按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
of a ridge up which they had been climbing for hours。 Before them lay
a vast and fertile valley； much of which seemed to be under
cultivation； and down it flowed a broad and placid river。 Opposite to
him and facing west a great tongue of land ran up to a wall of
mountains with stark precipices of black rock that seemed to be
hundreds； or even thousands； of feet high； and at the tip of this
tongue a mighty waterfall rushed over the precipice； looking at that
distance like a cascade of smoke。 This torrent； which he remembered
was called Raaba； fell into a great pool and there divided itself into
two rushing branches that enclosed an ellipse of ground； surrounded on
all sides by water； for on its westernmost extremity the branches met
again and after flowing a while as one river； divided once more and
wound away quietly to north and south further than the eye could
reach。 On the island thus formed； which may have been three miles long
by two in breadth； stood thousands of straw…roofed； square…built huts
with verandas； neatly arranged in blocks and lines and having between
them streets that were edged with palms。
On the hither side of the pool was what looked like a park； for here
grew great； black trees； which from their flat shape Alan took to be
some variety of cedar； and standing alone in the midst of this park
where no other habitations could be discovered； was a large； low
building with dark…coloured walls and gabled roofs that flashed like
fire。
〃The Gold House！〃 said Alan to himself with a gasp。 〃So it is not a
dream or a lie。〃
The details at that distance he could not discover； nor did he try to
do so； for the general glory of the scene held him in its grip。 At
this evening hour； for a little while； the level rays of the setting
sun poured straight up the huge； water…hollowed kloof。 They struck
upon the face of the fall； staining it and the clouds of mist that
hung above； to a hundred glorious hues； indeed the substance of the
foaming water seemed to be interlaced with rainbows whereof the arch
reached their crest and the feet were lost in the sullen blackness of
the pool beneath。 Beautiful too was the valley； glowing in the quiet
light of evening； and even the native town thus gilded and glorified；
looked like some happy home of peace。
The sun was sinking rapidly； and before the litter reached the foot of
the hill and began to cross the rich valley； all the glory had
departed and only the cataract showed white and ghost…like through the
gloom。 But still the light； which seemed to gather to itself； gleamed
upon that golden roof amid the cedar trees； then the moon rose and the
gold was turned to silver。 Alan lay back upon his cushions full of
wonder； almost of awe。 It was a marvellous thing that he should have
lived to reach this secret place hidden in the heart of Africa and
defended by swamps； mountains and savages to which； so far as he knew；
only one white man had ever penetrated。 And to think of it！ That white
man； his own uncle； had never even held it worth while to make public
any account of its wonders； which apparently had seemed to him of no
importance。 Or perhaps he thought that if he did he would not be
believed。 Well； there they were before and about him； and now the
question was； what would be his fate in this Gold House where the
great fetish dwelt with its priestess？
Ah！ that priestess！ Somehow he shivered a little when he thought of
her； it was as though her influence were over him already。 Next moment
he forgot her for a while； for they had come to the river brink and
the litter was being carried on to a barge or ferry； about which were
gathered many armed men。 Evidently the Gold House was well defended
both by Nature and otherwise。 The ferry was pulled or rowed across the
river； he could not see which； and they passed through a gateway into
the town and up a broad street where hundreds of people watched his
advent。 They did not seem to speak； or if they spoke their voices were
lost in the sound of the thunder of the great cataract which dominated
the place with its sullen； continuous roar。 It took Alan days to
become accustomed to that roar； but by the inhabitants of Asiki…land
apparently it was not noticed； their ears and voices were attuned to
overcome its volume which their fathers had known from the beginning。
Presently they were through the town and a wooden gate in an inner
wall which surrounded the park where the cedars grew。 At this spot
Alan noted that everybody left them except the bearers and a few men
whom he took to be priests。 On they stole like ghosts beneath the
mighty trees； from whose limbs hung long festoons of moss。 It was very
dark there； only in places where a bough was broken the moonlight lay
in white gules upon the ground。 Another wall and another gate； and
suddenly the litter was set down。 Its curtains opened； torches
flashed； women appeared clad in white robes； veiled and mysterious；
who bowed before him； then half led and half lifted him from his
litter。 He could feel their eyes on him through their veils； but he
could not see their faces。 He could see nothing except their naked；
copper…coloured arms and long thin hands stretched out to assist him。
Alan descended from the litter as slowly as he could； for somehow he
shrank from the quaint； carved portal which he saw before him。 He did
not wish to pass it； its aspect filled him with reluctance。 The women
drew him on； their hands pulled at his arms； their shoulders pressed
him from behind。 Still he hung back； looking about him； till to his
delight he saw the other litter arrive and out of it emerge Jeekie；
still wearing his sun…helmet with its fringe of tattered mosquito
curtain。
〃Here we are； Major；〃 he said in his cheerful voice； 〃turned up all
right like a bad ha'penny； but in odd situation。〃
〃Very odd；〃 echoed Alan。 〃Could you persuade these ladies to let go of
me？〃
〃Don't know；〃 answered Jeekie。 〃'Spect they doubtfully your wives；
'spect you have lots of wives here； don't get white man every day； so
make most of him。 Best thing you do； kick out and teach them place。
Rub nose in dirt at once and make them good； that first…class plan
with female。 I no like interfere in such delicate matter。〃
Terrified by this information； Alan put out his strength and shook the
women off him； whereon without seeming to take any offence they drew
back to a little distance and began to bow； like automata。 Then Jeekie
addressed them in their own language； asking them what they meant by
defiling this mighty lord； born of the Heavens； with the touch of
their hands； whereat they went on bowing more humbly than before。 Next
he threw aside the cushions of the litter and finding the tin box
containing Little Bonsa； held it before him in both hands and bade the
women lead on。
The march began； a bewildering march。 It was like a nightmare。 Veiled
women with torches before and behind； Jeekie stalking ahead carrying
the battered tin box； long passages lined with gold； a vision of black
water edged with a wide promenade； and finally a large lamp…lit room
whereof the roof was supported by gilded columns； and in the room
couches of