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are safer up above； where we have plenty to do。〃
〃But；〃 said Benita； 〃how about things to eat and sleep on； and the
rest？〃
〃Simple enough； Miss Clifford； we must get them up。 The Kaffirs will
bring them to the foot of the third wall； and we will haul them to its
top with a rope。 Of water it seems there is plenty in that well； which
is fed by a spring a hundred and fifty feet down； and the old chain is
still on the roller； so we only need a couple of buckets from the
waggon。 Of wood for cooking there is plenty also； growing on the spot；
and we can camp in the cave or outside of it； as we like； according to
the state of the weather。 Now； do you rest here while I go down。 I
will be back in an hour with some of the gear； and then you must help
me。〃
So he went； and the end of it was that before nightfall they had
enough things for their immediate needs； and by the second night；
working very hard； were more or less comfortably established in their
strange habitation。 The canvas flap from the waggon was arranged as a
tent for Benita； the men sleeping beneath a thick…leaved tree near by。
Close at hand； under another tree； was their cooking place。 The
provisions of all sorts； including a couple of cases of square…face
and a large supply of biltong from the slaughtered cattle； they stored
with a quantity of ammunition in the mouth of the cave。 Fresh meat
also was brought to them daily； and hauled up in basketsthat is；
until there was none to bringand with it grain for bread； and green
mealies to serve as vegetables。 Therefore； as the water from the well
proved to be excellent and quite accessible； they were soon set up in
all things necessary； and to these they added from time to time as
opportunity offered。
In all these preparations the old Molimo took a part； nor； when they
were completed； did he show any inclination to leave them。 In the
morning he would descend to his people below； but before nightfall he
always returned to the cave； where for many years it had been his
custom to sleepat any rate several times a week； in the gruesome
company of the dead Portuguese。 Jacob Meyer persuaded Mr。 Clifford
that his object was to spy upon them； and talked of turning him out；
but Benita； between whom and the old man had sprung up a curious
friendship and sympathy； prevented it； pointing out that they were
much safer with the Molimo； as a kind of hostage； than they could be
without him； also； that his knowledge of the place； and of other
things； might prove of great help to them。 So in the end he was
allowed to remain； as indeed he had a perfect right to do。
All this while there was no sign of any attack by the Matabele。
Indeed； the fear of such a thing was to some extent dying away； and
Benita； watching from the top of the wall； could see that their nine
remaining oxen； together with the two horsesfor that belonging to
Jacob Meyer had diedand the Makalanga goats and sheep； were daily
driven out to graze； also； that the women were working in the crops
upon the fertile soil around the lowest wall。 Still； a strict watch
was kept； and at night everyone slept within the fortifications；
moreover； the drilling of the men and their instruction in the use of
firearms went on continually under Tamas； who now； in his father's old
age； was the virtual chief of the people。
It was on the fourth morning that at length； all their preparations
being completed； the actual search for the treasure began。 First； the
Molimo was closely interrogated as to its whereabouts； since they
thought that even if he did not know this exactly； some traditions of
the fact might have descended to him from his ancestors。 But he
declared with earnestness that he knew nothing； save that the
Portuguese maiden had said that it was hidden； nor； he added； had any
dream or vision come to him concerning this matter； in which he took
no interest。 If it was there； it was there； if it was not there； it
was not thereit remained for the white men to search and see。
For no very good reason Meyer had concluded that the gold must have
been concealed in or about the cave； so here it was that they began
their investigations。
First； they bethought them of the well into which it might possibly
have been thrown； but the fact of this matter proved very difficult to
ascertain。 Tying a piece of metalit was an old Portuguese sword…hilt
to a string； they let it down and found that it touched water at a
depth of one hundred and twenty feet； and bottom at a depth of one
hundred and forty…seven feet。 Therefore there were twenty…seven feet
of water。 Weighting a bucket they sank it until it rested upon this
bottom； then wound it up again several times。 On the third occasion it
brought up a human bone and a wire anklet of pure gold。 But this
proved nothing； except that some ancient； perhaps thousands of years
ago； had been thrown； or had fallen； into the well。
Still unsatisfied； Jacob Meyer； who was a most intrepid person；
determined to investigate the place himself； a task of no little
difficulty and danger； since proper ladders were wanting； nor； had
they existed； was there anything to stand them on。 Therefore it came
to this： a seat must be rigged on to the end of the old copper chain；
and be lowered into the pit after the fashion of the bucket。 But； as
Benita pointed out； although they might let him down； it was possible
that they would not be able to draw him up again； in which case his
plight must prove unfortunate。 So； when the seat had been prepared； an
experiment was made with a stone weighing approximately as much as a
man。 This Benita and her father let down easily enough； but； as they
anticipated； when it came to winding it up again； their strength was
barely sufficient to the task。 Three people could do it well； but with
two the thing was risky。 Now Meyer askedor； rather； commandedthe
Molimo to order some of his men to help him； but this the old chief
refused point blank to do。
First； he made a number of excuses。 They were all employed in
drilling； and in watching for the Matabele； they were afraid to
venture here； and so forth。 At last Meyer grew furious； his eyes
flashed； he ground his teeth； and began to threaten。
〃White man；〃 said the Molimo； when he had done； 〃it cannot be。 I have
fulfilled my bargain with you。 Search for the gold； find it and take
it away if you can。 But this place is holy。 None of my tribe； save he
who holds the office of Molimo for the time； may set a foot therein。
Kill me if you willI care not； but so it is； and if you kill me；
afterwards they will kill you。〃
Now Meyer； seeing that nothing was to be gained by violence； changed
his tone； and asked if he himself would help them。
〃I am old； my strength is small；〃 he replied； 〃yet I will put my hand
to the chain and do my best。 But； if I were you； I would not descend
that pit。〃
〃Still； I will descend it； and to…morrow；〃 said Meyer。
XII