[Queen Sheba’s Ring by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link bookQueen Sheba’s Ring CHAPTER XII 2/19
I pleaded to be allowed to take a more active part, but of this they would not hear, saying with some truth, that I was by far the best shot of the three, and could do much more to help them from above, if, as was hoped, the moon should shine brightly. But I knew they really meant that I was too old to be of service in such an adventure as this.
Also they desired to keep me out of risk. Then came the question as to who should descend the last tunnel to the place of operations.
Oliver wished Maqueda to return to the top of the cliff and wait there, but she said at once that she could not think of attempting the ascent without our aid; also that she was determined to see the end of the matter.
Even Joshua would not go; I think, that being an unpopular character among them, he distrusted the Mountaineers, whose duty it would have been to escort him. It was suggested that he should remain where he was until we returned, if we did return, but this idea commended itself to him still less than the other.
Indeed he pointed out with much truth what we had overlooked, namely, that now the Fung knew of the passage and were quite capable of playing our own game, that is, of throwing a bridge across from the sphinx's tail and attempting the storm of Mur. "And then what should I do if they found me here alone ?" he added pathetically. Maqueda answered that she was sure she did not know, but that meanwhile it might be wise to block the mouth of the tunnel by which we had reached the plateau in such a fashion that it could not easily be forced. "Yes," answered Oliver, "and if we ever get out of this, to blow the shaft in and make sure that it cannot be used." "That shaft might be useful, Captain," said Quick doubtfully. "There is a better way, Sergeant, if we want to mine under the sphinx; I mean through the Tomb of Kings.
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