Копи царя Соломона

           SeeingthatifIstoodwhereIwasImustbekilled,asthehorridapparitioncameIflungmyselfdowninfrontofhimsocleverlythat,beingunabletostophimself,hetookaheaderrightovermyprostrateform. Beforehecouldriseagain,Ihadrisenandsettledthematterfrombehindwithmyrevolver. 

           Shortlyafterthissomebodyknockedmedown,andIremembernomoreofthatcharge. 

           WhenIcametoIfoundmyselfbackatthekoppie,withGoodbendingovermeholdingsomewaterinagourd. 

           "Howdoyoufeel,oldfellow?"heaskedanxiously. 

           Igotupandshookmyselfbeforereplying. 

           "Prettywell,thankyou,"Ianswered. 

           "ThankHeaven!WhenIsawthemcarryyouin,Ifeltquitesick;Ithoughtyouweredonefor." 

           "Notthistime,myboy.IfancyIonlygotaraponthehead,whichknockedmestupid.Howhasitended?" 

           "Theyarerepulsedateverypointforawhile. Thelossisdreadfullyheavy;wehavequitetwothousandkilledandwounded,andtheymusthavelostthree.Looks,there’sasight!"andhepointedtolonglinesofmenadvancingbyfours. 

           Inthecentreofeverygroupoffour,andbeingbornebyit,wasakindofhidetray,ofwhichaKukuanaforcealwayscarriesaquantity,withaloopforahandleateachcorner. Onthesetrays—andtheirnumberseemedendless—laywoundedmen,whoastheyarrivedwerehastilyexaminedbythemedicinemen,ofwhomtenwereattachedtoaregiment. Ifthewoundwasnotofafatalcharacterthesuffererwastakenawayandattendedtoascarefullyascircumstanceswouldallow.