rb sank behind the western cliff, half of
the plain became quite dark while shadows seemed to rush forward over
the eastern part of its surface, till that too was swallowed up in gloom
and for a little while there remained only a glow reflected from the
cliff face and from the sky above, while on the crest of the parapet of
rock played strange and glorious fires. Presently these too vanished and
the world was dark.

Then the half moon broke from behind a bank of clouds and by its silver,
uncertain light we struggled forward across the flat plain, rather
slowly now, for even the iron muscles of those bearers grew tired. I
could not see much of it, but I gathered that we were passing through
crops, very fine crops to judge by their height, as doubtless they would
be upon this lava soil; also once or twice we splashed through streams.

At length, being tired and lulled by the swaying of the litter and by
the sound of a weird, low chant that the bearers had set up now that
they neared home and were afraid of no attack, I sank into a doze. When
I awoke again it was to find that the litter had halted and to hear the
voice of Billali say,

"Descend, White Lords, and come with your companions, the black Warrior
and the yellow man who is named Light-in-Darkness. She-who-commands
desires to see you at once before you eat and sleep, and must not be
kept waiting. Fear not for the others, they will be cared for till you
return."

CHAPTER XII

THE WHITE WITCH

I descended from the litter and told the others what the old fellow had
said. Robertson did not want to come, and indeed refused to do so until
I suggested to him that such conduct might prejudice a powerful person
against us. Umslopogaas was indifferent, putting, as he remarked, no
faith in a ruler who was a woman.

Only Hans, although he was so tired, acquiesced with some eagerness,
the fact being that his brain was more alert and that he had all the
curiosity of the monkey tribe which he so much resembled in appearance,
and wanted to see this queen whom Zikali revered.

In the end we started, conducted by Billali and by men who carried
torches whereof the light showed me that we were passing between houses,
or at any rate walls that had been those of houses, and along what
seemed to be a paved street.

Walking under what I took to be a great arch or portico, we came into
a court that was full of towering pillars but unroofed, for I could see
the stars above.