Копи царя Соломона

           "Nay,"Ianswered;"weshednobloodofmenexceptinjustpunishment; butifthouwiltsee,bidthyservantsdriveinanoxthroughthekraalgates,andbeforehehasruntwentypacesIwillstrikehimdead." 

           "Nay,"laughedtheking,"killmeamanandIwillbelieve." 

           "Good,Oking,sobeit,"Iansweredcoolly; "dothouwalkacrosstheopenspace,andbeforethyfeetreachthegatethoushaltbedead; orifthouwiltnot,sendthysonScragga"(whomatthatmomentitwouldhavegivenmemuchpleasuretoshoot). 

           OnhearingthissuggestionScraggautteredasortofhowl,andboltedintothehut. 

           Twalafrownedmajestically;thesuggestiondidnotpleasehim. 

           "Letayoungoxbedrivenin,"hesaid. 

           Twomenatoncedeparted,runningswiftly. 

           "Now,SirHenry,"saidI,"doyoushoot. IwanttoshowthisruffianthatIamnottheonlymagicianoftheparty." 

           SirHenryaccordinglytookhis"express,"andmadeready. 

           "IhopeIshallmakeagoodshot,"hegroaned. 

           "Youmust,"Ianswered."Ifyoumisswiththefirstbarrel,lethimhavethesecond.Sightfor150yards,andwaittillthebeastturnsbroadsideon." 

           Thencameapause, untilpresentlywecaughtsightofanoxrunningstraightforthekraalgate.Itcameonthroughthegate,then,catchingsightofthevastconcourseofpeople,stoppedstupidly,turnedround,andbellowed. 

           "Now’syourtime,"Iwhispered. 

           Upwenttherifle.