Itoldhim，whereonherose，orrathertriedto，feltforhishat，which，ofcourse，hadgone，withtheideaoftakingitoff，andinstantlyaddressedherinhisbeautifulandfluentArabic，sayinghowgladhewastohavethisunexpectedhonour，andsoforth。
Shecongratulatedhimonhisescape，whereonhisfacegrewserious。
“Yes，anastybusiness，“hesaid，“asyetIcanhardlyrememberwhethermynameisDaniel，orPtolemyHiggs。”Thenheturnedtousandadded，“Lookhere，youfellows，ifIdon\'tthankyouitisn\'tbecauseIamnotgrateful，butbecauseIcan\'t。Thetruthis，I\'mabitdazed。
Yoursonisallright，Adams；he\'sagoodfellow，andwegrewgreatfriends。Safe?Oh！yes，he\'ssafeasachurch！OldBarung，he\'stheSultan，andanothergoodfellow，althoughhedidthrowmetothelions——becausethepriestsmadehim——isveryfondofhim，andisgoingtomarryhimtohisdaughter。”
Atthismomentthemenannouncedthateverythingwasreadyforourascent，andwhenIhadattendedtoJoshuawithaheartmadethankfulbyHiggs\'snews，webeganthattoilsomebusiness，and，asIhavealreadysaid，atlengthaccomplisheditsafely。Buteventhenourlabourswerenotended，sinceitwasnecessarytofillupthemouthoftheshaftsoastomakeitimpossiblethatitshouldbeusedbytheFung，whonowknewofitsexistence。
Norwasthisabusinessthatcouldbedelayed，foraswepassedtheplateauwhenceOliverandJaphethadcrossedtothesphinx，weheardthevoicesofmenonthefarthersideoftheroughwallthatwehadbuiltthere。Evidentlythepriests，oridolguards，infuriatedbytherescueoftheirvictim，hadalreadymanagedtobridgethegulfandwerecontemplatingassault，aknowledgewhichcausedustohurryourmovementsconsiderably。Iftheyhadgotthroughbeforewepassedthem，ourfatewouldhavebeenterrible，sinceatthebestwemusthaveslowlystarvedinthepitbelow。
Indeed，assoonaswereachedthetopandhadblockedittemporarily，Quick，wearyashewas，wassentoffonhorseback，accompaniedbyMaqueda，Shadrach，nowunderthetermsofhiscontractoncemoreafreeman，andtwoMountaineers，togalloptothepalaceofMur，andfetchasupplyofexplosives。Therestofus，forHiggsdeclinedtoleave，andwehadnomeansofcarryingJoshua，remainedwatchingtheplace，orrathertheAbatiwatchedwhilewesleptwithourriflesinourhands。BeforenoonQuickreturned，accompaniedbymanymenwithlittersandallthingsneedful。
Thenwepulledoutthestones，andOliver，Japhet，andsomeothersdescendedtothefirstlevelandarrangedblastingcharges。Awhileafterhereappearedwithhiscompanions，lookingsomewhatpaleandanxious，andshoutedtoustogetback。Followingourretreattoacertaindistance，unwindingawireashecame，presentlyhestoppedandpressedthebuttonofabatterywhichheheldinhishand。Therewasamuffledexplosionandatremorofthesoilliketothatofanearthquake，whilefromthemouthoftheshaftstonesleaptintotheair。
Itwasover，andallthatcouldbenotedwasasinkageinthegroundwheretheancientpithadbeen。
“Iamsorryforthem，“saidOliverpresently，“butithadtobedone。”
“Sorryforwhom?“Iasked。
“ForthoseFungpriestsorsoldiers。Thelevelsbelowarefullofthem，deadoralive。Theywerepouringupatourheels。Well，noonewilltravelthatroadagain。”
Later，intheguesthouseatMur，Higgstoldushisstory。AfterhisbetrayalbyShadrach，which，itappeared，wasmeanttoincludeusall，fortheProfessoroverheardthehurriedtalkbetweenhimandaFungcaptain，hewasseizedandimprisonedinthebodyofthegreatsphinx，wheremanychambersanddungeonshadbeenhollowedoutbytheprim?valracethatfashionedit。HereBarungtheSultanvisitedhimandinformedhimofhismeetingwiththerestofus，towhomapparentlyhehadtakenagreatliking，andalsothatwehadrefusedtopurchaseachanceofhisreleaseatthepriceofbeingfalsetoourtrust。
“Youknow，“saidHiggs，“thatwhenfirstIheardthisIwasveryangrywithyou，andthoughtyouasetofbeasts。ButonconsideringthingsI
sawtheothersideofit，andthatyouwereright，althoughInevercouldcometofancytheideaofbeingsacrificedtoasphinxbybeingchuckedlikeapieceofhorse-fleshtoalotofholylions。However，Barung，anexcellentfellowinhisway，assuredmethattherewasnoroadoutofthematterwithoutgivinggraveoffencetothepriests，whoareverypowerfulamongtheFung，andbringingafearfulcurseonthenation。
“Meanwhile，hemademeascomfortableashecould。Forinstance，Iwasallowedtowalkuponthebackoftheidol，toassociatewiththepriests，asuspiciousandmostexclusiveset，andtostudytheirentirereligioussystem，fromwhichIhavenodoubtthatofEgyptwasderived。Indeed，Ihavemadeagreatdiscoverywhich，ifeverwegetoutofthis，willcarrymynamedowntoallgenerations。TheforefathersoftheseFungwereundoubtedlyalsotheforefathersofthepre-dynasticEgyptians，asisshownbythesimilarityoftheircustomsandspiritualtheories。Further，intercoursewaskeptupbetweentheFung，whothenhadtheirheadquartershereinMur，andtheEgyptiansinthetimeoftheancientempire，tilltheTwentiethDynasty，indeed，ifnotlater。Myfriends，inthedungeonsinwhichIwasconfinedthereisaninscription，or，rather，a/graffite/，madebyaprisonerextraditedtoMurbyRamesesII。，aftertwentyyears\'residenceinEgypt，whichwaswrittenbyhimonthenightbeforehewasthrowntothesacredlions，thateveninthosedayswereanestablishedinstitution。AndIhavegotacopyofthatinscriptioninmypocket-
book。Itellyou，“headdedinascreamoftriumph，“I\'vegotacertifiedcopyofthatinscription，thankstoShadrach，onwhosedirtyheadbeblessings！“
Icongratulatedhimheartilyuponthistriumph，andbeforeheproceededtogiveusfurtherarch?ologicaldetails，askedhimforsomeinformationaboutmyboy。
“Oh，“saidHiggs，“heisaveryniceyoungmanandextremelygoodlooking。Indeed，Iamquiteproudtohavesuchagodson。Hewasmuchinterestedtohearthatyouwerehuntingforhimaftersomanyyears，quitetouchedindeed。HestilltalksEnglish，thoughwithaFungaccent，and，ofcourse，wouldliketoescape。Meanwhile，heishavingaverygoodtime，beingchiefsingertothegod，forhisvoiceisreallybeautiful，anofficewhichcarrieswithitallsortsofprivileges。Itoldyou，didn\'tI，thatheistobemarriedtoBarung\'sonlylegitimatedaughteronthenightofthenextfullmoonbutone。
TheceremonyistotakeplaceinHarmacCity，andwillbethegreatestofitssortforgenerations，afeastoftheentirepeopleinshort。I
shouldverymuchliketobepresentatit，butbeinganintelligentyoungmanhehaspromisedtokeepnotesofeverything，whichIhopemaybecomeavailableinduecourse。”
“Andisheattachedtothissavagelady?“Iaskeddismayed。
“Attached?Oh，dearno，Ithinkhesaidhehadneverseenher，andonlyknewthatshewasratherplainandreportedtopossessahaughtytemper。Heisaphilosophicalyoungman，however，asmightbeexpectedfromonewhohasundergonesomanyvicissitudes，and，therefore，takesthingsastheycome，thankingheaventhattheyarenoworse。Yousee，asthehusbandoftheSultan\'sdaughter，unlessthepairquarrelveryviolently，hewillbesafefromthelions，andhecouldneverquitesayasmuchbefore。Butwedidn\'tgointothesedomesticmattersverydeeplyasthereweresomanymoreimportantthingstointerestusboth。Hewantedtoknowallaboutyouandourplans，andnaturallyI
wantedtoknowallabouttheFungandtheritualandtraditionsconnectedwiththeworshipofHarmac，sothatwewereneverdullforasinglemoment。Infact，Iwishthatwecouldhavehadlongertogether，forwebecameexcellentfriends。Butwhateverhappens，IthinkthatI
havecollectedthecreamofhisinformation，“andhetappedafatnote-bookinhishands，adding:
“Whatanawfulthingitwouldhavebeenifalionhadeatenthis。Formyselfitdidnotmatter；theremaybemanybetterEgyptologists，butIdoubtifanyoneofthemwillagainhavesuchopportunitiesoforiginalresearch。However，Itookeverypossibleprecautiontosavemynotesbyleavingacopyofthemostimportantofthemwrittenwithnativeinkuponsheepskininchargeofyourson。Indeed，Imeanttoleavetheoriginalsalso，butfortunatelyforgotintheexcitementofmyveryhurrieddeparture。”
Iagreedwithhimthathischanceshadbeenuniqueandthathewasamostluckyarch?ologist，andpresentlyhewentonpuffingathispipe。
“Ofcourse，whenOliverturnedupinthatunexpectedfashiononthebackoftheidol，rememberingyourwishesandnaturaldesiretorecoveryourson，Ididmybesttorescuehimalso。Buthewasn\'tintheroombeneath，whereIthoughtIshouldfindhim。Thepriestswerethereinstead，andtheyhadheardustalkingabove，andyouknowtherest。Well，asithappens，itdidn\'tmatter，thoughthatdescentintothedenoflions——thereweretwoorthreehundredfeetofit，andtheropeseemedwornuncommonlythinwithuse——wasatryingbusinesstothenerves。”
“Whatdidyouthinkaboutallthetime?“askedOlivercuriously。
“Thinkabout?Ididn\'tthinkmuch，wasintoogreatafright。IjustwonderedwhetherSt。Paulhadthesamesensationswhenhewasletdowninabasket；wonderedwhattheearlyChristianmartyrsfeltlikeinthearena；wonderedwhetherBarung，withwhommypartingwasquiteaffectionate，wouldcomeinthemorningandlookformeasDariusdidforDanielandhowmuchhewouldfindifhedid；hopedthatmyspecswouldgiveoneofthosebrutesappendicitis，andsoforth。Myword！itwassickening，especiallythatkindofschool-treatswingandbumpattheend。Inevercouldbearswinging。Still，itwasallforthebest，asIshouldn\'thavegoneayardalongthatsphinx\'stailwithouttumblingoff，tight-ropewalkingnotbeinginmyline；andI\'lltellyouwhat，youarejustthebestthreefellowsinthewholeworld。
Don\'tyouthinkIforgetthatbecauseIhaven\'tsaidmuch。Andnowlet\'shaveyouryarn，forIwanttohearhowthingsstand，whichI
neverexpectedtodothissideofJudgment-day。”
Sowetoldhimall，whilehelistenedopen-mouthed。WhenwecametothedescriptionoftheTomboftheKingshisexcitementcouldscarcelyberestrained。
“Youhaven\'ttouchedthem，“healmostscreamed；“don\'tsayyouhavebeenvandalsenoughtotouchthem，foreveryarticlemustbecatalogued/insitu/anddrawingsmustbemade。Ifpossible，specimengroupswiththeirsurroundingofferingsshouldbemovedsothattheycanbesetupagaininmuseums。Why，there\'ssixmonths\'workbeforeme，atleast。Andtothinkthatifithadn\'tbeenforyou，bynowI
shouldbeinprocessofdigestionbyalion，astinking，mangy，sacredlion！“
NextmorningIwasawakenedbyHiggslimpingintomyroominsomeweirdsleeping-suitthathehadcontrivedwiththehelpofQuick。
“Isay，oldfellow，“hesaid，“tellmesomemoreaboutthatgirl，WaldaNagasta。Whatasweetfaceshe\'sgot，andwhatpluck！Ofcourse，suchthingsain\'tinmyline，neverlookedatawomanthesetwentyyearspast，hardenoughtorememberhernextmorning，but，byJingo！
theeyesofthatonemademefeelquitequeerhere，“andhehitthesleeping-suitsomewhereinthemiddle，“thoughperhapsitwasonlybecauseshewassuchacontrasttothelions。”
“Ptolemy，“Iansweredinasolemnvoice，“letmetellyouthatsheismoredangeroustomeddlewiththananylion，andwhat\'smore，ifyoudon\'twanttofurthercomplicatematterswithaflamingrow，youhadbetterkeeptoyouroldhabitsandleavehereyesalone。ImeanthatOliverisinlovewithher。”
“Ofcourseheis。Ineverexpectedanythingelse，butwhat\'sthatgottodowithit?Whyshouldn\'tIbeinlovewithhertoo?ThoughI
admit，“headdedsadly，contemplatinghisrotundform，“thechancesareinhisfavour，especiallyashe\'sgotthestart。”
“Theyare，Ptolemy，forshe\'sinlovewithhim，“andItoldhimwhatwehadseenintheTombofKings。
Firstheroaredwithlaughter，thenonsecondthoughtsgrewexceedinglyindignant。
“IcallitscandalousofOliver，compromisingusallinthisway——theluckydog！Theseselfish，amorousadventureswillletusinfornoendoftrouble。Itisevenprobably，Adams，thatyouandImaycometoamiserableend，solelybecauseofthisyoungman\'serotictendencies。
Justfancyneglectingbusinessinordertorunafterapretty，round-
facedJewess，thatisifshe/is/aJewess，whichIdoubt，asthebloodmusthavegotconsiderablymixedbynow，andthefirstQueenofSheba，ifsheeverexisted，wasanEthiopian。Asafriendalmostoldenoughtobehisfather，Ishallspeaktohimveryseriously。”
“Allright，“Icalledafterhimashehobbledofftotakehisbath，“onlyifyouarewise，youwon\'tspeaktoMaqueda，forshemightmisinterpretyourmotivesifyougoonstaringatherasyoudidyesterday。”
ThatmorningIwassummonedtoseethePrinceJoshuaanddresshiswounds，which，althoughnotofaseriousnature，wereverypainful。
ThemomentthatIenteredtheman\'spresenceInoticedachangeinhisface。LiketherestofusIhadalwayssetthisfellowdownasamerepoltroonandwindbag，ablowerofhisowntrumpet，asOliverhadcalledhim。NowIgotaninsightintohisrealnaturewhichshowedmethatalthoughhemightbethesethingsandworse，hewasalsoaverydeterminedanddangerousperson，animatedbyambitionswhichhemeanttosatisfyatallhazards。
WhenIhaddonewhatIcouldforhimandtoldhimthatinmyopinionhehadnoillresultstofearfromhishurts，sincethethickclotheshewaswearingatthetimehadprobablycleanedthelion\'spawsofanypoisonthatmighthavebeenonthem，hesaid，“Physician，Idesireprivatewordswithyou。”
Ibowed，andhewenton:
“TheChildofKings，hereditaryrulerofthisland，somewhatagainsttheadviceofherCouncil，hasthoughtfittoemployyouandyourGentilecompanionsinorderthatbyyourskillandcertainartsofwhichyouaremastersyoumaydamageitsancientenemies，theFung，andinrewardhaspromisedtopayyouwellshouldyousucceedinyourendeavours。Now，Iwishyoutounderstandthatthoughyouthinkyourselvesgreatmen，andmayforaughtIknowbegreatinyourowncountry，hereyouarebutservantslikeanyothermercenarieswhomitmaypleaseustohire。”
Histonewassooffensivethat，thoughitmighthavebeenwisertokeepsilent，Icouldnothelpinterruptinghim。
“Youusehardwords，Prince，“Isaid；“letmethenexplainwhatistherealpayforwhichweworkandundergosomerisks。Mineisthehopeofrecoveringasonwhoistheslaveofyourenemies。ThatoftheCaptainOrmeisthequestofadventureandwar，sincebeingarichmaninhisowncountryheneedsnofurtherwealth。ThatofhimwhomyoucallBlackWindows，butwhosenameisHiggs，isthepureloveoflearning。
InEnglandandthroughouttheWestheisnotedforhisknowledgeofdeadpeoples，theirlanguages，andcustoms，anditistostudythesethathehasundertakensoterribleajourney。AsforQuick，heisOrme\'sman，whohasknownhimfromchildhood，anoldsoldierwhohasservedwithhiminwarandcomeshithertobewiththemasterwhomheloves。”
“Ah！“saidJoshua，“aservant，apersonofnodegree，whoyetdarestothreatenme，thepremierprinceoftheAbati，tomyface。”
“Inthepresenceofdeathallmenareequal，Prince。Youactedinafashionthatmighthavebroughthislord，whowasdaringadesperatedeed，toahideousdoom。”
“AndwhatdoIcareabouthislord\'sdesperatedeeds，Physician?Iseethatyousetstorebysuchthings，andthinkthosewhoaccomplishthemgreatandwonderful。Well，wedonot。ThereisnosavageamongthebarbarousFungwouldnotdoallthatyourOrmedoes，andmore，justbecauseheisasavage。Wewhoarecivilized，wewhoarecultivated，wewhoarewise，knowbetter。Ourlivesweregivenustoenjoy，nottothrowawayortoloseatthesword\'spoint，and，therefore，nodoubt，youwouldcalluscowards。”
“Yet，Prince，thosewhobearthattitleofcowardwhichyouholdoneofhonour，areapttoperish\'atthesword\'spoint。\'TheFungwaitwithoutyourgates，OPrince。”
“Andtherefore，OGentile，wehireyoutofighttheFung。Still，I
bearnogrudgeagainstyourservant，Quick，whoishimselfbutawhite-skinnedFung，forheactedaccordingtohisnature，andI
forgivehim；onlyinthefuturelethimbeware！Andnow——foragreatermatter。TheChildofKingsisbeautiful，sheisyoungandhighspirited；anewfacefromanotherlandmayperchancetouchherfancy。
But，“headdedmeaningly，“lettheownerofthatfacerememberwhosheisandwhatheis；lethimrememberthatforanyoutsidethecircleoftheancientbloodtolifthiseyestothedaughterofSolomonistoearndeath，deathslowandcruelforhimselfandallwhoaidandabethim。Lethimremember，lastly，thatthishigh-bornladytowhomhe，anunknownandvagrantGentile，darestotalkasequaltoequal，hasfromchildhoodbeenmyaffianced，whowillshortlybemywife，althoughitmaypleasehertoseemtofloutmeafterthefashionofmaidens，andthatweAbatiarejealousofthehonourofourwomen。Doyouunderstand?“
“Yes，Prince，“Ianswered，forbynowmytemperwasroused。“ButI
wouldhaveyouunderstandsomethingalso——thatwearemenofahighracewhosearmstretchesoverhalftheworld，andthatwedifferfromthelittletribeoftheAbati，whosefameisnotknowntous，inthis——thatwearejealousofourownhonour，anddonotneedtohirestrangerstofightthefoeswefeartoface。NexttimeIcometoattendtoyourwounds，OPrince，Itrustthattheywillbeinfront，andnotbehind。Onewordmore，ifyouwillbeadvisedbymeyouwillnotthreatenthatCaptainwhomyoucallaGentileandamercenary，lestyoushouldlearnthatitisnotalwayswelltobeacoward，ofbloodhoweverancient。”
Then，inatoweringrage，Ilefthim，feelingthatIhadmadeathoroughfoolofmyself。ButthetruthwasthatIcouldnotsitstillandhearmensuchasmycompanions，tosaynothingofmyself，spokenofthusbyabloatedcur，whocalledhimselfaprinceandboastedofhisownpoltroonery。HegloweredatmeasIwent，andthemenofhispartywhohungabouttheendofthegreatroomandinhiscourts，gloweredatmealso。Clearlyhewasaverydangerouscur，andIalmostwishedthatinsteadofthreateningtoslaphisfacedowninthetunnel，Quickhadbrokenhisneckandmadeanendofhim。
SodidtheotherswhenItoldthemthestory，althoughIthinkitopenedtheireyes，andespeciallythoseofOliver，tothegraveandgrowingdangersofthesituation。AfterwardheinformedmethathehadspokenofthematterwithMaqueda，andthatshewasmuchfrightenedforoursakes，andsomewhatforherown。Joshua，shesaid，wasamancapableofanycrime，whohadathisbackthegreatmajorityoftheAbati；ajealous，meanandintolerantracewhomadeupincunningforwhattheylackedincourage。
Yet，asIsawwell，theperiloftheirsituationdidnothingtoseparatethispairortolessentheirlove。Indeed，ratherdiditseemtobindthemclosertogether，andtomakethemmorecompletelyone。Inshort，thetragedytookitsappointedcourse，whilstwestoodbyandwatchedithelplessly。
OntheafternoonofmyangryinterviewwithJoshuaweweresummonedtoameetingoftheCouncil，whitherwewent，notwithoutsometrepidation，expectingtrouble。Troubletherewas，butofadifferentsorttothatwhichwefeared。ScarcelyhadweenteredthegreatroomwheretheChildofKingswasseatedinherchairofstatesurroundedbyallthepompandceremonyofhermimiccourt，whenthebigdoorsattheendofitwereopened，andthroughthemmarchedthreegray-beardedmeninwhiterobeswhomwesawatoncewereheraldsorambassadorsfromtheFung。ThesemenbowedtotheveiledMaquedaand，turningtowardwherewestoodinalittlegroupapart，bowedtousalso。
ButofJoshua，whowastheresupportedbytwoservants，forhecouldnotyetstandalone，andtheothernotablesandpriestsoftheAbati，theytooknottheslightestheed。
“Speak，“saidMaqueda。
“Lady，“answeredthespokesmanoftheembassy，“wearesentbyourSultan，Barung，sonofBarung，RuleroftheFungnation。ThesearethewordsofBarung:OWaldaNagasta！\'Bythehandsandthewitofthewhitelordswhomyouhavecalledtoyouraid，youhaveoflatedonemucheviltothegodHarmacandtomehisservant。Youhavedestroyedoneofthegatesofmycity，andwithitmanyofmypeople。Youhaverescuedaprisoneroutofmyhands，robbingHarmacofhissacrificeandtherebybringinghiswrathuponus。Youhaveslainsundryofthesacredbeaststhatarethemouthofsacrifice，youhavekilledcertainofthepriestsandguardsofHarmacinaholeoftherocks。Moreovermyspiestellmethatyouplanfurtherillsagainstthegodandagainstme。NowIsendtotellyouthatfortheseandotheroffencesI
willmakeanendofthepeopleoftheAbati，whomhithertoIhavespared。InalittlewhileImarrymydaughtertothewhiteman，thatpriestofHarmacwhoiscalledSingerofEgypt，andwhoissaidtobethesonofthephysicianinyourservice，butafterIhavecelebratedthisfeastandmypeoplehavefinishedthehoeingoftheircrops，I
takeuptheswordinearnest，norwillIlayitdownagainuntiltheAbatiarenomore。
“\'Learnthatlastnightaftertheholybeastshadbeenslainandthesacrificesnatchedaway，thegodHarmacspoketohispriestsinprophecy。Andthiswashisprophecy；thatbeforethegatheringinoftheharvesthis/head/shouldsleepabovetheplainofMur。Weknownottheinterpretationofthesaying，butthisIknow，thatbeforethegatheringoftheharvestI，orthosewhoruleafterme，willliedowntosleepwithinmycityofMur。\'
“\'Now，choose——surrenderforthwithand，saveforthedog，Joshua，whotheotherdaytriedtoentrapmeagainstthecustomofpeoples，andtenotherswhomIshallname，Iwillsparethelivesofallofyou，thoughJoshuaandthesetenIwillhang，sincetheyarenotworthytodiebythesword。Orresist，andbyHarmachimselfIswearthateverymanamongtheAbatishalldiesavethewhitelordswhomIhonourbecausetheyarebrave，andthatservantofyourswhostoodwiththemlastnightinthedenoflions，andthateverywomanshallbemadeaslave，saveyou，OWaldaNagasta，becauseofyourgreatheart。Youranswer，OLadyoftheAbati！\'“
NowMaquedalookedaroundthefacesofherCouncil，andsawfearwrittenuponthemall。Indeed，aswenoted，manyofthemshookintheirterror。
“Myanswerwillbeshort，ambassadorsofBarung，“shereplied，“still，Iambutonewoman，anditisfittingthatthosewhorepresentthepeopleshouldspeakforthepeople。Myuncle，Joshua，youarethefirstofmyCouncil，whathaveyoutosay?AreyouwillingtogiveupyourlifewithtenotherswhosenamesIdonotknow，thattheremaybepeacebetweenusandtheFung?“
“What?“answeredJoshua，withasplutterofrage，“doIlivetohearaWaldaNagastasuggestthatthefirstprinceoftheland，heruncleandaffiancedhusband，shouldbesurrenderedtoourhereditaryfoestobehangedlikeaworn-outhound，anddoyou，Ounknownten，whodoubtlessstandinthischamber，livetohearitalso?“
“Myuncle，youdonot。Iaskedifsuchwasyourwish，thatisall。”
“ThenIanswerthatitisnotmywish，northewishoftheten，northewishoftheAbati。Nay，wewillfighttheFunganddestroythem，andoftheirbeast-headedidolHarmacwewillmakeblockstobuildoursynagoguesandstonestopaveourroads。Doyouhear，savagesofFung?“andassistedbyhistwoservantshehobbledtowardsthem，grinningintheirfaces。
Theenvoyslookedhimupanddownwiththeirquieteyes。“Wehearandweareverygladtohear，“theirspokesmananswered，“sinceweFunglovetosettleourquarrelswiththeswordandnotbytreaty。Buttoyou，Joshua，wesay:MakehastetodiebeforeweenterMur，sincetheropeisnottheonlymeansofdeathwhereofweknow。”
Verysolemnlythethreeambassadorssaluted，firsttheChildofKingsandnextourselves，thenturnedtogo。
“Killthem！“shoutedJoshua，“theyhavethreatenedandinsultedme，thePrince！“
Butnooneliftedahandagainstthemen，whopassedsafelyoutofthepalacetothesquare，whereanescortwaitedwiththeirhorses。
CHAPTERXIV
HOWPHARAOHMETSHADRACH
Whentheambassadorshadgone，atfirsttherewassilence，averyheavysilence，sinceeventhefrivolousAbatifeltthatthehourwasbigwithfate。Ofasudden，however，themembersoftheCouncilbegantochatterlikesomanymonkeys，eachtalkingwithoutlisteningtowhathisneighboursaid，tillatlengthagorgeouslydressedperson，I
understoodthathewasapriest，steppedforward，andshouteddowntheothers。
Thenhespokeinanexcitedandvenomousfashion。HepointedoutthatweGentileshadbroughtallthistroubleuponMur，sincebeforewecametheAbati，althoughthreatened，hadlivedinpeaceandglory——heactuallyusedthewordglory！——forgenerations。ButnowwehadstungtheFung，asahornetstingsabull，andmadethemmad，sothattheywishedtotosstheAbati。Heproposed，therefore，thatweshouldatoncebeejectedfromMur。
AtthispointIsawJoshuawhisperintotheearofaman，whocalledout:——
“No，no，forthentheywouldgototheirfriend，Barung，asavagelikethemselves，andhavinglearnedoursecrets，woulddoubtlessusethemagainstus。Isaythattheymustbekilledinstantly，“andhedrewasword，andwavedit。
Quickwalkeduptothefellowandclappedapistoltohishead。
“Dropthatsword，“hesaid，“or/you/\'llneverheartheendofthestory，“andheobeyed，whereuponQuickcameback。
NowMaquedabegantospeak，quietlyenough，althoughIcouldseethatshewasquakingwithpassion。
“Thesemenareourguests，“shesaid，“comehithertoserveus。Doyoudesiretomurderourguests?Moreover，ofwhatusewouldthatbe?Onethingalonecansaveus，thedestructionofthegodoftheFung，since，accordingtotheancientsayingofthatpeople，whentheidolisdestroyedtheFungwillleavetheircityofHarmac。Moreover，astothisnewprophecyofthepriestsoftheidol，thatbeforethegatheringinoftheharvesthisheadshallsleepabovetheplainofMur，howcanthathappenifitisdestroyed，unlessindeeditmeansthatHarmacshallsleepintheheavens。Thereforewhathaveyoutofearfromthreatsbuiltuponthatwhichcannothappen?
“Butcan/you/destroythisfalsegodHarmac，ordare/you/fighttheFung?Youknowthatitisnotso，forhaditbeensowhatneedwasthereformetosendfortheseWesterns?Andifyoumurderthem，willBarungtherebybeappeased?Nay，Itellyouthatbeingabraveandhonourableman，althoughourenemy，hewillbecometentimesmorewrothwithyouthanhewasbefore，andexactavengeanceevenmoreterrible。Itellyoualso，thatthenyoumustfindanotherWaldaNagastatoruleoveryou，sinceI，Maqueda，willdosonomore。”
“Thatisimpossible，“saidsomeone，“youarethelastwomanofthetrueblood。”
“Thenyoucanchooseoneofbloodthatisnottrue，orelectaking，astheJewselectedSaul，forifmyguestsarebutcheredIshalldieofveryshame。”
ThesewordsofhersseemedtocowtheCouncil，oneofwhomaskedwhatwouldshehavethemdo?
“Do?“shereplied，throwingbackherveil，“why，bemen，raiseanarmyofeverymalewhocancarryasword；helptheforeigners，andtheywillleadyoutovictory。PeopleoftheAbati，wouldyoubeslaughtered，wouldyouseeyourwomenslaves，andyourancientnameblottedoutfromthelistofpeoples?“
Nowsomeofthemcried，“No。”
“Thensaveyourselves。Youarestillmany，thestrangersherehaveskillinwar，theycanleadifyouwillfollow。Bebraveawhile，andIsweartoyouthatbyharvesttheAbatishallsitinthecityofHarmacandnottheFunginMur。Ihavespoken，nowdowhatyouwill，“
andrisingfromherchairofstateMaquedaleftthechamber，motioningtoustodolikewise。
TheendofallthisbusinesswasthatapeacewasmadebetweenusandtheCounciloftheAbati。Aftertheirpompous，pedanticfashiontheysworesolemnlyontherolloftheLawthattheywouldaidusineverywaytoovercometheFung，andevenobeysuchmilitaryordersaswemightgivethem，subjecttotheconfirmationoftheseordersbyasmallcounciloftheirgenerals。Inshort，beingveryfrightened，foratimetheyforgottheirhatredofusforeigners。
Soaschemeofoperationswasagreedupon，andsomelawpassedbytheCouncil，theonlygoverningbodyamongtheAbati，fortheypossessednorepresentativeinstitutions，underwhichlawakindofconscriptionwasestablishedforawhile。Letmesayatoncethatitmetwiththemostintenseopposition。TheAbatiwereagriculturalistswholoathedmilitaryservice。Fromtheirchildhoodtheyhadheardoftheimminenceofinvasion，butnoactualinvasionhadeveryettakenplace。TheFungwerealwayswithout，andtheywerealwayswithin，aninlandisle，thewallofrockthattheythoughtimpassablebeingtheirseawhichprotectedthemfromdanger。
Theyhadnoexperienceofslaughterandrapine，theirimaginationswerenotsufficientlystrongtoenablethemtounderstandwhatthesethingsmeant；theywerelostinthepettinessofdailylifeanditspressinglocalinterests。Theirhomesinflames，theythemselvesmassacred，theirwomenandchildrendraggedofftobetheslavesofthevictors，apoorremnantlefttodieofstarvationamongthewastedfieldsortobecomewildmenoftherocks！Allthesethingstheylookeduponasameretale，aromancesuchastheirlocalpoetsrepeatedintheeveningsofawetseason，dimandfar-offeventswhichmighthavehappenedtotheCanaanitesandJebusitesandAmalekitesintheancientdayswhereofthebookoftheirLawtoldthem，butwhichcouldneverhappento/them/，thecomfortableAbati。InthatbooktheIsraelitesalwaysconqueredintheend，althoughthePhilistines，aliasFung，satattheirgates。ForitwillberememberedthatitincludesnoaccountofthefinalfallofJerusalemandawfuldestructionofitscitizens，ofwhichtheyhadlittleifanyknowledge。
Soitcameaboutthatourrecruitingparties，perhapspressgangswouldbeabetterterm，werenotwellreceived。Iknowit，forthisbranchofthebusinesswashandedovertome，ofcourseasadvisertotheAbaticaptains，andonseveraloccasions，whenridingroundthevillagesontheshoresoftheirbeautifullake，weweremetbyshowersofstones，andwereeventheobjectofactiveattackswhichhadtobeputdownwithbloodshed。Still，anarmyoffiveorsixthousandmenwasgottogethersomehow，andformedintocamps，whencedesertionswereincessant，onceortwiceaccompaniedbythemurderofofficers。
“It\'s\'opeless，downright\'opeless，Doctor，“saidQuicktome，droppinghish\'s，ashesometimesdidintheexcitementofthemoment。
“Whatcanonedowithacrowdofpigs，everyoneofthembentonboltingtohisownsty，oranywhereexcepttowardtheenemy?ThesoonertheFunggetthemthebetterforallconcerned，sayI，andifitwasn\'tforourLadyyonder“(QuickalwayscalledMaquedaafter“ourLady，“afterithadbeenimpresseduponhimthat“herMajesty“wasanincorrecttitle)，myadvicetotheCaptainandyougentlemenwouldbe:
Getoutofthisinfernalholeasquickasyourlegscancarryyou，andlet\'sdoabitofhuntingonthewayhome，leavingtheAbatitosettletheirownaffairs。”
“Youforget，Sergeant，thatIhaveareasonforstayinginthispartoftheworld，andsoperhapshavetheothers。Forinstance，theProfessorisveryfondofthoseoldskeletonsdowninthecave，“andI
paused。
“Yes，Doctor，andtheCaptainisveryfondofsomethingmuchbetterthanaskeleton，andsoareweall。Well，we\'vegottoseeitthrough，butsomehowIdon\'tthinkthateveryoneofuswillhavethatluck，thoughit\'struethatwhenamanhaslivedfairlystraightaccordingtohislightsafewyearsmoreorlessdon\'tmattermuchonewayortheother。Afterall，exceptyougentlemen，whoistherethatwillmissSamuelQuick?“
Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，drawinghimselfupstraightasaramrodhemarchedofftoassistsomepopinjaysofAbatiofficers，whomhehatedandwhohatedhim，toinstiltheelementsofdrillintoanewlyraisedcompany，leavingmetowonderwhatfearsorpremonitionsfilledhishonestsoul。
ButthiswasnotQuick\'sprincipalwork，sinceforatleastsixhoursofeverydayhewasengagedinhelpingOliverinourgreatenterpriseofdrivingatunnelfromtheendoftheTombofKingsdeepintothesolidrockthatformedthebaseofthemightyidoloftheFung。Thetaskwasstupendous，andwouldindeedhavebeenimpossiblehadnotOrme\'sconjecturethatsomepassagehadoncerunfromtheextremityofthecavetowardtheidolprovedtobeperfectlyaccurate。Suchapassageindeedwasfoundwalledupatthebackofthechaircontainingthebonesofthehunchbackedking。Itdescendedverysharplyforadistanceofseveralhundredyards，afterwhichforanotherhundredyardsormoreitswallsandroofweresorivenandshakythat，forfearofaccidents，wefounditnecessarytotimberthemaswewent。
Atlastwecametoaplacewheretheyhadfalleninaltogether，shakendown，Ipresume，bythegreatearthquakewhichhaddestroyedsomuchoftheancientcave-city。Atthisspot，ifOliver\'sinstrumentsandcalculationscouldbetrusted，wewerewithinabouttwohundredfeetofthefloorofthedenoflions，towhichitseemedprobablethatthepassageonceled，andofcoursethequestionaroseastowhatshouldbedone。
ACouncilwasheldtodiscussthisproblem，atwhichMaquedaandafewoftheAbatinotableswerepresent。TotheseOliverexplainedthatevenifthatwerepossibleitwouldbeuselesstoclearouttheoldpassageandattheendfindourselvesoncemoreinthedenoflions。
“What，then，isyourplan?“askedMaqueda。
“Lady，“heanswered，“I，yourservant，aminstructedtoattempttodestroytheidolHarmac，bymeansoftheexplosiveswhichwehavebroughtwithusfromEngland。First，Iwouldaskyouifyoustillclingtothatdesign?“
“Whyshoulditbeabandoned?“inquiredMaqueda。“Whathaveyouagainstit?“
“Twothings，Lady。Asanactofwarthedeedseemsuseless，sincesupposingthatthesphinxisshatteredandacertainnumberofpriestsandguardsaredestroyed，howwillthatadvanceyourcause?Secondly，suchdestructionwillbeverydifficult，ifitcanbedoneatall。Thestuffwehavewithus，itistrue，isoffearfulstrength，yetwhocanbesurethatthereisenoughofittomovethismountainofhardrock，ofwhichIcannotcalculatetheweight，nothavingthemeasurementsoranyknowledgeofthesizeofthecavitieswithinitsbulk。Lastly，iftheattemptistobemade，atunnelmustbehollowedofnotlessthanthreehundredfeetinlength，firstdownwardandthenupwardintotheverybaseoftheidol，andifthisistobedonewithinsixweeks，thatis，bythenightofthemarriageofthedaughterofBarung，theworkwillbeveryhard，ifindeeditcanbecompletedatall，althoughhundredsofmenlabourdayandnight。”
NowMaquedathoughtawhile，thenlookedupandsaid:
“Friend，youarebraveandskilful，tellusallyourmind。Ifyousatinmyplace，whatwouldyoudo?“
“Lady，Iwouldleadouteveryable-bodiedmanandattackthecityoftheFung，say，onthenightofthegreatfestivalwhentheyareofftheirguard。IwouldblowinthegatesofthecityofHarmac，andstormitanddriveawaytheFung，andafterwardstakepossessionoftheidol，andifitisthoughtnecessary，destroyitpiecemealfromwithin。”
NowMaquedaconsultedwithhercouncillors，whoappearedtobemuchdisturbedatthissuggestion，andfinallycalledusbackandgaveusherdecision。
“TheselordsoftheCouncil，“shesaid，speakingwitharingofcontemptinhervoice，“declarethatyourplanismad，andthattheywillneversanctionitbecausetheAbaticouldnotbepersuadedtoundertakesodangerousanenterpriseasanattackuponthecityofHarmac，whichwouldend，theythink，inallofthembeingkilled。Theypointout，OOrme，thattheprophecyisthattheFungwillleavetheplainofHarmacwhentheirgodisdestroyedandnotbefore，andthatthereforeitmustbedestroyed。Theysay，further，OOrme，thatforayearyouandyourcompanionsaretheswornservantsoftheAbati，andthatitisyourbusinesstoreceiveorders，nottogivethem，alsothattheconditionuponwhichyouearnyourpayisthatyoudestroytheidoloftheFung。ThisisthedecisionoftheCouncil，spokenbythemouthoftheprinceJoshua，whocommandfurtherthatyoushallatoncesetaboutthebusinesstoexecutewhichyouandyourcompanionsarepresenthereinMur。”
“Isthat/your/commandalso，OChildofKings?“answeredOliver，colouring。
“SinceIalsothinkthattheAbaticanneverbeforcedtoattackthecityoftheFung，itis，OOrme，thoughthewordsinwhichitiscouchedarenotmywords。”
“Verywell，OChildofKings，Iwilldomybest。Onlyblameusnotiftheendofthismatterisotherthantheseadvisersofyoursexpect。
Propheciesaretwo-edgedswordstoplaywith，andIdonotbelievethataraceoffightingmenliketheFungwillflyandleaveyoutriumphantjustbecauseastoneimageisshattered，ifthatcanbedoneinthetimeandwiththemeanswhichwepossess。Meanwhile，IaskthatyoushouldgivemetwohundredandfiftypickedmenoftheMountaineers，notofthetownspeople，underthecaptaincyofJaphet，whomustchoosethem，toassistusinourwork。”
“Itshallbedone，“sheanswered，andwemadeourbowsandwent。AswepassedthroughtheCouncilweheardJoshuasayinaloudvoicemeantforustohear:
“ThanksbetoGod，thesehiredGentileshavebeentaughttheirplaceatlast。”
Oliverturnedonhimsofiercelythatherecoiled，thinkingthathewasabouttostrikehim。
“Becareful，PrinceJoshua，“hesaid，“thatbeforethisbusinessisfinishedyouarenottaughtyours，whichIthinkmaybelowly，“andhelookedmeaninglyattheground。
Sothelabourbegan，anditwasheavyindeedaswellasdangerous。
Fortunately，inadditiontothepicratecompoundsthatQuickcalled“azurestingingbees，“wehadbroughtwithusafewcasesofdynamite，ofwhichwenowmadeuseforblastingpurposes。Aholewasdrilledinthefaceofthetunnel，andthechargeinserted。ThenallretreatedbackintotheTombofKingstillthecartridgehadexploded，andthesmokeclearedoff，whichtookalongwhile，whenourpeopleadvancedwithironbarsandbaskets，andclearedawaythedébris，afterwhichtheprocessmustberepeated。
Oh！theheatofthatnarrowholedeepinthebowelsoftherock，andthereekofthestagnantairwhichsometimeswassobadthatthelightswouldscarcelyburn。Indeed，afterahundredfeethadbeencompleted，wethoughtthatitwouldbeimpossibletoproceed，sincetwomendiedofasphyxiationandtheothers，althoughtheyweregoodfellowsenough，refusedtoreturnintothetunnel。Atlength，however，OrmeandJaphetpersuadedsomeofthebestofthemtodoso，andshortlyafterthistheatmosphereimprovedverymuch，Isupposebecausewecutsomecrannyorshaftwhichcommunicatedwiththeopenair。
Therewereotherdangersalso，notablyofthecollapseofthewholeroofwheretherockwasrotten，aswefoundittobeinplaces。Thenitprovedveryhardtodealwiththewater，foronceortwicewestrucksmallspringsimpregnatedwithcopperorsomeothermineralthatblisteredthefeetandskin，sinceeverydropofthisacidwaterhadtobecarriedoutinwoodenpails。ThatdifficultyweovercameatlastbysinkinganarrowwelldowntotheleveloftheancienttunnelofwhichIhavespokenashavingbeenshakeninbytheearthquake。
Thuswe，orratherOliverandQuickwiththeMountaineers，toiledon。
Higgsdidhisbest，butafterawhileprovedquiteunabletobeartheheat，whichbecametoomuchforsostoutaman。TheendofitwasthathedevotedhimselftothesuperintendenceoftheremovaloftherubbishintotheTombofKings，thecareofthestoresandsoforth。
Atleastthatwassupposedtobehisbusiness，butreallyheemployedmostofhistimeindrawingandcataloguingtheobjectsofantiquityandthegroupsofbonesthatwereburiedthere，andinexploringtheremainsoftheundergroundcity。Intruth，thistaskofdestructionwasmostrepellenttothepoorProfessor。
“Tothink，“hesaidtous，“tothinkthatI，whoallmylifehavepreachedtheiniquityofnotconservingeveryrelicofthepast，shouldnowbeemployedinattemptingtoobliteratethemostwonderfulobjecteverfashionedbytheancients！ItisenoughtomakeaVandalweep，andIprayheaventhatyoumaynotsucceedinyourinfamousdesign。WhatdoesitmatteriftheAbatiarewipedout，aslotsofbetterpeoplehavebeenbeforethem?Whatdoesitmatterifweaccompanythemtooblivionsolongasthatnoblesphinxispreservedtobethewonderoffuturegenerations?Well，thankgoodness，atanyrateIhaveseenit，whichismore，probably，thananyofyouwilleverdo。There，anotherbruteisdumpinghisrubbishovertheskullofNo。14！“
Thuswelabouredcontinually，eachathisdifferenttask，fortheworkinthemineneverstopped，OliverbeinginchargeduringthedayandQuickatnightforawholeweek，sinceoneachSundaytheychangedwiththeirgangs，QuicktakingthedayshiftandOliverthenight，or/viceversa/。SometimesMaquedacamedownthecavetoinspectprogress，always，Inoticed，atthosehourswhenOliverhappenedtobeoffduty。ThenonthispretextoronthattheywouldwanderawaytogethertovisitIknownotwhatintherecessesoftheundergroundcity，orelsewhere。InvaindidIwarnthemthattheireverystepwasdogged，andthattheireverywordandactionwerenotedbyspieswhocreptafterthemcontinually，sincetwiceIcaughtoneofthesegentryintheact。Theywereinfatuated，andwouldnotlisten。
AtthistimeOliveronlylefttheundergroundcitytwiceorthriceaweektobreathethefreshairforanhourortwo。Intruth，hehadnoleisure。Forthissamereasonhefittedhimselfupabedinwhathadbeenapriest\'schamber，orasanctuaryintheoldtemple，andsleptthere，generallywithnootherguardbutthegreatdog，Pharaoh，hisconstantcompanionevenintherecessesofthemine。
Itwascurioustoseehowthisfaithfulbeastaccustomeditselftothedarkness，andmadeitsothersenses，especiallythatofsmell，servethepurposeofeyesasdotheblind。Bydegrees，too，itlearnedallthedetailsoftheoperations；thus，whenthecartridgewasinplaceforfiring，itwouldriseandbegintowalkoutofthetunnelevenbeforethemenincharge。
OnenightthetragedythatIfearedverynearlyhappened，andindeedmusthavehappenedhaditnotbeenforthissamehound，Pharaoh。Aboutsixo\'clockintheeveningOlivercameoffdutyafteraneight-hourshiftinthetunnel，leavingHiggsincommandforalittlewhileuntilitwastimeforQuicktotakecharge。Ihadbeenatworkoutsidealldayinconnectionwiththenewconscriptarmy，aregimentofwhichwasinrevolt，becausethemen，mostofwhomwerewhatweshouldcallsmall-holders，declaredthattheywantedtogohometoweedtheircrops。Indeed，ithadprovednecessaryfortheChildofKingsherselftobesummonedtopleadwiththemandcondemnsomeoftheringleaderstopunishment。
Whenatlengththisbusinesswasoverwelefttogether，andthepoorlady，exasperatedalmosttomadness，sharplyrefusingtheescortofanyofherpeople，requestedmetoaccompanyhertothemine。
AtthemouthofthetunnelshemetOliver，asprobablyshehadarrangedtodo，andafterhehadreportedprogresstoher，wanderedawaywithhimasusual，eachofthemcarryingalamp，intosomerecessoftheburiedcity。Ifollowedthematadistance，notfromcuriosity，orbecauseIwishedtoseemoreofthewondersofthatcitywhereofI
washeartilysick，butbecauseIsuspectedthattheywerebeingspiedupon。
ThepairvanishedroundacornerthatIknewendedina/cul-de-sac/，soextinguishingmylamp，IsatdownonafallencolumnandwaitedtillIshouldseetheirlightreappear，whenIproposedtoeffectmyretreat。WhilstIsatthus，thinkingonmanythingsand，totellthetruth，verydepressedinmind，Iheardasoundasofsomeonemovingandinstantlystruckamatch。ThelightofitfellfulluponthefaceofamanwhomIrecognizedatonceasabody-servantoftheprinceJoshua，thoughwhetherhewaspassingmetowardthepairorreturningfromtheirdirectionIcouldnotbesure。
“Whatareyoudoinghere?“Iasked。
“Whatisthattoyou，Physician?“heanswered。
Thenthematchburntout，andbeforeIcouldlightanotherhehadvanished，likeasnakeintoastonewall。
MyfirstimpulsewastowarnMaquedaandOliverthattheywerebeingwatched，butreflectingthatthebusinesswasawkward，andthatthespywoulddoubtlesshavegivenoverhistaskforthisday，Ileftitalone，andwentdowntotheTomboftheKingstohelpHiggs。JustafterwardsQuickcameonduty，longbeforehistime，thefactbeingthathehadnoconfidenceintheProfessorasadirectorofminingoperations。WhenheappearedHiggsandIretreatedfromthatcloseandfilthytunnel，and，bywayofrecreation，putinanhourorsoatthecataloguingandarch?ologicalresearchinwhichhissouldelighted。
“IfonlywecouldgetallthislotoutofMur，“hesaid，withasweepofhishand，“weshouldbethemostfamousmeninEuropeforatleastthreedays，andrichintothebargain。”
“Ptolemy，“Ianswered，“weshallbefortunateifwegetourselvesaliveoutofMur，letalonethesebonesandancienttreasures，“andI
toldhimwhatIhadseenthatevening。
Hisfatandkindlyfacegrewanxious。
“Ah！“hesaid。“Well，Idon\'tblamehim；shouldprobablydothesamemyselfifIgotthechance，andsowouldyou——ifyouweretwentyyearsyounger。No，Idon\'tblamehim，orhereither，forthefactisthatalthoughtheirrace，education，andcircumstancesaresodifferent，theyareoneofNature\'spairs，andwhiletheyarealivenothingwillkeepthemapart。Youmightaswellexpectamagnetandabitofirontoremainseparateonasheetofnotepaper。Moreover，theygivethemselvesaway，aspeopleinthatstatealwaysdo。Thepursuitofarch?ologyhasitsdangers，butitisajollysightsaferthanthatofwoman，thoughitdidlandmeinadenoflions。What\'sgoingtohappen，oldfellow?“
“Can\'tsay，butIthinkitveryprobablethatOliverwillbemurdered，andthatweshallfollowthesameroad，or，ifwearelucky，beonlybundledoutofMur。Well，it\'stimefordinner；ifIgetachanceI
willgivethemahint。”
Sowemadeourwaytotheoldtempleinthegreatcave，wherewekeptourstoresandOliverhadhisheadquarters。Herewefoundhimwaitingforusandourmealready，forfoodwasalwaysbroughttousbythepalaceservants。Whenwehadeatenandthesemenhadclearedaway，welitourpipesandfedthedogPharaohuponthescrapsthathadbeenreservedforhim。ThenItoldOliveraboutthespywhomIhadcaughttrackinghimandMaqueda。
“Well，whatofit?“hesaid，colouringinhistell-talefashion；“sheonlytookmetoseewhatshebelievedtobeanancientinscriptiononacolumninthatnorthernaisle。”
“Thenshe\'dhavedonebettertotakeme，myboy，“saidHiggs。“Whatwasthecharacterlike?“
“Don\'tknow，“heansweredguiltily。“Shecouldnotfinditagain。”
Anawkwardsilencefollowed，whichIbroke。
“Oliver，“Isaid，“Idon\'tthinkyououghttogoonsleepingherealone。Youhavetoomanyenemiesinthisplace。”
“Rubbish，“heanswered，“thoughit\'struePharaohseemeduneasylastnight，andthatonceIwokeupandthoughtIheardfootstepsinthecourtoutside。Isetthemdowntoghosts，inwhichIhavealmostcometobelieveinthishauntedplace，andwenttosleepagain。”
“Ghostsbeblowed！“saidHiggsvulgarly，“ifthereweresuchthingsI
havesleptwithtoomanymummiesnottoseethem。ThatconfoundedJoshuaisthewizardwhoraisesyourghosts。Lookhere，oldboy，“headded，“letmecampwithyouto-night，sinceQuickmustbeinthetunnel，andAdamshastosleepoutsideincaseheiswantedonthearmybusiness。”
“Notabitofit，“heanswered；“youknowyouaretooasthmaticaltogetawinkinthisatmosphere。Iwon\'thearofsuchathing。”
“Thencomeandsleepwithusintheguest-house。”
“Can\'tbedone；theSergeanthasgotaverynastyjobdownthereaboutoneo\'clock，andIpromisedtobehandyincasehecallsmeup，“andhepointedtotheportablefieldtelephonethatfortunatelywehadbroughtwithusfromEngland，whichwasfixedclosedby，adding，“ifonlythatsillythinghadanotherfewhundredyardsofwire，I\'dcome；
but，yousee，ithasn\'tandImustbeintouchwiththework。”
Atthismomentthebelltinkled，andOrmemadeajumpforthereceiverthroughwhichforthenextfiveminuteshewasengagedingivingrapidandtousquiteunintelligibledirections。
“Thereyouare，“hesaid，whenhehadreplacedthemouthpieceonitshook，“ifIhadn\'tbeenheretheywouldprobablyhavehadtheroofofthetunneldownandkilledsomepeople。No，no；Ican\'tleavethatreceiverunlessIgobacktothemine，whichIamtootiredtodo。
However，don\'tyoufret。Withapistol，atelephone，andPharaohI\'msafeenough。Andnow，goodnight；youfellowshadbetterbegettinghomeasImustbeupearlyto-morrowandwanttosleepwhileIcan。”
Onthefollowingmorningaboutfiveo\'clockHiggsandIwereawakenedbysomeoneknockingatourdoor。Iroseandopenedit，whereoninwalkedQuick，agrimandgrimyfigure，for，ashissoakedclothesandsoiledfacetoldus，hehadbutjustlefthisworkinthemine。
“Captainwantstoseeyouassoonaspossible，gentlemen，“hesaid。
“What\'sthematter，Sergeant?“askedHiggs，aswegotintoourgarments。
“You\'llseeforyourselfpresently，Professor，“wasthelaconicreply，norcouldwegetanythingmoreoutofhim。
Fiveminuteslaterwewereadvancingatarunthroughthedensedarknessoftheundergroundcity，eachofuscarryingalamp。I
reachedtheruinsoftheoldtemplefirst，forQuickseemedverytiredandlaggedbehind，andinthatatmosphereHiggswasscantofbreathandcouldnottravelfast。AtthedoorwayoftheplacewherehesleptstoodthetallformofOliverholdingalampaloft。Evidentlyhewaswaitingforus。Byhissidesatthebigyellowdog，Pharaoh，that，whenhesmeltus，gambolledforward，wagginghistailingreeting。
“Comehere，“saidOrme，inalowandsolemnvoice，“Ihavesomethingtoshowyou，“andheledthewayintothepriest\'schamber，orsanctuary，whateveritmayhavebeen，wherehesleptuponarough，native-madebedstead。Atthedoorwayhehalted，loweredthelampheheld，andpointedtosomethingdarkonthefloortotherightofhisbedstead，saying，“Look！“
Therelayadeadman，andbyhissideagreatknifethatevidentlyhadfallenfromhishand。Atthefirstglancewerecognisedthefacewhich，bytheway，wassingularlypeaceful，asthoughitwerethatofoneplungedindeepsleep。Thisseemedodd，sincethethroatbelowwasliterallytornout。
“Shadrach！“wesaid，withonevoice。
Shadrachitwas；Shadrach，ourformerguide，whohadbetrayedus；
Shadrachwho，tosavehisownlife，hadshownushowtorescueHiggs，andforthatservicebeenpardoned，asIthinkImentioned。Shadrachandnoother！
“Pussyseemstohavebeenontheprowlandtohavemetadog，“
remarkedQuick。
“Doyouunderstandwhathashappened?“askedOliver，inadry，hardvoice。“PerhapsIhadbetterexplainbeforeanythingismoved。
Shadrachmusthavecreptinherelastnight——Idon\'tknowatwhattime，forIsleptthroughitall——forpurposesofhisown。ButheforgothisoldenemyPharaoh，andPharaohkilledhim。Seehisthroat?
WhenPharaohbiteshedoesn\'tgrowl，and，ofcourse，Shadrachcouldsaynothing，or，ashehaddroppedhisknife，forthematterofthat，doanythingeither。WhenIwaswokeupaboutanhouragobythetelephonebellthedogwasfastasleep，forheisaccustomedtothatbell，withhisheadrestinguponthebodyofShadrach。NowwhydidShadrachcomeintomyroomatnightwithadrawnknifeinhishand?“
“Doesn\'tseemadifficultquestiontoanswer，“repliedHiggs，inthehighvoicewhichwascommontohimwhenexcited。“Hecameheretomurderyou，andPharaohwastooquickforhim，that\'sall。Thatdogwasthecheapestpurchaseyouevermade，friendOliver。”
“Yes，“answeredOrme，“hecameheretomurderme——youwererightabouttherisk，afterall——butwhatIwonderis，whosenthim?“
“Andsoyoumaygoonwonderingfortherestofyourlife，Captain，“
exclaimedQuick。“Still，Ithinkwemightguessifwetried。”
Thennewsofwhathadhappenedwassenttothepalace，andwithinlittleoveranhourMaquedaarrived，accompaniedbyJoshuaandseveralothermembersofherCouncil。Whenshesawandunderstoodeverythingshewashorrified，andsternlyaskedJoshuawhatheknewofthisbusiness。Ofcourse，heprovedtobecompletelyinnocent，andhadnottheslightestideaofwhohadsetthemurdererontoworkthisdeedofdarkness。Norhadanybodyelse，thegeneralsuggestionbeingthatShadrachhadattempteditoutofrevenge，andmetwiththeduerewardofhiscrime。
OnlythatdaypoorPharaohwaspoisoned。Well，hehaddonehiswork，andhismemoryisblessed。
CHAPTERXV
SERGEANTQUICKHASAPRESENTIMENT
Fromthistimeforwardallofus，andespeciallyOliver，wereguardednightanddaybypickedmenwhoitwasbelievedcouldnotbecorrupted。Asaconsequence，theTsarofRussiascarcelyleadsalifemoreirksomethanoursbecameatMur。Ofprivacytherewasnonelefttous，sincesentriesanddetectiveslurkedateverycorner，whiletasterswereobligedtoeatofeachdishanddrinkfromeachcupbeforeittouchedourlips，lestourfateshouldbethatofPharaoh，whoselosswemournedasmuchasthoughthepoordoghadbeensomebelovedhumanbeing。
Mostofallwasitirksome，Ithink，toOliverandMaqueda，whoseopportunitiesofmeetingweremuchcurtailedbytheexigenciesofthisrigidespionage。Whocanmurmursweetnothingstohisadoredwhentwosoldiersarmedtotheteethhavebeeninstructednevertolethimoutoftheirsight?Particularlyisthissoiftheadoredhappenstobetherulerofthosesoldierstowhomthepersonguardedhasnorighttobemakinghimselfagreeable。Forwhenoffdutyeventhemostfaithfulguardiansareapttotalk。Ofcourse，theresultwasthatthepairtookriskswhichdidnotescapeobservation。Indeed，theirintimaterelationsbecameamatterofgossipthroughouttheland。
Still，annoyingastheymightbe，theseprecautionssucceeded，fornoneofuswerepoisonedorgotourthroatscut，althoughwewereconstantlythevictimsofmysteriousaccidents。Thus，aheavyrockrolleddownuponuswhenwesattogetheroneeveninguponthehill-
side，andaflightofarrowspassedbetweenuswhilewewereridingalongtheedgeofathicket，byoneofwhichHiggs\'shorsewaskilled。
Onlywhenthemountainandthethicketweresearchednoonecouldbefound。Moreover，agreatplotagainstuswasdiscoveredinwhichsomeofthelordsandpriestswereimplicated，butsuchwasthestateoffeelinginthecountrythat，beyondwarningthemprivatelythattheirmachinationswereknown，Maquedadidnotdaretotakeproceedingsagainstthesemen。
Alittlelateronthingsmendedsofaraswewereconcerned，forthefollowingreason:Onedaytwoshepherdsarrivedatthepalacewithsomeoftheircompanions，sayingthattheyhadnewstocommunicate。Onbeingquestioned，thesepeasantsaverredthatwhiletheywereherdingtheirgoatsuponthewesterncliffsmanymilesaway，suddenlyonthetopofthehillsappearedabodyoffifteenFung，whoboundandblindfoldedthem，tellingtheminmockinglanguagetotakeamessagetotheCouncilandtothewhitemen。
Thiswasthemessage:ThattheyhadbettermakehastetodestroythegodHarmac，sinceotherwisehisheadwouldmovetoMuraccordingtotheprophecy，andthatwhenitdidso，theFungwouldfollowastheyknewhowtodo。Thentheysetthetwomenonarockwheretheycouldbeseen，andonthefollowingmorningwereinfactfoundbysomeoftheirfellows，thosewhoaccompaniedthemtotheCourtandcorroboratedthisstory。
Ofcoursethematterwasdulyinvestigated，butasIknow，forIwentwiththesearchparty，whenwegottotheplacenotraceoftheFungcouldbefound，exceptoneoftheirspears，ofwhichthehandlehadbeendrivenintotheearthandthebladepointedtowardMur，evidentlyinthreatordefiance。Noothertokenofthemremained，for，asithappened，aheavyrainhadfallenandobliteratedtheirfootprints，whichinanycasemusthavebeenfaintonthisrockyground。
Notwithstandingthemostdiligentsearchbyskilledmen，theirmodeofapproachandretreatremainedamystery，as，indeed，itdoestothisday。TheonlyplaceswhereitwassupposedtobepossibletoscaletheprecipiceofMurwerewatchedcontinually，sothattheycouldhaveclimbedupbynoneofthese。Theinferencewas，therefore，thattheFunghaddiscoveredsomeunknownpath，and，iffifteenmencouldclimbthatpath，whynotfifteenthousand！
Only，wherewasthispath?Invainweregreatrewardsinlandandhonoursofferedtohimwhoshoulddiscoverit，foralthoughsuchdiscoverieswerecontinuallyreported，oninvestigationthesewerefoundtobeinventionsormares\'nests。Nothingbutabirdcouldhavetravelledbysuchroads。
ThenatlastwesawtheAbatithoroughlyfrightened，for，withadditions，thestorysoonpassedfrommouthtomouthtillthewholepeopletalkedofnothingelse。ItwasasthoughweEnglishlearnedthatahugeforeignarmyhadsuddenlylandedonourshoresand，havingcutthewiresandseizedtherailways，wasmarchinguponLondon。Theeffectofsuchtidingsuponanationthatalwaysbelievedinvasiontobeimpossiblemayeasilybeimagined，onlyIhopethatweshouldtakethembetterthandidtheAbati。
Theirswagger，theirself-confidence，theirtalkaboutthe“rockywallsofMur，“evaporatedinanhour。NowitwasonlyofthedisciplinedandterribleregimentsoftheFung，amongwhomeverymanwastrainedtowar，andofwhatwouldhappentothem，thecivilizedanddomesticatedAbati，apeace-lovingpeoplewhorightlyenough，astheydeclared，hadrefusedallmartialburdens，shouldtheseregimentssuddenlyappearintheirmidst。Theycriedoutthattheywerebetrayed——theyclamouredforthebloodofcertainoftheCouncillors。
Thatcarpetknight，Joshua，lostpopularityforawhile，whileMaqueda，whowasknownalwaystohavebeeninfavourofconscriptionandperfectreadinesstorepelattack，gainedwhathehadlost。
Leavingtheirfarms，theycrowdedtogetherintothetownsandvillages，wheretheymadewhatinSouthAfricaarecalledlaagers。
Religion，whichpracticallyhadbeendeadamongthem，fortheyretainedbutfewtracesoftheJewishfaithif，indeed，theyhadeverreallypractisedit，becamethecrazeofthehour。Priestswereatapremium；sheepandcattleweresacrificed；itwasevensaidthat，afterthefashionoftheirfoestheFung，somehumanbeingssharedthesamefate。AtanyratetheAlmightywasimportunedhourlytodestroythehatedFungandtoprotectHispeople——theAbati——fromtheresultsoftheirownbaseselfishnessandcowardlyneglect。
Well，theworldhasseensuchexhibitionsbeforeto-day，andwilldoubtlessseemoreofthemintheinstanceofgreaterpeopleswhoallowluxuryandpleasure-seekingtosaptheirstrengthandmanhood。
TheupshotofitallwasthattheAbatibecameobsessedwiththesayingoftheFungscoutstotheshepherds，which，afterall，wasbutarepetitionofthatoftheirenvoysdeliveredtotheCouncilalittlewhilebefore:thattheyshouldhastentodestroytheidolHarmac，lestheshouldmovehimselftoMur。Howanidolofsuchproportions，orevenitshead，couldmoveatalltheydidnotstoptoinquire。Itwasobvioustothem，however，thatifhewasdestroyedtherewouldbenothingtomoveand，further，thatweGentilesweretheonlypersonswhocouldpossiblyeffectsuchdestruction。Sowealsobecamepopularforalittlewhile。Everybodywaspleasantandflatteredus——
everybody，evenJoshua，bowedwhenweapproached，andtookamostlivelyinterestintheprogressofourwork，whichmanydeputationsandprominentindividualsurgedustoexpedite。
Betterstill，theuntowardaccidentssuchasthoseIhavementioned，ceased。Ourdogs，forwehadobtainedsomeothers，werenolongerpoisoned；rocksthatappearedfixeddidnotfall；noarrowswhistledamonguswhenwewentoutriding。Weevenfounditsafeoccasionallytodispensewithourguards，sinceitwaseveryone\'sinteresttokeepusalive——forthepresent。Still，Iforonewasnotdeceivedforasinglemoment，andinseasonandoutofseasonwarnedtheothersthatthewindwouldsoonblowagainfromalessfavourablequarter。
Weworked，weworked，weworked！Heavenaloneknowshowwedidwork。
Thinkofthetask，which，afterall，wasonlyoneofseveral。Atunnelmustbebored，forIforgethowfar，throughvirginrock，withthehelpofinadequatetoolsandunskilledlabour，andthistunnelmustbefinishedbyacertaindate。Ahundredunexpecteddifficultiesarose，andonebyonewereconquered。Greatdangersmustberun，andwereavoided，whiletheresponsibilityofthistremendousengineeringfeatlayupontheshouldersofasingleindividual，OliverOrme，who，althoughhehadbeeneducatedasanengineer，hadnogreatpracticalexperienceofsuchenterprises。
Trulytheoccasionmakestheman，forOrmerosetoitinawaythatI
canonlycallheroic。Whenhewasnotactuallyinthetunnelhewaslabouringathiscalculations，ofwhichmanymustbemade，ortakinglevelswithsuchinstrumentsashehad。Forifthereprovedtobetheslightesterrorallthistoilwouldbeinvain，andresultonlyintheblowingofauselessholethroughamassofrock。Thentherewasagreatquestionastotheeffectwhichwouldbeproducedbytheamountofexplosiveathisdisposal，sinceterribleasmightbetheforceofthestuff，unlessitwerescientificallyplacedanddistributeditwouldassuredlyfailtoaccomplishthedesiredend。
Atlast，aftersuperhumanefforts，theminewasfinished。Ourstockofconcentratedexplosive，aboutfourfullcamelloadsofit，wassetinasmanyseparatechambers，eachofthemjustlargeenoughtoreceivethecharge，hollowedintheprim?valrockfromwhichtheidolhadbeenhewn。
Thesechamberswereabouttwentyfeetfromeachother，althoughiftherehadbeentimetoprolongthetunnel，thedistanceshouldhavebeenatleastfortyinordertogivethestuffawiderrangeofaction。AccordingtoOliver\'smathematicalreckoning，theywerecutintheexactcentreofthebaseoftheidol，andaboutthirtyfeetbelowtheactualbodyofthecrouchingsphinx。Asamatteroffactthisreckoningwaswronginseveralparticulars，thechargeshavingbeensetfarthertowardtheeastorheadofthesphinxandhigherupinthebasethanhesupposed。Whenitisrememberedthathehadfoundnoopportunityofmeasuringthemonumentwhichpracticallywehadonlyseenoncefrombehindunderconditionsnotfavourabletoaccuracyinsuchrespects，orofknowingitsactuallengthanddepth，thesetriflingerrorswerenotremarkable。
Whatwasremarkableisthathisgeneralplanofoperations，foundeduponamerehypotheticalestimate，shouldhaveprovedasaccurateasitdid。
Atlengthallwasprepared，andthedeadlycast-ironflaskshadbeenpackedinsand，togetherwithdynamitecartridges，thenecessarydetonators，electricwires，andsoforth，ananxiousandindeedawfultaskexecutedentirelyinthatstiflingatmospherebythehandsofOrmeandQuick。Thenbegananotherlabour，thatofthefillinginofthetunnels。This，itseems，wasnecessary，orsoIunderstood，lesttheexpandinggases，followingthelineofleastresistance，shouldblowback，asitwere，throughthevent-hole。Whatmadethattaskthemoredifficultwastheneedofcuttingalittlechannelintherocktocontainthewires，andtherebylessentheriskofthefractureofthesewiresinthecourseofthebuilding-upprocess。Ofcourse，ifbyanyaccidentthisshouldhappen，thecircuitwouldbesevered，andnoexplosionwouldfollowwhentheelectricbatterywassettowork。
Thearrangementwasthatthemineshouldbefiredonthenightofthatfullmoononwhichwehadbeentold，andspiesconfirmedtheinformation，thefeastofthemarriageofBarung\'sdaughtertomysonwouldbecelebratedinthecityofHarmac。ThisdatewasfixedbecausetheSultanhadannouncedthatsosoonasthatfestivity，whichcoincidedwiththeconclusionoftheharvest，wasended，hemeanttodeliverhisattackonMur。
Also，wewereanxiousthatitshouldbeadheredtoforanotherreason，sinceweknewthatonthisdaybutasmallnumberofpriestsandguardswouldbeleftinchargeoftheidol，andmysoncouldnotbeamongthem。Now，whatevermayhavebeentheviewsoftheAbati，weasChristianswhoborethemnomalicedidnotatalldesiretodestroyanenormousnumberofinnocentFung，asmighthavehappenedifwehadfiredourminewhenthepeopleweregatheredtosacrificetotheirgod。
Thefataldayarrivedatlast。Allwascompleted，savefortheblockingofthepassage，whichstillwenton，or，rather，wasbeingreinforcedbythepilingupoflooserocksagainstitsmouth，atwhichahundredorsomenlabouredincessantly。ThefiringwireshadbeenledintothatlittlechamberintheoldtemplewherethedogPharaohtoreoutthethroatofShadrach，andnoinchofthemwasleftunguardedforfearofaccidentortreachery。
Theelectricbatteries——twoofthem，incaseoneshouldfail——hadbeentestedbutnotconnectedwiththewires。Theretheystooduponthefloor，lookinginnocentenough，andwefoursatroundthemlikewizardsroundtheirmagicpot，whoawaittheworkingofsomespell。Wewerenotcheerful；whocouldbeundersointenseastrain?Orme，indeed，whohadgrownpaleandthinwithcontinuouslabourofmindandbody，seemedquitewornout。Hecouldnoteatnorsmoke，andwithdifficultyIpersuadedhimtodrinksomeofthenativewine。Hewouldnotevengotolookatthecompletionoftheworkortotestthewires。
“Youcanseetoit，“hesaid；“IhavedoneallIcan。Nowthingsmusttaketheirchance。”
Afterourmiddaymealhelaydownandsleptquitesoundlyforseveralhours。Aboutfouro\'clockthosewhowerelabouringatthepilingupofdébrisoverthemouthofthetunnelcompletedtheirtask，and，inchargeofQuick，weremarchedoutoftheundergroundcity。
ThenHiggsandItooklampsandwentalongthelengthofthewires，whichlayinalittletrenchcoveredoverwithdust，removingthedustandinspectingthematintervals。Discoveringnothingamiss，wereturnedtotheoldtemple，andatitsdoorwaymetthemountaineer，Japhet，whothroughoutalltheseproceedingshadbeenourpropandstay。Indeed，withouthishelpandthatofhisauthorityovertheAbatitheminecouldneverhavebeencompleted，atanyratewithinthetime。
Thelightofthelampshowedthathisfacewasveryanxious。
“Whatisthematter?“Iasked。
“OPhysician，“heanswered，“IhavewordsfortheearoftheCaptainOrme。Bepleasedtoleadmetohim。”
Weexplainedthathesleptandcouldnotbedisturbed，butJaphetonlyansweredasbefore，adding:
“Comeyouwithme，mywordsareforyourearsaswellashis。”
