The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Novel

by Frank Aubrey

  CHAPTER XII.

  A PRELIMINARY SKIRMISH.

  The words that had been spoken on both sides in this conversation thetwo young men had followed fairly well; though they had listened insilence and made no attempt to join in the discussion. On their wayback towards the wood, Elwood was at first very thoughtful; then heturned to Monella and said excitedly,

  "How do we know she is safe, out there alone? And what will her father,the king, say to us, if harm come to her? It seems to me we are actingin strange fashion to leave her thus."

  "Patience, my son," returned Monella quietly; "we must avoid theshedding of blood, if it be possible. We have come here, as I havealready said, with peaceful motives. If violent acts be forced uponus in self-defence, let us keep at least our conscience clear; letus be in a position to show that they _were_ forced upon us. Let itnot be said of us that we have come into a strange land to introducedissension, and discord, and internal warfare; and all for no otherreason than the gratification of an adventurous spirit."

  "But," said Elwood, "_we_ have not introduced dissension and trouble.It is clear enough that a terrible murder would have been perpetratedhad we not been here to prevent it. Surely, no one can accuse _us_of commencing bloodshed; and, as to the rest, why, what are the livesof two or three scoundrels like these, the infamous myrmidons--if wemay believe what we heard--of a bloodthirsty 'high priest'; what arethe lives of two or three such wretches, compared with the safety ofthis gentle, trustful girl, whom we are leaving now almost at theirmercy? In my view this is one of those cases in which offence is thebest defence. They are showing their intentions pretty clearly; letus anticipate them by shooting one or two. That will frighten theremainder, and stop further hostile action; and, moreover, preventtheir coming near this young lady, or princess, as I suppose she reallyis."

  "I am bound to say I rather agree with Leonard," said Templemore. "Isee, clearly enough, we are in for a fight, and shall have to kill twoor three. Why not as well do it first as last? If, as she says, theyare used to do as they please in the land, and if what we have justseen is a specimen of their style, pity is thrown away upon them. And,besides, is it good generalship, Monella? To attack first would be sureto scare them; but, if they make a rush, in absolute ignorance of thepower of our rifles, may they not, some of them, charge home? And thenwe should have a hand-to-hand fight where they would be four or five toone."

  Monella passed his hand over his face, and answered almost sadly,

  "There is a time to be forward in attack, and a time to be forbearing.If the time come for the former, no man will ever see me flinch fromit. But you know what has been said, that the shedding of blood is likeunto the letting out of water, and that he who begins it is accursed.If these people begin it, we will not shrink; but at least we shallhave clear consciences. Now listen to my plan. We must not enter thewood, or they will think we have fled. If they cross the line I havelaid down, let each take the man opposite to him in the line, and bringhim down. Then, if they still rush on, fire once more, and step backinto the shelter of the wood. If they follow, you know what to do; yourrevolvers will suffice."

  Meantime, Ulama, as she had called herself, had been addressing thesoldiers. Their officer had advanced to speak to her, and angry talkhad been exchanged, which those standing at the edge of the wood, withrifles at the 'ready', could not hear. But when, finally, she shook herhead meaningly, and began to retire towards them, Jack Templemore sethis teeth and said,

  "I told you so! I knew it meant a fight! We might just as well havebegun it, as let them think we are afraid."

  "There is yet a chance," replied Monella. "They may hesitate to passthe line I have laid down. In any case, all we can now do is to waitand see." And, as Ulama came towards them, he signed to her to stepaside, out of the line of fire.

  The officer had returned to his men, and, after a short consultationwith one who seemed to be next in command, the two ranks advanced, withthe slow, measured tread of a well-disciplined troop, up the slope. Onreaching the dead body they were halted while the two officers examinedit. They had not understood how their leader had been killed; nor didthey understand it now. They had heard the report of the pistol and hadseen their chief fall, but the report had not been a loud one; and asElwood had run forward at the time, for all they could see (Ulama beingbetween them) he might have hurled a spear at Zelus. Yet the sound ofthe explosion had puzzled them, and stayed them from rushing instantlyto the assistance of their leader. Altogether, they were perplexed.The dress of their opponents showed them to be strangers. They appearedto be unarmed, yet had they killed their dreaded master in the faceof his guard. This argued conscious power; and it behoved them not tobe too precipitate. After this fashion, probably, reasoned the twoofficers.

  If so, the examination of the dead body could but add to theiruncertainty; for they found there a wound they were quite unable toaccount for. It was not a spear thrust; it was not a wound from a swordor dagger. The scrutiny, in effect, yielded them no enlightenment; butthe sight of the dead body of their leader and of the blood exasperatedboth officers and men, and murmurs were heard, and cries for vengeance.They probably began, too, to remember what Ulama had suggested--thatif they went back with the dead body of their chief and without theslayer, their own lives would be forfeited. And all this time thestrangers stood calmly regarding them, watchful of their movements, butoffering neither to retreat nor to attack them.

  After some further consultation, the one who seemed to be in commandturned towards where the three strangers stood; flinging down hissword, he stepped forward and threw out both his hands, to signify thathe desired a parley.

  Thereupon Monella also advanced a few paces; then paused for the otherto address him.

  "Who are you? Whence come you? Why do you enter our land in thisfashion by killing one of the greatest in the country?" asked thecaptain of the guard.

  "The answers to your first questions are for your king's ear alone,"returned Monella. "As to the last, we came in peace, but interfered tosave a maiden from being murdered."

  The other's face expressed an evil sneer, and he made answer:

  "It is not usual, with us, for men to throw away their lives forwomen. For what you have done yours may be required. Still," he addeddiplomatically, "I am not judge nor executioner--unless you resist me.If, therefore, you will surrender like men of peace--as you say youare--and will come with me to tell your tale to my master, I promiseyou good treatment while in my custody."

  Monella shook his head.

  "You have had my answer," he said. "We seek your king. We will yieldourselves to no one else. And," he continued, with louder voice, "sinceyou, my friend, dare to deride us for taking a woman's part, know thatin the land we come from we are not accustomed to stand still and lookon while women are being murdered. What manner of _men_ are _ye_ whodare openly proclaim so vile a doctrine? Soldiers of a High Priest?Guardians of a 'religion' that teaches things like this? The spanthat shall be left to such a being as ye serve is growing short. Hispower is waning, his days are even now numbered." He raised his arm,and extended it towards him he was addressing; then, with gatheringforce, and even passion, till he seemed like an inspired prophet ofold thundering his denunciations against evil-doers--"We came here ingoodwill and peace; we may remain to be a withering scourge to you andhim you call your master. See to it, and take warning! There must--andthere _shall_--be an end of such deeds as we have this day seenattempted by--as ye have no shame in avowing--the favoured son of yourHigh Priest. Hence from my sight, ere scorn and anger overcome me! Ihave but to move my finger, and you fall dead before me!"

  For the first time in their knowledge of him Templemore and Elwood sawtheir leader, usually so calm and equable, moved by a passion that wasalmost uncontrollable. They glanced at one another in surprise; andwell indeed they might. For whereas, at first, they had felt almostimpatient of his equanimity, and had feared he lacked the sternness todeal with those they were opposed to, yet now they thought only
how torestrain his sudden and unlooked-for passion, lest it should embroilthem further than was actually necessary.

  But the fire of Monella's rage expired as suddenly as it had kindled.

  "You have heard," he went on, coldly and disdainfully, to the captainof the hostile group. "I have warned you. I spare your life to give youtime to do better."

  But this contemptuous treatment, so far from having the effectintended, seemed to rouse the other's fury.

  "Think not to impose on me by empty threats and vain-gloriousboasting," he retorted. "I summon you to yield and come with me. Ifnot, and we have to kill you in striving to enforce obedience, theconsequences be upon your own heads."

  "And I say that I have warned _you_," returned Monella quietly. Hestooped and picked up a stone, then threw it to within three or fourfeet of the cord that lay between them.

  "If," he said, "you but cross that cord so far as that stone, you die."

  Instantly the other took up the challenge. He stepped back for hissword, then walked boldly forward, Monella meanwhile falling back inline with his companions; but the instant the other crossed the cord,Monella's rifle rang out, and the fatuous soldier fell prone upon thesward.

  Then a tall fellow burst from the ranks and, brandishing his spear,rushed towards the fatal cord; he was followed by an adventurouscomrade; but, e'en as they stepped across the line, they both bit thedust. Then all the others turned and fled; all save the second officer,who stood his ground, neither advancing nor retreating. He remainedleaning on his sword, and looked, by turns, first at his flying men,then at the dead bodies that lay around him, finally at Monella and hiscompanions.

  Monella advanced and thus addressed him,

  "How is it you stand thus in hesitation, friend? Are you in two minds,whether to fight or to fly?"

  The second officer was a fine-looking young fellow with features thatwere not unpleasing. With a steady glance he looked Monella in the faceand answered,

  "I am no coward to run away, and no fool to rush to meet a thunderbolt.Whoever you are, it is plain that we are powerless against you. Butindeed," he went on, with something almost like a sigh, "when I heardyour words I felt no stomach to fight against you, if so be that theyare true."

  "I am well pleased to hear you say so, friend," Monella said, layinghis hand upon the other's shoulder. "You have seen what it is in ourpower to do. I call upon you to be a witness in the presence of yourking--of all your people--that we did not resort to force until allother means had failed."

  "That will I gladly do," returned the officer, bending his head incourteous salutation. "Few would have been so persistent in theirmerciful intention. For myself, I know my fate if I rejoin my master;therefore, if you will accept my service, I would fain join myself toyou. One can but fight and die; better to do so in the service of sucha chief as you, than of him I have lately served," and he seemed toshudder while he spoke.

  Just then the maiden joined them, and he saluted her respectfully. Shelooked at him with sorrowful eyes.

  "And is it Ergalon," she said, "that could stand by to-day and seeanother man raise his hand to slay the daughter of his king, and notmove a step to hinder him? Has Ergalon indeed sunk so low as this?"

  The words were said in pained surprise rather than in anger; and in thegentle eyes she turned upon him there was no sign of aught but mildreproach. But this seemed to cut him to the heart, when ringing wordsof accusation would, perhaps, have failed to move him. He fell upon oneknee and bent his head.

  "Alas! Princess," he cried, "I well deserve your scorn; yet knowestthou not how that against my will I have been forced into this service.Well I know that to ask pardon would be useless--the king will neverpardon, should this reach his ears; still less will Coryon. Yet I carenot if thou wilt but grant me _thy_ forgiveness. If these strangers arethy friends, grant me to serve thee by serving them; and should thisservice be even to death, it will content me that thou shouldst say ofme that Ergalon had done his duty, and redeemed himself in thine eyes."

  "Be it so, Ergalon," Ulama answered, her voice and manner charged witha sweet graciousness that quite captivated the three bystanders. Then,turning to Monella, she continued, "My father, I owe you much for whatyou have done to-day. I shall try in the future to repay you to somemeasure. Meantime you will need friends--accept from Ergalon thisproffered service. I feel sure, after what has happened, you may trusthim--even to the death. I know not who you are, whether immortals, orbeings of like nature to myself, thus timely sent by the Great Spiritto my aid. But this I know, that I may trust you; that you have cometo be my friends, and my friends from henceforth you shall be."

  It would be difficult to convey an idea of the wonderful mixture ofsimple gentleness and queenly dignity with which these words werespoken. Further, it would be hard to say which of her hearers was mostimpressed. She had the art of winning hearts without intending ordesiring it; and few could long resist the fascination of her presence.Small wonder then if Leonard Elwood had already fallen incontinently,helplessly, irretrievably in love.

  "And now," she finished, "I invite you to my home, where my father willbid you welcome."

  "And these?" Monella asked, pointing to the dead bodies.

  "Ergalon will know what to do," she answered; and moved away in thedirection she had indicated.

  But by this time a small crowd was on its way to meet them. Thoseforming it were, as it appeared, chiefly her maidens and attendants anda file of soldiers--her guards. They looked curiously at the strangers,but, at a sign from her, fell in respectfully behind the little party.

  "Doubtless you marvel," she observed to Elwood and Monella, betweenwhom she walked, "how it comes about that with all these people toattend and guard me, I was alone this morning. But for that chance thedead Zelus had never found his opportunity of saying that he did to me.He must have been watching for it; perchance had heard that I sometimeslike to steal away alone for a little ramble. One gets so tired ofalways having people around one," she added, with an almost childishwilfulness. "But this will cure me. For the future I shall be morecareful."

  Templemore, meantime, strolling along behind the others, found himselfsomehow placed between Ergalon and a dainty little damsel whose name,he afterwards found, was Zonella. She was Ulama's close friend, and wasmost busy plying Ergalon with questions about what had taken place. Atthe noise of the firing they had rushed out in alarm; then, missing theprincess, had set out to seek her. In reply to her inquiries, Ergalongloomily referred her to Templemore, and on this slender introductionthe two soon found themselves in friendly converse, rather to theincrease of their companion's moodiness.

  It was well for Templemore that day that his affections wereunalterably fixed upon a chosen fair one; else, inevitably, had he losthis heart either to the fair Ulama or to the dark-eyed, captivatingZonella. As it was, he was compelled to own that he had never seentwo more fascinating maidens--save--save, of course, Maud Kingsford.In that reservation--and in that alone--lay the salvation of hisheart. But this Ergalon knew not; and since he had long ardently--butvainly--sought the favour of Zonella, he was none too pleased to seeher so quickly place herself on friendly terms with a total stranger.

  But Templemore's acquaintance with the language was so limited, thathis part in the conversation consisted more in listening than intalking; and his thoughts were more concerned in observing all thatwent on around him than in studying Zonella herself.