We started, and in solemn silence threaded our way down the windings
of the cave, extinguishing our torches as soon as we saw light at its
inland outlet. At a few paces from its mouth stood a sentry. His back
was towards the cave, and in the uncertain gleams of the moon,
struggling with the clouds, for a thin rain still fell, he never noted
us till we were right on to him. Then he turned and saw, and at the
awful sight of this procession of the gods of his land, threw up his
arms, and without a word fell senseless. Although I never asked, I
think that Mavovo took measures to prevent his awakening. At any rate
when I looked back later on, I observed that he was carrying a big
Pongo spear with a long shaft, instead of the copper weapon which he
had taken from one of the coffins.
On we marched towards Rica Town, following the easy path by which we
had come. As I have said, the country was very deserted and the
inhabitants of such huts as we passed were evidently fast asleep. Also
there were no dogs in this land to awake them with their barking.
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