SowewentintothelittleroomandawokeOliver，whosprangupinagreatfright，thinkingthatsomethinguntowardhadhappenedatthemine。
“What\'swrong?“heaskedofJaphet。“HavetheFungcutthewires?“
“Nay，OOrme，aworsething；IhavediscoveredthatthePrinceJoshuahaslaidaplottostealaway\'Her-whose-name-is-high。\'“
“Whatdoyoumean?Setoutallthestory，Japhet，“saidOliver。
“Itisshort，lord。Ihavesomefriends，oneofwhom——heisofmyownblood，butaskmenothisname——isintheserviceofthePrince。Wedrankacupofwinetogether，whichIneeded，andIsupposeitloosedhistongue。Atanyrate，hetoldme，andIbelievedhim。Thisisthestory。ForhisownsakeandthatofthepeoplethePrincedesiresthatyoushoulddestroytheidolofFung，andthereforehehaskepthishandsoffyouoflate。Yetshouldyousucceed，hedoesnotknowwhatmayhappen。HefearslesttheAbatiintheirgratitudeshouldsetyouupasgreatmen。”
“Thenheisanass！“interruptedQuick；“fortheAbatihavenogratitude。”
“Hefears，“wentonJaphet，“otherthingsalso。Forinstance，thattheChildofKingsmayexpressthatgratitudebyamarkofhersignalfavourtowardoneofyou，“andhestaredatOrme，whoturnedhisheadaside。“Now，thePrinceisaffiancedtothisgreatlady，whomhedesirestowedfortworeasons:First，becausethismarriagewillmakehimthechiefmanamongsttheAbati，and，secondly，becauseoflatehehascometothinkthathelovesherwhomheisafraidthathemaylose。Sohehassetasnare。”
“Whatsnare?“askedoneofus，forJaphetpaused。
“Idon\'tknow，“answeredJaphet，“andIdonotthinkthatmyfriendkneweither，or，ifhedid，hewouldnottellme。ButIunderstandtheplotisthattheChildofKingsistobecarriedofftothePrinceJoshua\'scastleattheotherendofthelake，sixhours\'rideaway，andtherebeforcedtomarryhimatonce。”
“Indeed，“saidOrme，“andwhenisallthistohappen?“
“Idon\'tknow，lord。Iknownothingexceptwhatmyfriendtoldme，whichIthoughtitrighttocommunicatetoyouinstantly。Iaskedhimthetime，however，andhesaidthathebelievedthedatewasfixedforonenightafternextSabbath。”
“NextSabbathisfivedayshence，sothatthismatterdoesnotseemtobeverypressing，“remarkedOliverwithasighofrelief。“Areyousurethatyoucantrustyourfriend，Japhet?“
“No，lord，Iamnotsure，especiallyasIhavealwaysknownhimtobealiar。Still，IthoughtthatIoughttotellyou。”
“Verykindofyou，Japhet，butIwishthatyouhadletmehavemysleepoutfirst。Nowgodownthelineandseethatallisright，thenreturnandreport。”
Japhetsalutedinhisnativefashionandwent。
“Whatdoyouthinkofthisstory?“askedOliver，assoonashewasoutofhearing。
“Allbosh，“answeredHiggs；“theplaceisfulloftalkandrumours，andthisisoneofthem。”
Hepausedandlookedatme。
“Oh！“Isaid，“IagreewithHiggs。IfJaphet\'sfriendhadreallyanythingtotellhewouldhavetolditinmoredetail。IdaresaythereareagoodmanythingsJoshuawouldliketodo，butIexpecthewillstopthere，atanyrate，forthepresent。Ifyoutakemyadviceyouwillsaynothingofthematter，especiallytoMaqueda。”
“Thenweareallagreed。Butwhatareyouthinkingof，Sergeant?“
askedOliver，addressingQuick，whostoodinacorneroftheroom，lostapparentlyincontemplationofthefloor。
“I，Captain，“hereplied，comingtoattention。“Well，beggingtheirpardon，IwasthinkingthatIdon\'tholdwiththesegentlemen，exceptinsofarthatIshouldsaynothingofthisjobtoourLady，whohasplentytobotherherjustnow，andwon\'tneedtobefrightenedaswell。Still，theremaybesomethinginit，forthoughthatJaphetisstupid，he\'shonest，andhonestmensometimesgetholdoftherightendofthestick。Atleast，hebelievesthereissomething，andthat\'swhatweighswithme。”
“Well，ifthat\'syouropinion，what\'sbesttobedoneSergeant?I
agreethattheChildofKingsshouldnotbetold，andIshan\'tleavethisplacetillafterteno\'clockto-nightattheearliest，ifwesticktoourplans，aswehadbetterdo，forallthatstuffinthetunnelwantsalittletimetosettle，andforotherreasons。Whatareyoudrawingthere?“andhepointedtothefloor，inthedustofwhichQuickwastracingsomethingwithhisfinger。
“AplanofourLady\'sprivaterooms，Captain。Shetoldyoushewasgoingtorestatsundown，didn\'tshe，orearlier，forshewasupmostoflastnight，andwantedtogetafewhours\'sleepbefore——somethinghappens。Well，herbed-chamberisthere，isn\'tit?andanotherbeforeit，inwhichhermaidssleep，andnothingbehindexceptahighwallandaditchwhichcannotbeclimbed。”
“That\'squitetrue，“interruptedHiggs。“Igotleavetomakeaplanofthepalace，onlythereisapassagesixfeetwideandtwentylongleadingfromtheguardchambertotheladies\'anteroom。”
“Justso，Professor，andthatpassagehasaturninit，ifIrememberright，sothattwowell-armedmencouldholditagainstquitealot。
SupposingnowthatyouandI，Professor，shouldgoandtakeanapinthatguard-room，whichwillbeempty，forthewatchissetatthepalacegate。Weshan\'tbewantedhere，sinceiftheCaptaincan\'ttouchoffthatmine，noonecan，withtheDoctortohelphimjustincaseanythinggoeswrong，andJaphetguardingtheline。Idaresaythere\'snothinginthisyarn，butwhoknows?Theremightbe，andthenweshouldblameourselves。Whatdoyousay，Professor?“
“I?Oh，I\'lldoanythingyouwish，thoughIshouldratherhavelikedtoclimbthecliffandwatchwhathappens。”
“You\'dseenothing，Higgs，“interruptedOliver，“exceptperhapsthereflectionofaflashinthesky；so，ifyoudon\'tmind，IwishyouwouldgowiththeSergeant。Somehow，althoughIamquitecertainthatweoughtnottoalarmMaqueda，Iamnoteasyabouther，andifyoutwofellowswerethere，Ishouldknowshewasallright，anditwouldbeaweightoffmymind。”
“Thatsettlesit，“saidHiggs；“we\'llbeoffpresently。Lookhere，giveusthatportabletelephone，whichisofnouseanywhereelsenow。
Thewirewillreachtothepalace，andifthemachineworksallrightwecantalktoyouandtelleachotherhowthingsaregoingon。”
Tenminuteslatertheyhadmadetheirpreparations。QuicksteppeduptoOliverandstoodatattention，saying:
“Readytomarch。Anymoreorders，Captain?“
“Ithinknot，Sergeant，“heanswered，liftinghiseyesfromthelittlebatteriesthathewaswatchingasthoughtheywerelivethings。“Youknowthearrangements。Atteno\'clock——thatisabouttwohourshence——
Itouchthisswitch。Whateverhappensitmustnotbedonebefore，forfearlesttheDoctor\'ssonshouldnothavelefttheidol，tosaynothingofalltheotherpoorbeggars。Thespiessaythatthemarriagefeastwillnotbecelebrateduntilatleastthreehoursaftermoonrise。”
“Andthat\'swhatIheardwhenIwasaprisoner，“interruptedHiggs。
“Idaresay，“answeredOrme；“butitisalwayswelltoallowamarginincasetheprocessionshouldbedelayed，orsomething。Sountilteno\'clockI\'vegottostopwhereIam，andyoumaybesure，Doctor，thatundernocircumstancesshallIfiretheminebeforethathour，asindeedyouwillbeheretosee。AfterthatIcan\'tsaywhatwillhappen，butifwedon\'tappear，youtwohadbettercometolookforus——incaseofaccidents，youknow。Doyourbestatyourendaccordingtocircumstances；theDoctorandIwilldoourbestatours。Ithinkthatisall，Sergeant。Reportyourselvesbythetelephoneifthewireislongenoughanditwillwork，whichIdaresayitwon\'t，and，anyway，lookoutforusabouthalf-pastten。Good-bye！“
“Good-bye，Captain，“answeredQuick，thenstretchedouthishand，shookthatofOrme，andwithoutanotherwordtookhislampandleftthechamber。
Animpulsepromptedmetofollowhim，leavingOrmeandHiggsdiscussingsomethingbeforetheyparted。Whenhehadwalkedaboutfiftyyardsintheawfulsilenceofthatvastundergroundtown，ofwhichtheruinedtenementsyawnedoneithersideofus，theSergeantstoppedandsaidsuddenly:
“Youdon\'tbelieveinpresentiments，doyou，Doctor?“
“Notabit，“Ianswered。
“Gladofit，Doctor。Still，Ihavegotabadonenow，anditisthatI
shan\'tseetheCaptainoryouanymore。”
“Thenthat\'sapoorlook-outforus，Quick。”
“No，Doctor，forme。Ithinkyouarebothallright，andtheProfessor，too。It\'smynametheyarecallingupaloft，orsoitseemstome。Well，Idon\'tcaremuch，for，thoughnosaint，Ihavetriedtodomyduty，andifitisdone，it\'sdone。Ifit\'swritten，it\'sgottocometopass，hasn\'tit?Foreverythingiswrittendownforuslongbeforewebegin，orsoI\'vealwaysthought。Still，I\'llgrievetopartfromtheCaptain，seeingthatInursedhimasachild，andI\'dhavelikedtoknowhimwelloutofthishole，andsafelymarriedtothatsweetladyfirst，thoughIdon\'tdoubtthatitwillbeso。”
“Nonsense，Sergeant，“Isaidsharply；“youarenotyourself；allthisworkandanxietyhasgotonyournerves。”
“Asitwellmight，Doctor，notbutIdaresaythat\'strue。Anyhow，iftheotheristhetruething，andyoushouldallseeoldEnglandagainwithsomeofthestuffinthatdead-house，I\'vegotthreenieceslivingdownathomewhomyoumightremember。Don\'tsaynothingofwhatItoldyoutotheCaptaintillthisnight\'sgameisplayed，seeingthatitmightupsethim，andhe\'llneedtokeepcooluptoteno\'clock，andafterwardstoo，perhaps。Onlyifweshouldn\'tmeetagain，saythatSamuelQuicksenthimhisdutyandGod\'sblessing。Andthesameonyourself，Doctor，andyourson，too。AndnowherecomestheProfessor，sogood-bye。”
Aminutelatertheyhadleftme，andIstoodwatchingthemuntilthetwostarsoflightfromtheirlanternsvanishedintotheblackness。
CHAPTERXVI
HARMACCOMESTOMUR
SlowlyandinverybadspiritsIretracedmystepstotheoldtemple，followingthelineofthetelephonewirewhichHiggsandQuickhadunreeledastheywent。IntheSergeant\'sprognosticationsofevilI
hadnoparticularbelief，astheyseemedtometobebornofthecircumstanceswhichsurroundedus，andindifferentwaysaffectedallourminds，eventhatofthebuoyantHiggs。
Totakemyowncase，forinstance。HereIwasabouttoassistinanactwhichforaughtIknewmightinvolvethedestructionofmyonlyson。ItwastruewebelievedthatthiswasthenightofhismarriageatthetownofHarmac，somemilesaway，andthatthetaleofourspiessupportedthisinformation。Buthowcouldwebesurethatthedate，ortheplaceoftheceremony，hadnotbeenchangedatthelastmoment?
Supposing，forinstance，thatitwasheld，notinthetown，asarranged，butinthecourtsoftheidol，andthatthefearfulactivitiesofthefieryagentwhichwewereabouttowaketolifeshouldsweepthecelebrantsintonothingness。
Thethoughtmademeturncold，andyetthedeedmustbedone；Roderickmusttakehischance。Andifallwerewell，andheescapedthatdanger，weretherenotworsebehind?Thinkofhim，aChristianman，thehusbandofasavagewomanwhoworshippedastoneimagewithalion\'shead，boundtoherandhertribe，astateprisoner，treblyguarded，whom，sofarasIcouldsee，therewouldbenohopeofrescuing。Itwasawful。Thentherewereothercomplications。Iftheplansucceededandtheidolwasdestroyed，myownbeliefwasthattheFungmusttherebybeexasperated。Evidentlytheyknewsomeroadintothisstronghold。Itwouldbeused。Theywouldpourtheirthousandsupit，ageneralmassacrewouldfollow，ofwhich，justly，weshouldbethefirstvictims。
IreachedthechamberwhereOliversatbroodingalone，forJaphetwaspatrollingtheline。
“IamnothappyaboutMaqueda，Doctor，“hesaidtome。“Iamafraidthereissomethinginthatstory。Shewantedtobewithus；indeed，shebeggedtobeallowedtocomealmostwithtears。ButIwouldn\'thaveit，sinceaccidentsmayalwayshappen；thevibrationmightshakeintherooforsomething；infact，Idon\'tthinkyoushouldbehere。
Whydon\'tyougoawayandleaveme?“
Iansweredthatnothingwouldinducemetodoso，forsuchajobshouldnotbelefttooneman。
“No，you\'reright，“hesaid；“Imightfaintorlosemyheadoranything。Iwishnowthatwehadarrangedtosendthesparkfromthepalace，whichperhapswemighthavedonebyjoiningthetelephonewireontotheothers。But，totellyouthetruth，I\'mafraidofthebatteries。Thecellsarenewbutveryweak，fortimeandtheclimatehaveaffectedthem，andIthoughtitpossibletheextradifferencemightmakethedifferenceandthattheywouldfailtowork。That\'swhyIfixedthisasthefiringpoint。Hullo，there\'sthebell。Whathavetheygottosay?“
Isnatchedthereceiver，andpresentlyheardthecheerfulvoiceofHiggsannouncingthattheyhadarrivedsafelyinthelittleanteroomtoMaqueda\'sprivateapartments。
“Thepalaceseemsveryempty，“headded；“weonlymetonesentry，forIthinkthateverybodyelse，exceptMaquedaandafewofherladies，haveclearedout，beingafraidlestrocksshouldfallonthemwhentheexplosionoccurs。”
“Didthemansayso?“IaskedofHiggs。
“Yes，somethingofthatsort；alsohewantedtoforbidustocomehere，sayingthatitwasagainstthePrinceJoshua\'sordersthatweGentilesshouldapproachtheprivateapartmentsoftheChildofKings。
Well，wesoonsettledthat，andhebolted。Whereto?Oh！Idon\'tknow；
toreport，hesaid。”
“How\'sQuick?“Iasked。
“Muchthesameasusual。Infact，heissayinghisprayersinthecorner，lookinglikeamelancholybrigandwithrifles，revolvers，andknivesstuckalloverhim。Iwishhewouldn\'tsayhisprayers，“addedHiggs，andhisvoicereachedmeinanindignantsqueak；“itmakesmefeeluncomfortable，asthoughIoughttojoinhim。ButnothavingbeenbroughtupaDissenteroraMoslem，Ican\'tprayinpublicashedoes。
Hullo！Waitaminute，willyou?“
Thenfollowedalongishpause，andafteritHiggs\'svoiceagain。
“It\'sallright，“itsaid。“OnlyoneofMaqueda\'sladieswhohadheardusandcometoseewhowewere。WhenshelearnsIexpectshewilljoinushere，asthegirlsaysshe\'snervousandcan\'tsleep。”
Higgsprovedrightinhisanticipations，forinabouttenminuteswewererungupagain，thistimebyMaquedaherself，whereonIhandedthereceivertoOliverandretiredtotheotherendoftheroom。
Nor，totellthetruth，wasIsorryfortheinterruption，sinceitcheeredupOliverandhelpedtopassthetime。
Thenextthingworthtellingthathappenedwasthat，anhourormorelater，Japhetarrived，lookingveryfrightened。Weaskedhimourusualquestion:ifanythingwaswrongwiththewires。Withagroanheanswered“No，“thewiresseemedallright，buthehadmetaghost。
“Whatghost，youdonkey?“Isaid。
“Theghostofoneofthedeadkings，OPhysician，yonderintheburialcave。Itwashewiththebentboneswhositsinthefarthestchair。
Onlyhehadputsomefleshonhisbones，andItellyouhelookedfearful，averyfierceman，orratherghost。”
“Indeed，anddidhesayanythingtoyou，Japhet?“
“Oh！yes，plenty，OPhysician，onlyIcouldnotunderstanditall，becausehislanguagewassomewhatdifferenttomine，andhespatouthiswordsasagreenlogspitsoutsparks。Ithinkthatheaskedme，however，howmymiserablepeopledaredtodestroyhisgod，Harmac。I
answeredthatIwasonlyaservantanddidnotknow，addingthatheshouldputhisquestionstoyou。”
“Andwhatdidhesaytothat，Japhet?“
“IthinkhesaidthatHarmacwouldcometoMurandsettlehisaccountwiththeAbati，andthattheforeignmenwouldbewisetoflyfastandfar。That\'sallIunderstood；askmenomore，whowouldnotreturnintothatcavetobemadeaprince。”
“He\'sgotholdofwhatBarung\'senvoystoldus，“saidOliver，indifferently，“andnowonder，thisplaceisenoughtomakeanybodyseeghosts。I\'llrepeatittoMaqueda；itwillamuseher。”
“Iwouldn\'tifIwereyou，“Ianswered，“foritisn\'texactlyacheerfulyarn，andperhapsshe\'safraidofghoststoo。Also，“andI
pointedtothewatchthatlayonthetablebesidethebatteries，“itisfiveminutestoten。”
Oh！thatlastfiveminutes！Itseemedasmanycenturies。Likestonestatueswesat，eachofuslostinhisownthoughts，thoughformypartthepowerofclearthinkingappearedtohaveleftme。Visionsofasortflowedovermymindwithoutsinkingintoit，aswaterflowsovermarble。AllIcoulddowasfixmyeyesonthefaceofthatwatch，ofwhichintheflickeringlamp-lightthesecond-handseemedtomyexcitedfancytogrowenormousandjumpfromonesideoftheroomtotheother。
Ormebegantocountaloud。“One，two，three，four，five——/now/！“andalmostsimultaneouslyhetouchedtheknobfirstofonebatteryandnextoftheother。Beforehisfingerpressedtheleft-handknobIfeltthesolidrockbeneathussurge——nootherwordconveysitsmovement。
Thenthegreatstonecross-piece，weighingseveraltons，thatwassetasatransomabovethetalldoorofourroom，dislodgeditself，andfellquitegentlyintothedoorway，whichitcompletelyblocked。
Otherrocksfellalsoatadistance，makingagreatnoise，andsomehowIfoundmyselfontheground，mystoolhadslidawayfromme。Nextfollowedamuffled，awfulroar，andwithitcameablastofwindblowingwherewindneverblewbeforesincethebeginningoftheworld，thatwithaterriblewailinghowleditselftosilenceinthethousandrecessesofthecavecity。Asitpassedourlampswentout。Lastly，quiteaminutelaterIshouldthink，therewasathud，asthoughsomethingofenormousweighthadfallenonthesurfaceoftheearthfaraboveus。
Thenallwasasithadbeen；allwasdarknessandutterquietude。
“Well，that\'sover，“saidOliver，inastrainedvoicewhichsoundedverysmallandfarawaythroughthatthickdarkness；“alloverforgoodorill。Ineedn\'thavebeenanxious；thefirstbatterywasstrongenough，forIfelttheminespringasItouchedthesecond。Iwonder，“
hewenton，asthoughspeakingtohimself，“whatamountofdamagenearlyatonandahalfofthatawfulazo-imidecompoundhasdonetotheoldsphinx。Accordingtomycalculationsitoughttohavebeenenoughtobreakthethingup，ifwecouldhavespreadthechargemore。
But，asitis，Iambynomeanscertain。Itmayonlyhavedrivenaholeinitsbulk，especiallyiftherewerehollowsthroughwhichthegasescouldrun。Well，withluck，wemayknowmoreaboutitlater。
Strikeamatch，Adams，andlightthoselamps。Why，what\'sthat?
Listen！“
Ashespoke，fromsomewherecameaseriesoftinynoises，that，thoughtheyweresofaintandsmall，suggestedriflesfiredatagreatdistance。Crack，crack，crack！wenttheinfinitesimalnoises。
Igropedabout，andfindingthereceiverofthefieldtelephone，setittomyear。Inaninstantallgrewplaintome。Gunswerebeingfiredneartheotherendofthewire，andthetransmitterwassendingusthesoundofthem。VeryfaintlybutwithdistinctnessIcouldhearHiggs\'shighvoicesaying，“Lookout，Sergeant，there\'sanotherrushcoming！“andQuickanswering，“Shootlow，Professor；fortheLord\'ssakeshootlow。Youareempty，sir。Loadup，loadup！Here\'saclipofcartridges。Don\'tfiretoofast。Ah！thatdevilgotme，butI\'vegothim；he\'llneverthrowanotherspear。”
“Theyarebeingattacked！“Iexclaimed。“Quickiswounded。NowMaquedaistalkingtoyou。Shesays，\'Oliver，come！Joshua\'smenassailme。
Oliver，come！\'“
Thenfollowedagreatsoundofshoutingansweredbymoreshots，andjustasOrmesnatchedthereceiverfrommyhandthewirewentdead。Invainhecalleddownitinanagonizedvoice。AswellmighthehaveaddressedtheplanetSaturn。
“Thewire\'scut，“heexclaimed，dashingdownthereceiverandseizingthelanternwhichJaphethadjustsucceededinre-lighting；“comeon，there\'smurderbeingdone，“andhesprangtothedoorway，onlytostaggerbackagainfromthegreatstonewithwhichitwasblocked。
“GoodGod！“hescreamed，“we\'reshutin。Howcanwegetout?Howcanwegetout?“andhebegantorunroundandroundtheroom，andeventospringatthewallslikeafrightenedcat。Thricehesprang，strivingtoclimbtothecoping，fortheplacehadnoroof，eachtimefallingback，sinceitwastoohighforhimtograsp。Icaughthimroundthemiddle，andheldhimbymainforce，althoughhestruckatme。
“Bequiet，“Isaid；“doyouwanttokillyourself?Youwillbenogooddeadormaimed。Letmethink。”
MeanwhileJaphetwasactingonhisownaccount，forhe，too，hadheardthetiny，ominoussoundsgivenoutbythetelephoneandguessedtheirpurport。Firstherantothemassivetransomthatblockedthedoorwayandpushed。Itwasuseless；notevenanelephantcouldhavestirredit。Thenhesteppedback，examiningitcarefully。
“Ithinkitcanbeclimbed，Physician，“hesaid。“Helpmenow，“andhemotionedtometotakeoneendoftheheavytableonwhichthebatteriesstood。Wedraggedittothedoorway，and，seeinghispurpose，Oliverjumpedontoitwithhim。ThenatJaphet\'sdirection，whileIsupportedthetabletopreventitsoversetting，Ormerestedhisforeheadagainstthestone，makingwhatschoolboy\'scall“aback，“
upwhichthemountaineerclimbedactivelyuntilhestooduponhisshoulders，andbystretchinghimselfwasabletograsptheendofthefallentransom。Next，whileIheldupthelamptogivehimlight，hegrippedtheroughnessesofthehewnstonewithhistoes，andinafewmomentswasuponthecopingofthewall，twentyfeetormoreabovethefloorline。
Therestwascomparativelyeasy，fortakingoffhislinenrobe，Japhetknotteditonceortwice，andletitdowntous。Bythehelpofthisimprovisedrope，withOrmesupportingmebeneath，I，too，wasdraggeduptothecopingofthewall。ThenbothofuspulledupOliver，who，withoutaword，swunghimselfoverthewall，hangingtoJaphet\'sarms，andloosinghishold，droppedtothegroundonthefartherside。Nextcamemyturn。Itwasalongfall，andhadnotOlivercaughtmeIthinkthatIshouldhavehurtmyself。Asitwas，thebreathwasshakenoutofme。Lastly，Japhetswunghimselfdown，landinglightlyasacat。
Thelampshehadalreadydroppedtous，andinanotherminutetheywerealllighted，andwewerespeedingdownthegreatcavern。
“Becareful，“Icried；“theremaybefallenrocksabout。”
AsithappenedIwasright，foratthatmomentOliverstruckhislegsagainstoneofthemandfell，cuttinghimselfagooddeal。Inamomenthewasupagain，butafterthisourprogressgrewslow，forhundredsoftonsofstonehadbeenshakenfromtheroofandblockedthepath。
Also，wholebuildingsoftheancientandundergroundcityhadbeenthrowndown，althoughtheseweremostlyblowninwardbytherushofair。Atlengthwecametotheendofthecave，andhalteddismayed，forhere，wheretheblastoftheexplosionhadbeenbroughttoafullstop，theplaceseemedtobecrowdedwithrockswhichithadrolledbeforeit。
“MyGod！Ibelieveweareshutin，“exclaimedOliverindespair。
ButJaphet，lanterninhand，wasalreadyleapingfromblocktoblock，andpresently，fromthetopofthedébris，calledtoustocometohim。
“Ithinkthereisaroadleft，thoughabadone，lords，“hesaid，andpointedtoajagged，well-likeholeblownout，asIbelieve，bytherecoiloftheblast。Withdifficultyanddanger，formanyofthepiledupstoneswereloose，weclimbeddownthisplace，andatitsbottomsqueezedourselvesthroughanarrowapertureontothefloorofthecave，prayingthatthehugedoorwhichledtothepassagebeyondmightnotbejammed，sinceifitwere，asweknewwell，oursmallstrengthwouldnotavailtomoveit。Happily，thisfearatleastprovedgroundless，sinceitopenedoutward，andtheforceofthecompressedairhadtornitfromitsmassivestonehingesandthrownitshatteredtotheground。
Wescrambledoverit，andadvanceddownthepassage，ourrevolversinourhands。Wereachedtheaudiencehall，whichwasemptyandindarkness。Weturnedtotheleft，crossingvariouschambers，andinthelastofthem，throughwhichoneofthegatesofthepalacecouldbeapproached，metwiththefirstsignsofthetragedy，fortherewerebloodstainsonthefloor。
Ormepointedtothemashehurriedon，andsuddenlyamanleaptoutofthedarknessasabuckleapsfromabush，andranpastus，holdinghishandstohisside，whereevidentlyhehadsomegrievoushurt。NowweenteredthecorridorleadingtotheprivateapartmentsoftheChildofKings，andfoundourselveswalkingonthebodiesofdeadanddyingmen。OneoftheformerIobserved，asonedoesnoticelittlethingsatsuchamoment，heldinhishandthebrokenwireofthefieldtelephone。Ipresumethathehadsnatchedandsevereditinhisdeathpangatthemomentwhencommunicationceasedbetweenusandthepalace。
Werushedintothelittleantechamber，inwhichlightswereburning，andtheresawasightthatIforonenevershallforget。
Intheforegroundlaymoredeadmen，allofthemwearingtheliveryofPrinceJoshua。BeyondwasSergeantQuick，seatedonachair。Heseemedtobeliterallyhackedtopieces。Anarrowthatnoonehadattemptedtoremovewasfastinhisshoulder；hishead，whichMaquedawasspongingwithwetcloths——well，Iwillnotdescribehiswounds。
LeaningagainstthewallnearbystoodHiggs，alsobleeding，andapparentlyquiteexhausted。Behind，besidesMaquedaherself，weretwoorthreeofherladies，wringingtheirhandsandweeping。Infaceofthisterriblespectaclewecametoasuddenhalt。Nowordwasspokenofbyanyone，forthepowerofspeechhadleftus。
ThedyingQuickopenedhiseyes，liftedhishand，uponwhichtherewasaghastlysword-cut，tohisforehead，asthoughtoshadethemfromthelight——ah！howwellIrecallthatpatheticmotion——andfrombeneaththisscreenstaredatusawhile。Thenherosefromthechair，touchedhisthroattoshowthathecouldnotspeak，asIsuppose，salutedOrme，turnedandpointedtoMaqueda，andwithatriumphantsmilesankdownand——died。
SuchwasthenobleendofSergeantQuick。
Todescribewhatfollowedisnoteasy，forthescenewasconfused。
Alsoshockandsorrowhaveblurreditsrecollectioninmymind。I
rememberMaquedaandOrmefallingintoeachother\'sarmsbeforeeverybody。Irememberherdrawingherselfupinthatimperialwayofhers，andsaying，asshepointedtothebodyofQuick:
“Thereliesonewhohasshownushowtodie。Thiscountrymanofyourswasahero，OOliver，andyoushouldholdhismemoryinhonour，sincehesavedmefromworsethandeath。”
“What\'sthestory?“askedOrmeofHiggs。
“Asimpleoneenough，“heanswered。“Wegothereallright，aswetoldyouoverthewire。ThenMaquedatalkedtoyouforalongwhileuntilyourangoff，sayingyouwantedtospeaktoJaphet。Afterthat，atteno\'clockprecisely，weheardthethudoftheexplosion。Next，aswewerepreparingtogoouttoseewhathadhappened，Joshuaarrivedalone，announcedthattheidolHarmachadbeendestroyed，anddemandedthattheChildofKings，\'forStatereasons，\'shouldaccompanyhimtohisowncastle。Shedeclinedand，asheinsisted，Itookituponmyselftokickhimoutoftheplace。Heretired，andwesawnomoreofhim，butafewminuteslatertherecameashowerofarrowsdownthepassage，andafterthemarushofmen，whocalled，\'DeathtotheGentiles。RescuetheRose。\'
“Sowebegantoshootandknockedoveralotofthem，butQuickgotthatarrowthroughhisshoulder。Threetimestheycameonlikethat，andthreetimeswedrovethemback。Atlastourcartridgesranlow，andweonlyhadourrevolversleft，whichweemptiedintothem。Theyhungamoment，butmovedforwardagain，andallseemedup。
“ThenQuickwentmad。HesnatchedtheswordofadeadAbatiandranatthemroaringlikeabull。Theyhackedandcutathim，buttheendofitwasthathedrovethemrightoutofthepassage，whileIfollowed，firingpasthim。
“Well，thosewhowereleftoftheblackguardsbolted，andwhentheyhadgonetheSergeanttumbleddown。ThewomenandIcarriedhimbackhere，butheneversaidanotherword，andatlastyouturnedup。Nowhe\'sgone，Godresthim，forifevertherewasaherointhisworldhewaschristenedSamuelQuick！“and，turningaside，theProfessorpushedupthebluespectacleshealwaysworeontohisforehead，andwipedhiseyeswiththebackofhishand。
WithgriefmorebitterthanIcandescribeweliftedupthebodyofthegallantQuickand，bearingitintoMaqueda\'sprivateapartment，placeditonherownbed，forsheinsistedthatthemanwhohaddiedtoprotecthershouldbelaidnowhereelse。Itwasstrangetoseethegrimoldsoldier，whoseface，nowthatIhadwashedhiswounds，lookedcalmandevenbeautiful，laidouttosleephislastsleepuponthecouchoftheChildofKings。Thatbed，Iremember，wasarichandsplendidthing，madeofsomeblackwoodinlaidwithscrollsofgold，andhavinghungaboutitcurtainsofwhitenetembroideredwithgoldenstars，suchasMaquedaworeuponherofficialveil。
Thereuponthescentedpillowsandsilkencoverletwesetourburdendown，thework-wornhandsclaspeduponthebreastinanattitudeofprayer，andonebyonebidourfarewelltothisfaithfulanduprightman，whoseface，asitchanced，wewerenevertoseeagain，exceptintheglassofmemory。Well，hehaddiedashehadlivedandwouldhavewishedtodie——doinghisdutyandinwar。Andsowelefthim。Peacebetohishonouredspirit！
Intheblood-stainedante-room，whileIdressedandstitcheduptheProfessor\'swounds，asword-cutonthehead，anarrow-grazealongtheface，andaspear-prickinthethigh，noneofthemhappilyatalldeepordangerous，weheldabriefcouncil。
“Friends，“saidMaqueda，whowasleaningonherlover\'sarm，“itisnotsafethatweshouldstophere。Myuncle\'splothasfailedforthemoment，butitwasonlyasmallandsecretthing。Ithinkthatsoonhewillreturnagainwithathousandathisback，andthen——“
“Whatisinyourmind?“askedOliver。“ToflyfromMur?“
“Howcanwefly，“sheanswered，“whenthepassisguardedbyJoshua\'smen，andtheFungwaitforuswithout?TheAbatihateyou，myfriends，andnowthatyouhavedoneyourworkIthinkthattheywillkillyouiftheycan，whomtheyborewithonlytillitwasdone。Alas！alas！
thatIshouldhavebroughtyoutothisfalseandungratefulcountry，“
andshebegantoweep，whilewestaredateachother，helpless。
ThenJaphet，whoallthiswhilehadbeencrouchedonthefloor，rockinghimselftooandfroandmourninginhisEasternfashionforQuick，whomhehadloved，rose，and，comingtotheChildofKings，prostratedhimselfbeforeher。
“OWaldaNagasta，“hesaid，“hearthewordsofyourservant。Onlythreemilesaway，neartothemouthofthepass，areencampedfivehundredmenofmyownpeople，theMountaineers，whohatePrinceJoshuaandhisfollowing。Flytothem，OWaldaNagasta，fortheywillcleavetoyouandlistentomewhomyouhavemadeachiefamongthem。
Afterwardsyoucanactasmayseemwisest。”
MaquedalookedatOliverquestioningly。
“Ithinkthatisgoodadvice，“hesaid。“Atanyrate，wecan\'tbeworseoffamongtheMountaineersthanweareinthisundefendedplace。
Tellyourwomentobringcloaksthatwecanthrowoverourheads，andletusgo。”
Fiveminuteslater，aforlorngroupfilledwithfears，wehadstolenoverthedeadanddyinginthepassage，andmadeourwaytothesidegateofthepalacethatwefoundopen，andoverthebridgethatspannedthemoatbeyond，whichwasdown。DoubtlessJoshua\'sruffianshaduseditintheirapproachandretreat。Disguisedinthelongcloakswithmonk-likehoodsthattheAbatiworeatnightorwhentheweatherwascoldandwet，wehurriedacrossthegreatsquare。Here，sincewecouldnotescapethem，wemingledwiththecrowdthatwasgatheredatitsfartherend，allofthem——men，womenandchildren——
chatteringlikemonkeysinthetree-tops，andpointingtothecliffatthebackofthepalace，beneathwhich，itwillberemembered，laytheundergroundcity。
Abandofsoldiersrodeby，thrustingtheirwaythroughthepeople，andinordertoavoidthemwethoughtitwisetotakerefugeintheshadowofawalkofgreen-leavedtreeswhichgrewcloseathand，forwefearedlesttheymightrecognizeOliverbyhisheight。Hereweturnedandlookedupatthecliff，todiscoverwhatitwasatwhicheveryonewasstaring。Atthatmomentthefullmoon，whichhadbeenobscuredbyacloud，brokeout，andwesawaspectaclethatunderthecircumstanceswasnothinglessthanterrifying。
Thecliffbehindthepalacerosetoaheightofaboutahundredandfiftyfeet，and，asitchanced，justthereaportionofitjuttedoutinanoblongshape，whichtheAbaticalledtheLionRock，althoughpersonally，heretofore，Ihadneverbeenabletoseeinitanygreatresemblancetoalion。Now，however，itwasdifferent，forontheveryextremityofthisrock，staringdownatMur，sattheheadandneckofthehugelion-facedidoloftheFung。Indeed，inthatlight，withthepromontorystretchingawaybehindit，itlookedasthoughitweretheidolitself，movedfromthevalleyuponthefarthersideoftheprecipicetothetopofthecliffabove。
“Oh！oh！oh！“groanedJaphet，“theprophecyisfulfilled——theheadofHarmachascometosleepatMur。”
“Youmeanthatwehavesenthimthere，“whisperedHiggs。“Don\'tbefrightened，man；can\'tyouunderstandthatthepowerofourmedicinehasblowntheheadoffthesphinxhighintotheair，andlandeditwhereitsitsnow?“
“Yes，“Iputin，“andwhatwefeltinthecavewastheshockofitsfall。”
“Idon\'tcarewhatbroughthim，“repliedJaphet，whoseemedquiteunstrungbyallthathehadgonethrough。“AllIknowisthattheprophecyisfulfilled，andHarmachascometoMur，andwhereHarmacgoestheFungfollow。”
“Somuchthebetter，“saidtheirreverentHiggs。“Imaybeabletosketchandmeasurehimnow。”
ButIsawthatMaquedawastrembling，forshe，too，thoughtthisoccurrenceaverybadomen，andevenOliverremainedsilent，perhapsbecausehefeareditseffectupontheAbati。
Norwasthiswonderfulsince，fromthetalkaroundus，clearlythateffectwasgreat。Evidentlythepeoplewereterrified，likeJaphet。Wecouldhearthemforebodingill，andcursingusGentilesaswizards，whohadnotdestroyedtheidoloftheFungaswepromised，buthadonlycausedhimtoflytoMur。
HereImaymentionthatasamatteroffacttheywereright。Aswediscoveredafterwards，thewholeforceoftheexplosion，insteadofshatteringthevastbulkofthestoneimage，hadrushedupthroughthehollowchambersinitsinterioruntilitstruckagainstthesolidhead。Liftingthisasthoughitwereatoy，theexpandinggashadhurledthatmightymassanunknowndistanceintotheair，tolightuponthecrestofthecliffsofMur，whereprobablyitwillremainforever。
“Well，“Isaid，whenwehadstaredalittlewhileatthisextraordinaryphenomenon，“thankGoditdidnottravelfarther，andfalluponthepalace。”
“Oh！haditdoneso，“whisperedMaquedainatearfulvoice，“IthinkyoumighthavethankedGodindeed，forthenatleastIshouldbefreefromallmytroubles。Come，friends，letusbegoingbeforewearediscovered。”
CHAPTERXVII
IFINDMYSON
OurroadtowardthepassranthroughthecampinggroundofthenewlycreatedAbatiarmy，andwhatwesawonourjourneythithertoldusmorevividlythananywordsorreportscoulddo，howutterwasthedemoralizationofthatpeople。Whereshouldhavebeensentrieswerenosentries；whereshouldhavebeensoldiersweregroupsofofficerstalkingwithwomen；whereshouldhavebeenofficerswerecampfollowersdrinking。
Throughthisconfusionandexcitementwemadeourwayunobserved，or，atanyrate，unquestioned，tillatlengthwecametotheregimentoftheMountaineers，who，forthemostpart，weregoatherds，poorpeoplewholivedupontheslopesoftheprecipicesthatenclosedthelandofMur。Thesefolk，havinglittletodowiththeirmoreprosperousbrethrenoftheplain，werehardyandprimitiveofnature，andthereforeretainedsomeoftheprimevalvirtuesofmankind，suchascourageandloyalty。
Itwasforthefirstofthesereasons，and，indeed，forthesecondalso，thattheyhadbeenpostedbyJoshuaatthemouthofthepass，whichheknewwelltheyalonecouldbetrustedtodefendintheeventofseriousattack。Moreover，itwasdesirable，fromhispointofview，tokeepthemoutofthewaywhilehedevelopedhisplansagainstthepersonoftheChildofKings，forwhomthesesimple-mindedmenhadahereditaryandalmostasuperstitiousreverence。
AssoonaswewerewithinthelinesoftheseMountaineerswefoundthedifferencebetweenthemandtherestoftheAbati。Theotherregimentswehadpassedunchallenged，butherewewereinstantlystoppedbyapicket。Japhetwhisperedsomethingintotheearofitsofficerthatcausedhimtostarehardatus。ThenthisofficersalutedtheveiledfigureoftheChildofKingsandledustowherethecommanderofthebandandhissubordinateswereseatednearafiresittingtogether。Atsomesignorwordthatdidnotreachusthecommander，anoldfellowwithalonggreybeard，roseandsaid:
“Yourpardon，butbepleasedtoshowyourfaces。”
Maquedathrewbackherhoodandturnedsothatthelightofthemoonfellfulluponher，whereontheoldmandroppedtohisknee，saying:
“Yourcommands，OWaldaNagasta。”
“SummonyourregimentandIwillgivethem，“sheanswered，andseatedherselfonabenchbythefire，wethreeandJaphetstandingbehindher。
Thecommanderissuedorderstohiscaptains，andpresentlytheMountaineersformeduponthreesidesofasquareaboveus，tothenumberofalittleoverfivehundredmen。WhenallweregatheredMaquedamountedthebenchuponwhichshehadbeensitting，threwbackherhoodsothateveryonecouldseeherfaceinthelightofthefire，andaddressedthem:
“Menofthemountain-side，thisnightjustaftertheidoloftheFunghadbeendestroyed，thePrinceJoshua，myuncle，cametomedemandingmysurrendertohim，whethertokillmeortoimprisonmeinhiscastlebeyondtheendofthelake，forreasonsofStateashesaid，orforothervilepurposes，Idonotknow。”
Atthesewordsamurmurrosefromtheaudience。
“Wait，“saidMaqueda，holdingupherhand，“thereisworsetocome。I
toldmyuncle，PrinceJoshua，thathewasatraitorandhadbestbegone。Hewent，threateningmeand，whenIdonotknow，withdrewtheguardsthatshouldbestationedatmypalacegates。Now，somerumourofmydangerhadreachedtheforeignersinmyservice，andtwoofthem，hewhoiscalledBlackWindows，whomwerescuedfromtheFung，andthesoldiernamedQuick，cametowatchoverme，whiletheLordOrmeandtheDoctorAdamsstayedinthecavetosendoutthatsparkoffirewhichshoulddestroytheidol。Nordidtheycomebackwithoutneed，forpresentlyarrivedabandofPrinceJoshua\'smentotakeme。
“ThenBlackWindowsandthesoldierhiscompanionfoughtagoodfight，theytwoholdingthenarrowpassageagainstmany，andslayinganumberofthemwiththeirterribleweapons。Theendofitwas，menofthemountains，thatthewarriorQuick，chargingdownthepassage，droveawaythoseservantsofJoshuawhoremainedalive。Butinsodoinghewaswoundedtothedeath。Yes，thatbravemanliesdead，havinggivenhislifetosavetheChildofKingsfromthehandsofherownpeople。
BlackWindowsalsowaswounded——seethebandagesabouthishead。ThencametheLordOrmeandtheDoctorAdams，andwiththemyourbrotherJaphet，whohadbarelyescapedwiththeirlivesfromthecavecity，andknowingthatIwasnolongersafeinthepalace，whereevenmysleeping-roomhasbeendrenchedwithblood，withthemIhavefledtoyouforsuccour。Willyounotprotectme，Omenofthemountain-side?“
“Yes，yes，“theyansweredwithagreatshout。“Commandweobey。Whatshallwedo，OChildofKings?“
NowMaquedacalledtheofficersoftheregimentapartandconsultedwiththem，askingtheiropinions，onebyone。SomeofthemwereinfavouroffindingoutwhereJoshuamightbe，andattackinghimatonce。“Crushthesnake\'sheadanditstailwillsoonceasewriggling！“
thesesaid，andIconfessthiswasaviewthatinmanywayscommendeditselftous。
ButMaquedawouldhavenoneofit。
“What！“sheexclaimed，“shallIbeginacivilwaramongmypeoplewhenforaughtIknowtheenemyisatourgates?“addingasidetous，“also，howcanthesefewhundredmen，bravethoughtheybe，hopetostandagainstthethousandsunderthecommandofJoshua?“
“What，then，wouldyoudo?“askedOrme。
“ReturntothepalacewiththeseMountaineers，OOliver，andbyhelpofthatgarrison，holditagainstallenemies。”
“Verywell，“hereplied。“Tothosewhoarequitelostoneroadisasgoodasanother；theymusttrusttothestarstoguidethem。”
“Quiteso，“echoedHiggs；“andthesoonerwegothebetter，formyleghurts，andIwantasleep。”
SoMaquedagavehercommandstotheofficers，bywhomtheywereconveyedtotheregiment，whichreceivedthemwithashout，andinstantlybegantostrikeitscamp。
Thenitwas，cominghot-footaftersomuchsorrow，lossanddoubt，thattherefollowedthehappiesteventofallmylife。Utterlytiredoutandverydespondent，Iwasseatedonanarrow-chestawaitingtheordertomarch，idlywatchingOliverandMaquedatalkingwithgreatearnestnessatalittledistance，andintheintervalstryingtopreventpoorHiggsatmysidefromfallingasleep。WhileIwasthusengaged，suddenlyIheardadisturbance，andbythebrightmoonlightcaughtsightofamanbeingledintothecampinchargeofaguardofAbatisoldiers，whomfromtheirdressIknewtobelongtoacompanythatjustthenwasemployedinwatchingthelowergatesofthepass。
Itooknoparticularheedoftheincident，thinkingonlythattheymighthavecapturedsomespy，tillamurmurofastonishment，andthegeneralstir，warnedmethatsomethingunusualhadoccurred。SoIrosefrommyboxandstrolledtowardstheman，whonowwashiddenfrommebyagroupofMountaineers。AsIadvancedthisgroupopened，themenwhocomposeditbowingtomewithakindofwonderingrespectthatimpressedme，Ididnotknowwhy。
ThenforthefirsttimeIsawtheprisoner。Hewasatall，athleticyoungman，dressedinfestalrobeswithaheavygoldchainabouthisneck，andIwonderedvaguelywhatsuchapersonshouldbedoinghereinthistimeofnationalcommotion。Heturnedhisheadsothatthemoonlightshowedhisdarkeyes，hissomewhatoval-shapedfaceendinginapeakedblackbeard，andhisfinelycutfeatures。InaninstantI
knewhim。
/ItwasmysonRoderick！/
Nextmoment，forthefirsttimeforverymanyyears，hewasinmyarms。
ThefirstthingthatIremembersayingtohimwasatypicallyAnglo-
Saxonremark，forhowevermuchweliveintheEastorelsewhere，weneverreallyshakeoffournativeconventions，andhabitsofspeech。
Itwas，“Howareyou，myboy，andhowonearthdidyoucomehere?“towhichheanswered，slowly，itistrue，andspeakingwithaforeignaccent:
“Allright，thankyou，father。Iranuponmylegs。”
BythistimeHiggshobbledup，andwasgreetingmysonwarmly，for，ofcourse，theywereoldfriends。
“Thoughtyouweretobemarriedto-night，Roderick?“hesaid。
“Yes，yes，“heanswered，“IamhalfmarriedaccordingtoFungcustom，whichcountsnottomysoul。Look，thisisthedressofmarriage，“andhepointedtohisfineembroideredrobeandrichornaments。
“Then，where\'syourwife?“askedHiggs。
“IdonotknowandIdonotcare，“heanswered，“forIdidnotlikethatwife。AlsoitisallnothingasIamnotquitemarriedtoher。
Fungmarriagebetweenbigpeopletakestwodaystofinish，andifnotfinisheddoesnotmatter。Soshemarrysomeoneelseifshelike，andItoo。”
“Whathappenedthen?“Iasked。
“Oh，this，father。Whenwehadeatenthemarriagefeast，butbeforewepastbeforepriest，suddenlywehearathunderandseeapillaroffireshootupintosky，andsittingontopofitheadofHarmac，whichvanishintoheavenandstopthere。Theneverybodyjumpupandsay:
“\'Magicofwhiteman！Magicofwhiteman！Whitemankillthegodwhosittherefrombeginningofworld，nowdayofFungfinishedaccordingtoprophecy。Runaway，peopleofFung，runaway！\'
“BarungtheSultantearhisclothestoo，andsay——\'Runaway，Fung，\'
andmyhalf-wife，shetear/her/clothesandsaynothing，butrunlikeantelope。Sotheyallruntowardeast，wheregreatriveris，andleavemealone。ThenIgetupandruntoo——towardwest，forIknowfromBlackWindows，“andhepointedtoHiggs，“whenweshutuptogetherinbellyofgodbeforeheletdowntolions，whatallthisgamemean，andthereforenotfrightened。Well，Irun，meetingnooneinnight，tillI
cometopass，runupit，andfindguards，towhomItellstory，sotheynotkillme，butletmethrough，andatlastIcomehere，quitesafe，withoutFungwife，thankGod，andthatendoftale。”
“Iamafraidyouarewrongthere，myboy，“Isaid，“outofthefrying-
panintothefire，that\'sall。”
“Outoffrying-panintofire，“herepeated。“Notunderstand；fathermustrememberIonlylittlefellowwhenKhalifa\'speopletakeme，andsincethenspeaknoEnglishtillImeetBlackWindows。OnlyhegivemeBible-bookthathehaveinpocketwhenhegodowntobeeatbylions。”
HereHiggsblushed，fornooneeversuspectedhim，aseverecriticofallreligions，ofcarryingaBibleinhispocket，andmutteredsomethingabout“ancientcustomsoftheHebrews。”
“Well，“wentonRoderick，“readthatbookeversince，and，asyousee，allmyEnglishcomeback。”
“Thequestionis，“saidHiggs，evidentlyinhastetotalkofsomethingelse，“willtheFungcomeback?“
“Oh！BlackWindows，don\'tknow，can\'tsay。Thinknot。TheirprophecywasthatHarmacmovetoMur，butwhentheyseehisheadjumpintoskyandstopthere，theyruneverymantowardthesunrise，andIthinkgoonrunning。”
“ButHarmachascometoMur，Roderick，“Isaid；“atleasthisheadhasfallenontothecliffthatoverlooksthecity。”
“Oh！myfather，“heanswered，“thenthatmakegreatdifference。WhenFungfindoutthatheadofHarmachascomehere，nodoubttheycomeafterhim，forheadhismostholybit，especiallyastheywanthangalltheAbatiwhomtheynotlike。”
“Well，let\'shopethattheydon\'tfindoutanythingaboutit，“I
replied，tochangethesubject。ThentakingRoderickbythehandIledhimtowhereMaquedastoodayardortwoapart，listeningtoourtalk，but，ofcourse，understandingverylittleofit，andintroducedhimtoher，explaininginafewwordsthewonderfulthingthathadhappened。
Shewelcomedhimverykindly，andcongratulatedmeuponmyson\'sescape。Meanwhile，Roderickhadbeenstaringatherwithevidentadmiration。NowheturnedtousandsaidinhisquaintbrokenEnglish:
“WaldaNagastamostlovelywoman！NowonderKingSolomonlovehermother。IfBarung\'sdaughter，mywife，hadbeenlikeher，thinkIrunthroughgreatriverintorisingsunwithFung。”
Oliverinstantlytranslatedthisremark，whichmadeusalllaugh，includingMaquedaherself，andverygratefulweweretofindtheopportunityforalittleinnocentmerrimentuponthattragicnight。
Bythistimetheregimentwasreadytostart，andhadformedupintocompanies。Beforethemarchactuallybegan，however，theofficeroftheAbatipatrol，inwhosechargeRoderickhadbeenbroughttous，demandedhissurrenderthathemightdeliverhisprisonertotheCommander-in-Chief，PrinceJoshua。Ofcourse，thiswasrefused，whereonthemanaskedroughly:
“Bywhoseorder?“
Asithappened，Maqueda，ofwhosepresencehewasnotaware，heardhim，andactingonsomeimpulse，cameforward，andunveiled。
“Bymine，“shesaid。“KnowthattheChildofKingsrulestheAbati，notthePrinceJoshua，andthatprisonerstakenbyhersoldiersarehers，nothis。Begonebacktoyourpost！“
Thecaptainstared，saluted，andwentwithhiscompanions，nottothepass，indeed，ashehadbeenordered，buttoJoshua。TohimhereportedthearrivaloftheGentile\'sson，andthenewshebroughtthatthenationoftheFung，dismayedbythedestructionoftheirgod，wereinfullflightfromtheplainsofHarmac，purposingtocrossthegreatriverandtoreturnnomore。
Thisgladtidingsspreadlikewildfire；sofast，indeed，thatalmostbeforewehadbegunourmarch，weheardtheshoutsofexultationwithwhichitwasreceivedbytheterrifiedmobgatheredinthegreatsquare。Thecloudofterrorwassuddenlyliftedfromthem。Theywentmadintheirdelight；theylitbonfires，theydrank，theyfeasted，theyembracedeachotherandboastedoftheirbraverythathadcausedthemightynationoftheFungtofleeawayforever。
Meanwhile，ouradvancehadbegun，norinthemidstofthegeneraljubilationwasanyparticularnoticetakenofustillwewereinthemiddleofthesquareofMurandwithinhalfamileofthepalace，whenwesawbythemoonlightthatalargebodyoftroops，twoorthreethousandofthem，weredrawnupinfrontofus，apparentlytobarourway。Stillwewentontillanumberofofficersrodeup，andaddressingthecommanderoftheregimentofMountaineers，demandedtoknowwhyhehadlefthispost，andwhitherhewent。
“IgowhitherIamordered，“heanswered，“forthereisoneheregreaterthanI。”
“IfyoumeantheGentileOrmeandhisfellows，thecommandofthePrinceJoshuaisthatyouhandthemovertousthattheymaymakereporttohimoftheirdoingsthisnight。”
“AndthecommandoftheChildofKingsis，“repliedthecaptainoftheMountaineers，“thatItakethemwithherbacktothepalace。”
“Ithasnoweight，“saidthespokesmaninsolently，“notbeingendorsedbytheCouncil。SurrendertheGentiles，handovertousthepersonoftheChildofKingsofwhomyouhavetakenpossession，andreturntoyourposttillthepleasureofthePrinceJoshuabeknown。”
ThenthewrathofMaquedablazedup。
“Seizethosemen！“shesaid，anditwasdoneinstantly。“Now，cuttheheadfromhimwhodaredtodemandthesurrenderofmypersonandofmyofficers，andgiveittohiscompanionstotakebacktothePrinceJoshuaasmyanswertohismessage。”
Themanheard，andbeingacowardlikealltheAbati，flunghimselfuponhisfacebeforeMaqueda，tryingtokissherrobeandpleadingformercy。
“Dog！“sheanswered，“youwereoneofthosewhothisverynightdaredtoattackmychamber。Oh！lienot，Iknewyourvoiceandheardyourfellow-traitorscallyoubyyourname。Awaywithhim！“
Wetriedtointerfere，butshewouldnotlisten，eventoOrme。
“Wouldyoupleadforyourbrother\'smurderer?“sheasked，alludingtoQuick。“Ihavespoken！“
Sotheydraggedhimoffbehindus，andpresentlywesawamelancholyprocessionreturningwhencetheycame，carryingsomethingonashield。
Itreachedtheopposingranks，whencetherearoseamurmurofwrathandfear。
“Marchon！“saidMaqueda，“andgainthepalace。”
Sotheregimentformedintoasquare，and，settingMaquedaandourselvesinthecentreofit，advancedagain。
Thenthefightbegan。GreatnumbersoftheAbatisurroundedusand，astheydidnotdaretomakeadirectattack，commencedshootingarrows，whichkilledandwoundedanumberofmen。ButtheHighlandersalsowerearchers，andcarriedstrongerbows。Thesquarewashalted，thefirstrankskneelingandthesecondstandingbehindthem。Then，atagivenword，thestiffbowswhichthesehardypeopleusedagainstthelionandthebuffaloupontheirhillsweredrawntotheearandloosedagainandagainwithterribleeffect。
OnthatopenplaceitwasalmostimpossibletomissthemobsoftheAbatiwho，havingnoexperienceofwar，werefightingwithoutorder。
Norcouldthelightmailtheyworewithstandtherushoftheheavybarbedarrowswhichpiercedthemthroughandthrough。Intwominutestheybegantogive，inthreetheywereflyingbacktotheirmainbody，thosewhowereleftofthem，ahuddledroutofmenandhorses。SotheFrenchmusthavefledbeforetheterriblelongbowsoftheEnglishatCrécyandPoitiers，for，infact，weweretakingpartinjustsuchamedi?valbattle。
Oliver，whowaswatchingintently，wenttoJaphetandwhisperedsomethinginhisear。Henoddedandrantoseekthecommanderoftheregiment。Presentlytheresultofthatwhisperbecameapparent，forthesidesofthehollowsquarewheeledoutwardandtherearmoveduptostrengthenthecentre。
NowtheMountaineerswererangedinadoubleortripleline，behindwhichwereonlyaboutadozensoldiers，whomarchedroundMaqueda，holdingtheirshieldsaloftinordertoprotectherfromstrayarrows。
Withthese，too，cameourfourselves，anumberofcamp-followersandothers，carryingontheirshieldsthoseoftheregimentwhoweretoobadlywoundedtowalk。
Leavingthedeadwheretheylay，webegantoadvance，pouringinvolleysofarrowsaswewent。TwicetheAbatitriedtochargeus，andtwicethosedreadfularrowsdrovethemback。Thenatthewordofcommand，theHighlandersslungtheirbowsupontheirbacks，drewtheirshortswords，andintheirturncharged。
Fiveminutesafterwardseverythingwasover。Joshua\'ssoldiersthrewdowntheirarms，andranorgallopedtorightandleft，saveanumberofthemwhofledthroughthegatesofthepalace，whichtheyhadopened，andacrossthedrawbridgeintothecourtyardswithin。Afterthem，or，rather，mixedupwiththem，followedtheMountaineers，killingallwhomtheycouldfind，fortheywereoutofhandandwouldnotlistentothecommandsofMaquedaandtheirofficers，thattheyshouldshowmercy。
So，justasthedawnbrokethisstrangemoonlitbattleended，asmallaffair，itistrue，fortherewereonlyfivehundredmenengageduponoursideandthreeorfourthousandontheother，yetonethatcostagreatnumberoflivesandwasthebeginningofalltheruinthatfollowed。
Well，weweresafeforawhile，sinceitwascertain，afterthelessonwhichhehadjustlearned，thatJoshuawouldnotattempttostormthedoublewallsandfosseofthepalacewithoutlongpreparation。Yetevennowanewtroubleawaitedus，forbysomemeans，weneverdiscoveredhow，thatwingofthepalaceinwhichMaqueda\'sprivateroomsweresituatedsuddenlyburstintoflames。
Personally，IbelievethatthefirearosethroughthefactthatalamphadbeenleftburningnearthebedoftheChildofKingsuponwhichwaslaidthebodyofSergeantQuick。Perhapsawoundedmanhiddenthereoverturnedthelamp；perhapsthedraughtblowingthroughtheopendoorsbroughtthegold-spangledcurtainsintocontactwiththewick。
Atanyrate，thewood-panelledchamberstookfire，andhaditnothappenedthatthesetofthewindwasfavourable，thewholepalacemighthavebeenconsumed。Asitwas，wesucceededinconfiningtheconflagrationtothisparticularpartofit，whichwithintwohourshadburntout，leavingnothingstandingbutthestark，stonewalls。
SuchwasthefuneralpyreofSergeantQuick，anobleone，Ithoughttomyself，asIwatcheditburn。
Whenthefirewassowellundercontrol，forwehadpulleddowntheconnectingpassagewhereHiggsandQuickfoughttheirgreatfight，thattherewasnolongeranydangerofitsspreading，andthewatcheshadbeenset，atlengthwegotsomerest。
Maquedaandtwoorthreeofherladies，oneofthem，Iremember，heroldnursewhohadbroughtherup，forhermotherdiedatherbirth，tookpossessionofsomeemptyrooms，ofwhichthereweremanyinthepalace，whilewelay，orratherfell，downintheguest-chambers，wherewehadalwaysslept，andneveropenedoureyesagainuntiltheevening。
IrememberthatIwokethinkingthatIwasthevictimofsomewonderfuldreamofmingledjoyandtragedy。OliverandHiggsweresleepinglikelogs，butmysonRoderick，stilldressedinhisbridalrobes，hadrisenandsatbymybedstaringatme，apuzzledlookuponhishandsomeface。
“Soyouarehere，“Isaid，takinghishand。“IthoughtIdreamed。”
“No，Father，“heansweredinhisoddEnglish，“nodream；alltrue。
Thisisastrangeworld，Father。Lookatme！Forhowmanyyears——
twelve——fourteen，slaveofsavagepeoplesforwhomIsing，priestofFungidol，alwaysneardeathbutneverdie。ThenSultanBarungtakefancytome，sayIcomeofwhitebloodandmustbehisdaughter\'shusband。ThenyourbrotherHiggsmadeprisonerwithmeandtellmethatyouhuntmealltheseyears。ThenHiggsthrowntolionsandyousavehim。ThenyesterdayImarriedtoSultan\'sdaughter，whomIneverseebeforebuttwiceatfastofidol。ThenHarmac\'sheadflyofftoheaven，andallFungpeoplerunaway，andIruntoo，andfindyou。
Thenbattle，andmanykilled，andarrowscratchmyneckbutnothurtme，“andhepointedtoagrazejustoverhisjugularvein，“andnowwetogether。Oh！Father，verystrangeworld！IthinkthereGodsomewherewholookafterus！“
“Ithinkso，too，myboy，“Ianswered，“andIhopethatHewillcontinuetodoso，forItellyouweareinaworseplacethaneveryouwereamongtheFung。”
“Oh，don\'tmindthat，Father，“heansweredgaily，forRoderickisacheerfulsoul。“AsFungsay，therenohousewithoutdoor，althoughplentypeoplemadeblindandcan\'tseeit。Butwenotblind，orwedeadlongago。Finddoorbyandby，butherecomemantotalktoyou。”
ThemanprovedtobeJaphet，whohadbeensentbytheChildofKingstosummonus，asshehadnewstotell。SoIwoketheothers，andafterIhaddressedtheProfessor\'sfleshwounds，whichwerestiffandsore，wejoinedherwhereshesatinthegatewaytoweroftheinnerwall。
Shegreetedusrathersadly，askedOliverhowhehadsleptandHiggsifhiscutshurthim。Thensheturnedtomyson，andcongratulatedhimuponhiswonderfulescapeanduponhavingfoundafatherifhehadlostawife。
“Truly，“sheadded，“youareafortunatemantobesowellloved，O
sonofAdams。Tohowmanysonsaregivenfatherswhoforfourteenlongyears，abandoningallelse，wouldsearchfortheminperiloftheirlives，enduringslaveryandblowsandstarvationandthedesert\'sheatandcoldforthesakeofalong-lostface?SuchfaithfulnessisthatofmyforefatherDavidforhisbrotherJonathan，andsuchloveitisthatpassestheloveofwomen。Seethatyoupayitbacktohim，andtohismemoryuntilthelasthourofyourlife，childofAdams。”
“Iwill，indeed，Iwill，OWaldaNagasta，“answeredRoderick，andthrowinghisarmsaboutmyneckheembracedmebeforethemall。ItisnottoomuchtosaythatthiskissoffilialdevotionmorethanrepaidmeforallIhadundergoneforhisbelovedsake。FornowIknewthatI
hadnottoiledandsufferedforoneofnoworth，asissooftenthelotoftrueheartsinthisbitterworld。
JustthensomeofMaqueda\'sladiesbroughtfood，andatherbiddingwebreakfasted。
“Besparing，“shesaidwithamelancholylittlelaugh，“forIknownothowlongourstorewilllast。Listen！IhavereceivedalastofferfrommyuncleJoshua。Anarrowbroughtit——notaman；Ithinkthatnomanwouldcomelesthisfateshouldbethatofthetraitorofyesterday，“andsheproducedaslipofparchmentthathadbeentiedtotheshaftofanarrowand，unfoldingit，readasfollows——
“OWaldaNagasta，deliveruptodeaththeGentileswhohavebewitchedyouandledyoutoshedthebloodofsomanyofyourpeople，andwiththemtheofficersoftheMountaineers，andtherestshallbespared。YoualsoIwillforgiveandmakemywife。
Resist，andallwhoclingtoyoushallbeputtothesword，andtoyourselfIpromisenothing。
“WrittenbyorderoftheCouncil，“Joshua，PrinceoftheAbati。”
“WhatanswershallIsend?“sheasked，lookingatuscuriously。
“Uponmyword，“repliedOrme，shrugginghisshoulders，“ifitwerenotforthosefaithfulofficersIamnotsurebutthatyouwouldbewisetoaccepttheterms。Wearecoopeduphere，butafewsurroundedbythousands，who，iftheydarenotassault，stillcanstarveusout，asthisplaceisnotvictualledforasiege。”
“Youforgetoneofthoseterms，OOliver！“shesaidslowly，pointingwithherfingertothepassageintheletterwhichstatedthatJoshuawouldmakeherhiswife，“Nowdoyoustillcounselsurrender?“
“HowcanI?“heanswered，flushing，andwassilent。
“Well，itdoesnotmatterwhatyoucounsel，“shewentonwithasmile，“seeingthatIhavealreadysentmyanswer，alsobyarrow。See，hereisacopyofit，“andsheread——
“TomyrebelliousPeopleoftheAbati:
“SurrendertomeJoshua，myuncle，andthemembersoftheCouncilwhohaveliftedswordagainstme，tobedealtwithaccordingtotheancientlaw，andtherestofyoushallgounharmed。Refuse，andIsweartoyouthatbeforethenightofthenewmoonhaspassedthereshallbesuchwoeinMurasfelluponthecityofDavidwhenthebarbarianstandardsweresetuponherwalls。Suchisthecounselthathascometome，theChildofSolomon，inthewatchesofthenight，andItellyouthatitistrue。Dowhatyouwill，peopleoftheAbati，orwhatyoumust，sinceyourfateandoursarewritten。ButbesurethatinmeandtheWesternlordsliesyouronlyhope。
“WaldaNagasta。”
“Whatdoyoumean，OMaqueda，“Iasked，“aboutthecounselthatcametoyouinthewatchesofthenight?“
“WhatIsay，OAdams，“sheansweredcalmly。“AfterwepartedatdawnI
sleptheavily，andinmysleepadarkandroyalwomanstoodbeforemewhomIknewtobemygreatancestress，thebelovedofSolomon。Shelookedonmesadly，yetasIthoughtwithlove。Thenshedrewback，asitwere，acurtainofthickcloudthathidthefutureandrevealedtometheyoungmoonridingtheskyandbeneathitMur，ablackenedruin，herstreetsfilledwithdead。Yes，andsheshowedtomeotherthings，thoughImaynottellthem，whichalsoshallcometopass，thenheldherhandsovermeasifinblessing，andwasgone。”
“OldHebrewprophetbusiness！Veryinteresting，“IheardHiggsmutterbelowhisbreath，whileinmyownheartIsetthedreamdowntoexcitementandwantoffood。Infact，onlytwoofuswereimpressed，mysonverymuch，andOliveralittle，perhapsbecauseeverythingMaquedasaidwasgospeltohim。
“Doubtlessallwillcometopassasyousay，WaldaNagasta，“saidRoderickwithconviction。“ThedayoftheAbatiisfinished。”
“Whydoyousaythat，Son?“Iasked。
“Because，Father，amongtheFungpeoplefromachildIhavetwooffices，thatofSingertotheGodandthatofReaderofDreams。Oh！
donotlaugh。IcantellyoumanythathavecometrueasIreadthem；
thusthedreamofBarungwhichIreadtomeanthattheheadofHarmacwouldcometoMur，andsee，thereitsit，“andturning，hepointedthroughthedoorwayofthetowertothegrimlion-headoftheidolcroucheduponthetopoftheprecipice，watchingMurasabeastofpreywatchesthevictimuponwhichitisabouttospring。“Iknowwhendreamstrueandwhendreamsfalse；itmygift，likemyvoice。Iknowthatthisdreamtrue，thatall，“andasheceasedspeakingIsawhiseyescatchMaqueda\'s，andaverycuriousglancepassbetweenthem。
AsforOrme，heonlysaid:
“YouEasternsarestrangepeople，andifyoubelieveathing，Maqueda，theremaybesomethinginit。Butyouunderstandthatthismessageofyoursmeanswartothelast，averyunequalwar，“andhelookedatthehordesoftheAbatigatheringonthegreatsquare。
“Yes，“sheansweredquietly，“Iunderstand，buthoweversoreourstraits，andhoweverstrangemayseemthethingsthathappen，havenofearoftheendofthatwar，Omyfriends。”
CHAPTERXVIII
THEBURNINGOFTHEPALACE
Ormewasright。Maqueda\'sdefiancedidmeanwar，“anunequalwar。”
Thiswasourposition。Wewereshutupinalongrangeofbuildings，ofwhichoneendhadbeenburned，thatonaccountoftheirmoatanddoublewall，ifdefendedwithanyvigour，couldonlybestormedbyanenemyofgreatcourageanddetermination，preparedtofaceaheavysacrificeoflife。Thiswasacircumstanceinourfavour，sincetheAbatiwerenotcourageous，andverymuchdislikedtheideaofbeingkilled，oreveninjured。
Buthereouradvantageended。Deductingthosewhomwehadlostonthepreviousnight，thegarrisononlyamountedtosomethingoverfourhundredmen，ofwhomaboutfiftywerewounded，someofthemdangerously。Moreover，ammunitionwasshort，fortheyhadshotawaymostoftheirarrowsinthebattleofthesquare，andwehadnomeansofobtainingmore。But，worstofall，thepalacewasnotprovisionedforasiege，andthemountaineershadwiththemonlythreedays\'
rationsofsun-driedbeeforgoat\'sflesh，andahardkindofbiscuitmadeofIndiancornmixedwithbarleymeal。Thus，aswesawfromthebeginning，unlesswecouldmanagetosecuremorefoodourcasemustsoongrowhopeless。
Thereremainedyetanotherdanger。Althoughthepalaceitselfwasstone-built，itsgildeddomesandornamentalturretswereoftimber，andthereforeliabletobefired，asindeedhadalreadyhappened。Theroofalsowasofancientcedarbeams，thinlycoveredwithconcrete，whiletheinteriorcontaininganenormousquantityofpanels，orratherboarding，cutfromsomeresinouswood。
TheAbati，ontheotherhand，wereamplysuppliedwitheverykindofstoreandweapon，andcouldbringagreatforcetoblockadeus，thoughthatforcewascomposedofatimidandundisciplinedrabble。
Well，wemadethebestpreparationsthatwecould，althoughoftheseI
didnotseemuch，sinceallthatdaymytimewasoccupiedinattendingtothewoundedwiththehelpofmysonandafewroughorderlies，whoseexperienceindoctoringhadforthemostpartbeenconfinedtocattle。Apitifulbusinessitprovedwithouttheaidofan?stheticsorapropersupplyofbandagesandotherappliances。Althoughmymedicinechesthadbeenfurnisheduponaliberalscale，itprovedtotallyinadequatetothecasualtiesofbattle。StillIdidmybestandsavedsomelives，thoughmanycasesdevelopedgangreneandslippedthroughmyfingers。
MeanwhileHiggs，whoworkednobly，notwithstandinghisfleshwounds，whichpainedhimconsiderably，andOrmewerealsodoingtheirbestwiththeassistanceofJaphetandtheotherofficersofthehighlandregiment。Thepalacewasthoroughlyexamined，andallweakplacesinitsdefencesweremadegood。Theavailableforcewasdividedintowatchesandstationedtothebestadvantage。Anumberofmenweresettoworktomanufacturearrowshaftsfromcedarbeams，ofwhichtherewereplentyinthewoodenstablesandouthousesthatlayatthebackofthemainbuilding，andtopointandwingthesamefromasupplyofironbarbsandfeatherswhichfortunatelywasdiscoveredinoneoftheguard-houses。Afewhorsesthatremainedinashedwerekilledandsalteddownforfood，andsoforth。
Alsoeverypossiblepreparationwasmadetorepelattemptstostorm，pavingstonesbeingpileduptothrowupontheheadsofassailantsandfireslightedonthewallstoheatpitchandoilandwaterforthesamepurpose。