Копи царя Соломона
Our March into the Desert
Itwashot,indeed,andtherewasnotabitofsheltertobefound. Lookwherewewouldtherewasnorockortree,nothingbutanunendingglare,rendereddazzlingbytheheatedairthatdancedoverthesurfaceofthedesertasitdancesoverared-hotstove.
"Whatistobedone?"askedSirHenry;"wecan’tstandthisforlong."
Welookedateachotherblankly.
"Ihaveit,"saidGood,"wemustdigahole,getinit,andcoverourselveswiththekaroobushes."
Itdidnotseemaverypromisingsuggestion,butatleastitwasbetterthannothing, sowesettowork,and,withthetrowelwehadbroughtwithusandthehelpofourhands,inaboutanhourwesucceededindelvingoutapatchofgroundsometenfeetlongbytwelvewidetothedepthoftwofeet. Thenwecutaquantityoflowscrubwithourhunting-knives,andcreepingintothehole,pulleditoverusall, withtheexceptionofVentvögel,onwhom,beingaHottentot,theheathadnoparticulareffect. Thisgaveussomeslightshelterfromtheburningraysofthesun, buttheatmosphereinthatamateurgravecanbebetterimaginedthandescribed. TheBlackHoleofCalcuttamusthavebeenafooltoit;indeed,tothismomentIdonotknowhowwelivedthroughtheday. Therewelaypanting,andeverynowandagainmoisteningourlipsfromourscantysupplyofwater. Hadwefollowedourinclinationsweshouldhavefinishedallwepossessedinthefirsttwohours, butwewereforcedtoexercisethemostrigidcare,forifourwaterfailedusweknewthatverysoonwemustperishmiserably.
