ad been lighter, I do not think that
it would have been safe among these Amahagger nightbirds whom I did not
trust. Certainly I could not have asked Hans to undertake the task, and
if I had, I do not think he would have gone since he was afraid of the
Amahagger. Therefore there was nothing to be done except wait and hope
for the best.

So I waited till at last the moon came and with it Ayesha, as she had
promised. Clad in a rich, dark cloak she arrived in some pomp, heralded
by Billali, followed by women, also cloaked, and surrounded by a guard
of tall spearmen. I was seated outside the house, smoking, when suddenly
she arrived from the shadows and stood before me.

I rose respectfully and bowed, while Umslopogaas, Goroko and the other
Zulus who were with me, gave her the royal salute, and Hans cringed like
a dog that is afraid of being kicked.

After a swift glance at them, as I guessed by the motion of her veiled
head, she seemed to fix her gaze upon my pipe that evidently excited
her curiosity, and asked me what it was. I explained as well as I could,
expatiating on the charms of smoking.

"So men have learned another useless vice since I left the world, and
one that is filthy also," she said, sniffing at the smoke and waving her
hand before her face, whereon I dropped the pipe into my pocket, where,
being alight, it burnt a hole in my best remaining coat.

I remember the remark because it showed me what a clever actress she was
who, to keep up her character of antiquity, pretended to be astonished
at a habit with which she must have been well acquainted, although I
believe that it was unknown in the ancient world.

"You are troubled," she went on, swiftly changing the subject, "I read
it in your face. One of your company is missing. Who is it? Ah! I see,
the white man you name Avenger. Where is he gone?"

"That is what I wish to ask you, Ayesha," I said.

"How can I tell you, Allan, who in this place lack any glass into which
to look for things that pass afar. Still, let me try," and pressing her
hands to her forehead, she remained silent for perhaps a minute, then
spoke slowly.

"I think that he has gone over the mountain lip towards the worshippers
of Rezu. I think that he is mad; sorrow and something else which I do
not understand have turned his brain; something that has to do with the
Heavens. I think also that we shall recover him living, if only for a
little while, though of this I cannot be sure si