Chapter 8 Chapter 08
The Nile has flooded yet again, reminding us that another year has passed.We have harvested the corn grown on the island and assembled our horses.We disassembled the chariots and piled them on the deck of the warship.Roll up the tent and pile it into the cabin.At last we were all ready to set off, with all the healthy men and horses pulling the ropes ashore.
It took us almost a month of hard work to cross that terrible waterfall.In the end sixteen men were drowned, and five ships were chewed to pieces by the teeth of the Black Rock.But we made it through at last, and the boat hoisted its sails on the smooth river above the falls.
Weeks passed, months passed, and the Nile made a slow, majestic turn under our boat.Ever since I left El Fentini, I have been making a map of the river along the way.I use the sun and stars for directions, but have a great difficulty measuring the distance we have traveled.At first, I commanded a slave to walk along the bank of the river, and counted his steps.But I know this method is inaccurate and will make all my calculations equal to zero.
The solution came to me one morning as I boarded my tank for training.I watched the right wheel roll and realized that the distance traveled by the rim of the wheel with each revolution could be used to make precise measurements of the ground.So, thereafter, I sent a chariot along the river.A flag was planted on the side of one wheel, and a reliable person was ordered to step on the pedal and make a mark on the paper every time the small flag circled around.
Every night I calculated the direction and distance traveled during the day and marked it on my river map.Gradually, the patterns and shapes of the river became clear to me.I found that we had made a wide circle to the west, but now the river turned south again, just as Hubby predicted.
I show Tanus and the queen what I have found.There were many nights where we stayed late in the queen's room, discussing the flow of the river and how it would affect our plans to return to Egypt.Every league we passed along the river seemed not to shake, but to strengthen, my mistress's resolve to return to Egypt.
"We will not build stone temples and palaces in any wilderness," she commanded. "We will not build monuments or obelisks. Our stay is only temporary. We will not build cities, but live in boats, or in tents, or hay huts out of blades of grass and reeds. We are on the road Caravan, this road will finally bring us to the city where I was born, the beautiful city of Thebes with its countless gates."
She said to me privately, "Keep your river map safe, Taita. I'm sure you'll find an easy way for us to get home."
Thus our water caravan went on, the desert on either side changing every mile, but at last remaining the same.
We drove on the river and gradually became a close-knit group, like a itinerant city, with no walls or permanent buildings, only the rise and fall of life.Our numbers increased, for most of those who came with us from Elefantine were of the prime of life, and the women were in their fertile years.Young people marry on the banks of the river, breaking jars containing the water of the Nile.Then the kids were born and we watched them grow day by day.
Some old people die, and sometimes accident and danger take the life of the young.We embalmed the bodies and buried them in the hills, leaving them to rest while we moved on.
We celebrate festivals and worship gods.We feast according to the seasons, fast, dance, sing, and study science.I teach lessons to the older children on board, and Maimunon is the role model I encourage my students to follow.
Towards the end of the year, the river course continued to the south, and we encountered a third cataract spanning the Nile.We had to go ashore again, clear the land, and plant crops.Wait for the Nile to rise before crossing the waterfall.
It was at the third waterfall that I encountered another joy in life and my life became more fulfilling.
In a linen tent on the river bank, I tended to my mistress in labor and welcomed the little princess Teshti, the approved daughter of the late pharaoh Mammoth.
In my opinion, Texiu Timido is nothing short of a miracle.Whenever I was free, I sat by her little bed and stroked her little hands and feet, amazed and in awe of this beauty.I would sometimes put my little finger in her mouth when she was hungry and waiting for her mother to nurse, and it was so pleasurable for her to suck my finger on her bare gums.
The river finally rose, and we crossed the third cataract and continued on.Almost imperceptibly, the river turned a circle and flowed eastward, which showed that our boat had made a sharp turn.
Towards the end of the year, I had to have another famous dream, because the mistress was again pregnant without a husband, which could only be explained in a supernatural way.Thus, the ghost of the dead pharaoh began to move again.
When we came across the fourth waterfall, the hostess had a big belly.The water and rocks pouring down like crocodile teeth were more difficult than any previous waterfall, and at this time, many people began to show depression.Thinking that no one could overhear their conversation, they complained to each other: "We are surrounded by these hellish cliffs and rocks, one after another, all obstacles that God has placed on the river to prevent us from going forward."
They gather together on the river bank to murmur, and I can guess what they are saying just by the shape of their mouths.No one has discovered that I have this ability yet.
"We will be caught in this terrible turbulence and we will never go back. We should return now before it is too late."
Even, in the State Council, I saw some Egyptian princes sitting behind the crowd, and their mouths undoubtedly revealed such words: "If we continue to walk, we will all die in the desert, and our souls will wander here forever. No rest."
There was a feeling of aloofness and stubbornness among the young nobles.They became disaffected and prepared to riot.I saw Lord Aguirre say to one of his cronies, "What we really need at this time is a strong man to lead us, and we are at the mercy of a woman, a concubine of a dead king. We must find something way to get rid of her." At this point, I felt that we had to act decisively and quickly.
First, with the help of my old friend Atton, I obtained a list of rogues and traitors.The first person on the list is the eldest son of Murks, Lord Aguirre. I am not surprised at all, because I already know his betrayal mood from the way he speaks.Lord Aguirre is a pompous, angry youth.I believe he had the audacity to imagine himself wearing a crown and sitting on the throne of king of the upper and lower kingdoms.
After I made known my opinion to Tanus and the mistress, and suggested how it should be done, they summoned the Council, and held a solemn plenary meeting on the banks of the river.
Queen Lostris said at the beginning: "I know very well how much everyone is eager to return to their own land, and how tired of this long voyage. Like you, I have dreamed of returning to Thebes more than once."
I saw the sly exchange of glances between Lord Aguirre and his accomplices, and my suspicions of them were reinforced.
"However, citizens of Egypt, things are not as bad as they seem. The goddess Habi is keeping her promise and guarding our long march. None of you would think that we are actually closer to the city of Thebes than everyone thinks Much more. When we return to the city we love, we won't have to repeat the long and tiring journey we've come here, and we won't have to face the dangers and dangers of those hellish waterfalls that bar the river. It's hard."
There was some commotion in the audience, murmurs and skepticism.Lord Aguirre laughed, and though not loud enough to appear disrespectful or inappropriate, the hostess called him up. "Lord Aguirre, you seem to have doubts about my words?"
"Absolutely not, Your Majesty. I curse such an unfaithful thought." Lord Aguir hastily denied it.He's not strong enough, and he's not quite sure how much support people have for him, to confront him head-on.He wasn't ready, and I tipped him off.
"My slave Taita has charted the course of the river we have traveled these days," continued Queen Lostris, "and you have all seen the chariot with the flags on its wheels, which is used to measure distances. And Taita studied the celestial phenomena and found out the direction in which we were traveling. I order him to come forward now and show us the results of his calculations."
Prince Memunon has helped me copy twenty volumes of river maps.The little prince is only 9 years old, and his calligraphy is already very good.I sent the river map to all high officials so that they could understand my words better.I reminded them that the distance we had been traveling since leaving Elefantini was almost circular.
They showed obvious shock.Only the priests knew a little about it, and they also studied the starry sky, and some of them were good at sailing, but they were also taken aback by the detour of the river.That's no surprise, since the map I showed them wasn't entirely accurate.In order to prevent Lord Aguirre and his henchmen from gaining the upper hand, I have changed the actual data so that the distance between the two endpoints of the curve appears to be shorter than my calculated result.
"My lords, from these charts, you can see that we have traveled nearly a thousand miles since we left the second cataract, so now, we are standing only a few hundred miles away from our starting point. .”
Kratas stood up and asked a question I had arranged before the meeting. "Does that mean that if we take a shortcut and go across the desert to the second largest waterfall, it will be the same distance as from Thebes to the Red Sea and back? I have walked from Thebes to the Red Sea several times."
I turned to him: "I have also traveled that part of the way. It took ten days each way, and we had no horses at that time. Now it is not difficult for us to cross that narrow desert. That is to say, from here we can use In a few short months you can return to Elefantini, and you only need to cross the first cataract at Asun."
At this time, there was a sound of surprise and buzzing discussion from below.These maps were passed from one person to another, and people watched eagerly, and I observed that the whole atmosphere of the venue improved, and people bought into my theories.Unexpectedly, they realized that they were so close to home, and that the terrain was familiar to them all, and they couldn't help being happy.
Only Lord Aguirre and his accomplices looked ugly.Because in this game of dice, they lose the highest point.As I expected, he angrily stood up and asked me a second question.
"How accurate is a slave's scribbles?" His language was harsh, his expression haughty. "It's easy to draw a few lines on paper with a pen, but it's a completely different matter when you face hundreds of miles of sand and rocks. How do you, a slave, prove that your crazy theory is true?"
"The lord of Aguirre has mentioned the main point of the question," my hostess said happily. "It shows that he has a keen insight into the problems we face. I plan to send a group of excellent people to travel, Pass through the narrowest part of the desert, and make a way for us to go north, back to the fair city of Thebes."
I saw Lord Aguirre's expression suddenly changed, because he understood what the queen said and realized that this was a trap set for him.He sat down hastily, looking cold and uninterested.However, the hostess continued without mercy, "I was hesitating who would be the most suitable to send, and now Lord Aguirre showed me with his unique comprehension and insight that he is the best choice for this important task. Don't you, my lord?" She asked sweetly, and before he could answer, she continued smoothly: "We are grateful to you, Lord Aguirre. You can take whoever you need and equipment. I order you to set out before the next full moon. The moon will make it easier for you to travel by night, avoiding the heat of the day. I will send some people with you who can navigate by the stars. Before the end of the month, you should be well. Reach the second cataract and return here. If you return victorious, I will wear a golden chain of honor for you."
Lord Aguirre stared at her dumbfounded, and although his accomplices had all left, he sat still on the stool.I fully expected him to find excuses to avoid the mission we had lured him into, but I was greatly surprised at the end that he came to me for advice on arranging his scouts.It seems I may have misread him.Now that he has a meaningful mission, maybe he can go from a troublemaker to a useful member of us.
I chose for him some good horses and five strong chariots.The chariot is used to carry leather water bags for water storage. If they are saved, the water will be enough for them for a month.When the moon was full, Lord Aguirre was very happy and optimistic, but I felt guilty for shortening the distance and simplifying the difficulty.
When the expedition set out, I walked a short distance into the desert with them, to show them the right way, and then I stood alone and watched them melt into the desert in the light of the silvery moon.They were heading for the patch of stars we call the Lyra, which marks the northern sky.
I thought about Aguirre every day for the next few weeks, and I hoped the map I gave him wasn't as inaccurate as I feared we were under the Fourth Falls.But at least, his hidden danger of rebellion was eliminated, and he went to the north.
While we waited, we planted crops on the island and on the banks of the river.However, the land at this site is steeper than elsewhere in the lower reaches of the river, making it more difficult to raise water to irrigate crops here.Therefore, it is not difficult to predict that the quantity and quality of the harvest will not be too good.
Naturally, we put the traditional oranges used for drawing water on the long balance arm to lift water from the river.This work is done by a slave.He dropped the clay pot at the end of the balancing arm into the water and lifted it up to pour the water into the irrigation ditch on the river bank, a slow and laborious job.The river bank here is very high, and it is extremely wasteful to use this method to collect water.
Every evening Memunong and I drive along the river bank, fearing that the crops that are growing right now will be poor.We have thousands of mouths waiting to eat, and grains are still our staple.I foresee that a famine may be coming unless we can bring in more water to irrigate the fields.
I don't know what made me think of using the wheel for drawing water, unless there is a possibility that by this time the wheel has become a concern and passion in my life.I'm still worried about our chariot's wheels bursting.My dreams are full of spinning and splintering wheels with brass knives on their rims or little flags used to measure distances traveled.Wheels, large and small, haunt me from time to time, keeping me awake at night.
I heard from a harpy priest that certain types of wood become harder and more resilient when soaked in water for a while, so I experimented with that.It is for this purpose that we put the wheels of the chariot into the water, and the water hits the rim of the wheels, and the wheels on the hub start to turn.I watched casually, but when the wheel sank and stopped turning, I gave it no further thought.
A few days later, a small boat capsized while crossing the two islands, and two people on board were swept into the turbulence and drowned.Seeing this tragedy, Memunun was very distressed.I took the opportunity to warn him again of the danger and power of the river.
"It is so powerful that it can even turn the wheels of a chariot."
"I don't believe you, Taita. You're talking to frighten me. You know how I like swimming in rivers!"
So I put together an exhibition for him, and we were all impressed, the rim of the wheel spinning after being dipped in the running water.
"Tita, the wheel would turn faster if there were paddles on the rim." Memunon told me his opinion at last.I stared at him in amazement.He was just over 10 years old at this time, but he could see everything with an exploratory eye.
By the time of the next full moon, we'll have built wheels powered by river water.It lifts water in a row of small earthen bowls and sprinkles it into ditches on the high banks of the Nile.
My mistress, in spite of her profuse belly, came to the shore to see this marvelous mechanism.She is very happy.
"You're really good at making things out of water, Taita," she told me. "Do you remember the water stool that was made for me at El Fentini?"
"If you'd get us to sit in decent homes like civilized people, I could make you another right now."
Tanus was equally impressed with the water wheel, though of course he wouldn't show it.Instead, he smiled at me: "It's neat, but when will it blow off like your famous chariot wheel?" he asked.Kratas and some of the other gooses in the army found this very amusing.Afterwards, whenever a wheel broke in the water, they said, "Become Taita," which is the prince's nickname for me.
Although the wheels were a bit unsteady, the crops grew quickly, and the land on the upper banks turned green, and the golden corn bowed heavily under the sunlight of the Nile.These are not the only crops we harvest at the Fourth Falls.Also, Queen Lostris gave birth to a little princess.If anything, it's that the baby is slimmer than her older sister.
Oddly enough, Princess Bekesha was born with curly golden and reddish hair.Her divine ghost father, Mammoth, was dark-skinned, and her mother had hair as black as an eagle's wings.No one could explain the unusual hair color, but all thought it was beautiful.
Bekesha was two months old when the Nile swelled again, and we were ready to cross the fourth cataract.By this time, a year of hard work had given us much experience and learned various ways of dealing with this ravenous river.
Before we set off, there was a huge uproar in the camp.Prince Memunon and I were on the far bank inspecting the horses to see if everything was ready to set sail up the falls when we heard shouts and cheers.
We hastened back to the convoy, and when we came to the east bank, we found the camp in a commotion of waving palm leaves and singing songs of welcome and honor.We squeezed into the crowd and saw people gathered around a group of dilapidated carriages. The horses were already skinny, and a group of veterans were also emaciated and dusty. Their skin was darkened by the sun and exuded the atmosphere of the desert.
"Seth punishes you and your map, Taita," Lord Aguirre called to me from the lead carriage. "I don't know which of you lied, but you are the best, and the distance is twice as far as you told us."
"Are you really north of the river?" I called to him, jumping excitedly, trying to squeeze my way through the crowd.
"It's time to come back!" He smiled, very proud of his achievements. "We camped at the second cataract and ate fresh fish from the Nile. The road back to Thebes has been opened!"
My mistress ordered a celebration feast for these people.Lord Aguirre became the focus of the day.At the climax of the celebration, Queen Lostris hung the gold chain of honor around his neck and promoted him to be the commander of ten thousand.The hostess stood up and looked at this complacent guy, as if she still felt that the reward was not enough, so she gave him military authority, commanded the fourth chariot detachment, and gave him a permit, promising to reward him with a hundred dollars when we returned to Thebes. Fei Dan's fertile land.
I think this is a little too much, especially given him so much land, which must be set aside from the mistress's own land.After all, Aguirre had come close to mutiny once, and, while his achievements deserve credit, I was actually the one who suggested and planned the expedition.In the circumstances, I do not think it too much to award poor Taita a chain of gold.
I have to give credit to the hostess for being smart and statesmanlike, though.She has turned Aguirre, one of her past and potentially most dangerous enemies, into an ardent and loyal follower who has proven his worth to her many times in the days to come.She has a way with men and is gaining experience in running the country every day.
After taming Lord Aguirre and finding a shortcut, we had no worries, so we were all full of energy and bravely marched towards the upper reaches of the fourth waterfall.
We hadn't been on the road for a month before we realized that times were turning and the Goddess kept her word.
The daily changes are a clear sign that we are about to end up in trouble.The desert was at last left behind, and the great, wide, steady river turned south again, taking us into lands we had never seen before.
It was here that many in our party saw the miraculous rain for the first time.Although I have seen rain in the Lower Kingdom, many others have never seen water come down from the sky.We threw our heads back in amazement, letting the rain splash on our faces, listening to the thunder roll across the sky, and the white light of the lightning blinding us to nothing.
The rainfall here is heavy and regular, with plenty of rain to wow us with exciting new sights.We looked towards the banks of the Nile from the deck of the pilot ship, and as far as our eyes could see was a vast African savannah.Here we can provide rich fodder for our horses and unlimited territory for our chariots.We were able to move freely, with no sand dunes or rocky mountains standing in our way.
This is not the only gift the Goddess has given us.There are also trees here.The narrow valley was home to the thornberry tree, and there may have been forests in the valleys once upon a time, no one could tell, but the forests had been cut down by humans with axes hundreds of years ago.Trees are rare and precious things to us Egyptians.Most of the wood in Egypt came from distant foreign lands and was transported back by ships or loaded animals.
No matter which direction you look from here, you can see the big tree.The woods were not very densely grown, such as we had seen on the island of Great Falls, but were high, with wide lawn clearings between the tall trunks.There is a lot of wood on the plain here, enough for all countries in the world to build fleets in various sea areas.Even so, there will still be a lot of leftovers, and the remaining wood may be burned for hundreds of years as fuel.Those of us who have been cooking by burning livestock dung all our lives, looking around at this moment, are filled with incomparable amazement.
We finally arrived at Kush, the fabled rich land, where we found riches not only in wood, but even more amazing animals.When I first saw them from a distance, I thought they were gray granite tombstones.They stood in the grassy prairies, in the shade of the acacia bushes.Just when we were puzzled, these big rocks started to move. "Elephants!" I'd never seen one before, but they couldn't be anything else.The others on the deck beside me also shouted.
"Elephant, ivory!" These are wealth, wealth that even Pharaoh Memose, who has countless funeral treasures, could not imagine in his dreams.And no matter where we look, we can see standing elephants.
"Thousands," Tanus looked around, with the passion of a hunter in his eyes, "look, Taita, there are countless!"
The grasslands are teeming with life, not just elephants, but also antelopes and gazelles.Some we know, some we have never seen or heard.In the future we may get to know them better, naming a wide variety of animals.
The long-horned antelope mingled with the purple sambar, whose horns curved like the bow I made for Tanus, and the speckled giraffe that could reach the top of the acacia tree with its neck.The horns growing out of the rhino's mouth are as tall as a man and as sharp as a spear.Buffaloes wallow in the mud by the river.They were huge bovines, as black and ugly as Seth's beard.They watch our boat go by with sad eyes, and soon we will know the malice behind those eyes and the power of those drooping black horns.
"Unload the chariot from the ship," Tanus called impatiently, "harness the horses and start hunting."
Had I known the great danger we were in, I would never have allowed Prince Memunon to step up and stand behind me and go out hunting elephants with us.For the first time, to those of us who know nothing, elephants look so docile, slow and clumsy, very stupid.They should of course be easy animals to hunt.
Tanus was in high spirits, eager to hunt down these new prey.He couldn't wait, and before the four convoys of chariots were assembled, and only the fifty chariots of the first convoy were ready, he gave the order to set off.We shouted challenges to other motorists, betting on the outcome of the hunt.The long caravan rolls through the trees on the bank of the river.
"Let me drive, Taita," demanded the prince. "You know I can drive as well as you." Although he was a natural horseman, he could intuitively understand the nature of the horse, and he almost every day They all practice driving skills, but his boasting is still unfounded.He certainly didn't drive as well as I did, because no one in the military would dare say that, and certainly not an 11-year-old.
"Watch me drive and learn." I told him.When Memunon asked Tanus for help, Tanus finally supported me once.
"Taita did the right thing. We've never done this hunt before. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open, boy."
The group of strange gray-skinned animals ahead of us were eating the seeds that had fallen from the trees.We approached them at a trot speed, and I was very curious, watching them eagerly as we ran.The elephant's ears are very big, they stick their ears towards us, and their noses are up high, I guess they are smelling us.I don't know if they've ever smelled people or horses before.
There is also a group of baby elephants. The mother elephant drives them to the center of the herd and surrounds them to protect them.This kind of maternal love touched me very much, and it was only then that I began to have a vague feeling that these animals might not be as dull as they seemed. "These are female elephants," I called to Tanus on the pedal without looking back, "and there are young elephants at their feet. Their tusks are very small and worthless."
"You're right." Tanus stood behind my shoulder and pointed forward. "Look behind them, those two must be male elephants. Look at how tall they stand and how thick their bodies are. Look at the tusks. It’s shining in the sun.” I signaled to the cars behind us, and we went around the herd of female and calf elephants and continued on, maintaining our marching formation, and ran towards the two bulls through the acacia bushes.We had to walk in circles as we advanced, dodging fallen branches and uprooted giant locust trunks from the trees.Not yet knowing the incredible strength of these animals, I turned to Tanus and said, "There must have been a great storm that swept through the forest to cause such destruction." Unexpectedly, the elephants are actually the culprit, and they look so docile, as if they have no resistance.
The two male elephants sensed something approaching and turned their faces towards us.That's when I realized how big they are.They seem to hide the sky when their ears are spread out, while their heads resemble a dark thundercloud.
"Look at that ivory," Tanus called.He felt no danger, and cared only for the trophies of the hunt.But the horses were very nervous and a little panicked. The horses smelled the smell of these strange prey, raised their heads, and kept struggling and running around in the reins.It is difficult to control them and make them run in a straight line.
"The one on the right is the biggest," Memunon said sharply.
"We should shoot it first." The little guy was as eager as his father.
"You heard His Majesty's order." Tanus smiled, "We're going to shoot the one on the right, let Kratas shoot the other one, that's enough for him to deal with."
So, I raised my fist and issued an order to divide the team into two columns.Kratas came to our left, and twenty-five chariots lined up behind him.And we rushed straight at the giant elephant.The pale yellow tusks protruding from its huge head were as thick as the pillars of the Temple of Horus.
"Rush at it," shouted Tanus, "and shoot it down before it turns and runs."
"Hey, drive!" I yelled at Patience and Brad, and the horses began to gallop.We all thought that the behemoth would run away as soon as it sensed danger.We haven't seen an animal that's perfectly fine standing there waiting for us to attack.Even a lion avoids a hunter unless it is wounded or trapped.And how could these obese animals be different?
"It's got such a big head, it's an easy target," Tanus exclaimed happily, nocking an arrow. "I can kill it with one arrow, before it has time to run, get closer, and get under that ridiculous long nose."
The rest of the cars behind us drove in single file.Our plan was to wait until we got close and then form two columns, passing both sides of the male elephant, shooting the arrows out at the same time, and then turning back.This is classic tank tactics.
Now that we have come to the bull elephant, he is still standing there.Perhaps these animals are as dull-minded as they appear.This may make hunting easier.I get the feeling that Tanus is a little disappointed in such a boring hunt.
"Attack, you old fool!" he cried contemptuously. "Don't just stand there!"
The bull elephant seemed to understand the challenge.It raised its nose and blew out a deafening sound.The horse jerked back, knocking me against the fender and hurting my ribs.For a moment, I couldn't control the horse, and we had to turn to one side.
Then the bull elephant screamed again and started to run.
"My God, look at it coming!" Tanus yelled in surprise, because the beast didn't run away, but came straight at us, and the attack was fierce.It is much faster than a horse, and is as nimble and nimble as a leopard being chased by hounds.It kicked up a lot of dust with every step it took, and before I could get the wagon under control, it was right in front of us.
I had to look up at it, towering over us like a tower, sticking out its nose to pull us off the wheel of the chariot.I couldn't believe how big it was, and the anger in its eyes was so intense.Those are not the eyes of animals, but the eyes of intelligent, witty people.This is not a lazy pig, but a fierce and fearful foe whom we have challenged in our pride and ignorance.
Tanus unleashed an arrow that hit the bull elephant in the middle of his forehead.I expect the arrow to go through its brain, expect it to fall.At that time, we didn't know that the elephant's brain is not located on the forehead as ordinary people think, but behind the mountain-like head, protected by a large spongy bone, which no arrow can penetrate.
The arrow hit, but the elephant didn't react at all, and didn't move at all. He just stretched his nose up, grabbed the arrow handle with his nose, and pulled the arrow handle out of the flesh like a human grasping with his hands. Throw it aside, continue to chase, and stretch out its bloody nose towards us.
Hui in the second car in our team saved us.In the face of this angry bull elephant, we have no ability to resist.Hui rode his horse and shouted like a devil, coming up from the side.The archer in the cart fired an arrow from the step behind him and caught the bull's face a palm's throw under the eye, distracting the elephant from us.
The elephant started to chase Hui, but his car was running at full speed, so he quickly ran away.But the other chariot in the team was not so lucky. The driver did not have Hui's superb skills, and the turn was not timely.The bull elephant raised his trunk high and then smashed it down like an execution axe.
The elephant's trunk hit the back of the horse on the left, snapping the horse's spine.The crippled horse fell, taking the other with it, and the chariot rolled aside, and the occupants were thrown out.The elephant put a front hoof on a fallen chariot soldier, tore off the soldier's head with its trunk, and tossed it aloft like a child throwing a ball.The head was spinning in the air, and the bright red blood spilled from the broken neck like a bright feather.
At this moment, the next chariot drove up, distracting the bull elephant.
I stopped the carriage on the edge of the bushes, and looked back in horror. Our convoy had been routed, and Kratas, attacking from the left, was in the same situation as us, so the ground was littered with dead soldiers and broken battle tanks. car.
The blood dripped from the bull elephants as they plucked their arrow hilts, leaving many wet streaks on their dusty hides.But the wounds did not seem to weaken their fighting power, but intensified their anger.The two elephants rammed through the bushes, crushing overturned carriages, crushing fallen horses with their huge hooves, and throwing screaming people aloft before they stomp them down when they hit the ground.
克拉塔斯赶到我们旁边，喊道，“呸，塞特跨下的厉蟹，这活儿真够刺激！我们第一次冲锋就丢了八辆战车。”
“比你想象的更刺激，克拉塔斯指挥。”迈穆农王子回头向他喊道。他要是保留自己的想法默不作声就好了，因为在混乱之中我们都把这孩子忘了，这一喊反倒提醒了我们，我和塔努斯都转过来对着他。
“对于你，年轻人，你今天已经活动够了。”我坚定地告诉他。
“你该回舰队了，而且要立刻回去。”塔努斯表示同意。这时一辆空战车中速跑来。我不知车上的人怎么了，很可能被甩了出去，或被某一头狂怒的公象整个拔了出去。
“抓住那些马！”塔努斯命令道，等空车被带回到我们跟前时，他告诉王子，“快出去，乘那辆车到河岸上，等我们回来。”
“塔努斯领主，”迈穆农王子站直身子，他的个头还只到他父亲的肩膀处，“我抗议！”
“别跟我耍王子威风，年轻人。如果你一定要那样，就回去向你母后抗议吧。”他用一只手把王子举起来放进那辆战车的空驾驶舱里。
“塔努斯领主，这是我的权力啊！”迈穆农绝望地做着最后的尝试，想要继续狩猎。
“如果我回头时，你还在这儿，我就要用剑鞘打你的屁股了，那也是我的权力。”塔努斯说道，转过脸去。我们两个都不再想这个孩子了。“收集象牙真不像采蘑菇那样简单啊，”我说道，“我们得想出更好的计划。”
“你往这些动物的头上射箭杀不死它们，”塔努斯咆哮道，“我们要冲上去试着在它们的肋骨上射一箭。如果它们头颅里没有脑子，那它们也一定有心肝肺。”
我拉紧缰绳，抬高马的脑袋，准备重上战场，但可以感觉到，佩兴斯和布雷德也和我们一样紧张。我们都不喜欢第一次猎象的情景。
“我们一直冲到它面前，”我告诉塔努斯，“然后转过去，闪出一个大侧面，你好射它的肋骨。”
我让马匹小跑，然后慢慢加速冲进刺槐树丛。在我们前面，公象横冲直撞，地面上散落着倾覆的战车、死人和残马。它见我们过来，又发出了一声令人恐惧的尖叫，听得我毛骨悚然，而马抖着耳朵，又向后退缩了。我用缰绳把它们聚拢起来，赶它们前进。
公象朝我们进攻而来，像岩石从陡峭的山坡滑下来。它既愤怒又痛苦，样子更可怕，但我稳住拉车的两匹马，没让它们跑出最快的速度。然后，等我们快跟那大象冲到一起时，我叱马扬鞭，使马疯狂地快跑。同时，我拼命往左拐，把公象的侧面闪出来。在不到二十步的范围内，塔努斯迅速地连放三箭，射向大象的胸膛。三支箭都中了胸部，从肋骨缝中间穿进去，整个射进了灰皮中。
公象又尖叫了，但这次是因为疼痛而不是愤怒。它过来抓我们，我们冲出了它鼻子所及的范围。我回头看见它站在我们扬起的尘烟中。但当它再次咆哮时，鲜血从鼻头流出来，像水壶中喷出的蒸气。
“肺，”我喊到，“干得好，塔努斯。你伤到了它的肺。”
“我们已经找到了窍门，”塔努斯兴奋地说，“我们回去，我再给他一箭穿透心脏。”
我驾回去，此时马匹还很强壮，也很听话。
“快，我的美人，”我对它们喊，“再来一次，驾！”
尽管受了致命伤，公象离死亡还远着呢。我后来才了解到这些庞然大物的生命力有多坚韧。此刻它凭着勇气又一次向我们进攻而来，我为此对它充满了敬意，虽然还处在狩猎的酣战中，虽然还处在对自身安全的恐惧中，这时我就开始为我们对它的摧残感到害臊。
或许是因为这份羞愧，我让马车走得很近。我想用自己的勇气与它对峙，来表达我对它的尊敬。近得都快来不及闪躲时，我才扭转了马车以避开它的进攻，想要从它一边逃过那邪恶的鼻子。
就在这时，我们战车的外轮爆裂了。那一刻叫人眩晕，我像一个体操运动员那样在空中翻了个筋斗，不过这也不是我第一次被甩出去，我早学会了像猫一样降落。我稳住气让自己滚了两圈。地很软，草厚得像垫子一样。我站起来，没受伤，反应还很灵敏。我扫了一眼，塔努斯没我这样成功，他四肢张开平躺在地上不动了。
马都站起来了，却被摔毁的战车拽住跑不开。公象向它们进攻。布雷德离象最近。那象用鼻子劈断了我爱马的脊背。布雷德蹄子一软，跪在地上尖叫。佩兴斯还和它拴在一起。公象把一支粗牙穿进布雷德的胸膛，然后扬起头，把这匹连踢带挣扎的动物举到了空中。
那时我本应该赶快跑，因为公象还没注意到我。但佩兴斯没有受伤。我不能离开它。大象的侧身对着我，它的耳朵像船帆一样挡住了我，我没有进入它的视线中，所以它并没有看见我跑过来。我赶到翻倒的车旁，一把从剑鞘中抽出塔努斯的剑，冲到佩兴斯的旁边。
尽管另一匹马的血溅到了它脖子和前胸上，它仍然没有受伤。当然，它恐惧得发疯，狂叫着用两条腿踢着，差点没把我的脑壳踢碎。我低头一闪，它的蹄子飞过我头顶，刮了一下我的面额。
我用剑砍断把它绑到车柱上的皮具。剑很锋利，可以用来剃头发，皮具在利刃下裂开。用力砍了三下，佩兴斯就可以自由奔跑了。我伸手去抓它的马鬃，想爬到马背上去，可它吓坏了，还没等我抓住就跳开了。它的肩胛把我撞开，我重重地摔倒在地上，跌到战车的下面。
我挣扎着看见佩兴斯从树丛里冲了出去；它以轻快的步子自由奔跑，我知道它没受伤，然后我就开始寻找塔努斯。他躺在离车十步远的地方，脸朝下。我以为他死了。但这时他抬起头来往四处看，看见我时，一脸的迷惑与虚弱。我知道任何突然的动作都可能把大象吸引过去，所以我努力让他静静地躺着，不敢发出一点声音，因为被激怒的公象还站在我旁边。
我抬头看公象，可怜的布雷德挂在它的牙齿上，革皮缰绳套住了大象鼻子。公象开始走动了，拖动着摔坏的战车，它努力想甩掉挂在牙齿上的布雷德，用牙尖豁开了马肚子，马胃里东西的臭味、血腥味和大象特殊的难闻味混在一起。但我鼻子里却还闻到了更强烈的汗臭味，那是我自己被吓出的冷汗。
象头仍没有朝向我，待我确定这点后，站了起来，忧心忡忡地跑到塔努斯躺的地方。“起来，快起来！”我用粗哑的声音小声说，并试着扶他站起来。但他很沉，而且还没完全恢复意识。绝望中我回头看看公象。好在它正远离我们，依然还拖着一堆摔坏的马车和那匹马。
我把塔努斯的胳膊搭在我脖子上，用尽全身力气把他扶起来站着，他站不稳，得靠着我，他很重，压得我脚下有些摇晃。“抱着我！”我急切地小声说道。“公象随时都可能发现我们！”
我试着拖塔努斯和我一起走，但他只走了一步就哼了一声靠倒在我身上。“我的腿，”他哼道，“动不了了，膝盖脱臼了，该死的膝盖。”
这时，我才彻底意识到我们陷入了前所未有的困境，我被这困境吓倒了，怯懦的老毛病又犯了，我两腿松软，没有了一点力气。
“别管我，你这老傻瓜，”塔努斯在我耳边恼怒地说，“丢下我，你快跑！”
大象抬起头来，抖一抖脑袋。那两只巨大的耳朵拍打着自己的肩胛。布雷德的尸体从象牙上滑下来，大象轻轻地把它抛到一边，仿佛那马不过只有一只死兔子那么重。大象的力气大得叫我无法相信。如果它能这么轻松地抛起马和车，它又会怎样对付我这样虚弱的身体呢？“跑啊，看在荷鲁斯的份上，快跑，你个蠢货！”塔努斯催促我，并试图把我推开，但有种奇怪的固执使我不能离开他，我仍撑着他的肩膀。尽管我很害怕，却不能扔下他。
大象听到了塔努斯的声音，转过身来，两只耳朵张得很开，就像一艘战舰的帆。它目不转睛地看着我们，离我们不到五十步远。
我那时还不知道，后来才了解到大象的视力很不好，几乎跟瞎子一样。它们主要依赖于听觉和嗅觉。只有运动的物体才能吸引它的注意力。如果我们站在那里不动，它根本不可能看见我们。
“它看见我们了”，我喘气道。我拖着塔努斯，迫使他用没受伤的腿在我旁边蹦着走。大象看到了运动的物体，发出了一声尖叫，我永远也忘不了那声音，让我震耳欲聋，头晕目眩。我们两人都打着转，蹒跚着差点没一起倒下。
然后，公象向我们径直攻来。
它迈着宽大、强劲的步子，耳朵在脑袋两侧扑打。前额上竖着箭柄，血像眼泪一样从脸上流下。它每次尖叫时，肺里的血都从鼻子里像云雾一样喷出来。那大象像悬崖一样高，像死神一样黑，快速向我们冲来。我能看见它眼睛周围有条皱纹，眼睛上长着漂亮女孩子那样浓密的睫毛，但睫毛上闪露着狂怒，我的心因此像石头一样压得我喘不过气，叫我动弹不得。
时间似乎放慢了，我进入一种如梦般非现实的状态。我站着，看死神庄严地迈着缓慢而从容的步子向我们逼近，而我们却不能躲开。
“泰塔！”我的脑海了响起了一个孩子的声音。我以为那是因恐惧而产生的幻觉。“泰塔，我来了！”
我完全不敢相信，我回过头来，不再看面前死亡的景象。这时看到一辆战车正从树丛空地的另一头全速直冲而来。马匹舒展着身躯，头向前伸，马耳朵向后仰着，鼻孔张得很大，露出粉红湿润的鼻息肉。可是我并没有看到缰绳处有人在驾车。
“准备好，泰塔！”直到这时，我才看见那个小脑袋，刚露出挡板一点。缰绳抓在两只小拳头里，指关节因用力而显得发白。
“迈穆农，”我叫道，“回去，快转回去！”
风把他的头发吹了下来，吹到了脑袋后，浓浓的黑卷发在阳光的照射下泛着红光。他没停，也没减速，继续冲过来。
“看我怎么教训你这个不听话的小流氓，”塔努斯咆哮道，用一条腿蹒跚着往前疾走。我们两人都忘了自己的危险。
“吁！”迈穆农喊着，让全速奔跑的马停下来。他把车转个弯，转得很急，因而里侧的轮子突然停下，轮缘在原地打转。他从我们两人面前插过来，一时间把我们和进攻的公象隔开。战车原地打转，刹那间停住了，停得很漂亮。
我用肩膀把塔努斯往上托，把他放到踏板上躺着。然后我一头扑到他的身上。我一上去，迈穆农就策动马匹，我们向前突然跳去，我差点被甩出踏板。好在及时抓住了侧板，稳住了自己。
“跑，迈穆农，”我尖叫道，“尽你所能快跑！”
“嘿，走！”迈穆农尖叫着。“驾，驾！”战车全速行进，公象在后面紧追，发出愤怒的叫声，马儿受到惊吓，撒腿如飞。
我们三个都从踏板上向后看。公象的头悬在我们头顶，我好像什么也看不见了。象鼻子伸过来够我们，那鼻子离我们很近，每次公象尖叫时，鼻子里喷出的血雾都洒在我们身上，溅我们一脸，我们看起来像是得了可怕的瘟疫。
我们没法儿完全摆脱它的猛追，不过它也没法超过我们。双方的速度相同，赛跑似的冲过林间空地。我们蜷缩在飞奔的战车板上，大象那巨大的头血淋淋地悬在我们上面。车夫只要有一点小差错就可能把我们甩进坑里，或是把车轮跑飞，撞到大树桩上。那么公象立刻就可以追上我们了。但王子拉起缰绳来像个老手，冷静地控制着车，眼睛敏锐地挑选着树丛中的路径。他让战车转弯时倾倒一只轮子，几乎倾翻，来躲开公象疯狂的进攻。他一点都没有胆怯，突然，一切都结束了。
射进公象胸膛的一支箭又往深处扎进了一些，穿破了心脏。大象张大了嘴，一股鲜血涌出了喉咙，它就这样死在了追逐的途中。它的腿从下面伸出来，重重地倒下，落地时的撞击声震得地面都在晃动，大象侧身倒下，又弯又长的象牙伸向天空，好像是要最后摆出一副帝王的姿势。
迈穆农拉住了马，我和塔努斯瘫倒在战车旁，坐在一起回头看那大山似的尸体。塔努斯靠着车的一边，检查了一下受伤的腿，然后慢慢转过来看这个孩子。孩子还不知道他就是自己的父亲。
“荷鲁斯作证，我知道有些人很勇敢，但没有一个人能比得上你，年轻人。”他如是说道，然后便用胳膊抱起迈穆农搂在怀里。
我没再多看，因为眼泪不停地往下流，眼前已一片模糊。我知道自己像个傻瓜，又犯了多愁善感的毛病，却无法抑制住泪水。我一直盼着看他们父子相拥的场面，这一刻我已经等得太久了。
我刚要控制住自己的感情，就听到远处隐约传来的欢呼声。我们谁都没注意到，从远处的舰队上正好能看到这场追逐的全景。荷鲁斯呼吸号靠在尼罗河岸边。我能看见高高的艉楼上王后那苗条的身形，即使离得这么远，我依然能看出她脸色苍白，表情凝重。
英勇金链是对勇士的嘉奖，荣誉和威望都高于荣誉金链。只有英雄们才佩戴过。
我们这些王后的扈从和军队各部将领都聚集在舰船甲板上。象牙靠着桅杆堆放在一起，像战利品一样展览示众。军官一律穿着部队的华丽制服。有军衔的将士都站在王后身后待命，号手吹出嘹亮的短曲，王子跪到了王后面前。
“我所热爱的子民！”王后清晰地说，“议会中的王公贵族、军队中的将军和官员，我今日召集你们，嘉奖迈穆农王子，他的成就我和在场各位都已亲眼目睹。”她像对待一个胜利的将军那样，低头向这个11岁的孩子微笑。
“鉴于他的勇敢表现，我正式宣布他为蓝鳄团的一员，级别为二级军官。我特向他颁发英勇金链，戴着它，是自豪和荣耀的象征。”
金链是王室金匠专门为迈穆农那么大的男孩打造的。我亲手为他雕刻了一个黄金小象坠。每个细节我都精雕细琢，眼睛用深红色石榴石片做成，象牙则是真的。它挂在王子光滑而完美的胸前，看起来与他的皮肤也很般配。
看着人们为我的英俊小王子欢呼，我的眼泪又来了。我竭力控制住了自己。我发现我不是唯一一个沉浸在情感中的人，连克拉塔斯、莱迈姆和阿兹提斯这些军人，虽然平常都培养了一种坚强的勇士精神，现在却也像白痴一样咧嘴傻笑。我敢发誓，这些人中有很多人都双眼湿润。这孩子像他的父母一样，很能赢得人们的爱戴和忠心。最后，蓝鳄团的军官一一上前，向王子表示祝贺，他们像拥抱战友一样，用手臂将他抱住。
那天傍晚，我们在夕阳下沿着尼罗河河岸一起驾车时，迈穆农突然拉住马转向我说，“我已经参军了。现在我终于是一名士兵了。所以，你必须为我做一张我自己的弓，泰塔。”
“我会为你做一张的，做一张任何弓箭手都夸口称赞的最好的弓。”我允诺道。
他想了一会我的话，然后叹气说，“谢谢你，泰塔。我想这是我一生中最高兴的一天。”他说话的方式，好像自己已是个满头银发的老人。
第二天晚上舰队停泊后，我就去找王子，却发现他一个人躲在河岸上一个不显眼的地方。他没看见我，所以我可以观察他一会。
他一丝不挂，头发湿淋淋的，很明显是刚刚在河里游过泳，虽然我一再警告他河里会有暗流和鳄鱼。不过他的行为叫我困惑不解，只见他从河滩上选了两个大石头，一手拿一个，举起又放下，不停地做，很是奇怪。
“泰塔，你在监视我，”他突然喊到，头都没回，“你想问我什么事情吗？”
“我想知道你拿这些石头做什么，你这是在朝拜某个奇怪的库施怪神吗？”
“我要把胳膊锻炼得强壮些，这样就可以拉开新弓了。我希望我的弓有很强的拉力。你不能再拿一个玩具来哄我，泰塔，听到没有？”
我们在河上又遇到了一道大瀑布，这是第五道。后来我们知道，这也是我们行程中遇到的倒数第二个瀑布。不过这次我们不像前四次那样大受阻碍了。由于周围环境的改变，我们不再受制于水路。
我们等待尼罗河再次涨水，好把舰船驶过瀑布，等待期间，我们也像以往那样种庄稼。不同的是，周围是大草原，我们可以派出战车走得更远、更广。女主人派了远征队向南追逐象群，带回象牙。
我们最初驶入库施，这些成群的灰色庞然大物是那么信任地欢迎我们，现在却分散地跑开了。因为无论在哪里见到它们，我们都展开无情的猎杀。不过这些动物很聪明，很快地吸取了教训。
我们到达第五道大瀑布时，发现有数千头象群在两岸树林里吃草。塔努斯命令战车立刻行动。我们已经改进了猎象的战略，学会了如何避免最初那两只公象带给我们的损失。所以，刚到第五道大瀑布的第一天，我们就捕杀了一百零七头大象，而只损失了三辆战车。
第二天，从船甲板上望去，一只象也看不见了。战车只好沿着它们逃跑时在森林里留下的痕迹追踪象群，却一直到五天后才赶上象群。
现在，通常是猎象队伍出发很多星期，都发现不了一头大象，带不回一颗象牙，猎象队只好返回到我们在大瀑布脚下的营寨。有时看起来某个地方有无穷无尽的大象，最后却都成了幻想。正像小王子第一天所说的那样，猎象可不是看起来那么简单。
不过，这些南下的车队并不全是空手而归。他们发现了对于我们来说比象牙更有价值的东西——人。
我一直在做车轮实验，已经几个月没离开过营地了。这段时间我终于找到了一个办法，来解决一直困扰我的车轮爆裂问题。而我的灵感来源于塔努斯及其军队同仁对我偶然一次设计失败时的调侃。
最后的解决方案并不是单一的，而是很多复杂材料的综合运用。在这片草原上，有无限的木材类型可供选择，我还可以结合在我们营地附近猎到的长角羚羊和野牛的角，这两种动物与大象不同，即使经常受到我们的攻击也不离开草原。
我发现刺槐树的木材浸在水中后会变得很坚硬，能够弹开最锋利的铜斧头刃。我把这种木材与角层混合，用铜丝把它们全捆绑起来，和我做莱妮塔弓的方法很像。这样做成的轮子速度可以达到极限，而同时在任何地形上都不会损坏。我和辉用这些新轮子做了十辆车，然后我向克拉塔斯与莱迈姆提出打赌。他们是全军出了名的出手重、破坏型车夫，一辆车到他们手里，很快就能用烂。我赌他们即使极速奔跑，车轮也不能爆裂，赌注是每车十德本金子。
这个游戏正对两个大顽童的胃口。他们孩子似的兴致勃勃，参加了比赛。好几个星期过去了，尼罗河的树林里还回响着他们沙哑的叫喊声和马蹄的砰砰声。等他们体力和速度都达到极限时，辉强烈地向我抱怨，说他们已经累坏了二十套牲口。不过，值得欣慰的是我们赢了赌注。新车轮经受住了最严格的考验。
“如果你再多给我们几天时间，”克拉塔斯很明显缺少体育风度，把金子递过来时还抱怨说，“我相信我能把轮子磨烂。”他向我们描述一个自认为有趣的假想场面，描述着车轮崩了车夫被弹出去的情景。
“你真具有小丑天赋，勇敢的克拉塔斯，不过，我还是赢了你的金子。”我在他眼前把金币晃得哗哗作响。“而你讲的不过是老掉牙的笑话。”
正在这时阿奎尔领主率领的侦察队回来了，他是去寻找大象，没找到，反而给我们带来了一个天大的消息：往南很远的地方有人居住。
我们本以为穿过第一道大瀑布就可以遇到这些外族部落。几百年来，库施这片土地一直给我们提供了大量奴隶。有的奴隶可能是在部落战争中被自己人抓住，然后和其他贸易品，如象牙、鸵鸟羽毛、野牛角和金土等，一同带到我们王国的边界上。洛斯特丽丝王后有个调皮的黑女奴，就是这片土地上的土着人，是从埃勒芬蒂尼的奴隶市场上买来的。
但是我无法解释，为什么此前我们一直都没有发现这些人。也许是有场部落战争或抢夺奴隶的战争，这些人被打败了，只好退回去了，就像被我们赶跑的象群一样。也可能是有饥饿或瘟疫，这些部落灭绝了也难说。总之到目前为止，我们几乎没见人影。
不过，现在我们终于赶上了他们，我们一行人的兴奋劲儿迅速传播开了。与象牙黄金相比，我们更需要奴隶。我们的文明和生活方式都是建立在奴隶主所有制基础上的，这种制度得到了神的庇护，由来以久，非常神圣。我们从埃及出发时不得已必须放弃大量的奴隶，只带了很少一些。现在，为了我们民族的生存和壮大，我们必须抓更多的奴隶。
塔努斯命令立刻派出全部远征军，他要亲自率军，因为我们还不确定河上游会有什么。我们埃及人使用的奴隶，有些是战争中的囚犯，剩下的就都是从外国的商人手中购买来的。而这次，据我所知，这是几个世纪以来我们第一次被迫去为自己抓奴隶。这种活动对我们来说和猎象一样新奇。不过这次至少我们不会以为猎物会很顺从或愚钝。
塔努斯还是不愿和我以外的车夫做搭档。即使克拉塔斯与莱迈姆费尽心机都不能把车轮用爆，他还是对我设计的新车没有信心。我们带领着纵队，后面第二辆车由蓝鳄团中最年轻的军官迈穆农王子驾驶。
我选了两名最好的战车手作为迈穆农的队员。每辆战车上一般只有一名战车手，但他自己体重太轻了，所以战车可以多乘一人。并且王子的力气还不大，遇到驶不过去的障碍时，还需要把车抬过去，而他的力气还不能抬起战车的一端，所以需要再派一个人来帮他。
我们从陆路穿过瀑布，走了三天后才在河岸上遇到了第一批村落。这村落里都是一些简陋的草棚，特别原始，连棚屋都算不上。塔努斯派人去侦察，然后在拂晓时我们迅速地冲过去，包围了他们。
那些急匆匆走出简陋小棚的人，非常茫然，没有任何反抗，甚至都没想着逃跑。他们聚在一起谈论，看着我们把战车和盾牌围在他们周围。
“好收获啊！”我们扫了他们一眼，塔努斯高兴地说。这些人很高很瘦，四肢很长。他们比我们大多数人都高；我们从他们中间走过，像农民分牲畜一样把他们分成几群，相比之下，连塔努斯都显得矮了。
“有些品种很好，”他兴奋地说，“看那个美男。”他挑出了一个体形出色的年轻人。“在埃勒芬蒂尼奴隶市场上，他什么时候都能卖十个金环。”
他们的女人强壮健康，后背很直，牙齿洁白整齐。每个成年女性背上都背着个婴儿，手上还领着一个。
不过他们是我所见过的最原始的人了。女人和男人一样，都一丝不挂，生殖器露在外面，却一点也不感到羞耻。不过年轻一点的女孩腰上挂着一束鸵鸟蛋壳做成的珠子。我一眼就看出成熟的女性都被以最野蛮的方式割除了阴蒂。后来我了解到这种手术中用的要么是一把石刀，要么是一节碎竹片。她们的下身处都留有伤疤，变成了一个坑的形状，然后用骨头或象牙插住。年轻女孩还没有遭受这样的摧残。我下决心将来一定废止这种习俗。我肯定在这一点上女主人会支持我。
他们肤色很暗，赤裸的身体在早晨的阳光下显出紫色，熟透的黑葡萄的那种紫色。有些人用灰泥和白土抹在身上，然后用手指尖涂上粗陋的花样。他们用牛血和土混合在一起，弄成高高的、油光的头盔，戴在头发上，使他们本就高挑的身材显得更高。
我立刻注意到，他们中没有老年人。我吃了一惊，后来才了解到，他们有一种习俗，就是用战棍把年老的人双腿砸断，然后扔到河岸做鳄鱼的祭品。他们相信鳄鱼是已故祖先的再生，把老人喂给鳄鱼，那他们就也会再生了。
他们没有金属工具。武器都是木棒和削尖的棍子。他们还不会制陶艺术，他们的船是掏空的野生植物。他们不种庄稼，而是用篮子捕鱼，用木棒捕猎长角牛，以此为生。长角牛是他们最有价值的财产。他们从牛脖子上的一根血管里放血，把血和刚挤出的热牛奶混到一起，津津有味地喝这种稠状混合物。
我在随后几个月里研究他们时，发现他们既不会读书，也不能写字。他们唯一的乐器是用掏空的树干做成的鼓；而他们的歌就像野生动物的哼唧和刺耳叫声一样；他们的舞蹈是对性行为的公然模仿，跳舞时男女彼此靠近，臀部碰撞、扭动，直到相遇。这时模仿就变成了现实，最放荡的淫乱行为就开始了。
迈穆农王子问我，我们有什么权利像对待牛群一样抓住他们并占为己有？我告诉他：“他们是野蛮人，我们是文明人。就像父亲对儿子负有责任一样，我们有责任把他们从野蛮状态中解脱出来，让他们看到真正的神，这是笔交易，他们要做的就是用劳动来回报我们。”
迈穆农是个聪明的孩子，我这么解释以后，他就再也没质疑过我的逻辑或道德。
在我的提议下，女主人同意她的两名黑人女奴随远征军一起出发。我与她们俩的个人关系并不怎么愉快，但此刻她们有很大的价值。两个女孩都还记得童年时被抓来做女仆前的事情，