That saying is very old, but until a
little while ago none knew what it meant, since it spoke of 'a hollow
spear that smoked,' and such a weapon was not known to us."
"Indeed," I said, mourning within myself that we should not be in a
position to bring about the fulfilment of that prophecy, which, as
Hans said, shaking his head sadly, "was a great pity, a very great
pity!"
Three days' march over country that gradually sloped downwards from
the high tableland on which stood Beza Town, brought us to the lake
called Kirua, a word which, I believe, means The Place of the Island.
Of the lake itself we could see nothing, because of the dense brake of
tall reeds which grew out into the shallow water for quite a mile from
the shore and was only pierced here and there with paths made by the
hippopotami when they came to the mainland at night to feed. From a
high mound which looked exactly like a tumulus and, for aught I know,
may have been one, however, the blue waters beyond were visible, and
in the far distance what, looked at through glasses, appeared to be a
tree-clad mountain top.
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