Копи царя Соломона
The Witch-Hunt
NearerandnearerwaltzedGagool,lookingforalltheworldlikeananimatedcrookedstickorcomma, herhorrideyesgleamingandglowingwithamostunholylustre.
Nearershecame,andyetnearer,everycreatureinthatvastassemblagewatchinghermovementswithintenseanxiety. Atlastshestoodstillandpointed.
"Whichisittobe?"askedSirHenrytohimself.
Inamomentalldoubtswereatrest,fortheoldhaghadrushedinandtouchedUmbopa,aliasIgnosi,ontheshoulder.
"Ismellhimout,"sheshrieked."Killhim,killhim,heisfullofevil;killhim,thestranger,beforebloodflowsfromhim.Slayhim,Oking."
Therewasapause,ofwhichIinstantlytookadvantage.
"Oking,"Icalledout,risingfrommyseat,"thismanistheservantofthyguests,heistheirdog; whosoevershedsthebloodofourdogshedsourblood. BythesacredlawofhospitalityIclaimprotectionforhim."
"Gagool,motherofthewitch-finders,hassmelthimout;hemustdie,whitemen,"wasthesullenanswer.
"Nay,heshallnotdie,"Ireplied;"hewhotriestotouchhimshalldieindeed."
"Seizehim!"roaredTwalatotheexecutioners;whostoodroundredtotheeyeswiththebloodoftheirvictims.
Theyadvancedtowardsus,andthenhesitated.AsforIgnosi,heclutchedhisspear,andraiseditasthoughdeterminedtosellhislifedearly.
"Standback,yedogs!"Ishouted,"ifyewouldseetomorrow’slight. Touchonehairofhisheadandyourkingdies,"andIcoveredTwalawithmyrevolver.
