But the rage of the trader when he heard of the escape of the captive was an ample proof that he had had no hand in his disappearance5. A rigorous search was instituted in every direction, which resulted in the discovery of the mole-track. Here beyond a question was the passage through which the fly-catcher had found his way.
"Idiot! fool! rascal6!" muttered Alvez, full of rage at the prospect7 of losing a portion of the redemption-money; "if ever I get hold of him, he shall pay dearly for this freak."
The opening was at once blocked up, the woods were scoured8 all round for a considerable distance, but no trace of Benedict was to be found. Mrs. Weldon was bitterly grieved and much overcome, but she had no alternative except to resign herself as best she could to the loss of her unfortunate relation; there was a tinge9 of bitterness in her anxiety, for she could not help being irritated at the recklessness with which he had withdrawn10 himself from the reach of her protection.
Meanwhile the weather for the time of year underwent a very unusual change. Although the rainy season is ordinarily reckoned to terminate about the end of April, the sky had suddenly become overcast11 in the middle of June, rain had recommenced falling, and the downpour had been so heavy and continuous that all the ground was thoroughly12 sodden13. To Mrs. Weldon personally this incessant14 rainfall brought no other inconvenience beyond depriving her of her daily exercise, but to the natives in general it was a very serious calamity15.
The ripening16 crops in the low-lying districts were completely flooded, and the inhabitants feared that they would be reduced to the greatest extremities17; all agricultural pursuits had come to a standstill, and neither the queen nor her ministers could devise any expedient18 to avert19 or mitigate20 the misfortune. They resolved at last to have recourse to the magicians, not those who are called in request to heal diseases or to procure21 good luck, but to the mganga, sorcerers of a superior order, who are credited with the faculty22 of invoking23 or dispelling24 rain.
But it was all to no purpose. It was in vain that the mganga monotoned their incantations, flourished their rattles25, jingled26 their bells, and exhibited their amulets27; it was equally without avail that they rolled up their balls of dirt and spat29 in the faces of all the courtiers: the pitiless rain continued to descend30, and the malign31 influences that were ruling the clouds refused to be propitiated32.
The prospect seemed to become more and more hopeless, when the report was brought to Moena that there was a most wonderful mganga resident in the north of Angola. He had never been seen in this part of the country, but fame declared him to be a magician of the very highest order. Application, without delay, should be made to him; he surely would be able to stay the rain.
Early in the morning of the 25th a great tinkling33 of bells announced the magician's arrival at Kazonndé. The natives poured out to meet him on his way to the chitoka, their minds being already predisposed in his favour by a moderation of the downpour, and by sundry34 indications of a coming change of wind.
The ordinary practice of the professors of the magical art is to perambulate the villages in parties of three or four, accompanied by a considerable number of acolytes35 and assistants. In this case the mganga came entirely36 alone. He was a pure negro of most imposing37 stature38, more than six feet high, and broad in proportion. All over his chest was a fantastic pattern traced in pipe-clay, the lower portion of his body being covered with a flowing skirt of woven grass, so long that it made a train. Round his neck hung a string of birds' skulls39, upon his head he wore a leathern helmet ornamented40 with pearls and plumes41, and about his waist was a copper42 girdle, to which was attached bells that tinkled43 like the harness of a Spanish mule28. The only instrument indicating his art was a basket he carried made of a calabash containing shells, amulets, little wooden idols44 and other fetishes, together with what was more important than all, a large number of those balls of dung, without which no African ceremony of divination45 could ever be complete.
One peculiarity46 was soon discovered by the crowd; the mganga was dumb, and could utter only one low, guttural sound, which was quite unintelligible47; this was a circumstance, however, that seemed only to augment48 their faith in his powers.
With a stately strut49 that brought all his tinkling paraphernalia50 into full play, the magician proceeded to make the circuit of the market-place. The natives followed in a troop behind, endeavouring, like monkeys, to imitate his every movement. He turned into the main thoroughfare, and began to make his way direct to the royal residence, whence, as soon as the queen heard of his approach, she advanced to meet him. On seeing her, the mganga bowed to the very dust; then, rearing himself to his full height, he
[Illustration: The entire crowd joined in. Page 441.]
pointed51 aloft, and by the significance of his animated52 gestures indicated that, although the fleeting53 clouds were now going to the west, they would soon return eastwards54 with a rotatory motion irresistibly55 strong.
All at once, to the surprise of the beholders, he stooped and took the hand of the mighty56 sovereign of Kazonndé.
The courtiers hurried forward to check the unprecedented57 breach58 of etiquette59, but the foremost was driven back with so staggering a blow that the others deemed it prudent60 to retire.
The queen herself appeared not to take the least offence at the familiarity; she bestowed61 a hideous62 grimace63, which was meant for a smile, upon her illustrious visitor, who, still keeping his hold upon her hand, started off walking at a rapid pace, the crowd following in the rear. He directed his steps towards the residence of Alvez, and finding the door closed, applied64 his strong shoulder to it with such effect, that it fell bodily to the ground, and the passive sovereign stood within the limits of the enclosure. The trader was about to summon his slaves and soldiers to repel65 the unceremonious invasion of his premises66, but on beholding67 the queen all stepped back with respectful reverence68.
Before Alvez had time to ask the sovereign to what cause he was indebted for the honour of her visit, the magician had cleared a wide space around him, and had once again commenced his performances. Brandishing69 his arms wildly he pointed to the clouds as though he were arresting them in their course; he inflated70 his huge cheeks and blew with all his strength, as if resolved to disperse71 the heavy masses, and then stretching himself to his full height, he appeared to clutch them in his giant grasp.
Deeply impressed, the superstitious72 Moena was half beside herself with excitement; she uttered loud cries and involuntarily began herself to imitate every one of the mganga's gestures. The entire crowd joined in, and very soon the low guttural note of the sorcerer was lost, totally drowned in the turmoil73 of howls, shrieks74, and discordant76 songs.
To the chagrin77, however, both of the queen and her subjects, there was not the slightest intimation that the clouds above were going to permit a rift78 by which the rays of the tropical sun could find a passage. On the contrary, the tokens of improvement in the weather, which had been observed in the early morning, had all disappeared, the atmosphere was darker than ever, and heavy storm-drops began to patter down.
A reaction was beginning to take place in the enthusiasm of the crowd. After all, then, it would seem that this famous mganga from whom so much had been expected, had no power above the rest. Disappointment every moment grew more keen, and soon there was a positive display of irritation79. The natives pressed around him with closed fists and threatening gestures. A frown gathered on Moena's face, and her lips opened with muttered words clear enough to make the magician understand that his ears were in jeopardy80. His position was evidently becoming critical.
An unexpected incident suddenly altered the aspect of affairs.
The mganga was quite tall enough to see over the heads of the crowd, and all at once pausing in the midst of his incantations, he pointed to a distant corner of the enclosure. All eyes were instantly turned in that direction. Mrs. Weldon and Jack81 had just come out of their hut, and catching82 sight of them, the mganga stood with his left hand pointing towards them and his right upstretched towards the heavens.
Intuitively the multitude comprehended his meaning. Here was the explanation of the mystery. It was this white woman with her child that had been the cause of all their misery83, it was owing to them that the clouds had poured down this desolating84 rain. With yells of execration85 the whole mob made a dash towards the unfortunate lady who, pale with fright and rigid86 as a statue, stood clasping her boy to her side. The mganga, however, anticipated them. Having pushed his way through the infuriated throng87, he seized the child and held him high in the air, as though about to hurl88 him to the ground, a peace-offering to the offended gods.
[Illustration: "Here they are, captain! both of them!!"]
Lifting her up, and making a sign to the queen that all would now be right, the mganga retreated carrying both mother and child through the crowd, who retreated before him and made an open passage.
Alvez now felt that it was time to interfere89. Already one of his prisoners had eluded90 his vigilance, and was he now to see two more carried off before his eyes? was he to lose the whole of the expected ransom? no, rather would he see Kazonndé destroyed by a deluge91, than resign his chance of securing so good a prize. Darting92 forwards he attempted to obstruct93 the magician's progress; but public opinion was against him; at a sign from the queen, he was seized by the guards, and he was aware well enough of what would be the immediate94 consequence of resistance. He deemed it prudent to desist from his obstruction95, but in his heart he bitterly cursed the stupid credulity of the natives for supposing that the blood of the white woman or the child could avail to put an end to the disasters they were suffering.
Making the natives understand that they were not to follow him, the magician carried off his burden as easily as a lion would carry a couple of kids. The lady was still unconscious, and Jack was all but paralyzed with fright. Once free of the enclosure the mganga crossed the town, entered the forest, and after a march of three miles, during which he did not slacken his pace for a moment, reached the bank of a river which was flowing towards the north.
Here in the cavity of a rock, concealed96 by drooping97 foliage98, a canoe was moored99, covered with a kind of thatched roof; on this the magician deposited his burden, and sending the light craft into mid-stream with a vigorous kick, exclaimed in a cheery voice,-
"Here they are, captain! both of them! Mrs. Weldon and Master Jack, both! We will be off now! I hope those idiots of Kazonndé will have plenty more rain yet! Off we go!"
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1
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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2
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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3
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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4
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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5
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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6
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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7
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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8
scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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9
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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10
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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11
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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12
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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13
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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14
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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15
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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16
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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17
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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18
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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19
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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20
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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21
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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22
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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23
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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24
dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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25
rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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26
jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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27
amulets
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| n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
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28
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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29
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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30
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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31
malign
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| adj.有害的；恶性的；恶意的；v.诽谤，诬蔑 | |
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32
propitiated
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| v.劝解，抚慰，使息怒( propitiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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34
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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35
acolytes
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| n.助手( acolyte的名词复数 )；随从；新手；（天主教）侍祭 | |
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36
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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37
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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38
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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39
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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40
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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42
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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43
tinkled
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| （使）发出丁当声，（使）发铃铃声( tinkle的过去式和过去分词 )； 叮当响着发出，铃铃响着报出 | |
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44
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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45
divination
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| n.占卜，预测 | |
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46
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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47
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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48
augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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49
strut
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| v.肿胀，鼓起；大摇大摆地走；炫耀；支撑；撑开；n.高视阔步；支柱，撑杆 | |
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50
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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51
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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52
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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53
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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54
eastwards
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| adj.向东方（的），朝东（的）；n.向东的方向 | |
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55
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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56
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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57
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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58
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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59
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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60
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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61
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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63
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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64
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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65
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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66
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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67
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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68
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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69
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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70
inflated
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| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
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71
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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72
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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73
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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74
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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75
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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76
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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77
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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78
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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79
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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80
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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81
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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82
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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83
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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84
desolating
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| 毁坏( desolate的现在分词 )； 极大地破坏； 使沮丧； 使痛苦 | |
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85
execration
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| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
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86
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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87
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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88
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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89
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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90
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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91
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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92
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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93
obstruct
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| v.阻隔，阻塞(道路、通道等)；n.阻碍物，障碍物 | |
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94
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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95
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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96
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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97
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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98
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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99
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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