Копи царя Соломона

           Onwetrampedsilentlyasshadesthroughthenightandintheheavysand. Thekaroobushescaughtourfeetandretardedus,andthesandworkedintoourveldtschoonsandGood’sshooting-boots,sothateveryfewmileswehadtostopandemptythem; butstillthenightkeptfairlycool,thoughtheatmospherewasthickandheavy,givingasortofcreamyfeeltotheair,andwemadefairprogress. Itwasverysilentandlonelythereinthedesert,oppressivelysoindeed. Goodfeltthis,andoncebegantowhistle"TheGirlIleftbehindme,"butthenotessoundedlugubriousinthatvastplace,andhegaveitup. 

           Shortlyafterwardsalittleincidentoccurredwhich,thoughitstartledusatthetime,gaverisetoalaugh. Goodwasleading,astheholderofthecompass,which,beingasailor,ofcourseheunderstoodthoroughly,andweweretoilingalonginsinglefilebehindhim,whensuddenlyweheardthesoundofanexclamation,andhevanished. Nextsecondtherearoseallaroundusamostextraordinaryhubbub,snorts,groans,andwildsoundsofrushingfeet.Inthefaintlight,too,wecoulddescrydimgallopingformshalfhiddenbywreathsofsand. Thenativesthrewdowntheirloadsandpreparedtobolt,butrememberingthattherewasnowheretorunto,theycastthemselvesuponthegroundandhowledoutthatitwasghosts. AsforSirHenryandmyself,westoodamazed;norwasouramazementlessenedwhenweperceivedtheformofGoodcareeringoffinthedirectionofthemountains,apparentlymountedonthebackofahorseandhalloaingwildly. Inanothersecondhethrewuphisarms,andweheardhimcometotheearthwithathud.