hand in her
motherly fashion and departed, still smiling, after which I went
to sleep again, so dreamlessly that I think there was some native
soporific in that soup.

On the following day two of Zikali's servants who did the rougher
work of my sick room, if I may so call it, arrived and said that
they were going to carry me out of the cave for a while, if that
were my will. I who longed to breathe the fresh air again, said
that it was very much my will, whereon they grasped the rough
bedstead which I have described by either end and very carefully
bore me down the cave and through its narrow entrance, where they
set the bedstead in the shadow of the overhanging rock without.
When I had recovered a little, for even that short journey tired
me, I looked about me and perceived that as I had expected, I was
in the Black Kloof, for there in front of me were the very huts
which we had occupied on our arrival from Swazi-Land.

I lay a while drawing in the sweet air which to me was like a
draught of nectar, and wondering whether I were not still in a
dream. For instance, I wondered if I had truly seen the figures
of Anscombe and Heda pass the mouth of the cave, on that day when
I awoke, or if these were but another of Zikali's illusions
imprinted on my weakened mind by his will power. For of what he
and Nombe told me I believed nothing. Thus marvelling I fell
into a doze and in my doze heard whisperings. I opened my eyes
and lo! there before me stood Anscombe and Heda. It was she who
spoke the first, for I was tongue-tied; I could not open my lips.

"Dear Mr. Quatermain, dear Mr. Quatermain!" she murmured in her
sweet voice, then paused.

Now at last words came to me. "I thought you were both dead," I
said. "Tell me, are you really alive?"

She bent down and kissed my brow, while Anscombe took my hand.

"Now you know," she answered. "We are both of us alive and
well."

"Thank God!" I exclaimed. "Kaatje swore that she saw you dead
and buried."

"One sees strange things in the Black Kloof," replied Anscombe
speaking for the first time, "and much has happened to us since
we were parted, to which you are not strong enough to listen now.
When you are better, then we will tell you all. So grow well as
soon as you can."

After this I think I fainted, for when I came to myself again I
was back in the cave.

Another ten days or so went by before I could even leave my bed,
for my recovery was very slow. Indee