 19. A strange wedding. One person, however, did not succeed in getting out in time before the gates were shut, and that was the high priest Agon, who, as we had every reason to believe, was Sareas's great ally and the heart and soul of her party. This cunning and ferocious old man had not forgiven us for those hippopotami, or rather, that is what he said. What he meant was that he would never brook the introduction of our wider ways of thought and foreign learning and influence while there was a possibility of stamping us out. Also, he knew that we possessed a different system of religion, and no doubt was in daily terror of our attempting to introduce it into Zuvendis. One day he asked me if we had any religion in our country, and I told him that so far as I could remember we had ninety-five different ones. You might have knocked him down with a feather. And really it is difficult not to pity a high priest of a well-established cult who is haunted by the possible approach of one or all of ninety-five new religions. When we knew that Agon was caught, Nileptha Sir Henry and I discussed what was to be done with him. I was for closely incarcerating him, but Nileptha shook her head, saying that it would produce a disastrous effect throughout the country. Ah, she added, with a stamp of her foot. If I win, and am once really queen, I will break the power of those priests with their rites and reveals and dark secret ways. I only wish that old Agon could have hurt her. It would have frightened him. Well, said Sir Henry, if we are not to imprison him, I suppose that we may as well let him go. He is of no use here. Nileptha looked at him in a curious sort of way, and said in the dry little voice, Thinkest thou so, my lord? Eh? said Curtis. No, I do not see what is the use of keeping him. She said nothing but continued looking at him in a way that was as shy as it was sweet. Then at last he understood. Forgive me, Nileptha, he said, rather tremulously. Does thou mean that thou will marry me, even now? Nay, I know not. Let my lord say, use her rapid answer. But if my lord wills, the priest is there, and the altar is there, pointing to the entrance to a private chapel. And am I not ready to do the will of my lord? Listen, O my lord, in eight days or less thou must leave me and go down to war, for thou shall lead my armies. And in war men sometimes fall. And so I would, for a little space, have had thee all my own, if only for memory's sake. And the tears overflowed her lovely eyes, and rolled down her face like heavy drops of dew down the red heart of a rose. May have, too, she went on, I shall lose my crown, and with my crown my life, and thine also. Sareas is very strong and very bitter, and if she prevails she will not spare. Who can read the future? Happiness is the world's white bird that alights seldom and flies fast and far, till one day he is lost in the clouds. Therefore should we hold him fast if by any chance he rests for a little space upon our hand. It is not wise to neglect the present for the future, for who knows what the future will be in Kubu? Let us pluck our flowers while the dew is on them, for when the sun is up they wither, and on the morrow will others bloom that we shall never see. And she lifted her sweet face to him and smiled into his eyes, and once more I felt a curious pang of jealousy, and turned and went away. They never took much notice of whether I was there or not, thinking, I suppose, that I was an old fool, and that it did not matter one way or the other, and really I believe that they were right. So I went back to our quarters and ruminated over things in general, and watched old Umslopogas wetting his axe outside the window as a vulture wets his beak beside a dying ox. And in about an hour's time Sir Henry came tearing over, making very radiant and wildly excited, and found good and myself and even Umslopogas, and asked us if we should like to assist at a real wedding. Of course we said yes, and off we went to the chapel, where we found Agon looking as sulky as any high priest possibly could, and no wonder. It appeared that he and Nyleptha had a slight difference of opinion about the coming ceremony. He had flatly refused to celebrate it, or to allow any of his priests to do so, whereupon Nyleptha became very angry and told him that she, as queen, was head of the church, and meant to be obeyed. Indeed she played the part of a zoovendi Henry VIII to perfection, and insisted that, if she wanted to be married, she would be married, and that he should marry her. End note. In zoovendas members of the royal house can only be married by the high priest, or a formally appointed deputy. Alan Quatermain. He still refused to go through the ceremony. So she clenched her argument with us. Alan Quatermain. Well, I cannot execute a high priest, because there is an absurd prejudice against it, and I cannot imprison him, because all his subordinates would raise a crying that would bring the stars down on zoovendas and crush it. But I can leave him to contemplate the altar of the sun without anything to eat, because that is his natural vocation. And if thou wilt not marry me, O Agon, thou shalt be placed before the altar yonder, with naught but a little water, till such time as thou hast reconsidered the matter. Now as it happened, Agon had been hurried away that morning without his breakfast, and was already exceedingly hungry. So he presently modified his views and consented to marry them, saying at the same time that he washed his hands of all responsibility in the matter. So a chance that presently attended only by two of her favorite maidens came the queen Nileptha, with happy blushing face and downcast eyes, dressed in pure white, without embroidery of any sort, as seems to be the fashion on these occasions in most countries of the world. She did not wear a single ornament. Even her gold circulates were removed. And I thought that if possible she looked more lovely than ever without them, as really superbly beautiful women do. She came, curtsied low to Sir Henry, and then took his hand and led him up before the altar. And after a little pause, in a slow, clear voice, uttered the following words, which are customary in Zuvendus, if the bride desires and the man consents. Thou dost swear by the sun that thou wilt take no other woman to wife, unless I lay my hand upon her and bid her come? I swear it," answered Sir Henry, adding in English, one is quite enough for me. Then Agon, who had been sulking in a corner near the altar, came forward and gabbled off something into his beard at such a rate that I could not follow it. But it appeared to be an invocation to the sun to bless the union and make it fruitful. I observed that Nylefta listened very closely to every word, and afterwards discovered that she was afraid lest Agon should play a trick, and by going through the invocations backwards divorced them instead of marry them. At the end of the invocations they were asked, as in our service, if they took each other for husband and wife, and on their assenting they kissed each other before the altar, and the service was over so far as their rights were concerned. But it seemed to me that there was yet something wanting, and so I produced a prayer-book which has, together with the Ingolsby legends that I often read when I lie awake at night, accompanied me in all my later wanderings. I gave it to my poor boy Harry years ago, and after his death I found it among his things and took it back again. Curtis, I said, I am not a clergyman, and I do not know if what I am going to propose is allowable. I know it is not legal. But if you and the Queen have no objection I should like to read the English marriage service over you. It is a solemn step which you are taking, and I think that you ought, so far as circumstances will allow, to give it the sanction of your own religion. I have thought of that, he said, and I wish you would. I do not feel half married yet. Nileptha raised no objection, fully understanding that her husband wished to celebrate the marriage according to the rights prevailing in his own country. And so I set to work and read the service from dearly beloved to amazement, as well as I could, and when I came to I, Henry, take thee Nileptha, I translated, and also I, Nileptha, take thee Henry, which she repeated after me very well. Then Sir Henry took a plain gold ring from his little finger, and placed it on hers, and so on to the end. The ring had been Curtis's mother's wedding ring, and I could not help thinking how astonished the old Yorkshire lady would have been if she could have foreseen that her wedding ring was to serve a similar purpose for Nileptha, a queen of the Zoovendi. As for Agon, he was with difficulty kept calm while this second ceremony was going on, for he at once understood that it was religious in its nature, and doubtless bethought him of the ninety-five new faiths which loomed so ominously in his eyes. Indeed he at once set me down as a rival high priest and hated me accordingly. However, in the end off he went, positively bristling with indignation, and I knew that we might look out for danger from his direction. And off went good an eye, an old oom slobogos also, leaving the happy pair to themselves, and very low we all felt. Marriages are supposed to be cheerful things, but my experience is that they are very much the reverse to everybody, except perhaps the two people chiefly interested. They mean the breaking up of so many old ties as well as the undertaking of so many new ones, and there was always something sad about the passing away of the old order. Now to take this case, for instance. Sir Henry Curtis is the best and kindest fellow and friend in the world, but he has never been quite the same since that little scene in the chapel. It is always Nileptha this, and Nileptha that, and Nileptha, in short, from morning till night, in one way or another, either expressed or understood. And as for the old friends, well, of course, they have taken the place that old friends ought to take, and which ladies are, as a rule, very careful to see they do take when a man marries, and that is the second place. Yes, he would be angry if anybody said so, but it is a fact for all that. He is not quite the same. And Nileptha is very sweet and very charming, but I think that she likes him to understand that she has married him, and not quite her main, good, and company. But there, what is the use of grumbling? It is all very right and proper, as any married lady would have no difficulty in explaining, and I am a selfish, jealous old man, though I hope I never show it. So good an I went and ate in silence, and then indulged in an extra fine flag on of old Zuvendian to keep our spirits up. And presently one of our attendants came and told a story that gave us something to think about. It may perhaps be remembered that after his quarrel with Umslopogas, Alphonse had gone off in an exceedingly ill temper to sulk over his scratches. Well, it appears that he had walked right past the temple to the sun, down the wide road on the further side of the sloped crowns, and thence on into the beautiful park or pleasure gardens which are laid out just beyond the outer wall. After wandering there for a little he started to return, but was met near the outer gate by Sareas's train of chariots, which were galloping furiously along the great northern road. When she caught sight of Alphonse, Sareas halted her train and called to him. On approaching he was instantly seized, and dragged into one of the chariots and carried off, crying out loudly, as our informant said, and from my general knowledge of him I can well believe. At first I was much puzzled to know what object Sareas could have had in carrying off the poor little Frenchman. She could hardly stoop so low as to try to wreak her fury on one whom she knew was only a servant. At last, however, an idea occurred to me. We three were, as I think I have said, much revered by the people of Zuvendis at large, both because we were the first strangers they had ever seen, and because we were supposed to be the possessors of almost supernatural wisdom. Indeed, though Sareas's cry against the foreign wolves or to translate it more accurately foreign hyenas, was sure to go down very well with the nobles and the priests, it was not as we learnt likely to be particularly effectual amongst the bulk of the population. The Zuvendi people, like the Athenians of old, are ever seeking for some new thing, and just because we were so new our presence was on the whole acceptable to them. Again, Sir Henry's magnificent personal appearance made a deep impression upon a race who possessed a greater love of beauty than any other I have ever been acquainted with. Beauty may be prized in other countries, but in Zuvendis it is almost worshipped, as indeed the national love of statuary shows. The people said openly in the market places that there was not a man in the country to touch Curtis in personal appearance, as with the exception of Sareas there was no woman who could compete with Nilepza, and that therefore it was meat that they should marry, and that he had been sent by the son as a husband for their queen. Now from all this it will be seen that the outcry against us was to a considerable extent fictitious, and nobody knew it better than Sareas herself. Consequently, it struck me that it might have occurred to her that down in the country and among the country people it would be better to place the reason of her conflict with her sister upon other and more general grounds than Nilepza's marriage with the stranger. It would be easy in a land where there had been so many civil wars to rake out some old cry that would stir up the recollection of buried feuds, and indeed she soon found an effectual one. This being so, it was of great importance to her to have one of the strangers with her whom she could show to the common people as a great outlander who had been so struck by the justice of her cause that he had elected to leave his companions and follow her standard. This, no doubt, was the cause of her anxiety to get a hold of Good whom she would have used till he ceased to be of service and then cast off. But Good, having drawn back, she grasped at the opportunity of securing Alphonse, who was not unlike him in personal appearance, though smaller. No doubt with the object of showing him off in the cities and country as the great Nougan himself. I told Good that I thought that that was her plan, and his face was a sight to see he was so horrified at the idea. What, he said, dress up that little wretch to represent me? Why, I should have to get out of the country. My reputation will be ruined forever. I can sold him as well as I could, but it is not pleasant to be personated all over a strange country by an errant little coward, and I can quite sympathize with his vexation. Well, that night Good and I messed, as I have said in solitary grandeur, feeling very much as though we had just returned from burying a friend instead of marrying one. And next morning the work began in good earnest. The messages and orders which had been dispatched by Nileptha two days before now began to take effect, and multitudes of armed men came pouring into the city. We saw, as may be imagined, but very little of Nileptha, and not too much of Curtis during those next few days. But Good and I sat daily with the Council of Generals and Loyal Lords, drawing up plans of action, arranging commissariat matters, the distribution of commands, and a hundred and one other things. Men came in freely, and all the day long the great roads leading to Miloses were spotted with the banners of Lords arriving from their distant places to rally round Nileptha. After the first few days it became clear that we should be able to take the field with about forty thousand infantry and twenty thousand cavalry. A very respectable force considering how short was the time we had to collect it, and that about half the regular army had elected to follow Sareas. But if our force was large, Sareas's was, according to the reports brought in day by day by our spies, much larger. She had taken up her headquarters at a very strong town called Marstuna, situated, as I have said, to the north of Miloses, and all the countryside was flocking to her standard. Nasta had poured down from his highlands and was on his way to join her with no less than twenty-five thousand of his mountaineers, the most terrible soldiers to face in all Zuvendis. Another mighty lord named Balusha, who lived in the great horse-breeding district, had come in with twelve thousand cavalry, and so on. Indeed, what between one thing and another, it seemed certain that she would gather a fully armed host of nearly one hundred thousand men. And then came news that Sareas was proposing to break up her camp and march on the frowning city itself, desolating the country as she came. Thereon arose the question whether it would be best to meet her at Miloses or to go out and give her battle. When our opinion was asked upon the subject, Good and I unhesitatingly gave it in favor of an advance. If we were to shut ourselves up in the city and wait to be attacked, it seemed to us that our inaction would be set down to fear. It is so very important, especially on an occasion of this sort, when very little will suffice to turn men's opinions one way or the other, to be up and doing something. Arder for a cause will soon evaporate if the cause does not move but sits down to conquer. Therefore we cast our vote for moving out and giving battle in the open, instead of waiting till we were drawn from our walls like a badger from a hole. Sir Henry's opinion coincided with ours, and so needless to say did that of Nileptha, who, like a flint, was always ready to flash out fire. A great map of the country was brought and spread out before her. About thirty miles this side of Marstuna were Sareasley, and ninety odd miles from Miloses the road ran over a neck of lamb some two-and-a-half miles in width, and flanked on either side by forest-clad hills, which, without being lofty, would, if the road were blocked, be quite impractical for a great baggage-laden army to cross. She looked earnestly at the map, and then with a quickness of perception that in some women amounts almost to an instinct, she laid her finger upon this neck of rising ground, and turning to her husband, said, with a proud air of confidence, and a toss of the gold in the head. Here shall thou meet Sareas's armies. I know the spot. Here shall thou meet them, and drive them before thee like dust before the storm. But Curtis looked grave, and said nothing. End of CHAPTER 19 CHAPTER 20 THE BATTLE OF THE PASS It was on the third morning after this incident of the map that Sir Henry and I started. With the exception of a small guard, all the great hosts had moved on the night before, leaving the frowning city very silent and empty. Indeed it was found impossible to leave any garrison, with the exception of a personal guard for Nileptha, and about a thousand men who, from sickness or one cause or another, were unable to proceed with the army. But, as Milosis was practically impregnable, and as our enemy was in front of and not behind us, this did not so much matter. Good, and Umslopogas, had gone on with the army. But Nileptha accompanied Sir Henry and myself to the city gates, riding a magnificent white horse called Daylight, which was supposed to be the flitest and most enduring animal in Zuvendus. Her face bore traces of recent weeping, but there were no tears in her eyes now. Indeed she was bearing up bravely against what must have been a bitter trial to her. At the gate she reigned in her horse and bid us farewell. On the previous day she had reviewed and addressed the officers of the great army, speaking to them such high eloquent words, and expressing so complete a confidence in their valor, and in their ultimate victory, that she quite carried their hearts away. And as she rode from rank to rank they cheered her till the ground shook. And now today the same mood seemed to be on her. Fairly well, Makumazan, she said. Remember, I trust to thy wits, which are as a needle to a spear handle compared to those of my people, to save us from Soraeus. I know that thou will do thy duty. I bowed and explained to her my horror of fighting, and my fear lest I should lose my head, at which she laughed gently and turned to Curtis. Fairly well, my lord, she said. Come back with victory, and as a king, or on thy soldier's spears. End note, alluding to the Zuvendi custom of carrying dead officers on a framework of spears. Sir Henry said nothing but turned his horse to go. Perhaps he had a bit of a lump in his throat. One gets over it afterwards, but these sort of partings are trying when one has only been married a week. Here, added Nyleptha, will I greet thee when ye return in triumph? And now, my lords, once more. Fair well. Then we rode on. But when we had gone a hundred and fifty yards or so, we turned and perceived her still sitting on her horse at the same spot, and looking out after us beneath her hand, and that was the last we saw of her. About a mile farther on, however, we heard galloping behind us, and looking round saw a mounted soldier coming towards us, leading Nyleptha's matchless steed, daylight. The queen sends the white stallion as a farewell gift to her lord Incubu, and bids me tell my lord that he is the flitest and most enduring horse in all the land," said the soldier, bending to his saddle-bow before us. At first Sir Henry did not want to take the horse, saying that he was too good for such rough work. But I persuaded him to do so, thinking that Nyleptha would be hurt if he did not. How did I guess at the time what service that noble horse would render in our sorrows need? It is curious to look back and realize upon what trivial and apparently coincidental circumstances great events frequently turn as easily and naturally as a door on its hinges. Well, we took the horse, and the beauty he was. It was a perfect pleasure to see him move. And Curtis, having sent back his greetings and thanks, we proceeded on our journey. By midday we overtook the rear guard of the great army of which Sir Henry then formally took over the command. It was a heavy responsibility, and it oppressed him very much. But the queen's injunctions on the point were such as did not admit of being trifled with. He was beginning to find out that greatness has its responsibilities as well as its glories. Then we marched on without meeting any opposition. Almost indeed without seeing anybody, for the populations of the towns and villages along our route had for the most part fled, fearing lest they should be caught between the two rival armies and ground to powder like grain between the upper and nether stones. On the evening of the fourth day, for the progress of so great a multitude was necessarily slow, we camped two miles this side of the neck, or ridge I have spoken of. And our outposts brought us word that Sareas, with all her power, was rolling down upon us, and had pitched her camp that night ten miles the farther side of the neck. According lay before dawn we sent forward fifteen hundred cavalry to seize the position. Scarcely had they occupied it, however, before they were attacked by about as many of Sareas's horsemen, and a very smart little cavalry fight ensued, with a loss to us of about thirty men killed. On the advance of our supports, however, Sareas's force drew off, carrying their dead and wounded with them. The main body of the army reached the neck about dinner time. And I must say that Nileptha's judgment had not failed her. It was an admirable place to give battle in, especially to a superior force. The road ran down a mile or more, through ground too broken to admit of the handling of any considerable force, till it reached the crest of a great green wave of land that rolled down a gentle slope to the banks of a little stream, and then rolled away again up a still gentler slope to the plain beyond, the distance from the crest of the land wave down to the stream being a little over half a mile, and from the stream up to the plain beyond a trifle less. The length of this wave of land at its highest point, which corresponded exactly with the width of the neck of the land between the wooded hills, was about two miles in a quarter, and it was protected on either side by dense, rocky, bush-clad ground that afforded a most valuable cover to the flanks of the army, and rendered it almost impossible for them to be turned. It was on the hither slope of this neck of land that Curtis encamped his army in the same formation that he had after consultation with the various generals, good and myself, determined that they should occupy in the great pitched battle which now appeared to be eminent. Our force of sixty thousand men was, roughly speaking, divided as follows. In the center was a dense body of twenty thousand foot soldiers, armed with spears, swords, and hippopotamus-hide shields, breast, and backplates. End note. The Zuvendi people do not use bows, Alan Quartermain. These formed the chest of the army, and were supported by five thousand foot and three thousand horse in reserve. On either side of this chest were stationed seven thousand horse, arranged in deep majestic squadrons. And beyond, and on either side, but slightly in front of them again were two bodies, each numbering about seven thousand five hundred spearmen, forming the right and left wings of the army, and each supported by a contingent of some fifteen hundred cavalry. This makes in all sixty thousand men. Curtis commanded in chief. I was in command of the seven thousand horse between the chest and right wing, which was commanded by good. And the other battalions and squadrons were entrusted to Zuvendis generals. Scarcely had we taken up our positions before Soraeus's vast army began to swarm on the opposite slope about a mile in front of us, till the whole place seemed alive with the multitude of her spear points, and the ground shook with the tramp of her battalions. It was evident that the spies had not exaggerated. We were outnumbered by at least a third. At first we expected that Soraeus was going to attack us at once. As the clouds of cavalry which hung upon her flanks executed some threatening demonstrations. But she thought better of it, and there was no fight that day. As for the formation of her great forces, I cannot now describe it with accuracy, and it would only serve to be wielder if I did. But I may say generally that in its leading features it resembled our own, only her reserve was much greater. Opposite our right wing, and forming Soraeus's left wing, was a great army of dark, wild-looking men, armed with sword and shield only. Which I was informed was composed of Nasta's twenty-five thousand savage hillsmen. My word, good! said I when I saw them. You will catch it to-morrow when those gentlemen charge. We're at good, not unnaturally, looked rather anxious. All day we watched and waited. But nothing happened. And at last night fell. And a thousand watch-fires twinkled brightly on the slopes, to wane and die one by one like the stars they resembled. As the hours wore on, the silence gradually gathered more deeply over the opposing hosts. It was a very wearying night. For in addition to the endless things that had to be attended to, there was our gnawing suspense to reckon with. The fray which to-morrow would witness would be so vast, and the slaughter so awful, that stout indeed must the heart have been that was not overwhelmed at the prospect. And when I thought of all that hung upon it, I own I felt ill. And it made me very sad to reflect that these mighty forces were gathered for destruction simply to gratify the jealous anger of a woman. This was the hidden power which was to send those dense masses of cavalry flashing like human thunderbolts across the plain, and to roll together the fierce battalions as clouds when hurricane meets hurricane. It was a dreadful thought, and set one wondering about the responsibilities of the great ones of the earth. Deep into the night we sat, with pale faces and heavy hearts, and took counsel, whilst to the sentries tramped up and down, down and up, and the armed and plumed generals came and went, grim and shadow-like. And so the time wore away till everything was ready for the coming slaughter. And I lay down and thought, and tried to get a little rest, but could not sleep for fear of the Morrow. For who could say what the Morrow would bring forth? History and death, this was certain. Beyond that we knew not, and I confess I was very much afraid. But as I realized then it is useless to question that eternal sphinx the future. From day to day she reads aloud the riddles of the yesterday of which the puzzled worldlings of all ages have not answered one, nor ever will, unless they never so wildly, or cry they never so loud. And so at length I gave up wondering, being forced humbly to leave the issue in the balancing hands of Providence and the Morrow. And at last up came the red sun, and the huge camps awoke with a clash and a roar, and gathered themselves together for battle. It was a beautiful and awe-inspiring scene. An old oom slopo gas leaning on his axe contemplated it with grim delight. Never have I seen the like Makumazan. Never, he said. The battles of my people are as the play of children to what this will be. Think as thou that they will fight it out. I, I answered sadly, to the death, content thyself, woodpecker, for once shall thou peck thy fill. Time went on, and still there was no sign of an attack. A force of cavalry crossed the brook indeed, and rode slowly along our front, evidently taking stock of our position and numbers. With this we did not attempt to interfere, as our decision was to stand strictly on the defensive and not to waste a single man. The men breakfasted, and stood to their arms, and the hours wore on. About midday when the men were eating their dinner, for we thought they would fight better on full stomachs. A shout of Sareas, Sareas! arose like thunder from the enemy's extreme right. And taking the glass I was able to clearly distinguish the lady of the night herself, surrounded by a glittering staff, and riding slowly down the lines of her battalions. And as she went, that mighty, thundering shout rolled along before her like the rolling of ten thousand chariots, or the roaring of the ocean when the gale turned suddenly and carries the noise of it to the listener's ears, till the earth shook and the air was full of the majesty of sound. Guessing that this was a prelude to the beginning of the battle, we remained still and made ready. We had not long to wait. Suddenly, like flame from a cannon's mouth, shot two great tongue-like forces of cavalry, and came charging down the slope towards the little stream. Slowly at first, but gathering speed as they came. Before they got to the stream, orders reached me from Sir Henry, who evidently feared that the shock of such a charge, if allowed to fall unbroken upon our infantry, would be too much for them. To send five thousand sabers to meet the force opposite to me, at the moment when it began to mount the stiffest of the rise about four hundred yards from our lines. This I did, remaining behind myself with the rest of my men. Off went the five thousand horsemen, drawn up in a wedge-like form, and I must say that the general in command handled them very ably, starting at a hand gallop. For the first three hundred yards he rode straight at the tip of the tongue-shaped mass of cavalry, which, numbering so far as I could judge, about eight thousand sabers, was advancing to charge us. Then he suddenly swerved to the right and put on the pace, and I saw the great wedge curl round, and before the foe could check himself and turn to meet it, strike him about half way down his length, with a crashing, rending sound, like that of the breaking up of vast sheets of ice. In sank the great wedge into his heart, and as it cut its way hundreds of horsemen were thrown up on either side of it, just as the earth is thrown up by a plowshare, or more like still as the foaming water curls over beneath the boughs of a rushing ship. Then yet in vainly does the tongue twist its ends round in agony, like an injured snake, and strive to protect its center, still farther in by heaven. Right through, and so amid cheer after cheer from our watching thousands, back again upon the severed ends, beating them down, driving them as a gale drives spray, till at last amidst the rushing of hundreds of riderless horses, the flashing of swords, and the victorious clamor of their pursuers, the great force crumples up like an empty glove, then turns and gallops pel-mel for safety back to its own lines. I do not think it reached them more than two-thirds as strong as when it went out ten minutes before. The lines which were now advancing to the attack, opened and swallowed them up, and my force returned, having only suffered a loss of about five hundred men. Not much, I thought, considering the fierceness of the struggle. I could also see that the opposing bodies of cavalry on our left wing were drawing back. But how the fight went with them I do not quite know. It is as much as I can do to describe what took place immediately around me. By this time the dense masses of the enemies left, composed almost entirely of Nasta's swordsmen, were across the little stream, and with alternate yells of Nasta and Sareas, worth dancing banners and gleaming swords, were swarming up towards us like ants. Again I received orders to try and check this movement, and also the main advance against the chest of our army by means of cavalry charges. And this I did to the best of my ability by continually sending squadrons of about a thousand sabers out against them. These squadrons did the enemy much damage, and it was a glorious sight to see them flash down the hillside and bury themselves like a living knife in the heart of the foe. But also we lost many men. For after the experience of a couple of these charges, which had drawn a sort of bloody St. Andrew's Cross of dead and dying through the center of Nasta's host, our foes no longer attempted to offer an unyielding front to their irresistible weight, but opened out to let the rush go through, throwing themselves on the ground, and hamstringing hundreds of horses as they passed. And so, notwithstanding all that we could do, the enemy drew nearer. Till at last he hurled himself upon good's force of 7,500 regulars, who were drawn up to receive them in three strong squares. About the same time, too, an awful and heart-shaking roar told me that the main battle had closed in on the center and extreme left. I raised myself in my stirrups and looked down to my left. So far as the eye could see there was a long dazzling shimmer of steel as the sun glanced upon falling sword and thrusting spear. Two and fro swung the contending lines in that dread struggle, now giving way, now gaining a little in the mad yet ordered confusion of attack and defense. But it was as much as I could do to keep count of what was happening to our own wing. And as for the moment the cavalry had fallen back under cover of good's three squares, I had a fair view of this. Nastas wild swordsmen were now breaking in red waves against the sullen, rock-like squares. Time after time did they yell out their war cries, and hurl themselves furiously against the long triple ridges of spear-points, only to be rolled back as billows are when they meet the cliff. And so for four long hours the battle raged almost without a pause. And at the end of that time, if we had gained nothing, we had lost nothing. Two attempts to turn our left flank by forcing away through the woods by which it was protected had been defeated. And as yet Nastas swordsmen had, notwithstanding their desperate efforts, entirely failed to break good's three squares, though they had thinned their numbers by quite a third. As for the chest of the army, where Sir Henry was with his staff and Numeslopogos, it had suffered dreadfully, but it had held its own with honor. And the same may be said of our left battle. At last the attack slackened, and Sir Reyes's army drew back, having, I begin to think, had enough of it. On this point, however, I was soon undeceived for splitting up her cavalry into comparatively small squadrons. She charged us furiously with them, all along the line. And then once more sullenly rolled her tens of thousands of sword and spearmen down upon our weakened squares and squadrons. Sir Reyes herself directing the movement, as fearless as a lioness heading the main attack. On they came like an avalanche. I saw her golden helm gleaming in the van. Our countercharges of cavalry entirely failing to check their forward sweep. Now they had struck us, and our center bent in like a bow beneath the weight of their rush. It parted. And had not the ten thousand men in reserve charged down to its support, it must have been utterly destroyed. As for goods three squares, they were swept backwards like boats upon an incoming tide. And the foremost one was burst into and lost half its remaining men. But the effort was too fierce and terrible to last. Suddenly the battle came, as it were, to a turning point, and for a minute or two stood still. Then it began to move toward Sir Reyes's camp. Just then, too, Nastas fierce and almost invincible highlanders, either because they were disheartened by their losses or by way of a ruse, fell back. And the remains of goods gallant squares, leaving the positions they had held for so many hours, cheered wildly and rashly followed them down the slope. Whereon the swarms of swordsmen turned to envelop them. And once more flung themselves upon them with a yell. Even thus on every side, what remained of the first square was quickly destroyed. And I perceived that the second, in which I could see good himself mounted on a large horse, was on the point of annihilation. A few more minutes, and it was broken. Its streaming colors sank. And I lost sight of good in the confused and hideous slaughter that ensued. Presently, however, a cream-colored horse with a snow-white mane and tail burst from the ruins of the square, and came rushing past me, riderless and with wide streaming reins. And in it I recognized the charger that good had been riding. Then I hesitated no longer. But taking with me half my effective cavalry force, which now amounted to between four and five thousand men, I commended myself to God. And without waiting for orders, I charged straight down upon Nesta's swordsmen. Seeing me coming and being warned by the thunder of my horse's hooves, the majority of them faced round, and gave us a right warm welcome. Not an inch would they yield. In vain did we hack and trample them down as we plowed a broad red furrow through their thousands. They seemed to re-erise by hundreds, driving their terrible sharp swords into our horses or severing their hamstrings, and then hacking the troopers who came to the ground with them almost into pieces. My horse was speedily killed under me. But luckily I had a fresh one, my own favorite. A cold black mare and a lepza had given me. Everything held in reserve behind. And on this I afterwards mounted. Meanwhile I had to get along as best I could, for I was pretty well lost sight of by my men in the mad confusion of the moment. My voice, of course, could not be heard in the midst of the clanging of steel and the shrieks of rage and agony. Presently I found myself mixed up with the remnants of the square, which had formed round its leader good, and was fighting desperately for existence. I stumbled against somebody and, glancing down, caught sight of good's eyeglass. He had been beaten to his knee. Over him was a great fellow swinging a heavy sword. Somehow I managed to run the man through with the sime I had taken from the messai, whose hand I had cut off. But as I did so he dealt me a frightful blow on the left side and breast with the sword. And though my chain-shirt saved my life, I felt that I was badly hurt. For a minute I fell on to my hands and knees among the dead and dying, and turned sick and faint. When I came to again I saw that Nastas Spearman, or rather those of them who remained, were retreating back across the stream, and that good was there by me, smiling sweetly. "'Near go that!' he shouted. But all's well that ends well.' I assented, but I could not help feeling that it had not ended well for me. I was sorely hurt. Just then we saw the smaller bodies of cavalry stationed on our extreme right and left, and which were now reinforced by the three thousand sabers which we had held in reserve. Flash out like arrows from their posts, and fall upon the disordered flanks of Sareas's forces. And that charge decided the issue of the battle. In another minute or two the enemy was in slow and sullen retreat across the little stream, where they once more reformed. Then came another lull, during which I managed to get a second horse, and received my orders to advance from Sir Henry. And then with one fierce deep-throated roar, with a waving of banners and a wide flashing of steel, the remains of our army took the offensive and began to sweep down. Slowly indeed, but irresistibly from the positions they had so gallantly held all day. At last it was our turn to attack. On we moved, over the piled-up masses of dead and dying, and were approaching the stream, when suddenly I perceived an extraordinary sight. Galloping wildly towards us, his arms tightly clasped around his horse's neck, against which his blanched cheek was tightly pressed. Was a man, a raid in the full costume of a zuvendi general, but in whom, as he came nearer, I recognized none other than our lost Alphonse. It was impossible, even then, to mistake those curling mustachios. In a minute he was tearing through our ranks and narrowly escaped being cut down. Till at last somebody caught his horse's bridle. And he was brought to me just as a momentary halt occurred in our advance, to allow what remained of our shattered squares to form into line. Ah, monsieur! he gasped out in a voice that was nearly inarticulate with fright. Grace to the sky it is you, ah, what I have endured. But you win, monsieur, you win. They fly the lash. But listen, monsieur, I forget. It is no good. The queen is to be murdered to-morrow at the first light in the palace of my losses. Her guards will leave their posts, and the priests are going to kill her. Ah, yes, they little thought it, but I was ensconced beneath a banner, and I heard it all. What! I said, horror-struck. What do you mean? What I say, monsieur, that devil of a nasta he went last night to settle the affair with the archbishop, Agon. The guard will leave open the little gate leading from the great stair and go away, and Nasta and Agon's priests will come in and kill her. Themselves they would not kill her. Come with me, I said, and shouting to the staff officer next to me to take over the command, I snatched his bridle and galloped as hard as I could for the spot, between a quarter and half a mile off, where I saw the royal pen and flying, and where I knew that I should find Curtis if he were still alive. On we tore, our horses clearing heaps of dead and dying men, and splashing through pools of blood, on past the long broken lines of spearmen to where, mounted on the white stallion Nileptha had sent to him as a parting gift, I saw Sir Henry's form towering above the generals who surrounded him. Just as we reached him the advance began again. A bloody cloth was bound around his head, but I saw that his eye was as bright and keen as ever. Beside him was Oldham Slopogas, his axe red with blood, but looking quite fresh and uninjured. What's wrong, Quatermaine? he shouted. Everything! There is a plot to murder the queen tomorrow at dawn. Alphonse here, who has just escaped from Sareas, has overheard it all. And I rapidly repeated to him what the Frenchman had told me. Curtis' face turned deadly pale and his jaw dropped. At dawn, he gasped, and it is now sunset. It dawns before four, and we are nearly a hundred miles off, nine hours at the outside. What is to be done? an idea entered into my head. Is that horse of yours fresh? I said. Yes, I have only just got on to him when my last was killed, and he has been fed. So is mine. Get off him, and let him Slopogas mount. He can ride well. We will be at Milosis before dawn, or if we are not, well, we cannot help it. No, no, it is impossible for you to leave now. You would be seen, and it would turn the fate of the battle. It is not half-won yet. The soldiers would think you were making a bolt of it. Quick now. In a moment he was down, and at my bidding, whom Slopogas sprang into the empty saddle. Now, farewell, I said. Send a thousand horsemen with remounts after us in an hour, if possible. Stay. Dispatch a general to the left wing to take over the command, and explain my absence. You will do your best to save her, Quatermaine, he said in a broken voice. I that I will. Go on, you are being left behind. He cast one glance at us, and accompanied by his staff galloped off to join the advance, which by this time was fording the little brook that now ran red with the blood of the fallen. As for whom Slopogas and myself, we left that dreadful field as arrows leave a bow, and in a few minutes had passed right out of the sight of slaughter, the smell of blood, and the turmoil and shouting, which only came to our ears as a faint, far-off roaring, like the sound of distant breakers. End of Chapter 20. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Alan Quatermaine by H. Ryder Haggard. Chapter 21. Away, away. At the top of the rise, we halted for a second to breathe our horses, and turning glanced at the battle beneath us, which, illumined as it was by the fierce rays of the sinking sun staining the whole scene red, looked from where we were more like some wild titanic picture than an actual hand-to-hand combat. The distinguishing scenic effect from that distance was the countless distinct flashes of light reflected from the swords and spears. Otherwise, the panorama was not so grand as might have been expected. The great green lap of sword in which the struggle was being fought out, the bold round outline of the hills behind, and the wide sweep of the plain beyond seemed to dwarf it, and what was tremendous enough when one was in it grew insignificant when viewed from the distance. But is it not thus with all the affairs and doings of our race about which we blow the loud trumpet and make such a fuss and worry? How utterly ant-like, and morally and physically insignificant, must they seem to the calm eyes that watch them from the arching depths above? We win the day, Makumazon, said old Umslopogas, taking in the whole situation with a glance of his practiced eye. Look, the Lady of the Night's forces give on every side. There is no stiffness left in them. They bend like hot iron. They are fighting with but half a heart. But, alas, the battle will in a manner be drawn for the darkness gathers, and the regiments will not be able to follow and slay. And he shook his head sadly. But, he added, I do not think that they will fight again. We have fed them with too strong a meat. It is well to have lived. At last I have seen a fight worth seeing. By this time we were on our way again, and as we went side by side I told him what our mission was, and how that, if it failed, all the lives that had been lost that day would have been lost in vain. Ah, he said, nigh on a hundred miles, and no horses but these, and to be there before the dawn. Well, away, away, man can but try Makumazon, and may have we shall be there in time to split that old witch finder's agon's skull for him. Once he wanted to burn us, the old rainmaker did he. And now he would set a snare for my mother, Nileptha, would he. Good! So sure is my name is the name of the woodpecker. So surely be my mother alive or dead will I split him to the beard. I, by T'chaka's head, I swear it. And he shook in Kosikas as he galloped. By now the darkness was closing in, but fortunately there would be a moon later, and the road was good. On we sped through the twilight. The two splendid horses we bestowed had got their wind by this, and were sweeping along with a wide, steady stride that neither failed nor varied from mile upon mile. Down the side of slopes we galloped, across wide veils that stretched to the foot of far off hills. Nearer and nearer grew the blue hills. Now we were traveling up their steeps, and now we were over and passing towards others that sprang up like visions in the far faint distance beyond. On, never pausing or drawing rain, through the perfect quiet of the night that was set like a song to the falling music of our horses hooves. On, past deserted villages were only some forgotten starving dog howled a melancholy welcome. On, past lonely, moated dwellings. On, through the white patchy moonlight that lay coldly upon the wide bosom of the earth, as though there was no warmth in it. On, knee to knee, for hour after hour, we spake not, but bent us forward on the necks of those two glorious horses, and listened to their deep, long-drawn breaths as they filled their great lungs, and to the regular unfaltering ring of their round hooves. Grim and blackened deed did Old Umslopogos look beside me, mounted upon the great white horse like death in the revelation of Saint John. As now and again lifting his fierce set face, he gazed out along the road, and pointed with his axe towards some distant rise or house. And so on, still on, without break or pause for hour after hour, at last I felt that even the splendid animal that I rode was beginning to give out. I looked at my watch. It was nearly midnight, and we were considerably more than halfway. On the top of a rise was a little spring which I remembered because I had slept by it a few nights before. And here I motioned to Umslopogos to pull up, having determined to give the horses and ourselves ten minutes to breathe in. We did so, and we dismounted, that is to say Umslopogos did, and then helped me off. For what with fatigue, stiffness, and the pain of my wound, I could not do so for myself. And then the gallant horses stood, panting there, resting first one leg and then another. While the sweat fell drip, drip from them, and the steam rose, and hung in pale clouds in the still night air. Leaving Umslopogos to hold the horses, I hobbled to the spring and drank deep of its sweet waters. I had had nothing but a single mouthful of wine since mid-day when the battle began, and I was parched up, though my fatigue was too great to allow me to feel hungry. Then, having laved my fevered head and hands, I returned, and the Zulu went and drank. Next we allowed the horses to take a couple of mouthfuls each, no more. And oh, what a struggle we had to get the poor beasts away from the water. There were yet two minutes, and I employed it in hobbling up and down to try and relieve my stiffness, and in inspecting the condition of the horses. My mare, gallant animal though she was, was evidently much distressed. She hung her head, and her eyes looked sick and dull. But daylight, Nylephthys glorious horse, who, if he has served a right, should, like the steeds who saved great ramesses in his need, feed for the rest of his days out of a golden manger. Was still, comparatively speaking, fresh, notwithstanding the fact that he had had by far the heavier weight to carry. He was tucked up, indeed, and his legs were weary, but his eye was bright and clear, and he held his shakely head up and gazed out into the darkness round him in a way that seemed to say that whoever failed he was good for those five and forty miles that yet lay between us and mylosis. Then Umslopogas held me into the saddle, and vigorous old savage that he was vaulted into his own without touching a stirrup. And we were off once more, slowly at first, till the horses got into their stride, and then more swiftly. So we passed over another ten miles. And then came a long, weary rise of some six or seven miles, and three times did my poor black mare nearly come to the ground with me. But on the top she seemed to gather herself together and rattle down the slope with long, convulsed strides, breathing in gasps. We did that three or four miles more swiftly than any since we had started on our wild ride. But I felt it to be a last effort, and I was right. Suddenly my poor horse took the bit between her teeth and bolted furiously along a stretch of level ground for some three or four hundred yards. And then with two or three jerky strides pulled herself up and fell with a crash right onto her head. I, rolling myself free as she did so. As I struggled to my feet the brave beast raised her head and looked at me with the piteous bloodshot eyes, and then her head dropped with the groan, and she was dead. Her heart was broken. Whom Slopogast pulled up beside the carcass, and I looked at him in dismay. There were still more than twenty miles to do by dawn, and how were we to do it with one horse? It seemed hopeless, but I had forgotten the old Zulu's extraordinary running powers. Without a single word he sprang from the saddle and began to hoist me into it. What will thou do? I asked. Run! he answered, seizing my stirrup leather. Then off we went again, almost as fast as before. And oh, the relief it was to me to get that change of horses. Anybody who has ever ridden against time will know what it meant. Daylight sped along at a long stretching hand gallop, giving the gaunt Zulu a lift at every stride. It was a wonderful thing to see Oldoom Slopogast run mile after mile, his lips slightly parted, and his nostrils agape like the horses. Every five miles or so we stopped for a few minutes to let him get his breath, and then flew on again. Canst thou go farther? I said at the third of these stoppages. Or shall I leave thee to follow me? He pointed with his axe to a dim mass before us. It was the temple of the sun, now not more than five miles away. I reach it or I die, he gasped. Oh, that last five miles. The skin was rubbed from the inside of my legs, and every movement of my horse gave me anguish. Nor was that all. I was exhausted with toil, want of food, and sleep, and also suffering very much from the blow I had received on my left side. It seemed as though a piece of bone or something was slowly piercing into my lung. Poor daylight, too, was pretty nearly finished, and no wonder. But there was a smell of dawn in the air, and we might not stay. Better that all three of us should die upon the road than that we should linger while there was life in us. The air was thick and heavy, as it sometimes is before dawn breaks. And another infallible sign in certain parts of Zuvendis that sunrises at hand, hundreds of little spiders pendant on the end of long, tough webs were floating about in it. These early-rising creatures, or rather their webs, caught upon the horses and our own forms by scores. And as we had neither the time nor the energy to brush them off, we rushed along covered with hundreds of long, grey threads that streamed out a yard or more behind us, and a very strange appearance they must have given us. And now before us are the huge brazen gates of the outer wall of the frowning city. And a new and horrible doubt strikes me, what if they will not let us in? Open, open, I shout imperiously, at the same time giving the royal password. Open, open, a messenger, a messenger with tidings of the war. What news, cried the guard, and who art thou that wrightest so madly, and who is that whose tongue lawls out? And it actually did. And who runs by thee like a dog by a chariot? It is the Lord Makumazan, and with him is his dog, his black dog. Open, open, I bring tidings. The great gates ran back on their rollers, and the drawbridge fell with a rattling crash, and we dashed on through the one and over the other. What news, my lord, what news, cried the guard. Cried the guard. Incubu rolls so raeus back as the wind a cloud, I answered, and was gone. One more effort, gallant horse, and yet more gallant man. So fall not now, daylight, and hold thy life in thee for fifteen short minutes more, O Zulu war dog, and ye shall both live forever in the annals of the land. On, clattering through the sleeping streets, we are passing the flower temple now. One mile more, only one little mile. Hold on, keep your life in thee. See the houses run past of themselves. Up, good horse, up there, but fifty yards now. Ah, you see your stables, and stagger on gallantly. Thank God, the palace at last. And see the first arrows of the dawn are striking on the temple's golden dome. End note. Of course, the roof of the temple, being so high, caught the light some time before the breaking of the dawn. Alan Quatermane. But shall I get in here, or is the deed done, and the way barred? Once more I give the password, and shout, Open, Open! No answer, and my heart grows very faint. Again I call, and this time a single voice replies, and to my joy I recognize it as belonging to Cara, a fellow officer of Nileptha's guards, a man I know to be as honest as the light. Indeed, the same whom Nileptha had sent to arrest Seraeus on the day she fled to the temple. Is it thou, Cara? I cry. I am Makumazan. Bid the guard, let down the bridge, and throw wide the gate. Quick, quick! Then followed a space that seemed to me endless. But at length the bridge fell, and one half of the gate opened, and we got into the courtyard, where at last, poor daylight fell down beneath me, as I thought, dead. Except Cara, there was nobody to be seen, and his look was wild, and his garments were all torn. He had opened the gate, and let down the bridge, alone, and was now getting them up and shut again. As, owing to a very ingenious arrangement of cranks and levers, one man could easily do, and indeed, generally did so. Where are the guard, I gasped, fearing his answer, as I never feared anything before. I know not, he answered. Two hours ago, as I slept, was I seized, and bound by the watch under me. And but now, this was the time for me, and for me, and for me, now, this very moment, have I freed myself with my teeth. I fear, I greatly fear, that we are betrayed. His words gave me fresh energy. Catching him by the arm, I staggered, followed by Umslopogas, who reeled after us like a drunken man, through the courtyards, up the great hall, which was silent as the grave, towards the queen's sleeping place. We reached the first anti-room, no guards. The second, still no guards. Oh, surely the thing was done. We were too late, after all, too late. The silence and solitude of those great chambers was dreadful, and weighed me down like an evil dream. On, right into my left, this chamber we rushed, and staggered, sick at heart, fearing the very worst. We saw there was a light in it, eye and a figure bearing the light. Oh, thank God it is the white queen herself, the queen unharmed. There she stands in her night gear, roused by the clatter of our coming from her bed, the heaviness of sleep yet in her eyes, and a red blush of fear and shame mantling her lovely breast and cheek. What is it? she cries. What means this? Oh, Makumazan, is it thou? Why lookest thou so wildly? Thou comest as one bearing evil tidings. And, my lord, oh, tell me not my lord is dead, not dead. She wailed, wringing her white hands. I left Incubu wounded, but leading the advanced against Sareas, last night at sundown. Therefore let thy heart have rest. Sareas is beaten back all along her lines, and thy arms prevail. I knew it, she cried in triumph. I knew that he would win. And they called him Outlander, and shook their wise heads when I gave him the command. Last night at sundown, sayest thou, and it is not yet dawn. Surely throw a cloak around thee in Ileptha, I broke in, and give us wine to drink. I, and call thy maidens quick, if thou would save thyself alive. Nay, stay not. Thus adjured she ran, and called through the curtains towards some room beyond, and then hastily put on her sandals, and a thick cloak, by which time a dozen or so half-dressed women were pouring into the room. Follow us, and be silent, I said to them, as they gazed with wondering eyes, clinging one to another. So we went into the first anti-room. Now, I said, give us wine to drink and food, if ye have it, for we are near to death. The room was used as a mess room for the officers of the guards, and from a cupboard some flagons of wine and some cold flesh were brought forth. And umslopogos and I drank, and felt life flow back into our veins, as the good red wine went down. Hark to me, Nilepta, I said, as I put down the empty tankard. Hast thou here among these thy waiting ladies any two of discretion? Aye, she said, surely. Then bid them go out by the side entrance, to any citizens whom thou canst be think thee of as men loyal to thee. And pray them, come armed, with all honest folk that they can gather, to rescue thee from death. Nay, question not. Do as I say, and quickly. Kara here will let out the maids. She turned, and selecting two of the crowd of damsels, repeated the words I had uttered, giving them besides a list of the names of the men to whom each should run. Go swiftly and secretly, go for your very lives, I added. In another moment they had left with Kara, whom I told to rejoin us at the door leading from the great courtyard onto the stairway, as soon as he had made fast behind the girls. Thither, too, umslopogos and I made our way, followed by the queen and her women. As we went, we tore off mouthfuls of food, and between them I told her what I knew of the danger which encompassed her. And how we found Kara, and how all the guards and men-servants were gone, and she was alone with her women in that great place. And she told me, too, that a rumor had spread through the town that our army had been utterly destroyed, and that Sareas was marching in triumph on Milosis. And how, in consequence thereof, all men had fallen away from her. Though all this takes some time to tell, we had not been but six or seven minutes in the palace. And notwithstanding that the golden roof of the temple being very lofty was ablaze with the rays of the rising sun, it was not yet dawn, nor would be for another ten minutes. We were in the courtyard now, and here my wound pained me so that I had to take and I left his arm. While Lumslopagas rolled along after us, eating as he went, now we were across it, and had reached the narrow doorway through the palace wall that opened onto the mighty stair. I looked through and stood aghast, as well I might. The door was gone. And so were the outer gates of bronze entirely gone. They had been taken from their hinges, and as we afterwards found, hurled from the stairway to the ground, two hundred feet beneath. There in front of us was the semicircular standing space, about twice the size of a large oval dining table, and the ten curved black marble steps leading on to the main stair. And that was all. End of Chapter 21