Копи царя Соломона
The Witch-Hunt
Onarrivingatthegreatkraal,wherewehadthatmorningbeenreceivedbytheking,wefoundthatitwascloselypackedwithsometwentythousandmenarrangedrounditinregiments. Theseregimentswereinturndividedintocompanies,andbetweeneachcompanyranalittlepathtoallowspaceforthewitch-finderstopassupanddown. Anythingmoreimposingthanthesightthatwaspresentedbythisvastandorderlyconcourseofarmedmenitisimpossibletoconceive. Theretheystoodperfectlysilent,andthemoonpouredherlightupontheforestoftheirraisedspears,upontheirmajesticforms,wavingplumes,andtheharmoniousshadingoftheirvarious-colouredshields. Whereverwelookedwerelineuponlineofdimfacessurmountedbyrangeuponrangeofshimmeringspears.
"Surely,"IsaidtoInfadoos,"thewholearmyishere?"
"Nay,Macumazahn,"heanswered,"butathirdofit. Onethirdispresentatthisdanceeachyear,anotherthirdismusteredoutsideincasethereshouldbetroublewhenthekillingbegins, tenthousandmoregarrisontheoutpostsroundLoo,andtherestwatchatthekraalsinthecountry. Thouseestitisagreatpeople."
"Theyareverysilent,"saidGood; andindeedtheintensestillnessamongsuchavastconcourseoflivingmenwasalmostoverpowering.
"WhatsaysBougwan?"askedInfadoos.
Itranslated.
"ThoseoverwhomtheshadowofDeathishoveringaresilent,"heansweredgrimly.
"Willmanybekilled?"
"Verymany."
