"Didn't know he was a V. C.," commented Burt, turning past the first page. "Say most o' this is spoiled!"
The pages were many of them torn, all were smudged and streaked1 with dirt, and ominous2 dark red stains covered a large portion of the booklet.
"Here's the first place you can read," and Critch turned over a number of unreadable pages. "Start in right here." Burt settled back and read aloud as follows:
"'June 1st. Five men down. Yusuf cut off from supplies. Will rush to-morrow.
"'June 2nd. Rushed. Lost thirteen. Finished Yusuf. Got lots of ivory, unmounted yet. Read burial service this evening. Big loot to divide.'"
"That next you can't read, most of it," broke in Critch. "There's something about Pongo, though." Burt nodded and continued:
"'—with odd bit of wood. May be some truth in it. Must[Pg 229] investigate. If the boys will have a go at it—'
"That's all, there," announced Burt. "All that's about the time he cleaned up on the Arab caravan3, eh? Let's see—there's five pages where everything's mussed up."
"Looks like blood," laughed Critch, "but it ain't. That's the red stuff the dwarfs4 use to stain their things with. See here, on this spear-shaft. There's a lot comes next that he wrote after he set up in Pongo's place—it was his left arm that was hurt, so he could write all right. But you can't make out more'n a few scattered6 words. Turn to the last page that's written on. There's where the big thing is."
Burt obeyed, turning over the pages rapidly. Most of the writing had been obliterated7 or stained over, but although the final page was half torn away, the remaining words were clear and legible.
"'Dec. 16th. Impossible to carry off the stuff. Must slip away while out hunting if possible. Not much hope. River runs northwest. May find Arabs or English traders to the east or north. Will find from Mbopo whether—'[Pg 230]
"And that's all," announced Burt, looking puzzled. "I don't see what you mean by sayin' there's anything big there, though."
"Read it over again," suggested Critch with a grin. Burt did so, and once more glanced up with a wondering look.
"You got me, Critch. What are you getting at, anyhow?"
"Don't you see?" cried his chum excitedly. "That part about the river running northwest!"
"Well, what about it?" demanded Burt.
"Why, which way does the Makua run?"
"If I remember the map," replied Burt slowly, "it runs due west, joins the Loangi, and meets up with the Congo on the way south. Oh, I see!" he added suddenly. "You mean that this river out here runs up to the Makua?"
"Brilliant!" exclaimed Critch sarcastically8. "Why, it's got to, Burt! That is, unless it switches off an' goes south. I don't believe it does, though."
"That won't do us much good either," responded Burt. "These dwarfs don't use boats, or Cap'n Mac would have gotten off that way."
"What do we want of boats?" demanded Critch. "After you're resurrected[Pg 231] I'll be the boss of this tribe for fair. I'll set them to work on a raft, and away we go! If we hit the Makua we're bound to strike your uncle and Cap'n Mac sooner or latter."
"Good for you!" cried Burt, staring at the other in wide-eyed comprehension. "And we can carry off this whole blamed zareba that way, with the ankh too!"
"Not much we can't," and Critch shook his head. "We could get off with the ivory, I s'pose, if Mbopo helps us. But not the ankh. That's their real god, you know. I don't believe we'd dare try that."
"Well, it's getting on toward sunset," and Burt glanced at the sun, just above the western tree tops. "You'd better chase back and get ready to resurrect me. I ain't anxious to be around here after dark. What's the program?"
"Why," replied Critch thoughtfully, "you keep hid till dark. As soon's it gets good and dark, say eight o'clock, I'll lead out the mob. I don't know just yet what I'll do, but I'll bring the mummy in here. You get a hole dug to bury him in. Then I'll lead you out and can shake hands with Pongo."
"With which?" exclaimed Burt.
"With the ankh—just lay your hand on him like Mbopo did," explained Critch, laughing. "Stick that book of Cap'n Mac's in your pocket. If we get out o' here he'd like to see it again, I reckon. So long."
"So long," answered Burt. "Don't keep me waitin' all night, now."
So Critch departed on his mission, while Burt lay back to think things over. If it was true that the river near the village ran northwest, then it almost certainly ran into the Makua, or a tributary9 of the Makua. In that case they would be perfectly10 safe in floating down. There would be dangers on the way, but by taking a few of the white dwarfs along Burt realized that these would be greatly lessened11. On the other hand, should the river prove to turn and flow back toward the Aruwimi country, they would probably miss the caravan altogether. In any case, their whole future depended upon the issue of that night's "performance," as Burt mentally styled his bringing to life.[Pg 233]
The disappearance12 of the sun roused him to the fact that he had work to do. Taking a spear and a broad-bladed sword from the weapons Critch had left, Burt went inside the hut. Here he set to work energetically digging the hole for the final resting place of Ta-En-User, the High Priest of Maat. The tramped earthen floor was easily broken up by means of the spear, and as the dusk settled down over the forest Burt finished a shallow hole sufficient to hold the mummy.
"It's kind o' hard lines," he thought, wiping his dripping face as he returned outside. "Here old Ta was wrapped up carefully three thousand years back, meaning to lie quiet forever. He don't more than get comfortably settled down when along come the white dwarfs to rouse him up, and they carry him clear over here. Then he settles down once more, and we come along and finish him. If he'd been buried right in the first place—why, if they'd done things different three thousand years back there wouldn't be any Pongo!"
Burt was roused from his rather intricate calculations by a particularly savage13 mosquito settling on his ear. Having disposed of the insect,[Pg 234] Burt daubed his face and hands with what remained of the palm oil. Then he beat down the grass at a spot where he could see between two of the tusks14 and settled down to wait. He was uneasy at the idea that the lion might return at any moment, and felt not the slightest temptation to drop off to sleep.
The swift tropical night settled down over the forest, and soon Burt could make out the glow of the village fires. After what seemed an age he heard the sound of chanting mingled15 with the throb16 of the tom-toms. This continued for half an hour, then ceased. A few moments later a moving light appeared at the zareba gate, followed by others. Burt guessed that these were torches, and knew that the time was at hand.
More and more torches poured out of the gate, until by their light Burt could make out fairly well all that took place. It seemed that the entire tribe was leaving the village. At the head of the procession stalked Mbopo, with Critch beside him. Burt could see his chum carrying something wrapped in a skin, and knew this was the mummy. Then came the two brothers of Mbopo, carrying the golden ankh between them on a[Pg 235] spear, while a third man bore the mummy-case. Behind marched the bodyguard17 of the chief, the rest of the tribe following in a mob.
At the point where the boys had been left for the lion, halfway18 between village and hut, the tribe was halted. Mbopo arranged the men and women in a wide semicircle, evidently following the orders of Critch. The "drum corps19" was then brought to the front, the greater part of the torches were extinguished, and Critch, Mbopo and the bearers of the relics20 moved forward. Burt saw his chum stop at a point distant about a hundred feet from the hut and directly in front of the gateway21.
After a slight delay, a fire was lit here. This presently blazed up, Critch wishing to wait until plenty of light was cast upon the sacred objects and the gateway of the ivory zareba. At a signal from Mbopo the tom-toms began a steady, regular beat and the pigmies broke into a low chant that swelled22 at intervals23 until the echoes came back faintly from the forest. Burt watched the scene through his loophole in silent fascination24. He had no fears as to its outcome, for the dwarfs were plainly under the dominance of Critch.[Pg 236]
Now the fire blazed up higher and higher. Burt saw his chum, whose flaming hair glowed out in the ruddy light, suddenly raise his hand. The drums and chanting stopped abruptly25, and the dead silence that ensued sent a quiver through the boy behind the ivory stockade26. Critch bent27 over, opened the skin bundle, and exposed the mummy to view. At this, one prolonged groan28 went up from the audience and the crowd went down on their faces, even Mbopo falling prostrate29.
Moving a step forward, Critch faced the sacred hut and began to speak. His voice came faintly at first, but as he gained confidence it rang louder. The words came plainly to Burt. Critch first delivered all the French he could think of, then broke into Antony's oration30, which he had learned at school the year before. Perhaps fearing that Mbopo might comprehend too much of this, Critch switched off abruptly and delivered a complete conjugation of the Latin verb "habeo," speaking slowly and distinctly in as deep a voice as he could assume.
Burt was doubled up in silent laughter, and he saw his chum pause at times as though struggling to repress his feelings also. But his face was away from the pigmies, and his voice remained firm enough. Burt[Pg 237] could well imagine the effect produced by all this mummery upon the ignorant and highly superstitious31 pigmies, ridiculous as it might appear to him.
Finally Critch ran out of words, it seemed, for he stopped suddenly. The firelight gleamed on hundreds of eyes behind his figure, and Burt wondered vaguely32 what would happen if the waiting tribe should by any chance see through their trickery. The thought made him collect all his forces, and at this moment Critch stooped again. Picking up the mummy, he touched it to the golden ankh.
At the action a ripple33 of sound rose from the pigmies, followed by what was almost a wail34 of fear as Critch straightened up, the mummy in his arms, and began walking slowly toward the sacred hut. Burt knew it was time to get inside, so he slipped in through the hole made by the lion, the doorway35 being in view of the crowd. A moment later the form of Critch darkened the entrance.
"Fine work!" whispered Burt. He was answered by a sigh of relief.[Pg 238]
"Take Ta, will you? I'm all in." Critch sank weakly down, and with some repugnance36 Burt caught the mummy. Placing it in the hole, he filled in the earth, tramped it down, and sprinkled leaves and bones over the place. "Say," went on his chum, "that may have sounded funny to you, but it was something fierce!"
"It was awful to think what'd happen if I made a slip," confessed Critch. "Honest, Burt, I was so weak-kneed I could hardly walk over here! How you coming?"
"He's buried," responded Burt as he finished his task. "Do we go out now?"
"No use keeping them waitin'," said Critch. "I'm goin' to leave the ankh and the mummy-case in here for good. Are you ready? Give me a hand."
Burt helped his chum to his feet. Critch stepped into the doorway, holding Burt's hand. Then began a slow and solemn advance across the firelit space before the hut. As the figures of the two boys came into sight of the pigmies, an indescribable murmur37 of awe39 swept from the crowd. Then came a prolonged groan of unutterable horror as Burt's face[Pg 239] stood out more clearly, and Burt, whose gaze was fixed40 on Mbopo, saw the pigmy chief go down in the dust, his extended hands trembling in the firelight. A moment more and the boys stood beside the ankh.
Releasing Burt's hand, Critch caught the loop of the symbol of Maat and stood it on end. Then Burt placed his hand on it beside that of Critch. At this a click, seemingly of joy, arose from the crowd. Mbopo looked up, his face ashen41 gray, and wild amazement42 in his eyes.
Critch now beckoned43 the two brothers forward, and at his repeated gestures they trembling took up the ankh on the spear and awaited his further commands.
"Take one end o' the case," directed Critch. Burt obeyed, and the two boys led the way back to the hut. No sooner had they deposited the ankh than Burt chanced to touch one of the pigmies in the dark. The man gave a terrific shriek44 and dashed through the doorway, followed by his brother. For a moment a wild fear clutched Burt. What if the mob imagined that they were hurting the two men? The boys hurried out, and found[Pg 240] the men prostrate beside Mbopo. Critch raised them up and Burt, needing no instruction, smilingly touched each of the shrinking men in turn. Finding that they suffered nothing, their fear gradually lessened, and as Mbopo grasped the hand of Burt there was a look of joy in the honest eyes of the young dwarf5 that told far more than any words could have done.
Then Critch led the way to the village. The crowd, still prostrate, separated to let them through. Ten minutes later the boys lay side by side on a heap of skins in a hut, too much overcome by the strain to even speak. But as Burt fell asleep, he knew that they had won the fight.
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1
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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2
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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3
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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4
dwarfs
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| n.侏儒，矮子（dwarf的复数形式）vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的第三人称单数形式） | |
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5
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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6
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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7
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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8
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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9
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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11
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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12
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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13
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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14
tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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15
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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16
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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17
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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19
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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20
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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21
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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22
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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23
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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24
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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26
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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27
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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28
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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29
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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30
oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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31
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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32
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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33
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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34
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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35
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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36
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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37
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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38
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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39
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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40
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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41
ashen
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| adj.灰的 | |
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42
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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43
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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