By the time the two men had gained the top of the hill the worst heat of the day had passed. Kingozi seated himself on a flat rock and at once began to take sights through a prismatic compass, entering the observations in a pocketbook. Mali-ya-bwana, bolt upright, stared out over the thinly wooded plain below. He reported the result of his scouting1 in a low voice, to which the white man paid no attention whatever.
"_Twiga[2] bwana_," he said, and then, as his eye caught the flash of many sing-sing horns, "_kuru, mingi_." Thus he named over the different animals--the topi, the red hartebeeste, the eland, zebra, some warthogs, and many others. The beasts were anticipating the cool of the afternoon, and were grazing slowly out from beneath the trees, scattering2 abroad over the landscape.
[Footnote 2: Giraffe.]
From even this slight elevation3 the outlook extended. Isolated4 mountain ranges showed loftier; the tops of unguessed hills peeped above the curve of the earth; the clear line of the horizon had receded5 to the outer confines of terrestrial space, but even then not far enough to touch the cup of the sky. Elsewhere the heavens meet the horizon: in Africa they lie beyond it, so that when the round, fleecy clouds of the Little Rains sail down the wind there is always a fleet of them beyond the earth disappearing into the immensities of the infinite. There is space in African skies beyond the experience of those who have dwelt only in other lands. They dwarf6 the earth; and the plains and mountains, lying in weeks' journeys spread before the eye, dwarf all living things, so that at the last the man of imagination here becomes a humble7 creature.
For an hour the two remained on top the kopje. The details of the unknown country ahead, toward which Kingozi gave his attention, were simple. From the green line of the watercourse, near which the camp showed white and tiny, the veldt swept away for miles almost unbroken. Here and there were tiny parklike openings of clear grass; here and there more kopjes standing8 isolated and alone, like fortresses9. Far down over the edge of the world showed dim and blue the tops of a short range of mountains. Vainly did Kingozi sweep his glasses over the landscape in hope of another line of green. No watercourse was visible. On the other hand, the scattered10 growth of thorn trees showed no signs of thickening to the dense11 spiky12 jungle that is one of the terrors of African travel. There might be a watercourse hidden in the folds of the earth; there might be a rainwater "tank," or a spring, on any of the kopjes. Simba and Cazi Moto were both experienced, and capable of a long round trip. The problem of days' journeys was not pressing at this moment. Kingozi noted13 the compass bearings of all the kopjes; took back sights in the direction from which he had come; closed his compass; and began idly to sweep the country with his glasses. In an unwonted mood of expansion he turned to Mali-ya-bwana.
"We go there," he told the porter, indicating the blue mountain-tops.
"It is far," Mali-ya-bwana replied.
Kingozi continued to look through his glasses. Suddenly he stopped them on an open plain three or four miles back in the direction from which he had come the day before. Mali-ya-bwana followed his gaze.
"A safari14, _bwana_," he observed, unmoved. "A very large safari," he amended15, after a moment.
Through his prismatic glasses Kingozi could see every detail plainly. After his fashion of talking aloud, he reported what he saw, partly to the black man at his side, but mostly to himself.
"_Askaris_,"[3] he said, "six of them. The man rides in a _machele_[4]--he is either a German or a Portuguese16; only those people use _macheles_-- unless he is sick! Many porters--four are no more white men. More _askaris!_" He smiled a little contemptuously under his beard. "This is a great safari, Mali-ya-bwana. Four tin boxes and twelve _askaris_ to guard them; and eighty or more porters; and sixteen men just to carry the _machele!_ This must be a _Bwana M' Kubwa_."
[Footnote 3: Native troops, armed with Snider muskets17.]
[Footnote 4: A hammock slung19 on a long pole, and carried by four men at each end.]
"That is what Kavirondos might think," replied Mali-ya-bwana calmly.
Kingozi looked up at him with a new curiosity.
"But not yourself?"
"A man who is a _Bwana M'kubwa_ does not have to be carried. He does not need _askaris_ to guard him in this country. And where can he get _potio_ for so many?"
"Hullo!" cried Kingozi, surprised. "This is not porter's talk; this is headman's talk!"
"In my own country I am headman of many people," replied Mali-ya-bwana with a flash of pride.
"Yet you carry my tent load."
But Mali-ya-bwana made no reply, fixing his fierce eyes on the distant crawling safari.
"It must be a sportsman's safari," said Kingozi, this time to himself, "though what a sportsman wants in this back-of-beyond is a fair conundrum20. Probably one of these chappies with more money than sense: wants to go somewhere nobody else has been, and can't go there without his caviare and his changes of clothes, and about eight guns--not to speak of a Complete Sportsman's Outfit21 as advertised exclusively by some Cockney Tom Fool on Haymarket."
He contemplated22 a problem frowningly. "Whoever it is will be a nuisance--a _damn_ nuisance!" he concluded.
"_N'dio, bwana_," came Mali-ya-bwana's cheerful response to this speech in a language strange to him.
"You have asked a true question," Kingozi shifted to Swahili. "Where is _potio_ to be had for so large a safari? Trouble--much trouble!" He arose from the flat stone. "We will go and talk with this safari."
At an angle calculated to intercept23 the caravan24, Kingozi set off down the hill.
After twenty minutes' brisk walk it became evident that they were approaching the route of march. Animals fled past them in increasing numbers, some headlong, others at a dignified25 and leisurely26 gait, as though performing a duty. The confused noise of many people became audible and the tapping of safari sticks against the loads.
At the edge of a tiny opening Kingozi, concealed27 behind a bush, reviewed the new arrivals at close range, estimating each element on which a judgment28 could be based. As usual, he thought aloud, muttering his speculations29 sometimes in his own language, sometimes in the equally familiar Swahili.
"_Askaris_ not _pukha[5] askaris_ of the government. Those are not Sniders they carry--don't know that kind of musket18. Those boxes are not the usual type--wonder where they were bought!"
[Footnote 5: Genuine--regular.]
The hammock came into view, swinging on the long pole. It was borne by four men at each end--experienced _machele_ carriers who would keep step with a gentle gliding30. Eight more walked alongside as relay. They would change places so skilfully31 that the occupant of the hammock could not have told when the shift took place. Alongside walked a tall, bareheaded, very black man. Kingozi's experienced eye was caught by differences.
"Of what tribe is that man?" he asked.
But Mali-ya-bwana was also puzzled.
"I do not know, bwana. He is a _shenzi_[6]."
[Footnote 6: Wild Man.]
The unknown was very tall, very straight, most well formed. But his face was extraordinarily33 ugly. His flat, wide nose, thick lips, and small yellow eyes were set off by an upstanding mop of hair. His expression was of extraordinary fierceness. He walked with a free and independent stride, and carried a rifle.
"He is not of this country. He is from the west coast, or perhaps Nubia or the Sudan," was Kingozi's conclusion.
"Many of these people are _shenzis_," Mali-ya-bwana pursued his own thought.
"That is true," Kingozi acknowledged. "If this is a sportsman, from what part did he hail to have got together this lot! We will see."
As the swinging hammock came opposite his concealment34, Kingozi stepped forward.
Every one in sight looked in his direction, but none showed any astonishment35 at this apparition36 out of the wilderness37. The sophisticated African has ceased to be surprised at anything a white man may do. If he can make fire by rubbing a tiny stick _once_, why should he not do anything under heaven he wants to? A locomotive, an automobile38, a flying machine are miracles, but no less--and no greater--than ordinary matches. Once admit the ability to transcend39 natural laws, once admit the possibility of miracles, why be surprised at anything? If a white man chose to appear thus in an unknown country, why not? If he chose again to vanish into thin air, again why not? Only the fierce-looking savage40 carrying the rifle rolled his eyes uneasily.
But at this precise moment a diversion on the opposite side of the line attracted attention enough. A galvanic shiver ran down the string of porters, succeeded at once by a crashing of loads cast hastily to the ground. With unanimity41 the bearers swarmed42 across the little open space toward and to either side of Kingozi and his attendant. Reaching the fringe of flat-topped trees they sprang into the low branches, heedless of the long thorns, and scrambled43 aloft until at least partially44 concealed. A few of the bolder members lurked45 behind the trunks, but held themselves ready for an instant ascent46. From a hundred throats arose a confused cry of "_Faru! Faru!_"
Not joining this first flight remained only the _askaris_, the eight men bearing the hammock, and the tall Nubian. Of these the _askaris_ were far ahead and to the rear; the hammock bearers were decidedly panicky; only the Nubian seemed cool and self-possessed. The occupant of the hammock thrust out a foot to descend47.
But before this could be accomplished48 a rhinoceros49 burst fully32 into view across the open space. His tail was up, he was snorting loudly, and he headed straight for the hammock. That was large, moving, and directly in his line of vision. The sight was too much for the bearers. With a howl they dropped the pole and streaked50 it to join their brothers in the thorn trees. The pole and the canopy51 of the hammock tangled53 inextricably its occupant.
A ragged54 volley from the muskets of the _askaris_ merely seemed to add to the confusion. With great coolness the Nubian discharged first one barrel then the other of the heavy rifle he carried. The recoil55, catching56 him in a bad posture57, knocked him backward. The bullets kicked up a tremendous dust part way between himself and the charging beast. He was now without defence. Nevertheless he stepped in front of the entangled58 struggling figure on the ground.
Before the appearance of the rhinoceros into the open Kingozi had exchanged rifles, and stood at the ready. He was a good hundred yards from the hammock. Even in the rush of events he, characteristically, found time for comments, although they did not in the least interfere59 with his rapid movements.
"Hope they don't wing one another," he remarked of the _askaris'_ volley. "Rotten shooting! rotten!" as the Nubian stood his ground. At the same time he pushed forward the safety catch and threw the heavy rifle to his shoulder.
A charging rhinoceros--or one rushing near enough a man's direction to be dangerous--is not a difficult problem. Given nerve enough, and barring accidents--which might happen in a London flat--a man is in no danger. If he opens fire too soon, indeed, he is likely to empty his weapon without inflicting60 a stopping wound, but if he will wait until the beast is within twenty yards or so, the affair is certain. For this reason: just before a rhinoceros closes, he drops his head low in order to bring his long horn into action. If the hunter fires then, over the horn, he will strike the beast's backbone61. The shot can hardly be missed, for the range is very close and the outstanding flanges62 of the vertebrae make a large mark. The formidable animal goes down like a stone. In country open enough to preclude64 the deadly close-at-hand surprise rush, where one has no chance to use his weapon at all, the rhinoceros is not dangerous to one who knows his business.
But in this case Kingozi was nearer a hundred and twenty than twenty yards from the animal. The mark to be hit was now very small; and it was moving. In addition the heavy double rifle, while accurate enough at that range, was not, owing to its weight and terrific recoil, as certain as a lighter65 rifle. These things Kingozi knew perfectly66. The muscles under his beard tightened67; his gray eyes widened into a glare like that of Simba in sight of game.
Just before the rhinoceros dropped his head for the toss, the Nubian stepped directly into the line of fire.
"_Lala!_--lie down!" Kingozi shouted.
Somehow the whip-snap of authority in his voice reached the Nubian's consciousness. He dropped flat, and almost instantly the white man fired.
At the roar of the great gun the rhinoceros collapsed68 in mid63 career, going down, as an animal always does under a successful spine69 shot, completely, without a struggle or even a quiver.
"That was well shot, master," said Mali-ya-bwana.
Kingozi reloaded the rifle and started forward. At the same time the occupant of the hammock finally emerged from the tangle52 and came erect70.
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1
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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spiky
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| adj.长而尖的，大钉似的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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safari
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| n.远征旅行(探险、考察)；探险队，狩猎队 | |
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Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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conundrum
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| n.谜语；难题 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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extraordinarily
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| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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transcend
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| vt.超出，超越(理性等)的范围 | |
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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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unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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42
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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43
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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44
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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46
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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47
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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48
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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50
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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51
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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52
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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53
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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54
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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55
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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56
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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57
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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58
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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61
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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62
flanges
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| n.（机械等的）凸缘，（火车的）轮缘( flange的名词复数 ) | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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64
preclude
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| vt.阻止，排除，防止；妨碍 | |
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65
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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66
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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67
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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68
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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