第8章
But，toourdisappointment，nodirectassaultwasdelivered，suchdesperatemethodsnotcommendingthemselvestotheAbati。Theirplanofattackwastotakecoverwherevertheycould，especiallyamongthetreesofthegardenbeyondthegates，andthenceshootarrowsatanyonewhoappeareduponthewalls，orevenfiretheminvolleysattheclouds，astheNormansdidatHastings，sothattheymightfallupontheheadsofpersonsinthecourtyards。Althoughthesecautioustacticscostusseveralmen，theyhadtheadvantageoffurnishinguswithasupplyofammunitionwhichwesorelyneeded。Allthespentarrowswerecarefullycollectedandmadeuseofagainsttheenemy，atwhomweshotwheneveropportunityoffered。Wedidthembutlittledamage，however，sincetheywereextremelycarefulnottoexposethemselves。
Inthisfashionthreedrearydayswentpast，unrelievedbyanyincidentexceptafeint，foritwasscarcelymore，whichtheAbatimadeuponthesecondnight，apparentlywiththeobjectofforcingthegreatgatesundercoverofarainstorm。Theadvancewasdiscoveredatonce，andrepelledbytwoorthreevolleysofarrowsandsomerifleshots。Oftheserifles，indeed，whereofwepossessedaboutascore，theAbatiwereterriblyafraid。Pickingoutsomeofthemostintelligentsoldierswetaughtthemhowtohandleourspareguns，andthough，ofcourse，theirshootingwasextremelyerratic，theresultofit，backedupbyourownmoreaccuratemarksmanship，wastoforcetheenemytotakecover。Indeed，afteroneortwoexperiencesoftheeffectofbullets，notamanwouldshowhimselfintheopenwithinfivehundredyardsuntilnighthadfallen。
Onthethirdafternoonweheldacounciltodeterminewhatmustbedone，sinceforthelasttwenty-fourhoursithadbeenobviousthatthingscouldnotcontinueastheywere。Tobeginwith，wehadonlysufficientfoodlefttokeepourforcefromstarvationfortwomoredays。Alsothespiritsofoursoldiers，bravemenenoughwhenactualfightingwasconcerned，werebeginningtoflaginthisatmosphereofinaction。Gatheredintogroups，theytalkedoftheirwivesandchildren，andofwhatwouldhappentothematthehandsofJoshua；
alsooftheircattleandcrops，sayingthatdoubtlessthesewerebeingravagedandtheirhousesburned。InvaindidMaquedapromisethemfive-foldtheirlosswhenthewarwasended，forevidentlyintheirheartstheythoughtitcouldonlyendoneway。Moreover，astheypointedout，shecouldnotgivethembacktheirchildrenifthesewerekilled。
Atthismelancholycouncileverypossibleplanwasdiscussed，tofindthattheseresolvedthemselvesintotwoalternatives——tosurrender，ortotakethebullbythehorns，sallyoutofthepalaceatnightandattackJoshua。Onthefaceofit，thislatterschemehadtheappearanceofsuicide，but，infact，itwasnotsodesperateasitseemed。TheAbatibeingsuchcowardsitwasquiteprobablethattheywouldrunintheirthousandsbeforetheonsetofafewhundreddeterminedmen，andthat，ifoncevictorydeclareditselffortheChildofKings，thebulkofhersubjectswouldreturntotheirallegiance。Sowesettledonitinpreferencetosurrender，whichweknewmeantdeathtoourselves，andforMaquedaachoicebetweenthatlastgrimsolutionofhertroublesandaforcedmarriage。
Buttherewereotherstobeconvinced，namely，theMountaineers。
Japhet，whohadbeenpresentatthecouncil，wassenttosummonallofthemexceptthoseactuallyonguard，andwhentheywereassembledinthelargeinnercourtMaquedawentoutandaddressedthem。
Idonotremembertheexactwordsofherspeech，andImadenonoteofthem，butitwasextremelybeautifulandtouching。Shepointedoutherplight，andthatwecouldhaltnolongerbetweentwoopinions，whomusteitherfightoryield。Forherselfshesaidshedidnotcare，since，althoughshewasyoungandtheirruler，shesetnostoreuponherlife，andwouldgiveitupgladlyratherthanbedrivenintoamarriagewhichsheconsideredshameful，andforcedtopassbeneaththeyokeoftraitors。
Butforusforeignersshedidcare。Wehadcometohercountryatherinvitation，wehadservedhernobly，oneofushadgivenhislifetoprotectherperson，andnow，inviolationofhersafeguardandthatoftheCouncil，wewerethreatenedwithadreadfuldeath。Werethey，hersubjects，solackinginhonourandhospitalitythattheywouldsuffersuchathingwithnoblowstrucktosaveus?
Nowthemajorityofthemshouted“No，“butsomeweresilent，andoneoldcaptainadvanced，saluted，andspoke。
“ChildofKings，“hesaid，“letussearchoutthetruthofthismatter。Isitnotbecauseofyourloveoftheforeignsoldier，Orme，thatallthistroublehasarisen?Isnotthatloveunlawfulaccordingtoourlaw，andareyounotsolemnlyaffiancedtothePrinceJoshua?“
Maquedaconsideredawhilebeforeshereplied，andsaidslowly:
“Friend，myheartismyown，thereforeuponthispointansweryourquestionforyourself。AsregardsmyuncleJoshua，ifthereexistedanyabidingcontractbetweenusitwasbrokenwhenafewnightsagohesenthisservantsarmedtoattackanddragmeoffIknownotwhither。
Wouldyouhavememarryatraitorandacoward?Ihavespoken。”
“No，“againshoutedthemajorityofthesoldiers。
Theninthesilencethatfollowedtheoldcaptainreplied，withacanninessthatwasalmostScotch:
“Onthepointraisedbyyou，OChildofKings，Igivenoopinion，sinceyou，beingbutawoman，ifahigh-bornone，wouldnotlistentomeifIdid，butwilldoubtlessfollowthatheartofyoursofwhichyouspeaktowhateverendisappointed。SettlethematterwithyourbetrothedJoshuaasyouwill。ButwealsohaveamattertosettlewithJoshua，whoisatoadwithalongtonguethatifheseemsslowyetnevermisseshisfly。Wetookupyourcause，andhavekilledagreatnumberofhispeople，ashehaskilledsomeofours。Thishewillnotforget。Thereforeitseemstomethatitwillbewisethatweshouldmakewhatwecanofthenestthatwehavebuilt，sinceitisbettertodieinbattlethanonthegallows。Forthisreason，then，sincewecanstayherenolonger，formypartIamwillingtogooutandfightforyouthisnight，althoughJoshua"speoplebeingsomanyandourssofew，IshallthinkmyselffortunateifIlivetoseeanothersun。”
Thishardandreasonedspeechseemedtoappealtothedissentients，withtheresultthattheywithdrewtheiropposition，anditwasagreedthatweshouldattempttobreakourwaythroughthebesiegingarmyaboutonehourbeforethedawn，whentheywouldbeheavilyasleepandmostliabletopanic。
Yet，asitchanced，thatsortiewasdestinednevertotakeplace，whichperhapswasfortunateforus，sinceIamconvincedthatitwouldhaveendedinfailure。ItistruethatwemighthaveforcedourwaythroughJoshua"sarmy，butafterwardsthoseofuswhoremainedalivewouldhavebeensurrounded，starvedout，and，whenourstrengthandammunitionwereexhaustedtakenprisonersorcutdown。
Howeverthatmaybe，eventsshapedadifferentcourseforus，perhapsbecausetheAbatigotwindofourintentionandhadnostomachforapitchedbattlewithdesperatemen。Asithappened，thisnightfromsunsetontomoonrisewasoneofadarknesssoremarkablethatitwasimpossibletoseeanythingevenafootaway，alsoawindblowingfromtheeastmadesoundsveryinaudible。Onlyafewofourmenwereonguard，sinceitwasnecessarythattheyshouldberestedtillitwastimeforthemtopreparefortheirgreateffort。Also，wehadlittlefearofanydirectattack。
Abouteighto"clock，however，mysonRoderick，oneofthewatchstationedinthegatewaytowers，whowasgiftedwithveryquickears，reportedthathethoughtheheardpeoplemovingonthefarthersideofthemassivewoodendoorsbeyondthemoat。Accordinglysomeofuswenttolisten，butcoulddistinguishnothing，andconcludedthereforethathewasmistaken。Soweretiredtoourpostsandwaitedpatientlyforthemoontorise。Butasitchancednomoonrose，orratherwecouldnotseeher，becausetheskywascompletelycoveredbythickbanksofthunder-cloudspresagingthebreak-upofaperiodofgreatheat。
These，asthewindhadnowdieddown，remainedquitestationaryuponthefaceofthesky，blottingoutalllight。
Perhapsanotherhourhadpassedwhen，chancingtolookbehindme，I
sawwhatIthoughtwasameteorfallingfromthecrestofthecliffagainstwhichthepalacewasbuilt，thatcliffwhithertheheadoftheidolHarmachadbeencarriedbytheforceoftheexplosion。
“Lookatthatshootingstar，“IsaidtoOliver，whowasatmyside。
“Itisnotashootingstar，itisfire，“herepliedinastartledvoice，and，ashespoke，otherstreaksoflight，scoresofthem，begantoraindownfromthebrowofthecliffandlanduponthewoodenbuildingstotherearofthepalacethatweredryastinderwiththedrought，and，whatwasworse，uponthegildedtimberdomesoftheroof。
“Don"tyouunderstandthegame?“hewenton。“Theyhavetiedfirebrandstoarrowsandspearstoburnusout。Soundthealarm。Soundthealarm！“
Itwasdone，andpresentlythegreatrangeofbuildingsbegantohumlikeahiveofbees。Thesoldiersstillhalfasleep，rushedhitherandthithershouting。Theofficersalso，developingthecharacteristicexcitementoftheAbatiraceinthishourofpanic，yelledandscreamedatthem，beatingthemwiththeirfistsandswordstillsomekindofcontrolwasestablished。
Thenattemptsweremadetoextinguishtheflames，whichbythistimehadgotholdinhalf-a-dozenplaces。Fromthebeginningtheeffortwasabsolutelyhopeless。Itistruethattherewasplentyofwaterinthemoat，whichwasfedbyaperennialstreamthatfloweddownthefaceoftheprecipicebehind；butpumpingenginesofanysortwerequiteunknowntotheAbati，who，ifabuildingtookfire，justletitburn，contentingthemselveswithsafeguardingthoseinitsneighbourhood。
Moreover，eveninthepalace，sucharticlesaspails，jugs，orothervesselswerecomparativelyfewandfarbetween。
Thosethatwecouldfind，however，werefilledwithwaterandpassedbylinesofmentotheplacesinmostdanger——thatis，practicallyeverywhere——whileothermentriedtocutofftheadvanceoftheflamesbypullingdownportionsofthebuilding。
Butasfastasonefirewasextinguishedothersbrokeout，fortherainofburningdartsandoflightedpotsorlampsfilledwithoildescendedcontinuouslyfromthecliffabove。Astrangeandterriblesightitwastoseethemflashingdownthroughthedarkness，likethefierydartsthatshalldestroythewickedinthedayofArmageddon。
Still，wetoiledondespairingly。Ontheroofwefourwhitemen，andsomesoldiersunderthecommandofJaphet，werepouringwaterontoseveralofthegildeddomes，whichnowwerewellalight。Closeby，wrappedinadarkcloak，andattendedbysomeofherladies，stoodMaqueda。Shewasquitecalm，althoughsundryburningarrowsandspears，fallingwithgreatforcefromthecliffabove，strucktheflatroofsclosetowhereshestood。
Herladies，however，werenotcalm。Theyweptandwrungtheirhands，whileoneofthemwentintoviolenthystericsinherverynaturalterror。Maquedaturnedandbadethemdescendtothecourtyardofthegateway，whereshesaidshewouldjointhempresently。Theyrushedoff，rejoicingtoescapethesightofthoseburningarrows，oneofwhichhadjustpiercedamanandsethisclothesandhaironfire，causinghimtoleapfromtheroofinhismadness。
AtOliver"srequestIrantotheChildofKingstoleadhertosomesaferplace，ifitcouldbefound。Butshewouldnotstir。
“Letmebe，OAdams，“shesaid。“IfIamtodie，Iwilldiehere。ButIdonotthinkthatisfated，“andwithherfootshekickedasideaburningspearthathadstruckthecementroof，and，rebounding，fallenquiteclosetoher。“Ifmypeoplewillnotfight，“shewenton，withbittersarcasm，“atleasttheyunderstandtheotherartsofwar，forthistrickoftheirsisclever。Theyarecruelalso。Listentothemmockingusinthesquare。Theyaskwhetherwewillroastaliveorcomeoutandhaveourthroatscut。Oh！“shewenton，clenchingherhands，“oh！thatIshouldhavebeenborntheheadofsuchanaccursedrace。
LetSheoltakethemall，forinthedayoftheirtribulationnofingerwillIlifttosavethem。”
Shewassilentforamoment，anddownbelow，nearthegateway，Iheardsomebrutescreaming，“Prettypigeons！Prettypigeons，areyourfeatherssingeing?Comethenintoourpie，prettypigeons，prettypigeons！“followedbyshoutsofribaldlaughter。
Butitchanceditwasthishoundhimselfwhowentintothe“pie。”
Presently，whentheflameswerebrighter，Isawhim，inthemidstofacrowdofhisadmirers，singinghisfoulsong，anotherverseofitaboutMaqueda，whichIwillnotrepeat，andbygoodfortunemanagedtoputabulletthroughhishead。Itwasnotabadshotconsideringthelightandcircumstances，andtheonlyoneIfiredthatnight。ItrustalsothatitwillbethelastIshalleverfireatanyhumanbeing。
JustasIwasabouttoleaveMaquedaandreturnwithhermessagetoOrme，totheeffectthatshewouldnotmove，thefinalcatastropheoccurred。Amongstthestableswasalargeshedfilledwithdryfodderforthepalacehorsesandcamels。Suddenlythisburstintoamassofflamethatspreadinalldirections。Thencamethelast，hideouspanic。Fromeverypartofthepalace，theMountaineers，menandofficerstogether，rusheddowntothegateway。Inaminute，withthesingleexceptionofJaphet，wefourandMaquedawereleftaloneupontheroof，wherewestoodoverwhelmed，notknowingwhattodo。Weheardthedrawbridgefall；weheardthegreatdoorsburstuponbeneaththepressureofamobofmen；weheardacoarsevoice——IthoughtitwasthatofJoshua——yell:
“Killwhomyouwill，mychildren，butdeathtohimwhoharmstheChildofKings。Sheismyspoil！“
Thenfollowedterriblesightsandsounds。ThecunningAbatihadstretchedropesoutsidethedoors；itwasthenoisetheymadeatthisworkwhichhadreachedRoderick"searsearlierduringthedarkness。
Theterrifiedsoldiers，flyingfromthefire，stumbledandfellovertheseropes，norcouldtheyriseagainbecauseofthosewhopressedbehind。WhathappenedtothemallIamsureIdonotknow，butdoubtlessmanywerecrushedtodeathandmanymorekilledbyJoshua"smen。Itrust，however，thatsomeofthemescaped，since，comparedtotherestoftheAbati，theywereaslionsaretocats，although，likealltheirrace，theylackedthestaminatofightanuphillgame。
ItwasatthecommencementofthisterrificscenethatIshotthefoul-mouthedsinger。
“Youshouldn"thavedonethat，oldfellow，“screamedHiggsinhishighvoice，strivingtomakehimselfheardabovethetumult，“asitwillshowthoseswinewhereweare。”
“Idon"tthinktheywilllookforushere，anyway，“Ianswered。
Thenwewatchedawhileinsilence。
“Come，“saidOrmeatlength，takingMaquedabythehand。
“Whereareyougoing，OOliver?“sheasked，hangingback。“SoonerwillIburnthanyieldtoJoshua。”
“Iamgoingtothecavecity，“heanswered；“wehavenowhereelsetogo，andlittletimetolose。Fourmenwithriflescanholdthatplaceagainstathousand。Come。”
“Iobey，“sheanswered，bowingherhead。
Wewentdownthestairwaythatledfromtheroofonwhichtheinhabitantsofthepalacewereaccustomedtospendmuchoftheirday，andeventosleepinhotweather，asiscommonintheEast。Anotherminuteandweshouldhavebeentoolate。Thefirefromoneofthedomeshadspreadtotheupperstory，andwasalreadyappearinginlittletonguesofflamemingledwithjetsofblacksmokethroughcracksinthecrumblingpartitionwall。
AsamatteroffactthiswallfellinjustasmysonRoderick，thelastofus，waspassingdownthestairs。Withthecuriosityofyouthhehadlingeredforafewmomentstowatchthesadscenebelow，adelaywhichnearlycosthimhislife。
Onthegroundfloorwefoundourselvesoutofimmediatedanger，sincethefirewasattackingthispartofthepalacefromaboveandburningdownward。Wehadeventimetogotoourrespectivesleeping-placesandcollectsuchofourpossessionsandvaluablesaswewereabletocarry。Fortunately，amongotherthings，theseincludedallournote-
books，whichto-dayareofpricelessvalue。Ladenwiththesearticles，wemetagainintheaudiencehall，which，althoughitwasveryhot，seemedasithadalwaysbeen，ahuge，emptyplace，whereoftheroof，paintedwithstars，wassupporteduponthickcedarcolumns，eachofthemhewnfromasingletree。
Passingdownthatsplendidapartment，whichanhourlaterhadceasedtoexist，lampsinhand，forthesewehadfoundtimetofetchandlight，wereachedthemouthofthepassagethatledtotheundergroundcitywithoutmeetingasinglehumanbeing。
HadtheAbatibeenadifferentracetheycouldperfectlywellhavedashedinandmadeusprisoners，forthedrawbridgewasstillintact。
Buttheircowardicewasoursalvation，fortheyfearedlesttheyshouldbetrappedbythefire。SoIthinkatleast，butjusticecompelsmetoaddthat，onthespurofthemoment，theymayhavefounditimpossibletoclearthegatewaysofthemassoffallenordeadsoldiersoverwhichitwouldhavebeendifficulttoclimb。
Such，atanyrate，wastheexplanationthatweheardafterwards。
Wereachedthemouthofthevastcaveinperfectsafety，andclamberedthroughthelittleorificewhichwasleftbetweentherocksrolledthitherbytheforceoftheexplosion，orshakendownfromtheroof。
Thishole，foritwasnothingmore，weproceededtostopwithafewstonesinsuchafashionthatitcouldnotbeforcedwithoutmuchtoilandconsiderablenoise，onlyleavingonelittletortuouschannelthroughwhich，ifnecessary，amancouldcreep。
Thelabourofrock-carrying，inwhichevenMaquedashared，occupiedourmindsforawhile，andinducedakindoffictitiouscheerfulness。
Butwhenitwasdone，andthechillysilenceofthatenormouscave，sostrikingincomparisonwiththeroaroftheflamesandthehideoushumantumultwhichwehadleftwithout，felluponuslikesuddencoldandblindingnightuponawandererinwindy，sunlitmountains，allourexcitementperished。Inaflash，weunderstoodourterribleposition，wewhohadbutescapedfromtheredfiretoperishslowlyintheblackdarkness。
Stillwestrovetokeepourspiritsasbestwecould。LeavingHiggstowatchtheblockedpassage，asomewhatsuperfluoustask，sincethefirewithoutwasourbestwatchman，therestofusthreadedourwayupthecave，followingthetelephonewirewhichpoorQuickhadlaidonthenightoftheblowing-upofthegodHarmac，tillwecametowhathadbeenourheadquartersduringthediggingofthemine。IntotheroomwhichwasOliver"s，whencewehadescapedwithsomuchdifficultyafterthatevent，wecouldnotenterbecauseofthetransomthatblockedthedoorway。Still，therewereplentyofothersathandintheoldtemple，althoughtheywerefoulwiththerefuseofthebatsthatwheeledaboutusinthousands，forthesecreaturesevidentlyhadsomeunknownaccesstotheopenair。Oneoftheseroomshadservedasourstore-chamber，andafterafewroughpreparationsweassignedittoMaqueda。
“Friends，“shesaid，asshesurveyeditsdarksomeentrance，“itlookslikethedoorofatomb。Well，inthetombthereisrest，andrestI
musthave。Leavemetosleep，who，wereitnotforyou，OOliver，wouldpraythatImightneverwakeagain。
“Man，“sheaddedpassionately，beforeusall，fornowinfaceofthelastperileveryfalseshameandwishtoconcealthetruthhadlefther；“man，whywereyouborntobringwoeuponmyheadandjoytomyheart?Well，well，thejoyoutweighsthewoe，andeveniftheangelwholedyouhitherisnamedAzrael，stillIshallblesshimwhohasrevealedtomemysoul。YetforyouIweep，andifonlyyourlifecouldbesparedtofulfilitselfinhappinessinthelandthatboreyou，oh！foryouIwouldgladlydie。”
NowOliver，whoseemeddeeplymoved，steppedtoherandbegantowhisperintoherear，evidentlymakingsomeproposalofwhichIthinkIcanguessthenature。Shelistenedtohim，smilingsadly，andmadeamotionwithherhandasthoughtothrusthimaway。
“Notso，“shesaid，“itisnoblyoffered，butdidIaccept，throughwhateveruniversesImaywander，thosewhocameaftermewouldknowmebymytrailofblood，thebloodofhimwholovedme。Perhaps，too，bythatcrimeIshouldbeseparatedfromyouforever。Moreover，Itellyouthatthoughallseemsblackasthisthickdarkness，Ibelievethatthingswillyetendwellforyouandme——inthisworldoranother。”
Thenshewasgone，leavingOrmestaringafterherlikeamaninatrance。
“Idaresaytheywill，“remarkedHiggs/sottovoce/tome，“andthat"sfirst-ratesofarastheyareconcerned。ButwhatIshouldjollywellliketoknowishowtheyaregoingtoendfor/us/whohaven"tgotacharmingladytoseeusacrosstheStyx。”
“Youneedn"tpuzzleyourbrainoverthat，“Iansweredgloomily，“forI
thinktherewillsoonbeafewmoreskeletonsinthisbeastlycave，that"sall。Don"tyouseethatthoseAbatiwillbelieveweareburnedinthepalace?“
CHAPTERXIX
STARVATION
Iwasright。TheAbatididthinkthatwehadbeenburned。Itneveroccurredtothemthatwemighthaveescapedtotheundergroundcity。
SoatleastIjudgedfromthefactthattheymadenoattempttoseekusthereuntiltheylearnedthetruthinthefashionthatIamabouttodescribe。Ifanything，thissafetyfromourenemiesaddedtothetrialsofthosehideousdaysandnights。Hadtherebeenassaultstorepelandtheexcitementofstrivingagainstoverwhelmingodds，atanyrateweshouldhavefoundoccupationforourmindsandremainingenergies。
Buttherewerenone。Byturnswelistenedatthemouthofthepassagefortheechooffootstepsthatnevercame。Nothingcametobreakasilencesointensethatatlastourears，cravingforsound，magnifiedthesoftflitterofthebatsintoanoiseasofeagle"swings，tillatlastwespokeinwhispers，becausethefullvoiceofmanseemedtoaffrontthesolemnquietude，seemedintolerabletoournerves。
Yetforthefirstdayortwowefoundoccupationofasort。Ofcourseourfirstneedwastosecureasupplyoffood，ofwhichwehadonlyalittleoriginallylaidupforouruseinthechambersoftheoldtemple，tinnedmeatsthatwehadbroughtfromLondonandsoforth，nownearlyallconsumed。WerememberedthatMaquedahadtoldusofcornfromherestateswhichwasstoredannuallyinpitstoprovideagainstthepossibilityofasiegeofMur，andaskedherwhereitwas。
Sheledustoaplacewhereroundstonecoverswithringsattachedtothemwereletintothefloorofthecave，notunlikethosewhichstopthecoal-shootsinatownpavement，onlylarger。Withgreatdifficultyweprisedoneoftheseup；tomeitdidnotseemtohavebeenmovedsincetheancientkingsruledinMurand，afterleavingitopenforalongwhilefortheairwithintopurify，loweredRoderickbyaropewehadtoreportitscontents。Nextmomentweheardhimsaying:“Wanttocomeup，please。Thisplaceisnotpleasant。”
Wepulledhimoutandaskedwhathehadfound。
“Nothinggoodtoeat，“heanswered，“onlyplentyofdeadbonesandoneratthatranupmyleg。”
Wetriedthenexttwopitswiththesameresult——theywerefullofhumanbones。Thenwecross-examinedMaqueda，who，afterreflection，informedusthatshenowrememberedthataboutfivegenerationsbeforeagreatplaguehadfallenonMur，whichreduceditspopulationbyone-
half。Shehadheard，also，thatthosestrickenwiththeplagueweredrivenintotheundergroundcityinorderthattheymightnotinfecttheothers，andsupposedthattheboneswesawweretheirremains。
Thisinformationcausedustocloseupthosepitsagaininagreathurry，thoughreallyitdidnotmatterwhetherwecaughttheplagueorno。
Still，asshewassurethatcornwasburiedsomewhere，wewenttoanothergroupofpitsinadistantchamber，andopenedthefirstone。
Thistimeoursearchwasrewarded，totheextentthatwefoundatthebottomofitsomemoulderingdustthatyearsagohadbeengrain。Theotherpits，twoofwhichhadbeensealedupwithinthreeyearsasthedateuponthewaxshowed，werequiteempty。
ThenMaquedaunderstoodwhathadhappened。
“SurelytheAbatiareapeopleofrogues，“shesaid。“Seenow，theofficersappointedtostoreawaymycornwhichIgavethemhavestolenit！Oh！maytheylivetolackbreadevenmorebitterlythanwedoto-
day。”
Wewentbacktooursleeping-placeinsilence。Wellmightwebesilent，foroffoodwehadonlyenoughleftforasinglescantymeal。
Watertherewasinplenty，butnofood。Whenwehadrecoveredalittlefromourhorribledisappointmentweconsultedtogether。
“Ifwecouldgetthroughtheminetunnel，“saidOliver，“wemightescapeintothedenoflions，whichwereprobablyalldestroyedbytheexplosion，andsooutintotheopencountry。”
“TheFungwouldtakeusthere，“suggestedHiggs。
“No，no，“brokeinRoderick，“Fungallgone，oriftheydo，anythingbetterthanthisblackhole，yes，evenmywife。”
“Letuslook，“Isaid，andwestarted。
WhenwereachedthepassagethatledfromthecitytotheTombofKings，itwastofindthatthewallattheendofithadbeenblownbodilybackintotheparentcave，leavinganopeningthroughwhichwecouldwalksidebyside。Ofcoursethecontentsofthetombitselfwerescattered。Inalldirectionslaybones，objectsofgoldandothermetals，oroverturnedthrones。Theroofandwallsaloneremainedastheyhadbeen。
“Whatvandalism！“exclaimedHiggs，indignanteveninhismisery。“Whywouldn"tyouletmemovethethingswhenIwantedto，Orme?“
“Becausetheywouldhavethoughtthatwewerestealingthem，oldfellow。AlsothoseMountaineersweresuperstitious，andIdidnotwantthemtodesert。Butwhatdoesitmatter，anyway?Ifyouhad，theywouldhavebeenburnedinthepalace。”
Bythistimewehadreachedthatendofthevasttombwherethehunchbackedkingusedtosit，andsawatoncethatourquestwasvain。
Thetunnelwhichwehaddugbeyondwasutterlychokedwithmassesoffallenrockthatwecouldneverhopetomove，evenwiththeaidofexplosives，ofwhichwehadnoneleft。
Sowereturned，ourlasthopegone。
Alsoanothertroublestaredusintheface；oursupplyofthecrudemineraloilwhichtheAbatiusedforlightingpurposeswasbeginningtorunlow。Measurementofwhatremainedofthestorelaidupforourusewhiletheminewasbeingmade，revealedthefactthattherewasonlyenoughlefttosupplyfourlampsforaboutthreedaysandnights:
oneforMaqueda，oneforourselves，oneforthewatchmannearthetunnelmouth，andoneforgeneralpurposes。
Thisgeneral-purposelamp，asamatteroffact，wasmostlymadeuseofbyHiggs。Truly，hefurnishedastrikinginstanceoftherulingpassionstrongindeath。Allthroughthosedaysofstarvationanduttermisery，untilhegrewtooweakandtheoilgaveout，hetrudgedbackwardandforwardbetweentheoldtempleandtheTombofKingscarryingalargebasketonhisarm。Goingoutwiththisbasketempty，hewouldbringitbackfilledwithgoldcupsandotherpreciousobjectsthathehadcollectedfromamongthebonesandscatteredrubbishintheTomb。Theseobjectshelaboriouslycataloguedinhispocket-bookatnight，andafterwardspackedawayinemptycasesthathadcontainedoursuppliesofexplosiveandothergoods，carefullynailingthemdownwhenfilled。
“Whatonearthareyoudoingthatfor，Higgs?“Iaskedpetulantly，ashefinishedoffanothercase，Ithinkitwashistwentieth。
“Idon"tknow，Doctor，“heansweredinathinvoice，forliketherestofushewasgrowingfeebleonawater-diet。“IsupposeitamusesmetothinkhowjollyitwouldbetoopenalltheseboxesinmyroomsinLondonafterafirst-ratedinneroffriedsoleandsteakcutthick，“
andhesmackedhispoor，hungrylips。“Yes，yes，“hewenton，“totakethemoutonebyoneandshowthemto——and——，“andhementionedbynameofficialsofsundrygreatmuseumswithwhomhewasatwar，“andseethemteartheirhairwithrageandjealousy，whiletheywonderedintheirheartsiftheycouldnotmanagetoseizethelotfortheCrownastreasure-trove，ordomeoutofthemsomehow，“andhelaughedalittleinhisold，pleasantfashion。
“OfcourseInevershall，“headdedsadly，“butperhapsonedaysomeotherfellowwillfindthemhereandgetthemtoEurope，andifheisadecentchap，publishmynotesanddescriptions，ofwhichIhaveputaduplicateineachbox，andsomakemynameimmortal。Well，I"moffagain。Therearefourmorecasestofillbeforetheoilgivesout，andImustgetthatgreatgoldheadintooneofthem，thoughitisanawfuljobtocarryitfaratatime。Doctor，whatdiseaseisitthatmakesyourlegssuddenlygivewaybeneathyou，sothatyoufindyourselfsittinginaheaponthefloorwithoutknowinghowyoucamethere?Youdon"tknow?Well，nomoredoI，butI"vegotitbad。ItellyouI"mdownrightsorebehindfromcontinualandunexpectedcontactwiththerock。”
PooroldHiggs！Ididnotliketotellhimthathisdiseasewasstarvation。
Well，hewentonwithhisfetchingandcarryingandcataloguingandpacking。Irememberthatthelastloadhebroughtinwasthegoldenheadhehadspokenof，thewonderfullikenessofsomeprehistorickingwhichhassinceexcitedsomuchinterestthroughouttheworld。Thethingbeingtooheavyforhimtocarryinhisweakenedstate，foritismuchoverlife-size，hewasobligedtorollitbeforehim，whichaccountsforthepresentsomewhatdamagedconditionofthenoseandsemi-Egyptiandiadem。
NevershallIforgetthesightoftheProfessorasheappearedoutofthedarkness，shufflingalonguponhiskneeswherehisgarmentswerewornintoholes，andbythefeeblelightofthelampthathemovedfromtimetotime，painfullypushingthegreatyellowobjectforward，onlyafootortwoateachpush。
“Hereitisatlast，“hegaspedtriumphantly，whilstwewatchedhimwithindifferenteyes。“Japhet，helpmetowrapitupinthematandliftitintothebox。No，no，youdonkey——faceupward——so。Nevermindthecorners，I"llfillthemwithring-moneyandothertrifles，“andoutofhiswidepocketsheemptiedagoldenshower，amongstwhichhesiftedhandfulsofdustfromthefloorandanythingelsehecouldfindtoserveaspacking，finallycoveringallwithagoat"s-hairblanketwhichhetookfromhisbed。
Thenveryslowlyhefoundthelidoftheboxandnaileditdown，restingbetweeneveryfewstrokesofthehammerwhilstwewatchedhiminourintent，butidle，fashion，wonderingatthestrangeformofhismadness。
Atlengththelastnailwasdriven，andseatedontheboxheputhishandintoaninnerpockettofindhisnote-book，thenincontinentlyfainted。Istruggledtomyfeetandsprinkledwateroverhisfacetillherevivedandrolledontothefloor，wherepresentlyhesankintosleeportorpor。Ashedidsothefirstlampgaveout。
“Lightit，Japhet，“saidMaqueda，“itisdarkinthisplace。”
“OChildofKings，“answeredtheman，“IwouldobeyifIcould，butthereisnomoreoil。”
Half-an-hourlaterthesecondlampwentout。Bythelightthatremainedwemadesucharrangementsaswecould，knowingthatsoondarknesswouldbeonus。Theywerefewandsimple:thefetchingofajarortwoofwater，theplacingofarmsandammunitiontoourhands，andthespreadingoutofsomeblanketsonwhichtoliedownsidebysideuponwhatIforonebelievedwouldbeourbedofdeath。
Whilewewerethusengaged，Japhetcrawledintoourcirclefromtheoutergloom。SuddenlyIsawhishaggardfaceappear，lookinglikethatofaspiritrisingfromthegrave。
“Mylampisburnedout，“hemoaned；“itbegantofailwhilstIwasonwatchatthetunnelmouth，andbeforeIwashalf-wayhereitdiedaltogether。Haditnotbeenforthewireofthe"thing-that-speaks"
whichguidedme，Icouldneverhavereachedyou。Ishouldhavebeenlostinthedarknessofthecityandperishedaloneamongtheghosts。”
“Well，youareherenow，“saidOliver。“Haveyouanythingtoreport?“
“Nothing，lord，oratleastverylittle。Imovedsomeofthesmallrocksthatwepiledup，andcreptdowntheholetillIcametoaplacewheretheblessedlightofdayfelluponme，onlyonelittlerayofit，butstillthelightofday。Ithinkthatsomethinghasfallenuponthetunnelandbrokenit，perhapsoneoftheouterwallsofthepalace。AtleastIlookedthroughacrackandsaweverywhereruins——
ruinsthatstillsmoke。FromamongthemIheardthevoicesofmenshoutingtoeachother。
“Oneofthemcalledtohiscompanionthatitwasstrange，iftheGentilesandtheChildofKingshadperishedinthefire，thattheyhadnotfoundtheirboneswhichwouldbeknownbythegunstheycarried。Hisfriendansweredthatitwasstrangeindeed，butbeingmagicians，perhapstheyhadhiddenawaysomewhere。Forhisparthehopedso，asthensoonerorlatertheywouldbefoundandputtodeathslowly，astheydeserved，whohadledastraytheChildofKingsandbroughtsomanyoftheheaven-descendedAbatitotheirdeath。Thenfearinglesttheyshouldfindandkillme，fortheydrewnearasI
couldtellbytheirvoices，Icreptbackagain，andthatisallmystory。”
Wesaidnothing；thereseemedtobenothingtosay，butsatinoursadcircleandwatchedthedyinglamp。Whenitbegantoflicker，leapingupanddownlikeathingalive，asuddenpanicseizedpoorJaphet。
“OWaldaNagasta，“hecried，throwinghimselfatherfeet，“youhavecalledmeabraveman，butIamonlybravewherethesunandthestarsshine。Hereinthedarkamongstsomanyangryspirits，andwithhungergnawingatmybowels，Iamagreatcoward；JoshuahimselfisnotsuchacowardasI。Letusgooutintothelightwhilethereisyettime。
LetusgiveourselvesuptothePrince。Perhapshewillbemercifulandspareourlives，oratleasthewillspareyours，andifwedie，itwillbewiththesunshiningonus。”
ButMaquedaonlyshookherhead，whereonheturnedtoOrmeandwenton:
“Lord，wouldyouhavethebloodoftheChildofKingsuponyourhands?
Isitthusthatyourepayherforherlove?Leadherforth。Noharmwillcometoherwhootherwisemustperishhereinmisery。”
“Youhearwhatthemansays，Maqueda?“saidOrmeheavily。“Thereissometruthinit。ItreallydoesnotmattertouswhetherwedieinthepoweroftheAbatiorhereofstarvation；infact，Ithinkthatweshouldprefertheformerend，anddoubtlessnohandwillbelaidonyou。Willyougo?“
“Nay，“sheansweredpassionately。“Ahandwouldbelaidonme，thehandofJoshua，andratherthanthatheshouldtouchmeIwilldieahundreddeaths。Letfatetakeitscourse，forasIhavetoldyou，I
believethatthenitwillopentoussomegatewecannotsee。AndifI
believeinvain，whythereisanothergatewhichwecanpasstogether，OOliver，andbeyondthatgateliespeace。Bidthemanbesilent，ordrivehimaway。Lethimtroublemenomore。”
Thelampflamesanklow。Itflickered，once，twice，thrice，eachtimeshowingthepale，drawnfacesofussixseatedaboutit，likewizardsmakinganincantation，likecorpsesinatomb。
Thenitwentout。
Howlongwereweinthatplaceafterthis?Atleastthreewholedaysandnights，Ibelieve，ifnotmore，butofcoursewesoonlostallcountoftime。Atfirstwesufferedagoniesfromfamine，whichwestroveinvaintoassuagewithgreatdraughtsofwater。Nodoubtthesekeptusalive，butevenHiggs，whoitmayberememberedwasateetotaller，afterwardsconfessedtomethathehasloathedthesightandtasteofwatereversince。Indeedhenowdrinksbeerandwinelikeotherpeople。Itwastorture；wecouldhaveeatenanything。InfacttheProfessordidmanagetocatchandeatabatthatgotentangledinhisredhair。Heofferedmeabiteofit，Iremember，andwasmostgratefulwhenIdeclined。
Theworstofitwasalsothatwehadalittlefood，afewhardship"sbiscuits，whichwehadsavedupforapurpose，namely，tofeedMaqueda。Thiswashowwemanagedit。AtcertainintervalsIwouldannouncethatitwastimetoeat，andhandMaquedaherbiscuit。Thenwewouldallpretendtoeatalso，sayinghowmuchwefeltrefreshedbythefoodandhowwelongedformore，smackingourlipsandbitingonapieceofwoodsothatshecouldnothelphearingus。
Thispiteousfarcewentonforforty-eighthoursormoreuntilatlastthewretchedJaphet，whowasquitedemoralizedandinnomoodforacting，betrayedus，exactlyhowIcannotremember。AfterthisMaquedawouldtouchnothingmore，whichdidnotgreatlymatterastherewasonlyonebiscuitleft。Iofferedittoher，whereonshethankedmeandallofusforourcourtesytowardawoman，tookthebiscuit，andgaveittoJaphet，whoateitlikeawolf。
ItwassometimeafterthisincidentthatwediscoveredJaphettobemissing；atleastwecouldnolongertouchhim，nordidheanswerwhenwecalled。Therefore，weconcludedthathehadcreptawaytodieand，Iamsorrytosay，thoughtlittlemoreaboutitfor，afterall，whathesuffered，orhadsuffered，wesufferedalso。
Irecallthatbeforewewereovertakenbythelastsleep，astrangefitcameuponus。Ourpangspassedaway，muchasthepaindoeswhenmortificationfollowsawound，andwiththemthathorriblecravingfornutriment。Wegrewcheerfulandtalkedagreatdeal。ThusRoderickgavemetheentirehistoryoftheFungpeopleandofhislifeamongthemandothersavagetribes。Further，heexplainedeverysecretdetailoftheiridolworshiptoHiggs，whowasenormouslyinterested，andtriedtomakesomenotesbytheaidofourfewremainingmatches。
Wheneventhatsubjectwasexhausted，hesangtousinhisbeautifulvoice——EnglishhymnsandArabsongs。OliverandMaquedaalsochattedtogetherquitegaily，forIheardthemlaughing，andgatheredthathewasengagedintryingtoteachherEnglish。
ThelastthingthatIrecollectisthesceneasitwasrevealedbythemomentarylightofoneofthelastmatches。MaquedasatbyOliver。Hisarmwasaboutherwaist，herheadresteduponhisshoulder，herlonghairflowedloose，herlargeandtendereyesstaredfromherwhite，wanfaceuptowardhisface，whichwasalmostthatofamummy。
Thenontheothersidestoodmyson，supportinghimselfagainstthewalloftheroom，andbeyondhimHiggs，ashadowofhisformerself，feeblywavingapencilintheairandtrying，apparently，towriteanoteuponhisPanamastrawhat，whichheheldinhislefthand，asI
suppose，imaginingittobehispocket-book。Theincongruityofthatsun-hatinaplacewherenosunhadevercomemademelaugh，andasthematchwentoutIregrettedthatIhadforgottentolookathisfacetoascertainwhetherhewasstillwearinghissmokedspectacles。
“Whatistheuseofastrawhatandsmokedspectaclesinkingdom-
come?“Ikeptrepeatingtomyself，whileRoderick，whosearmIknewwasaboutme，seemedtoanswer:
“TheFungwizardssaythatthesphinxHarmaconceworeahat，but，myfather，Idonotknowifhehadspectacles。”
Thenasensationasofbeingwhirledroundandroundinsomevastmachine，downtheslopingsidesofwhichIsankatlastintoavortexofutterblackness，whereofIknewthenamewasdeath。
Dimly，verydimly，IbecameawarethatIwasbeingcarried。Iheardvoicesinmyears，butwhattheysaidIcouldnotunderstand。Thenafeelingoflightstruckuponmyeyeballswhichgavemegreatpain。
Agonyranallthroughmeasitdoesthroughthelimbsofonewhoisbeingbroughtbackfromdeathbydrowning。Afterthissomethingwarmwaspoureddownmythroat，andIwenttosleep。
WhenIawokeagainitwastofindmyselfinalargeroomthatIdidnotknow。Iwaslyingonabed，andbythelightofsunrisewhichstreamedthroughthewindow-placesIsawthethreeothers，mysonRoderick，OrmeandHiggslyingontheotherbeds，buttheywerestillasleep。
Abatiservantsenteredtheroombringingfood，akindofroughsoupwithpiecesofmeatinitofwhichtheygavemeaportioninawoodenbowlthatIdevouredgreedily。Alsotheyshookmycompanionsuntiltheyawokeandalmostautomaticallyateupthecontentsofsimilarbowls，afterwhichtheywenttosleepagain，asIdid，thankingheaventhatwewereallstillalive。
EveryfewhoursIhadavisionofthesemenenteringwiththebowlsofsouporporridge，untilatlastlifeandreasoncamebacktomeinearnest，andIsawHiggssittinguponthebedoppositeandstaringatme。
“Isay，oldfellow，“hesaid，“arewealive，oristhisHades?“
“Can"tbeHades，“Ianswered，“becausethereareAbatihere。”
“Quiteright，“hereplied。“IftheAbatigoanywhere，it"stohell，wheretheyhaven"twhitewashedwallsandfour-postbeds。Oliver，wakeup。Weareoutofthatcave，anyway。”
Ormeraisedhimselfonhishandandstaredatus。
“Where"sMaqueda?“heasked，aquestiontowhichofcourse，wecouldgivenoanswer，tillpresentlyRoderickwokealsoandsaid:
“Iremembersomething。Theycarriedusalloutofthecave；Japhetwaswiththem。TheytooktheChildofKingsonewayandusanother，thatisallIknow。”
ShortlyafterwardstheAbatiservantsarrived，bearingfoodmoresolidthanthesoup，andwiththemcameoneoftheirdoctors，notthatoldidiotofacourtphysician，whoexaminedus，andannouncedthatweshouldallrecover，afactwhichweknewalready。Weaskedmanyquestionsofhimandtheservants，butcouldgetnoanswer，forevidentlytheyweresworntosilence。However，wepersuadedthemtobringuswatertowashin。Itcame，andwithitapolishedpieceofmetal，suchastheAbatiuseforalooking-glass，inwhichwesawourfaces，theterrible，wastedfacesofthosewhohavegonewithinahair"sbreadthofdeathbystarvationinthedark。
Yetalthoughourgaolerswouldsaynothing，somethingintheiraspecttoldusthatwewereinsoreperilofourlives。Theylookedatushungrily，asaterrierlooksatratsinawirecageofwhichthedoorwillpresentlybeopened。Moreover，Roderick，who，asIthinkIhavesaid，hasveryquickears，overheardoneoftheattendantswhispertoanother:
“WhendoesourserviceonthesehoundsofGentilescometoanend?“towhichhisfellowanswered，“TheCouncilhasnotyetdecided，butI
thinkto-morroworthenextday，iftheyarestrongenough。Itwillbeagreatshow。”
Alsothatevening，aboutsunset，weheardamobshoutingoutsidethebarrackinwhichwewereimprisoned，forthatwasitsrealuse，“GiveustheGentiles！GiveustheGentiles！Wearetiredofwaiting，“untilatlengthsomesoldiersdrovethemaway。
Well，wetalkedthethingover，onlytoconcludethattherewasnothingtobedone。WehadnofriendintheplaceexceptMaqueda，andshe，itappeared，wasaprisonerlikeourselves，andthereforecouldnotcommunicatewithus。Norcouldweseetheslightestpossibilityofescape。
“Outofthefrying-panintothefire，“remarkedHiggsgloomily。“I
wishnowthattheyhadletusdieinthecave。ItwouldhavebeenbetterthanbeingbaitedtodeathbyamobofAbati。”
“Yes，“answeredOliverwithasigh，forhewasthinkingofMaqueda，“butthat"swhytheysavedus，thevindictivebeasts，tokillusforwhattheyarepleasedtocallhightreason。”
“Hightreason！“exclaimedHiggs。“Ihopetogoodnesstheirpunishmentfortheoffenceisnotthatofmedi?valEngland；hangingisbadenough——buttherest——！“
“Idon"tthinktheAbatistudyEuropeanhistory，“Ibrokein；“butitisnousedisguisingfromyouthattheyhavemethodsoftheirown。
Lookhere，friends，“Iadded，“Ihavekeptsomethingaboutmeincasetheworstshouldcometotheworst，“andIproducedalittlebottlecontainingaparticularlyswiftanddeadlypoisondoneupintotabloids，andgaveonetoeachofthem。“Myadviceis，“Iadded，“thatifyouseewearegoingtobeexposedtotortureortoanydreadfulformofdeath，youshouldtakeoneofthese，asImeantodo，andcheattheAbatioftheirvengeance。”
“Thatisallveryfine，“saidtheProfessorashepocketedhistabloid，“butInevercouldswallowapillwithoutwateratthebestoftimes，andIdon"tbelievethosebeastswillgiveoneany。Well，I
supposeImustsuckit，that"sall。Oh！ifonlytheluckwouldturn，ifonlytheluckwouldturn！“
ThreemoredayswentbywithoutanysignofHiggs"saspirationbeingfulfilled。Onthecontrary，exceptinonerespect，theluckremainedsteadilyagainstus。Theexceptionwasthatwegotplentytoeatandconsequentlyregainedournormalstateofhealthandstrengthmorerapidlythanmighthavebeenexpected。Withusitwasliterallyacaseof“Letuseatanddrink，forto-morrowwedie。”
OnlysomehowIdon"tthinkthatanyofusreallybelievedthatweshoulddie，thoughwhetherthiswasbecausewehadall，exceptpoorQuick，survivedsomuch，orfromasneakingfaithinMaqueda"soptimisticdreams，Icannotsay。Atanyrateweateourfoodwithappetite，tookexerciseinaninneryardoftheprison，andstrovetogrowasstrongaswecould，feelingthatsoonwemightneedallourpowers。Oliverwasthemostmiserableamongus，notforhisownsake，butbecause，poorfellow，hewashauntedwithfearsastoMaquedaandherfate，althoughofthesehesaidlittleornothingtous。Ontheotherhand，mysonRoderickwasbyfarthemostcheerful。Hehadlivedforsomanyyearsuponthebrinkofdeaththatthisfamiliargulfseemedtohavenoterrorsforhim。
“Allcomerightsomehow，myfather，“hesaidairily。“Whocanknowwhathappen?PerhapsChildofKingdragusoutofmud-hole，forafterallshewasverystrongcow，orwhatyoucallit，heifer，andIthinktossJoshuaifhedriveherintocorner。Orperhapsotherthingoccur。”
“Whatotherthing，Roderick?“Iasked。
“Oh！don"tknow，can"tsay，butIthinkFungthing。BelievewenotdonewithFungyet，believetheynotrunfar。Believetheytakethoughtformorrowandcomebackagain。Only，“headdedsadly，“hopemywifenotcomeback，forthatoldgirltoofullofloftytemperforme。Still，cheerup，notdeadyetbylongday"smarch，andmeanwhilefoodgoodandthisveryjollyrestafterbeastlyundergroundcity。NowItellProfessorsomemorestoriesaboutFungreligion，denoflions，andsoforth。”
Onthemorningafterthisconversationacrisiscame。JustaswehadfinishedbreakfastthedoorsofourchamberwerethrownopenandinmarchedanumberofsoldierswearingJoshua"sbadge。Theywereheadedbyanofficerofhishousehold，whocommandedustoriseandfollowhim。
“Whereto?“askedOrme。
“TotakeyourtrialbeforetheChildofKingsandherCouncil，Gentile，uponthechargeofhavingmurderedcertainofhersubjects，“
answeredtheofficersternly。
“That"sallright，“saidHiggswithasighofrelief。“IfMaquedaischairmanoftheBenchweareprettycertainofanacquittal，forOrme"ssakeifnotforourown。”
“Don"tyoubetoosureofthat，“Iwhisperedintohisear。“Thecircumstancesarepeculiar，andwomenhavebeenknowntochangetheirminds。”
“Adams，“hereplied，glaringatmethroughhissmokedspectacles，“Ifyoutalklikethatweshallquarrel。Maquedachangehermindindeed！
Why，itisaninsulttosuggestsuchathing，andifyoutakemyadviceyouwon"tletOliverhearyou。Don"tyouremember，man，thatshe"sinlovewithhim?“
“Oh，yes，“Ianswered，“butIrememberalsothatPrinceJoshuaisinlovewithher，andthatsheishisprisoner。”
CHAPTERXX
THETRIALANDAFTER
Theysetusinaline，fourragged-lookingfellows，allofuswithbeardsofvariousdegreesofgrowth，thatis，alltheotherthree，forminehadbeenanestablishedfactforyears，andeverythinghavingbeentakenawayfromus，wepossessedneitherrazornorscissors。
Inthecourtyardofourbarrackweweremetbyacompanyofsoldiers，whoencircledusaboutwithatriplelineofmen，aswethoughttopreventanyattemptofescape。SosoonaswepassedthegatesIfound，however，thatthiswasdoneforadifferentreason，namely，toprotectusfromthefuryofthepopulace。Allthewayfromthebarracktothecourthouse，whitherwewerebeingtakennowthatthepalacewasburned，thepeopleweregatheredinhundreds，literallyhowlingforourblood。Itwasastrange，and，inaway，adreadfulsighttoseeeventhebrightlydressedwomenandchildrenshakingtheirfistsandspittingatuswithfacesdistortedbyhate。
“Whytheyloveyousolittle，father，whenyoudosomuchforthem?“
askedRoderick，shrugginghisshouldersanddodgingastonethatnearlyhithimonthehead。
“Fortworeasons，“Ianswered。“BecausetheirLadylovesoneofustoomuch，andbecausethroughusmanyoftheirpeoplehavelosttheirlives。Alsotheyhatestrangers，andarebynaturecruel，likemostcowards，andnowthattheyhavenomorefearoftheFung，theythinkitwillbesafetokillus。”
“Ah！“saidRoderick；“yetHarmachascometoMur，“andhepointedtothegreatheadoftheidolseatedonthecliff，“andIthinkwhereHarmacgoes，Fungfollow，andifsotheymakethempayplentyformylife，forIgreatmanamongFung；FungmyselfhusbandofSultan"sdaughter。Thesefools，likechildren，becausetheyseenoFung，thinktherearenoFung。Well，inoneyear，orperhapsonemonth，theylearn。”
“Idaresay，myboy，“Ianswered，“butIamafraidthatwon"thelpus。”
Bynowwewereapproachingthecourt-housewheretheAbatipriestsandlearnedmentriedcivilandsomecriminalcases。Throughamobofnoblesandsoldierswhomockedusaswewent，wewerehustledintothelargehallofjudgmentthatwasalreadyfulltooverflowing。
Upthecentreofitwemarchedtoaclearspacereservedforthepartiestoacause，orprisonersandtheiradvocates，beyondwhich，againstthewall，wereseatsforthejudges。ThesewerefivemembersoftheCouncil，oneofwhomwasJoshua，whileinthecentreasPresidentoftheCourt，andwearingherveilandbeautifulrobesofceremony，satMaquedaherself。
“ThankGod，she"ssafe！“mutteredOliverwithagaspofrelief。
“Yes，“answeredHiggs，“butwhat"sshedoingthere?Sheoughttobeinthedock，too，notontheBench。”
Wereachedtheopenspace，andwerethrustbysoldiersarmedwithswordstowherewemuststand，andalthougheachofusbowedtoher，I
observedthatMaquedatooknottheslightestnoticeofoursalutations。SheonlyturnedherheadandsaidsomethingtoJoshuaonherright，whichcausedhimtolaugh。
Thenwithstartlingsuddennessthecasebegan。Akindofpublicprosecutorstoodforwardanddronedoutthechargeagainstus。Itwasthatwe，whowereintheemployoftheAbati，hadtraitorouslytakenadvantageofourpositionasmercenarycaptainstostirupacivilwar，inwhichmanypeoplehadlosttheirlives，andsomebeenactuallymurderedbyourselvesandourcompanionwhowasdead。Moreover，thatwehadcausedtheirpalacetobeburnedand，greatestcrimeofall，hadseizedthesacredpersonoftheWaldaNagasta，RoseofMur，anddraggedherawayintotherecessesoftheundergroundcity，whenceshewasonlyrescuedbythechanceofanaccompliceofours，oneJaphet，betrayingourhiding-place。
Thiswasthechargewhich，itwillbenoted，containednoallusionwhatevertotheloveentanglementbetweenMaquedaandOliver。Whenitwasfinishedtheprosecutoraskeduswhatwepleaded，whereonOliveransweredasourspokesmanthatitwastruetherehadbeenfightingandmenkilled，alsothatwehadbeendrivenintothecave，butastoalltheresttheChildofKingsknewthetruth，andmustspeakforusasshewished。
Nowtheaudiencebegantoshout，“Theypleadguilty！Givethemtodeath！“andsoforth，whilethejudgesrisingfromtheirseats，gatheredroundMaquedaandconsultedher。
“Byheaven！Ibelievesheisgoingtogiveusaway！“exclaimedHiggs，whereonOliverturnedonhimfiercelyandbadehimholdhistongue，adding:
“Ifyouwereanywhereelseyoushouldanswerforthatslander！“
Atlengththeconsultationwasfinished；thejudgesresumedtheirseats，andMaquedaheldupherhand。Thereonanintensesilencefellupontheplace。Thenshebegantospeakinacold，constrainedvoice:
“Gentiles，“shesaid，addressingus，“youhavepleadedguiltytothestirringupofcivilwarinMur，andtotheslayingofnumbersofitspeople，factsofwhichthereisnoneedforevidence，sincemanywidowsandfatherlesschildrencantestifytothemto-day。Moreover，youdid，asallegedbymyofficer，committhecrimeofbearingoffmypersonintothecaveandkeepingmetherebyforcetobeahostageforyoursafety。”
Weheardandgasped，Higgsejaculating，“Goodgracious，whatalie！“
Butnoneoftherestofussaidanything。
“Fortheseoffences，“wentonMaqueda，“youareallofyoujustlyworthyofacrueldeath。”Thenshepausedandadded，“Yet，asIhavethepowertodo，Iremitthesentence。Idecreethatthisdayyouandallthegoodsthatremaintoyouwhichhavebeenfoundinthecavecity，andelsewhere，togetherwithcamelsforyourselvesandyourbaggage，shallbedrivenfromMur，andthatifanyoneofyoureturnshither，heshallwithoutfurthertrialbehandedovertotheexecutioners。ThisIdobecauseatthebeginningofyourserviceacertainbargainwasmadewithyou，andalthoughyouhavesinnedsodeeplyIwillnotsufferthattheglorioushonouroftheAbatipeopleshallbetarnishedevenbythebreathofsuspicion。Getyougone，Wanderers，andletusseeyourfacesnomoreforever！“
Nowthemobgatheredinthehallshoutedinexultation，thoughIheardsomecryingout，“No，killthem！Killthem！“
WhenthetumulthaddieddownMaquedaspokeagainsaying:
“OnobleandgenerousAbati，youapproveofthisdeedofmercy；youwhowouldnotbeheldmercilessinfarlands，OAbati，where，althoughyoumaynothaveheardofthem，thereare，Ibelieve，otherpeopleswhothinkthemselvesasgreatasyou。Youwouldnothaveitwhispered，Isay，thatwewhoarethebestoftheworld，we，thechildrenofSolomon，havedealtharshlyevenwithstraydogsthathavewanderedtoourgates?Moreover，wecalledthesedogstohuntacertainbeastforus，thelion-headedbeastcalledFung，and，tobejusttothem，theyhuntedwell。Thereforesparethemthenoose，thoughtheymayhavedeservedit，andletthemrunhencewiththeirbone，sayyou，thebonewhichtheythinkthattheyhaveearned。WhatdoesabonemoreorlessmattertotherichAbati，ifonlytheirholygroundisnotdefiledwiththebloodofGentiledogs?“
“Nothingatall！Nothingatall！“theyshouted。“Tieittotheirtailsandletthemgo！“
“Itshallbedone，Omypeople！Andnowthatwehavefinishedwiththesedogs，Ihaveanotherwordtosaytoyou。YoumayhavethoughtorheardthatIwastoofondofthem，andespeciallyofoneofthem，“andsheglancedtowardOliver。“Well，therearecertaindogswhowillnotworkunlessyoupatthemonthehead。ThereforeIpattedthisoneonthehead，since，afterall，heisacleverdogwhoknowsthingsthatwedonotknow；forinstance，howtodestroytheidoloftheFung。O
greatAbati，cananyofyoureallyhavebelievedthatI，oftheancientraceofSolomonandSheba，I，theChildofKings，purposedtogivemynoblehandtoavagrantGentilecomehitherforhire?CanyoureallyhavebelievedthatI，thesolemnlybetrothedtoyonderPrinceofPrinces，Joshua，myuncle，wouldforamomenteveninmyhearthavepreferredtohimsuchamanasthat?“AndonceagainshelookedatOliver，whomadeawildmotion，asthoughhewereabouttospeak。ButbeforehecouldsomuchasopenhislipsMaquedawenton:
“Well，ifyoubelieved，notguessingallthewhileIwasworkingforthesafetyofmypeople，soonshallyoubeundeceived，sinceto-morrownightIinviteyoutothegreatceremonyofmynuptials，when，accordingtotheancientcustom，IbreaktheglasswithhimwhomonthefollowingnightItaketobemyhusband，“andrising，shebowedthricetotheaudience，thenstretchedoutherhandtoJoshua。
He，too，rose，puffinghimselfoutlikeagreatturkey-cock，and，takingherhand，kissedit，gobblingsomewordswhichwedidnotcatch。
Wildcheeringfollowed，andinthemomentarysilencewhichfollowedOliverspoke。
“Lady，“hesaid，inacoldandbittervoice，“we"Gentiles"haveheardyourwords。Wethankyouforyourkindacknowledgmentofourservices，namely，thedestructionoftheidoloftheFungatthecostofsomeriskandlabourtoourselves。Wethankyoualsoforyourgenerosityinallowingus，astherewardofthatservice，todepartfromMur，withinsultandhardwords，andsuchgoodsasremaintous，insteadofconsigningustodeathbytorture，asyouandyourCouncilhavethepowertodo。Itisindeedaproofofyourgenerosity，andofthatoftheAbatipeoplewhichweshallalwaysrememberandrepeatinourownland，shouldwelivetoreachit。Also，wetrustthatitwillcometotheearsofthesavageFung，sothatatlengththeymayunderstandthattruenobilityandgreatnesslienotinbrutaldeedsofarms，butintheheartsofmen。Butnow，WaldaNagasta，Ihavealastrequesttomakeofyou，namely，thatImayseeyourfaceoncemoretobesurethatitisyouwhohavespokentous，andnotanotherbeneathyourveil，andthatifthisbeso，Imaycarryawaywithmeafaithfulpictureofonesotruetohercountryandnobletoherguestsasyouhaveshownyourselfthisday。”
Shelistened，thenveryslowlyliftedherveil，revealingsuchacountenanceasIhadneverseenbefore。ItwasMaquedawithoutadoubt，butMaquedachanged。Herfacewaspale，whichwasonlytobeexpectedafterallshehadgonethrough；hereyesglowedinitlikecoals，herlipswereset。Butitwasherexpression，atoncedefiantandagonized，whichimpressedmesomuchthatInevershallforgetit。
IconfessIcouldnotreaditintheleast，butitleftuponmymindthebeliefthatshewasafalsewoman，andyetashamedofherownfalsity。Therewasthegreatesttriumphofherart，thatinthoseterriblecircumstancessheshouldstillhavesucceededinconveyingtome，andtothehundredsofotherswhowatched，thisconvictionofherownturpitude。
ForamomenthereyesmetthoseofOrme，butalthoughhesearchedthemwithpleadinganddespairinhisglance，Icouldtraceinhersnorelentingsign，butonlychallengenotunmixedwithmockery。Thenwithashort，hardlaughsheletfallherveilagainandturnedtotalkwithJoshua。Oliverstoodsilentalittlewhile，longenoughforHiggstowhispertome:
“Isay，isn"tthisdownrightawful?I"dratherbebackinthedenoflionsthanlivetoseeit。”
AshespokeIsawOliverputhishandtowherehisrevolverusuallyhung，but，ofcourse，ithadbeentakenfromhim。Nexthebegantosearchinhispocket，andfindingthattabloidofpoisonwhichIhadgivenhim，liftedittowardhismouth。Butjustasittouchedhislips，myson，whowasnexttohim，sawalso。Withaquickmotionhestruckitfromhisfingers，andgroundittopowderonthefloorbeneathhisheel。
Oliverraisedhisarmasthoughtohithim，thenwithoutasoundfellsenseless。EvidentlyMaquedanotedallthisalso，forIsawakindofquivergothroughher，andherhandsgrippedthearmsofherchairtilltheknucklesshowedwhitebeneaththeskin。Butsheonlysaid:
“ThisGentilehasfaintedbecauseheisdisappointedwithhisreward。
Takehimhenceandlethiscompanion，theDoctorAdams，attendtohim。
Whenheisrecovered，conductthemallfromMurasIhavedecreed。Seethattheygounharmed，takingwiththemplentyoffoodlestitbesaidthatweonlysparedtheirliveshereinorderthattheymightstarvewithoutourgates。”
Thenwavingherhandtoshowthatthematterwasdonewith，sheroseand，followedbythejudgesandofficers，leftthecourtbysomedoorbehindthem。
Whileshespokeastrongbodyofguardshadsurroundedus，someofwhomcameforwardandliftedthesenselessOliverontoastretcher。
Theycarriedhimdownthecourt，therestofusfollowing。
“Look，“jeeredtheAbatiashepassed，“lookattheGentilepigwhothoughttoweartheBudoftheRoseuponhisbosom。Hehasgotthethornnow，nottherose。Istheswinedead，thinkyou?“
Thustheymockedhimandus。
Wereachedourprisoninsafety，andthereIsettoworktoreviveOliver，ataskinwhichIsucceededatlength。Whenhehadcometohimselfagainhedrankacupofwater，andsaidquitequietly:
“Youfellowshaveseenall，sothereisnoneedfortalkandexplanations。OnethingIbegofyou，ifyouareanyfriendsofmine，anditisthatyouwillnotreproachorevenspeakofMaquedatome。
Doubtlessshehadreasonsforwhatshedid；moreover，herbringinguphasnotbeenthesameasours，andhercodeisdifferent。Donotletusjudgeher。Ihavebeenagreatfool，thatisall，andnowIampayingformyfolly，or，rather，Ihavepaid。Come，letushavesomedinner，forwedon"tknowwhenweshallgetanothermeal。”
Welistenedtothisspeechinsilence，onlyIsawRoderickturnasidetohideasmileandwonderedwhyhesmiled。
Scarcelyhadwefinishedeating，orpretendingtoeat，whenanofficerenteredtheroomandinformedusroughlythatitwastimeforustobegoing。Ashedidsosomeattendantswhohadfollowedhimthrewusbundlesofclothes，andwiththemfourverybeautifulcamel-haircloakstoprotectusfromthecold。Withsomeofthesegarmentswereplacedourrags，fortheywerelittlemore，tyingthemandtherestoftheoutfitupintobundles。
Then，clothedasAbatioftheupperclass，weweretakentothegatesofthebarrack，wherewefoundalongtrainofridingcamelswaitingforus。ThemomentthatIsawthesebeastsIknewthattheywerethebestinthewholeland，andofverygreatvalue。Indeed，thattowhichOliverwasconductedwasMaqueda"sownfavouritedromedary，whichuponstateoccasionsshesometimesrodeinsteadofahorse。Herecognizeditatonce，poorfellow，andcolouredtotheeyesatthisunexpectedmarkofkindness，theonlyoneshehadvouchsafedtohim。
“Come，Gentiles，“saidtheofficer，“andtakecountofyourgoods，thatyoumaynotsaythatwehavestolenanythingfromyou。Hereareyourfirearmsandalltheammunitionthatisleft。Thesewillbegiventoyouatthefootofthepass，butnotbefore，lestyoushoulddomoremurderontheroad。Onthosecamelsarefastenedtheboxesinwhichyoubroughtupthemagicfire。Wefoundtheminyourquartersinthecavecity，readypacked，butwhattheycontainweneitherknownorcare。Fullorempty，takethem，theyareyours。Those，“andhepointedtotwootherbeasts，“areladenwithyourpay，whichtheChildofKingssendstoyou，requestingthatyouwillnotcountittillyoureachEgyptoryourownland，sinceshewishesnoquarrellingwithyouastotheamount。Therestcarryfoodforyoutoeat；also，therearetwosparebeasts。Now，mountandbegone。”
Soweclimbedintotheembroideredsaddlesofthekneelingdromedaries，andafewminuteslaterwereridingthroughMurtowardthepass，accompaniedbyourguardandhootingmobsthatonceortwicebecamethreatening，butweredrivenoffbythesoldiers。
“Isay，Doctor，“saidHiggstomeexcitedly，“doyouknowthatwehavegotallthebestofthetreasureoftheTombofKingsinthosefive-
and-twentycrates?IhavethoughtsincethatIwascrazywhenIpackedthem，pickingoutthemostvaluableandrarearticleswithsuchcare，andfillinginthecrackswithringmoneyandsmallcuriosities，butnowIseeitwastheinspirationofgenius。Mysubliminalselfknewwhatwasgoingtohappen，andwasonthejob，that"sall。Oh，ifonlywecangetitsafeaway，IshallnothaveplayedDanielandbeennearlystarvedtodeathfornothing。Why，I"dgothroughitallagainforthatgoldenheadalone。Shoveon，shoveon，beforetheychangetheirminds；itseemstoogoodtobetrue。”
JustthenarotteneggthrownbysomesweetAbatiyouthlandedfullonthebridgeofhisnose，anddispersingitselfintohismouthandoverhissmokedspectacles，cutshorttheProfessor"seloquence，orratherchangeditstenor。SoabsurdwasthesightthatinspiteofmyselfI
burstoutlaughing，andwiththatlaughfeltmyheartgrowlighter，asthoughourcloudsoftroublewereliftingatlength。
AtthemouthofthepasswefoundJoshuahimselfwaitingforus，cladinallhisfineryandchainarmour，andlookingmorelikeaporpoiseonhorsebackthanhehadeverdone。
“Farewell，Gentiles，“hesaid，bowingtousinmockery，“wewishyouaquickjourneytoSheol，orwhereversuchswineasyoumaygo。Listen，youOrme。IhaveamessageforyoufromtheWaldaNagasta。Itisthatsheissorryshecouldnotaskyoutostopforhernuptialfeast，whichshewouldhavedonehadshenotbeensurethat，ifyoustayed，thepeoplewouldhavecutyourthroat，andshedidnotwishtheholysoilofMurtobedefiledwithyourdog"sblood。Alsoshebidsmesaythatshehopesthatyourstayherewillhavetaughtyoualesson，andthatinfutureyouwillnotbelievethateverywomanwhomakesuseofyouforherownendsisthereforeavictimofyourcharms。To-morrownightandthenightafter，IprayyouthinkofourhappinessanddrinkacupofwinetotheWaldaNagastaandherhusband。Come，willyounotwishmejoy，OGentile?“
Ormeturnedwhiteasasheetandgazedathimsteadily。Thenastrangelookcameintohisgreyeyes，almostalookofinspiration。
“PrinceJoshua，“hesaidinaveryquietvoice，“whoknowswhatmayhappenbeforethesunrisesthriceonMur?Allthingsthatbeginwelldonotendwell，asIhavelearned，andasyoualsomaylivetolearn。
Atleast，soonorlate，yourdayofreckoningmustcome，andyou，too，maybebetrayedasIhavebeen。Rathershouldyouaskmetoforgiveyoursoultheinsultsthatinyourhouroftriumphyouhavenotbeenashamedtoheapupononewhoispowerlesstoavengethem，“andheurgedhiscamelpasthim。
AswefollowedIsawJoshua"sfaceturnaspaleasOliver"shaddone，andhisgreatroundeyesprotrudethemselveslikethoseofafish。
“Whatdoeshemean?“saidtheprincetohiscompanions。“PrayGodheisnotaprophetofevil。EvennowIhaveamind——no，lethimgo。Tobreakmymarriagevowmightbringbadluckuponme。Lethimgo！“andheglaredafterOliverwithfearandharedwrittenonhiscoarsefeatures。
ThatwasthelastweeversawofJoshua，uncleofMaqueda，andfirstprinceamongtheAbati。
Downthepasswewentandthroughthevariousgatesofthefortifications，whichwerethrownopenaswecameandclosedbehindus。Wedidnotlingeronthatjourney。Whyshouldwewhenourguardswereanxioustoberidofusandweofthem?Indeed，sosoonasthelastgatewasbehindus，eitherfromfearoftheFungorbecausetheywereinahurrytoreturntoshareinthefestivitiesoftheapproachingmarriage，suddenlytheAbatiwheeledround，badeusfarewellwithapartingcurse，andleftustoourowndevices。
So，havingropedthecamelsintoalongline，wewentonalone，trulythankfultoberidofthem，andpraying，everyoneofus，thatneverinthisworldorthenextmightweseethefaceorhearthevoiceofanotherAbati。
WeemergedontotheplainatthespotwheremonthsbeforewehadheldourconferencewithBarung，SultanoftheFung，andwherepoorQuickhadforcedhiscamelontoJoshua"shorseanddismountedthathero。
Herewepausedawhiletoarrangeourlittlecaravanandarmourselveswiththerifles，revolvers，andcartridgeswhichuntilnowwehadnotbeenallowedtotouch。
Therewerebutfourofustomanagethelongtrainofcamels，sowewereobligedtoseparate。HiggsandIwentahead，sinceIwasbestacquaintedwiththedesertandtheroad，Olivertookthecentralstation，andRoderickbroughtuptherear，becausehewasverykeenofsightandhearingandfromhislongfamiliaritywiththem，knewhowtodrivecamelsthatshowedsignsofobstinacyorawishtoturn。
OnourrightlaythegreatcityofHarmac。Wenotedthatitseemedtobequitedeserted。There，rebuiltnow，frownedthegatewaythroughwhichwehadescapedfromtheFungafterwehadblownsomanyofthemtopieces，butbeneathitnonepassedinorout。Thetownwasempty，andalthoughtheyweredeadripetherichcropshadnotyetbeenreaped。ApparentlytheFungpeoplehadnowlefttheland。
NowwewereoppositetothevalleyofHarmac，andsawthatthehugesphinxstillsatthereasithaddoneforunknownthousandsofyears。
Onlyitsheadwasgone，forthathad“movedtoMur，“andinitsneckandshouldersappearedgreatclefts，causedbytheterrificforceoftheexplosion。Moreover，nosoundcamefromtheenclosureswherethesacredlionsusedtobe。Doubtlesseveryoneofthemwasdead。
“Don"tyouthink，“suggestedHiggs，whosearch?ologicalzealwasrekindlingfast，“thatwemightsparehalf-an-hourtogoupthevalleyandhavealookatHarmacfromtheoutside?Ofcourse，bothRoderickandIarethoroughlyacquaintedwithhisinside，andthedenoflions，andsoforth，butIwouldgiveagreatdealjusttostudytherestofhimandtakeafewmeasurements。Youknowonemustcampsomewhere，andifwecan"tfindthecamera，atdawnonemightmakeasketch。”
“Areyoumad?“Iaskedbywayofanswer，andHiggscollapsed，buttothishourhehasneverforgivenme。
WelookedourlastuponHarmac，thegodwhoseglorywehaddestroyed，andwentonswiftlytilldarknessovertookusalmostoppositetothatruinedvillagewhereShadrachhadtriedtopoisonthehoundPharaoh，whichafterwardstoreouthisthroat。Hereweunloadedthecamels，nolighttask，andcamped，fornearthisspottherewaswaterandapatchofmaizeonwhichthebeastscouldfeed。
BeforethelightquitefadedRoderickrodeforwardforalittlewaytoreconnoitre，andpresentlyreturnedannouncingshortlythathehadseennoone。SoweateofthefoodwithwhichtheAbatihadprovidedus，notwithoutfearlestitshouldbepoisoned，andthenheldacouncilofwar。
ThequestionwaswhetherweshouldtaketheoldroadtowardEgypt，ornowthattheswampsweredry，strikeupnorthwardbytheotherrouteofwhichShadrachhadtoldus。Accordingtothemapthisshouldbeshorter，andHiggsadvocateditstrongly，asIdiscoveredafterwardsbecausehethoughttheremightbemorearch?ologicalremainsinthatdirection。
I，ontheotherhand，wasinfavouroffollowingtheroadweknew，which，althoughlongandverywearisome，wascomparativelysafe，asinthatvastdeserttherewerefewpeopletoattackus，whileOliver，ourcaptain，listenedtoallwehadtosay，andreservedhisopinion。
Presently，however，thequestionwassettledforusbyRoderick，whoremarkedthatifwetravelledtothenorthweshouldprobablyfallinwiththeFung。Iaskedwhathemeant，andherepliedthatwhenhemadehisreconnaissanceanhourorsobefore，althoughitwastruethathehadseennoone，notathousandyardsfromwherewesathehadcomeacrossthetrackofagreatarmy。Thisarmy，fromvariousindications，hefeltsurewasthatofBarung，whichhadpassedtherewithintwelvehours。
“Perhapsmywifewiththem，soInowanttogothatway，father，“headdedwithsinceresimplicity。
“Wherecouldtheybetravelling?“Iasked。
“Don"tknow，“heanswered，“butthinktheygoroundtoattackMurfromotherside，orperhapstofindnewlandtonorth。”
“Wewillsticktotheoldroad，“saidOliverbriefly。“LikeRoderickI
havehadenoughofalltheinhabitantsofthiscountry。Nowletusrestawhile；weneedit。”
Abouttwoo"clockwewereupagainandbeforeitwasdawnonthefollowingmorningwehadloadedourcamelsandwereontheroad。BythefirstfaintlightwesawthatwhatRoderickhadtolduswastrue。
Wewerecrossingthetrackofanarmyofmanythousandmenwhohadpassedthererecentlywithladencamelsandhorses。Moreover，thosemenwereFung，forwepickedupsomearticlesthatcouldhavebelongedtonootherpeople，suchasahead-dressthathadbeenlostorthrownaway，andanarrowthathadfallenfromaquiver。
However，wesawnothingofthem，and，travellingfast，toourgreatreliefbymiddayreachedtheriverEbur，whichwecrossedwithoutdifficulty，foritwasnowlow。Thatnightwecampedintheforest-
landsbeyond，havingalltheafternoonmarcheduptherisinggroundatthefootofwhichrantheriver。
TowarddawnHiggs，whoseturnitwastowatchthecamels，cameandwokeme。
“Sorrytodisturbyou，oldfellow，“hesaid，“butthereisamostcuriousskyeffectbehinduswhichIthoughtyoumightliketosee。”
Iroseandlooked。Intheclear，starlightnightIcouldjustdiscernthemightyoutlineofthemountainsofMur。Abovethemthefirmamentwassuffusedwithastrangeredglow。Iformedmyownconclusionatonce，butonlysaid:
“LetusgototellOrme，“andledthewaytowherehehadlaindownunderatree。
Hewasnotsleeping；indeed，Idonotthinkhehadclosedhiseyesallnight，thenightofMaqueda"smarriage。Onthecontrary，hewasstandingonalittleknollstaringatthedistantmountainsandtheglowabovethem。
“Murisonfire，“hesaidsolemnly。“Oh，myGod，Murisonfire！“andturninghewalkedaway。
JustthenRoderickjoinedus。
“FunggotintoMur，“hesaid，“andnowcutthroatofallAbati。Wewelloutofthat，butpigJoshuahaveverywarmweddingfeast，becauseBarunghateJoshuawhotrytocatchhimnotfairly，whichheneverforget；oftentalkofit。”
“PoorMaqueda！“IsaidtoHiggs，“whatwillhappentoher?“
“Idon"tknow，“heanswered，“butalthoughonce，likeeverybodyelse，Iadoredthatgirl，reallyasamatterofjusticeshedeservesallshegets，thefalse-heartedlittlewretch。Stillitistrue，“headded，relenting，“shegaveusverygoodcamels，tosaynothingoftheirloads。”
ButIonlyrepeated，“PoorMaqueda！“
Thatdaywemadebutashortjourney，sincewewishedtorestourselvesandfillthecamelsbeforeplungingintothewilderness，andfeelingsurethatweshouldnotbepursued，hadnocausetohurry。Atnightwecampedinalittlehollowbyastreamthatranatthefootofarise。AsdawnbrokewewereawakenedbythevoiceofRoderick，whowasonwatch，callingtousintonesofalarmtogetup，aswewerefollowed。Wesprangtoourfeet，seizingourrifles。
“Wherearethey?“Iasked。
“There，there，“hesaid，pointingtowardtherisebehindus。
Weranroundsomeinterveningbushesandlooked，toseeuponitscrestasolitaryfigureseatedonaverytiredhorse，foritpantedanditsheaddrooped。Thisfigure，whichwasentirelyhiddeninalongcloakwithahood，appearedtobewatchingourcampjustasaspymightdo。
Higgsliftedhisrifleandfiredatit，butOliver，whowasstandingbyhim，knockedthebarrelupsothatthebulletwenthigh，saying:
“Don"tbeafool。Ifitisonlyonemanthere"snoneedtoshoothim，andiftherearemoreyouwillbringthemontous。”
Thenthefigureurgedthewearyhorseandadvancedslowly，andI
noticedthatitwasverysmall。“Aboy，“Ithoughttomyself，“whoisbringingsomemessage。”
Theriderreachedus，andslippingfromthehorse，stoodstill。
“Whoareyou?“askedOliver，scanningthecloakedform。
“Onewhobringsatokentoyou，lord，“wastheanswer，spokeninalowandmuffledvoice。“Hereitis，“andahand，averydelicatehand，wasstretchedout，holdingbetweenthefingersaring。
Iknewitatonce；itwasSheba"sringwhichMaquedahadlenttomeinproofofhergoodfaithwhenIjourneyedforhelptoEngland。Thisring，itwillberemembered，wereturnedtoherwithmuchceremonyatourfirstpublicaudience。Olivergrewpaleatthesightofit。
“Howdidyoucomebythis?“heaskedhoarsely。“Isshewhoalonemaywearitdead?“
“Yes，yes，“answeredthevoice，afeignedvoiceasIthought。“TheChildofKingswhomyouknewisdead，andhavingnomoreneedforthisancientsymbolofherpower，shebequeathedittoyouwhomsherememberedkindlyatthelast。”
Olivercoveredhisfacewithhishandsandturnedaway。
“But，“wentonthespeakerslowly，“thewomanMaquedawhomonceitissaidyouloved——“
Hedroppedhishandsandstared。
“——thewomanMaquedawhomonceitissaidyou——loved——stilllives。”
Thenthehoodslippedback，andintheglowoftherisingsunwesawthefacebeneath。
ItwasthatofMaquedaherself！
Asilencefollowedthatinitswaywasalmostawful。
“MyLordOliver，“askedMaquedapresently，“doyouacceptmyofferingofQueenSheba"sring?“
NOTEBYMAQUEDA
OncecalledWaldaNagastaandTaklaWarda，thatis，ChildofKingsandBudoftheRose，oncealsobybirthRuleroftheAbatipeople，theSonsofSolomonandSheba。
I，Maqueda，writethisbythecommandofOliver，mylord，whodesiresthatIshouldsetoutcertainthingsinmyownwords。
Trulyallmenarefools，andthegreatestofthemisOliver，mylord，thoughperhapsheisalmostequalledbythelearnedmanwhomtheAbaticalledBlackWindows，andbythedoctor，SonofAdam。OnlyhewhoisnamedRoderick，childofAdam，issomewhatlessblind，becausehavingbeenbroughtupamongtheFungandotherpeopleofthedesert，hehasgatheredalittlewisdom。ThisIknowbecausehehastoldmethathealonesawthroughmyplantosavealltheirlives，butsaidnothingofitbecausehedesiredtoescapefromMur，wherecertaindeathwaitedonhimandhiscompanions。Perhaps，however，heliestopleaseme。
Now，forthetruthofthematter，whichnotbeingskilledinwritingI
willtellbriefly。
Iwascarriedoutofthecavecitywithmylordandtheothers，starving，starving，tooweaktokillmyself，whichotherwiseIwouldhavedoneratherthanfallintothehandsofmyaccurseduncle，Joshua。YetIwasstrongerthantherest，becauseasIhavelearned，theytrickedmeaboutthosebiscuits，pretendingtoeatwhentheywerenoteating，forwhichneverwillIforgivethem。ItwasJaphet，agallantmanononeside，butacowardontheotherliketherestoftheAbati，whobetrayedus，driventheretobyemptinesswithin，which，afterall，isanillenemytofight。HewentoutandtoldJoshuawherewelayhid，andthen，ofcourse，theycame。
Well，theytookawaymylordandtheothers，andmetootheyboretoanotherplaceandfedmetillmystrengthreturned，andoh！howgoodwasthathoneywhichfirstIate，forIcouldtouchnothingelse。WhenIwasstrongagaincamePrinceJoshuatomeandsaid，“NowIhaveyouinmynet；nowyouaremine。”
ThenIansweredJoshua，“Fool，yournetisofair；Iwillflythroughit。”
“How?“heasked。“Bydeath，“Ianswered，“ofwhichahundredmeanslietomyhand。Youhaverobbedmeofone，butwhatdoesthatmatterwhensomanyremain?Iwillgowhereyouandyourlovecannotpursueme。”
“Verywell，ChildofKings，“hesaid，“buthowaboutthattallGentilewhohascaughtyoureyes，andhiscompanions?They，too，haverecovered，andtheyshalldieeveryoneofthemafteracertainfashion(which，IMaqueda，willnotsetdown，sincetherearesomethingsthatoughtnottobewritten)。Ifyoudie，theydie；asItoldyou，theydieasawolfdiesthatiscaughtbytheshepherds；theydieasababoondiesthatiscaughtbythehusbandman。”
NowIlookedthiswayandthat，andfoundthattherewasnoescape。SoImadeabargain。
“Joshua，“Isaid，“letthesemengoandIswearuponthenameofourmother，sheofSheba，thatIwillmarryyou。Keepthemandkillthem，andyouwillhavenoneofme。”
Well，intheend，becausehedesiredmeandthepowerthatwentwithme，heconsented。
ThenIplayedmypart。Mylordandhiscompanionswerebroughtbeforeme，andinpresenceofallthepeopleImockedthem；Ispatintheirfaces，andoh！fools，fools，fools，theybelievedme！Iliftedmyveil，andshowedthemmyeyes，andtheybelievedalsowhattheyseemedtoseeinmyeyes，forgettingthatIamawomanwhocanplayapartatneed。Yes，theyforgotthattherewereotherstodeceiveaswell，alltheAbatipeople，who，iftheythoughtItrickedthem，wouldhavetorntheforeignerslimbfromlimb。Thatwasmybitterestmorsel，thatI
shouldhavesucceededinmakingevenmyownlordbelievethatofallthewickedwomenthatevertrodthisworld，Iwasthemostvile。YetI
didso，andhecannotdenyit，foroftenwehavetalkedofthisthingtillhewillhearofitnomore。
Well，theywentwithallthatIcouldgivethem，thoughIknewwellthatmylordcarednothing，forwhatIcouldgive，northedoctor，ChildofAdam，either，whocaredonlyforhissonthatGodhadrestoredtohim。OnlyBlackWindowscared，notbecauseheloveswealth，butbecauseheworshipsallthatisoldandugly，forofsuchthingshefashionsuphisgod。
Theywent，fortheirgoingwasreportedtome，andI，IenteredintohellbecauseIknewthatmylordthoughtmefalse，andthathewouldneverlearnthetruth，namely，thatwhatIdidIdidtosavehislife，untilatlengthhecametohisowncountry，ifeverhecamethere，andopenedthechestsoftreasure，ifeverheopenedthem，whichperhapshewouldnotcaretodo。AndallthatwhilehewouldbelievemethewifeofJoshua，and——oh！Icannotwriteofit。AndI，Ishouldbedead；I，Icouldnottellhimthetruthuntilhejoinedmeinthatlandofdeath，iftheremenandwomencantalktogetheranymore。
ForthisandnootherwastheroadthatIhadplannedtowalk。Whenheandhiscompanionshadgonesofarthattheycouldnotbefollowed，thenIwouldtellJoshuaandtheAbatiallthetruthinsuchlanguageasshouldneverbeforgottenforgenerations，andkillmyselfbeforetheireyes，sothatJoshuamightlackawifeandtheAbatiaChildofKings。
IsatthroughtheFeastofPreparationandsmiledandsmiled。Itpassedandthenextdaypassed，andcamethenightoftheFeastofMarriage。Theglasswasbroken，theceremonywasfulfilled。Joshuaroseuptopledgemebeforeallthepriests，lords，andheadmen。Hedevouredmewithhishatefuleyes，me，whowasalreadyhis。ButI，I
handledtheknifeinmyrobe，wishing，suchwastherageinmyheart，thatIcouldkillhimalso。
ThenGodspoke，andthedreamthatIhaddreamedcametrue。Farawaythereroseasinglecry，andafteritothercries，andthesoundsofshoutingandofmarchingfeet。Farawaytonguesoffireleaptintotheair，andeachmanaskedhisneighbour，“Whatisthis?“Thenfromallthethousandsofthefeastingpeopleroseonegiantscream，andthatscreamsaid，“Fung！Fung！TheFungareonus！Fly，fly，fly！“
“Come，“shoutedJoshua，seizingmebythearm，butIdrewmydaggeronhimandheletgo。Thenhefledwiththeotherlords，andIremainedinmyhighseatbeneaththegoldencanopyalone。
Thepeoplefledpastmewithoutfighting；theyfledintothecavecity，theyfledtotherocks；theyhidthemselvesamongtheprecipices，andafterthemcametheFung，slayingandburning，tillallMurwentupinflames。AndI，Isatandwatched，waitingtillitwastimeformetodiealso。
Atlast，Iknownothowlongafterwards，appearedbeforemeBarung，aredswordinhishand，whichheliftedtomeinsalute。
“Greeting，ChildofKings，“hesaid。“YouseeHarmaciscometosleepatMur。”
“Yes，“Ianswered，“HarmaciscometosleepatMur，andmanyofthosewhodwelttheresleepwithhim。Whatofit?Say，Barung，willyoukillme，orshallIkillmyself?“
“Neither，ChildofKings，“heansweredinhishighfashion。“DidInotmakeyouapromiseyonderinthePassofMur，whenIspokewithyouandtheWesternmen，anddoesaFungSultanbreakhisword?Ihavetakenbackthecitythatwasours，asIsworetodo，andpurifieditwithfire，“andhepointedtotheragingflames。“NowIwillrebuildit，andyoushallruleunderme。”
“Notso，“Ianswered；“butinplaceofthatpromiseIaskofyouthreethings。”
“Namethem，“saidBarung。
“Theyarethese:First，thatyougivemeagoodhorseandfivedays"
food，andletmegowhereIwill。Secondly，thatifhestilllivesyouadvanceoneJaphet，acertainMountaineerwhobefriendedmeandbroughtotherstodolikewise，toaplaceofhonourunderyou。
Thirdly，thatyousparetherestoftheAbatipeople。”
“Youshallgowhitheryoudesire，andIthinkIknowwhereyouwillgo，“answeredBarung。“CertainspiesofminelastnightsawfourwhitemenridingonfinecamelstowardsEgypt，andreportedittomeasI
ledmyarmytothesecretpassthatHarmacshowedme，whichyouAbaticouldneverfind。ButIsaid，"Letthemgo；itisrightthatbravemenwhohavebeenthemockoftheAbatishouldbeallowedtheirfreedom。"
Yes，Isaidthis，althoughoneofthemwasmydaughter"shusband，orneartoit。Butshewillhavenomoreofhimwhofledtohisfatherratherthanwithher，soitwasbestthatheshouldgoalso，since，ifIbroughthimbackitmustbetohisdeath。”
“Yes，“Iansweredboldly，“IgoaftertheWesternmen；IwhohavedonewiththeseAbati。Iwishtoseenewlands。”
“Andfindanoldlovewhothinksillofyoujustnow，“hesaid，strokinghisbeard。“Well，nowonder，forherehasbeenamarriagefeast。Say，whatwereyouabouttodo，OChildofKings?TakethefatJoshuatoyourbreast?“
“Nay，Barung，Iwasabouttotake/this/husbandtomybreast，“andI
showedhimtheknifethatwashiddeninmymarriagerobe。
“No，“hesaid，smiling，“IthinktheknifewasforJoshuafirst。
Still，youareabravewomanwhocouldsavethelifeofhimyouloveatthecostofyourown。Yet，bethinkyou，ChildofKings，formanyagenerationyourmothershavebeenqueens，andundermeyoumaystillremainaqueen。HowwillonewhosebloodhasruledsolongenduretoserveaWesternmaninastrangeland?“
“ThatiswhatIgotofindout，Barung，andifIcannotendure，thenI
shallcomebackagain，thoughnottoruletheAbati，ofwhomIwashmyhandsforever。Yet，Barung，myhearttellsmeIshallendure。”
“TheChildofKingshasspoken，“hesaid，bowingtome。“Mybesthorseawaitsher，andfiveofmybravestguardsshallridewithhertokeephersafetillshesightsthecampoftheWesternmen。Isayhappyisheofthemwhowasborntowearthesweet-scentedBudoftheRoseuponhisbosom。Fortherest，themanJaphetisinmyhands。Heyieldedhimselftomewhowouldnotfightforhisownpeoplebecauseofwhattheyhaddonetohisfriends，thewhitemen。Lastly，alreadyIhavegivenordersthattheslayingshouldcease，sinceIneedtheAbatitobemyslaves，theywhoarecowards，butcunninginmanyarts。Onlyonemoremanshalldie，“headdedsternly，“andthatisJoshua，whowouldhavetakenmebyatrickinthemouthofthepass。Sopleadnotforhim，forbytheheadofHarmacitisinvain。”
NowhearingthisIdidnotplead，fearinglestIshouldangerBarung，andbutwastemybreath。
AtdaybreakIstartedonthehorse，havingwithmethefiveFungcaptains。AswecrossedthemarketplaceImetthosethatremainedaliveoftheAbati，beingdriveninhordeslikebeasts，toheartheirdoom。AmongthemwasPrinceJoshua，myuncle，whomamanledbyaropeabouthisneck，whileanothermanthrusthimforwardfrombehind，sinceJoshuaknewthathewenttohisdeathandtheroadwasonewhichhedidnotwishtotravel。Hesawme，andcasthimselfdownupontheground，cryingtometosavehim。ItoldhimthatIcouldnot，thoughitisthetruth，IswearitbeforeGod，that，notwithstandingalltheevilhehadworkedtowardme，towardOlivermylord，andhiscompanions，bringingtohisendthatgallantmanwhodiedtoprotectme，IwouldstillhavesavedhimifIcould。ButIcouldnot，foralthoughItriedoncemore，Barungwouldnotlisten。SoIanswered:
“Plead，OJoshua，withhimwhohasthepowerinMurto-day，forIhavenone。Youhavefashionedyourownfate，andmusttraveltheroadyouchose。”
“Whatroaddoyouride，mountedonahorseoftheplains，Maqueda?Oh！
whatneedisthereformetoask?YougotoseethataccursedGentilewhomIwouldIhadkilledbyinches，asIwouldthatIcouldkillyou。”
Thencallingmebyevilnames，Joshuasprangatmeasthoughtostrikemedown，buthewhoheldtheropeabouthisneckjerkedhimbackward，sothathefellandIsawhisfacenomore。
Butoh！itwassad，thatjourneyacrossthegreatsquare，forthecaptiveAbatibyhundreds——men，women，andchildrentogether——withtearsandlamentationscriedtometopreservethemfromdeathorslaveryatthehandsoftheFung。ButIanswered:
“YoursinsagainstmeandthebraveforeignmenwhofoughtsowellforyouIforgive，butsearchyourhearts，OAbati，andsayifyoucanforgiveyourselves?IfyouhadlistenedtomeandtothosewhomI
calledintohelpus，youmighthavebeatenbacktheFung，andremainedfreeforever。Butyouwerecowards；youwouldnotlearntobeararmslikemen，youwouldnotevenwatchyourmountainwalls，andsoonorlatethepeoplewhorefusetobereadytofightmustfallandbecometheservantsofthosewhoareready。”
Andnow，myOliver，Ihavenomoretowrite，savethatIamgladtohaveenduredsomanythings，andtherebywinthejoythatismineto-day。NotyethaveI，Maqueda，wishedtoreignagaininMur，whohavefoundanotherthrone。
End