The work of destruction went on, but I was coming back to my senses. I
forced myself to be practical and reasonable. I thought of the night's
experience and Lawson's haggard eyes, and I screwed myself into a
determination to see the thing through. I had done the deed; it was my
business to make it complete. A text in Jeremiah came into my head:

"Their children remember their altars and their groves by the green
trees upon the high hills."

I would see to it that this grove should be utterly forgotten.

We blasted the tree-roots, and, yolking oxen, dragged the debris into a
great heap. Then the men set to work with their spades, and roughly
levelled the ground. I was getting back to my old self, and Jobson's
spirit was becoming mine.

"There is one thing more," I told him "Get ready a couple of ploughs.
We will improve upon King Josiah." My brain was a medley of Scripture
precedents, and I was determined that no safeguard should be wanting.

We yoked the oxen again and drove the ploughs over the site of the
grove. It was rough ploughing, for the place was thick with bits of
stone from the tower, but the slow Afrikaner oxen plodded on, and
sometime in the afternoon the work was finished. Then I sent down to
the farm for bags of rock-salt, such as they use for cattle. Jobson
and I took a sack apiece, and walked up and down the furrows, sowing
them with salt.

The last act was to set fire to the pile of tree trunks. They burned
well, and on the top we flung the bodies of the green doves. The birds
of Ashtaroth had an honourable pyre.

Then I dismissed the much-perplexed men, and gravely shook hands with
Jobson. Black with dust and smoke I went back to the house, where I
bade Travers pack my bags and order the motor. I found Lawson's
servant, and heard from him that his master was sleeping peacefully. I
gave him some directions, and then went to wash and change.

Before I left I wrote a line to Lawson. I began by transcribing the
verses from the 23rd chapter of 2nd Kings. I told him what I had done,
and my reason. "I take the whole responsibility upon myself," I
wrote. "No man in the place had anything to do with it but me. I
acted as I did for the sake of our old friendship, and you will believe
it was no easy task for me. I hope you will understand. Whenever you
are able to see me send me word, and I will come back and settle with
you. But I think you will realise that I have saved y