“Doctor，“headded，“perhapsyouwouldtrytopatchupourguide\'snoseandsoothehisfeelings。Youknowhimbetterthanwedo。Givehimarifle。No，don\'tdothat，orhemightshootsomeoneintheback——byaccidentdoneonpurpose。PromisehimariflewhenwegetintoMur；I
knowhewantsonebadly，becauseIcaughthimtryingtostealacarbinefromthecase。Promisehimanythingsolongasyoucansquareitup。”
SoIwent，takingabottleofarnicaandsomecourtplasterwithme，tofindShadrachsurroundedbysympathizersandweepingwithrageovertheinsult，which，hesaid，hadbeenofferedtohisancientanddistinguishedraceinhisownunworthyperson。Ididmybestforhimphysicallyandmentally，pointingout，asIdabbedthearnicaonhissadlydisfiguredcountenance，thathehadbroughtthetroubleonhimself，seeingthathehadreallynobusinesstopoisonPharaohbecausehehadtriedtobitehim。Heansweredthathisreasonforwishingtokillthedogwasquitedifferent，andrepeatedatgreatlengthwhathehadtoldtheProfessor——namely，thatitmightbetrayuswhilewewerepassingthroughtheFung。AlsohewentonsovenomouslyaboutrevengethatIthoughtittimetoputastoptothething。
“Seehere，Shadrach，“Isaid，“unlessyouunsaythosewordsandmakepeaceatonce，youshallbeboundandtried。PerhapsweshallhaveabetterchanceofpassingsafelythroughtheFungifweleaveyoudeadbehindusthanifyouaccompanyusasalivingenemy。”
Onhearingthis，hechangedhisnotealtogether，sayingthathesawhehadbeenwrong。Moreover，sosoonashisinjuriesweredressed，hesoughtoutHiggs，whosehandhekissedwithmanyapologies，vowingthathehadforgotteneverythingandthathishearttowardhimwaslikethatofatwinbrother。
“Verygood，friend，“answeredHiggs，whoneverboremalice，“onlydon\'ttrytopoisonPharaohagain，and，formypart，I\'llpromisenottorememberthismatterwhenwegettoMur。”
“Quiteaconvertedcharacter，ain\'the，Doctor?“sarcasticallyremarkedQuick，whohadbeenwatchingthisedifyingscene。“NastyEasterntemperallgone；noHebrewtalkofeyeforeyeortoothfortooth，butkissesthefistthatsmotehiminthebestChristianspirit。Allthesame，Iwouldn\'ttrusttheswinefurtherthanIcouldkickhim，especiallyinthedark，which，“headdedmeaningly，“iswhatitwillbeto-night。”
ImadenoanswertotheSergeant，foralthoughIagreedwithhim，therewasnothingtobedone，andtalkingaboutabadbusinesswouldonlymakeitworse。
Bynowtheafternoondrewtowardsnight——averystormynight，tojudgefromthegatheringcloudsandrisingwind。Weweretostartalittleaftersundown，thatis，withinanhour，and，havingmadereadymyownbaggageandassistedHiggswithhis，wewenttolookforOrmeandQuick，whomwefoundverybusyinoneoftheroomsofanunroofedhouse。Toallappearancetheywereengaged，Quickinsortingpoundtinsoftobaccoorbaking-powder，andOrmeintestinganelectricbatteryandcarefullyexaminingcoilsofinsulatedwire。
“What\'syourgame?“askedtheProfessor。
“Betterthanyours，oldboy，whenSatantaughtyouridlehandstopunchShadrach\'shead。Butperhapsyouhadbetterputthatpipeout。
Theseazo-imidecompoundsaresaidtoburnrathermoresafelythancoal。Still，oneneverknows；theclimateorthejourneymayhavechangedtheirconstitution。”
Higgsretreatedhurriedly，toadistanceoffiftyyardsindeed，whencehereturned，havingknockedouthispipeandevenlefthismatchesonastone。
“Don\'twastetimeinaskingquestions，“saidOrmeastheProfessorapproachedwithcaution。“I\'llexplain。Wearegoingonaqueerjourneyto-night——fourwhitemenwithaboutadozenhalf-bredmongrelscampsofdoubtfulloyalty，soyouseeQuickandIthoughtitaswelltohavesomeofthisstuffhandy。Probablyitwillneverbewanted，andifwantedweshallhavenotimetouseit；still，whoknows?
There，thatwilldo。Tencanisters；enoughtoblowuphalftheFungiftheywillkindlysitonthem。Youtakefive，Quick，abatteryandthreehundredyardsofwire，andI\'lltakefive，abattery，andthreehundredyardsofwire。Yourdetonatorsareallfixed，aren\'tthey?
Well，soaremine，“andwithoutmorewordsheproceededtostowawayhisshareoftheapparatusinthepoacherpocketsofhiscoatandelsewhere，whileQuickdidlikewisewithwhatremained。Thenthecasethattheyhadopenedwasfastenedupagainandremovedtobeladenonacamel。
CHAPTERVI
HOWWEESCAPEDFROMHARMAC
Asfinallyarrangedthiswastheorderofourmarch:FirstwentanAbatiguidewhowassaidtobeconversantwitheveryinchoftheway。
ThencameOrmeandSergeantQuick，conductingthecamelsthatwereloadedwiththeexplosives。Ifollowedinordertokeepaneyeuponthesepreciousbeastsandthoseinchargeofthem。Nextmarchedsomemorecamels，carryingourbaggage，provisions，andsundries，andfinallyintherearweretheProfessorandShadrachwithtwoAbati。
Shadrach，Ishouldexplain，hadselectedthissituationforthereason，ashesaid，thatifhewentfirst，afterwhathadpassed，anymistakeoruntowardoccurrencemightbesetdowntohismalice，whereas，ifhewerebehind，hecouldnotbethusslandered。Onhearingthis，Higgs，whoisageneroussoul，insisteduponshowinghisconfidenceinthevirtueofShadrachbyaccompanyinghimasarearguard。Soviolentlydidheinsist，andsoflattereddidShadrachseemtobebythismarkoffaith，thatOrme，who，Ishouldsay，ifI
havenotalreadydoneso，wasinsolecommandofthepartynowthathostilitieswereintheair，consentedtotheplan，ifwithevidentreluctance。
AsIknow，hisownviewwasthatitwouldbebestforusfourEnglishmentoremaintogether，although，ifwedidso，whateverpositionwechose，itwouldbeimpossibleforusinthatdarknesstokeeptouchwiththelineofcamelsandtheirloads，whichwerealmostasimportanttousasourlives。Atleast，havingmadeupourmindstodelivertheminMur，wethoughtthattheywereimportant，perhapsbecauseitisthefashionoftheAnglo-Saxonracetoputevenaself-
createdideaofdutybeforepersonalsafetyorconvenience。
Rightlyorwrongly，sothingsweresettled，forinsuchtroublousconditionsonecanonlydowhatseemsbestatthemoment。Criticismsubsequenttotheeventisalwayseasy，asmanyanunluckycommanderhasfoundoutwhentheissuewentawry，butinemergencyonemustdecideonsomething。
Thesunset，thedarknessfell，anditbegantorainandblow。Westartedquiteunobserved，sofaraswecouldtell，and，travellingdownwardfromtheovergrown，ruinedtown，gainedtheoldroad，andincompletesilence，forthefeetofcamelsmakenonoise，passedalongittowardthelightsofHarmac，whichnowandagain，whenthestorm-
cloudslifted，wesawglimmeringinfrontofusandsomewhattoourleft。
InallmylongwanderingsIcannotrememberamoreexcitingoramoredisagreeablejourney。Theblackness，relievedonlyfromtimetotimebydistantlightnings，wasthatoftheplaguesofEgypt；thedrivingrainworkedthroughtheopeningsofourcamel-haircloaksandthewaterproofsweworeunderneaththem，andwetusthrough。Thecold，dampwindchilledustothebone，enervatedaswewerewiththeheatofthedesert。Butthesediscomforts，andtheywereseriousenough，weforgotinthetremendousissueoftheenterprise。ShouldwewinthroughtoMur?Or，asacrowntoourmanylaboursandsufferings，shouldweperishpresentlyontheroad?Thatwasthequestion；asI
canassurethereader，onethatwefoundveryurgentandinteresting。
Threehourshadgoneby。NowwewereoppositetothelightsofHarmac，alsotootherlightsthatshoneupavalleyinthemountaintoourright。Asyeteverythingwaswell；forthisweknewbythewordswhisperedupanddowntheline。
Thenofasudden，infrontofusalightflashed，althoughasyetitwasalongwayoff。Nextcameanotherwhisperedmessageof“Halt！“Sowehalted，andpresentlyoneofthefrontguidescreptback，informingusthatabodyofFungcavalryhadappearedupontheroadahead。Wetookcounsel。Shadracharrivedfromtherear，andsaidthatifwewaitedawhiletheymightgoaway，ashethoughtthattheirpresencemustbeaccidentalandconnectedwiththegreatfestival。Heimploredustobequitesilent。Accordingly，notknowingwhattodo，wewaited。
NowIthinkIhaveforgottentosaythatthedogPharaoh，topreventaccidents，occupiedabigbasket；thisbasket，inwhichheoftenrodewhentired，beingfixedupononesideofOrme\'scamel。Herehelaypeaceablyenoughuntil，inanunluckymoment，ShadrachleftmetogoforwardtotalktotheCaptain，whereon，smellinghisenemy，Pharaohburstoutintofuriousbaying。Afterthateverythingwasconfusion。
Shadrachdartedbacktowardtherear。Thelightaheadbegantomovequickly，advancingtowardus。Thefrontcamelslefttheroad，asI
presume，followingtheirleaderaccordingtothecustomofthesebeastswhenmarchinginline。
Presently，Iknownothow，Orme，Quick，andmyselffoundourselvestogetherinthedarkness；atthetimewethoughtHiggswaswithusalso，butinthisweweremistaken。Weheardshoutingsandstrangevoicesspeakingalanguagethatwecouldnotunderstand。Bythesuddenglareofaflashoflightning，forthethunderstormwasnowtravellingoverus，wesawseveralthings。OneofthesewastheProfessor\'sriding-dromedary，whichcouldnotbemistakenbecauseofitspurewhitecolourandqueermethodofholdingitsheadtooneside，passingwithintenyards，betweenusandtheroad，havingamanuponitsbackwhoevidentlywasnottheProfessor。Thenitwasthatwediscoveredhisabsenceandfearedtheworst。
“AFunghasgothiscamel，“Isaid。
“No，“answeredQuick；“Shadrachhasgotit。Isawhisuglymugagainstthelight。”
Anothervisionwasthatofwhatappearedtobeourbaggagecamelsmovingswiftlyawayfromus，butofftheroadwhichwasoccupiedbyabodyofhorsemeninwhiterobes。OrmeissuedabriefordertotheeffectthatweweretofollowthecamelswithwhichtheProfessormightbe。Westartedtoobey，butbeforewehadcoveredtwentyyardsofthecornfieldorwhateveritwasinwhichwewerestanding，heardvoicesaheadthatwerenotthoseofAbati。EvidentlytheflashwhichshowedtheFungtoushaddonethemalikeservice，andtheywerenowadvancingtokillorcaptureus。
Therewasonlyonethingtodo——turnandfly——andthiswedid，headingwhitherweknewnot，butmanagingtokeeptouchofeachother。
Aboutaquarterofanhourlater，justaswewereenteringagroveofpalmsorothertreeswhichhideverythinginfrontofus，thelightningblazedagain，thoughmuchmorefaintly，forbythistimethestormhadpassedovertheMountainsofMur，leavingheavyrainbehindit。BytheflashI，whowasridinglastand，asitchanced，lookingbackovermyshoulder，sawthattheFunghorsemenwerenotfiftyyardsbehind，andhuntingforuseverywhere，theirlinebeingextendedoveralongfront。Iwas，however，surethattheyhadnotyetcaughtsightofusinthedenseshadowofthetrees。
“Geton，“Isaidtotheothers；“theywillbeherepresently，“andheardQuickadd:
“Giveyourcamelhishead，Captain；hecanseeinthedark，andperhapswilltakeusbacktotheroad。”
Ormeactedonthissuggestion，which，astheblacknessrounduswaspitchy，seemedagoodone。Atanyrateitanswered，foroffwewentatafairpace，thethreecamelsmarchinginline，firstoversoftgroundandafterwardsonaroad。PresentlyIthoughtthattherainhadstopped，sinceforafewsecondsnonefellonus，butconcludedfromtheechoofthecamels\'feetanditsrecommencementthatwehadpassedundersomearchway。Onwewent，andatlengtheventhroughthegloomandrainIsawobjectsthatlookedlikehouses，thoughifsotherewerenolightsinthem，perhapsbecausethenightdrewtowardmorning。
Adreadfulideastruckme:wemightbeinHarmac！Ipasseditupforwhatitwasworth。
“Verylikely，“whisperedOrmeback。“Perhapsthesecamelswerebredhere，andarelookingfortheirstables。Well，thereisonlyonethingtodo——goon。”
Sowewentonforalongwhile，onlyinterferedwithbytheoccasionalattentionsofsomebarkingdog。LuckilyofthesePharaoh，inhisbasket，tooknoheed，probablybecauseitwashishabitifanotherdogbarkedathimtopretendcompleteindifferenceuntilitcamesonearthathecouldspringandfight，orkillit。Atlengthweappearedtopassunderanotherarchway，afterwhich，ahundredandfiftyyardsorsofurtheron，thecamelscametoasuddenstop。Quickdismounted，andpresentlyIheardhimsay:
“Doors。Canfeelthebrassworkonthem。Towerabove，Ithink，andwalloneitherside。Seemtobeinatrap。Beststopheretilllightcomes。
Nothingelsetobedone。”
Accordingly，westopped，and，havingtiedthecamelstoeachothertopreventtheirstraying，tookshelterfromtherainunderthetowerorwhateveritmightbe。Topassawaythetimeandkeeplifeinus，forwewerealmostfrozenwiththewetandcold，weatesometinnedfoodandbiscuitsthatwecarriedinoursaddle-bags，anddrankadramofbrandyfromQuick\'sflask。Thiswarmedusalittle，thoughIdonotthinkthatabottlefulwouldhaveraisedourspirits。Higgs，whomweallloved，wasgone，dead，probably，bythattime；theAbatihadlostordesertedus，andwethreewhitemenappearedtohavewanderedintoasavagestronghold，where，assoonaswewereseen，weshouldbetrappedlikebirdsinanet，andbutcheredatourcaptor\'swill。
Certainlythepositionwasnotcheerful。
Overwhelmedwithphysicalandmentalmisery，Ibegantodoze；Ormegrewsilent，andtheSergeant，havingremarkedthattherewasnoneedtobother，sincewhatmustbemustbe，consoledhimselfinacornerbyhummingoverandoveragaintheverseofthehymnwhichbegins:
“Thereisablessedhomebeyondthislandofwoe，Wheretrialsnevercomenortearsofsorrowflow。”
Fortunatelyforus，shortlybeforedawnthe“tearsofsorrow“asrepresentedbytherainceasedtoflow。Theskycleared，showingthestars；suddenlythevaultofheavenwassuffusedwithawonderfulandpearlylight，althoughontheearththemistremainedsothickthatwecouldseenothing。Thenabovethisseaofmistrosethegreatballofthesun，butstillwecouldseenothingthatwasmorethanafewyardsawayfromus。
“Thereisablessedhomebeyondthislandofwoe“
dronedQuickbeneathhisbreathforaboutthefiftiethtime，since，apparently，heknewnootherhymnwhichheconsideredsuitabletoourcircumstances，thenejaculatedsuddenly:
“Hullo！here\'sastair。WithyourleaveI\'llgoupit，Captain，“andhedid。
Aminutelaterweheardhisvoicecallingussoftly:
“Comehere，gentlemen，“hesaid，“andseesomethingworthlookingat。”
Sowescrambledupthesteps，and，asIratherexpected，foundourselvesuponthetopofoneoftwotowerssetaboveanarchway，whichtowerswerepartofagreatprotectiveworkoutsidethesoutherngatesofacitythatcouldbenoneotherthanHarmac。SoaringabovethemistrosethemightycliffsofMurthat，almostexactlyoppositetous，werepiercedbyadeepvalley。
Intothisvalleythesunlightpoured，revealingawondrousandawe-
inspiringobjectofwhichthebasewassurroundedbybillowyvapours，ahuge，couchantanimalfashionedofblackstone，withaheadcarvedtothelikenessofthatofalion，andcrownedwiththe/uraeus/，theasp-crestedsymbolofmajestyinoldEgypt。Howbigthecreaturemightbeitwasimpossibletosayatthatdistance，forwewerequiteamileawayfromit；butitwasevidentthatnoothermonolithicmonumentthatwehadeverseenorheardofcouldapproachitscolossaldimensions。
Comparedtothistremendouseffigyindeed，theboastedSphinxofGizehseemedbutatoy。Itwasnolessthanasmallmountainofrockshapedbythegeniusandpatientlabourofsomedepartedraceofmentotheformofalion-headedmonster。Itsmajestyandawfulnesssetthusabovetherollingmistsintheredlightofthemorning，reflectedonitfromthetoweringprecipicesbeyond，wereliterallyindescribable；
eveninourmiserablestate，theyoppressedandovercameus，sothatforawhileweweresilent。Thenwespoke，eachafterhisownmanner:
“TheidoloftheFung！“saidI。“Nowonderthatsavagesshouldtakeitforagod。”
“Thegreatestmonolithinalltheworld，“mutteredOrme，“andHiggsisdead。Oh！ifonlyhehadlivedtoseeit，hewouldhavegonehappy。I
wishithadbeenIwhowastaken；IwishithadbeenI！“andhewrunghishands，foritisthenatureofOliverOrmealwaystothinkofothersbeforehimself。
“That\'swhatwehavecometoblowup，“soliloquizedQuick。“Well，those\'azurestinging-bees，\'orwhatevertheycallthestuffhemeantazo-imidesareprettyactive，butitwilltakealotofstirringifeverwegetthere。Seemsapity，too，fortheoldpussyishandsomeinhisway。”
“Comedown，“saidOrme。“Wemustfindoutwhereweare；perhapswecanescapeinthemist。”
“Onemoment，“Ianswered。“Doyouseethat?“andIpointedtoaneedle-likerockthatpiercedthefogaboutamiletothesouthoftheidolvalley，andsaytwomilesfromwherewewere。“That\'stheWhiteRock；itisn\'twhitereally，butthevulturesroostonitandmakeitlookso。Ihaveneverseenitbefore，forIpasseditinthenight，butIknowthatitmarksthebeginningofthecleftwhichrunsuptoMur；youremember，Shadrachtoldusso。Well，ifwecangettothatWhiteRockwehaveachanceoflife。”
Ormestudiedithurriedlyandrepeated，“Comedown；wemaybeseenuphere。”
Wedescendedandbeganourinvestigationsinfeverishhaste。Thiswasthesumofthem:Inthearchunderthetowerweresettwogreatdoorscoveredwithplatesofcopperorbronzebeatenintocuriousshapestorepresentanimalsandmen，andapparentlyveryancient。Thesehugedoorshadgrillesinthemthroughwhichtheirdefenderscouldpeepoutorshootarrows。Whatseemedmoreimportanttous，however，wasthattheylackedlocks，beingsecuredonlybythickbronzeboltsandbarssuchaswecouldundo。
“Let\'sclearoutbeforethemistlifts，“saidOrme。“Withluckwemaygettothepass。”
Weassented，andIrantothecamelsthatlayrestingjustoutsidethearch。BeforeIreachedthem，however，Quickcalledmeback。
“Lookthroughthere，Doctor，“hesaid，pointingtooneofthepeep-
holes。
Ididso，andinthedensemistsawabodyofhorsemenadvancingtowardthedoor。
Theymusthaveseenusonthetopofthewall。“Foolsthatweweretogothere！“exclaimedOrme。
Nextinstanthestartedback，notasecondtoosoon，forthroughtheholewherehisfacehadbeen，flashedaspearwhichstruckthegroundbeyondthearchway。Alsoweheardotherspearsrattleuponthebronzeplatesofthedoors。
“Noluck！“saidOrme；“that\'sallup，theymeantobreakin。NowI
thinkwehadbetterplayaboldgame。Gotyourrifles，SergeantandDoctor?Yes?Thenchooseyourloopholes，aim，andemptythemagazinesintothem。Don\'twasteashot。Forheaven\'ssakedon\'twasteashot。
Now——one——two——three，fire！“
Firewedidintothedensemassofmenwhohaddismountedandwererunninguptothedoorstoburstthemopen。Atthatdistancewecouldscarcelymissandthemagazinesoftherepeatingriflesheldfiveshotsapiece。AsthesmokeclearedawayIcountedquitehalf-a-dozenFungdown，whilesomeotherswerestaggeringoff，wounded。Alsoseveralofthemenandhorsesbeyondwerestruckbythebulletswhichhadpassedthroughthebodiesofthefallen。
Theeffectofthismurderousdischargewasinstantaneousandremarkable。BravethoughtheFungmightbe，theywerequiteunaccustomedtomagazinerifles。Livingastheydidperfectlyisolatedandsurroundedbyagreatriver，eveniftheyhadheardofsuchthingsandoccasionallyseenanoldgaspipemusketthatreachedtheminthecourseoftrade，ofmoderngunsandtheirterriblepowertheyknewnothing。Smallblametothem，therefore，iftheircourageevaporatedinfaceofaformofsuddendeathwhichtothemmusthavebeenalmostmagical。Atanyratetheyfledincontinently，leavingtheirdeadandwoundedontheground。
Nowagainwethoughtofflight，whichperhapswouldhaveprovedourwisestcourse，buthesitatedbecausewecouldnotbelievethattheFunghadlefttheroadclear，ordonemorethanretreatalittletowaitforus。Whilewelosttimethusthemistthinnedagreatdeal，somuchindeedthatwecouldseeourexactposition。Infrontofus，towardsthecityside，layawideopenspace，whereofthewallsendedagainstthoseofHarmacitself，towhichtheyformedakindofvestibuleorantechambersettheretoprotectthisgatewayofthetownthroughwhichwehadriddeninthedarkness，notknowingwhitherwewent。
“Thoseinnerdoorsareopen，“saidOrme，noddinghisheadtowardthegreatportalsuponthefarthersideofthesquare。“Let\'sgoseeifwecanshutthem。Otherwiseweshan\'tholdthisplacelong。”
Soweranacrosstothefurtherdoorsthatweresimilartothosethroughwhichwehadjustfired，onlylarger，andaswemetnobodytointerferewithourefforts，foundthattheunitedstrengthofthethreeofuswasjust，onlyjust，sufficienttoturnfirstoneandthentheotherofthemuponitshingesandworkthevariousboltsandbarsintotheirrespectiveplaces。Twomencouldneverhavedonethejob，butbeingthreeandfairlydesperatewemanagedit。Thenweretreatedtoourarchwayand，asnothinghappened，tooktheopportunitytoeatanddrinkafewmouthfuls，Quickremarkingsagelythatwemightaswelldieuponfullasuponemptystomachs。
Whenwehadcrossedthesquarethefogwasthinningrapidly，butasthesunrose，suckingthevapoursfromtherain-soakedearth，itthickenedagainforawhile。
“Sergeant，“saidOrmepresently，“theseblackmenareboundtoattackussoon。Nowisthetimetolayaminewhiletheycan\'tseewhatweareafter。”
“Iwasjustthinkingthesamething，Captain；thesoonerthebetter，“
repliedQuick。“PerhapstheDoctorwillkeepawatchhereoverthecamels，andifheseesanyonestickuphisheadabovethewall，hemightbidhimgood-morning。Weknowheisaniceshot，istheDoctor，“
andhetappedmyrifle。
Inoddedandthetwoofthemsetoutladenwithwiresandthepackagesthatlookedliketobaccotins，headingforastoneerectioninthecentreofthesquarewhichresembledanaltar，butwas，Ibelieve，arostrumwhencethenativeauctioneerssoldslavesandothermerchandise。Whattheydidthereexactly，IamsureIdonotknow；
indeed，IwastoomuchoccupiedinkeepingawatchuponthewallswhereofIcouldclearlyseethecrestabovethemist，topaymuchattentiontotheirproceedings。
Presentlymyvigilancewasrewarded，foroverthegreatgatewayopposite，atadistanceofaboutahundredandfiftypacesfromme，appearedsomekindofachieftaincladinwhiterobesandwearingaveryfineturbanorcolouredhead-dress，whoparadedupanddown，wavingaspeardefiantlyandutteringloudshouts。
ThismanIcoveredverycarefully，lyingdowntodoso。AsQuickhadsaid，Iamagoodrifleshot，havingpractisedthatartformanyyears；still，onemayalwaysmiss，which，althoughIborenopersonalgrudgeagainstthepoorfellowinthefinehead-dress，onthisoccasionIdidnotwishtodo。Thesuddenandmysteriousdeathofthatsavagewould，Ifeltsure，produceagreateffectamonghispeople。
Atlengthhestoppedexactlyoverthedoorandbegantoexecuteakindofwar-dance，turninghisheadfromtimetotimetoyelloutsomethingtoothersonthefarthersideofthewall。Thiswasmyopportunity。I
coveredhimwithasmuchcareasthoughIwereshootingatatarget，withonebull\'seyetowin。Aimingalittlelowincasetherifleshouldthrowhigh，verygentlyIpressedthetrigger。Thecartridgeexploded，thebulletwentonitsway，andthemanonthewallstoppeddancingandshoutingandstoodquitestill。Clearlyhehadheardtheshotorfeltthewindoftheball，butwasuntouched。
Iworkedtheleverjerkingouttheemptycase，preparatorytofiringagain，butonlookingupsawthattherewasnoneed，fortheFungcaptainwasspinningroundonhisheelslikeatop。Threeorfourtimeshewhirledthuswithincrediblerapidity，thensuddenlythrewhisarmswide，anddivedheadlongfromthewalllikeabatherfromaplank，butbackward，andwassoonnomore。Onlyfromthefarthersideofthosegatesaroseawailofwrathandconsternation。
AfterthisnootherFungappeareduponthewall，soIturnedmyattentiontothespy-holeinthedoorsbehindme，andseeingsomehorsemenmovingaboutatadistanceoffourorfivehundredyardsonarockyridgewherethemistdidnotlie，Iopenedfireonthemandatthesecondshotwasfortunateenoughtoknockamanoutofthesaddle。
Oneofthosewithhim，whomusthavebeenabravefellow，instantlyjumpeddown，threwhim，deadorliving，overthehorse，leapedupbehindhim，andgallopedawayaccompaniedbytheothers，pursuedbysomeprobablyineffectivebulletsthatIsentafterthem。
NowtheroadtothePassofMurseemedtobeclear，andIregrettedthatOrmeandQuickwerenotwithmetoattemptescape。Indeed，I
meditatedfetchingorcallingthem，whensuddenlyIsawthemreturning，buryingawireorwiresinthesandastheycame，andatthesametimeheardanoiseofthunderousblowsofwhichIcouldnotmistakethemeaning。EvidentlytheFungwerebreakingdownthefartherbronzedoorswithsomekindofbattering-ram。Iranouttomeetthemandtoldmynews。
“Welldone，“saidOrmeinaquietvoice。“Now，Sergeant，justjoinupthosewirestothebattery，andbecarefultoscrewthemintight。Youhavetestedit，haven\'tyou?Doctor，begoodenoughtounbarthegates。No，youcan\'tdothatalone；I\'llhelpyoupresently。Looktothecamelsandtightenthegirths。TheseFungwillhavethedoorsdowninaminute，andthentherewillbenotimetolose。”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?“IaskedasIobeyed。
“Showthemsomefireworks，Ihope。Bringthecamelsintothearchwaysothattheycan\'tfoulthewirewiththeirfeet。So——standstill，yougrumblingbrutes！Nowforthesebolts。Heavens！howstifftheyare。I
wonderwhytheFungdon\'tgreasethem。Onedoorwilldo——nevermindtheother。”
Labouringfuriouslywegotitundoneandajar。Sofaraswecouldseetherewasnooneinsightbeyond。Scaredbyourbulletsorforotherreasonsoftheirown，theguardthereappearedtohavemovedaway。
“Shallwetaketheriskandrideforit?“Isuggested。
“No，“answeredOrme。“Ifwedo，evensupposingtherearenoFungwaitingbeyondtherise，thoseinsidethetownwillsooncatchusontheirswifthorses。Wemustscarethembeforewebolt，andthenthosethatareleftofthemmayletusalone。Nowlistentome。WhenIgivetheword，youtwotakethecamelsoutsideandmakethemkneelaboutfiftyyardsaway，notnearer，forIdon\'tknowtheeffectiverangeofthesenewexplosives；itmaybegreaterthanIthink。IshallwaituntiltheFungarewelloverthemineandthenfireit，afterwhichI
hopetojoinyou。IfIdon\'t，rideashardasyoucangotothatWhiteRock，andifyoureachMurgivemycomplimentstotheChildofKings，orwhateversheiscalled，andsaythatalthoughIhavebeenpreventedfromwaitinguponher，SergeantQuickunderstandsasmuchaboutpicratesasIdo。AlsogetShadrachtriedandhangedifheisguiltyofHiggs\'sdeath。PooroldHiggs！howhewouldhaveenjoyedthis。”
“Begyourpardon，Captain，“saidQuick，“butI\'llstaywithyou。Thedoctorcanseetothebaggageanimals。”
“Willyoubegoodenoughtoobeyordersandfalltotherearwhenyouaretold，Sergeant?Now，nowords。Itisnecessaryforthepurposesofthisexpeditionthatoneofustwoshouldtrytokeepawholeskin。”
“Then，sir，“pleadedQuick，“mayn\'tItakechargeofthebattery?“
“No，“heansweredsternly。“Ah！thedoorsaredownatlast，“andhepointedtoahordeofFung，mountedandonfoot，whopouredthroughthegatewaywheretheyhadstood，shoutingaftertheirfashion，andwenton:“Nowthen，pickoutthecaptainsandpepperaway。Iwanttokeepthembackabit，sothattheycomeoninacrowd，notscattered。”
WetookupourrepeatingriflesanddidasOrmetoldus，andsodensewasthemassofhumanityoppositethatifwemissedoneman，wehitanother，killingorwoundinganumberofthem。Theresultofthelossofseveraloftheirleaders，tosaynothingofmeanerfolk，wasjustwhatOrmehadforeseen。TheFungsoldiers，insteadofrushingonindependently，spreadtorightandleft，untilthewholefarthersideofthesquarefilledupwiththousandsofthem，averitableseaofmen，atwhichwepeltedbulletsasboyshurlstonesatawave。
Atlengththepressureofthosebehindthrustonwardthoseinfront，andthewholefierce，tumultuousmobbegantoflowforwardacrossthesquare，amultitudebentonthedestructionofthreewhitemen，armedwiththesenewandterribleweapons。Itwasaverystrangeandthrillingsight；neverhaveIseenitslike。
“Now，“saidOrme，“stopfiringanddoasIbidyou。Kneelthecamelsfiftyyardsoutsidethewall，notless，andwaittillyouknowtheend。Ifweshouldn\'tmeetagain，well，good-byeandgoodluck。”
Sowewent，Quickliterallyweepingwithshameandrage。
“GoodLord！“heexclaimed，“goodLord！tothinkthat，afterfourcampaigns，SamuelQuick，SergeantofEngineers，withfivemedals，shouldlivetobesentoffwiththebaggagelikeapot-belliedbandmaster，leavinghiscaptaintofightaboutthreethousandniggerssingle-handed。Doctor，ifhedon\'tcomeout，youdothebestyoucanforyourself，forI\'mgoingbacktostopwithhim，that\'sall。There，that\'sfiftypaces；downyougo，youuglybeasts，“andhebumpedhiscamelviciouslyontheheadwiththebuttofhisrifle。
Fromwherewehadhaltedwecouldonlyseethroughthearchwayintothespacebeyond。BynowthesquarelookedlikeagreatSundaymeetinginHydePark，beingfilledupwithmenofwhomthefirstrowswerealreadypastthealtar-likerostruminitscentre。
“Whydon\'thelooseoffthemstinging-bees?“mutteredQuick。“Oh！I
seehislittlegame。Look，“andhepointedtothefigureofOrme，whohadcreptbehindtheunopenedhalfofthedooronoursideofitandwaslookingintentlyrounditsedge，holdingthebatteryinhisrighthand。“Hewantstoletthemgetnearersoastomakeabiggerbag。
He——“
IheardnomoreofQuick\'sremarks，forsuddenlysomethinglikeanearthquaketookplace，andthewholeskyseemedtoturntoonegreatflame。Isawalengthofthewallofthesquarerushoutwardandupward。Isawtheshuthalfofthebronze-plateddoorskippingandhoppingplayfullytowardus，andinfrontofitthefigureofaman。
Thenitbegantorainallsortsofthings。
Forinstance，stones，noneofwhichhitus，luckily，andothermoreunpleasantobjects。Itisastrangeexperiencetobeknockedbackwardbyadeadfistseparatedfromitsparentbody，yetonthisoccasionthisactuallyhappenedtome，and，whatismore，thefisthadaspearinit。Thecamelstriedtoriseandbolt，buttheyarephlegmaticbrutes，and，asoursweretiredaswell，wesucceededinquietingthem。
Whilstwewerethusoccupiedsomewhatautomatically，fortheshockhaddazedus，thefigurethathadbeenpropelledbeforethedancingdoorarrived，reelinginadrunkenfashion，andthroughthedustandfalling/débris/weknewitforthatofOliverOrme。Hisfacewasblackened，hisclothesweretornhalfoffhim，andbloodfromascalpwoundrandownhisbrownhair。Butinhisrighthandhestillheldthelittleelectricbattery，andIknewatoncethathehadnolimbsbroken。
“Verysuccessfulmine，“hesaidthickly。“Boermeliniteshellsaren\'tinitwiththisnewcompound。Comeonbeforetheenemyrecoverfromtheshock，“andheflunghimselfuponhiscamel。
InanotherminutewehadstartedatatrottowardtheWhiteRock，whilstfromthecityofHarmacbehindusroseawailoffearandmisery。WegainedthetopoftheriseonwhichIhadshotthehorseman，and，asIexpected，foundthattheFunghadpostedastrongguardinthedipbeyond，outofreachofourbullets，inordertocutusoff，shouldweattempttoescape。Now，terrifiedbywhathadhappened，tothemasupernaturalcatastrophe，theywereescapingthemselves，forweperceivedthemgallopingofftotheleftandrightasfastastheirhorseswouldcarrythem。
Soforawhilewewentonunmolested，thoughnotveryquickly，becauseofOrme\'scondition。WhenwehadcoveredabouthalfthedistancebetweenusandtheWhiteRock，Ilookedroundandbecameawarethatwewerebeingpursuedbyabodyofcavalryaboutahundredstrong，whichIsupposedhademergedfromsomeothergateofthecity。
“Flogtheanimals，“IshoutedtoQuick，“ortheywillcatchusafterall。”
Hedidso，andweadvancedatashamblinggallop，thehorsemengainingonuseverymoment。NowIthoughtthatallwasover，especiallywhenofasuddenfrombehindtheWhiteRockemergedasecondsquadofhorsemen。
“Cutoff！“Iexclaimed。
“Supposeso，sir，“answeredQuick，“buttheseseemadifferentcrowd。”
Iscannedthemandsawthathewasright。Theywereaverydifferentcrowd，forinfrontofthemfloatedtheAbatibanner，whichIcouldnotmistake，havingstudieditwhenIwasaguestofthetribe:acurious，triangular，greenflagcoveredwithgoldenHebrewcharacters，surroundingthefigureofSolomonseatedonathrone。Moreover，immediatelybehindthebannerinthemidstofabodyguardrodeadelicatelyshapedwomanclothedinpurewhite。ItwastheChildofKingsherself！
Twomoreminutesandwewereamongthem。IhaltedmycamelandlookedroundtoseethattheFungcavalrywereretreating。Aftertheeventsofthatmorningclearlytheyhadnostomachleftforafightwithasuperiorforce。
Theladyinwhiterodeuptous。
“Greetings，friend，“sheexclaimedtome，forsheknewmeagainatonce。“Now，whoiscaptainamongyou?“
IpointedtotheshatteredOrme，whosatswayingonhiscamelwitheyeshalfclosed。
“Noblesir，“shesaid，addressinghim，“ifyoucan，tellmewhathashappened。IamMaquedaoftheAbati，shewhoisnamedChildofKings。
Lookatthesymbolonmybrow，andyouwillseethatIspeaktruth，“
and，throwingbackherveil，sherevealedthecoronetofgoldthatshowedherrank。
CHAPTERVII
BARUNG
AtthesoundofthissoftvoicetheextremesoftnessofMaqueda\'svoicewasalwaysoneofhergreatestcharms，Ormeopenedhiseyesandstaredather。
“Veryqueerdream，“Iheardhimmutter。“MustbesomethingintheMohammedanbusinessafterall。Extremelybeautifulwoman，andthatgoldthinglookswellonherdarkhair。”
“Whatdoesthelordyourcompanionsay?“askedMaquedaofme。
Havingfirstexplainedthathewassufferingfromshock，Itranslatedwordforword，whereonMaquedablushedtoherlovelyvioleteyesandletfallherveilinagreathurry。Intheconfusionwhichensued，I
heardQuicksayingtohismaster:
“No，no，sir；thisoneain\'tnohouri。She\'safleshandbloodqueen，andthepleasantesttolookatIeverclappedeyeson，thoughabenightedAfricanJew。Wakeup，Captain，wakeup；youareoutofthathell-firenow。It\'sgottheFung，notyou。”
ThewordFungseemedtorouseOrme。
“Yes，“hesaid；“Iunderstand。Thevapourofthestuffpoisonedme，butitispassingnow。Adams，askthatladyhowmanymenshe\'sgotwithher。Whatdoesshesay?Aboutfivehundred?Well，then，letherattackHarmacatonce。Theouterandinnergatesaredown；theFungthinktheyhaveraisedthedevilandwillrun。Shecaninflictadefeatonthemfromwhichtheywillnotrecoverforyears，onlyitmustbedoneatonce，beforetheygettheirnerveagain，for，afterall，theyaremorefrightenedthanhurt。”
Maquedalistenedtothisadviceintently。
“Itistomyliking；itisverygood，“shesaidinherquaintarchaicArabicwhenIhadfinishedtranslating。“ButImustconsultmyCouncil。Whereismyuncle，theprinceJoshua?“
“Here，Lady，“answeredavoicefromthepressbehind，outofwhichpresentlyemerged，mountedonawhitehorse，astoutman，welladvancedinmiddleage，withaswarthycomplexionandremarkablyround，prominenteyes。HewascladintheusualEasternrobes，richlyworked，overwhichheworeashirtofchain-mail，andonhisheadahelmet，withmailflaps，anattirethatgavethegeneraleffectofanobeseCrusaderoftheearlyNormanperiodwithouthiscross。
“IsthatJoshua?“saidOrme，whowaswanderingalittleagain。“Rummy-
lookingcock，isn\'the?Sergeant，tellJoshuathatthewallsofJerichoaredown，sothere\'llbenoneedtoblowhisowntrumpet。I\'msurefromthelookofhimthathe\'saperfectdevilwithatrumpet。”
“Whatdoesyourcompanionsay?“askedMaquedaagain。
ItranslatedthemiddlepartofOrme\'sremarks，butneitherthecommencementnortheend，buteventheseamusedherverymuch，forsheburstoutlaughing，andsaid，pointingtoHarmac，overwhichstillhungacloudofdust:
“Yes，yes，Joshua，myuncle，thewallsofJerichoaredown，andthequestionis，willyounottakeyouropportunity?Soinanhourortwoweshallbedead，orifGodgoeswithus，perhapsfreefromthemenaceoftheFungforyears。”
TheprinceJoshuastaredatherwithhisgreat，prominenteyes，thenansweredinathick，gobblingvoice:
“Areyoumad，ChildofKings?OfusAbatiheretherearebutfivehundredmen，andoftheFungyondertensofthousands。Ifweattacked，theywouldeatusup。Canfivehundredmenstandagainsttensofthousands?“
“Itseemsthatthreestoodagainstthemthismorning，andworkedsomedamage，myuncle，butitistruethosethreeareofadifferentracefromtheAbati，“sheaddedwithbittersarcasm。Thensheturnedtothosebehindherandcried:“WhoofmycaptainsandCouncilwillaccompanyme，ifIwhoambutawomandaretoadvanceonHarmac?“
Nowhereandthereavoicecried，“Iwill，“orsomegorgeouslydressedpersonsteppedforwardinahesitatingway，andthatwasall。
“Yousee，menoftheWest！“saidMaquedaafteralittlepause，addressingusthree。“Ithankyouforthegreatdeedsthatyouhavedoneandforyourcounsel。ButIcannottakeitbecausemypeoplearenot——warlike，“andshecoveredherfacewithherhands。
Nowtherearoseagreattumultamongherfollowers，whoallbegantotalkatonce。Joshuainparticulardrewalargeswordandwavedit，shoutingoutarecitalofthedesperateactionsofhisyouthandthenamesofFungchieftainswhomheallegedhehadkilledinsinglecombat。
“Toldyouthatfatcurwasafirst-classtrumpeter，“saidOrmelanguidly，whiletheSergeantejaculatedintonesofdeepdisgust:
“GoodLord！whataset。Why，Doctor，theyain\'tfittosavagearefereeinaLondonfootballground。Pharaohthereinhisbasketwherehewasbarkingloudlywouldmakethewholelotrun，andifhewasout——ohmy！Now，then，youporpoise“——thisheaddressedtoJoshua，whowasflourishinghisswordunpleasantlynear——“putyourpasteboardup，won\'tyou，orI\'llknockyourfatheadoff，“whereonthePrince，who，ifhedidnotunderstandQuick\'swords，atanyratecaughttheirmeaningwonderfullywell，didashewastold，andfellback。
Justthen，indeed，therewasageneralmovementupthepass，inthewidemouthofwhichallthisscenetookplace，forsuddenlythreeFungchieftainsappearedgallopingtowardus，oneofwhomwasveiledwithanapkininwhichwerecuteyeholes。Souniversalwasthisretreat，infact，thatwethreeonourcamels，andtheChildofKingsonherbeautifulmare，foundourselvesleftalone。
“Anembassy，“saidMaqueda，scanningtheadvancinghorsemen，whocarriedwiththemawhiteflagtiedtothebladeofaspear。
“Physician，willyouandyourfriendscomewithmeandspeaktothesemessengers?“Andwithoutevenwaitingforananswer，sherodeforwardfiftyyardsorsoontotheplain，andtherereinedupandhaltedtillwecouldbringourcamelsroundandjoinher。Aswedidso，thethreeFung，splendid-looking，black-facedfellows，arrivedatafuriousgallop，theirlancespointedatus。
“Standstill，friends，“saidMaqueda；“theymeannoharm。”
Asthewordspassedherlips，theFungpulledthehorsestotheirhaunches，Arab-fashion，liftedspearsandsaluted。Thentheirleader——
nottheveiledman，butanother——spokeinadialectthatI，whohadspentsomanyyearsamongthesavagesofthedesert，understoodwellenough，especiallyasthebaseofitwasArabic。
“O，WaldaNagasta，DaughterofSolomon，“hesaid，“wearethetonguesofourSultanBarung，SonofBarungforahundredgenerations，andwespeakhiswordstothebravewhitemenwhoareyourguests。ThussaysBarung。LiketheFatOnewhomIhavealreadycaptured，youwhitemenareheroes。Threeofyoualone，youheldthegateagainstmyarmy。
Withtheweaponsofthewhitemanyoukilledusfromafar，hereoneandthereone。Then，atlast，withagreatmagicofthunderandlightningandearthquake，yousentusbyscoresintothebosomofourgod，andshookdownourwallsaboutourearsandoutofthathellyouescapedyourselves。
“Now，Owhitemen，thisistheofferofBarungtoyou:LeavethecursoftheAbati，thebaboonswhogibberanddeckthemselvesout，therock-rabbitswhoseeksafetyinthecliffs，andcometohim。Hewillgiveyounotonlylife，butallyourheart\'sdesire——landsandwivesandhorses；greatshallyoubeinhiscouncilsandhappyshallyoulive。Moreover，foryoursakeshewilltrytospareyourbrother，theFatOne，whoseeyeslookoutofblackwindows，whoblowsfirefromhismouth，andrevileshisenemiesasnevermandidbefore。Yes，althoughthepriestshavedoomedhimtosacrificeatthenextfeastofHarmac，hewilltrytosparehim，which，perhaps，hecandobymakinghim，liketheSingerofEgypt，alsoapriestofHarmac，andthusdedicateforevertothegodwithwhom，indeed，hesayshehadbeenfamiliarforthousandsofyears。Thisisourmessage，Owhitemen。”
Now，whenIhadtranslatedthesubstanceofthisorationtoOrmeandQuick，for，asIsawbythequiverthatpassedthroughherattheFunginsultsuponhertribe，Maquedaunderstoodit，theirtonguesnotdifferinggreatly，Ormewho，forthetimeatanyrate，wasalmosthimselfagain，said:
“TellthesefellowstosaytotheirSultanthatheisagoodoldboy，andthatwethankhimverymuch；alsothatwearesorrytohavebeenobligedtokillsomanyoftheminawaythathemusthavethoughtunsportsmanlike，butwehadtodoit，aswearesurehewillunderstand，inordertosaveourskins。Tellhimalsothat，speakingpersonally，havingsampledtheAbatiyonderandonourjourney，I
shouldliketoaccepthisinvitation。Butalthough，asyet，wehavefoundnomenamongthem，only，ashesays，baboons，rock-rabbits，andboasterswithoutafightinthem，wehave“——andherehebowedhisbleedingheadtoMaqueda——“foundawomanwithagreatheart。Ofhersaltwehaveeaten，orareabouttoeat；toserveherwehavecomefromfaruponhercamels，and，unlesssheshouldbepleasedtoaccompanyus，wecannotdeserther。”
AllofthisIrenderedfaithfully，whileeveryone，andespeciallyMaqueda，listenedwithmuchattention。Whentheyhadconsideredourwords，thespokesmanofthemessengersrepliedtotheeffectthatthemotivesofourdecisionwereofanaturethatcommandedtheirentirerespectandsympathy，especiallyastheirpeoplequiteconcurredinourestimateofthecharacteroftheAbatiruler，ChildofKings。Thisbeingso，theywouldamendtheirproposition，knowingthemindoftheirSultan，andhaving，indeed，plenipotentiarypowers。
“LadyofMur，“hewenton，addressingMaquedadirectly，“fairdaughterofthegreatgodHarmacandamortalqueen，whatwehaveofferedtothewhitelords，yourguests，weoffertoyoualso。Barung，ourSultan，shallmakeyouhisheadwife；or，ifthatdoesnotpleaseyou，youshallwedwhomyouwill“——and，perhapsbyaccident，theenvoy\'srovingeyesrestedforamomentuponOliverOrme。
“Leave，then，yourrock-rabbits，whodarenotquittheircliffswhenbutthreemessengerswaitwithoutwithsticks，“andheglancedatthespearinhishand，“andcometodwellamongmen。Listen，highLady；weknowyourcase。Youdoyourbestinahopelesstask。Haditnotbeenforyouandyourcourage，Murwouldhavebeenoursthreeyearsago，anditwasoursbeforeyourtribewanderedthither。Butwhileyoucanfindbutahundredbravewarriorstohelpyou，youthinktheplaceimpregnable，andyouhaveperhapsthatnumber，thoughweknowtheyarenothere；theyguardthegatesabove。Yes，withafewofyourMountaineerswhoseheartsareasthoseoftheirforefatherswere，sofarasyouhavedefiedallthepoweroftheFung，andwhenyousawthattheenddrewnear，usingyourwoman\'swit，yousentforthewhitementocomewiththeirmagic，promisingtopaythemwiththegoldwhichyouhaveinsuchplentyinthetombsofouroldkingsandintherocksofthemountains。”
“Whotoldyouthat，OTongueofBarung?“askedMaquedainalowvoice，speakingforthefirsttime。“ThemanoftheWestwhomyoutookprisoner——hewhomyoucallFatOne?“
“No，no，OWaldaNagasta，thelordBlackWindowshastoldusnothingasyet，exceptsundrythingsaboutthehistoryofourgod，withwhom，aswesaid，heseemstobefamiliar，andtowhom，therefore，wevowedhimatonce。Butthereareotherswhotellusthings，forintimesoftruceourpeoplestradetogetheralittle，andcowardsareoftenspies。Forinstance，weknewthatthesewhitemenwerecominglastnight，thoughitistruethatwedidnotknowoftheirfiremagic，for，hadwedoneso，weshouldnothaveletthecamelsslipthrough，sincetheremaybemoreofitonthem——“
“Foryourcomfort，learnthatthereis——muchmore，“Iinterrupted。
“Ah！“repliedtheTongue，shakinghisheadsadly，“andyetwesufferedCat，whomyoucallShadrach，tomakeoffwiththatofyourfatbrother；yes，andevengaveittohimafterhisownbeasthadbeenlamedbyaccident。Well，itisourbadluck，andwithoutdoubtHarmacisangrywithusto-day。Butyouranswer，OWaldaNagasta，youranswer，ORoseofMur?“
“Whatcanitbe，OVoicesofBarungtheSultan?“repliedMaqueda。“YouknowthatbymybloodandbymyoathofofficeIamsworntoprotectMurtothelast。”
“Andsoyoushall，“pleadedtheTongue，“forwhenwehavecleaneditofbaboonsandrock-rabbits，which，ifyouwereamongus，wesoonshoulddo，andthusfulfilledouroathtoregainourancientsecretCityoftheRocks，wewillsetyouthereoncemoreasitsLady，underBarung，andgiveyouamultitudeofsubjectsofwhomyoumaybeproud。”
“Itmaynotbe，OTongue，fortheywouldbeworshippersofHarmac，andbetweenJehovah，whomIserve，andHarmacthereiswar，“sheansweredwithspirit。
“Yes，sweet-smellingBudoftheRose，thereiswar，andletitbeadmittedthatthefirstbattlehasgoneagainstHarmac，thankstothemagicofthewhitemen。Yetyonderhesitsinhisgloryasthespirits，hisservants，fashionedhiminthebeginning，“andhepointedwithhisspeartowardthevalleyoftheidol。“Youknowourprophecy——
thatuntilHarmacrisesfromhisseatandfliesaway，forwherehegoes，theFungmustfollow——tillthen，Isay，weshallholdtheplainsandthecityofhisname——thatis，forever。”
“Foreverisalongword，OMouthofBarung。”Thenshepausedalittle，andaddedslowly，“DidnotcertainofthegatesofHarmacflyfarthismorning?Nowwhatifyourgodshouldfollowhisgatesandthoseworshipperswhowentwiththem，andbeseennomore?Orwhatiftheearthshouldopenandswallowhim，sothathegoesdowntohell，whitheryoucannotfollow?Orwhatifthemountainsshouldfalltogetherandburyhimfromyoursighteternally。Orwhatifthelightningsshouldleapoutandshatterhimtodust?“
Attheseominouswordstheenvoysshivered，anditseemedtomethattheirfacesforamomentturnedgrey。
“Then，OChildofKings，“answeredthespokesmansolemnly，“theFungwillacknowledgethatyourgodisgreaterthanourgod，andthatourgloryisdeparted。”
Thushespokeandwassilent，turninghiseyestowardthethirdmessenger，hewhoworeaclothornapkinuponhisheadthatwaspiercedwitheyeholesandhungdowntothebreast。Withaquickmotion，themandraggedoffthisveilandthrewittotheground，revealingaverynoblecountenance，notblacklikethatofhisfollowers，butcopper-coloured。Hewasaboutfiftyyearsofage，withdeep-setflashingeyes，hookednose，andaflowing，grizzledbeard。
Thecollarofgoldabouthisneckshowedthathisrankwashigh，butwhenwenoticedasecondornamentofgold，alsouponhisbrow，weknewthatitmustbesupreme。Forthisornamentwasnothinglessthanthesymbolofroyalty，oncewornbytheancientPharaohsofEgypt，thedoublesnakesofthe/uraeus/bendingforwardasthoughtostrike，which，aswehadseen，rosealsofromthebrowofthelion-headedsphinxofHarmac。
Asheuncovered，histwocompanionsleapttothegroundandprostratedthemselvesbeforehim，crying，“Barung！Barung！“whileallthreeofusEnglishmensaluted，involuntarily，Ithink，andeventheChildofKingsbowed。
TheSultanacknowledgedourgreetingsbyraisinghisspear。Thenhespokeinagravemeasuredvoice:
“OWaldaNagasta，andyou，whitemen，sonsofgreatfathers，Ihavelistenedtothetalkbetweenyouandmyservants；IconfirmtheirwordsandIaddtothem。Iamsorrythatmygeneralstriedtokillyoulastnight。Iwasmakingprayertomygod，oritshouldnothavehappened。Ihavebeenwellrepaidforthatdeed，sinceanarmyshouldnotmakewaruponfourmen，eventhoughbytheirsecretpowerfourmencandefeatanarmy。Ibeseechyou，andyoualso，RoseofMur，toacceptmyprofferedfriendship，sinceotherwise，erelong，youwillsoonbedead，andyourwisdomwillperishwithyouforIamwearyofthislittlewaragainstahandfulwhomwedespise。
“OWaldaNagasta，youhavebreathedthreatsagainsttheMajestyofHarmac，butheistoostrongforyou，normaythemightthatcanturnafewbrickstodustandshatterthebonesofmenprevailagainsthimwhoisshapedfromtheheartofamountainandholdsthespiritofeternity。SoatleastIthink:butevenifitisdecreedotherwise，whatwillthatavailyou?Ifitshouldpleasethegodtoleaveusbecauseofyourarts，theFungwillstillremaintoavengehimeretheyfollow。ThenIsweartoyoubymymajestyandbythebonesofmyancestorswhositinthecavesofMur，thatIwillsparebutoneoftheAbatiJews，yourself，OChildofKings，becauseofyourgreatheart，andthethreewhitemen，yourguests，shouldtheysurvivethebattle，becauseoftheircourageandtheirwisdom。Asfortheirbrother，BlackWindows，whomIhavecaptured，hemustbesacrificed，sinceIhaveswornit，unlessyouyield，whenIwillpleadforhislifetothegod，withwhatresultIcannottell。Yield，then，andI
willnotevenslaytheAbati；theyshallliveonandservetheFungasslavesandministertothegloryofHarmac。”
“Itmaynotbe，itmaynotbe！“Maquedaanswered，strikingthepommelofhersaddlewithhersmallhand。“ShallJehovahwhomSolomon，myfather，worshipped，Jehovahofallthegenerations，dohomagetoanidolshapedbythehandsHemade?Mypeoplearewornout；theyhaveforgottheirfaithandgoneastray，asdidIsraelinthedesert。I
knowit。Itmayevenhappenthatthetimehascomeforthemtoperish，whoarenolongerwarriors，asofold。Well，ifso，letthemdiefree，andnotasslaves。AtleastI，inwhomtheirbestbloodruns，donotseekyourmercy，OBarung。I\'llbenoplaythinginyourhouse，who，attheworst，canalwaysdie，havingdonemydutytomyGodandthosewhobredme。ThusIansweryouastheChildofmanyKings。Yetasawoman，“sheaddedinagentlervoice，“Ithankyouforyourcourtesy。
WhenIamslain，Barung，ifIamfatedtobeslain，thinkkindlyofme，asonewhodidherbestagainstmightyodds，“andhervoicebroke。
“ThatIshallalwaysdo，“heansweredgravely。“Isitended?“
“Notquite，“sheanswered。“TheseWesternlords，Igivethemtoyou；I
absolvethemfromtheirpromise。Whyshouldtheyperishinalostcause?Iftheytaketheirwisdomtoyoutouseagainstme，youhavevowedthemtheirlives，and，perhaps，thatoftheirbrother，yourcaptive。Thereisaslaveofyoursalso——youspokeofhim，oryourservantdid——SingerofEgyptishisname。Oneofthemknewhimasachild；perchanceyouwillnotrefusehimtothatman。”
Shepaused，butBarungmadenoanswer。
“Go，myfriends，“shewenton，turningtowardus。“Ithankyouforyourlongjourneyonmybehalfandtheblowyouhavestruckforme，andinpaymentIwillsendyouagiftofgold；theSultanwillseeitsafeintoyourhands。Ithankyou。IwishIcouldhaveknownmoreofyou，butmayhapweshallmeetagaininwar。Farewell。”
Sheceased，andIcouldseethatshewaswatchingusintentlythroughherthinveil。TheSultanalsowatchedus，strokinghislongbeard，alookofspeculationinhiseyes，forevidentlythisplayinterestedhimandhewonderedhowitwouldend。
“Thiswon\'tdo，“saidOrme，whenheunderstoodthething。“Higgswouldneverforgiveusifweatedirtjustontheoff-chanceofsavinghimfromsacrifice。He\'stoostraight-mindedonbigthings。But，ofcourse，Doctor，“headdedjerkily，“youhaveinterestsofyourownandmustdecideforyourself。IthinkIcanspeakfortheSergeant。”
“Ihavedecided，“Ianswered。“Ihopethatmysonwouldneverforgivemeeither；butifitisotherwise，why，soitmustbe。AlsoBarunghasmadenopromisesabouthim。”
“Tellhim，then，“saidOrme。“Myheadachesinfernally，andIwanttogotobed，abovegroundorunderit。”
SoItoldhim，although，tospeakthetruth，Ifeltlikeamanwithaknifeinhisheart，foritwasbittertocomesoneartothedesireofyears，totheloveoflife，andthentoloseallhopejustbecauseofdutytotheheadwomanofapackofeffetecurstowhomonehadchancedtomakeapromiseinordertogainthisveryend。Ifwecouldhavesurrenderedwithhonour，atleastIshouldhaveseenmyson，whomnowImightneverseeagain。
Onething，however，Iaddedonthespurofthemoment——namely，arequestthattheSultanwouldtelltheProfessoreverywordthathadpassed，inorderthatwhateverhappenedtohimhemightknowtheexactsituation。
“MyHarmac，“saidBarungwhenhehadheard，“howdisappointedshouldI
havebeenwithyouifyouhadansweredotherwisewhenawomanshowedyoutheway。IhaveheardofyouEnglishbefore——Arabsandtradersbroughtmetalesofyou。Forinstance，therewasonewhodieddefendingacityagainstaworshipperoftheProphetwhocalledhimselfaprophet，downyonderatKhartoumontheNile——agreatdeath，theytoldme，agreatdeath，whichyourpeopleavengedafterwards。
“WellIdidnotquitebelievethestory，andIwishedtojudgeofitbyyou。Ihavejudged，whitelords，Ihavejudged，andIamsurethatyourfatbrother，BlackWindows，willbeproudofyoueveninthelion\'sjaws。Fearnot；heshallheareveryword。TheSingerofEgypt，who，itappears，cantalkhistongue，shalltellthetaletohim，andmakeasongofittobesungoveryourhonourablegraves。Andnowfarewell；mayitbemylottocrossswordswithoneofyoubeforeallisdone。Thatshallnotbeyet，foryouneedrest，especiallyyondertallsonofagodwhoiswounded，“andhepointedtoOrme。“ChildofKingswithaheartofkings，permitmetokissyourhandandtoleadyoubacktoyourpeople，thatIwouldweremoreworthyofyou。Ah！
yes，Iwouldthat/we/wereyourpeople。”
Maquedastretchedoutherhand，and，takingit，theSultanbarelytouchedherfingerswithhislips。Then，stillholdingthem，herodewithhertowardthepass。
Asweapproacheditsmouth，wheretheAbatiwerecrowdedtogether，watchingourconference，Iheardthemmurmur，“TheSultan，theSultanhimself！“andsawtheprinceJoshuamuttersomeeagerwordstotheofficersabouthim。
“Lookout，Doctor，“saidQuickintomyear。“UnlessI\'mmistook，thatporpoiseisgoingtoplaysomegame。”
Hardlywerethewordsoutofhismouthwhen，utteringthemostvaliantshoutsandwithswordsdrawn，Joshuaandabodyofhiscompanionsgallopedupandsurroundedourlittlegroup。
“Nowyield，Barung，“bellowedJoshua；“yieldordie！“
TheSultanstaredathiminastonishment，thenanswered:
“IfIhadanyweaponhehadthrowndownhislancewhenhetookMaquedabythehand，certainlyoneofusshoulddie，OHoginman\'sclothes。”
ThenheturnedtoMaquedaandadded，“ChildofKings，Iknewthesepeopleofyourstobecowardlyandtreacherous，butisitthusthatyousufferthemtodealwithenvoysunderaflagofpeace?“
“Notso，notso，“shecried。“MyuncleJoshua，youdisgraceme；youmakeourpeopleashame，ahissing，andareproach。Standback；lettheSultanoftheFunggofree。”
Buttheywouldnot；theprizewastoogreattobereadilydisgorged。
Welookedateachother。“Notatallthegame，“saidOrme。“Iftheycollarhim，weshallbetarredwiththeirextremelydirtybrush。Shoveyourcamelinfront，Sergeant，andifthatbeggarJoshuatriesanytricks，putabulletthroughhim。”
Quickdidnotneedtobetoldtwice。Banginghisdromedary\'sribswiththebuttendofhisrifle，hedroveitstraightontoJoshua，shouting:
“Outofthelight，porpoise！“withtheresultthatthePrince\'shorsetookfright，andrearedupsohighthatitsriderslidoffoveritstailtofindhimselfseatedontheground，asorryspectacleinhisgorgeousrobesandarmour。
Takingadvantageoftheconfusionwhichensued，wesurroundedtheSultanandescortedhimoutofthethrongbacktohistwocompanions，who，seeingthattherewassomethingamiss，weregallopingtowardus。
“Iamyourdebtor，“saidBarung，“but，OWhiteMen，makememoreso。
Return，Iprayyou，tothathoginarmour，andsaythatBarung，SultanoftheFung，understandsfromhisconductthathedesirestochallengehimtosinglecombat，andthat，seeingheisfullyarmed，theSultan，althoughhewearsnomail，awaitshimhereandnow。”
SoIwentatoncewiththemessage。ButJoshuawasfartooclevertobedrawnintoanysuchdangerousadventure。
Nothing，hesaid，wouldhavegivenhimgreaterjoythantohacktheheadfromtheshouldersofthisdogofaGentilesheik。But，unhappily，owingtotheconductofoneofusforeigners，hehadbeenthrownfromhishorse，andhurthisback，sothathecouldscarcelystand，muchlessfightaduel。
SoIreturnedwithmyanswer，whereatBarungsmiledandsaidnothing。
Only，takingfromhisneckagoldchainwhichhewore，heprofferedittoQuick，who，ashesaid，hadinducedtheprinceJoshuatoshowhishorsemanshipifnothiscourage。Thenhebowedtous，onebyone，andbeforetheAbaticouldmakeuptheirmindwhethertofollowhimornot，gallopedoffswiftlywithhiscompanionstowardHarmac。
SuchwasourintroductiontoBarung，SultanoftheFung，abarbarianwithmanygoodpoints，amongthemcourage，generosity，andappreciationofthosequalitieseveninafoe，characteristicsthatmayhavebeenintensifiedbythebloodofhismother，who，Iamtold，wasanArabofhighlineagecapturedbytheFunginwarandgivenasawifetothefatherofBarung。
CHAPTERVIII
THESHADOWOFFATE
OurridefromtheplainsupthepassthatledtothehightablelandofMurwaslongand，initsway，wonderfulenough。Idoubtwhetherinthewholeworldthereexistsanotherhomeofmenmoremarvellouslydefendedbynature。Apparentlytheroadbywhichweclimbedwascutinthefirstinstance，notbyhumanhands，butbytheactionofprim?valfloods，pouring，perhaps，fromthehugelakewhichdoubtlessoncecoveredthewholeareawithinthecircleofthemountains，althoughto-dayitisbutamoderate-sizedsheetofwater，abouttwentymileslongbyteninbreadth。Howeverthismaybe，theoldinhabitantshadworkedonit，themarksoftheirtoolsmaystillbeseenupontherock。
Forthefirstmileortwotheroadisbroadandtheascentsogentlethatmyhorsewasabletogallopupitonthatdreadfulnightwhen，afterseeingmyson\'sface，accident，orratherProvidence，enabledmetoescapetheFung。Butfromthespotwherethelionspulledthepoorbeastdown，itscharacterchanges。Inplacesitissonarrowthattravellersmustadvanceinsinglefilebetweenwallsofrockhundredsoffeethigh，wheretheskyabovelookslikeablueribbon，andevenatmiddaythepathbelowisplungedingloom。Atotherspotstheslopeissoprecipitousthatbeastsofburdencanscarcelykeeptheirfoothold；indeed，weweresoonobligedtotransferourselvesfromthecamelstohorsesaccustomedtotherocks。Atothers，again，itfollowsthebrinkofayawningprecipice，anuglyplacetorideorturnrectangularcorners，whichhalf-a-dozenmencouldholdagainstanarmy，andtwiceitpassesthroughtunnels，thoughwhetherthesearenaturalIdonotknow。
Besidesalltheseobstaclestoaninvadertherewerestronggatesatintervals，withtowersnearbywhereguardswerestationednightandday，andfossesordrymoatsinfrontofthemwhichcouldonlybecrossedbymeansofdrawbridges。Sothereaderwilleasilyunderstandhowitcameaboutthat，whateverthecowardiceoftheAbati，thoughtheystroveforgenerations，theFunghadasyetneverbeenabletorecapturetheancientstronghold，which，orsoitissaid，inthebeginningtheseAbatiwonfromthembymeansofanOrientaltrick。
HereIshouldaddthat，althoughtherearetwootherroadstotheplains——thatbywhich，inordertooutflanktheFung，thecamelswereletdownwhenIstartedonmyembassytoEgypt，andthattothenorthwherethegreatswampslie——thesearebothofthemequally，ifnotmore，impassable，atanyratetoanenemyattackingfrombelow。
Astrangecavalcadewemusthaveseemedaswecrawledupthisterrificapproach。FirstwentabodyoftheAbatinotablesonhorseback，formingalonglineofcolourandglitteringsteel，whochatteredastheyrode，fortheyseemedtohavenoideaofdiscipline。Nextcameacompanyofhorsemenarmedwithspears，orrathertwocompaniesinthecentreofwhichrodetheChildofKings，someofhercourtiersandchiefofficers，andourselves，perhaps，asQuicksuggested，becauseinfantryintheeventofsurprisewouldfinditlesseasytorunawaythanthosewhoweremounteduponhorses。Lastofallrodemorecavalry，thedutyofwhoserearfilesitwastoturnfromtimetotime，and，afterinspection，toshoutoutthatwewerenotpursued。
Itcannotbesaidthatwewhooccupiedthecentreoftheadvancewereacheerfulband。Orme，althoughsofarhehadborneup，wasevidentlyveryillfromtheshockoftheexplosion，somuchsothatmenhadtobesetoneachsideofhimtoseethathedidnotfallfromthesaddle。AlsohewasdeeplydepressedbythefactthathonourhadforcedustoabandonHiggstowhatseemedacertainandprobablyacrueldeath；andifhefeltthus，whatwasmyowncase，wholeftnotonlymyfriend，butalsomyson，inthehandsofsavageheathens?
Maqueda\'sfacewasnotvisiblebecauseofthethinspangledveilthatshewore，buttherewassomethingaboutherattitudesuggestiveofshameandofdespair。Thedroopoftheheadandevenherbackshowedthis，asI，whorodealittlebehindandonsideofher，couldsee。I
think，too，thatshewasanxiousaboutOrme，forsheturnedtowardhimseveraltimesasthoughstudyinghiscondition。AlsoIamsurethatshewasindignantwithJoshuaandothersofherofficers，forwhentheyspoketohershewouldnotanswerortaketheslightestnoticeofthembeyondstraighteningherselfinthesaddle。AsforthePrincehimself，histemperseemedtobemuchruffled，althoughapparentlyhehadovercomethehurttohisbackwhichpreventedhimfromacceptingtheSultan\'schallenge，foratadifficultspotintheroadhedismountedandranalongactivelyenough。Atanyrate，whenhissubordinatesaddressedhimheonlyansweredthemwithmutteredoaths，andhisattitudetowardsusEnglishmen，especiallyQuick，wasnotamiable。Indeed，iflookscouldhavekilledusIamsurethatweshouldallhavebeendeadbeforeeverwereachedtheGateofMur。
Thisso-calledgatewastheuppermouthofthepasswhencefirstwesaw，lyingbeneathus，thevast，mountain-ringedplainbeyond。Itwasabeautifulsightinthesunshine。Almostatourfeet，half-hiddeninpalmsandothertrees，laytheflat-roofedtownitself，aplaceofconsiderableextent，aseveryhouseofanyconsequenceseemedtobesetinagarden，sinceheretherewasnoneedforcrampingwallsanddefensiveworks。Beyondittothenorthward，fartherthantheeyecouldreach，stretchingdownagentleslopetothefar-offshoresofthegreatlakeofglisteningwater，werecultivatedfields，andamongstthemvillasand，hereandthere，hamlets。
WhatevermightbethefaultsoftheAbati，evidentlytheywereskilledhusbandsmen，suchastheirreputedforefathers，theoldinhabitantsofJud?a，musthavebeenbeforethem，forofthatstrainpresumablysometracewasstillpresentintheirveins。Howeverfarhemayhavedriftedfromsuchpursuits，originallytheJewwasatillerofthesoil，andhere，wheremanyofhisothercharacteristicshadevaporatedunderpressureofcircumstances——notablythefiercecouragethatTitusknew——thistasteremainedtohim，ifonlybytradition。
Indeed，havingnootheroutletfortheirenergiesandnonewithwhomtotrade，theinterestsoftheAbatiwerecentredintheland。Forandbythelandtheylivedanddied，and，sincetheamountavailablewaslimitedbythemountainwall，hewhohadmostlandwasgreatamongstthem，hewhohadlittlelandwassmall，hewhohadnolandwaspracticallyaslave。Theirlawwasinitsessentialsalawoftheland；theirambitions，theircrimes，everythingtodowiththem，wereconcernedwiththeland，upontheproduceofwhichtheyexistedandgrewrich，someofthem，bymeansofasystemofbarter。Theyhadnocoinage，theirmoneybeingmeasuresofcornorotherproduce，horses，camels，acresoftheirequivalentofsoil，andsoforth。