Lilith

"I would give my life," she said, "to have my mother! She might kill me if she liked! I should just kiss her
and die!"
Lilith
"Come along, boys!" cried a girl. "We're going to our mothers!"
A pang went through my heart.−−But I could not draw back; it would be moral ruin to the Little Ones!
Chapter XXXV. THE LITTLE ONES IN BULIKA
It was early in the morning when we set out, making, between the blue sky and the green grass, a gallant
show on the wide plain. We would travel all the morning, and rest the afternoon; then go on at night, rest the
next day, and start again in the short twilight. The latter part of our journey we would endeavour so to divide
as to arrive at the city with the first of the morning, and be already inside the gates when discovered.
It seemed as if all the inhabitants of the forest would migrate with us. A multitude of birds flew in front,
imagining themselves, no doubt, the leading division; great companies of butterflies and other insects played
about our heads; and a crowd of four−footed creatures followed us. These last, when night came, left us
almost all; but the birds and the butterflies, the wasps and the dragon−flies, went with us to the very gates of
the city.
We halted and slept soundly through the afternoon: it was our first real march, but none were tired. In the
night we went faster, because it was cold. Many fell asleep on the backs of their beasts, and woke in the
morning quite fresh. None tumbled off. Some rode shaggy, shambling bears, which yet made speed enough,
going as fast as the elephants. Others were mounted on different kinds of deer, and would have been racing
all the way had I not prevented it. Those atop of the hay on the elephants, unable to see the animals below
them, would keep talking to them as long as they were awake. Once, when we had halted to feed, I heard a
little fellow, as he drew out the hay to give him, commune thus with his "darling beast":
"Nosy dear, I am digging you out of the mountain, and shall soon get down to you: be patient; I'm a coming!
Very soon now you'll send up your nose to look for me, and then we'll kiss like good elephants, we will!"
The same night there burst out such a tumult of elephant−trumpeting, horse−neighing, and child−imitation,
ringing far over the silent levels, that, uncertain how near the city might not be, I quickly stilled the uproar
lest it should give warning of our approach.
Suddenly, one morning, the sun and the city rose, as it seemed, together. To the children the walls appeared
only a great mass of rock, but when I told them the inside was full of nests of stone, I saw apprehension and
dislike at once invade their hearts: for the first time in their lives, I believe−−many of them long little
lives−−they knew fear. The place looked to them bad: how were they to find mothers in such a place? But
they went on bravely, for they had confidence in Lona−−and in me too, little as I deserved it.
We rode through the sounding archway. Sure never had such a drumming of hoofs, such a padding of paws
and feet been heard on its old pavement! The horses started and looked scared at the echo of their own steps;
some halted a moment, some plunged wildly and wheeled about; but they were soon quieted, and went on.
Some of the Little Ones shivered, and all were still as death. The three girls held closer the infants they
carried. All except the bears and butterflies manifested fear.
On the countenance of the woman lay a dark anxiety; nor was I myself unaffected by the general dread, for
the whole army was on my hands and on my conscience: I had brought it up to the danger whose shadow was
now making itself felt! But I was supported by the thought of the coming kingdom of the Little Ones, with
the bad giants its slaves, and the animals its loving, obedient friends! Alas, I who dreamed thus, had not
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