Копи царя Соломона
The Legend of Solomon’s Mines
"‘No,Baas,somethingworthmorethangold,’andhegrinned.
"Iaskednomorequestions,forIdidnotliketolowermydignitybyseeminginquisitive,butIwaspuzzled.PresentlyJimfinishedcuttinghistobacco.
"‘Baas,’saidhe.
"Itooknonotice.
"‘Baas,’saidheagain.
"‘Eh,boy,whatisit?’Iasked.
"‘Baas,wearegoingafterdiamonds.’
"‘Diamonds!why,then,youaresteeringinthewrongdirection;youshouldheadfortheFields.’
"‘Baas,haveyoueverheardofSuliman’sBerg?’—thatis,Solomon’sMountains,SirHenry.
"‘Ay!’
"‘Haveyoueverheardofthediamondsthere?’
"‘Ihaveheardafoolishstory,Jim.’
"‘Itisnostory,Baas.OnceIknewawomanwhocamefromthere,andreachedNatalwithherchild,shetoldme:—sheisdeadnow.’
"‘Yourmasterwillfeedtheassvögels’—thatis,vultures—‘Jim,ifhetriestoreachSuliman’scountry,andsowillyouiftheycangetanypickingsoffyourworthlessoldcarcass,’saidI.
