登陆注册
5591200000026

第26章 The Writer of 'Allan Quatermain'

Endnote 1

Among the Zulus a man assumes the ring,which is made of a species of black gum twisted in with the hair,and polished a brilliant black,when he has reached a certain dignity and age,or is the husband of a sufficient number of wives.Till he is in a position to wear a ring he is looked on as a boy,though he may be thirty-five years of age,or even more.--A.Q.}

Endnote 2

One of the fleetest of the African antelopes.--A.Q.

Endnote 3

Alluding to the Zulu custom of opening the stomach of a dead foe.They have a superstition that,if this is not done,as the body of their enemy swells up so will the bodies of those who killed him swell up.--A.Q.

Endnote 4

No doubt this owl was a wingless bird.I afterwards learnt that the hooting of an owl is a favourite signal among the Masai tribes.

--A.Q.

Endnote 5

Since I saw the above I have examined hundreds of these swords,but have never been able to discover how the gold plates were inlaid in the fretwork.The armourers who make them in Zu-vendis bind themselves by oath not to reveal the secret.--A.Q.

Endnote 6

The Masai Elmoran or young warriors can own no property,so all the booty they may win in battle belongs to their fathers alone.--A.Q.

Endnote 7

As I think I have already said,one of Umslopogaas's Zulu names was the 'Woodpecker'.I could never make out why he was called so until I saw him in action with Inkosi-kaas,when I at once recognized the resemblance.--A.Q.

Endnote 8

By a sad coincidence,since the above was written by Mr Quatermain,the Masai have,in April 1886,massacred a missionary and his wife --Mr and Mrs Houghton --on this very Tana River,and at the spot described.These are,I believe,the first white people who are known to have fallen victims to this cruel tribe.--Editor.

Endnote 9

Mr Allan Quatermain misquotes --Pleasure sat at the helm.--Editor.

Endnote 10

Where Alph the sacred river ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea Endnote 11Mr Quatermain does not seem to have been aware that it is common for animal-worshipping people to annually sacrifice the beasts they adore.See Herodotus,ii.45.--Editor.

Endnote 12

There is another theory which might account for the origin of the Zu-Vendi which does not seem to have struck my friend Mr Quatermain and his companions,and that is,that they are descendants of the Phoenicians.The cradle of the Phoenician race is supposed to have been have been on the western shore of the Persian Gulf.

Thence,as there is good evidence to show,they emigrated in two streams,one of which took possession of the shores of Palestine,while the other is supposed by savants to have immigrated down the coast of Eastern Africa where,near Mozambique,signs and remains of their occupation are not wanting.Indeed,it would have been very extraordinary if they did not,when leaving the Persian Gulf,make straight for the East Coast,seeing that the north-east monsoon blows for six months in the year dead in that direction,while for the other six months it blows back again.

And,by the way of illustrating the probability,I may add that to this day a very extensive trade is carried on between the Persian Gulf and Lamu and other East African ports as far south as Madagascar,which is of course the ancient Ebony Isle of the 'Arabian Nights'.--Editor.

Endnote 13

There are twenty-two letters in the Phoenician alphabet (see Appendix,Maspero's Histoire ancienne des peuples de l'Orient,p.746,etc.)Unfortunately Mr Quatermain gives us no specimen of the Zu-Vendi writing,but what he here states seems to go a long way towards substantiating the theory advanced in the note on p.149.--Editor.

Endnote 14

These are internal measurements.--A.Q.

Endnote 15

Light was also admitted by sliding shutters under the eaves of the dome and in the roof.--A.Q.

Endnote 16

This line is interesting as being one of the few allusions to be found in the Zu-Vendi ritual to a vague divine essence independent of the material splendour of the orb they worship.'Taia',the word used here,has a very indeterminate meaning,and signifies essence,vital principle,spirit,or even God.

Endnote 17

Alluding to the Zulu custom.--A.Q.

Endnote 18

In Zu-Vendis members of the Royal House can only be married by the High Priest or a formally appointed deputy.--A.Q.

Endnote 19

Alluding to the Zu-Vendi custom of carrying dead officers on a framework of spears.

Endnote 20

The Zu-Vendi people do not use bows.--A.Q.

Endnote 21

Of course,the roof of the Temple,being so high,caught the light some time before the breaking of the dawn.--A.Q.

Endnote 22

Of course the Court of Probate would allow nothing of the sort.--Editor.

Endnote 23

It is suggested to me that this book is The Cruise of the "Falcon",with which work I am personally unacquainted.

End

同类推荐
  • 大唐保大乙巳岁续贞元释教录

    大唐保大乙巳岁续贞元释教录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 鼎录

    鼎录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 郊庙歌辞 梁太庙乐

    郊庙歌辞 梁太庙乐

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 善一纯禅师语录

    善一纯禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛为优填王说王法政论经

    佛为优填王说王法政论经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 圣妙吉祥真实名经

    圣妙吉祥真实名经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 提高独立生活能力(学生综合素质提高手册)

    提高独立生活能力(学生综合素质提高手册)

    独立是一种态度,也是一种内涵,更是在竞争如此激烈的今天成功的一种必备条件。本书以此为出发点,告诉家长从哪些方面培养孩子的独立性。相信看过本书一定会让读者豁然开朗。在社会竞争压力如此大的今天,正确地培养孩子独立生活的能力无疑是将来成才的必备条件,也是孩子成才的关键。本书将给家长提供专家们的权威指导,同时本书也可作为青少年自主阅读的读物。
  • 魔鬼考卷

    魔鬼考卷

    为了得到永生,男主高影和女主朱荪伶分别进入了2个不可思议的教室,并需要进行一次次的考试。但,这并非学校的普通笔试,他们被投放到一个个平行世界,将遇见无数的魔鬼,来解答考卷上一道道关于魔鬼现象的题目,当分数不足60,就会被淘汰!为了得到永生,他们将不断和魔鬼同行,直到他们二人宿命相遇的时刻来临……黑色火种最新原创副本无限流!
  • 穿越之弃妇奋斗史

    穿越之弃妇奋斗史

    这年头,穿越很流行,这没什么,穿成一个弃妇,好吧,无所谓,带着一个五岁大的儿子,好吧,要忍耐。儿子将自己当仇人,好吧,除了仰天长叹一声,不知道这具本尊造了什么孽之外,她深呼吸,再忍!看着自己被休的最后嫁妆——一间即将倒闭的酒楼,她.她忍不下去了啦?黄花闺女穿成弃妇已经够委屈了,难不成她还要成为第一个饿死的穿越女?怎么可能?所以,她要崛起,要奋斗啊~玉翰墨:外号大熊,满脸的胡子遮住了原本的容颜,因为一顿好吃的,而将自己卖掉,原本以为只是一个普通的家奴,却为何总是在不经意间,现出神秘?究竟他的真实身份是什么?那络腮胡子下面隐藏的究竟是什么样的身份?沐风:大将军之子,素有“少女杀手”的他,原本是因为突然而起的食楼,想要一探究竟,却因为一句“一生一世一双人”心里生出了期待,究竟他能否抱得美人归?轩辕承天:朗月王朝二皇子,偶然的机会,认识女主,继而发现,这个女子身边的人好像不平凡,起了拉拢的心思,却不成想,因为一场美丽的误会,而深陷其中。轩辕昊天:朗月王朝大皇子,原本是看到自己的皇弟跟那个女人走得近,才想去看看,没想到,却发现了她的古灵精怪,心,慢慢的偏移。。。。。。。。。一个弃妇的奋斗生涯,不管是古代还是现代,自立自强,必不可少。本文绝不虐女主,美男多多,结局待定推荐自己的最新完结穿越玄幻文《魔女擒夫》:据说很搞笑,但是本人自认为写的很严肃。嘿嘿
  • 借我一句我爱你

    借我一句我爱你

    昨夜晚来风,吹醒愁煞人。辗转反侧,见窗外月光如昔,花红依旧。不禁念及咱俩的故事。从相遇,相识,相知,相念,相恋,到相离,虽未坎坷,却也波折!你终究是你,我终究是我,缘分的浅薄,注定了你必须的离开我的生活。你远去的倩影,早已牵走了我的心。如果爱情的世界存在买卖的话,我愿意卖我一身热血买你一生……--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 墨白风月

    墨白风月

    本不该有交集的两人,一个成就青史传奇,一个坠为野史尘埃。墨与白,既是相互对立的存在,又互相牵扯不断。再有百年,墨白均归尘土,唯史官笔上之墨,宣纸之白,可传后世。墨白为名,落笔成书。
  • 至尊御灵师

    至尊御灵师

    是起点不是终结,每个人出生时都带着神魔两性,修炼是一步步剔除魔性,堕落是化成魔。雷雨交加,是一场惊天阴谋拉开序幕,她从棺材里爬出来的那一刻,一切刚刚开始!神魔之争,自古渊源,她站在黑白棋盘中,谁把众生做棋子?逆反天地,偏要毁了这盘棋!却不期然遇见一双跨越千万年的眼眸,从此又甜又宠。“你不需要顾忌什么,专心的无法无天就好。”
  • 事说石嘴山

    事说石嘴山

    石嘴山是一座古老的城市,不仅有着悠久的历史,更有着灿烂的文化。本书是《美丽石嘴山丛书》之一,是众多史志学专家智慧和心血的凝结,具有非常重要的存史、资政、教化价值的文献。
  • 殇国遗乱(完)

    殇国遗乱(完)

    “我曾以为,你会是我生命中的一抹绚丽,不想到头来,竟让自己的心彻底失去了色彩。”女子自嘲的声音,充斥着悲戚和苍凉,她凄然一笑,嘴角缓缓溢出的鲜血,滴落至雪白的衣衫上,妖娆而艳丽,却深深刺痛了男子的双眼。那一天,大雪纷然而落,覆盖了苍茫的大地,也掩埋了过往的一切,让爱与恨,都从此消弭。————————————————————————曾经,她是倾国倾城的美丽女子,她的美惊为天人,她的美出尘脱俗……曾经,她亦是武艺高强、聪慧睿智的奇女子,顷刻间便可翻手为云,覆手为雨……只可惜,优秀如她,最终也没能逃过情爱的束缚,在有心人阴谋算计下,输掉了一切……心已死,爱已殇,自此,她的世界失去了光明。春去秋来,四季轮回,在本以为时过境迁后,奈何命运仍是不愿放过她,刻意的逃避,也是无济于事。————————————————————————上辈之间的久远恩怨,造成了他们生命中的一场错乱……国仇家恨,阴谋野心,成全了人性丑陋的贪嗔痴癫,也葬送了爱与被爱的资格……在经历过相遇和相爱,误会与分离之后,爱情,是否还能够得到善终?而当真相最终被揭开,他们,又该何去何从?(本文正文已完结,关于前传,可能会在以后重新连载一本新书,所以大家看正文就好,前传部分的章节先不要订阅,多谢支持,(*__*)……)
  • 当爱已成往事

    当爱已成往事

    他们青梅竹马,却敌不过一场雨中邂逅,他们六年婚姻,却敌不过初恋归来,坚守这么多年,她累了倦了伤透了,到最后,她只好选择遗忘……