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the sort。 It seemed to me that our force was too small； and that if I
took the rifle…men a great deal of ammunition might be expended with
poor result。 Also in the event of any reverse or when we were finally
driven back； which must happen； there might be difficulty about
remounting the camels； our only means of escape from the horsemen who
would possibly gallop us down。 Moreover the Tava had several fords；
any one of which might be selected by the enemy。 So it was arranged
that we should make our first and last stand upon the Holy Mount。
On the fourteenth night from new moon our swift camel…scouts who were
posted in relays between the Tava and the Mount reported that the
Black Kendah were gathered in thousands upon the farther side of the
river； where they were engaged in celebrating magical ceremonies。 On
the fifteenth night the scouts reported that they were crossing the
river； about five thousand horsemen and fifteen thousand foot
soldiers； and that at the head of them marched the huge god…elephant
Jana； on which rode Simba the King and a lame priest （evidently my
friend whose foot had been injured by the pistol）； who acted as a
mahout。 This part of the story I confess I did not believe； since it
seemed to me impossible that anyone could ride upon that mad rogue；
Jana。 Yet； as subsequent events showed； it was in fact true。 I suppose
that in certain hands the beast became tame。 Or perhaps it was
drugged。
Two nights later； for the Black Kendah advanced but slowly； spreading
themselves over the country in order to collect such crops as had not
been gathered through lack of time or because they were still unripe；
we saw flames and smoke arising from the Town of the Child beneath us；
which they had fired。 Now we knew that the time of trial had come and
until near midnight men； women and children worked feverishly
finishing or trying to finish the fortifications and making every
preparation in our power。
Our position was that we held a very strong post； that is； strong
against an enemy unprovided with big guns or even firearms； which； as
all other possible approaches had been blocked； was only assailable by
direct frontal attack from the east。 In the pass we had three main
lines of defence； one arranged behind the other and separated by
distances of a few hundred yards。 Our last refuge was furnished by the
walls of the temple itself； in the rear of which were camped the whole
White Kendah tribe； save a few hundred who were employed in watching
the herds of camels and stock in almost inaccessible positions on the
northern slopes of the Mount。
There were perhaps five thousand people of both sexes and every age
gathered in this camp； which was so well provided with food and water
that it could have stood a siege of several months。 If； however； our
defences should be carried there was no possibility of escape； since
we learned from our scouts that the Black Kendah； who by tradition and
through spies were well acquainted with every feature of the country；
had detached a party of several thousand men to watch the western road
and the slopes of the mountain； in case we should try to break out by
that route。 The only one remaining； that which ran through the cave of
the serpent； we had taken the precaution of blocking up with great
stones； lest through it our flank should be turned。
In short； we were rats in a trap and where we were there we must
either conquer or dieunless indeed we chose to surrender； which for
most of us would mean a fate worse than death。
CHAPTER XIX
ALLAN QUATERMAIN MISSES
I had made my last round of the little corps that I facetiously named
〃The Sharpshooters；〃 though to tell the truth at shooting they were
anything but sharp； and seen that each man was in his place behind a
wall with a reserve man squatted at the rear of every pair of them；
waiting to take his rifle if either of these should fall。 Also I had
made sure that all of them had twenty rounds of ammunition in their
skin pouches。 More I would not serve out； fearing lest in excitement
or in panic they might fire away to the last cartridge uselessly； as
before now even disciplined white troops have been known to do。
Therefore I had arranged that certain old men of standing who could be
trusted should wait in a place of comparative safety behind the line；
carrying all our reserve ammunition； which amounted； allowing for what
had been expended in practice； to nearly sixty rounds per rifle。 This
they were instructed to deliver from their wallets to the firing line
in small lots when they saw that it was necessary and not before。
It was； I admit； an arrangement apt to miscarry in the heat of
desperate battle； but I could think of none better； since it was
absolutely necessary that no shot should be wasted。
After a few words of exhortation and caution to the natives who acted
as sergeants to the corps； I returned to a bough shelter that had been
built for us behind a rock to get a few hours' sleep； if that were
possible； before the fight began。
Here I found Ragnall； who had just come in from his inspection。 This
was of a much more extensive nature than my own； since it involved
going round some furlongs of the rough walls and trenches that he had
prepared with so much thought and care； and seeing that the various
companies of the White Kendah were ready to play their part in the
defence of them。
He was tired and rather excited； too much so to sleep at once。 So we
talked a little while； first about the prospects of the morrow's
battle； as to which we were； to say the least of it； dubious； and
afterwards of other things。 I asked him if during his stay in this
place； while I was below at the town or later； he had heard or seen
anything of his wife。
〃Nothing；〃 he answered。 〃These priests never speak of her； and if they
did Har？t is the only one of them that I can really understand。
Moreover； I have kept my word strictly and； even when I had occasion
to see to the blocking of the western road； made a circuit on the
mountain…top in order to avoid the neighbourhood of that house where I
suppose she lives Oh！ Quatermain； my friend； my case is a hard one； as
you would think if the woman you loved with your whole heart were shut
up within a few hundred yards of you and no communication with her
possible after all this time of separation and agony。 What makes it
worse is； as I gathered from what Har？t said the other day； that she
is still out of her mind。〃
〃That has some consolations；〃 I replied； 〃since the mindless do not
suffer。 But if such is the case； how do you account for what you and
poor Savage saw that night in the Town of the Child？ It was not
altogether a phantasy； for the dress you described was the same we saw
her wearing at the Feast of the First…fruits。〃
〃I don't know what to make of it； Quatermain； except that many strange
things happen in the world which we mock at as insults