Копи царя Соломона
Our March into the Desert
Atlast,aboutnineo’clock,upshecameinallherglory,floodingthewildcountrywithlight,andthrowingasilversheenontheexpanseofrollingdesertbeforeus,whichlookedassolemnandquietandasalientomanasthestar-studdedfirmamentabove. Weroseup,andinafewminuteswereready,andyetwehesitatedalittle,ashumannatureispronetohesitateonthethresholdofanirrevocablestep. Wethreewhitemenstoodbyourselves. Umbopa,assegaiinhandandarifleacrosshisshoulders,lookedoutfixedlyacrossthedesertafewpacesaheadofus; whilethehirednatives,withthegourdsofwater,andVentvögel,weregatheredinalittleknotbehind.
"Gentlemen,"saidSirHenrypresently,inhisdeepvoice, "wearegoingonaboutasstrangeajourneyasmencanmakeinthisworld. Itisverydoubtfulifwecansucceedinit. Butwearethreemenwhowillstandtogetherforgoodorforeviltothelast. NowbeforewestartletusforamomentpraytothePowerwhoshapesthedestiniesofmen,andwhoagessincehasmarkedoutourpaths,thatitmaypleaseHimtodirectourstepsinaccordancewithHiswill."
Takingoffhishat,forthespaceofaminuteorso,hecoveredhisfacewithhishands,andGoodandIdidlikewise.
IdonotsaythatIamafirst-rateprayingman,fewhuntersare,andasforSirHenry,Ineverheardhimspeaklikethatbefore,andonlyoncesince,thoughdeepdowninhisheartIbelievethatheisveryreligious. Goodtooispious,thoughapttoswear.
