Копи царя Соломона
The Last Stand of the Greys
Itis,Ithink,bettertobehootedthantobequarteredwithabattle-axe.
PresentlyTwalaspoke.
"Incubu,whatsayestthou,shallweendwhatwebegantoday,orshallIcalltheecoward,white—eventotheliver?"
"Nay,"interposedIgnosihastily;"thoushaltnotfightwithIncubu."
"Notifheisafraid,"saidTwala.
UnfortunatelySirHenryunderstoodthisremark,andthebloodflamedupintohischeeks.
"Iwillfighthim,"hesaid;"heshallseeifIamafraid."
"ForHeaven’ssake,"Ientreated,"don’triskyourlifeagainstthatofadesperateman. Anybodywhosawyoutodaywillknowthatyouarebraveenough."
"Iwillfighthim,"wasthesullenanswer."Nolivingmanshallcallmeacoward.Iamreadynow!" andhesteppedforwardandliftedhisaxe.
IwrungmyhandsoverthisabsurdpieceofQuixotism;butifhewasdeterminedonthisdeed,ofcourseIcouldnotstophim.
"Fightnot,mywhitebrother,"saidIgnosi,layinghishandaffectionatelyonSirHenry’sarm;"thouhastfoughtenough,andifaughtbefelltheeathishandsitwouldcutmyheartintwain."
"Iwillfight,Ignosi,"wasSirHenry’sanswer.
"Itiswell,Incubu;thouartabraveman.Itwillbeagoodfray.Behold,Twala,theElephantisreadyforthee."
Theex-kinglaughedsavagely,andsteppingforwardfacedCurtis. Foramomenttheystoodthus,andthelightofthesinkingsuncaughttheirstalwartframesandclothedthembothinfire. Theywereawell-matchedpair.
