The Hippopotamus Pool (19 page)

"I not ..." He hesitated, glancing at Nefret, and went on slowly, "I do not know. I leave him. He try to make me stay. I said he was a ..."

Again he hesitated, this time, I thought, because he had remembered Emerson's instruction on using improper language in the presence of females. The boy had a quick retentive mind and commendable ambition. We might make something of him—if we could keep him alive.

Leaving Yusuf, another of Abdullah's innumerable offspring, on guard, I sent Nefret off to get a few hours' sleep, though I doubted she would. As for me, how could I close my eyes when Emerson might be in danger?

I did because I knew I must, but I was awake with the dawn and ready for duty. Emerson had entrusted me with a number of vital errands and I performed them with my customary efficiency, though every particle of my being ached with the desire to abandon duties whose interest paled bycomparison to the thrilling activities he was enjoying. It was mid-morning before I was able to mount my donkey and urge it (with words alone, since I have never struck an animal) toward the hills north of Deir el Bahri. Nefret and Gertrude accompanied me; I felt it advisable to keep the latter individual under my observant eyes from now on.

It was not difficult to locate the spot I sought. A good-sized crowd had gathered. I was amused to see among the onlookers members of several of the more notorious tomb-robbing families of Gurneh, trying without success to look pleased. Hussein Abd er Rasul greeted me with effusive congratulations and offered the assistance of himself and his brothers. I declined the offer.

Conspicuous by their European dress were Emerson and Howard Carter. His eyes shining with excitement, Howard congratulated me and then began to scold me. "Honestly, Mrs. E., you must not do this sort of thing! It is horribly dangerous. Why didn't you come to me?"

"You know Emerson," I replied.

"Yes, and I know you," Howard said forcibly.

"Not now, Howard." I turned to my husband, who was shouting orders at Abdullah. "Good morning, Emerson."

"Oh," said Emerson. "So there you are, Peabody. What kept you?" Without waiting for an answer, he cupped his hands round his mouth and called, "Ramses, come down from there this instant! I told you you would have to wait until Nefret and your mama arrived before you enter the tomb."

"So you have not been back inside?" I inquired. "Thank you, Emerson; it was good of you to wait for me."

Sleeves rolled to the elbow, bared black head shining in the sunlight, Emerson looked as fresh as if he had slept for eight solid hours, but affectionate concern prompted my next suggestion. "I brought tea and food, my dear; have something to eat and tell me of your plans."

Emerson put a casual arm around me and drew me out of the path of a boulder that went rumbling down the hillside. The spectators scattered and then reassembled, like a group of ants around spilled sugar.

"As you can see, Peabody, I am clearing the lower entrance. We can't continue climbing up and down that bloo—er—blooming rope. If the passage is widened we can use ladders or build stairs."

He accepted a cup of tea, and Ramses, who had joined us, remarked, "It may be possible to open the lower part of the passage entirely, Father. I believe it was an avalanche or earthquake that closed it in ancient times. Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Nefret. Good morning, Miss Marmaduke."

Emerson cut the civilities short. "At any rate, we won't be able to beginwork in the tomb itself for several more days. Oh—here is your parasol, Peabody. You left it on top last night."

"Thank you, my dear, I am glad to have it back. You sent some of the men up to guard the upper entrance?"

"No need," Emerson replied, smacking a boiled egg against a convenient rock. "Our fellows will be here below. If anyone tries to slide down that rope they will hear him, and ... Well, I would not care to be in his position. Now then, Peabody, tell me the news. How is David? Did you telegraph Maspero and send messages to the others?"

It was like him to ask first after the sick boy. With an affectionate smile I reassured him as to David's condition, and went on, "The most amazing thing, Emerson. When I went to the telegraph office, I found a message from Walter. He must have sent it moments after our telegrams arrived."

"They are coming, then?"

"They intend to leave today. What on earth did you tell them? Walter's mention of 'deep concern' could hardly have referred to the tomb."

"I told them Ramses was ill," Emerson said calmly. "And that you were in a state of intense depression."

"Emerson, how could you?"

"I do not scruple to employ drastic measures when they are required, Peabody. In this case they were required." He popped another egg into his mouth and, speech being beyond him at that moment, gestured inquiringly.

"Oh, dear," I murmured. "Poor Evelyn; what a state she will be in. Well, there is nothing I can do about it now. As you requested, I left a message for Sir Edward repeating our invitation to dinner."

Emerson swallowed. "Curse it, Peabody, I told you to get him over here immediately. I want a complete photographic record of our work, from start to finish."

"Then why didn't you wait before moving those rocks? The original appearance—"

"The boulders are a natural phenomenon. I am speaking of—"

"How do you know they weren't deliberately placed there? Such information—"

"Because I examined the damned things!" Emerson shouted. "They could not have been—"

"Emerson, will you please stop—"

"Peabody, if you continue to—"

Realizing I was on the verge of behaving in an undignified manner, I stopped speaking. Emerson stopped speaking because he had run out of breath. Ramses, who had been waiting for a lull in the conversation, said only, "Ouch!" because Nefret, rising, had stamped on his foot.

"I am so sorry, Ramses," she exclaimed. "How clumsy of me! I havegot quite stiff sitting on this rock. Professor, I brought my new pocket camera. Its scope is limited, of course, but if you like, I will try a few photographs."

"Oh, have you one of those?" Howard exclaimed. "So do I. It does quite well out-of-doors, with a bright sun, but in shadow or darkness—"

"That is a problem we will have to work out," Emerson declared. "I believe reflectors will do the job. Go ahead, Nefret, and see what you can get."

Nursing his foot, Ramses remarked, "Sir, you said we could enter the tomb after Mother came."

"Mother and Nefret," said that young person, with a sweet smile at Emerson.

"It is a difficult climb," Ramses protested. "Even with a rope."

"And how do you know that?" Nefret demanded. "Have you tried it? You were told to wait."

"Never fear, Miss Nefret," said Howard, with an admiring glance at her flushed, indignant face. "We'll get you in by one means or another."

"There will be no difficulty." Emerson got to his feet and stretched. "I set Mohammed to work earlier constructing a rope ladder. I will take it with me when I ascend the rope, and anchor it firmly. The rest of you can follow—two at a time, the space is limited."

Abdullah, who had known better than to try to get a word in, cleared his throat. "I will go first, Emerson, and carry the rope ladder."

Emerson gave him a companionable grin. "Wait your turn, Abdullah. First Ramses and ... er ... no, ladies first. You and Nefret, Peabody, then Ramses and Carter, then ... Excuse me, Miss Marmaduke, I did not mean to overlook you."

She had made it easy for him to do so. Seated a little distance away from the rest of us, head bowed and hands folded like a humble governess in polite company, she had not said a word. Now she looked up.

"It is kind of you to think of me, sir. I yearn to see that wonderful place, but I would rather not behold it until all is prepared."

"May as well wait till we have the steps up," Emerson said, visibly relieved. "Very well, then. Abdullah and Daoud after Ramses and Carter. Abdullah, tell the men to hold off working while we are on our way up there; the whole structure is extremely unstable and I don't want anyone mashed by a falling rock."

It had seemed to me that very little had been accomplished, but now I realized why Emerson was proceeding so slowly. Whether the entrance had been deliberately blocked (and I felt sure it had been, despite Emerson's dogmatic statement to the contrary) or closed by an accidental avalanche,the rocks were unstable; the removal of the wrong one could bring others tumbling down.

Emerson slung the rope ladder over his back, grasped the end of the rope and began to climb. Standing close to me, Nefret remarked, "Why do we need the ladder, Aunt Amelia? The slope cannot be steeper than forty-five degrees, and with the rope—"

"It is not so easy as Emerson makes it appear, my dear," I replied, watching uneasily as darkness engulfed my husband. "You are young and agile, but you have not his strength in the arms and shoulders. When he—" I broke off, shielding my face with my arm, as a shower of broken stone rained down.

"Look out below!" Emerson called—somewhat belatedly. "My apologies, my dears; this cursed stuff crumbles at a touch."

It was not crumbling rock I feared. Desperate men had awaited us the night before, and Emerson's position now was even more vulnerable. A missile falling from above could loosen his grasp; a sharp knife severing the rope would have the same effect, inducing a fall that would almost certainly be fatal. And the most dangerous moments would be the last, when he neared the entrance. I believe I did not draw a deep breath until I heard him repeat his warning, and the rope ladder came tumbling down the slope, accompanied by a rattle of stone. Needless to say, my foot was on the lowest rung as soon as it was within reach.

As soon as my head passed through the narrowest part I saw Emerson. He had lighted several candles and stuck them onto the rock face. Leaning over, he grasped my wrists and lifted me onto the ledge.

"Proceed, my dear, but watch out for bats. They were stirring uneasily."

"You have already entered the chamber?"

"Before ever I let down the ladder, Peabody. Do you suppose I would allow you and Nefret to venture here until I was certain there were no uninvited guests? You will have to feel your way, I did not want to leave an open flame unattended."

Many archaeologists would have considered Emerson's concern about fire unnecessary, and few men would have sent their wives into a pitch-black tomb chamber filled with bats and bits of mummy. I agreed with his precautions; and his unquestioning confidence in my abilities was the firm foundation on which our marriage rested. As I crawled along in the dark, with sharp edges of rock jabbing into my knees and hands, I acknowledged, as I had so often done, that I was the most fortunate of women.

My entrance into the chamber irritated several of the livelier bats and I had to speak sharply to them before they settled down again. I lit a candle. When Nefret and Emerson joined me I was still staring in disbelief at the object that had immediately engaged my attention.

I interrupted Emerson's introductory remarks.

"Look. I did not see it last night. Was it there when you entered the room just now?"

"Was what where?" Emerson demanded irritably. "I didn't carry out a detailed inspection, Peabody, I only made certain no one was... Oh, good Gad."

The statue was approximately two feet high and carved of black basalt. It had been placed next to the door leading to the burial chamber. Jaws parted to display its formidable teeth, swollen abdomen framed in bands of reflected light, it depicted the grotesque hippopotamus goddess, Taueret.

By the time everyone had had his or her turn in the tomb, it was mid-afternoon, and even Emerson conceded that we had better return to the dahabeeyah. However, as we jogged on side by side he kept up a grumbling monologue. "We haven't enough men, confound it. They will have to stand watch round the clock, and I dare not leave fewer than five of them on guard. Did you see the look on Mohammed Abd er Rasul's face this morning? I wouldn't put it past him and his brothers—"

"Emerson, you know you have done the best you could, so stop worrying about it."

I persuaded him to get a few hours' sleep. I hoped this would put him in a better mood, because I had arranged a little dinner party, of the sort Emerson particularly dislikes. Since it had been necessary to invite Sir Edward, I decided I might as well include several of our professional colleagues, who would be clamoring for news of the new tomb.

A bath and a change of clothing quite refreshed me, and I went to see what the others were doing. Gertrude was in the saloon transcribing the notes Emerson had made that morning. She looked tired, and would have liked to chat, but I excused myself. Her forlorn look made me feel a little guilty. Had I been wrong about her? If she was an enemy she was not a very efficient one. Thus far I could accuse her of nothing except making eyes at my husband, and there was nothing unusual in that.

I found Ramses and Nefret with David. All three of them were sitting on the floor around a tray of food—collected, clearly, by Ramses, since it consisted of a stomach-churning combination of Egyptian and English dishes. Upon seeing me Ramses got to his feet, as I had taught him. David promptly followed suit, and I exclaimed, "You should not be out of bed, much less standing. Let me see that foot."