Chapter 14 Ignosi Says Goodbye

Ten days later we were back in our huts in Loo. We were not harmed too much by our terrible experience, but my hair was greyer and Good was never quite the same after Foulata's death.

We never again entered Solomon's treasure house. Two days after our escape, when we were feeling well again, we went back down into the mine. We hoped to find our way out of the mountain, but had no success. Rain had fallen and washed away our marks, and the sides of the mine were full of animals' holes. It was impossible to say which hole was ours.

We also returned to the great cave and even entered the Place of Death. We walked under Death's great spear and looked at the wall of rock. We thought of the old witch who lay underneath it. We thought of the beautiful girl who was dead on the other side. We also thought of the treasure. But although we examined the rock for an hour or more, we could find no sign of the secret way of opening it. Perhaps in the future a more fortunate man will discover a way in, but I doubt it. Millions of pounds of diamonds will stay in the three stone boxes until the end of time.

The next day we left for Loo. We were not too unhappy because remember, dear reader, I had filled the pockets of my coat with diamonds. Many of these were lost when we fell down the side of the mine, including most of the big ones. But many remained, including eighteen large stones.

When we arrived at Loo, we were welcomed by Ignosi. He listened with great interest to our wonderful story. When we told him about Gagool's end, he became thoughtful. 'That was a strange woman,' he said.' I am glad that she is dead.'

'And now, Ignosi,' I said, 'we must say goodbye.You came with us as a servant, and now you are a great king. Tomorrow morning, will you give us some men to lead us across the mountains ?'

Ignosi covered his face with his hands. Then at last he answered,' I am very sad. Why do you want to leave me ? You stood by me in battle and we won this peace together.'

I put my hand on his arm.' Ignosi,' I said,' when you travelled in Zululand, didn't your mother talk about this place? Wasn't your heart in your own land ?'

' That is true.'

' In the same way, Ignosi, our hearts are in our land.'

There was a silence. Then Ignosi spoke again.

' I understand that your words are wise. Well, you must go. But listen, and tell the other white men my words. No other white man must cross the mountains. I will not see men who come to sell guns and strong drink. My people will fight with their spears and drink water, like their fathers. If a white man comes to my gates, I will send him back. If a hundred come, I will fight them. If an army comes, I will make war with all my strength, and they will not win. No man must ever come for the shining stones. But the path is always open for you three.

'My uncle Infadoos will guide you, with his men. I have learned that there is another way across the mountains. Goodbye, my brothers. Go now, before I cry like a woman. Goodbye for ever, my lords and friends.'

Ignosi stood and gazed at us for a few moments. Then he covered his face.

We went in silence.

The next day we left Loo with our old friend Infadoos and his soldiers. As we travelled, Infadoos told us about a place to the north of Solomon's great road. There it was possible to cross the mountains and climb down their steep sides. He also told us that there was a kind of island of trees and rich land in the desert. We had always wondered how Ignosi's mother lived through the dangers of that long journey across the mountains and the desert with her child. It was now clear to us that she had gone that way.

At last we had to say goodbye to that true friend and fine old soldier, Infadoos. He, too, nearly cried. We shook his hand, his soldiers shouted 'Koom!', and we began our climb down the mountain.

By the middle of the third day's journey across the desert, we could see the trees that Infadoos had spoken of. Soon we were walking on grass again and listening to the sound of running water.

Chapter 15 Found!

And now I must tell you about the strangest thing that happened to us in this strange adventure.

I was walking along quietly in front of the other two, when suddenly I stopped. There, sixty feet in front of me, was a little hut.

The door of the hut opened, and a white man dressed in animal skins came out. His right leg seemed to be broken, because he was walking painfully. He had a large black beard. I thought that I had gone mad. It was impossible. No hunter ever came to a place like this. Certainly no hunter would ever stay in it. I stood looking at the other man, and he stood and looked at me. At this moment, Sir Henry and Good came close.

Sir Henry looked, and Good looked, and then suddenly the man with the black beard cried out and began to come towards us. Then he fell to the ground.

Sir Henry ran to his side.

' George!' he cried.' My brother!'

Hearing the sound, another figure ran from the hut. He too was dressed in skins, and he had a gun in his hand. When he saw me, he too cried out.

' Don't you know me ?' he shouted.' I am Jim, the hunter. We have been here for nearly two years.'

And he fell at my feet, crying with happiness.

The man with the black beard had managed to get up. He and Sir Henry shook hands again and again. They could not speak.

Sir Henry said at last,' I thought you were dead. I have been over the Suliman Mountains to find you.'

'I tried to go over the Suliman Mountains nearly two years ago,' was the answer.' But a rock fell on my leg and broke it. I have not been able to go forward or back.'

' How are you, Mr Neville ?' I said.' Do you remember me ?'

' Isn't it Quatermain - and Good too ?' he said.' This is very strange, you fellows.You have made me a very happy man when I had given up hope.'

That evening around the camp-fire, George Curtis told us his story. He had heard from local people that this was the best way to the Suliman Mountains. They had suffered a lot while they crossed the desert. Then George had had his terrible accident, and they could not continue. Life in this hut seemed better than certain death in the desert.

' And so,' George Curtis ended,' for nearly two years we have waited and hoped. But nobody has come to help us. I thought, brother, that you had forgotten about me long ago. And now you have left your comfortable life in England and you are here with me. It is the most wonderful thing that I have ever heard of!'

Our journey across the desert was very difficult, especially as we had to support George Curtis. But six months later we were safe at my little house near Durban, where I am now writing.

Just as I had written this last word, a postman came up the path with a letter. It was from Sir Henry Curtis:

1 October 1884 My dear Quatermain,

I sent you a letter a few weeks ago to say that the three of us, George, Good and I, reached England safely.

We went to London together. The next day Good was wearing beautiful new clothes, with a new eyeglass.

Good and I took the diamonds to Streeter's to discover their real value. I am afraid to tell you, because it seems such a huge amount. They advised us to sell a few at a time. We shall get a better price that way. They offered a hundred and eighty thousand pounds for just a few of the stones.

I want you to come home, dear old friend, especially as you want to give the third share to my brother George. You have done your life's work and have plenty of money now. There is a house quite close to here which will suit you very well. Please come. If you start immediately, you will be home by Christmas, and you must promise to stay with me for that.

Goodbye, old boy. I cannot say more, but I know that you will come.You know that it will make me happy.

Your friend,

Henry Curtis

Above my writing-table is the axe which I used to cut off Twala's head. I am sorry that we could not bring away the coats of chain armour.

HC

Today is Tuesday. There is a ship on Friday. I really think I must do what Curtis says. I will sail with her to England.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 644