straightened himself and charged down on Resu. I, Alan Quatermain, have seen many things in battle, but never before or since did I see alt-like to this charge. It was swift as that of a lioness so swift that the soulless feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground. On he sped like a throne spear till, when within about a dozen feet of Resu, who stood staring at him, he bent his frame almost double and leapt into the air.  Surely he must have learnt it from the lion or the spring-buck. High he rose and now I saw his purpose. It was to clear the tall shape of Resu.  Moreover, it went home this time, for I saw the red blood stream and Resu fell forward on his face. Umslopogas landed far beyond him, ran a little way because he must, then wheeled round and charged again. Resu was rising, but before he gained his feet, the axe, Incosikas, thundered down where the neck joins the shoulder and sank in. Still, so great was his strength that Resu found his feet and smote out wildly, but now his movements were slow and again Umslopogas got behind him, smiting at his back, once, twice, thrice he smote, and at the third blow it seemed as though the massive spine was severed, for his weapon fell from Resu's hand and slowly he sank down to the ground and lay there a huddled heap. Believing that all was over, I ran to where he lay, with Umslopogas standing over him, as it seemed to me utterly exhausted, for he supported himself by the axe and tottered upon his feet. But Resu was not yet dead. He opened his cavernous eyes and glared at the Sulu with a look of hellish hate. Thou has not conquered me, Black One, he gasped. It is thine axe which gave thee victory, the ancient holy axe that once was mine, until the woman stole it. Yes, that, and the craft of the witch of the caves, who told thee to smite were the spirit of life which I feared to enter fully, had not kissed my flesh, and there only left me mortal. Wolf of a black man, may we meet elsewhere and fight this fray again. Ah, would that I could get these hands about thy throat and take thee with me down into the darkness. But Luala wins, if only for a while, since her fate I think shall be worse than mine. Ah, I see the magic beauty that she both turned to shameful. Here of a sudden life left him, and, throwing his great arms wide, a last breath passed bubbling from his lips. As I stooped to examine the man's huge and hairy carcass, that to me looked only half human, with the thunder of feet our Amahaga rushed down upon us, and, thrusting me aside, fell upon the body of their ancient foe, like hounds upon a helpless fox, and with hands and spears and knives, literally tore and hacked it limb from limb, till no semblance of humanity remained. It was impossible to stop them. Indeed I was too outworn with labours and emotions to make any such attempt. This I regret the more, since I lost the opportunity of making an examination of the body of this troll-like man, and of ascertaining what kind of armour it was he wore beneath that great beard of his, which was strong enough to stop my bullets, and even the razor-edge of the axe in Kosikas, driven with all the might of the arms of the Sula Bolaglio. For, when I looked again at the sickening sight, the giant was but scuttered fragments, and the armour, whatever it might have been, was gone, rend to little pieces and carried off, doubtless by the Amahaga, perhaps to be divided between them, to serve as charms. So, of race, I know only that he was the juicest, most terrible-looking man I have ever seen. One, two, who carried his vast strength very late in life, since from the aspect of his countenance I imagine that he must have been nigh upon seventy years of age, though his supposed unnatural antiquity, of course, was nothing, but a fable put about by the natives for their own purposes. Presently, Umslopoga seemed to recover from the kind of faint into which he had fallen, and opening his eyes looked about him. The first person that fell on was old Bilali, who stood stroking his white beard and contemplating the scene with an air which was at once philosophic and satisfied. This seemed to anger Umslopokas for he cried, I think it was you, ancient bag of words, and sweeper who passed for the feet of the great, who made a mock on me, but now, when you thought that I fled before the horns on the man-eating ball, and he nodded towards the fragments of what once had been razor, find now his axe, and though I am weak and weary, I will wash away the insight with your blood. What does this glorious black hero say, watcher by night? Ask Bilali in his most courteous tones. I told him word by word, whereon Bilali lifted his hands in horror, turned and fled, nor did I see him again until we arrived at core. At the sight of the fall of their giant chief resu, whom they believed to be invulnerable, his followers, who were watching the fray, set up a great wailing, a most mournful and uncanny noise to hear. Then as I think did the host of the Philistines, when David brought down Goliath by his admirable shot with a stone, they set out for their homes wherever these may have been, at an absolute record pace, and in the completest disarray. Our Amahager followed them for a while, but soon were left standing still, so they contended themselves with killing any wounded they could find, and returned. I did not accompany them, indeed the battle being won, metaphorically I washed my hands of them, and in my thoughts consigned them to a certain locality as a people of whom it might well be said that manners they had none, and their customs were simply beastly. Also, although fierce and cruel, these nightbats were not good fighting men, and in short never did I wish to have to do with such another company. Moreover, a very different matter pressed. The object of this business, so far as I was concerned, had been to rescue poor Enes, since had it not been for her sake, never would I have consented to lead those Amahager against their fellow black guards, the resweets. But where was Enes? If Hans had understood the medicine man a right, she was or had been in the hut where it was my earnest hope that she still remained, since otherwise the hunt must be continued. This at any rate was easy to discover. Calling Hans, who was amusing himself by taking long shots at the flying enemy so that they might not forget him, as he said, and the Soulus, I walked up the slope to the hut, or rather Booth of Baos, for it was quite twenty feet long by twelve or fifteen broad. At its eastern end was a doorway or opening, closed with a heavy curtain. Here I paused full of tremors and listened, for to tell the truth I dreary to draw that curtain, fearing what I might see within. Gathering up my courage at length, I tore it aside, and a revolver in my hand looked in. At first, after the strong light without, for the sun was now well up, I could see nothing, since those green bows and palm leaves were very close woven. As my eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, however, I perceived a glittering object seating on a kind of throne at the end of the Booth, while in a double row in front knelt six white rogue women who seemed to wear chains about their necks and carried large knives slung round their middles. On the floor between these women and the throne lay a dead man, a priest of some sort as I gathered from his garb, who still held a huge spear in his hand. So silent were the figure on the throne and those that knelt before it, that at first I thought that all of them must be dead. Lady sad eyes, whispered Hans, and her bride-women, doubtless that all predicate came to kill her when he saw that the battle was lost, but the bride-women killed him with their knives. Here I may state that Hans' positions proved to be quite correct, which shows how quick and deductive was his mind. The figure on the throne was Enus, the priest in his disappointed rage had come to kill her and the bride-women had killed him with their knives before he could do so. I bade the Sulus tear down the curtain and pull away some of the Enbos, so as to let in more light. Then we advanced up the place, holding our pistols and spears in readiness. The kneeling women turned their heads to look at us and I saw that they were all young and handsome in their fashion, although fierce-faced. Also I saw their hands go to the knives they wore. I called to them to let these be and come out and that if they did so they had nothing to fear, but if they understood they did not heed my words. On the contrary, while Hans and I covered them with our pistols, fearing less they should stab the person on the throne whom we took to be Enus. At some word from one of them they bowed simultaneously towards her. Then at another word suddenly they drew their knives and plunged them into their own hearts. It was a dreadful sight and one of which I never saw the like, nor to this day do I know why the deed was done, unless perhaps the women were sworn to the service of the new queen and feared that if they failed to protect her they would be doomed to some awful end. At any rate we got them out dead or dying, for their blows had been strong and true and not one of them lived for more than a few minutes. Then I advanced to the figure on the throne with a rather footstooled chair of black wood inlaid with ivory which sat so silent and motionless that I was certain it was that of a dead woman, especially when I perceived that she was fastened to the chair with leather straps which were soon over with gold wire. Also she was veiled and, with one exception, made up, if I may use the term, exactly to resemble the Lady Asha, even down to the two long plates of black hair, each finished with some kind of pearl and to the sandaled feet. The exception was that about her hung a great necklace of gold ornaments from which were suspended pendants also of gold, representing the raid disc of the sun in rude but bold and striking workmanship. I went to her and, having cut the straps since I could not stop to untie her knots, lifted the veil. Beneath it was Enes sure enough and Enes living for her breast rose and fell as she breathed, but Enes senseless. Her eyes were wide open, yet she was quite senseless. Probably she had been drugged or perhaps some of the sights of horror which she saw had taken away her mind. I confess that I was glad that this was so, who otherwise must have told her the dreadful story of her father's end. We bore her out and away from that horrible place apparently quite unhurt and laid her under the shadow of a tree till a litter could be produced. I could do no more who knew not how to treat her state and had no spirits with me to pour down her throat. This was the end of our long pursuit and thus we rescued Enes whom the Soulos called the Lady Sad Eyes. End of Chapter 18 of She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Read by Lars Rolander Chapter 19 of She and Alan This is a Librivox recording. Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Reading by Lars Rolander She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Chapter 19 The Spell Of our return to Korra I need say nothing except that in due course we reached that interesting ruin. The journey was chiefly remarkable for one thing that on this occasion I imagine for the first and last time in his life whom Sluporgas consented to be carried in a litter at least for part of the way. He was, as I have said, unwounded for the acts of his mighty foe had never once so much as touched his skin. What he suffered from was shock, a kind of collapse. Since although few would have thought it, this great and utterly fearless warrior was at bottom a nervous, highly strong man. It is only the nervous that climbed the highest points of anything and this is true of fights as of all others. That fearful fray with Racer had been a great strain on the Sulu. As he put it himself, the wizard has sucked the strength out of him. Especially when he found that owing to his armor he could not harm him in front and owing to his cunning could not get at him behind.  A trick he told me that he had once played years before when he was young in order to break a shield ring and reach one who stood in the centre. In this great leap over Racer's head Omslopogas knew that he must succeed or be slain which in turn would mean my death and that of the others. For this reason he faced the shame of seeming to fly in order to gain the high ground when, alone, he could gather the speed necessary to such a terrific spring. Well, he made it and thereby conquered and this was the end. But, as he said, it had left him weak as a snake when it crawls out of his hold into the sun after the long winter sleep. Of one thing Omslopogas added he was thankful, namely that Racer had never succeeded in getting his arms round him since he was quite certain that if he had he would have broken him as a baboon breaks a mealy stalk. No strength, not even his, could have resisted the iron might of that huge gorilla-like man. I agreed with him who had noted Racer's vast chest and swelling muscles also the weight of the blows that had struck with the steel-shafted axe which, by the way, when I sought for it was missing, stolen, I suppose, by one of the armour-hugger. Whence did that strength come, I wondered, in one who from his face appeared to be old. Was there perhaps, after all, some truth in the legend of Samthon and did it well in that gigantic beard and those long locks of his? It was impossible to say and probably the man was but a herculean freak for that he was as strong as hercules all the stories that I heard afterwards of his feats left little room for doubt. About one thing only was I certain in connection with him, namely that the tales of his supernatural abilities were the merest humbug. He was simply one of the representatives of the family of strongmen of whom examples are still to be seen doing marvelous feats all over the earth. For the rest he was dead and broken up by those armour-hugger bloodhounds before I could examine him or his body armour either. And there was an end of him and his story. But when I looked at the corpse of poor Robertson which I did as we buried it where he fell and saw that though so large and sick that it was cleft almost in two by a single blow of racist acts I came to understand what the might of this savage must have been. I say savage but I'm not sure that this is a right description of racer. Evidently he had a religion of a sort also imagination as was shown by the theft of the white woman to be his queen by his failing of her to resemble Asha whom he dreaded by the intended propitiatory sacrifice by the guard of women's want or service who slew the priest that tried to kill her and afterwards committed suicide when they had failed in their office and by other things. All this indicated something more than savagery perhaps survivals from a forgotten civilization or perhaps native ability on the part of an individual ruler. I do not know and it matters nothing. Riesu is dead and the world is well rid of him and those who want to learn more of his people can go to study such as remain of them in their own habitat which for my part I never wished to visit any more. During our journey to Khor poor Enis never stirred.  However I could do nothing to help her except urge the bears to top speed. So swiftly did we travel down the hill and across the plain that we reached Khor just as the sun was setting. As we crossed the moat I perceived old Bilali coming to meet us. This he did with many bows keeping an anxious eye upon the litter which he had learned contained Umslopogas. Indeed his attitude and that of the armor hugger towards the two of us and even Hans thence forward became almost abject since after our victory over Riesu and his death beneath the axe they looked upon us as half divine and treated us accordingly. Almighty general he said she who commands beats me conduct a lady who is sick to the place that has been made ready for her which is near your own so that you may watch over her if you will. I wondered how Asha knew that Enis was sick but being too tired to ask questions merely made him lead on. This he did taking us to another ruined house next to our own quarters cleaned and furnished after fashion and moreover cleverly roofed in with mats though that it was really quite comfortable. Here we found two middle aged women of a very superior type who Bilali informed me were by trade nurses of the sick. Having seen her laid upon our bed I committed Enis to their charge since the case was not one that I dare to try to doctor myself not knowing what drug of the few I possessed should be administered to her. Moreover Bilali comforted me with the information that soon she who commands would visit her and make her well again as she could do. I answered that I hoped so and went to our quarters where I found an excellent meal ready cooked and with it a stone flagon of the contents of which Bilali said we were all three to drink by the command of Asha who declared that it would take away our weariness. I tried the stuff which was pale yellow in color like sherry and for ought I knew might be poison to find it most comforting though it did not seem to be very strong to the taste. Certainly too its effects were wonderful since presently all my great weariness fell from me like a discarded cloak and I found myself with a splendid appetite and feeling better and stronger than I had done for years. In short that drink was a cocktail of the best one of which I only which I possessed the recipe though Asha told me afterwards that it was distilled from quite harmless herbs and not in any sense a spirit. Having discovered this I gave some of it to Hans who was with the wounded Sulus who we found were progressing well towards complete recovery and lastly to Goroko who also was worn out. On all of these the effect of that magical brew proved most satisfactory. Then having washed I ate a splendid dinner though in this respect Hans who was seated on the ground nearby far out past my finest efforts. Bas, he said, things have gone very well with us when they might have gone very ill. The Bas Redbeard is dead which is a good thing since a madman would have been difficult to look after and a brain full of moonshine is a bad companion for anyone. Oh, without doubt he's better dead though your reverent father the predicate will have a hard job looking after him there in the place of fires. Perhaps, I said with a sigh since it is better to be dead than to live a lunatic but what I fear is that the lady his daughter will follow him. Oh, no Bas, replied Hans cheerfully though I dare say that she will always be a little mad also because you see it is in her blood and doubtless she has looked on dreadful things but the great medicine will see to it that she does not die after we have taken so much trouble and gone into such big dangers to save her. That great medicine is very wonderful Bas. First of all it makes you general over those Armahager who without you would never have fought as the witch who ties up her head in the cloth knew well enough then it brings her safe through the battle and gives strength to Mslopogas to kill the old man-eating giant. Why did it not give me strength to kill him, Hans?  Oh, Bas perhaps you missed him because you hit things sometimes think that you do so always. Having waited to see if I would rise to this piece of insolence which of course I did not he went on by way of letting me down easily or perhaps he wore very good armor under his spear for I saw some of those Armahager who pulled his hair off and cut him to pieces with what looked like little bits of brass.  Then, Bas when Risa broke the square and the Armahager began to run without doubt it was the great medicine which changed their hearts and made them brave again so that they charged at the right moment when they saw it going forward on your breast and instead of being eaten up ate up the cannibals. Indeed I thought that the lady who dwells genre had something to do with that business. Did you see her hands? Oh yes I saw her Bas and I think that without doubt she lifted the cloth from over her head and when the people who Risa saw how ugly was the face beneath it did frighten them a little but doubtless the great medicine put that thought into her also for Bas what could a silly woman do in such a case? Did you ever know of a woman who was of any use in a battle or for anything else except to nurse babies and this one does not even do that? No doubt because being so hideous under that sheet no man can be found to marry her. Now I looked up by chance and in the light of the lamp saw Asha standing in the room which she had entered through the open doorway within six feet of hands back indeed. Be sure Bas he went on that this bundle of rags is nothing but a common old sheet who frightens people by pretending to be a spoke as if she dared to say that it was she who made those stinking Armahaga charge and not the great medicine of the opener of the roads I would tell her to her face. Now I was too paralyzed to speak and while I was reflecting that it was fortunate Asha did not understand Dutch she moved a little so that one of the lamps behind her caused her shadow to fall on the back of the squatting hands and over it onto the floor beyond. He saw it and stared at the distorted shape of the hooded head then slowly screwed his neck round and looked upwards behind him. For a moment he went on staring as though he were frozen then uttering a wild gel he scrambled to his feet bolted out of the house and vanished into the night. It seems Alam said Asha slowly that yonder yellow ape of yours is very bold at throwing sticks when the lepidus is not beneath the tree but when she comes it is otherwise with him. Oh, make no excuse for I know well that he was speaking ill things of me because being curious as apes are he burns to learn what is behind my veil and being simple believes that no woman would hide her face unless its fashion were not pleasing to the nice taste of men. Then to my relief she laughed a little softly which showed me that she had a sense of humor and went on. Well, let him be for he is a good ape and courageous in his fashion as he showed when he went out to spy upon the host of riso and stabbed the murder priest by the stone of sacrifice. How can you know the words of Hans Asha? I asked seeing that he spoke in a tongue which you have never learnt perhaps I read faces Alan or backs I suggested remembering that his was turned to her or backs or voices or hearts it matters little witch since read I do but have done with such childish talk and lead me to this maiden who has been snatched from the claws of riso and a fate that is worse than death. Do you understand Alan that ere the demon risa took her to wife the plan was to sacrifice her own father to her and then eat him as the woman with her was eaten and before her eyes now the father is dead which is well as I think the little yellow man said to you Nay, start not I read it from his back Ha, JB since had he lived whose brain was rotted he would have raved till his death's day better therefore that he should die like a man fighting against a foe unconquerable by all say one but she still lives Aye, but mindless Asham which in a great trouble such as she has passed is a blessed state Oh Alan, b'think you have there not been days aye and months in your own life when you would have rejoiced to sleep in mindlessness and should we not perhaps be happier all of us if like beasts we could not remember for now and understand Oh, men talk of heaven but believe me the real heaven is one of dreamless sleep since life and wakefulness however high their scale and on whatever star means struggle which being so oft mistaken must breed sorrow or remorse that spoils all come now so I proceeded her to the next ruined house where we found Ines lying on the bed sealed cloth in her barbaric trappings although the veil had been drawn off her face there she lay wide-eyed and still while the women watched her Asha looked at her a while then said to me so they tricked her out to be Asha's mock and image and in time accepted by those barbarians as my very self and even set the seals of royalty on her and she pointed to the gold disk stamped with the likeness of the sun well she's a fair maiden white and gently bred the first such that I have seen for many an age nor did she wish this trickery moreover she has taken no hurt her soul has sunk deep into the sea of horror and that is all when starpless it can be drawn again yet I think it best that for a while she should remember not her pain break as did her father's and therefore no net of mind shall drag her back to memory let that return gently in future days and then of it not too much for so shall all this terror become to her avoid in which sad shapes move like shadows and as shadows are soon forgot and gone no more to be held than dreams by the awakening suns stand aside Alan and you women leave us for a while I obeyed and the women bowed and went then Asha drew up a veil and knelt down by the bed of Enus but in such a fashion that I could not see her face although I admit that I tried to do so I could see however that she set her lips against those of Enus and as I gathered by her motions I came to breathe into her lips also she lifted her hands and placing one of them upon the heart of Enus for a minute or more swayed the other from side to side above her eyes pausing at times to touch her upon the forehead with her fingertips presently Enus stirred and sat up where on Asha took a vessel of milk which stood upon the floor and held it to her lips strung to the last drop then sank on to the bed again for a while longer Asha continued her motions over her hands then let fall her veil and rose look I have laid a spell upon her she said beckoning to me to draw near I did so and perceived that now the eyes of Enus were shut but she seemed to be plunged in a deep and natural sleep so she will remain for this night and that day which follows said Asha and when she wakes it will be I think to believe herself once more a happy child not until she sees her home again will she find her womanhood and then all this story will be forgotten by her of her father you must tell her that he died when you went out to hunt the river beasts together and if she seeks for certain others that they have gone away but I think that she will ask little more when she learns that he is dead since I have laid that command upon her soul hypnotic suggestion thought I to myself and I only hope to heaven that it will work Asha seemed to guess what was passing through my mind she nodded and said have no fear Alan for I am what the black axe bearer and the little yellow man called a witch which means as you who are instructed now one was knowledge of medicine and other things and who host a key to some of the mysteries that lie hid in nature for instance I suggested of how to transport yourself into a battle at the right moment and out of it again also at the right moment yes Alan since watching from afar I saw that those Amahagar curse were about to flee and that I was needed there to harden them and to put fear into the army of Rezo so I came but how did you come Asha she laughed as she answered perhaps I did not come at all perhaps you only thought I came since I seem to be there the rest matters nothing as I still looked unconvinced she went on oh foolish man seek not to learn of that which is too high for you yet listen you in your ignorance suppose that the soul dwells within the body do you not I answered that I had always been under this impression yet Alan it is otherwise for the body dwells within the soul like the pearl in an oyster I suggested I in a sense since the pearl which to you is beautiful is to the oyster a sickness and a poison and so is the body to the soul whose temple it travels and defiles yet rounded is the white and holy soul that ever seeks to bring the vile body to its own purity and color yet of times fails learn Alan that flesh and spirit are the deadliest foes joined together by a high decree that they may forget their hate and perfect each other or failing be separate to all eternity the spirit going to its own place and the flesh to its corruption a strange theory I said I Alan and one which is so new to you that never will you understand it yet it is true and I set it out to for this reason the soul of man being at liberty and not cooped within snarrow breast is in touch with that soul of the universe which men know as God whom they call by many names therefore it has all knowledge and perhaps all power and at times the body within it if it be a wise body can draw from this well of knowledge and abounding power so at least can I and now you will understand why I am so good a doctor and how I came to appear in the battle as you said at the right time and to leave it when my work was done oh yes I answered I quite understand I thank you much for putting it so plainly she laughed a little appreciating my jest looked at the sleeping enus and said the fair body of this lady dwells in a large soul I think the one of a somewhat somber you for souls have their colors Alan and stain that which is within them she will never be a happy woman the black people named her sad eyes I said is it so well I name her sad heart though for such often there is joy at last meanwhile she will forget yes she will forget the worst and how narrow was the edge between her and the arms of Racer just the width of the blade over the axe in Kosikas I answered but tell me Asha why could not that axe cut and why did my bullets flatten or turn aside when these smote the breast of Racer because his front armor was good Alan I suppose she replied indifferently and on his back he wore none then why did you fill my ears with such a different tale about that horrible giant having drunk of a cup of life and all the rest I asked with irritation I have forgotten Alan perhaps because the cures such as you are like to hear tales even stranger than their own which in the days to be may become their own therefore you will be wise to believe only what I do and on what I tell you nothing I don't I exclaimed exasperated she laughed again and replied what need to say to me that which I know already yet perhaps in the future it may be different since often by the alchemy of the mind the fables of our youth are changed into the facts of our age and we become to believe in anything as your little yellow man believes in some savage named Sikali and those Armahager believe in the talisman around your neck and I who am the maddest of you all believe in love and wisdom and the black warrior Umsloporgas believes in the virtue of that great axe of his rather than in those of his own courage and of the strength that will sit fools every one of us though perhaps I am the greatest fool among them now take me to the warrior Umsloporgas whom I would thank as I thank you Alan and the little yellow man although he jeers at me with his sharp tongue not knowing that if I were angered with the breath I could cause him to cease to be then why did you not choose Reza to cease to be and his army also Asha it seems that I have done these things through the axe of Umsloporgas and by the help of your general ship Alan why then waste my own strength when yours laid to my hand because you had no power over Reza Asha or so you told me have I not said that my words are snowflakes meant to melt and leave no trace hiding my thoughts as this veil hides my beauty yes as the beauty is beneath the veil perhaps there is truth beneath the words though not that truth you think so you are well answered and for the rest I wonder whether Reza thought I had no power over him when Jonder on the mountain spur he saw me float down upon his company like a spirit of the night well perhaps some day I shall learn this and many other things I made no answer since what was the use of arguing with a woman who told me frankly that all she said was false so although I long to ask her why these Armahager had such reverence for the talisman that Hans called the Great Medicine since now I guess that her first explanations concerning it were quite untrue I held my tongue yet as we went out of the house by some coincidence she alluded to this very matter I wish to tell you Alan she said why it was those Armahager would not accept you as a general till their eyes had seen that which you wear upon your breast their tale of a legend of this very thing seemed that of savages or of their cunning priests not to be believed by a wise man such as you are like some others that you have heard in Korra yet it has in it a grain of truth for as it chanced a little while ago about a hundred years ago I think the old wizard whose picture is cut upon the wood came to visit her who held my place before me as a ruler of this tribe she was very like me and as I believe my mother Alan because of her repute for wisdom at that time I have heard there was a question of war between the worshippers of Lulala and the grandfather of Rezu but this Sikali told the people of Lulala that they must not fight the people of Rezu until in a day to come a white man should visit Korra and bring with him a piece of wood on which was cut the image of a dwarf like to that of Sikali himself then and not before they must fight and conquer the people of Rezu now this story came down among them and you who may have thought the first tale magical will understand it in its simplicity is it not so you wise Alan oh yes I answered except that I do not see how Sikali can have come here a hundred years ago since men do not live as long although he pretends to have done so no Alan nor do I but perhaps it was his father or his grandfather who came since being observed you will have noted that if the parent is misformed so often are the descendants also that the pretence of wizardry at times comes down with the blood again I made no answer for I saw that Asha was fooling me and before she could exhaust that amusement we reached the place where Umslopogas and his men were gathered around a campfire he sat silent but Koroko with much animation was telling the story of the fight in picturesque and colourful language or that part of it which he had seen for the benefit of the two wounded men who took no share in it and who lying on the blankets where their heads thrust forwards were listening with eagerness to the entrancing tale suddenly they caught sight of Asha and those of the party who could stand sprang to their feet while one and all they gave her the royal salute of Bayete she waited till the sound had died away then she said I come to thank you and your men oh wielder of the axe who have shown yourself very great in battle and to say to you that my spirit tells me that every one of you yes even those who are still sick will come safe to your own land again and live out your years with honour again they saluted at this pleasing intelligence when I had translated it to them for of course they knew no Arabic then she went on I am told Omsloporgas son of the lion as a certain king was named in your land that the fight you made against Riesu was a very great fight and that such a leap as yours bow his head when you smote him with the axe on the Hindu parts where he wore no armour and brought him to his death has not been seen before will be again I rendered the words and Omsloporgas preferring truth to modesty replied emphatically that this was the case because of that fight and that leap Asha went on as for other deeds that you have done and will do my spirit tells me that your name will live in story for many generations yet of what use is famed to the dead therefore I make you an offer bide here with me and you shall rule these Amahagar and with them the remnant of the people of Riesu your cattle shall be countless and your wives the fairest in the land and your children many for I will lift a certain curse from off you so that no more shall you be childless do you accept a holder of the axe when he understood Omsloporgas after pondering a moment asked if I meant to stay in this land and marry the white chief tennis who spoke such wise words and could appear and disappear in the battle at her will and like a mountain top hid her head in a cloud which was his way of alluding to her veil I answered at once and with decision that I intended to do nothing of the sort and immediately regretted my words since although I spoke in Sulu I suppose she read their meaning from my face at any rate she understood the drift of them tell him Alan she said with a kind of icy politeness that you will not stop here and marry me because if I ever choose a husband he would not be a little man at the doors of whose heart so many women's hands have knocked even those that are black and not I think in vain one more over who holds himself so clever that he believes he has nothing left to learn and in every flower of truth that is shown to him however fair smells only poison and beneath nurturing it sees only the gross root of falsehood planted in corruption tell him these things Alan if it pleases you it does not please me I answered in a rage at her insults nor is it needful Alan since if I caught the meaning of that barber's tongue you use the right you have told him already well let the jest pass oh man who least of all things desires to be Asha's husband and whom Asha less of all things desires as a spouse and ask the taxpayer nothing since I perceive that without you he will not stay at core nor indeed is it faded that he should do so for now my spirit tells me what it hid from me when I spoke a moment gone that this warrior shall die in a great fight far away and that between then and now much sorrow waits him who say that a one knows not how to win the love of women let him say more over what reward he desires since if I can give it to him it shall be his again I translated whom Slopogast received her prophecies in stoical silence and as I thought with indifference and only said in reply the glory that I have won is my reward and the only boon I seek at this queen's hands is that if she can she should give me the sight of a woman for whom my heart is hungry and with it knowledge that this woman lives in that land with her I travel like all men when she heard these words Asha said true I had forgotten your heart also is hungry I think Alan for the vision of sundry faces that you see no more well I will do my best but since only faith fulfills itself how can I who must strive to pierce the gates of darkness for one so unbelieving know that they will open at my word come to me both of you at the sunset tomorrow then as though to change the subject she talked to me for a long while about Cor which she told me a most interesting history true or false that I omit here at lengths as though suddenly she had grown tired waving her hand to show that the conversation was ended Asha went to the wounded men and touched them each in turn now they will recover swiftly she said and leaving the place was gone into the darkness end of chapter 19 of she and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard read by Lars Rolander chapter 20 of she and Alan this is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander she and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard chapter 20 the gate of death before turning in I examined these wounded men for myself the truth is that I was anxious to learn their exact condition in order that I might take an estimate as to when it would be possible for us to leave this valley or create a bottom of Cor of which I was heartily tired who could decide to stay in a place where he had not only been involved in a deal of hard, doubtful and very dangerous fighting from which all personal interest was absent but where also he was meshed in a perfect spider's web of bewilderment and exposed to continual insult into the bargain for that is what it came to this Asha took every opportunity to jeer at and affront me and why? just because I had conceived doubts which somehow she discovered of the amazing tales with which she had amused her to stuff me as a farmer's wife does a turkey-pole with meal pellets how could she expect me a man after all of some experience to believe such lies which not half an hour before in the coolest possible fashion she had herself admitted to be lies and nothing else she had told for the mere pleasure of romancing the immortal Racer for instance who had drunk of the cup of life for some such rubbish now turned out to be nothing but a brawny savage descended from generations of chiefs also called Racer moreover the immemorial Asha who also had drunk of cups of life and according to her first story had lived in this place for thousands of years she had come here with a mother who filled the same mystic role before her for the benefit of an extremely gloomy and disagreeable tribe of Semitic savages yet she was cross with me because I had not swallowed her crude and indigestible mixture of fable and philosophy without a moment's question at least I suppose that this was the reason though another possible explanation to my mind I had refused to be duly overcome by her chance not because I was unimpressed for who could be having looked upon that blinding beauty even for a moment but rather because after some other experiences I had at last attained to some power of judgement and learnt what it is best to leave alone perhaps this had annoyed her especially as no white man seemed to have come her way for a long while and the fabulous Calicratus had not put in his promised appearance also it was unfortunate that in one way or another how did she do it I wondered she had interpreted Almslopogas question to me about marrying her and my compromising reply but for one moment as I saw very clearly did she wish to marry me but that fact, intuition suggested to my mind did not the least prevent her from being angry because I shared her views upon this important subject oh, the whole thing was a bore and the sooner I saw the last of that veiled lady and the interesting but wearisome ruins in which she dwelt the better I should be pleased although apparently I must trek homewards with a poor young woman who was out of her mind leaving the bones of her unfortunate father behind me I admitted to myself however that there were consolations in the fact that Providence had thus decreed for Robertson since he gave up drink had not been a cheerful companion and two mad people would really have been more than I could manage to return for these reasons I examined the two wounded Soulus with considerable anxiety only to discover another instance of the chickenery which it amused this Asha to play off upon me for what did I find that they were practically well their hurts which had never been serious had healed wonderfully in that pure hair as those of savages have a way of doing and they told me themselves that they felt quite strong again yet with colossal impudence Asha had managed to suggest to my mind that she was going to work some remarkable cure upon them who were already cured well it was of a peace with the rest of her conduct and there was nothing to do except go to bed which I did with much gratitude that my resting place that night was not of another sort the last thing I remember was wondering how on earth Asha appeared and disappeared in the course of that battle a problem as to which I could find no solution though as in the case of the others I was sure that one would occur to me in course of time I slept like a top so soundly indeed that I think there was some kind of superific in the pick-me-up which looked like sherry especially as the others were drunk of it also past an excellent night About ten o'clock on the following morning I awoke feeling particularly well and quite as though I had been enjoying a week at the seaside instead of my recent adventures which included an abominable battle and some agonizing moments during which I thought that my number was up upon the board of destiny I spent the most of that day longing about eating, talking over the details of the battle with Umsloporgas and the Sulurs and smoking more than usual I forgot to say that these amahagres grew some capital tobacco of which I had obtained a supply although like most Africans they only used it in the shape of snuff The truth was that after all my marvellings and acute anxieties also mental and physical exertions I felt like the housemaid who caused to be cut upon her home stone that she had gone to a better land where her ambition was to do nothing for ever and ever I just wanted to be completely idle and vacuous-minded for at least a month but as I knew that all I could expect in that line was a single bank holiday like a city clerk on the spree of it I determined to make the most The result was that before the evening I felt very bored indeed I had gone to look at Enis who was still fast asleep as Asha said would be the case but whose features seemed to have plumped up considerably The reason of this I gathered from her amahagger nurses was that at certain intervals she had awakened sufficiently to swallow considerable quantities of milk or rather cream which I hoped would not make her ill I had chatted with the wounded solos who were now walking about more bored even than I was myself and heaping melodictions on their ancestral spirits because they had not been well enough to take part in the battle against Riesu I even took a little stroll to look for Hans who had vanished in his mysterious fashion but the afternoon was so hot and oppressive with coming thunder that soon I came back again and fell into a variety of reflections that I need not detail While I was thus engaged and meditating not without uneasiness upon the ordeal that lay before me after sunset for I felt sure that it would be an ordeal Hans appeared and said that the amahagger, impi or army was gathered on that spot where I had been elected to the proud position of their general He added that he believed how he got this information I do not know that the white lady was going to hold a review of them and give them the rewards that they had earned in the battle Hearing this Omslopovas and the other solos said that they would like to see this review if I would accompany them Although I did not want to go nor indeed decide ever to look at another amahagger I consented to save the trouble of argument on condition that we should do so from a distance So including the wounded men we stalled off and presently came to the crumbled wall of the old city beyond which lay the great moat now dry that once had encircled it with water Here on the top of this wall we sat down where we could see without being seen and observed the amahagger companies considerably reduced during the battle being marshaled by their captains beneath us and about a couple of hundred yards away Also we observed several groups of men under guard These we took to be prisoners captured in the fight with Racer as hands remarked with the smack of his lips were probably awaiting sacrifice I said I hope not and yawned for really the afternoon was intensely hot and the weather most peculiar The sun had vanished behind clouds and vapours filled the still air so dense that at times it grew almost dark Also when these cleared for brief intervals the landscape in the grey unholy light looked distorted and unnatural as it does during eclipse of the sun Koroko the witch doctor stared round him sniffed the air and then remarked jocularly that it was wizards weather and that there were many spirits about Upon my word I felt inclined to agree with him for my feelings were very uncomfortable but I only replied that if so I should be obliged if he as a professional would be good enough to keep them off me Of course I knew that electrical charges were about which accounted for my sensations and wished that I had never left the camp It was during one of these periods of dense gloom that Asha must have arrived upon the review ground At least when it lifted there she was in her white garments surrounded by women and guards engaged apparently in making an oration for although I could not hear a word I could see by the motions of her arms that she was speaking Had she been the central figure in some stage scene no limelights could have set her off to better advantage than did those of the have above her Suddenly through the blanket of cloud flowing from a hole that looked like an eye came a blood red ray which fell full upon her so that she alone was fiercely visible whilst all around was gloom in which shapes moved dimly Certainly she looked strange and even terrifying in that red ray which stained her robe till I who had but just come out to the battle with its confused noise began to think of the garments rolled in blood of which I often read in my favourite Old Testament For crimson was she from head to foot a tall shape of terror and a wrath the eye in heaven shut and the ray went out then came one of the spaces of grey light and in it I saw men being brought up apparently from the groups of prisoners under guard and to the number of a dozen or more stood in a line before Asham then I saw nothing more for a long while because blackness seemed to flow in from every quarter of the heavens and to block out the scene beneath at least after a pause of perhaps five minutes during which the stillness was intense the storm broke it was a very curious storm in all my experience of African tempest I cannot recall one which it resembled it began with the usual cold and wailing wind this died away and suddenly the whole arch of heaven was alive with little lightnings that seemed to strike horizontally not downwards to the earth weaving a web of fire upon the surface of the sky by the illumination of these lightnings which but for the swiftness of their flashing and greater intensity somewhat resembled a dense shower of shooting stars I perceived that Asha was addressing the men that had been brought before her who stood dejectedly in a long line with their heads bent quite unattended since their guards had fallen back if I were going to receive a reward of cattle or wives I should look happier than those moon worshippers' baths remarked Hans reflectively perhaps it would depend, I answered upon what the cattle and wives were like if the cattle had red water and would bring disease into your herd or wild bulls that would gore you and the wives were skinny old widows with evil tongues then I think you would look as to those men, Hans I don't quite know what made me speak thus but I believe it was some sense of pending death or disaster suggested probably by the ominous character of the setting provided by nature to the curious drama of which we were witnesses I never thought of that, Bars commented Hans but it is true that all gifts are not good especially witches' gifts as he spoke the little net-like lightning stied away leaving behind them a gross darkness through which far above us the wind wailed again then suddenly all the heaven was turned into one place of light and by it I saw Asha standing tall and rigid with her hand pointed towards the line of men in front of her the blaze went out to be followed by blackness and to return almost instantly in a yet fiercer place which seemed to fall earthwards in a torrent of fire that concentrated itself in a kind of flame spot upon the spot where Asha stood through that flame or rather in the heart of it I saw Asha and the file of men in front of her as the great king saw the prophets in the midst of the furnace that had been heated sevenfold only these men did not walk about in the fire no they fell backwards while Asha alone remained upon her feet with the outstretched hand next came more blackness and crash upon crash of such thunder that the earth shook as it reverberated from the mounting cliffs never in my life did I hear such fearful thunder it frightened the Sulu so much that they fell upon their faces except Koroko and Umslupogas whose pride kept them upon their feet the former because he had a reputation to preserve as heaven-heard or master of tempests I confess that I should have liked to follow their example and lie down being dreadfully afraid lest the lightning should strike me but there I did not at last the thunder died away and in the most mysterious fashion that violent tempest came to a sudden end as does a storm upon the stage no rain fell and so was surprising enough and most unusual but in place of it a garment of the completest calm descended upon the earth by degrees too the darkness passed and the western sun reappeared its rays fell upon the place where the Amahagar companies had stood but now not one of them was to be seen they were all gone and Asha with them so completely had they vanished away that I should have thought that we suffered from illusions were it not for the line of dead men which lay there looking very small and lonesome on the veld mere dots indeed at the distance we stared at each other and at them and then Goroko said that he would like to inspect the bodies to learn whether lightning killed at core as it did elsewhere also whether it had smitten them all together or leapt from man to man this as a professional heaven heard he declared he could tell from the marks upon these unfortunates as I was curious also and wanted to make a few observations I consented so with the exception of the wounded men who I thought should avoid the exertion we scrambled down the debris of the tumbled wall and across the open space beyond reaching the scene of the tragedy without meeting or seeing anyone there lay the dead eleven of them in an exact line as they had stood they were all upon their backs with widely opened eyes and an expression of great fear frozen upon their faces some of these I recognized as did Umslopogas and Hans they were soldiers or captains who had marched under me to attack Reso although until this moment I had not seen any of them after we began to descend the ridge where the battle took place pass said Hans I believe that these were the traitors who slipped away and told Reso of our plans so that he attacked us on the ridge instead of our attacking him on the plane as we had arranged so nicely at least they were none of them in the battle and afterwards I heard the Amahager talking of some of them I remarked that if so the lightning had discriminated very well in this instance meanwhile Gorokos examining the bodies one by one and presently called out these tombstones died not by lightning but by witchcraft there is not a burn upon one of them nor are their garments scorched I went to look and found that it was perfectly true to all outward appearance the eleven were quite unmarked and unharmed except for their frightened heir they might have died a natural death in their sleep does lightning always scorch I asked Goroko always Makumasan he answered that is if he who has been struck is killed as these are and not only stunned moreover most of yonder dead were knives which should have melted or shattered with a sheath burnt off them yet those knives are as though they had just left the smith's hammer and the whetstone and he drew some of them to show me again it was quite true and here I may remark that my experience tallied with that of Goroko since I have never seen anyone killed by lightning on whom or on whose clothing there was not some trace of its passage oh said Umsluporgas this is witchcraft not heaven wrath the place is enchanted let us get away lest we be smitten also we have not earned doom like those traitors no need to fear said Hans since with us is the great medicine of Sikali which can tie up the lightning as an old woman does a bundle of sticks still I observe that for all his confidence Hans himself was the first to depart and with considerable speed so we went back to our camp without more conversation since the Sulus were scared and I confess that myself I could not understand the matter though no doubt it admitted of some quite simple explanation however that might be this core was a queer place with its legends its sullen amahagar and its mysterious queen to whom at times in spite of my inner conviction to the contrary I was still inclined to attribute powers beyond those that are common even among very beautiful and able women this reflection reminded me that she had promised us a further exhibition of those powers and within an hour or two remembering this I began to regret that I had ever asked for any such manifestations for who knew what these might or might not involve so much did I regret it that I determined unless Asha sent for us as she had said she would do I would conveniently forget the appointment luckily Umslopoga seemed to be of the same way of thinking at any rate he went off to eat his evening meal without alluding to it at all so I made up my mind that I would not bring the matter to his notice and having ascertained that Ines was still asleep I followed his example and dined myself though without any particular appetite as I finished the sun was setting in a perfectly clear sky so as there was no sign of any messenger I thought that I would go to bed early leaving orders that I was not to be disturbed but on this point my lack was lacking for just as I had taken off my coat hands a ride and said that old Bilali was without and had come to take me somewhere well there was nothing to do but to put it on again before I had finished this operation Bilali himself a ride with undignified and unusual haste I asked him what was the matter and he answered inconsequently that the black one this layer of razor was at the door with his axe that generally accompanies him I replied then remembering the course of Bilali's alarm I explained to him that he must not take too much notice of a few hasty words spoken by an essentially gentle natured person whose nerve had given away beneath provocation and bodily effort the old fellow bowed in ascent and stroked his beard but I noticed that while Unslopogas was near he clung to me like a shadow perhaps he thought that nervous attacks might be recurrent like those of fever outside the house I found Unslopogas leaning on his axe and looking at the sky in which the last red rays of evening lingered Usana said Magma-san he said and it is time to visit this white queen as she bade us and to learn whether she can indeed lead us down below whether dead are said to dwell so he had not forgotten which was disconcerting to cover up my own doubts I asked him with affected confidence and cheerfulness whether he was not afraid to risk this journey down below that is to the realm of death why should I fear to tread a road that awaits the feet of all of us and at the gate of which we knock day by day especially if we chance to live by war as to you and I, Magma-san he inquired with a quiet dignity which made me feel ashamed why indeed I answered adding to myself though I should much prefer any other highway after this we started without more words I keeping up my spirits by reflecting that the whole business was nonsense that there could be nothing to dread all too soon we passed the ruined archway and were admitted into Asha's presence in the usual fashion as Bilali who remained outside of them drew the curtains behind us I observed to my astonishment that Hans had sneaked in after me and squatted down quite close to them apparently in the hope of being overlooked it seemed as I gathered later that somehow or other he had guessed or become aware of the object of our visit and that his burning curiosity had overcome his terror of the White Witch or possibly he hoped to discover whether or not she were so ugly as he supposed her veil-hidden face to be at any rate there he was and if Asha noticed him as I think she did for I saw by the motion of her head that she was looking in his direction she made no remark for a while she sat still in her chair contemplating us both then she said how comes it that you are late those that seek their lost loves should run with eager feet but yours have tarried I muttered some excuse to which she did not trouble to listen for she went on I think Alan that your sandals which should be winged like those of the Roman Mercury are weighted with a gray lead of fear well it is not strange since you have come to travel through the gates of death that are feared by all even by Asha's self for who knows what he may find beyond them ask the axe-bearer if he also is afraid I obeyed rendering all that she had said into the suglure idiom as best I could say to the queen answered Omslopogas when he understood that I fear nothing except women's tangs I am ready to pass the gates of death and if need be to come back no more with the white people I know it is otherwise because of some dark teachings to which they listen that tell of terrors to be such as we who are black do not treat still we believe that there are ghosts and that the spirits of our fathers live on and as a chances I would learn whether this is so who about all things decide to meet a certain ghost for which reason I journeyed to this far land say these things to the white queen Makumasan and tell her that if she should send me to a place when there is no return I who do not love the world shall not blame her over much though it is true that I should have chosen to die in war now I have spoken when I had passed on all this speech to Asha her comment on it was this black captain has a spirit as brave as his body but how is it with your spirit Alan are you also prepared to risk so much learn that I can promise you nothing save that when I lose the bonds of your mortality and send out your soul to wonder in the depth of death as I believe that I can do though even of this I'm not certain you must pass through a gate of terrors that may be closed behind you by a stronger arm than mine moreover what you will find beyond it I do not know since be sure of this each of us has his own heaven or his own hell or both that soon or late he is doomed to travel now will you go forward or go back make choice while there is still time at all this ominous talk I felt my heart shrivel like a fire with a leaf if I may use that figure and my blood assume the temperature and consistency of ice cream earnestly did I curse myself for having allowed my curiosity about matters which we are not meant to understand to bring me to the edge of such a choice swiftly I determined to temporize which I did by asking Asha whether she would accompany me upon this eerie expedition she laughed a little as she answered we think you Alan am I whose face you have seen this companion for a man who desires to visit the loves that once were his what would they say or think if they should see you hand in hand with such a one I don't know and don't care I reply desperately but this is the kind of journey on which one requires a guide who knows the road cannot Omsloporgas go first and come back to tell me how it is fared with him if the brave and instructed white lord pen applied within the world's last faith it's not a shame to throw the savage in his ignorance out like a feather to test the winds of hell and watch the wild to learn whether these blow him back unscorched or waft him into fires when there is no return perhaps it might so be ordered Alan ask him yourself Alan if he's willing to run this errand for your sake or perhaps the little yellow man and she paused at this point Hans who having a smattering of Arabic understood something of our talk could contain himself no longer no bus he broke in from his corner by the curtain not me I don't care for hunting spokes bars which leave no spore that you can follow and are always behind when you think they are in front also there are too many of them waiting for me down there and how can I stand up to them until I'm a spoke myself and know the ways of fighting also if you should die when your spirit is away I want to be left that I may bury you nicely be silent I said in my sternest manner then unable to bear more of Asha's mockery for I felt that as usual she was mocking me I added with all the dignity that I could command I am ready to make this journey through the gate of death Asham if indeed you can show me the road for one purpose and no other I came to call namely to learn if so I might whether those who have died upon the world live on elsewhere now what must I do End of Chapter 20 of She and Alan by H. Ryder Haggard Read by Lorsch Rolander