ainly, certainly," answered Houman, "since they are ugly enough to
offend even me. Hide them as much as possible. Now we are near, down on
your faces and crawl forward slowly on your knees and elbows, as I do.
Down, I say!"

So down I went, though with anger in my heart, for be it remembered
that I, the modern Allan Quatermain, knew every thought and feeling that
passed through the mind of my prototype.

It was as though I were a spectator at a play, with this difference. I
could read the motives and reflections of this former _ego_ as well as
observe his actions. Also I could rejoice when he rejoiced, weep when
he wept and generally feel all that he felt, though at the same time
I retained the power of studying him from my own modern standpoint and
with my own existing intelligence. Being two we still were one, or being
one we still were two, whichever way you like to put it. Lastly I lacked
these powers with reference to the other actors in the piece. Of these
I knew just as much, or as little as my former self knew, that is if he
ever really existed. There was nothing unnatural in my faculties where
they were concerned. I had no insight into their souls any more than I
have into those of the people about me to-day. Now I hope that I have
made clear my somewhat uncommon position with reference to these pages
from the Book of the Past.

Well, preceded by the eunuch and followed by the dwarf, I crawled though
the sand in which grew some thorny plants that pricked my knees
and fingers, towards the person of the Monarch of the World. He had
descended from his chariot by help of a footstool, and was engaged in
drinking from a golden cup, while his attendants stood around in various
attitudes of adoration, he who had handed him the cup being upon his
knees. Presently he looked up and saw us.

"Who are these?" he asked in a high voice that yet was not unmusical,
"and why do you bring them into my presence?"

"May it please the King," answered our guide, knocking his head upon the
ground in a very agony of humiliation, "may it please the King----"

"It would please me better, dog, if you answered my question. Who are
they?"

"May it please the King, this is the Egyptian hunter and noble,
Shabaka."

"I hear," said his Majesty with a gleam of interest in his tired eyes,
"and what does this Egyptian here?"

"May it please the King, the King bade me bring him to the presence, but
now when the chariots halted."

"I fo