the Heavenly Child spoken through the mouth of its oracle, which, if it
is offended, can bring a curse upon them. Still, if they find us outside
our borders they may kill us, if they can, as we may kill them if we
find them within our borders."

"Indeed, Harût. Then it looks to me as though there were a war breeding
between you."

"A war is breeding, Macumazana, the last great war in which either the
White Kendah or the Black Kendah must perish. Or perhaps both will die
together. Maybe that is the real reason why we have asked you to be our
guest, Macumazana," and with their usual courteous bows, both of them
rose and departed before I could reply.

"You see how it stands," I said to Ragnall. "We have been brought here
to fight for our friends, Harût, Marût and Co., against their rebellious
subjects, or rather the king who reigns jointly with them."

"It looks like it," he replied quietly, "but doubtless we shall find
out the truth in time and meanwhile speculation is no good. Do you go to
bed, Quatermain, I will watch till midnight and then wake you."

That night passed in safety. Next day we marched before the dawn,
passing through country that grew continually better watered and more
fertile, though it was still open plain but sloping upwards ever more
steeply. On this plain I saw herds of antelopes and what in the distance
looked like cattle, but no human being. Before evening we camped where
there was good water and plenty of food for the camels.

While the camp was being set Harût came and invited us to follow him to