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journey； since I saw that in a few months I could collect an enormous
amount of ivory； enough to make me comparatively rich； if only I were
able to get it away。 As it was we only killed a few of them； ten in
all to be accurate； that we might send back the tusks as presents to
Bausi II。 To slaughter the poor animals uselessly was cruel；
especially as being unaccustomed to the sight of man； they were as
easy to approach as cows。 Even Savage slew oneby carefully aiming at
another five paces to its left。
For the rest we lived on the fat of the land and； as meat was
necessary to us； had as much sport as we could desire among the
various antelope。
For fourteen days or so this went on； till at length we grew
thoroughly tired of the business； as did the Mazitu； who were so
gorged with flesh that they began to desire vegetable food。 Twice we
rode as far into the desert as we dared； for our horses remained to us
and had grown fresh again after the rest； but only to return without
information。 The place was just a vast wilderness strewn with brown
stones beautifully polished by the wind…driven sand of ages； and quite
devoid of water。
After our second trip； on which we suffered severely from thirst； we
held a consultation。 Old Babemba said that he could keep his men no
longer； even for us； as they insisted upon returning home； and
inquired what we meant to do and why we sat here 〃like a stone。〃 I
answered that we were waiting for some of the Kendah who had bid me to
shoot game hereabouts until they arrived to be our guides。 He remarked
that the Kendah to the best of his belief lived in a country that was
still hundreds of miles away and that； as they did not know of our
presence； any communication across the desert being impossible； our
proceedings seemed to be foolish。
I retorted that I was not quite so sure of this； since the Kendah
seemed to have remarkable ways of acquiring information。
〃Then； Macumazana； I fear that you will have to wait by yourselves
until you discover which of us is right；〃 he said stolidly。
Turning to Ragnall； I asked him what he would do； pointing out that to
journey into the desert meant death； especially as we did not know
whither we were going； and that to return alone； without the stores
which we must abandon； through the country of the bushmen to
Mazituland； would also be a risky proceeding。 However； it was for him
to decide。
Now he grew much perturbed。 Taking me apart again he dwelt earnestly
upon his secret reasons for wishing to visit these Kendah； with which
of course I was already acquainted； as indeed was Savage。
〃I desire to stay here；〃 he ended。
〃Which means that we must all stay； Ragnall； since Savage will not
desert you。 Nor will Hans desert me although he thinks us mad。 He
points out that I came to seek ivory and here about is ivory in plenty
for the trouble of taking。〃
〃I might remain alone； Quatermain〃 he began； but I looked at him
in such a way that he never finished the sentence。
Ultimately we came to a compromise。 Babemba； on behalf of the Mazitu；
agreed to wait three more days。 If nothing happened during that period
we on our part agreed to return with them to a stretch of well…watered
bush about fifty miles behind us； which we knew swarmed with
elephants； that by now were growing shy of approaching our oasis where
there was so much noise and shooting。 There we would kill as much
ivory as we could carry； an operation in which they were willing to
assist for the fun of it； and then go back with them to Mazituland。
The three days went by and with every hour that passed my spirits
rose； as did those of Savage and Hans； while Lord Ragnall became more
and more depressed。 The third afternoon was devoted to a jubilant
packing of loads； for in accordance with the terms of our bargain we
were to start backwards on our spoor at dawn upon the morrow。 Most
happily did I lay myself down to sleep in my little bough shelter that
night； feeling that at last I was rid of an uncommonly awkward
adventure。 If I thought that we could do any good by staying on； it
would have been another matter。 But as I was certain that there was no
earthly chance of our finding among the Kendahif ever we reached
themthe lady who had tumbled in the Nile in Egypt； well； I was glad
that Providence had been so good as to make it impossible for us to
commit suicide by thirst in a desert； or otherwise。 For；
notwithstanding my former reasonings to the contrary； I was now
convinced that this was what had happened to poor Ragnall's wife。
That； however； was just what Providence had not done。 In the middle of
the night； to be precise； at exactly two in the morning； I was
awakened by Hans； who slept at the back of my shanty； into which he
had crept through a hole in the faggots； exclaiming in a frightened
voice；
〃Open your eyes and look； Baas。 There are two /spooks/ waiting to see
you outside； Baas。〃
Very cautiously I lifted myself a little and stared out into the
moonlight。 There； seated about five paces from the open end of the hut
were the 〃spooks〃 sure enough； two white…robed figures squatting
silent and immovable on the ground。 At first I was frightened。 Then I
bethought me of thieves and felt for my Colt pistol under the rug that
served me as a pillow。 As I got hold of the handle； however； a deep
voice said：
〃Is it your custom； O Macumazana； Watcher…by…Night； to receive guests
with bullets？〃
Now thought I to myself； who is there in the world who could see a man
catch hold of the handle of a pistol in the recesses of a dark place
and under a blanket at night； except the owner of that voice which I
seemed to remember hearing in a certain drawing…room in England？
〃Yes； Har？t；〃 I answered with an unconcerned yawn； 〃when the guests
come in such a doubtful fashion and in the middle of the night。 But as
you are here at last； will you be so good as to tell us why you have
kept us waiting all this time？ Is that your way of fulfilling an
engagement？〃
〃O Lord Macumazana；〃 answered Har？t； for of course it was he； in quite
a perturbed tone； 〃I offer to you our humble apologies。 The truth is
that when we heard of your arrival at Beza…Town we started； or tried
to start； from hundreds of miles away to keep our tryst with you here
as we promised we would do。 But we are mortal； Macumazana； and
accidents intervened。 Thus； when we had ascertained the weight of your
baggage； camels had to be collected to carry it； which were grazing at
a distance。 Also it was necessary to send forward to dig out a certain
well in the desert where they must drink。 Hence the delay。 Still； you
will admit that we have arrived in time； five； or at any rate four
hours before the rising of that sun which was to light you on your
homeward way。〃
〃Yes； you have； O Prophets； or O Liars； whichever you may be；〃 I
exclaimed with pardonable exasperation； for really their knowledge of