the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第26节
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be the yellow men； but Menelek is powerfulit will take many yellow
men to defeat him。〃
Crowds were gathering along the sidewalks to view the emperor's
entry into the city。 I took my place among them； although I hate crowds；
and I am glad that I did； for I witnessed such a spectacle of barbaric
splendor as no other Pan…American has ever looked upon。
Down the broad main thoroughfare； which may once have been the
historic Unter den Linden； came a brilliant cortege。 At the head rode a
regiment of red…coated hussarsenormous men； black as night。 There
were troops of riflemen mounted on camels。 The emperor rode in a
golden howdah upon the back of a huge elephant so covered with rich
hangings and embellished with scintillating gems that scarce more than the
beast's eyes and feet were visible。
Menelek was a rather gross…looking man； well past middle age； but he
carried himself with an air of dignity befitting one descended in unbroken
line from the Prophetas was his claim。
His eyes were bright but crafty； and his features denoted both
sensuality and cruelness。 In his youth he may have been a rather fine
looking black； but when I saw him his appearance was revoltingto me； at
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least。
Following the emperor came regiment after regiment from the various
branches of the service； among them batteries of field guns mounted on
elephants。
In the center of the troops following the imperial elephant marched a
great caravan of slaves。 The old street sweeper at my elbow told me that
these were the gifts brought in from the far outlying districts by the
commanding officers of the frontier posts。 The majority of them were
women； destined； I was told； for the harems of the emperor and his
favorites。 It made my old companion clench his fists to see those poor
white women marching past to their horrid fates； and； though I shared his
sentiments； I was as powerless to alter their destinies as he。
For a week the troops kept pouring in and out of New Gondar in；
always； from the south and west； but always toward the east。 Each new
contingent brought its gifts to the emperor。 From the south they brought
rugs and ornaments and jewels； from the west； slaves； for the commanding
officers of the western frontier posts had naught else to bring。
From the number of women they brought； I judged that they knew the
weakness of their imperial master。 And then soldiers commenced
coming in from the east； but not with the gay assurance of those who came
from the south and westno； these others came in covered wagons； blood…
soaked and suffering。 They came at first in little parties of eight or ten；
and then they came in fifties； in hundreds； and one day a thousand maimed
and dying men were carted into New Gondar。
It was then that Menelek XIV became uneasy。 For fifty years his
armies had conquered wherever they had marched。 At first he had led
them in person； lately his presence within a hundred miles of the battle
line had been sufficient for large engagementsfor minor ones only the
knowledge that they were fighting for the glory of their sovereign was
necessary to win victories。
One morning； New Gondar was awakened by the booming of cannon。
It was the first intimation that the townspeople had received that the
enemy was forcing the imperial troops back upon the city。 Dust covered
couriers galloped in from the front。 Fresh troops hastened from the city；
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and about noon Menelek rode out surrounded by his staff。
For three days thereafter we could hear the cannonading and the
spitting of the small arms； for the battle line was scarce two leagues from
New Gondar。 The city was filled with wounded。 Just outside； soldiers
were engaged in throwing up earthworks。 It was evident to the least
enlightened that Menelek expected further reverses。
And then the imperial troops fell back upon these new defenses； or；
rather； they were forced back by the enemy。 Shells commenced to fall
within the city。 Menelek returned and took up his headquarters in the
stone building that was called the palace。 That night came a lull in the
hostilitiesa truce had been arranged。
Colonel Belik summoned me about seven o'clock to dress him for a
function at the palace。 In the midst of death and defeat the emperor was
about to give a great banquet to his officers。 I was to accompany my
master and wait upon him I； Jefferson Turck； lieutenant in the Pan…
American navy！
In the privacy of the colonel's quarters I had become accustomed to
my menial duties； lightened as they were by the natural kindliness of my
master； but the thought of appearing in public as a common slave revolted
every fine instinct within me。 Yet there was nothing for it but to obey。
I cannot； even now； bring myself to a narration of the humiliation
which I experienced that night as I stood behind my black master in silent
servility； now pouring his wine； now cutting up his meats for him； now
fanning him with a large； plumed fan of feathers。
As fond as I had grown of him； I could have thrust a knife into him； so
keenly did I feel the affront that had been put upon me。 But at last the
long banquet was concluded。 The tables were removed。 The emperor
ascended a dais at one end of the room and seated himself upon a throne；
and the entertainment commenced。 It was only what ancient history
might have led me to expectmusicians； dancing girls； jugglers； and the
like。
Near midnight； the master of ceremonies announced that the slave
women who had been presented to the emperor since his arrival in New
Gondar would be exhibited； that the royal host would select such as he
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wished； after which he would present the balance of them to his guests。
Ah； what royal generosity！
A small door at one side of the room opened； and the poor creatures
filed in and were ranged in a long line before the throne。 Their backs
were toward me。 I saw only an occasional profile as now and then a
bolder spirit among them turned to survey the apartment and the gorgeous
assemblage of officers in their brilliant dress uniforms。 They were profiles
of young girls； and pretty； but horror was indelibly stamped upon them all。
I shuddered as I contemplated their sad fate； and turned my eyes away。
I heard the master of ceremonies command them to prostrate
themselves before the emperor； and the sounds as they went upon their
knees before him； touching their foreheads to the floor。 Then came the
official's voice again； in sharp and peremptory command。
〃Down； slave！〃 he cried。 〃Make obeisance to your sovereign！〃
I looked up； attracted by the tone of the man's voice； to see a single；
straight； slim figure standing erect in the center of the line of prostrate
girls； her arms folded across her breast and little chin in the air。 Her back
was toward meI could not see her face； though I should like to see the
countenance of this savage young lioness； standing there defiant among
that herd of terrified sheep。
〃Down！ Down！〃 shouted the master of ceremonies； taking a step
toward her and half drawing his sword。
My blood boiled。 To stand there； inactive； while a negro struck down
that brave girl of my own race！ Instinctively I took a forward ste
