a simpleton-第54章

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that　circle　kept　narrowing　as　the　lion　tore　away　at　his　prey。　　They
increased　in　number；　and　at　last　hunger　overcame　prudence；　the　rear
rank　shoved　on　the　front；　as　amongst　men；　and　a　general　attack
seemed　imminent。

Then　the　lion　looked　up　at　these　invaders；　uttered　a　reproachful
growl；　and　went　at　them；　patting　them　right　and　left；　and　knocking
them　over。　　He　never　touched　a　vulture；　nor　indeed　did　he　kill　an
animal。　　He　was　a　lion；　and　only　killed　to　eat；　yet　he　soon　cleared
the　place；　because　he　knocked　over　a　few　hyenas　and　jackals；　and
the　rest；　being　active；　tumbled　over　the　vultures　before　they　could
spread　their　heavy　wings。　　After　this　warning；　they　made　a
respectful　circle　again；　through　which；　in　due　course；　the　gorged
lion　stalked　into　the　wood。

A　savage's　sentiments　change　quickly；　and　the　Hottentot；　fearing
little　from　a　full　lion；　was　now　giggling　at　Staines's　side。
Staines　asked　him　which　he　thought　was　the　lord　of　all　creatures；　a
man　or　a　lion。

〃A　lion；〃　said　Blacky；　amazed　at　such　a　shallow　question。

Staines　now　got　up；　and　proposed　to　continue　their　journey。　　But
Blacky　was　for　waiting　till　the　lion　was　gone　to　sleep　after　his
meal。

While　they　discussed　the　question；　the　lion　burst　out　of　the　wood
within　hearing　of　their　voices；　as　his　pricked…up　ears　showed；　and
made　straight　for　them　at　a　distance　of　scarcely　thirty　yards。

Now；　the　chances　are；　the　lion　knew　nothing　about　them；　and　only
came　to　drink　at　the　kloof；　after　his　meal；　and　perhaps　lie　under
the　acacias：　but　who　can　think　calmly；　when　his　first　lion　bursts
out　on　him　a　few　paces　off？　　Staines　shouldered　his　rifle；　took　a
hasty；　flurried　aim；　and　sent　a　bullet　at　him。

If　he　had　missed　him；　perhaps　the　report　might　have　turned　the
lion；　but　he　wounded　him；　and　not　mortally。　　Instantly　the　enraged
beast　uttered　a　terrific　roar；　and　came　at　him　with　his　mane
distended　with　rage；　his　eyes　glaring；　his　mouth　open；　and　his
whole　body　dilated　with　fury。

At　that　terrible　moment；　Staines　recovered　his　wits　enough　to　see
that　what　little　chance　he　had　was　to　fire　into　the　destroyer；　not
at　him。　　He　kneeled；　and　levelled　at　the　centre　of　the　lion's
chest；　and　not　till　he　was　within　five　yards　did　he　fire。　　Through
the　smoke　he　saw　the　lion　in　the　air　above　him；　and　rolled
shrieking　into　the　stream　and　crawled　like　a　worm　under　the　bank；
by　one　motion；　and　there　lay　trembling。　　A　few　seconds　of　sick
stupor　passed：　all　was　silent。　　Had　the　lion　lost　him？　　Was　it
possible　he　might　yet　escape？

All　was　silent。

He　listened；　in　agony；　for　the　sniffing　of　the　lion；　puzzling　him
out　by　scent。

No：　all　was　silent。

Staines　looked　round；　and　saw　a　woolly　head；　and　two　saucer　eyes
and　open　nostrils　close　by　him。　　It　was　the　Hottentot；　more　dead
than　alive。

Staines　whispered　him；　〃I　think　he　is　gone。〃

The　Hottentot　whispered；　〃Gone　a　little　way　to　watch。　　He　is　wise
as　well　as　strong。〃　　With　this　he　disappeared　beneath　the　water。

Still　no　sound　but　the　screaming　of　the　vultures；　and　snarling　of
the　hyenas　and　jackals　over　the　eland。

〃Take　a　look；〃　said　Staines。

〃Yes；〃　said　Squat；　〃but　not　to…day。　　Wait　here　a　day　or　two。　　Den
he　forget　and　forgive。〃

Now　Staines；　having　seen　the　lion　lie　down　and　watch　the　dying
eland；　was　a　great　deal　impressed　by　this；　and　as　he　had　now　good
hopes　of　saving　his　life；　he　would　not　throw　away　a　chance。　　He
kept　his　head　just　above　water；　and　never　moved。

In　this　freezing　situation　they　remained。

Presently　there　was　a　rustling　that　made　both　crouch。

It　was　followed　by　a　croaking　noise。

Christopher　made　himself　small。

The　Hottentot；　on　the　contrary；　raised　his　head；　and　ventured　a
little　way　into　the　stream。

By　these　means　he　saw　it　was　something　very　foul；　but　not　terrible。
It　was　a　large　vulture　that　had　settled　on　the　very　top　of　the
nearest　acacia。

At　this　the　Hottentot　got　bolder　still；　and　to　the　great　surprise
of　Staines　began　to　crawl　cautiously　into　some　rushes；　and　through
them　up　the　bank。

The　next　moment　he　burst　into　a　mixture　of　yelling　and　chirping　and
singing；　and　other　sounds　so　manifestly　jubilant；　that　the　vulture
flapped　heavily　away；　and　Staines　emerged　in　turn；　but　very
cautiously。

Could　he　believe　his　eyes？　　There　lay　the　lion；　dead　as　a　stone；　on
his　back；　with　his　four　legs　in　the　air；　like　wooden　legs；　they
were　so　very　dead：　and　the　valiant　Squat；　dancing　about　him；　and　on
him；　and　over　him。

Staines；　unable　to　change　his　sentiments　so　quickly；　eyed　even　the
dead　body　of　the　royal　beast　with　awe　and　wonder。　　What！　had　he
already　laid　that　terrible　monarch　low；　and　with　a　tube　made　in　a
London　shop　by　men　who　never　saw　a　lion　spring；　nor　heard　his　awful
roar　shake　the　air？　　He　stood　with　his　heart　still　beating；　and
said　not　a　word。　　The　shallow　Hottentot　whipped　out　a　large　knife；
and　began　to　skin　the　king　of　beasts。　　Staines　wondered　he　could　so
profane　that　masterpiece　of　nature。　　He　felt　more　inclined　to　thank
God　for　so　great　a　preservation；　and　then　pass　reverently　on；　and
leave　the　dead　king　undesecrated。

He　was　roused　from　his　solemn　thoughts　by　the　reflection　that　there
might　be　a　lioness　about；　since　there　were　cubs：　he　took　a　piece　of
paper；　emptied　his　remaining　powder　into　it；　and　proceeded　to　dry
it　in　the　sun。　　This　was　soon　done；　and　then　he　loaded　both
barrels。

By　this　time　the　adroit　Hottentot　had　flayed　the　carcass
sufficiently　to　reveal　the　mortal　injury。　　The　projectile　had
entered　the　chest；　and　slanting　upwards；　had　burst　among　the
vitals；　reducing　them　to　a　gory　pulp。　　The　lion　must　have　died　in
the　air；　when　he　bounded　on　receiving　the　fatal　shot。

The　Hottentot　uttered　a　cry　of　admiration。　　〃Not　the　lion　king　of
all；　nor　even　the　white　man；〃　he　said；　〃but　Enfeel　rifle！〃

Staines's　eyes　glittered。　　〃You　shall　have　it；　and　the　horse；　for
your　diamond；〃　said　he　eagerly。

The　black　seemed　a　little　shaken；　but　did　not　reply。　　He　got　out　of
it　by　going　on　with　his　lion；　and　Staines　eyed　him；　and　was
bitterly　disappointed　at　not　getting　the　diamond　even　on　these
terms。　　He　began　to　feel　he　should　never　get　it：　they　were　near　the
high…road；　he　could　not　keep　the　Hottentot　to　himself　much　longer。
He　felt　sick　at　heart。　　He　had　wild　and　wicked　thoughts；　half　hoped
the　lioness　would　come　and　kill　the　Hottentot；　and　liberate　the
jewel　that　possessed　his　soul。

At　last　the　skin　was　off；　and　the　Hottentot　said；　〃Me　take　this　to
my　kraal；　and　dey　all　say；　'Squat　a　great　shooter；　kill　um　lion。'〃

Then　Staines　saw　another　chance　for　him；　and　summoned　all　his
address　for　a　last　effort。　　〃No；　Squat；〃　said　he；　〃that　skin
belongs　to　me。　　I　shot　the　lion；　with　the　only　rifle　that　can　kill
a　lion　like　a　cat。　　Yet　you　would　not　give　me　a　diamonda　paltry
stone　for　it。　　No；　Squat；　if　you　were　to　go　into　your　village　with
that　lion's　skin；　why　the　old　men　would　bend　their　heads　to　you；
and　say；　'Great　is　Squat！　　He　killed　the　lion；　and　wears　his　skin。'
The　young　women　would　all　fight　which　should　be　the　wife　of　Squat。
Squat　would　be　king　of　the　village。〃

Squat's　eyes　began　to　roll。

〃And　shall　I　give　the　skin；　and　the　glory　that　is　my　due；　to　an
ill…natured　fellow；　who　refuses　me　his　paltry　diamond　for　a　good
horselook　at　himand　for　the　rifle　that　kills　lions　like
rabbitsbehold　it；　and　a　hundred　pounds　in　good　gold　and　Dutch
notessee；　and　for　the　lion's　skin；　and　glory；　and　honor；　and　a
rich　wife；　and　to　be　king　of　Africa？　　Never！〃

The　Hottentot's　hands　and　toes　began　to　work　convulsively。　　〃Good
master；　Squat　ask　pardon。　　Squat　was　blind。　　Squat　will　give　the
diamond；　the　great　diamond　of　Africa；　for　the　lion's　skin；　and　the
king　rifle；　and　the　little　horse；　and　the　gold；　and　Dutch　notes
every　one　of　them。　　Dat　make　just　two　hundred　pounds。〃

〃More　like　four　hundred；〃　cried　Staines　very　loud。　　〃And　how　do　I
know　it　is　a　diamond？　　These　large　stones　are　the　most　deceitful。
Show　it　me；　this　instant；〃　said　he　imperiously。

〃Iss；　master；〃　said　the　crushed　Hottentot；　with　the　voice　of　a
mouse；　and　put　the　stone　into　his　hand　with　a　child…like　faith　that
almost　melted　Staines；　but　he　saw　he　must　be　firm。　　〃Where　did　you
find　it？〃　he　bawled。

〃Master；〃　said　poor　Squat；　in　deprecating　tones；　〃my　little　master
at　the　farm　wanted　plaster。　　He　send　to　Bulteel's　pan；　dere　was
large　lumps。　　Squat　say　to　miners；　'May　we　take　de　large　lumps？
Dey　say；　'Yes；　take　de　cursed　lumps　we　no　can　break。'　　We　took　de
cursed　lumps。　　We　ride　'em　in　de　cart　to　farm　twenty　milses。　　I
beat　'em　with　my　hammer。　　Dey　is　very　hard。　　More　dey　break　my
heart　dan　I　break　their　cursed　heads。　　One　day　I　use　strong　words；
like　white　man；　and　I　hit　one　large　lump　too　hard；　he　break；　and
out　come　de　white　clear　stone。　　Iss；　him　diamond。　　Long　time　we
know　him　in　our　kraal；　because　he　hard。　　Long　time　before　ever
white　man　know　him；　tousand　years　ago；　we　find　him；　and　he　make　us
lilly　hole　in　big　stone　for　make　wheat　dust。　　Him　a　diamond；　blank
my　eyes！〃

This　was　intended　as　a　solemn　form　of　asseveration　adapted　to　the
white　man's　habits。

Yes；　reader；　he　told　the　truth；　and　strange　to　say；　the　miners　knew
the　largest　stones　were　in　these　great　lumps　of　carbonate；　but　then
the　lumps　were　so　cruelly　hard；　they　lost　all　patience　with　them；
and　so；　finding　it　was　no　use　to　break　some　of　them；　and　not　all；
they　rejected　them　all；　with　curses；　and　thus　this　great　stone　was
carted　away　as　rubbish　from　the　mine；　and　found；　like　a　toad　in　a
hole；　by　Squat。

〃Well；〃　said　Christopher；　〃after　all；　you　are　an　honest　fellow；　and
I　think　I　will　buy　it；　but　first　you　must　show　me　out　of　this　wood；
I　am　not　going　to　be　eaten　alive　in　it　for　want　of　the　king　of
rifles。〃

Squat　assented　eagerly；　and　they　started　at　once。　　They　passed　the
skeleton　of　the　eland；　its　very　bones　were　polished；　and　its　head
carried　into　the　wood；　and　looking　back　they　saw　vultures　busy　on
the　lion。　　They　soon　cleared　the　wood。

Squat　handed　Staines　the　diamondwhen　it　touched　his　hand；　as　his
own；　a　bolt　of　ice　seemed　to　run　down　his　back；　and　hot　water　to
follow　itand　the　money；　horse；　rifle；　and　skin　were　made　over　to
Squat。

〃Shake　hands　over　it；　Squat；〃　said　Staines；　〃you　are　hard；　but　you
are　honest。〃

〃Iss；　master；　I　a　good　much　hard　and　honest；〃　said　Squat。

〃Good…by；　old　fellow。〃

〃Good…by；　master。〃

And　Squat　strutted　away；　with　the　halter　in　his　hand；　horse
following　him；　rifle　under　his　arm；　and　the　lion's　skin　over　his
shoulders；　and　the　tail　trailing；　a　figure　sublime　in　his　own　eyes；
ridiculous　in　creation's。　　So　vanity　triumphed；　even　in　the　wilds
of　Africa。

Staines　hurried　forward　on　foot；　loading　his　revolver　as　he　went；
for　the　very　vicinity　of　the　wood　alarmed　him　now　that　he　had
parted　with　his　trusty　rifle。

That　night　he　lay　down　on　the　open　veldt；　in　his　jackal's　skin；
with　no　weapon　but　his　revolver；　and　woke　with　a　start　a　dozen
times。　　Just　before　daybreak　he　scanned　the　stars　carefully；　and
noting　exactly　where　the　sun　rose；　made　a　rough　guess　at　his
course；　and　followed　it　till　the　sun　was　too　hot；　then　he　crept
under　a　ragged　bush；　hung　up　his　jackal's　skin；　and　sweated　there；
parched　with　thirst；　and　gnawed　wit