The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Novel

by Frank Aubrey

  CHAPTER XIV.

  DAKLA.

  Ulama also left her seat and came forward to the two young men.

  "Your friend," she said, "has taken my father by surprise; else had hebidden you be seated. Nor did I know that he could not earlier havereceived you, or I would have sent my maidens to you with refreshment.Come now and sit near us, and I will point out to you my friends thatthey may be your friends; meantime Zonella will order fruit and winefor your sustainment. Anon you will be invited to our table; butmeantime you will need something. We all do," she added, when they madegestures of dissent, "so you will not be conspicuous in partaking hereof what we offer you."

  Pages then entered bearing luscious fruits and tempting-looking foamingdrinks; the former on massive salvers of pure gold, the latter inchalices of gold and silver set with gems. The fruits were all new tothem, as also were the drinks; but, on tasting them, they found them tobe all they looked.

  The fruits were indeed delicious and refreshing; the drinks coolingand exhilarating: to Elwood and Templemore they were as nectar andambrosia, and they said so, and asked many questions concerning them.But, seeing that the only information they received was a string ofnames that conveyed to them no meaning, they added little to theirstock of knowledge.

  They now talked freely with those around them; but found the questionsshowered upon them from all sides somewhat more than they could answer,so that Templemore said at last in an aside to the other,

  "Tell you what it is, Leonard; we shall have to give a publiclecture--or perhaps a series--and invite as many at a time as theTown Hall of the place will contain. Pity we didn't bring some magiclanterns and dissolving views to illustrate what we have to tell them.I _would_ have done so if I had only known."

  They, in their turn, were not less full of curiosity and interest inall they saw around them. The statuary, and, above all, the picturesamazed them.

  "It upsets all one's notions of history and all that," said Jackquietly to Leonard, "to find this sort of thing in the so-called 'new'world. We might be back in Ancient Greece."

  "Or Babylon, or Nineveh," Elwood answered. "It's like a dream--and,strange to say, I have dreamed much of it before. I keep thinking Ishall wake up presently and find that this city, with all that itcontains, has vanished."

  "I trust not," said Ulama--to whom the last part of the sentence hadbeen addressed--with a smile. "I should not like to think that I,myself, am but a dream. But, since you speak of having dreams of thatwhich you find here, know that I have strange dreams also. All my lifeit has been thus with me. Of late they have been less frequent than ofyore, and the memory of them is confused and indistinct; but I knowthat in them I have seen--aye, more than once--_your_ face, and theface of him you call Monella."

  Elwood regarded the maiden in surprise, and she continued,

  "Yes, it is true. Tell me, Zonella, have I not often described to theethose I had seen in my dreams; and did not some resemble these? As toface thou canst not know, but as to garb and other details?"

  "'Tis true," replied Zonella gravely.

  But the matter-of-fact Templemore found it hard to credit this; visionsand the like were nothing in his way.

  "Are you serious?" he asked.

  "Quite," both said.

  "And--me--a--I--myself, I mean; was I there too?"

  Templemore's manner when he asked this question was so humorouslyanxious that Ulama laughed--a joyous, ringing laugh, the token of asoul innocent and free from care.

  "No, indeed," she answered. "I never dreamed of you."

  "And you?" he asked, turning to Zonella.

  "No, never;" and she too laughed merrily.

  "It really doesn't seem fair," said Jack, with an injured air. "Wakingor sleeping, my friend has been a dreamer all his life; when we metwith Monella we found he was one of the same sort; so those two were onterms immediately; but I--I am out of it all. Never had a dream in mylife worth remembering. Not only that, but--as it now seems--I can'teven get into other people's. I put it to you, Princess, am I not alittle hardly done by?"

  Thus they laughed and chatted, and time passed on, and still Monellaand the king were closeted together. It was more than an hour--nearertwo--before the king returned; and then alone.

  "My friends," he said, "the audience is at an end. Affairs of statedemand my earnest thought, and I must now dismiss you. But," beckoningthe two young men to him, and taking in his own a hand of each, "oncemore let me commend these strangers to your care and friendship.They have rendered me to-day a service that is beyond price, and inrendering it to me, they have rendered it to us all. More I need notsay, except to charge you to make their stay with us a pleasant one."

  He withdrew, and, with his absence, the crowd began to thin; only thosebelonging to the court remaining.

  And now Ulama spoke.

  "I shall hand you over to my good friends here," she said. "Doubtlessyou will wish to make a change in your apparel and----"

  "Unfortunately we brought no change with us," said Jack.

  "They will bring you a choice of vestments," she answered, laughing."You will surely find something to your taste." She bowed courteously,and went out, followed by Zonella and her attendants.

  They were now taken in charge by the high chamberlain, whom theyalready knew by name--Colenna. He, in turn, handed them over to his sonKalaima, a bright-eyed, fair, talkative young fellow with whom theyquickly found themselves on pleasant terms. He conducted them to asuite of chambers which would be, he said, reserved to them. They foundthere various suits which he laid out for their selection, instructingthem, with much good humour, in the way in which they should be worn.These were, so he told them, the distinctive dresses of a noble of highdegree; and were presents from the king as a mark of his special favour.

  Elwood laughed at Jack's expression while he turned over the variousarticles after Kalaima had left them to themselves, examining in turnthe white tunic of finest silk embroidered with strange devices, thecap with jewelled plume, the heavy belt of solid gold, and the shortsword and dagger; all ornamented with precious stones of greater valuethan they could estimate.

  "Are you really going to deck yourself out in these things, Leonard?"he asked, with a rueful look. "Am I expected to do so too? GreatScott! What would our friends in Georgetown say if they could see usmasquerading in this toggery?"

  "When at Rome you must do as Rome does, I suppose," Elwood returnedlightly. "After all, I don't suppose it will seem half so strange tothe good people here as would our continuing to wear our present dress."

  "There's a good deal, no doubt, to be said for that view," Jack saidwith resignation. "And, since it is intended as a compliment, I supposewe must e'en accept it as such. I only hope I shall be able to keep mycountenance when I look at you--that is, before the king and others. Atpresent I feel very much afraid that it may prove beyond my powers."

  In their suite of chambers was a bath, with water deep and broadenough to swim in. A refreshing plunge, a reclothing in the unfamiliarraiment, and they emerged from their apartments dressed as noblesof the country. The attempts, honest, but too often futile, made byTemplemore to preserve his gravity, caused him at times more personaldiscomfort than did even the strange garb but, since use accustoms usto pretty nearly everything the efforts required became gradually lessand less.

  But what sobered him, so to speak, the most, was his meeting withMonella, who was now attired in like fashion to themselves. The changeseemed to have made an extraordinary alteration in the man. He lookedtaller and more imposing than ever, and in his gait and manner therewere an added grace and dignity. It could now be seen that his form wassupple and muscular as that of a young man's, graceful in the swing ofthe limbs and in every pose. His eyes retained their unique expressionthat seemed to magnetise those upon whom they fell; but his face hada greater gravity than ever, and something of a majesty that awedTemplemore when he noted it.

  "Of a truth," he said to Elwood, "that man seems to alter from day today
even from hour to hour. He is just as kindly, as courteous, and asgentle; just as thoughtful--yet, I feel somehow that there is a gulfdeepening between us, and that it is widening, slowly but surely. Yetnot because one likes him less--that's just it, you seem to like himand admire him more and more--but you feel you do it from afar--from agradually increasing distance."

  And when, later in the day, they sat down to a banquet at the king'stable, and saw Monella seated beside the king, taking the post ofhonour and accepting it with the easy dignity of one who had beenused to it all his life; not only the observant Jack, but the lessseriously-minded Leonard, felt, with increasing force, the feeling theformer had described.

  During this repast they learned that the Manoans were vegetarians;though their cookery was so skilful that such dishes as the strangerstasted they found both appetising and satisfying. Not only that, but,as they soon discovered, these dishes were fully as invigorating andnourishing as a meat diet. This was due to the presence of some strangevegetable or herb in nearly every dish; but what this was they couldnot then determine.

  At dusk, a new surprise awaited them; for, not only the palace, butthe whole city was lighted up by what they quickly recognised as theelectric light. They now could understand the brilliant aspect of thecity as first seen by them at night from the head of the canyon.

  After the meal, Templemore and Elwood went out, with many more, upona terrace that overlooked the lake; where now boats were going to andfro, some paddled by oars, some drawn by the large white swans. Butwhat at first puzzled the new-comers were the antics of some who threwthemselves into the water from considerable heights. Instead of fallingalmost vertically, as a diver would, they swept down in a gracefulcurve, striking the water almost horizontally, then bounded up and flewthrough the air for a short distance, till once more they touched thewater and bounded up again. Finally, when the impetus was expended,they swam back to shore or were taken thither in a boat. Of course thisstyle of bathing could not be practised _in puris naturalibus_, or inordinary bathing dress; so they were furnished with a kind of dividedparachute, or twin parachutes, not unlike artificial wings; with thesethey could descend from towers and great heights and with a longswallow-like sweep, striking the water and rebounding again and again.By practice some had obtained a wonderful dexterity in this amusement,and their evolutions would have deceived a stranger, viewing them froma distance, into a belief that they were actual flying creatures. Someof the children--who chiefly delighted in this pastime--were veryexpert at it.

  While watching the gay scene before them--a repetition of what they hadwitnessed from afar--Kalaima came to say that the king requested theirpresence in his council chamber. Following the young man they entereda hall, smaller than that in which they had first been received, andfound the king throned under a canopy as before, and Monella seatednear him. Around the hall were ten or twelve of his chief ministers andofficers, each placed before a small table, Upon which were ink-horns,pens, and sheets of parchment.

  Standing in the centre of the chamber was a man of swarthy skin andhaughty mien, his expression cruel and deceitful. He wore a black tunicon which was worked a large golden star like that displayed by theill-fated Zelus. Standing respectfully a short distance behind this manwere two others, somewhat similarly attired.

  The leader had just finished speaking when Templemore and Elwoodentered, and he cast at them a scowl that was almost appalling in itsmalignity.

  The king signed to the young men to seat themselves beside Monella;then, turning to the man who had just spoken, said,

  "It avails nothing, Dakla, for thee to come to us with messages of thisintent, and with presentments, void of truth, of what befell to-day.Here are the three strangers who, as thou sayest, opposed themselvesto Zelus, the son of Coryon thy master. They slew him, it is true, andsome of those who followed him, but it was to save my daughter from hisviolence."

  "It is false, O King! They lie, if they say so! For our lord Zelus hadno thought of violence!" This from Dakla.

  "If thine errand here is but to charge with falsehood these three men,I'll grant thee audience no longer." The kings voice was stern, andhis eyes flashed angrily, so that Dakla trembled, and there was lessconfidence in his tone when he replied,

  "But they are strangers whom the king knows not; wherefore should heaccept their word before our trusted servants?"

  "Because it is confirmed by mine own daughter, sirrah! And if thoudarest again to say it is untrue that Zelus lifted his hand to take herlife, thou shalt not return unpunished, be the consequences what theymay!"

  By the king's impressive manner, and still more by the menace he hadthus let fall, Dakla seemed daunted. He had expected to be able tocarry things his own way. He hesitated, then said in a milder tone,

  "But even so, they should not have taken the life of our lord Zelus,but have brought him before _thee_."

  "How could they do that when he had more than a score of men with him,and they were but three? Furthermore, there was no time for parley. Aninstant's hesitation, my daughter saith, and it would have been toolate."

  Dakla reflected; then he made a fresh suggestion.

  "It will content us if the king remit to us for trial him who, with hisown hand, did slay our lord. If, on due inquisition, it shall be foundeven as the king hath said, then shall he be returned unhurt."

  The king's face clouded, and his lips curled with scorn as he replied,

  "Out upon thee, with thy tricks and cunning snares! Thinkest thou we donot know thy master by this time? These strangers are my guests--undermy protection! Hark ye! I say under my protection! If harm shall befallthem, I will seize thyself, an' thou comest again within my reach, orany others of thy master's minions on whom I can lay hands, and theirlives shall pay the forfeit."

  "Thy words will grieve my master, King Dranoa," said Dakla, with ascarcely hidden sneer. "He careth only for the welfare of the king andof his people. But how shall there be safety for the dwellers in thisland if such as these may go abroad and slay at will, and be protectedby the king?"

  "What safety is there now for any, when even the king's daughter cannotwalk near mine own palace without assailment?" the king wrathfullydemanded. "Hold thy peace, sirrah! and quit my sight ere worse betidethee!"

  At this Monella rose, and, bending towards the king, said somethingin a low tone to him; the king, assenting with a nod, Monella slowlyturned his glance upon the henchman of the priest, and thus addressedhim,

  "I have the king's permission to send a message of my own to Coryon,since the opportunity now offers. It is well that thou shouldst bearit, and better still if thou takest it to heart. I sent the samemessage by the murderous crew that followed at the heels of thy lateshameful lord--as thou callest him--Zelus. It is this: that such thingsas he attempted will bring down vengeance and retribution on you all.Bid Coryon take heed and mend his ways; if not, his doom is fixed. Weare but three; yet, if we chose, and the king so willed it, we couldclear thee and thy master and his brood from off the land--aye, ereanother sun has risen and set. And tell Coryon this, by the king'spermission we are here, and, as thou hast heard, under his protection.For that protection we are grateful, but we need it not. If thou, orany of thy serpent brood molest us, we will hold you all to such avengeance as shall repay the wrongs of others and rid the earth of you.I sent this message by Zelus's craven hounds, but my mind misgives methat in their flight they scarce remembered it; or, perchance, theyfeared to give it. Wilt thou now bear it to thy master?"

  "Who art thou that dares to send a message of defiance to the greatCoryon?" Dakla asked.

  "One who can carry out his words; one who, as the ally of the king,will bring upon your heads that which has been so long deserved. Onewho, though he spared thy myrmidons to-day, will spare no more. Beware!Attack us, and we show no mercy!"

  With each succeeding sentence he seemed taller, more imposing, and moremenacing; until the last words were fairly thundered out, and his eyesflashed fire.

  The coun
tenance of Dakla fell before his gaze; he hesitated, panted,turned to go, then turned back, and finally, as one who spoke againsthis will, he said, with no show of his former mocking insolence,

  "Sir, I will bear thy message." Then, with an obeisance to the king, heand his attendants left the place.

  "I would give something to know what the king and Monella talked aboutso long to-day," said Elwood to Templemore that night, when they foundthemselves alone together.

  "So far as I can gather," Jack replied, "there is a grand old feud onhere between these rascally old priests, on the one side, and the kingand his followers on the other; and Monella, I suspect, has learntenough concerning it to lead him to back up the king. Well! So far as Iam concerned, I am game to back him up, too, against such a murderinglot as they seem to be. What say you?"

  "You need not ask _me_," Elwood answered with some surprise. "But Ithought that you--well--that is----"

  "Would be rather more slow to get up enthusiasm, eh?" Jack interruptedwith a laugh. "Not at all. Fooling about in a dark, gloomy forest, withno apparent end in view, was one thing; taking part in an adventureof this kind to help a lot of people who have received us kindly, isquite another; to say nothing of helping the king, who's a regularbrick, and his daughter, who's----"

  "An angel!" put in Leonard.

  And Jack laughed, but approvingly, and said good-night.