Копи царя Соломона
Twala the King
Itisbeautifullysituated,andthroughthecentreofthekraal,dividingitintotwoportions,runsariver,whichappearedtobebridgedinseveralplaces,thesameindeedthatwehadseenfromtheslopesofSheba’sBreasts. Sixtyorseventymilesawaythreegreatsnow-cappedmountains,placedatthepointsofatriangle,startedoutofthelevelplain. TheconformationofthesemountainsisunlikethatofSheba’sBreasts,beingsheerandprecipitous,insteadofsmoothandrounded.
Infadoossawuslookingatthem,andvolunteeredaremark.
"Theroadendsthere,"hesaid,pointingtothemountainsknownamongtheKukuanasasthe"ThreeWitches."
"Whydoesitend?"Iasked.
"Whoknows?"heansweredwithashrug;"themountainsarefullofcaves,andthereisagreatpitbetweenthem. Itistherethatthewisemenofoldtimeusedtogotogetwhateveritwastheycamefortothiscountry, anditistherenowthatourkingsareburiedinthePlaceofDeath."
"Whatwasittheycamefor?"Iaskedeagerly.
"Nay,Iknownot.MylordswhohavedroppedfromtheStarsshouldknow,"heansweredwithaquicklook. Evidentlyheknewmorethanhechosetosay.
"Yes,"Iwenton,"youareright,intheStarswelearnmanythings. Ihaveheard,forinstance,thatthewisemenofoldcametothesemountainstofindbrightstones,prettyplaythings,andyellowiron."
"Mylordiswise,"heansweredcoldly; "Iambutachildandcannottalkwithmylordonsuchmatters.
