belong to you and Good equally. I do not want
them. But of course that promise is worth nothing at all, though the
same thing would apply to any ivory we might get. You may pretty well
make your own terms with me, Mr. Quatermain; and of course I shall pay
all expenses."

"Sir Henry," said I, "this is the most liberal proposal I ever had, and
one not to be sneezed at by a poor hunter and trader. But the job is
the biggest I have come across, and I must take time to think it over.
I will give you my answer before we get to Durban."

"Very good," answered Sir Henry.

Then I said good-night and turned in, and dreamt about poor long-dead
Silvestre and the diamonds.

[1] Suliman is the Arabic form of Solomon.--Editor.

[2] Eu Jose da Silvestra que estou morrendo de fome na pequena cova
onde nao ha neve ao lado norte do bico mais ao sul das duas
montanhas que chamei scio de Sheba; escrevo isto no anno 1590;
escrevo isto com um pedaco d'osso n' um farrapo de minha roupa e
com sangue meu por tinta; se o meu escravo der com isto quando
venha ao levar para Lourenzo Marquez, que o meu amigo ---------
leve a cousa ao conhecimento d' El Rei, para que possa mandar um
exercito que, se desfiler pelo deserto e pelas montonhas e mesmo
sobrepujar os bravos Kukuanes e suas artes diabolicas, pelo que se
deviam trazer muitos padres Far o Rei mais rico depois de Salomao
Com meus proprios olhos ve os di amantes sem conto guardados nas
camaras do thesouro de Salomao a traz da morte branca, mas pela
traicao de Gagoal a feiticeira achadora, nada poderia levar, e
apenas a minha vida. Quem vier siga o mappa e trepe pela neve de
Sheba peito a esquerda ate chegar ao bica, do lado norte do qual
esta a grande estrada do Solomao por elle feita, donde ha tres
dias de jornada ate ao Palacio do Rei. Mate Gagoal. Reze por minha
alma. Adeos. Jose da Silvestra.

CHAPTER III

UMBOPA ENTERS OUR SERVICE

It takes from four to five days, according to the speed of the vessel
and the state of the weather, to run up from the Cape to Durban.
Sometimes, if the landing is bad at East London, where they have not
yet made that wonderful harbour they talk so much of, and sink such a
mint of money in, a ship is delayed for twenty-four hours before the
cargo boats can get out to take off the goods. But on this occasion we
had not to wait at all, for there were