Копи царя Соломона
Ignosi’s Farewell
Itappeared,also,thatrathermorethantwoyearspreviouslyapartyofKukuanahuntershaddescendedthispathintothedesertinsearchofostriches,whoseplumesaremuchprizedamongthemforwarhead-dresses, andthatinthecourseoftheirhunttheyhadbeenledfarfromthemountainsandweremuchtroubledbythirst. Seeingtreesonthehorizon,however,theywalkedtowardsthem,anddiscoveredalargeandfertileoasissomemilesinextent,andplentifullywatered. ItwasbywayofthisoasisthatInfadoossuggestedweshouldreturn, andtheideaseemedtousagoodone,foritappearedthatweshouldthusescapetherigoursofthemountainpass. Alsosomeofthehunterswereinattendancetoguideustotheoasis,fromwhich,theystated,theycouldperceiveotherfertilespotsfarawayinthedesert.
Travellingeasily,onthenightofthefourthday’sjourneywefoundourselvesoncemoreonthecrestofthemountainsthatseparateKukuanalandfromthedesert,whichrolledawayinsandybillowsatourfeet,andabouttwenty-fivemilestothenorthofSheba’sBreasts.
Atdawnonthefollowingday,wewereledtotheedgeofaveryprecipitouschasm,bywhichweweretodescendtheprecipice,andgaintheplaintwothousandandmorefeetbelow.
Herewebadefarewelltothattruefriendandsturdyoldwarrior,Infadoos,whosolemnlywishedallgooduponus,andnearlyweptwithgrief. "Never,mylords,"hesaid,"shallmineoldeyesseethelikeofyouagain.
