Page 63 - erewhon

When I had done eating, my hosts approached, and
pointed down the valley leading to their own country, as
though wanting to show that I must go with them; at the
same time they laid hold of my arms, and made as though
they would take me, but used no violence. I laughed, and
motioned my hand across my throat, pointing down the
valley as though I was afraid lest I should be killed when
I got there. But they divined me at once, and shook their
heads with much decision, to show that I was in no danger.
Their manner quite reassured me; and in half an hour or so
I had packed up my swag, and was eager for the forward
journey, feeling wonderfully strengthened and refreshed
by good food and sleep, while my hope and curiosity were
aroused to their very utmost by the extraordinary position
in which I found myself.
But already my excitement had begun to cool and I re-
flected that these people might not be the ten tribes after
all; in which case I could not but regret that my hopes of
making money, which had led me into so much trouble and
danger, were almost annihilated by the fact that the coun-
try was full to overflowing, with a people who had probably
already developed its more available resources. Moreover,
how was I to get back? For there was something about my
hosts which told me that they had got me, and meant to
keep me, in spite of all their goodness.

Erewhon