Копи царя Соломона

           Forawhilethemorninglightsplayeduponthesnowandthebrownandswellingmassesbeneath, andthen,asthoughtoveilthemajesticsightfromourcuriouseyes,strangevapoursandcloudsgatheredandincreasedaroundthemountains,tillpresentlywecouldonlytracetheirpureandgiganticoutlines,showingghostlikethroughthefleecyenvelope. Indeed,asweafterwardsdiscovered,usuallytheywerewrappedinthisgauze-likemist,whichdoubtlessaccountedforournothavingseenthemmoreclearlybefore. 

           Sheba’sBreastshadscarcelyvanishedintocloud-cladprivacy,beforeourthirst—literallyaburningquestion—reasserteditself. 

           ItwasallverywellforVentvögeltosaythathesmeltwater,butwecouldseenosignsofit,lookwhichwaywewould. Sofarastheeyemightreachtherewasnothingbutaridswelteringsandandkarooscrub. Wewalkedroundthehillockandgazedaboutanxiouslyontheotherside,butitwasthesamestory, notadropofwatercouldbefound;therewasnoindicationofapan,apool,oraspring. 

           "Youareafool,"IsaidangrilytoVentvögel;"thereisnowater." 

           Butstillheliftedhisuglysnubnosesniffed. 

           "Ismellit,Baas,"heanswered;"itissomewhereintheair." 

           "Yes,"Isaid,"nodoubtitisintheclouds,andabouttwomonthshenceitwillfallandwashourbones." 

           SirHenrystrokedhisyellowbeardthoughtfully. "Perhapsitisonthetopofthehill,"hesuggested.