Копи царя Соломона

           OnarrivingatLooweweremostcordiallyreceivedbyIgnosi,whomwefoundwell, andbusilyengagedinconsolidatinghispower,andreorganisingtheregimentswhichhadsufferedmostinthegreatstrugglewithTwala. 

           Helistenedwithintenseinteresttoourwonderfulstory;butwhenwetoldhimofoldGagool’sfrightfulendhegrewthoughtful. 

           "Comehither,"hecalled,toaveryoldIndunaorcouncillor,whowassittingwithothersinacircleroundtheking,butoutofear-shot. Theancientmanrose,approached,saluted,andseatedhimself. 

           "Thouartaged,"saidIgnosi. 

           "Ay,mylordtheking!Thyfather’sfatherandIwerebornonthesameday." 

           "Tellme,whenthouwastlittle,didstthouknowGagaoolathewitchdoctress?" 

           "Ay,mylordtheking!" 

           "Howwasshethen—young,likethee?" 

           "Notso,mylordtheking!Shewasevenassheisnowandasshewasinthedaysofmygreatgrandfatherbeforeme;oldanddried,veryugly,andfullofwickedness." 

           "Sheisnomore;sheisdead." 

           "So,Oking!thenisanancientcursetakenfromtheland." 

           "Go!" 

           "Koom!Igo,BlackPuppy,whotoreouttheolddog’sthroat.Koom!" 

           "Yesee,mybrothers,"saidIgnosi,"thiswasastrangewoman,andIrejoicethatsheisdead. Shewouldhaveletyoudieinthedarkplace,andmayhapafterwardsshehadfoundawaytoslayme,asshefoundawaytoslaymyfather,andsetupTwala,whomherblackheartloved,inhisplace.