第7章
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  SowewentintothelittleroomandawokeOliver,whosprangupinagreatfright,thinkingthatsomethinguntowardhadhappenedatthemine。

  “What\'swrong?“heaskedofJaphet。“HavetheFungcutthewires?“

  “Nay,OOrme,aworsething;IhavediscoveredthatthePrinceJoshuahaslaidaplottostealaway\'Her-whose-name-is-high。\'“

  “Whatdoyoumean?Setoutallthestory,Japhet,“saidOliver。

  “Itisshort,lord。Ihavesomefriends,oneofwhom——heisofmyownblood,butaskmenothisname——isintheserviceofthePrince。Wedrankacupofwinetogether,whichIneeded,andIsupposeitloosedhistongue。Atanyrate,hetoldme,andIbelievedhim。Thisisthestory。ForhisownsakeandthatofthepeoplethePrincedesiresthatyoushoulddestroytheidolofFung,andthereforehehaskepthishandsoffyouoflate。Yetshouldyousucceed,hedoesnotknowwhatmayhappen。HefearslesttheAbatiintheirgratitudeshouldsetyouupasgreatmen。”

  “Thenheisanass!“interruptedQuick;“fortheAbatihavenogratitude。”

  “Hefears,“wentonJaphet,“otherthingsalso。Forinstance,thattheChildofKingsmayexpressthatgratitudebyamarkofhersignalfavourtowardoneofyou,“andhestaredatOrme,whoturnedhisheadaside。“Now,thePrinceisaffiancedtothisgreatlady,whomhedesirestowedfortworeasons:First,becausethismarriagewillmakehimthechiefmanamongsttheAbati,and,secondly,becauseoflatehehascometothinkthathelovesherwhomheisafraidthathemaylose。Sohehassetasnare。”

  “Whatsnare?“askedoneofus,forJaphetpaused。

  “Idon\'tknow,“answeredJaphet,“andIdonotthinkthatmyfriendkneweither,or,ifhedid,hewouldnottellme。ButIunderstandtheplotisthattheChildofKingsistobecarriedofftothePrinceJoshua\'scastleattheotherendofthelake,sixhours\'rideaway,andtherebeforcedtomarryhimatonce。”

  “Indeed,“saidOrme,“andwhenisallthistohappen?“

  “Idon\'tknow,lord。Iknownothingexceptwhatmyfriendtoldme,whichIthoughtitrighttocommunicatetoyouinstantly。Iaskedhimthetime,however,andhesaidthathebelievedthedatewasfixedforonenightafternextSabbath。”

  “NextSabbathisfivedayshence,sothatthismatterdoesnotseemtobeverypressing,“remarkedOliverwithasighofrelief。“Areyousurethatyoucantrustyourfriend,Japhet?“

  “No,lord,Iamnotsure,especiallyasIhavealwaysknownhimtobealiar。Still,IthoughtthatIoughttotellyou。”

  “Verykindofyou,Japhet,butIwishthatyouhadletmehavemysleepoutfirst。Nowgodownthelineandseethatallisright,thenreturnandreport。”

  Japhetsalutedinhisnativefashionandwent。

  “Whatdoyouthinkofthisstory?“askedOliver,assoonashewasoutofhearing。

  “Allbosh,“answeredHiggs;“theplaceisfulloftalkandrumours,andthisisoneofthem。”

  Hepausedandlookedatme。

  “Oh!“Isaid,“IagreewithHiggs。IfJaphet\'sfriendhadreallyanythingtotellhewouldhavetolditinmoredetail。IdaresaythereareagoodmanythingsJoshuawouldliketodo,butIexpecthewillstopthere,atanyrate,forthepresent。Ifyoutakemyadviceyouwillsaynothingofthematter,especiallytoMaqueda。”

  “Thenweareallagreed。Butwhatareyouthinkingof,Sergeant?“

  askedOliver,addressingQuick,whostoodinacorneroftheroom,lostapparentlyincontemplationofthefloor。

  “I,Captain,“hereplied,comingtoattention。“Well,beggingtheirpardon,IwasthinkingthatIdon\'tholdwiththesegentlemen,exceptinsofarthatIshouldsaynothingofthisjobtoourLady,whohasplentytobotherherjustnow,andwon\'tneedtobefrightenedaswell。Still,theremaybesomethinginit,forthoughthatJaphetisstupid,he\'shonest,andhonestmensometimesgetholdoftherightendofthestick。Atleast,hebelievesthereissomething,andthat\'swhatweighswithme。”

  “Well,ifthat\'syouropinion,what\'sbesttobedoneSergeant?I

  agreethattheChildofKingsshouldnotbetold,andIshan\'tleavethisplacetillafterteno\'clockto-nightattheearliest,ifwesticktoourplans,aswehadbetterdo,forallthatstuffinthetunnelwantsalittletimetosettle,andforotherreasons。Whatareyoudrawingthere?“andhepointedtothefloor,inthedustofwhichQuickwastracingsomethingwithhisfinger。

  “AplanofourLady\'sprivaterooms,Captain。Shetoldyoushewasgoingtorestatsundown,didn\'tshe,orearlier,forshewasupmostoflastnight,andwantedtogetafewhours\'sleepbefore——somethinghappens。Well,herbed-chamberisthere,isn\'tit?andanotherbeforeit,inwhichhermaidssleep,andnothingbehindexceptahighwallandaditchwhichcannotbeclimbed。”

  “That\'squitetrue,“interruptedHiggs。“Igotleavetomakeaplanofthepalace,onlythereisapassagesixfeetwideandtwentylongleadingfromtheguardchambertotheladies\'anteroom。”

  “Justso,Professor,andthatpassagehasaturninit,ifIrememberright,sothattwowell-armedmencouldholditagainstquitealot。

  SupposingnowthatyouandI,Professor,shouldgoandtakeanapinthatguard-room,whichwillbeempty,forthewatchissetatthepalacegate。Weshan\'tbewantedhere,sinceiftheCaptaincan\'ttouchoffthatmine,noonecan,withtheDoctortohelphimjustincaseanythinggoeswrong,andJaphetguardingtheline。Idaresaythere\'snothinginthisyarn,butwhoknows?Theremightbe,andthenweshouldblameourselves。Whatdoyousay,Professor?“

  “I?Oh,I\'lldoanythingyouwish,thoughIshouldratherhavelikedtoclimbthecliffandwatchwhathappens。”

  “You\'dseenothing,Higgs,“interruptedOliver,“exceptperhapsthereflectionofaflashinthesky;so,ifyoudon\'tmind,IwishyouwouldgowiththeSergeant。Somehow,althoughIamquitecertainthatweoughtnottoalarmMaqueda,Iamnoteasyabouther,andifyoutwofellowswerethere,Ishouldknowshewasallright,anditwouldbeaweightoffmymind。”

  “Thatsettlesit,“saidHiggs;“we\'llbeoffpresently。Lookhere,giveusthatportabletelephone,whichisofnouseanywhereelsenow。

  Thewirewillreachtothepalace,andifthemachineworksallrightwecantalktoyouandtelleachotherhowthingsaregoingon。”

  Tenminuteslatertheyhadmadetheirpreparations。QuicksteppeduptoOliverandstoodatattention,saying:

  “Readytomarch。Anymoreorders,Captain?“

  “Ithinknot,Sergeant,“heanswered,liftinghiseyesfromthelittlebatteriesthathewaswatchingasthoughtheywerelivethings。“Youknowthearrangements。Atteno\'clock——thatisabouttwohourshence——

  Itouchthisswitch。Whateverhappensitmustnotbedonebefore,forfearlesttheDoctor\'ssonshouldnothavelefttheidol,tosaynothingofalltheotherpoorbeggars。Thespiessaythatthemarriagefeastwillnotbecelebrateduntilatleastthreehoursaftermoonrise。”

  “Andthat\'swhatIheardwhenIwasaprisoner,“interruptedHiggs。

  “Idaresay,“answeredOrme;“butitisalwayswelltoallowamarginincasetheprocessionshouldbedelayed,orsomething。Sountilteno\'clockI\'vegottostopwhereIam,andyoumaybesure,Doctor,thatundernocircumstancesshallIfiretheminebeforethathour,asindeedyouwillbeheretosee。AfterthatIcan\'tsaywhatwillhappen,butifwedon\'tappear,youtwohadbettercometolookforus——incaseofaccidents,youknow。Doyourbestatyourendaccordingtocircumstances;theDoctorandIwilldoourbestatours。Ithinkthatisall,Sergeant。Reportyourselvesbythetelephoneifthewireislongenoughanditwillwork,whichIdaresayitwon\'t,and,anyway,lookoutforusabouthalf-pastten。Good-bye!“

  “Good-bye,Captain,“answeredQuick,thenstretchedouthishand,shookthatofOrme,andwithoutanotherwordtookhislampandleftthechamber。

  Animpulsepromptedmetofollowhim,leavingOrmeandHiggsdiscussingsomethingbeforetheyparted。Whenhehadwalkedaboutfiftyyardsintheawfulsilenceofthatvastundergroundtown,ofwhichtheruinedtenementsyawnedoneithersideofus,theSergeantstoppedandsaidsuddenly:

  “Youdon\'tbelieveinpresentiments,doyou,Doctor?“

  “Notabit,“Ianswered。

  “Gladofit,Doctor。Still,Ihavegotabadonenow,anditisthatI

  shan\'tseetheCaptainoryouanymore。”

  “Thenthat\'sapoorlook-outforus,Quick。”

  “No,Doctor,forme。Ithinkyouarebothallright,andtheProfessor,too。It\'smynametheyarecallingupaloft,orsoitseemstome。Well,Idon\'tcaremuch,for,thoughnosaint,Ihavetriedtodomyduty,andifitisdone,it\'sdone。Ifit\'swritten,it\'sgottocometopass,hasn\'tit?Foreverythingiswrittendownforuslongbeforewebegin,orsoI\'vealwaysthought。Still,I\'llgrievetopartfromtheCaptain,seeingthatInursedhimasachild,andI\'dhavelikedtoknowhimwelloutofthishole,andsafelymarriedtothatsweetladyfirst,thoughIdon\'tdoubtthatitwillbeso。”

  “Nonsense,Sergeant,“Isaidsharply;“youarenotyourself;allthisworkandanxietyhasgotonyournerves。”

  “Asitwellmight,Doctor,notbutIdaresaythat\'strue。Anyhow,iftheotheristhetruething,andyoushouldallseeoldEnglandagainwithsomeofthestuffinthatdead-house,I\'vegotthreenieceslivingdownathomewhomyoumightremember。Don\'tsaynothingofwhatItoldyoutotheCaptaintillthisnight\'sgameisplayed,seeingthatitmightupsethim,andhe\'llneedtokeepcooluptoteno\'clock,andafterwardstoo,perhaps。Onlyifweshouldn\'tmeetagain,saythatSamuelQuicksenthimhisdutyandGod\'sblessing。Andthesameonyourself,Doctor,andyourson,too。AndnowherecomestheProfessor,sogood-bye。”

  Aminutelatertheyhadleftme,andIstoodwatchingthemuntilthetwostarsoflightfromtheirlanternsvanishedintotheblackness。

  CHAPTERXVI

  HARMACCOMESTOMUR

  SlowlyandinverybadspiritsIretracedmystepstotheoldtemple,followingthelineofthetelephonewirewhichHiggsandQuickhadunreeledastheywent。IntheSergeant\'sprognosticationsofevilI

  hadnoparticularbelief,astheyseemedtometobebornofthecircumstanceswhichsurroundedus,andindifferentwaysaffectedallourminds,eventhatofthebuoyantHiggs。

  Totakemyowncase,forinstance。HereIwasabouttoassistinanactwhichforaughtIknewmightinvolvethedestructionofmyonlyson。ItwastruewebelievedthatthiswasthenightofhismarriageatthetownofHarmac,somemilesaway,andthatthetaleofourspiessupportedthisinformation。Buthowcouldwebesurethatthedate,ortheplaceoftheceremony,hadnotbeenchangedatthelastmoment?

  Supposing,forinstance,thatitwasheld,notinthetown,asarranged,butinthecourtsoftheidol,andthatthefearfulactivitiesofthefieryagentwhichwewereabouttowaketolifeshouldsweepthecelebrantsintonothingness。

  Thethoughtmademeturncold,andyetthedeedmustbedone;Roderickmusttakehischance。Andifallwerewell,andheescapedthatdanger,weretherenotworsebehind?Thinkofhim,aChristianman,thehusbandofasavagewomanwhoworshippedastoneimagewithalion\'shead,boundtoherandhertribe,astateprisoner,treblyguarded,whom,sofarasIcouldsee,therewouldbenohopeofrescuing。Itwasawful。Thentherewereothercomplications。Iftheplansucceededandtheidolwasdestroyed,myownbeliefwasthattheFungmusttherebybeexasperated。Evidentlytheyknewsomeroadintothisstronghold。Itwouldbeused。Theywouldpourtheirthousandsupit,ageneralmassacrewouldfollow,ofwhich,justly,weshouldbethefirstvictims。

  IreachedthechamberwhereOliversatbroodingalone,forJaphetwaspatrollingtheline。

  “IamnothappyaboutMaqueda,Doctor,“hesaidtome。“Iamafraidthereissomethinginthatstory。Shewantedtobewithus;indeed,shebeggedtobeallowedtocomealmostwithtears。ButIwouldn\'thaveit,sinceaccidentsmayalwayshappen;thevibrationmightshakeintherooforsomething;infact,Idon\'tthinkyoushouldbehere。

  Whydon\'tyougoawayandleaveme?“

  Iansweredthatnothingwouldinducemetodoso,forsuchajobshouldnotbelefttooneman。

  “No,you\'reright,“hesaid;“Imightfaintorlosemyheadoranything。Iwishnowthatwehadarrangedtosendthesparkfromthepalace,whichperhapswemighthavedonebyjoiningthetelephonewireontotheothers。But,totellyouthetruth,I\'mafraidofthebatteries。Thecellsarenewbutveryweak,fortimeandtheclimatehaveaffectedthem,andIthoughtitpossibletheextradifferencemightmakethedifferenceandthattheywouldfailtowork。That\'swhyIfixedthisasthefiringpoint。Hullo,there\'sthebell。Whathavetheygottosay?“

  Isnatchedthereceiver,andpresentlyheardthecheerfulvoiceofHiggsannouncingthattheyhadarrivedsafelyinthelittleanteroomtoMaqueda\'sprivateapartments。

  “Thepalaceseemsveryempty,“headded;“weonlymetonesentry,forIthinkthateverybodyelse,exceptMaquedaandafewofherladies,haveclearedout,beingafraidlestrocksshouldfallonthemwhentheexplosionoccurs。”

  “Didthemansayso?“IaskedofHiggs。

  “Yes,somethingofthatsort;alsohewantedtoforbidustocomehere,sayingthatitwasagainstthePrinceJoshua\'sordersthatweGentilesshouldapproachtheprivateapartmentsoftheChildofKings。

  Well,wesoonsettledthat,andhebolted。Whereto?Oh!Idon\'tknow;

  toreport,hesaid。”

  “How\'sQuick?“Iasked。

  “Muchthesameasusual。Infact,heissayinghisprayersinthecorner,lookinglikeamelancholybrigandwithrifles,revolvers,andknivesstuckalloverhim。Iwishhewouldn\'tsayhisprayers,“addedHiggs,andhisvoicereachedmeinanindignantsqueak;“itmakesmefeeluncomfortable,asthoughIoughttojoinhim。ButnothavingbeenbroughtupaDissenteroraMoslem,Ican\'tprayinpublicashedoes。

  Hullo!Waitaminute,willyou?“

  Thenfollowedalongishpause,andafteritHiggs\'svoiceagain。

  “It\'sallright,“itsaid。“OnlyoneofMaqueda\'sladieswhohadheardusandcometoseewhowewere。WhenshelearnsIexpectshewilljoinushere,asthegirlsaysshe\'snervousandcan\'tsleep。”

  Higgsprovedrightinhisanticipations,forinabouttenminuteswewererungupagain,thistimebyMaquedaherself,whereonIhandedthereceivertoOliverandretiredtotheotherendoftheroom。

  Nor,totellthetruth,wasIsorryfortheinterruption,sinceitcheeredupOliverandhelpedtopassthetime。

  Thenextthingworthtellingthathappenedwasthat,anhourormorelater,Japhetarrived,lookingveryfrightened。Weaskedhimourusualquestion:ifanythingwaswrongwiththewires。Withagroanheanswered“No,“thewiresseemedallright,buthehadmetaghost。

  “Whatghost,youdonkey?“Isaid。

  “Theghostofoneofthedeadkings,OPhysician,yonderintheburialcave。Itwashewiththebentboneswhositsinthefarthestchair。

  Onlyhehadputsomefleshonhisbones,andItellyouhelookedfearful,averyfierceman,orratherghost。”

  “Indeed,anddidhesayanythingtoyou,Japhet?“

  “Oh!yes,plenty,OPhysician,onlyIcouldnotunderstanditall,becausehislanguagewassomewhatdifferenttomine,andhespatouthiswordsasagreenlogspitsoutsparks。Ithinkthatheaskedme,however,howmymiserablepeopledaredtodestroyhisgod,Harmac。I

  answeredthatIwasonlyaservantanddidnotknow,addingthatheshouldputhisquestionstoyou。”

  “Andwhatdidhesaytothat,Japhet?“

  “IthinkhesaidthatHarmacwouldcometoMurandsettlehisaccountwiththeAbati,andthattheforeignmenwouldbewisetoflyfastandfar。That\'sallIunderstood;askmenomore,whowouldnotreturnintothatcavetobemadeaprince。”

  “He\'sgotholdofwhatBarung\'senvoystoldus,“saidOliver,indifferently,“andnowonder,thisplaceisenoughtomakeanybodyseeghosts。I\'llrepeatittoMaqueda;itwillamuseher。”

  “Iwouldn\'tifIwereyou,“Ianswered,“foritisn\'texactlyacheerfulyarn,andperhapsshe\'safraidofghoststoo。Also,“andI

  pointedtothewatchthatlayonthetablebesidethebatteries,“itisfiveminutestoten。”

  Oh!thatlastfiveminutes!Itseemedasmanycenturies。Likestonestatueswesat,eachofuslostinhisownthoughts,thoughformypartthepowerofclearthinkingappearedtohaveleftme。Visionsofasortflowedovermymindwithoutsinkingintoit,aswaterflowsovermarble。AllIcoulddowasfixmyeyesonthefaceofthatwatch,ofwhichintheflickeringlamp-lightthesecond-handseemedtomyexcitedfancytogrowenormousandjumpfromonesideoftheroomtotheother。

  Ormebegantocountaloud。“One,two,three,four,five——/now/!“andalmostsimultaneouslyhetouchedtheknobfirstofonebatteryandnextoftheother。Beforehisfingerpressedtheleft-handknobIfeltthesolidrockbeneathussurge——nootherwordconveysitsmovement。

  Thenthegreatstonecross-piece,weighingseveraltons,thatwassetasatransomabovethetalldoorofourroom,dislodgeditself,andfellquitegentlyintothedoorway,whichitcompletelyblocked。

  Otherrocksfellalsoatadistance,makingagreatnoise,andsomehowIfoundmyselfontheground,mystoolhadslidawayfromme。Nextfollowedamuffled,awfulroar,andwithitcameablastofwindblowingwherewindneverblewbeforesincethebeginningoftheworld,thatwithaterriblewailinghowleditselftosilenceinthethousandrecessesofthecavecity。Asitpassedourlampswentout。Lastly,quiteaminutelaterIshouldthink,therewasathud,asthoughsomethingofenormousweighthadfallenonthesurfaceoftheearthfaraboveus。

  Thenallwasasithadbeen;allwasdarknessandutterquietude。

  “Well,that\'sover,“saidOliver,inastrainedvoicewhichsoundedverysmallandfarawaythroughthatthickdarkness;“alloverforgoodorill。Ineedn\'thavebeenanxious;thefirstbatterywasstrongenough,forIfelttheminespringasItouchedthesecond。Iwonder,“

  hewenton,asthoughspeakingtohimself,“whatamountofdamagenearlyatonandahalfofthatawfulazo-imidecompoundhasdonetotheoldsphinx。Accordingtomycalculationsitoughttohavebeenenoughtobreakthethingup,ifwecouldhavespreadthechargemore。

  But,asitis,Iambynomeanscertain。Itmayonlyhavedrivenaholeinitsbulk,especiallyiftherewerehollowsthroughwhichthegasescouldrun。Well,withluck,wemayknowmoreaboutitlater。

  Strikeamatch,Adams,andlightthoselamps。Why,what\'sthat?

  Listen!“

  Ashespoke,fromsomewherecameaseriesoftinynoises,that,thoughtheyweresofaintandsmall,suggestedriflesfiredatagreatdistance。Crack,crack,crack!wenttheinfinitesimalnoises。

  Igropedabout,andfindingthereceiverofthefieldtelephone,setittomyear。Inaninstantallgrewplaintome。Gunswerebeingfiredneartheotherendofthewire,andthetransmitterwassendingusthesoundofthem。VeryfaintlybutwithdistinctnessIcouldhearHiggs\'shighvoicesaying,“Lookout,Sergeant,there\'sanotherrushcoming!“andQuickanswering,“Shootlow,Professor;fortheLord\'ssakeshootlow。Youareempty,sir。Loadup,loadup!Here\'saclipofcartridges。Don\'tfiretoofast。Ah!thatdevilgotme,butI\'vegothim;he\'llneverthrowanotherspear。”

  “Theyarebeingattacked!“Iexclaimed。“Quickiswounded。NowMaquedaistalkingtoyou。Shesays,\'Oliver,come!Joshua\'smenassailme。

  Oliver,come!\'“

  Thenfollowedagreatsoundofshoutingansweredbymoreshots,andjustasOrmesnatchedthereceiverfrommyhandthewirewentdead。Invainhecalleddownitinanagonizedvoice。AswellmighthehaveaddressedtheplanetSaturn。

  “Thewire\'scut,“heexclaimed,dashingdownthereceiverandseizingthelanternwhichJaphethadjustsucceededinre-lighting;“comeon,there\'smurderbeingdone,“andhesprangtothedoorway,onlytostaggerbackagainfromthegreatstonewithwhichitwasblocked。

  “GoodGod!“hescreamed,“we\'reshutin。Howcanwegetout?Howcanwegetout?“andhebegantorunroundandroundtheroom,andeventospringatthewallslikeafrightenedcat。Thricehesprang,strivingtoclimbtothecoping,fortheplacehadnoroof,eachtimefallingback,sinceitwastoohighforhimtograsp。Icaughthimroundthemiddle,andheldhimbymainforce,althoughhestruckatme。

  “Bequiet,“Isaid;“doyouwanttokillyourself?Youwillbenogooddeadormaimed。Letmethink。”

  MeanwhileJaphetwasactingonhisownaccount,forhe,too,hadheardthetiny,ominoussoundsgivenoutbythetelephoneandguessedtheirpurport。Firstherantothemassivetransomthatblockedthedoorwayandpushed。Itwasuseless;notevenanelephantcouldhavestirredit。Thenhesteppedback,examiningitcarefully。

  “Ithinkitcanbeclimbed,Physician,“hesaid。“Helpmenow,“andhemotionedtometotakeoneendoftheheavytableonwhichthebatteriesstood。Wedraggedittothedoorway,and,seeinghispurpose,Oliverjumpedontoitwithhim。ThenatJaphet\'sdirection,whileIsupportedthetabletopreventitsoversetting,Ormerestedhisforeheadagainstthestone,makingwhatschoolboy\'scall“aback,“

  upwhichthemountaineerclimbedactivelyuntilhestooduponhisshoulders,andbystretchinghimselfwasabletograsptheendofthefallentransom。Next,whileIheldupthelamptogivehimlight,hegrippedtheroughnessesofthehewnstonewithhistoes,andinafewmomentswasuponthecopingofthewall,twentyfeetormoreabovethefloorline。

  Therestwascomparativelyeasy,fortakingoffhislinenrobe,Japhetknotteditonceortwice,andletitdowntous。Bythehelpofthisimprovisedrope,withOrmesupportingmebeneath,I,too,wasdraggeduptothecopingofthewall。ThenbothofuspulledupOliver,who,withoutaword,swunghimselfoverthewall,hangingtoJaphet\'sarms,andloosinghishold,droppedtothegroundonthefartherside。Nextcamemyturn。Itwasalongfall,andhadnotOlivercaughtmeIthinkthatIshouldhavehurtmyself。Asitwas,thebreathwasshakenoutofme。Lastly,Japhetswunghimselfdown,landinglightlyasacat。

  Thelampshehadalreadydroppedtous,andinanotherminutetheywerealllighted,andwewerespeedingdownthegreatcavern。

  “Becareful,“Icried;“theremaybefallenrocksabout。”

  AsithappenedIwasright,foratthatmomentOliverstruckhislegsagainstoneofthemandfell,cuttinghimselfagooddeal。Inamomenthewasupagain,butafterthisourprogressgrewslow,forhundredsoftonsofstonehadbeenshakenfromtheroofandblockedthepath。

  Also,wholebuildingsoftheancientandundergroundcityhadbeenthrowndown,althoughtheseweremostlyblowninwardbytherushofair。Atlengthwecametotheendofthecave,andhalteddismayed,forhere,wheretheblastoftheexplosionhadbeenbroughttoafullstop,theplaceseemedtobecrowdedwithrockswhichithadrolledbeforeit。

  “MyGod!Ibelieveweareshutin,“exclaimedOliverindespair。

  ButJaphet,lanterninhand,wasalreadyleapingfromblocktoblock,andpresently,fromthetopofthedébris,calledtoustocometohim。

  “Ithinkthereisaroadleft,thoughabadone,lords,“hesaid,andpointedtoajagged,well-likeholeblownout,asIbelieve,bytherecoiloftheblast。Withdifficultyanddanger,formanyofthepiledupstoneswereloose,weclimbeddownthisplace,andatitsbottomsqueezedourselvesthroughanarrowapertureontothefloorofthecave,prayingthatthehugedoorwhichledtothepassagebeyondmightnotbejammed,sinceifitwere,asweknewwell,oursmallstrengthwouldnotavailtomoveit。Happily,thisfearatleastprovedgroundless,sinceitopenedoutward,andtheforceofthecompressedairhadtornitfromitsmassivestonehingesandthrownitshatteredtotheground。

  Wescrambledoverit,andadvanceddownthepassage,ourrevolversinourhands。Wereachedtheaudiencehall,whichwasemptyandindarkness。Weturnedtotheleft,crossingvariouschambers,andinthelastofthem,throughwhichoneofthegatesofthepalacecouldbeapproached,metwiththefirstsignsofthetragedy,fortherewerebloodstainsonthefloor。

  Ormepointedtothemashehurriedon,andsuddenlyamanleaptoutofthedarknessasabuckleapsfromabush,andranpastus,holdinghishandstohisside,whereevidentlyhehadsomegrievoushurt。NowweenteredthecorridorleadingtotheprivateapartmentsoftheChildofKings,andfoundourselveswalkingonthebodiesofdeadanddyingmen。OneoftheformerIobserved,asonedoesnoticelittlethingsatsuchamoment,heldinhishandthebrokenwireofthefieldtelephone。Ipresumethathehadsnatchedandsevereditinhisdeathpangatthemomentwhencommunicationceasedbetweenusandthepalace。

  Werushedintothelittleantechamber,inwhichlightswereburning,andtheresawasightthatIforonenevershallforget。

  Intheforegroundlaymoredeadmen,allofthemwearingtheliveryofPrinceJoshua。BeyondwasSergeantQuick,seatedonachair。Heseemedtobeliterallyhackedtopieces。Anarrowthatnoonehadattemptedtoremovewasfastinhisshoulder;hishead,whichMaquedawasspongingwithwetcloths——well,Iwillnotdescribehiswounds。

  LeaningagainstthewallnearbystoodHiggs,alsobleeding,andapparentlyquiteexhausted。Behind,besidesMaquedaherself,weretwoorthreeofherladies,wringingtheirhandsandweeping。Infaceofthisterriblespectaclewecametoasuddenhalt。Nowordwasspokenofbyanyone,forthepowerofspeechhadleftus。

  ThedyingQuickopenedhiseyes,liftedhishand,uponwhichtherewasaghastlysword-cut,tohisforehead,asthoughtoshadethemfromthelight——ah!howwellIrecallthatpatheticmotion——andfrombeneaththisscreenstaredatusawhile。Thenherosefromthechair,touchedhisthroattoshowthathecouldnotspeak,asIsuppose,salutedOrme,turnedandpointedtoMaqueda,andwithatriumphantsmilesankdownand——died。

  SuchwasthenobleendofSergeantQuick。

  Todescribewhatfollowedisnoteasy,forthescenewasconfused。

  Alsoshockandsorrowhaveblurreditsrecollectioninmymind。I

  rememberMaquedaandOrmefallingintoeachother\'sarmsbeforeeverybody。Irememberherdrawingherselfupinthatimperialwayofhers,andsaying,asshepointedtothebodyofQuick:

  “Thereliesonewhohasshownushowtodie。Thiscountrymanofyourswasahero,OOliver,andyoushouldholdhismemoryinhonour,sincehesavedmefromworsethandeath。”

  “What\'sthestory?“askedOrmeofHiggs。

  “Asimpleoneenough,“heanswered。“Wegothereallright,aswetoldyouoverthewire。ThenMaquedatalkedtoyouforalongwhileuntilyourangoff,sayingyouwantedtospeaktoJaphet。Afterthat,atteno\'clockprecisely,weheardthethudoftheexplosion。Next,aswewerepreparingtogoouttoseewhathadhappened,Joshuaarrivedalone,announcedthattheidolHarmachadbeendestroyed,anddemandedthattheChildofKings,\'forStatereasons,\'shouldaccompanyhimtohisowncastle。Shedeclinedand,asheinsisted,Itookituponmyselftokickhimoutoftheplace。Heretired,andwesawnomoreofhim,butafewminuteslatertherecameashowerofarrowsdownthepassage,andafterthemarushofmen,whocalled,\'DeathtotheGentiles。RescuetheRose。\'

  “Sowebegantoshootandknockedoveralotofthem,butQuickgotthatarrowthroughhisshoulder。Threetimestheycameonlikethat,andthreetimeswedrovethemback。Atlastourcartridgesranlow,andweonlyhadourrevolversleft,whichweemptiedintothem。Theyhungamoment,butmovedforwardagain,andallseemedup。

  “ThenQuickwentmad。HesnatchedtheswordofadeadAbatiandranatthemroaringlikeabull。Theyhackedandcutathim,buttheendofitwasthathedrovethemrightoutofthepassage,whileIfollowed,firingpasthim。

  “Well,thosewhowereleftoftheblackguardsbolted,andwhentheyhadgonetheSergeanttumbleddown。ThewomenandIcarriedhimbackhere,butheneversaidanotherword,andatlastyouturnedup。Nowhe\'sgone,Godresthim,forifevertherewasaherointhisworldhewaschristenedSamuelQuick!“and,turningaside,theProfessorpushedupthebluespectacleshealwaysworeontohisforehead,andwipedhiseyeswiththebackofhishand。

  WithgriefmorebitterthanIcandescribeweliftedupthebodyofthegallantQuickand,bearingitintoMaqueda\'sprivateapartment,placeditonherownbed,forsheinsistedthatthemanwhohaddiedtoprotecthershouldbelaidnowhereelse。Itwasstrangetoseethegrimoldsoldier,whoseface,nowthatIhadwashedhiswounds,lookedcalmandevenbeautiful,laidouttosleephislastsleepuponthecouchoftheChildofKings。Thatbed,Iremember,wasarichandsplendidthing,madeofsomeblackwoodinlaidwithscrollsofgold,andhavinghungaboutitcurtainsofwhitenetembroideredwithgoldenstars,suchasMaquedaworeuponherofficialveil。

  Thereuponthescentedpillowsandsilkencoverletwesetourburdendown,thework-wornhandsclaspeduponthebreastinanattitudeofprayer,andonebyonebidourfarewelltothisfaithfulanduprightman,whoseface,asitchanced,wewerenevertoseeagain,exceptintheglassofmemory。Well,hehaddiedashehadlivedandwouldhavewishedtodie——doinghisdutyandinwar。Andsowelefthim。Peacebetohishonouredspirit!

  Intheblood-stainedante-room,whileIdressedandstitcheduptheProfessor\'swounds,asword-cutonthehead,anarrow-grazealongtheface,andaspear-prickinthethigh,noneofthemhappilyatalldeepordangerous,weheldabriefcouncil。

  “Friends,“saidMaqueda,whowasleaningonherlover\'sarm,“itisnotsafethatweshouldstophere。Myuncle\'splothasfailedforthemoment,butitwasonlyasmallandsecretthing。Ithinkthatsoonhewillreturnagainwithathousandathisback,andthen——“

  “Whatisinyourmind?“askedOliver。“ToflyfromMur?“

  “Howcanwefly,“sheanswered,“whenthepassisguardedbyJoshua\'smen,andtheFungwaitforuswithout?TheAbatihateyou,myfriends,andnowthatyouhavedoneyourworkIthinkthattheywillkillyouiftheycan,whomtheyborewithonlytillitwasdone。Alas!alas!

  thatIshouldhavebroughtyoutothisfalseandungratefulcountry,“

  andshebegantoweep,whilewestaredateachother,helpless。

  ThenJaphet,whoallthiswhilehadbeencrouchedonthefloor,rockinghimselftooandfroandmourninginhisEasternfashionforQuick,whomhehadloved,rose,and,comingtotheChildofKings,prostratedhimselfbeforeher。

  “OWaldaNagasta,“hesaid,“hearthewordsofyourservant。Onlythreemilesaway,neartothemouthofthepass,areencampedfivehundredmenofmyownpeople,theMountaineers,whohatePrinceJoshuaandhisfollowing。Flytothem,OWaldaNagasta,fortheywillcleavetoyouandlistentomewhomyouhavemadeachiefamongthem。

  Afterwardsyoucanactasmayseemwisest。”

  MaquedalookedatOliverquestioningly。

  “Ithinkthatisgoodadvice,“hesaid。“Atanyrate,wecan\'tbeworseoffamongtheMountaineersthanweareinthisundefendedplace。

  Tellyourwomentobringcloaksthatwecanthrowoverourheads,andletusgo。”

  Fiveminuteslater,aforlorngroupfilledwithfears,wehadstolenoverthedeadanddyinginthepassage,andmadeourwaytothesidegateofthepalacethatwefoundopen,andoverthebridgethatspannedthemoatbeyond,whichwasdown。DoubtlessJoshua\'sruffianshaduseditintheirapproachandretreat。Disguisedinthelongcloakswithmonk-likehoodsthattheAbatiworeatnightorwhentheweatherwascoldandwet,wehurriedacrossthegreatsquare。Here,sincewecouldnotescapethem,wemingledwiththecrowdthatwasgatheredatitsfartherend,allofthem——men,womenandchildren——

  chatteringlikemonkeysinthetree-tops,andpointingtothecliffatthebackofthepalace,beneathwhich,itwillberemembered,laytheundergroundcity。

  Abandofsoldiersrodeby,thrustingtheirwaythroughthepeople,andinordertoavoidthemwethoughtitwisetotakerefugeintheshadowofawalkofgreen-leavedtreeswhichgrewcloseathand,forwefearedlesttheymightrecognizeOliverbyhisheight。Hereweturnedandlookedupatthecliff,todiscoverwhatitwasatwhicheveryonewasstaring。Atthatmomentthefullmoon,whichhadbeenobscuredbyacloud,brokeout,andwesawaspectaclethatunderthecircumstanceswasnothinglessthanterrifying。

  Thecliffbehindthepalacerosetoaheightofaboutahundredandfiftyfeet,and,asitchanced,justthereaportionofitjuttedoutinanoblongshape,whichtheAbaticalledtheLionRock,althoughpersonally,heretofore,Ihadneverbeenabletoseeinitanygreatresemblancetoalion。Now,however,itwasdifferent,forontheveryextremityofthisrock,staringdownatMur,sattheheadandneckofthehugelion-facedidoloftheFung。Indeed,inthatlight,withthepromontorystretchingawaybehindit,itlookedasthoughitweretheidolitself,movedfromthevalleyuponthefarthersideoftheprecipicetothetopofthecliffabove。

  “Oh!oh!oh!“groanedJaphet,“theprophecyisfulfilled——theheadofHarmachascometosleepatMur。”

  “Youmeanthatwehavesenthimthere,“whisperedHiggs。“Don\'tbefrightened,man;can\'tyouunderstandthatthepowerofourmedicinehasblowntheheadoffthesphinxhighintotheair,andlandeditwhereitsitsnow?“

  “Yes,“Iputin,“andwhatwefeltinthecavewastheshockofitsfall。”

  “Idon\'tcarewhatbroughthim,“repliedJaphet,whoseemedquiteunstrungbyallthathehadgonethrough。“AllIknowisthattheprophecyisfulfilled,andHarmachascometoMur,andwhereHarmacgoestheFungfollow。”

  “Somuchthebetter,“saidtheirreverentHiggs。“Imaybeabletosketchandmeasurehimnow。”

  ButIsawthatMaquedawastrembling,forshe,too,thoughtthisoccurrenceaverybadomen,andevenOliverremainedsilent,perhapsbecausehefeareditseffectupontheAbati。

  Norwasthiswonderfulsince,fromthetalkaroundus,clearlythateffectwasgreat。Evidentlythepeoplewereterrified,likeJaphet。Wecouldhearthemforebodingill,andcursingusGentilesaswizards,whohadnotdestroyedtheidoloftheFungaswepromised,buthadonlycausedhimtoflytoMur。

  HereImaymentionthatasamatteroffacttheywereright。Aswediscoveredafterwards,thewholeforceoftheexplosion,insteadofshatteringthevastbulkofthestoneimage,hadrushedupthroughthehollowchambersinitsinterioruntilitstruckagainstthesolidhead。Liftingthisasthoughitwereatoy,theexpandinggashadhurledthatmightymassanunknowndistanceintotheair,tolightuponthecrestofthecliffsofMur,whereprobablyitwillremainforever。

  “Well,“Isaid,whenwehadstaredalittlewhileatthisextraordinaryphenomenon,“thankGoditdidnottravelfarther,andfalluponthepalace。”

  “Oh!haditdoneso,“whisperedMaquedainatearfulvoice,“IthinkyoumighthavethankedGodindeed,forthenatleastIshouldbefreefromallmytroubles。Come,friends,letusbegoingbeforewearediscovered。”

  CHAPTERXVII

  IFINDMYSON

  OurroadtowardthepassranthroughthecampinggroundofthenewlycreatedAbatiarmy,andwhatwesawonourjourneythithertoldusmorevividlythananywordsorreportscoulddo,howutterwasthedemoralizationofthatpeople。Whereshouldhavebeensentrieswerenosentries;whereshouldhavebeensoldiersweregroupsofofficerstalkingwithwomen;whereshouldhavebeenofficerswerecampfollowersdrinking。

  Throughthisconfusionandexcitementwemadeourwayunobserved,or,atanyrate,unquestioned,tillatlengthwecametotheregimentoftheMountaineers,who,forthemostpart,weregoatherds,poorpeoplewholivedupontheslopesoftheprecipicesthatenclosedthelandofMur。Thesefolk,havinglittletodowiththeirmoreprosperousbrethrenoftheplain,werehardyandprimitiveofnature,andthereforeretainedsomeoftheprimevalvirtuesofmankind,suchascourageandloyalty。

  Itwasforthefirstofthesereasons,and,indeed,forthesecondalso,thattheyhadbeenpostedbyJoshuaatthemouthofthepass,whichheknewwelltheyalonecouldbetrustedtodefendintheeventofseriousattack。Moreover,itwasdesirable,fromhispointofview,tokeepthemoutofthewaywhilehedevelopedhisplansagainstthepersonoftheChildofKings,forwhomthesesimple-mindedmenhadahereditaryandalmostasuperstitiousreverence。

  AssoonaswewerewithinthelinesoftheseMountaineerswefoundthedifferencebetweenthemandtherestoftheAbati。Theotherregimentswehadpassedunchallenged,butherewewereinstantlystoppedbyapicket。Japhetwhisperedsomethingintotheearofitsofficerthatcausedhimtostarehardatus。ThenthisofficersalutedtheveiledfigureoftheChildofKingsandledustowherethecommanderofthebandandhissubordinateswereseatednearafiresittingtogether。Atsomesignorwordthatdidnotreachusthecommander,anoldfellowwithalonggreybeard,roseandsaid:

  “Yourpardon,butbepleasedtoshowyourfaces。”

  Maquedathrewbackherhoodandturnedsothatthelightofthemoonfellfulluponher,whereontheoldmandroppedtohisknee,saying:

  “Yourcommands,OWaldaNagasta。”

  “SummonyourregimentandIwillgivethem,“sheanswered,andseatedherselfonabenchbythefire,wethreeandJaphetstandingbehindher。

  Thecommanderissuedorderstohiscaptains,andpresentlytheMountaineersformeduponthreesidesofasquareaboveus,tothenumberofalittleoverfivehundredmen。WhenallweregatheredMaquedamountedthebenchuponwhichshehadbeensitting,threwbackherhoodsothateveryonecouldseeherfaceinthelightofthefire,andaddressedthem:

  “Menofthemountain-side,thisnightjustaftertheidoloftheFunghadbeendestroyed,thePrinceJoshua,myuncle,cametomedemandingmysurrendertohim,whethertokillmeortoimprisonmeinhiscastlebeyondtheendofthelake,forreasonsofStateashesaid,orforothervilepurposes,Idonotknow。”

  Atthesewordsamurmurrosefromtheaudience。

  “Wait,“saidMaqueda,holdingupherhand,“thereisworsetocome。I

  toldmyuncle,PrinceJoshua,thathewasatraitorandhadbestbegone。Hewent,threateningmeand,whenIdonotknow,withdrewtheguardsthatshouldbestationedatmypalacegates。Now,somerumourofmydangerhadreachedtheforeignersinmyservice,andtwoofthem,hewhoiscalledBlackWindows,whomwerescuedfromtheFung,andthesoldiernamedQuick,cametowatchoverme,whiletheLordOrmeandtheDoctorAdamsstayedinthecavetosendoutthatsparkoffirewhichshoulddestroytheidol。Nordidtheycomebackwithoutneed,forpresentlyarrivedabandofPrinceJoshua\'smentotakeme。

  “ThenBlackWindowsandthesoldierhiscompanionfoughtagoodfight,theytwoholdingthenarrowpassageagainstmany,andslayinganumberofthemwiththeirterribleweapons。Theendofitwas,menofthemountains,thatthewarriorQuick,chargingdownthepassage,droveawaythoseservantsofJoshuawhoremainedalive。Butinsodoinghewaswoundedtothedeath。Yes,thatbravemanliesdead,havinggivenhislifetosavetheChildofKingsfromthehandsofherownpeople。

  BlackWindowsalsowaswounded——seethebandagesabouthishead。ThencametheLordOrmeandtheDoctorAdams,andwiththemyourbrotherJaphet,whohadbarelyescapedwiththeirlivesfromthecavecity,andknowingthatIwasnolongersafeinthepalace,whereevenmysleeping-roomhasbeendrenchedwithblood,withthemIhavefledtoyouforsuccour。Willyounotprotectme,Omenofthemountain-side?“

  “Yes,yes,“theyansweredwithagreatshout。“Commandweobey。Whatshallwedo,OChildofKings?“

  NowMaquedacalledtheofficersoftheregimentapartandconsultedwiththem,askingtheiropinions,onebyone。SomeofthemwereinfavouroffindingoutwhereJoshuamightbe,andattackinghimatonce。“Crushthesnake\'sheadanditstailwillsoonceasewriggling!“

  thesesaid,andIconfessthiswasaviewthatinmanywayscommendeditselftous。

  ButMaquedawouldhavenoneofit。

  “What!“sheexclaimed,“shallIbeginacivilwaramongmypeoplewhenforaughtIknowtheenemyisatourgates?“addingasidetous,“also,howcanthesefewhundredmen,bravethoughtheybe,hopetostandagainstthethousandsunderthecommandofJoshua?“

  “What,then,wouldyoudo?“askedOrme。

  “ReturntothepalacewiththeseMountaineers,OOliver,andbyhelpofthatgarrison,holditagainstallenemies。”

  “Verywell,“hereplied。“Tothosewhoarequitelostoneroadisasgoodasanother;theymusttrusttothestarstoguidethem。”

  “Quiteso,“echoedHiggs;“andthesoonerwegothebetter,formyleghurts,andIwantasleep。”

  SoMaquedagavehercommandstotheofficers,bywhomtheywereconveyedtotheregiment,whichreceivedthemwithashout,andinstantlybegantostrikeitscamp。

  Thenitwas,cominghot-footaftersomuchsorrow,lossanddoubt,thattherefollowedthehappiesteventofallmylife。Utterlytiredoutandverydespondent,Iwasseatedonanarrow-chestawaitingtheordertomarch,idlywatchingOliverandMaquedatalkingwithgreatearnestnessatalittledistance,andintheintervalstryingtopreventpoorHiggsatmysidefromfallingasleep。WhileIwasthusengaged,suddenlyIheardadisturbance,andbythebrightmoonlightcaughtsightofamanbeingledintothecampinchargeofaguardofAbatisoldiers,whomfromtheirdressIknewtobelongtoacompanythatjustthenwasemployedinwatchingthelowergatesofthepass。

  Itooknoparticularheedoftheincident,thinkingonlythattheymighthavecapturedsomespy,tillamurmurofastonishment,andthegeneralstir,warnedmethatsomethingunusualhadoccurred。SoIrosefrommyboxandstrolledtowardstheman,whonowwashiddenfrommebyagroupofMountaineers。AsIadvancedthisgroupopened,themenwhocomposeditbowingtomewithakindofwonderingrespectthatimpressedme,Ididnotknowwhy。

  ThenforthefirsttimeIsawtheprisoner。Hewasatall,athleticyoungman,dressedinfestalrobeswithaheavygoldchainabouthisneck,andIwonderedvaguelywhatsuchapersonshouldbedoinghereinthistimeofnationalcommotion。Heturnedhisheadsothatthemoonlightshowedhisdarkeyes,hissomewhatoval-shapedfaceendinginapeakedblackbeard,andhisfinelycutfeatures。InaninstantI

  knewhim。

  /ItwasmysonRoderick!/

  Nextmoment,forthefirsttimeforverymanyyears,hewasinmyarms。

  ThefirstthingthatIremembersayingtohimwasatypicallyAnglo-

  Saxonremark,forhowevermuchweliveintheEastorelsewhere,weneverreallyshakeoffournativeconventions,andhabitsofspeech。

  Itwas,“Howareyou,myboy,andhowonearthdidyoucomehere?“towhichheanswered,slowly,itistrue,andspeakingwithaforeignaccent:

  “Allright,thankyou,father。Iranuponmylegs。”

  BythistimeHiggshobbledup,andwasgreetingmysonwarmly,for,ofcourse,theywereoldfriends。

  “Thoughtyouweretobemarriedto-night,Roderick?“hesaid。

  “Yes,yes,“heanswered,“IamhalfmarriedaccordingtoFungcustom,whichcountsnottomysoul。Look,thisisthedressofmarriage,“andhepointedtohisfineembroideredrobeandrichornaments。

  “Then,where\'syourwife?“askedHiggs。

  “IdonotknowandIdonotcare,“heanswered,“forIdidnotlikethatwife。AlsoitisallnothingasIamnotquitemarriedtoher。

  Fungmarriagebetweenbigpeopletakestwodaystofinish,andifnotfinisheddoesnotmatter。Soshemarrysomeoneelseifshelike,andItoo。”

  “Whathappenedthen?“Iasked。

  “Oh,this,father。Whenwehadeatenthemarriagefeast,butbeforewepastbeforepriest,suddenlywehearathunderandseeapillaroffireshootupintosky,andsittingontopofitheadofHarmac,whichvanishintoheavenandstopthere。Theneverybodyjumpupandsay:

  “\'Magicofwhiteman!Magicofwhiteman!Whitemankillthegodwhosittherefrombeginningofworld,nowdayofFungfinishedaccordingtoprophecy。Runaway,peopleofFung,runaway!\'

  “BarungtheSultantearhisclothestoo,andsay——\'Runaway,Fung,\'

  andmyhalf-wife,shetear/her/clothesandsaynothing,butrunlikeantelope。Sotheyallruntowardeast,wheregreatriveris,andleavemealone。ThenIgetupandruntoo——towardwest,forIknowfromBlackWindows,“andhepointedtoHiggs,“whenweshutuptogetherinbellyofgodbeforeheletdowntolions,whatallthisgamemean,andthereforenotfrightened。Well,Irun,meetingnooneinnight,tillI

  cometopass,runupit,andfindguards,towhomItellstory,sotheynotkillme,butletmethrough,andatlastIcomehere,quitesafe,withoutFungwife,thankGod,andthatendoftale。”

  “Iamafraidyouarewrongthere,myboy,“Isaid,“outofthefrying-

  panintothefire,that\'sall。”

  “Outoffrying-panintofire,“herepeated。“Notunderstand;fathermustrememberIonlylittlefellowwhenKhalifa\'speopletakeme,andsincethenspeaknoEnglishtillImeetBlackWindows。OnlyhegivemeBible-bookthathehaveinpocketwhenhegodowntobeeatbylions。”

  HereHiggsblushed,fornooneeversuspectedhim,aseverecriticofallreligions,ofcarryingaBibleinhispocket,andmutteredsomethingabout“ancientcustomsoftheHebrews。”

  “Well,“wentonRoderick,“readthatbookeversince,and,asyousee,allmyEnglishcomeback。”

  “Thequestionis,“saidHiggs,evidentlyinhastetotalkofsomethingelse,“willtheFungcomeback?“

  “Oh!BlackWindows,don\'tknow,can\'tsay。Thinknot。TheirprophecywasthatHarmacmovetoMur,butwhentheyseehisheadjumpintoskyandstopthere,theyruneverymantowardthesunrise,andIthinkgoonrunning。”

  “ButHarmachascometoMur,Roderick,“Isaid;“atleasthisheadhasfallenontothecliffthatoverlooksthecity。”

  “Oh!myfather,“heanswered,“thenthatmakegreatdifference。WhenFungfindoutthatheadofHarmachascomehere,nodoubttheycomeafterhim,forheadhismostholybit,especiallyastheywanthangalltheAbatiwhomtheynotlike。”

  “Well,let\'shopethattheydon\'tfindoutanythingaboutit,“I

  replied,tochangethesubject。ThentakingRoderickbythehandIledhimtowhereMaquedastoodayardortwoapart,listeningtoourtalk,but,ofcourse,understandingverylittleofit,andintroducedhimtoher,explaininginafewwordsthewonderfulthingthathadhappened。

  Shewelcomedhimverykindly,andcongratulatedmeuponmyson\'sescape。Meanwhile,Roderickhadbeenstaringatherwithevidentadmiration。NowheturnedtousandsaidinhisquaintbrokenEnglish:

  “WaldaNagastamostlovelywoman!NowonderKingSolomonlovehermother。IfBarung\'sdaughter,mywife,hadbeenlikeher,thinkIrunthroughgreatriverintorisingsunwithFung。”

  Oliverinstantlytranslatedthisremark,whichmadeusalllaugh,includingMaquedaherself,andverygratefulweweretofindtheopportunityforalittleinnocentmerrimentuponthattragicnight。

  Bythistimetheregimentwasreadytostart,andhadformedupintocompanies。Beforethemarchactuallybegan,however,theofficeroftheAbatipatrol,inwhosechargeRoderickhadbeenbroughttous,demandedhissurrenderthathemightdeliverhisprisonertotheCommander-in-Chief,PrinceJoshua。Ofcourse,thiswasrefused,whereonthemanaskedroughly:

  “Bywhoseorder?“

  Asithappened,Maqueda,ofwhosepresencehewasnotaware,heardhim,andactingonsomeimpulse,cameforward,andunveiled。

  “Bymine,“shesaid。“KnowthattheChildofKingsrulestheAbati,notthePrinceJoshua,andthatprisonerstakenbyhersoldiersarehers,nothis。Begonebacktoyourpost!“

  Thecaptainstared,saluted,andwentwithhiscompanions,nottothepass,indeed,ashehadbeenordered,buttoJoshua。TohimhereportedthearrivaloftheGentile\'sson,andthenewshebroughtthatthenationoftheFung,dismayedbythedestructionoftheirgod,wereinfullflightfromtheplainsofHarmac,purposingtocrossthegreatriverandtoreturnnomore。

  Thisgladtidingsspreadlikewildfire;sofast,indeed,thatalmostbeforewehadbegunourmarch,weheardtheshoutsofexultationwithwhichitwasreceivedbytheterrifiedmobgatheredinthegreatsquare。Thecloudofterrorwassuddenlyliftedfromthem。Theywentmadintheirdelight;theylitbonfires,theydrank,theyfeasted,theyembracedeachotherandboastedoftheirbraverythathadcausedthemightynationoftheFungtofleeawayforever。

  Meanwhile,ouradvancehadbegun,norinthemidstofthegeneraljubilationwasanyparticularnoticetakenofustillwewereinthemiddleofthesquareofMurandwithinhalfamileofthepalace,whenwesawbythemoonlightthatalargebodyoftroops,twoorthreethousandofthem,weredrawnupinfrontofus,apparentlytobarourway。Stillwewentontillanumberofofficersrodeup,andaddressingthecommanderoftheregimentofMountaineers,demandedtoknowwhyhehadlefthispost,andwhitherhewent。

  “IgowhitherIamordered,“heanswered,“forthereisoneheregreaterthanI。”

  “IfyoumeantheGentileOrmeandhisfellows,thecommandofthePrinceJoshuaisthatyouhandthemovertousthattheymaymakereporttohimoftheirdoingsthisnight。”

  “AndthecommandoftheChildofKingsis,“repliedthecaptainoftheMountaineers,“thatItakethemwithherbacktothepalace。”

  “Ithasnoweight,“saidthespokesmaninsolently,“notbeingendorsedbytheCouncil。SurrendertheGentiles,handovertousthepersonoftheChildofKingsofwhomyouhavetakenpossession,andreturntoyourposttillthepleasureofthePrinceJoshuabeknown。”

  ThenthewrathofMaquedablazedup。

  “Seizethosemen!“shesaid,anditwasdoneinstantly。“Now,cuttheheadfromhimwhodaredtodemandthesurrenderofmypersonandofmyofficers,andgiveittohiscompanionstotakebacktothePrinceJoshuaasmyanswertohismessage。”

  Themanheard,andbeingacowardlikealltheAbati,flunghimselfuponhisfacebeforeMaqueda,tryingtokissherrobeandpleadingformercy。

  “Dog!“sheanswered,“youwereoneofthosewhothisverynightdaredtoattackmychamber。Oh!lienot,Iknewyourvoiceandheardyourfellow-traitorscallyoubyyourname。Awaywithhim!“

  Wetriedtointerfere,butshewouldnotlisten,eventoOrme。

  “Wouldyoupleadforyourbrother\'smurderer?“sheasked,alludingtoQuick。“Ihavespoken!“

  Sotheydraggedhimoffbehindus,andpresentlywesawamelancholyprocessionreturningwhencetheycame,carryingsomethingonashield。

  Itreachedtheopposingranks,whencetherearoseamurmurofwrathandfear。

  “Marchon!“saidMaqueda,“andgainthepalace。”

  Sotheregimentformedintoasquare,and,settingMaquedaandourselvesinthecentreofit,advancedagain。

  Thenthefightbegan。GreatnumbersoftheAbatisurroundedusand,astheydidnotdaretomakeadirectattack,commencedshootingarrows,whichkilledandwoundedanumberofmen。ButtheHighlandersalsowerearchers,andcarriedstrongerbows。Thesquarewashalted,thefirstrankskneelingandthesecondstandingbehindthem。Then,atagivenword,thestiffbowswhichthesehardypeopleusedagainstthelionandthebuffaloupontheirhillsweredrawntotheearandloosedagainandagainwithterribleeffect。

  OnthatopenplaceitwasalmostimpossibletomissthemobsoftheAbatiwho,havingnoexperienceofwar,werefightingwithoutorder。

  Norcouldthelightmailtheyworewithstandtherushoftheheavybarbedarrowswhichpiercedthemthroughandthrough。Intwominutestheybegantogive,inthreetheywereflyingbacktotheirmainbody,thosewhowereleftofthem,ahuddledroutofmenandhorses。SotheFrenchmusthavefledbeforetheterriblelongbowsoftheEnglishatCrécyandPoitiers,for,infact,weweretakingpartinjustsuchamedi?valbattle。

  Oliver,whowaswatchingintently,wenttoJaphetandwhisperedsomethinginhisear。Henoddedandrantoseekthecommanderoftheregiment。Presentlytheresultofthatwhisperbecameapparent,forthesidesofthehollowsquarewheeledoutwardandtherearmoveduptostrengthenthecentre。

  NowtheMountaineerswererangedinadoubleortripleline,behindwhichwereonlyaboutadozensoldiers,whomarchedroundMaqueda,holdingtheirshieldsaloftinordertoprotectherfromstrayarrows。

  Withthese,too,cameourfourselves,anumberofcamp-followersandothers,carryingontheirshieldsthoseoftheregimentwhoweretoobadlywoundedtowalk。

  Leavingthedeadwheretheylay,webegantoadvance,pouringinvolleysofarrowsaswewent。TwicetheAbatitriedtochargeus,andtwicethosedreadfularrowsdrovethemback。Thenatthewordofcommand,theHighlandersslungtheirbowsupontheirbacks,drewtheirshortswords,andintheirturncharged。

  Fiveminutesafterwardseverythingwasover。Joshua\'ssoldiersthrewdowntheirarms,andranorgallopedtorightandleft,saveanumberofthemwhofledthroughthegatesofthepalace,whichtheyhadopened,andacrossthedrawbridgeintothecourtyardswithin。Afterthem,or,rather,mixedupwiththem,followedtheMountaineers,killingallwhomtheycouldfind,fortheywereoutofhandandwouldnotlistentothecommandsofMaquedaandtheirofficers,thattheyshouldshowmercy。

  So,justasthedawnbrokethisstrangemoonlitbattleended,asmallaffair,itistrue,fortherewereonlyfivehundredmenengageduponoursideandthreeorfourthousandontheother,yetonethatcostagreatnumberoflivesandwasthebeginningofalltheruinthatfollowed。

  Well,weweresafeforawhile,sinceitwascertain,afterthelessonwhichhehadjustlearned,thatJoshuawouldnotattempttostormthedoublewallsandfosseofthepalacewithoutlongpreparation。Yetevennowanewtroubleawaitedus,forbysomemeans,weneverdiscoveredhow,thatwingofthepalaceinwhichMaqueda\'sprivateroomsweresituatedsuddenlyburstintoflames。

  Personally,IbelievethatthefirearosethroughthefactthatalamphadbeenleftburningnearthebedoftheChildofKingsuponwhichwaslaidthebodyofSergeantQuick。Perhapsawoundedmanhiddenthereoverturnedthelamp;perhapsthedraughtblowingthroughtheopendoorsbroughtthegold-spangledcurtainsintocontactwiththewick。

  Atanyrate,thewood-panelledchamberstookfire,andhaditnothappenedthatthesetofthewindwasfavourable,thewholepalacemighthavebeenconsumed。Asitwas,wesucceededinconfiningtheconflagrationtothisparticularpartofit,whichwithintwohourshadburntout,leavingnothingstandingbutthestark,stonewalls。

  SuchwasthefuneralpyreofSergeantQuick,anobleone,Ithoughttomyself,asIwatcheditburn。

  Whenthefirewassowellundercontrol,forwehadpulleddowntheconnectingpassagewhereHiggsandQuickfoughttheirgreatfight,thattherewasnolongeranydangerofitsspreading,andthewatcheshadbeenset,atlengthwegotsomerest。

  Maquedaandtwoorthreeofherladies,oneofthem,Iremember,heroldnursewhohadbroughtherup,forhermotherdiedatherbirth,tookpossessionofsomeemptyrooms,ofwhichthereweremanyinthepalace,whilewelay,orratherfell,downintheguest-chambers,wherewehadalwaysslept,andneveropenedoureyesagainuntiltheevening。

  IrememberthatIwokethinkingthatIwasthevictimofsomewonderfuldreamofmingledjoyandtragedy。OliverandHiggsweresleepinglikelogs,butmysonRoderick,stilldressedinhisbridalrobes,hadrisenandsatbymybedstaringatme,apuzzledlookuponhishandsomeface。

  “Soyouarehere,“Isaid,takinghishand。“IthoughtIdreamed。”

  “No,Father,“heansweredinhisoddEnglish,“nodream;alltrue。

  Thisisastrangeworld,Father。Lookatme!Forhowmanyyears——

  twelve——fourteen,slaveofsavagepeoplesforwhomIsing,priestofFungidol,alwaysneardeathbutneverdie。ThenSultanBarungtakefancytome,sayIcomeofwhitebloodandmustbehisdaughter\'shusband。ThenyourbrotherHiggsmadeprisonerwithmeandtellmethatyouhuntmealltheseyears。ThenHiggsthrowntolionsandyousavehim。ThenyesterdayImarriedtoSultan\'sdaughter,whomIneverseebeforebuttwiceatfastofidol。ThenHarmac\'sheadflyofftoheaven,andallFungpeoplerunaway,andIruntoo,andfindyou。

  Thenbattle,andmanykilled,andarrowscratchmyneckbutnothurtme,“andhepointedtoagrazejustoverhisjugularvein,“andnowwetogether。Oh!Father,verystrangeworld!IthinkthereGodsomewherewholookafterus!“

  “Ithinkso,too,myboy,“Ianswered,“andIhopethatHewillcontinuetodoso,forItellyouweareinaworseplacethaneveryouwereamongtheFung。”

  “Oh,don\'tmindthat,Father,“heansweredgaily,forRoderickisacheerfulsoul。“AsFungsay,therenohousewithoutdoor,althoughplentypeoplemadeblindandcan\'tseeit。Butwenotblind,orwedeadlongago。Finddoorbyandby,butherecomemantotalktoyou。”

  ThemanprovedtobeJaphet,whohadbeensentbytheChildofKingstosummonus,asshehadnewstotell。SoIwoketheothers,andafterIhaddressedtheProfessor\'sfleshwounds,whichwerestiffandsore,wejoinedherwhereshesatinthegatewaytoweroftheinnerwall。

  Shegreetedusrathersadly,askedOliverhowhehadsleptandHiggsifhiscutshurthim。Thensheturnedtomyson,andcongratulatedhimuponhiswonderfulescapeanduponhavingfoundafatherifhehadlostawife。

  “Truly,“sheadded,“youareafortunatemantobesowellloved,O

  sonofAdams。Tohowmanysonsaregivenfatherswhoforfourteenlongyears,abandoningallelse,wouldsearchfortheminperiloftheirlives,enduringslaveryandblowsandstarvationandthedesert\'sheatandcoldforthesakeofalong-lostface?SuchfaithfulnessisthatofmyforefatherDavidforhisbrotherJonathan,andsuchloveitisthatpassestheloveofwomen。Seethatyoupayitbacktohim,andtohismemoryuntilthelasthourofyourlife,childofAdams。”

  “Iwill,indeed,Iwill,OWaldaNagasta,“answeredRoderick,andthrowinghisarmsaboutmyneckheembracedmebeforethemall。ItisnottoomuchtosaythatthiskissoffilialdevotionmorethanrepaidmeforallIhadundergoneforhisbelovedsake。FornowIknewthatI

  hadnottoiledandsufferedforoneofnoworth,asissooftenthelotoftrueheartsinthisbitterworld。

  JustthensomeofMaqueda\'sladiesbroughtfood,andatherbiddingwebreakfasted。

  “Besparing,“shesaidwithamelancholylittlelaugh,“forIknownothowlongourstorewilllast。Listen!IhavereceivedalastofferfrommyuncleJoshua。Anarrowbroughtit——notaman;Ithinkthatnomanwouldcomelesthisfateshouldbethatofthetraitorofyesterday,“andsheproducedaslipofparchmentthathadbeentiedtotheshaftofanarrowand,unfoldingit,readasfollows——

  “OWaldaNagasta,deliveruptodeaththeGentileswhohavebewitchedyouandledyoutoshedthebloodofsomanyofyourpeople,andwiththemtheofficersoftheMountaineers,andtherestshallbespared。YoualsoIwillforgiveandmakemywife。

  Resist,andallwhoclingtoyoushallbeputtothesword,andtoyourselfIpromisenothing。

  “WrittenbyorderoftheCouncil,“Joshua,PrinceoftheAbati。”

  “WhatanswershallIsend?“sheasked,lookingatuscuriously。

  “Uponmyword,“repliedOrme,shrugginghisshoulders,“ifitwerenotforthosefaithfulofficersIamnotsurebutthatyouwouldbewisetoaccepttheterms。Wearecoopeduphere,butafewsurroundedbythousands,who,iftheydarenotassault,stillcanstarveusout,asthisplaceisnotvictualledforasiege。”

  “Youforgetoneofthoseterms,OOliver!“shesaidslowly,pointingwithherfingertothepassageintheletterwhichstatedthatJoshuawouldmakeherhiswife,“Nowdoyoustillcounselsurrender?“

  “HowcanI?“heanswered,flushing,andwassilent。

  “Well,itdoesnotmatterwhatyoucounsel,“shewentonwithasmile,“seeingthatIhavealreadysentmyanswer,alsobyarrow。See,hereisacopyofit,“andsheread——

  “TomyrebelliousPeopleoftheAbati:

  “SurrendertomeJoshua,myuncle,andthemembersoftheCouncilwhohaveliftedswordagainstme,tobedealtwithaccordingtotheancientlaw,andtherestofyoushallgounharmed。Refuse,andIsweartoyouthatbeforethenightofthenewmoonhaspassedthereshallbesuchwoeinMurasfelluponthecityofDavidwhenthebarbarianstandardsweresetuponherwalls。Suchisthecounselthathascometome,theChildofSolomon,inthewatchesofthenight,andItellyouthatitistrue。Dowhatyouwill,peopleoftheAbati,orwhatyoumust,sinceyourfateandoursarewritten。ButbesurethatinmeandtheWesternlordsliesyouronlyhope。

  “WaldaNagasta。”

  “Whatdoyoumean,OMaqueda,“Iasked,“aboutthecounselthatcametoyouinthewatchesofthenight?“

  “WhatIsay,OAdams,“sheansweredcalmly。“AfterwepartedatdawnI

  sleptheavily,andinmysleepadarkandroyalwomanstoodbeforemewhomIknewtobemygreatancestress,thebelovedofSolomon。Shelookedonmesadly,yetasIthoughtwithlove。Thenshedrewback,asitwere,acurtainofthickcloudthathidthefutureandrevealedtometheyoungmoonridingtheskyandbeneathitMur,ablackenedruin,herstreetsfilledwithdead。Yes,andsheshowedtomeotherthings,thoughImaynottellthem,whichalsoshallcometopass,thenheldherhandsovermeasifinblessing,andwasgone。”

  “OldHebrewprophetbusiness!Veryinteresting,“IheardHiggsmutterbelowhisbreath,whileinmyownheartIsetthedreamdowntoexcitementandwantoffood。Infact,onlytwoofuswereimpressed,mysonverymuch,andOliveralittle,perhapsbecauseeverythingMaquedasaidwasgospeltohim。

  “Doubtlessallwillcometopassasyousay,WaldaNagasta,“saidRoderickwithconviction。“ThedayoftheAbatiisfinished。”

  “Whydoyousaythat,Son?“Iasked。

  “Because,Father,amongtheFungpeoplefromachildIhavetwooffices,thatofSingertotheGodandthatofReaderofDreams。Oh!

  donotlaugh。IcantellyoumanythathavecometrueasIreadthem;

  thusthedreamofBarungwhichIreadtomeanthattheheadofHarmacwouldcometoMur,andsee,thereitsit,“andturning,hepointedthroughthedoorwayofthetowertothegrimlion-headoftheidolcroucheduponthetopoftheprecipice,watchingMurasabeastofpreywatchesthevictimuponwhichitisabouttospring。“Iknowwhendreamstrueandwhendreamsfalse;itmygift,likemyvoice。Iknowthatthisdreamtrue,thatall,“andasheceasedspeakingIsawhiseyescatchMaqueda\'s,andaverycuriousglancepassbetweenthem。

  AsforOrme,heonlysaid:

  “YouEasternsarestrangepeople,andifyoubelieveathing,Maqueda,theremaybesomethinginit。Butyouunderstandthatthismessageofyoursmeanswartothelast,averyunequalwar,“andhelookedatthehordesoftheAbatigatheringonthegreatsquare。

  “Yes,“sheansweredquietly,“Iunderstand,buthoweversoreourstraits,andhoweverstrangemayseemthethingsthathappen,havenofearoftheendofthatwar,Omyfriends。”

  CHAPTERXVIII

  THEBURNINGOFTHEPALACE

  Ormewasright。Maqueda\'sdefiancedidmeanwar,“anunequalwar。”

  Thiswasourposition。Wewereshutupinalongrangeofbuildings,ofwhichoneendhadbeenburned,thatonaccountoftheirmoatanddoublewall,ifdefendedwithanyvigour,couldonlybestormedbyanenemyofgreatcourageanddetermination,preparedtofaceaheavysacrificeoflife。Thiswasacircumstanceinourfavour,sincetheAbatiwerenotcourageous,andverymuchdislikedtheideaofbeingkilled,oreveninjured。

  Buthereouradvantageended。Deductingthosewhomwehadlostonthepreviousnight,thegarrisononlyamountedtosomethingoverfourhundredmen,ofwhomaboutfiftywerewounded,someofthemdangerously。Moreover,ammunitionwasshort,fortheyhadshotawaymostoftheirarrowsinthebattleofthesquare,andwehadnomeansofobtainingmore。But,worstofall,thepalacewasnotprovisionedforasiege,andthemountaineershadwiththemonlythreedays\'

  rationsofsun-driedbeeforgoat\'sflesh,andahardkindofbiscuitmadeofIndiancornmixedwithbarleymeal。Thus,aswesawfromthebeginning,unlesswecouldmanagetosecuremorefoodourcasemustsoongrowhopeless。

  Thereremainedyetanotherdanger。Althoughthepalaceitselfwasstone-built,itsgildeddomesandornamentalturretswereoftimber,andthereforeliabletobefired,asindeedhadalreadyhappened。Theroofalsowasofancientcedarbeams,thinlycoveredwithconcrete,whiletheinteriorcontaininganenormousquantityofpanels,orratherboarding,cutfromsomeresinouswood。

  TheAbati,ontheotherhand,wereamplysuppliedwitheverykindofstoreandweapon,andcouldbringagreatforcetoblockadeus,thoughthatforcewascomposedofatimidandundisciplinedrabble。

  Well,wemadethebestpreparationsthatwecould,althoughoftheseI

  didnotseemuch,sinceallthatdaymytimewasoccupiedinattendingtothewoundedwiththehelpofmysonandafewroughorderlies,whoseexperienceindoctoringhadforthemostpartbeenconfinedtocattle。Apitifulbusinessitprovedwithouttheaidofan?stheticsorapropersupplyofbandagesandotherappliances。Althoughmymedicinechesthadbeenfurnisheduponaliberalscale,itprovedtotallyinadequatetothecasualtiesofbattle。StillIdidmybestandsavedsomelives,thoughmanycasesdevelopedgangreneandslippedthroughmyfingers。

  MeanwhileHiggs,whoworkednobly,notwithstandinghisfleshwounds,whichpainedhimconsiderably,andOrmewerealsodoingtheirbestwiththeassistanceofJaphetandtheotherofficersofthehighlandregiment。Thepalacewasthoroughlyexamined,andallweakplacesinitsdefencesweremadegood。Theavailableforcewasdividedintowatchesandstationedtothebestadvantage。Anumberofmenweresettoworktomanufacturearrowshaftsfromcedarbeams,ofwhichtherewereplentyinthewoodenstablesandouthousesthatlayatthebackofthemainbuilding,andtopointandwingthesamefromasupplyofironbarbsandfeatherswhichfortunatelywasdiscoveredinoneoftheguard-houses。Afewhorsesthatremainedinashedwerekilledandsalteddownforfood,andsoforth。

  Alsoeverypossiblepreparationwasmadetorepelattemptstostorm,pavingstonesbeingpileduptothrowupontheheadsofassailantsandfireslightedonthewallstoheatpitchandoilandwaterforthesamepurpose。

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