Копи царя Соломона
We Give a Sign
"Why,Oking?"saidI,restrainingmyindignationwithdifficulty; "thegirlhasdancedwell,andpleasedus;sheisfairtoo; itwouldbehardtorewardherwithdeath."
Twalalaughedasheanswered—
"Itisourcustom,andthefigureswhositinstoneyonder,"andhepointedtowardsthethreedistantpeaks,"musthavetheirdue. DidIfailtoputthefairestgirltodeathtoday,misfortunewouldfalluponmeandmyhouse. Thusrunstheprophecyofmypeople:‘Ifthekingoffernotasacrificeofafairgirl,onthedayofthedanceofmaidens,totheOldOneswhositandwatchonthemountains,thenshallhefall,andhishouse.’ Lookye,whitemen,mybrotherwhoreignedbeforemeofferednotthesacrifice,becauseofthetearsofthewoman,andhefell,andhishouse,andIreigninhisstead. Itisfinished;shemustdie!"Thenturningtotheguards—"Bringherhither;Scragga,makesharpthyspear."
Twoofthemensteppedforward,andastheyadvanced,thegirl,forthefirsttimerealisingherimpendingfate,screamedaloudandturnedtofly. Butthestronghandscaughtherfast,andbroughther,strugglingandweeping,beforeus.
"Whatisthyname,girl?"pipedGagool."What!wiltthounotanswer?Shalltheking’ssondohisworkatonce?"
Atthishint,Scragga,lookingmoreevilthanever,advancedastepandliftedhisgreatspear,andatthatmomentIsawGood’shandcreeptohisrevolver. Thepoorgirlcaughtthefaintglintofsteelthroughhertears,anditsoberedheranguish.Sheceasedstruggling,andclaspingherhandsconvulsively,stoodshudderingfromheadtofoot.
