Копи царя Соломона
The Place of Death
AccordinglyGagool’slitterwasbroughtup,andthatladyherselfassistedoutofit. MeanwhileFoulata,atmyrequest,storedsome"biltong,"ordriedgame-flesh,togetherwithacoupleofgourdsofwater,inareedbasketwithahingedcover. Straightinfrontofus,atadistanceofsomefiftypacesfromthebacksoftheColossi,roseasheerwallofrock,eightyfeetormoreinheight, thatgraduallyslopedupwardstillitformedthebaseoftheloftysnow-wreathedpeak,whichsoaredintotheairthreethousandfeetaboveus. Assoonasshewasclearofherhammock,Gagoolcastoneevilgrinuponus,andthen,leaningonastick,hobbledofftowardsthefaceofthiswall. Wefollowedhertillwecametoanarrowportalsolidlyarchedthatlookedliketheopeningofagalleryofamine.
HereGagoolwaswaitingforus,stillwiththatevilgrinuponherhorridface.
"Now,whitemenfromtheStars,"shepiped;"greatwarriors,Incubu,Bougwan,andMacumazahnthewise,areyeready? Behold,Iamheretodothebiddingofmylordtheking,andtoshowyouthestoreofbrightstones.Ha!ha!ha!"
"Weareready,"Isaid.
"Good,good!Makestrongyourheartstobearwhatyeshallsee. Comestthoutoo,Infadoos,thouwhodidstbetraythymaster?"
Infadoosfrownedasheanswered—
"Nay,Icomenot;itisnotformetoenterthere.Butthou,Gagool,curbthytongue,andbewarehowthoudealestwithmylords. AtthyhandswillIrequirethem,andifahairofthembehurt,Gagool,be’stthoufiftytimesawitch,thoushaltdie. Hearestthou?"
