"Wrestling must be a favourite pastime with these warlike ladies,"
murmured Ned, as he wiped his streaming face on his handkerchief.
"Pouf! that was a hot bout, and no mistake."
For a moment after he had released the amazon, silence reigned over the
spectators, then a loud cry of admiration rose from the ranks to which
the conquered one belonged. This proved at least that they might be
fierce, but they were at least generous foes; also that they had
witnessed what evidently was a novelty to them.
"What sort of men are raised in their nation, I wonder?" muttered Ned,
looking anything but pleased at this demonstration. "The women are all
right, and a little more so, like our gymnastic girls; but they are
evidently not used to muscular men, or perhaps these are so big that
they are astonished to see the like of me doing this slight trick."
While he still mopped his face and his followers stood waiting on the
next development, sixty of the women ran out of the ranks from different
sides, unarmed, and with animated gestures and a torrent of scornful
words, challenged the square to a similar contest.
The language sounded strange yet musical in their ears, but the bright
flashing eyes, curling red lips, and defiant actions made their meaning
clear.
With a burst of guttural laughter, Cocoeni and fifty more of his
companions stripped themselves of all but their waist-bands, and stood
forth to gratify the wrestling-loving viragoes.
"Deal softly with them, lads, yet beat them," cried Ned, seeing what was
about to take place.
He had an instinctive feeling that it was necessary for their future
safety that these amazons should be taught a lesson, yet he did not wish
any of them hurt, and these Kaffirs were mighty fellows.
"Never fear, baas," answered Cocoeni, laughing softly. "We shall not
lose our tempers, but we will show these girls that they have the arms
of men round them."
The challengers looked at the satin skins and muscular forms of those
sable heroes with renewed cries of admiration, which mightily pleased
their masculine vanity. There was no timidity or fear, however, in the
regard of the amazons. They were evidently only delighted at meeting
with such antagonists.
As the Matabeles and Basutos also examined the opponents opposite to
them, their eyes began to sparkle with feelings more ardent than
rivalry. Here stood women worth fighting with or for.
They had no longer any dread of treachery, for the others had laid down
their weapons and shields, and were busy discarding all superfluous
encumbrances, such as helmets, shoulder-coverings, and ornaments. They
were also rolling and tying up their loose tresses. It was evident that
they intended having a turn also after the present bout was over.
As far as numbers were concerned the amazons counted about two to one of
Ned's force, therefore he saw that he would be likely to have another
engagement presently. Thinking on the possibility of this, he stripped
himself of his jacket, hat, and bandolier, tightened his waist-belt, and
began to roll up his shirt-sleeves. His example was followed by Fred
and Clarence.
As he was thus engaged near the girl he had conquered, who still
crouched at his feet with bent and covered face, one of the amazons came
over to him with a spear in her hand. This weapon she held out to him,
pointing at the same time to the prostrate figure, with a significant
gesture, which said plainly--
"She is yours by right of conquest; kill her."
Ned recoiled horrified at this savage suggestion. Refusing the spear,
with a motion of disgust, he stooped and gently lifted the fallen one to
her feet, patting her at the same time kindly on the shoulder. She
appeared dazed for a moment at this unexpected clemency, then suddenly
she seized his hand and kissed it passionately.
Ned laughed awkwardly and blushed scarlet; then, to cover his confusion,
he turned to watch the combatants.
For the next two hours that richly carved hall of the dead was the field
of as tough yet bloodless a contest as ever had been waged anywhere.
All had observed the incident, and understood the meaning of that spear
offer. These amazons were as brave and generous as chivalrous soldiers
could be, but mercy to the vanquished was clearly not one of their
virtues. They neither would spare nor expect to be spared.
This being the condition of defeat, every one exerted themselves to the
utmost, and finished the conflict as quickly as possible.
The amazons were strong, lithe, and full of tricks, but the men acted
warily, and gave them no advantage. The result was that sex conditions
told, and the women, without exception, were put hors de combat.
By the time it was over, however, Ned and his followers felt that they
had done hard enough work for that day at least. They were hot, hungry,
furiously thirsty, and completely fagged out.
So were the women, but not so much as they were, since they had taken
double turns. They flung themselves down on the cool stones, steaming
and panting, while a number of the amazons who had rested left the
chamber.
The mangled snakes still jerked about their severed links at the other
end, for the conflict had been carried on at the lower end of the
chamber.
While they sprawled about in all sorts of free and unstudied attitudes,
the amazons, who had recovered their breath, watched the brawny
proportions of their rivals with undisguised admiration and respect.
Many of them had received heavy bruises and falls, but this they did not
seem to care much for. They were considerably dishevelled also, but
woman-like, they at once started tidying and redecorating themselves,
while they watched with friendly eyes their rough conquerors.
Presently those who had left the chamber returned, accompanied by about
a dozen of degraded-looking, ugly black dwarfs, who carried heavy jars
and dishes laden with food. At the smell of the roasted meat and boiled
pulse, our heroes and their followers at once sat up and prepared
themselves for the welcome feast.
The girls now clustered round them, a couple to each man, and waited
upon them assiduously, with the most hospitable smiles and gestures.
The conquered were particular in selecting those who had mastered them
to serve. They kneeled on each side, and while one proffered water in
large cups of curiously shaped and carved metal, the other picked out
the choicest pieces from the platters, and fed them from their fingers
like young birds.
They were all friendly now, chattering away in that unknown liquid
language with wonderful volubility, and showing their white teeth in the
most bewitching smiles. They seemed to be delighted with their new
masters, for they showed that they recognised them now as such. Ned and
his followers also were more than satisfied with their present position.
Yet these amazons displayed by many signs that they had a purpose in
view, and no desire to linger or leave their new friends in this
sculptured hall. With a few words of stern and terse command, the
leader, who was Ned's first antagonist, pointed shudderingly to the
mutilated snakes. At these orders the repulsive-looking dwarfs went
over, and lifting up the quivering masses, removed them by the upper
end, and afterwards brought sand and covered up the blood.
As soon also as our heroes had satisfied their hunger and thirst, they
all rose, and dividing the packages amongst them, led the way towards
the two apertures in the lower end. Ned and his men had no objection to
these new attendants carrying the loads, since they were forced to trust
them now. But they stuck tenaciously to their weapons and ammunition.
They entered a narrow passage outside the column, and after pacing along
it towards the cliff face, they began once more to descend.
Fifty steps in one direction along the punctured inner side of the
cliffs, brought them to a flight of steps at the opposite angle. When
that other fifty was reached, another flight at the first angle met
them, and so on, until they had descended three thousand of these steps.
It was a fatiguing journey after their heavy exertions, for the amazons
hurried them along without a pause. They were either in great haste, or
else did not wish any more investigations to be made of this underground
region.
The light was growing fainter also, as it was nearing sunset, yet our
heroes were able to see, at each turn of the stairs, passages leading
into other chambers. From several of these, as they got near the
bottom, they heard a clanking sound, as if miners were at work.
"I say, boys," said Ned, "do you hear? They are still working this
gold-mine. What about the mirage now?"
Since meeting these female warriors our heroes had no longer any thought
of turning back. There seemed no danger of perishing from want or
thirst. As for other dangers, they were quite ready to encounter these.
"This is an adventure and no mistake. I guess we are bound to see some
strange things before long," answered Fred, excitedly.
It was nearly dark before they crossed the last step and found
themselves once more on level ground.
Before them spread a wide and long apartment with a huge fire burning in
the centre. A strong menagerie-like perfume greeted their nostrils
along with the more pleasant odours of cooking. As they entered, a wild
chorus of savage yells echoed through the vault.
A number of slender and undersized figures moved about. Some were clad
in white robes, others with only waist-bands round their waists.
From a square, wide, and high portal halfway down, and on the same side
by which they had descended, the last orange glow from the setting sun
fell in a long slanting line upon the sand floor. They had, at length,
come down to the desert.
Ned and his followers looked round them curiously, while the friendly
amazons placed their packages all together.
There were bold and somewhat rude carvings on some portions of the wall,
but otherwise it was left rough hewn. It was, however, quite as roomy,
although not so lofty, as the upper hall which they had first seen.
There were rugs and skins flung down at different parts on the sands,
with armour, weapons, and other articles of use. This was evidently the
present barracks of these amazons.
The lower parts of the inner walls were lined with recesses strongly
barred. In these were caged a number of leopards. These leopards were
separated from each other by intervening partitions. Apparently it was
their feeding-time, as these half-nude figures were moving about from
cage to cage with huge junks of flesh, which they pushed into the cages.
The amazons went round the cages, inserting their hands between the bars
and stroking the animals. As they did so, the wild roaring which had
greeted their appearance sank into gratified and loud purrs.
Pointing to the spread skins, the women signed for the adventurers to
rest. Gladly our tired heroes availed themselves of the permission.
Here, stretched out at their ease, they could observe their
surroundings. They saw the amazon leader, with a few of the others, go
over to the white-robed figures, and then began an earnest conversation.
A little explanation was evidently given to account for the presence of
the strangers; but, as far as Ned could make out, the warriors were
mistresses, and confined themselves mostly to giving orders, which the
others listened to meekly, and bowed their heads obediently.
In a little while the half-naked figures approached the fire and lighted
some torches at it, which they stuck into clamps round the wall. This
threw more light on the scene.
The sun had now gone down, and darkness was beginning to hide the
desert, which Ned could see through the open portal from where he lay.
The semi-nude figures now approached, and, kneeling down, began to take
off the boots of him and his comrades; after this they washed their feet
and covered them again.
It was all most delightful and pleasant, and Ned was glad that the
amazons did not attempt this task. They apparently were engaged making
their own toilets during this time.
While allowing the slaves to manipulate, he looked at the white-robed
forms. They were engaged in various departments of duty. Some were
baking bread-cakes, others cooking various dishes, and several were hard
at work plaiting and dressing the tresses of the amazons. They were
meek visaged, and had their heads shaved, yet, somehow, although so
small and spiritless, they seemed to belong to the male sex.
Another feed was under way of a more substantial description than the
last. As the savoury fumes stole into their nostrils, they once more
began to find themselves prepared for it.
Presently it was ready, and this time the ladies shared it with them.
While they were eating and drinking, four of the white-robed figures sat
near and played on harps.
It was a plain supper of roasted and stewed game garnished with garlic,
boiled rice, with maize and lentil cakes. For vegetables they had leeks
and yams, while bananas, figs, and grapes served for dessert.
A delicious, light-tasted, but rather heady wine was given to them along
with the water, which was pure and sweet. This they took sparingly of,
yet it quickly sent them all off to sleep.