The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Novel

by Frank Aubrey

  CHAPTER XXIX.

  'THOU ART MY LORD MELLENDA!'

  To return to the scene in the amphitheatre. Monella, and those withhim, advanced with measured tread; but suddenly his eyes fell on Ulama.For a few moments he bent over her, then he came slowly to the frontand looked around him, and in that rapid survey he seemed to take ineverything.

  Beckoning to Leonard and Zonella he said, when they had joined him,

  "The princess lies there in a dead faint. This is no place for the poorchild. Bear her tenderly outside. My people will protect you." Then heturned again to look around.

  In their surprise at the unexpected inrush, those on the heights hadceased hurling down the rocks, and now they gazed in wonderment atMonella and those with him. Beside him stood a tall man in a white robeupon which was worked a figure of the sun in diamonds that flashedand sparkled as he moved. His long hair and beard were snowy white,his forehead, high and massive, was clear, and curiously free fromlines and wrinkles. It had the impassive look of one who suffers fewearthly cares to trouble him. His features were pleasant and benevolentin expression, and the clear grey eyes were open and candid in theirglance. Like Monella, he was far above the usual height; and, likehim, was of imposing presence and stately mien. Altogether, one wouldsay of him that he was a _good_ man, a man to be trusted and respected;he had at the same time the air of one deeply engrossed in intellectualpursuits, or leading an ascetic life. He lacked just that touch oftender human sympathy that made Monella's mere look so fascinating tothose with whom he came in contact, and that bound so thoroughly to himthose who yielded to its subtle influence.

  Ergalon had already whispered to the others that the stranger wasSanaima, the ancient chief of the White Priesthood; and Templemoreregarded him with interest and curiosity.

  Above their heads waved great red banners with strange devices andelaborately carved standard poles. At a sign from Monella, Coryon'sbanner, that floated above his chair, was pulled down and trampled inthe dust; then the largest of the red ones was hoisted in its place.

  Next, Monella quietly seated himself in Coryon's chair and gazed aroundthe enclosure, his features set and stern, and his steady, piercingeyes seeming to read the very heart of every one upon whom he turnedhis gaze. The king's ministers and other prisoners had been unbound,while Templemore had been hastily explaining, to the best of hisability, all that had taken place.

  Presently Monella rose, and, waving his hand towards the people notclad in Coryon's uniforms, he thus addressed them,

  "How comes it, that in this place of evil deeds and heinous crimes,I find many of the king's peaceful subjects--or they who should bepeaceful--ranged round and calmly looking on at acts of cold-bloodedcruelty against the king's own child and those he calls his friends?What have ye to say in excuse or extenuation? Choose the highest amongye for a spokesman, and let him come forward and explain this shamefulthing, if so he can. Else I may include ye all in the punishment I amhere to mete out to these evil-doers."

  At this there was a great hubbub and commotion. Some of Coryon'scompanions in the covered-way turned in a panic to make their escapeinto the interior gallery; but found, to their dismay, that the gateswere fast closed and barred against them from within. And when theyglanced out at the rocks above, they saw red-coated soldiers, who nowlined the heights and kept still arriving in ever-increasing numbers.Dakla and his principal officers had withdrawn at their advance,and now stood, with the priests, crowded together just inside thecovered-way. Outside the iron screens the long, trailing branches sweptup from time to time, as though seeking to get at those within.

  After a hurried conference among the people, one of their numberstepped down on to the main terrace and placed himself before Monella.

  Templemore stood on one side of Monella's chair, rifle in hand, withErgalon close by holding the spare rifles, all ready loaded. He watchedwith growing wonder the continual arrival of red-coated soldiers onall sides of the rocky ridges. They all carried spears, or swords andshields, and wore the curious helmets ornamented with little silverwings that he had seen in the museum. And now, amongst them, were tobe seen many citizens in ordinary dress. But all kept a space betweenthemselves and those who had been there on their arrival; their mannertowards these was evidently unfriendly and threatening; and, since thenewcomers outnumbered the others, including all Coryon's people, theposition of the latter was growing anything but comfortable. And stillthe red-coated men kept coming, pushing those in advance of them intopositions lower down and farther round the terraces of the enclosure.

  There was a general hush when the one who had been chosen spokesmancame forward and stood in front of Monella, who asked curtly,

  "Thy name?"

  "Galaima," was the reply, given in a clear, unhesitating voice. "I havebeen chosen by those whom thou didst but now address, to speak in theirname. Seeing that punishment hath been spoken of, we desire first toask what authority thou hast to speak in the king's name; by what rightthou dost threaten us; and who thou art?"

  "You have the right to ask those questions," returned Monella coldly."Know then that I am King of Manoa--thy king, and the king of Coryon,and of all in this country."

  "King of Manoa!" echoed Galaima in surprise, while similar exclamationsbroke forth around. "But, my lord--I speak with all respect--how canthat be?"

  "The King Dranoa is sick even unto death. His illness hath beenhastened in its course by acts of base treachery perpetrated byCoryon--with whom I shall deal anon. Finding himself dying and unableto lead his soldiers to the rescue of his child, he hath abdicatedin my favour, for me to hold the post so long as I think fit in theinterests of the nation. Here (taking out from his bosom a roll ofparchment) is his sign-manual duly sealed and executed in the presenceof the High Priest Sanaima and others who are with me; and here is hissceptre of office, and this is his signet-ring--these being given to meby him in token of my authority, and also in the presence of Sanaimaand many others you see around me. Is it not so, friends?" Monellademanded, turning to Sanaima and the others near.

  A loud shout went up in confirmation; then, at a wave of Monella'shand, there was again a deep, expectant silence.

  Coryon had come out from the covered-way on hearing the unlooked-forand unwelcome news, and now stood, a little in advance of his ownpeople, an attentive listener and observer of what was going on.

  "Thou hast heard," resumed Monella, in the same cold, stern tone. "Icome duly armed with authority to punish, and I have the power. Do thouand thy fellows yonder desire to take part with the traitor Coryon, andfight against us; or do ye disavow him and throw yourselves upon mymercy?"

  "My lord, with all respect, I ask for the reply to my last question.We came hither--of a certainty I and my immediate friends so came--toprotest against the king's choice of a son-in-law. We were unwillingto have thrust upon us, as our future king, one who is of a differentrace--who is a stranger in the land--and who, so far as it appeareth,hath no claim to royal dignity. Now--with all respect, I say again--forall we know, those same objections apply to thine own case. If,however, I am wrong in this, and thou canst convince us that thou hastreasonable claim to the dignity the king hath conferred upon thee, thenwe are ready to submit ourselves as loyal subjects."

  "Thy logic is good," observed Monella with bitter emphasis, "for thypresent purpose; but it faileth to explain how it came about that,instead of making known your sentiment in a petition and awaitingthe king's friendly explanation, as befitted faithful subjects, yesupported Coryon in his treasonable acts--in kidnapping the king'sdaughter and his friends. Further, ye were all proceeding, at Coryon'smere suggestion, to put to death this stranger, without giving himeither time or opportunity to afford the information ye now professyourself so anxious to obtain. However, thou shalt have thy questionanswered--and, that done, let me warn thee that I am in no mood tosuffer further trifling. King Dranoa's good-natured weakness, and myown misplaced leniency, have already wrought too much misunderstanding.Ask thy question of th
e lord Colenna, the king's High Chamberlain."

  Then Colenna stepped forward, and, in a loud, sonorous voice, thatresounded throughout the vast amphitheatre, cried out,

  "Know ye all, by the command of King Dranoa and the unanimous assentof his ministers, that the great lord Mellenda, who hath been hithertoknown amongst us as Monella--which in ancient times had the samesignification as the word Mellenda--hath made himself known to hispeople, and hath assumed the office of ruler of the countries of Manoaand Myrlanda."

  At this extraordinary announcement Coryon moved back into thecovered-way with unsteady and almost tottering steps; while Monellarose and, with another wave of the hand, signalled for silence. Turningto Sanaima, he asked, with quiet dignity, but in a ringing voice thatall could hear,

  "And thou, august head of our religion, faithful through so many yearsof persecution and despair, who dost _thou_ say I am?"

  Then Sanaima raised his hands to heaven as though to invoke a blessing,and said, solemnly,

  "In the name of the Great Spirit whom I serve, I recognise and welcomethee, my lord Mellenda!"

  But still Monella waved his hand for silence; and, raising his voice,he cried,

  "Come forth, Black Coryon! I command thee! Come forth!"

  And Coryon came forward, and stood before him; but he durst not meethis eyes.

  Monella slowly raised his arm and straightened it, pointing his fingerat his enemy.

  "And who, foul Coryon, who dost _thou_ say I am?"

  For the space of a few seconds Coryon looked his questioner in theface. There was a brief struggle to hold his own and to repel withproud defiance the glance Monella turned on him; then, bowing his head,he murmured humbly,

  "Thou art my lord Mellenda!"

  Then a great shout went up. Again, and again, and yet again it wasrepeated. "Mellenda! Mellenda! Mellenda!" It rang out from far andnear. It was taken up by a crowd of women and children without thegates, and thence it travelled back and echoed from one side of therocky amphitheatre to the other.

  When, once more, there was silence, Galaima dropped upon one knee andbegged for clemency for himself and friends.

  "Lay down your arms, each one of you, and go!" the answer came. "Let menot look upon your faces again yet awhile."

  Then Monella, turning to Coryon's soldiers, commanded them also to laydown their arms and surrender themselves prisoners.

  Here Coryon showed the first signs of resistance he had yet exhibited,and his officers, who had stood watching for a sign from him, withdrewin a body into the entrance to the covered-way, seeing in it the bestopportunities for a last desperate fight.

  "My lord forgetteth," said Coryon, "that he hath given no assurancethat the lives of my people and servants will be spared."

  "I can make no terms with thee or with thy minions. I came here topunish the evil-doers, as well as to save my friends," returned Monellawith grave meaning. "Thou hast been warned again and again since I cameinto the land; I sent thee word that, if I came to thee, I would bringretribution in my hand."

  "But surely," urged Coryon, in the smooth, oily manner he could put onat will, "if we submit, my lord will require no more? Thy friends aresafe; no harm hath been done to them. May it not be that I remain herewith mine own people, within mine own domain--the domain that hath beenmine for centuries--in friendly alliance----"

  "What!" exclaimed Monella, turning wrathfully upon the crafty hypocritewith a blaze of anger in his eyes, as might a lion turn upon a snappingcur. "Thou darest to speak to me of _alliance_! Alliance with _thee_!With a thing so foul, so loathsome, so detestable as thou! Shall theeagle ally himself with the carrion crow? Enough!" He broke off, inindignation at the insult, and, turning to the officers of his ownparty who stood near, cried,

  "Seize them and bind them! Every one! Let not one escape! But take themalive, if possible."

  A large number of the red-coated soldiers, led by their officers, nowadvanced upon the crowd of Coryon's people gathered at the entranceto the covered-way. Many of the latter came forward at once and threwdown their arms; while others stood irresolute. Coryon, himself, madeno effort to escape, and was seized by a couple of men, who quicklybound his hands behind him. But Dakla and all Coryon's priests andsome half-dozen of his lieutenants and a few soldiers--perhaps thosewho felt themselves most guilty--stood defiantly some little distancewithin the gallery, determined to resist capture to the last.