Therefore I know of a mistress of our craft, a very lioness among jackals, who for thousands of years has lain sleeping in the northern caves and, humble though I am, she knows of me." "Quite so," I said, yawning, "but perhaps, Zikali, you will come to the point of the spear.

What of her?
How is she named, and if she exists will she help me ?" "I will answer your question backwards, Macumazahn.

I think that she will help you if you help her, in what way I do not know, because although witch-doctors sometimes work without pay, as I am doing now, Macumazahn, witch-doctoresses never do.

As for her name, the only one that she has among our company is 'Queen,' because she is the first of all of them and the most beauteous among women.

For the rest I can tell you nothing, except that she has always been and I suppose, in this shape or in that, will always be while the world lasts, because she has found the secret of life unending." "You mean that she is immortal, Zikali," I answered with a smile.
"I do not say that, Macumazahn, because my little mind cannot shape the thought of immortality.