King Solomon's Treasure

Chapter 14 King Taiwala (1)
There is no need to describe in detail the experiences along the way.After two days of walking on Solomon Avenue, we finally reached the heart of Kukuana.Wherever he went, it became more and more prosperous, the villages became more and more dense, and the surrounding farmlands became more and more extensive.All the villages were built exactly alike, and a large number of troops were stationed there.Like Germany, Zulu, and Maasai, all the strong men in Kukuana are soldiers.In this way, whether it is offensive or defensive, sufficient troops can be guaranteed.Along the way, thousands of soldiers passed us and hurried to Lucheng to participate in the annual review and grand meeting.I have never seen such a mighty and majestic army.

At sunset the next day, we stopped to rest on the top of a slope, and there was a beautiful and rich plain at our feet, which was Lucheng.For an aboriginal town, Loo is large, five miles in radius.There are also several villages on the outskirts of the city, and troops are stationed in these villages on important occasions.About two miles north of the city stood a strange horseshoe-shaped hill with which we were destined to become indissoluble.The location of Lucheng is very good. A river flows through the city, dividing Lucheng into two parts. There are several bridges on the river to connect different places.Perhaps this is the same river we see on the slopes of the Queen of Sheba's Breasts.Sixty or seventy miles away, there are three big mountains, which form a triangle, with snow-capped peaks.Unlike the gentle Queen of Sheba's Twin Breasts, these three mountains are steep and precipitous.

Seeing us looking at the three mountains, Inverdus spoke of his own accord:

"That's where the road ends," he pointed to the three mountains that the Kukuana called the "Three Witches."

"Why?" I asked.

"Who knows." He shrugged, "The mountain is full of caves, and there is an abyss between the mountains. In ancient times, many wise people used to go there to find what they wanted. Now, it is the mausoleum of the kings of all dynasties. .”

"What are they looking for there?" I asked anxiously.

"I don't know about that. The gods from the stars should know." After speaking, he glanced at me quickly, obviously hiding something.

"Yes," I said, "you're right. We can't hide anything from us. For example, I've heard that wise people go into the mountains to find shiny stones, beautiful objects, and yellow iron. "

"The gods are wise," he said coldly, "in front of you, I am just an ignorant child, and I dare not talk to you about these things. You can talk to Gagul, she is the oldest person in Lucheng , is as intelligent as you." After speaking, he left.

As soon as he left, I turned and pointed to the three mountains, and said to the others, "There lies Solomon's treasure."

Ambopa, who was standing with them, looked thoughtful again, and suddenly took my words.

"Yes, Maku Mazahn," he said in Zulu, "the diamond must be there, and since you white people like that stuff and money so much, you go."

"How do you know, Ambopa?" I asked sharply, I couldn't understand his mysterious appearance.

He smiled: "I saw it in my dream, white man." Then he turned and left.

"What's the matter with our Negro friend?" said Sir Henry. "He's obviously hiding something. By the way, Quitman, has he heard about my brother?"

"No, he asked all his friends, and they all said they'd never seen a white man in Kukuana before."

"Do you think George ever came here?" Good asked. "It's a complete miracle that we got here. Is it possible that he didn't have a map?"

"I don't know," said Sir Henry despondently, "I don't know why, but I just think he will be found."

The sun was slowly setting, and then night fell.At low latitudes, there is no transition between day and night, so neither dawn nor twilight can be seen.Day and night change in an instant.As soon as the sun goes down, the world is shrouded in darkness.But after a while, there was a ray of light in the east, and then it turned into a bend of silver light, and the last new moon rose in the sky, and the watery moonlight covered the whole plain.Just like a person, although his life will eventually end, his noble character will always radiate light, illuminating the hearts of those who come later.

We stood there, admiring the charming moonlight.Before the holy silver light, the stars also become eclipsed.The beauty of the moonlit night in front of us made us feel an inexplicable emotion in our hearts.I've had a lot of trouble and bad luck in my life, but there are a few things I'm grateful for, and watching the moon rise over Kukuana is one of them.Presently the courteous Inverdus interrupted our meditations.

"If the gods are ready, please set off to Lucheng. The city has prepared houses for you to stay in. The moonlight is good now, and there will be no wrestling on the road."

We nodded and hit the road.An hour later, we arrived at the outskirts of Lucheng.I saw thousands of campfires burning in the city, and I couldn't see the end at a glance.Goode's joking temper came up again, and he jokingly called this "Boundless Lucheng".Soon we came to the moat.A sentry raised his weapon at us, yelling.Inverdus uttered a password I didn't understand, and the sentinel saluted and let us pass.We walked on Central Avenue, and there were rows of houses on both sides.After walking for nearly half an hour, Inverdus stopped in front of a small courtyard with a limestone patio in the middle.This is our "Humble House".

We walked in and found that each had their own room.These homes are in better condition than anything seen before.The beds are made of tanned hides with vanilla mattresses.Food is also ready.We washed our faces with the water in clay pots, and then some beautiful girls respectfully brought some wooden plates full of barbecue meat and corn.

After eating and drinking, we ordered people to move several beds into one room, just in case.Seeing that we are so cautious, several lovely girls laughed.Tired of traveling all the way, we lay down and fell asleep.

When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.The maids were already standing in the room generously, without any shy expressions.They were ordered to help us "prepare".

"I'm ready," Good grumbled. "All I need is a flannel shirt and boots, quick. I wish you'd get my trousers back."

So I went, only to learn that these relics had been sent to the king.Also, the king will receive us in the morning.

Although the girls were surprised and disappointed, we still asked them to stand outside the house, and then they had a good wash.Goode shaved the beard on the right face, and the beard on the left face was long and unkempt, like weeds, but we didn't let him touch it.We washed our faces and combed our hair.Sir Henry's yellow hair fell to his shoulders now, making him look more like an Old Dane.My gray hair has also grown a full inch.In normal times, I'd leave half an inch at most.

After breakfast we smoked a pipe.At this time a man who looked like Inverdus came in with a message, and King Tewala was waiting to receive us if we wished.

We reasoned that the journey was tiring, and we wanted to rest more, and wait until the sun rose a little before we went.Dealing with uncivilized locals must not be rushed.They tend to mistake other people's politeness for awe or humility.So, although we were just as eager to see each other as Tevala, we sat down and waited for an hour, choosing a few items from the limited supply as a welcome gift: poor Wittruegel's wimpy A Sturt rifle, a few strings of beads.We intend to give the king the musket and bullets, and the strings of beads to his wife and ministers.We gave Inverdus and Skaga some strings of beads before, they had never seen anything like this, and they were overjoyed.At last we were ready, Ambopa carrying the presents, and Inverdus leading us to the king.

After walking a few hundred yards, we came to an enclosed yard, similar to ours, but fifty times larger, at least six or seven acres in size.Outside the fence is a circle of houses, which are the residences of the king's wives.Walk into the gate, and then through a square, you will arrive at the palace where the king lives.The wide square in front of the palace was full of soldiers, seven to eight thousand people.As we passed, they stood as still as statues, motionless.They put feathers on their heads, held silver spears and iron cowhide shields in their hands. It is hard to imagine how magnificent this lineup is.

The front of the palace was empty except for a few stools.At Inverdus' gesture, we sat down, Ambopa stood behind us, and Inverdus stood in the doorway.In the dead silence, we waited for more than ten minutes and felt eight thousand pairs of curious eyes staring at us. This feeling was really uncomfortable, but we tried our best to keep calm.At last the door opened, and a tall man came out, wearing a magnificent tiger-skin cloak, followed by Skarga, and a thin monkey-like figure, wrapped in a fur cloak.The big man sat on a stool, Skaga stood behind him, and the "skinny monkey" crawled to a dark corner and squatted down.

The square was quiet.

Then the big man took off his cloak and came up to us, we were really startled.The man had an extremely ugly, repulsive face.Thick lips like a negro's, a flat nose, one black eye glaring menacingly, the other a hole.The whole person has a cruel and wretched feeling.On his large head was a fine crest of white ostrich feathers, and he wore gleaming chain mail, with ornaments made of white oxtail around his waist and right knee.He holds a large spear in his right hand, a thick gold collar around his neck, and a large uncut diamond on his forehead.We guessed that he was King Tewara.

Still all was silent.After a while, the big man raised his spear.In an instant, 8000 spears were raised at the same time, and [-] people shouted "Qom" at the same time, saluting the king, three times, each time shaking the ground like thunder.

"All nations bow their heads," said a shrill voice, from the "slim monkey" in the shadows, "the king is here."

"The king is coming!" Eight thousand soldiers shouted in unison, "All peoples bow their heads, the king is coming!"

Then it was quiet again.It didn't take long for the silence to be broken.A soldier in the ranks on the left dropped his shield, and there was a crisp sound on the limestone floor.

Tewala's one eye followed the sound.

"Come here!" he roared like thunder.

A sturdy young man stepped out of the procession and stood before Tevara.

(End of this chapter)