Between the cave and Rica we were not, I think, seen by a single soul.
Through that long night we pushed on as fast was we could travel, only
stopping now and again for a few minutes to rest the bearers of the
Holy Flower. Indeed at times Mrs. Eversley relieved her husband at
this task, but Stephen, being very strong, carried his end of the
stretcher throughout the whole journey.
Hans, of course, was much oppressed by the great weight of the gorilla
skin, which, although it had shrunk a good deal, remained as heavy as
ever. But he was a tough old fellow, and on the whole got on better
than might have been expected, though by the time we reached the town
he was sometimes obliged to follow the example of the god itself and
help himself forward with his hands, going on all fours, as a gorilla
generally does.
We reached the broad, long street of Rica about half an hour before
dawn, and proceeded down it till we were past the Feast-house still
quite unobserved, for as yet none were stirring on that wet morning.
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