Inall Africa I scarcely know a gorge that is so
eerie and depressing. But were Ito do this, I should indeed be the first of fools.
The second was connectedwith that confounded and obsessing Heu-Heu. I asked, trying
tomaster the reflex action of my interior arrangements.
I looked, and for a moment perceived nothing. If
they are taught, Macumazahn, /if/ they are taught how.
Hereplied that they were the daughters of Panda,
the King.
Macumazahn,come and stand by me, and you, Yellow
Man, turn your back so that youface the fire. I could not dismissthat picture as
some mere flight of distorted savage imagination.
Let me hear, who would learn whetheryours are the
same as my own.
It is strange that the thought comes to me
ofpictures. Helifted them once more and once more they rose, only this time
muchhigher. These were said now to be fat again, but no oneseemed to know exactly
where they were. The dwellers there may not leave their hidden land; it isagainst
their law. I asked, trying tomaster the reflex action of my interior arrangements. I
have no money to pay for more oxen, I said.
Therefore, it isnt strange that I shouldguess that
you would do so again, is it? If there is any Heu-Heu, he is but a big ape,
andliving or dead, I am not afraid of any ape. Of course, those Kaffirs would
havetold me about it, would they not? Hereplied that they were the daughters of
Panda, the King. I thought that you might like to know that,as you are curious on
the point. Isnt it likely that you would go to a caveto escape from such a tempest,
leaving the wagon outside? But were Ito do this, I should indeed be the first of
fools.
No, it isnt strange, since the Bushmen often used
to paintpictures in caves.
CHAPTER IVTHE LEGEND OF HEU-HEUZikali stopped
laughing and contemplated us with his hollow eyes. Somehow or other they remind me
of rocks piled one on another as on amountain slope, and look! Even for
Zikaliallowances could be made; he was not altogether bad. Well, we inspanned and
trekked away from that remarkable cave. You dont see a picture like that every
night, Baas,and you know you wanted to come. Therefore, it isnt strange that I
shouldguess that you would do so again, is it? Helooked at them, and said,Why, what
do these silly things remind me of?
Somehow or other they remind me of rocks piled one
on another as on amountain slope, and look!
It wavered; it changed; it becamefixed and
definite, yes, clear and real. These I know not howto describe, but I will try.