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Page 60
The chief laughed a little at the question. "No, my lord, that no man
can do. The moon is stronger than man who looks on her, nor can she
vary in her courses."
"Ye say so. Yet I tell you that to-morrow night, about two hours
before midnight, we will cause the moon to be eaten up for a space of
an hour and half an hour. Yes, deep darkness shall cover the earth,
and it shall be for a sign that Ignosi is indeed king of the Kukuanas.
If we do this thing, will ye be satisfied?"
"Yea, my lords," answered the old chief with a smile, which was
reflected on the faces of his companions; "/if/ ye do this thing, we
will be satisfied indeed."
"It shall be done; we three, Incubu, Bougwan, and Macumazahn, have
said it, and it shall be done. Dost thou hear, Infadoos?"
"I hear, my lord, but it is a wonderful thing that ye promise, to put
out the moon, the mother of the world, when she is at her full."
"Yet shall we do it, Infadoos."
"It is well, my lords. To-day, two hours after sunset, Twala will send
for my lords to witness the girls dance, and one hour after the dance
begins the girl whom Twala thinks the fairest shall be killed by
Scragga, the king's son, as a sacrifice to the Silent Ones, who sit
and keep watch by the mountains yonder," and he pointed towards the
three strange-looking peaks where Solomon's road was supposed to end.
"Then let my lords darken the moon, and save the maiden's life, and
the people will believe indeed."
"Ay," said the old chief, still smiling a little, "the people will
believe indeed."
"Two miles from Loo," went on Infadoos, "there is a hill curved like a
new moon, a stronghold, where my regiment, and three other regiments
which these chiefs command, are stationed. This morning we will make a
plan whereby two or three other regiments may be moved there also.
Then, if in truth my lords can darken the moon, in the darkness I will
take my lords by the hand and lead them out of Loo to this place,
where they shall be safe, and thence we can make war upon Twala the
king."
"It is good," said I. "Let leave us to sleep awhile and to make ready
our magic."
Infadoos rose, and, having saluted us, departed with the chiefs.
"My friends," said Ignosi, so soon as they were gone, "can ye do this
wonderful thing, or were ye speaking empty words to the captains?"
"We believe that we can do it, Umbopa--Ignosi, I mean."
"It is strange," he answered, "and had ye not been Englishmen I would
not have believed it; but I have learned that English 'gentlemen' tell
no lies. If we live through the matter, be sure that I will repay
you."
"Ignosi," said Sir Henry, "promise me one thing."
"I will promise, Incubu, my friend, even before I hear it," answered
the big man with a smile. "What is it?"
"This: that if ever you come to be king of this people you will do
away with the smelling out of wizards such as we saw last night; and
that the killing of men without trial shall no longer take place in
the land."
Ignosi thought for a moment after I had translated this request, and
then answered--
"The ways of black people are not as the ways of white men, Incubu,
nor do we value life so highly. Yet I will promise. If it be in my
power to hold them back, the witch-finders shall hunt no more, nor
shall any man die the death without trial or judgment."
"That's a bargain, then," said Sir Henry; "and now let us get a little
rest."
Thoroughly wearied out, we were soon sound asleep, and slept till
Ignosi woke us about eleven o'clock. Then we rose, washed, and ate a
hearty breakfast. After that we went outside the hut and walked about,
amusing ourselves with examining the structure of the Kukuana huts and
observing the customs of the women.
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