the hill, faster than any horse
could gallop.

"Now I hoped that he had gone for good and thought of going myself.
Still I feared to do so lest I should meet him somewhere, so I made up
my mind to wait till daylight. It was as well, Baas, for about half an
hour later he came back again. Only now he could not jump, he could only
crawl. Never in my life did I see a snake look so sick, Baas. Into the
cave he went and lay there hissing. By degrees the hissing grew very
faint, till at length they died away altogether. I waited another
half-hour, Baas, and then I grew so curious that I thought that I would
go to look in the cave.

"I lit the little lantern I had with me and, holding it in one hand and
my stick in the other, I crept into the hole. Before I had crawled ten
paces I saw something white stretched along the ground. It was the belly
of the great snake, Baas, which lay upon its back quite dead.

"I know that it was dead, for I lit three wax matches, setting them to
burn upon its tail and it never stirred, as any live snake will do when
it feels fire. Then I came home, Baas, feeling very proud because I
had outwitted that great-grandfather of all snakes who killed Bena my
friend, and had made the way clear for us to walk through the cave.

"That is all the story, Baas. Now I must go to wash those dishes," and
without waiting for any comment off he went, leaving us marvelling at
his wit, resource and courage.

"What next?" I asked presently.

"Nothing till to-night," answered Ragnall with determination, "when I am
going to look at the snake which the noble Hans has killed and whatever
lies beyond the cave, as you will remember Harut invited us to do
unmolested, if we could."

"Do you think Harut will keep his word, Ragnall?"

"On the whole, yes, and if he doesn't I don't care. Anything is better
than sitting here in this suspense."

"I agree as to Harut, because we are too valuable to be killed just now,
if for no other reason; also as to the suspense, which is unendurable.
Therefore I will walk with you to look at that snake, Ragnall, and so no
doubt will Hans. The exercise will do my leg good."

"Do you think it wise?" he asked doubtfully; "in your case, I mean."

"I think it most unwise that we should separate any more. We had better
stand or fall altogether; further, we do not seem to have any luck
apart."

CHAPTER XVII

THE SANCTUARY AND THE OATH

That evening shortly after sundown the three