For
some hours the regiment marched in front, or rather round us, but as
we complained to Babemba of the noise and dust, with a confidence that
was quite touching, he sent it on ahead. First, however, he asked us
to pass our word "by our mothers," which was the most sacred of oaths
among many African peoples, that we would not attempt to escape. I
confess that I hesitated before giving an answer, not being entirely
enamoured of the Mazitu and of our prospects among them, especially as
I had discovered through Jerry that the discomfited Imbozwi had
departed from the soldiers on some business of his own. Had the matter
been left to me, indeed, I should have tried to slip back into the
bush over the border, and there put in a few months shooting during
the dry season, while working my way southwards. This, too, was the
wish of the Zulu hunters, of Hans, and I need not add of Sammy. But
when I mentioned the matter to Stephen, he implored me to abandon the
idea.
"Look here, Quatermain," he said, "I have come to this God-forsaken
country to get that great Cypripedium, and get it I will or die in the
attempt.
Pages:
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240