the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第29章
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As I had been given a semi…military uniform which bore insignia
indicating that I was an officer's body servant； even the blacks treated me
with a species of respect； though I could see by their manner that I was
really as the dirt beneath their feet。 They answered my questions civilly
enough； but they would not enter into conversation with me。 It was from
other slaves that I learned the gossip of the city。
Troops were pouring in from the west and south； and pouring out
toward the east。 I asked an old slave who was sweeping the dirt into little
piles in the gutters of the street where the soldiers were going。 He looked
at me in surprise。
〃Why； to fight the yellow men； of course；〃 he said。 〃They have
crossed the border； and are marching toward New Gondar。〃
〃Who will win？〃 I asked。
He shrugged his shoulders。 〃Who knows？〃 he said。 〃I hope it will
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
