Long before daylight on the morning succeeding the narration of
Correliana Adinope, the busy sound of preparation was heard on board of
the _Tortuga_, and on shore. Food and clothes for raiment were bestowed
in hampers and bales, by the Kyronese, in quantity sufficient for the
easy carriage of the mules; while Captain Dow and his subalterns, Jack
and Bill, marshaled the Kyronese guard in preparation for rifle, pistol,
and howitzer, defensive and offensive practice. At sunrise, when nearly
ready for the start, Correliana clapped her hands with a joyful
exclamation, and, in a moment after a messenger falcon stooped in perch
upon her wrist. This was of the species _Falco peregrinus_ of the
pampas, but much improved in size and plumage from culture. Its
greeting, as with the first, was replete with pleasurable animation,
extending its wings in impulsive sway to the voluntary and involuntary
action of its talons, peculiar to birds and beasts of prey, when subject
to intensified sensual gratification. As with the cat kind, who make
their “friendly” satisfaction manifest by extending and contracting the
sheath muscles of the claws, the falcon unconsciously closed its talons
upon the wrist of its mistress, causing her to utter, with the painful
punctures, “Soh, soh, Merlin, mon brachiale!” Captain Greenwood,
observing the flow of blood from her wrist, quickly supplied her with a
pair of gauntlets. Merlin, when again restored to her wrist, seemed to
understand the intention of the buckskin proviso, for he used his talons
in the expressive ruffling and extending of his wings; succeeding with
his coquetry in attracting her attention from the train of meditation in
which she appeared to be engaged, he raised his wings upright, exposing
beneath parchment scripts; these removed he leisurely commenced a survey
of his surroundings. After their perusal she wrote a few words in reply
upon some French tissue paper furnished by M. Hollydorf; this secured in
Merlin’s sacks, he desired Captain Dow to take note of the bird’s
course, before it rose to its poise, as it would guide him to the
opening of the pass in the foot-hills. After the bird in floating flight
had reached the point of designation, it soared to its poise and in
descent quickly disappeared from view.
When the train was fully in motion, Correliana beckoned Captain
Greenwood apart, and then to his surprise addressed him in English, with
slow, measured enunciation the involumed supplication “Will-you-come-to-
us-if-we-are-successful? We-are-happy-among-ourselves,-and-if-you-love-
happiness-as-we-enjoy-it-in-our-simplicity,-and-your-educated-habits-
will-permit-you-to-love-me,-without-regret-from-other-cause-than-my-own-
demerits,-there-will-be-great-joy-in-store-for-us.”
The captain’s faculties, notwithstanding his bewildered amazement caused
by her sudden acquisition of power to express her thoughts in English,
and with such clearness his most coveted desire, in terms so agreeable
to his perception of her worth, answered with prompt energy, in quick
imitation of her method, “If-my-life-is-spared-I-will-visit-you-soon!”
After a moment’s hesitation, as if to realize the full comprehension of
his reply, she, with a sudden flush of joyful animation, exclaimed, “I-
am-certain-you-feel-that-my-happiness-depends-upon-the-consummation-of-
our-love-in-Heraclea!” Then with the proffer of salutation, she answered
to the hastening call of Captain Dow.
This parting scene between Captain Greenwood and Correliana caused M.
Hollydorf’s countenance to become overcast with a rueful shadow of
dismay. At nine o’clock the train reached the foot-hills where they
exchanged their last farewell signals with those left under Tortugan
protection. On the fifth day after their departure from the anchorage of
the _Tortuga_, the train had gained the eastern slope of the highest
mountain pass that opened to their view the Betongo valleys, with but
one interruption to their progress from Indian opposition, which was
quickly turned aside.
On the first of July, while in midway descent to the valley, the falcons
returned after a short flight over a wooded district to the left of
their course, which was interpreted by Correliana as an indication of
danger from an approaching party of Indians. This startling news caused
the greatest activity. While Captain Dow reconnoitred with his glass the
descent for a point of advantage for their reception, his two cannoniers
prepared the howitzer charges for immediate action. Fortunately they
were able to reach a comparatively level plat that offered for their
train’s protection the vantage of a natural rampart, which was improved
for the reception of the gun with a wall of stones serving as a mask.
When the defensive preparations were completed, the pack train, under
its guard of women, was sheltered behind it as far in the rear as
possible.
While yet engaged in strengthening our position for their reception, a
large body of Indians on horseback debouched from a wooden pass upon the
plateau below. It was evident from their movements, when collected for
consultation, that they were aware of our near approach, and when
discovered would be set upon immediately. That the crisis might be
hastened, and the obstruction to our progress removed as speedily as
possible, the weakness of our party in numbers was exposed outside of
the temporary walls of the fortification as a temptation for speedy
onset. Their eyes were soon directed toward us, at first with silent
curiosity, then after a short consultation they sprang upright upon the
croups of their horses, and commenced brandishing their spears and
clubs, with the evident intention of intimidation. Accessions to their
number were constantly appearing from different quarters showing that
our progress had been watched. Nearly an hour elapsed before a forward
movement was attempted. Their waiting delay enabled us to strengthen our
position. They commenced their approach with feats of equitation that
would have delighted a circus audience, seemingly determined to
entertain us to the death. Indeed, their evolutions, which were timed to
a war song and dance with a display of acrobatic agility as they
advanced at a gallop, attracted our admiration. When within six or seven
hundred yards they came to a sudden halt, then after a short “palaver”
they reformed in sections, which commenced an involved circle dance, the
horses performing their parts without prompting from bridle or lash. The
object of the entertainment was soon apparent in the narrowing space
between the outer circle and our rubble stone wall. Jack, although
amused with the nearing foes’ tactics, nursed the fuse fire of his
linstock with watchful care, Bill keeping the howitzer in range with
their rising advance to the point intended for the discharge of their
spears. While yet without the bounds of their spears’ range, quick as
thought the whole band were in full career toward our cover, the
foremost launching their spears at everything human exposed. The ducking
and dodging on our side was naturally and skillfully executed, but not
in every instance gracefully. Jack reached the ground in the style of
turtles sunning themselves on a water log, when surprised by urchins
with a flight of stones, but in his descent did not lose his presence of
mind, for the report of the howitzer was simultaneous with the report of
the rifles. The massing of the horses in the onset caused a fearful
havoc. The effect produced upon the survivors, from the turmoil of
bewilderment, subjected them to a second and third discharge of the
cannon and rifles; then in view of the slaughter the mayorong’s pity was
excited, and with imploring signs he petitioned Captain Dow to withhold
the fire of his men. The cessation allowed the Indians to recover from
their daze, but panic succeeding, they dispersed wildly in flight,
giving expression to the tumultuous effect of fear in attitudinal
variations, which, in equestrian display, exceeded in diversity those
improvised as a prelude to the battle.
When the last of the fugitives had disappeared, it was discovered that
Correliana had sustained the only injury inflicted from the cast of
spears. Fearing that her protectors, in amused scorn for the unwarlike
antics of the foe, would allow them to attain their intention of
securing, with the impetus of onset, an effective range for their
weapons, she had risen to caution Captain Dow, when in the act a spear
grazed her shoulder inflicting a flesh wound. This had been immediately
cared for by the Kyronese women, and her anxiety and pain were so slight
that she rallied the two sailors, who were sincerely affected with
sympathy for her safety, on the speedy methods they adopted in avoidance
of the spears.
Jack with a humorous smile, rendered comical by the perceptible movement
of his tongue, as if in the act of revolving a quid from side to side of
his mouth, replied: “To be sure it was sum’ut lubberish to your
ledyship’s eyes, but it’s a way we learned at sea to draw the enemy’s
fire.”
The effect of our arms had been terrible, the dead and wounded Indians
greatly outnumbering the shots fired; the predominance of the latter
bespoke in plain terms either the unpracticed skill of the Kyronese in
the use of firearms, or their more probable instinctive humanity.
Captain Dow, anxious to retrieve lost time, had the wounded and dead
bodies of the Indians removed for the passage of the train. The mayorong
caused the former to be tenderly carried into the inclosure, and when
the train had passed beyond the human obstructions, he requested
permission to remain with the elder matrons that they might bestow some
relief upon the suffering until their companions recovered from their
panic, promising to overtake them before they encamped for the night.
Although the objects of his delay received but little sympathy from the
members of the corps, and its male adjuncts, they could not refuse the
request, but insisted that he should retain a sufficient number of his
men as a guard for their safety. When the moon rose we had gained the
valley of the Betongo, and the rare beauty of the scenery, under its
resplendent light, invited us onward; but the mayorong’s party had not
overtaken us, which caused some anxiety, but this was soon dissipated by
their appearance. Urged on by the delightful prospect, heralding the
speedy attainment of our journey’s object, we were enabled to encamp in
a shaded nook upon the banks of the Betongo river. Notwithstanding the
lateness of the hour, the Kyronese added game and fresh fish to our
delayed repast.
With the morning’s dawn we moved onward over a paved causeway, with its
massive stones still intact after untold centuries of wear from Time’s
detrite usage. Inland from this shaded causeway, we passed Indian
villages at intervals of a few miles, pleasantly located upon knolls
surrounded with banana, corn, and vegetable plantations. One of the
largest we entered, but found it deserted; there were, however, abundant
evidences of its recent occupation. Finding an abundant supply of
roasted corn, dried fish, and other edibles, an equal quantity was taken
from each house, the hampers of the mules furnishing cloths in exchange.
The site of each village was connected by a branch causeway with that of
the river’s bank, confirming the relation of Correliana.
To kill, rout, and destroy, is the orthodox inculcation of civilized
progression; so in view of relieving the inhabitants of the besieged
city from the besiegers’ stores of provision, we resolved to visit all
the villages in our route, and mulct from their abundance as much food
as we could transport with our limited means of carriage, leaving with
each an equivalent. Dr. Baāhar advocated the total destruction not only
of the provision left, but of the plantations and villages, in
opposition to the mayorong’s pleading expostulations for their
preservation. But the doctor urged the curative plan of extirpation of
the sources of vitality, as the only authorized means sustained by
classical experience for rendering the enemy’s efforts nugatory. “For,”
said he, “it will be neither consistent or prudent to leave your enemies
the means of prosecuting their unrelenting siege of Heraclea.” The
mayorong, with sad deprecation, pleaded that acts of revengeful
destruction would only enrage, and in naught avail the beleaguered; as
they would increase the inveteracy of hatred, with justice, against the
white race, that so not only the lives and peaceful happiness of the
Heracleans would be sacrificed, but others with like kindly intentions.
For in making others suffer needlessly, we cannot hope through futile
intimidation to be spared ourselves, if an opportunity for revengeful
reprisal should occur? This half soliloquized questioning appeal of the
mayorong, seemed to be addressed to all, and from the impression
conveyed by his intonations in speaking, its truthfulness, when
interpreted, was sanctioned with general approval. Still, although
manifestly grateful for the appreciation of the majority, his
countenance lacked the fullness of satisfaction that the hearty
concurrence of Dr. Baāhar would have afforded. But the doctor, with the
proverbial fatuity of the precedentalist, substituted for the required
solace the revised saw, “they thought themselves wiser in their
generation than their forefathers,” evidently with the intention of
reproving his associates for their defection from the transmitted creed
of warful usage. That there might be no lack in the practical support of
the mayorong’s behest, Correliana left as equivalents, in exchange for
food, a large proportion of the cherished gifts bestowed by Captain
Greenwood.
Determined to reach the besieged city before midday on the morrow, we
did not halt until the dividing range of hills, that separated the upper
and lower valleys of old Heraclea, had been surmounted. Upon the shaded
summit overlooking the vegas we encamped for the night. The cool
refreshing breeze that swept over the hill, and an abundant supply of
sweet grass for recruiting the strength of the horses and mules, lured
us to delay our start on the following morning, until the sun had
dispersed the mists from the valleys. When the fleecy veil was at length
dissipated, an enchanting view was presented upon either hand extending
as far as the eye could reach. Paved roads or causeways followed the
windings of the river and canals through all the alluvial districts.
These were of easy detection from the checkered overgrowth of brambled
weeds, which ever delight to erect their prickly domes and spires above
the ruins of palaces, churches, monumental tombs, and the most splendid
mechanical achievements of man, as if in derision of his instinctive
claims to immortality, after a life spent in arrogant oppressions, and
thorny assumptions, opposed to the kindred sympathy of reciprocal
goodness. While the Kyronese were bestowing their kindly attention upon
the animals, M. Hollydorf, with barometrical aid, calculated the
altitude of the valley above the plain of the Tortuga, and found that
its elevation exceeded four thousand and nine hundred feet. But with
heat lessened by only a few degrees from the tropical zenith, the
valley, from its still continued facilities for irrigation, appeared to
be the scene of perpetual verdure. Its altitude gave a climate, from
mountain inclosure, especially adapted for the cultivation of exotic
fruits and cereals, of which, in wild growth, there were abundant
specimens.
While Correliana was in thoughtful meditation, overlooking the beautiful
scene, her attention was attracted to the labors of Mr. Welson, who was
engaged in writing out his diuretic observations upon the developed
phases of instinct. With Dr. Baāhar’s aid, he, at her request, imparted
in outline the result of his labors, which he styled, “A Relative
Exposition of Instinctive Traits Common to Animal Life.” Under this head
he had classified those common to savage and civilized humanity, in the
following order. Poison, Material and Immaterial. The lowest grades of
savage life use material poison almost exclusively, as a destructive
agent in their intercourse with each other. Representatives of civilized
nations compound with speech vituperative venom, which is as deadly in
its effect upon happiness, as material poison upon the body. Its
insinuating use, in language, is a speciality of women who have suffered
in reputation from its taint, and in turn, to conceal their own
frailties, use it as an imperative means of counter irritation to blind
the censure of their kind. Illustrative examples of savage and civilized
superstition, compared by an experiment upon savage and civilized
representatives of the human family. Both submissive to instinctive
fear. The savage is dubbed a knight with the collar and conferred order
of Bath. His departure, after the ceremony of consecration, in pursuit
of adventures. Reptile duel between a Boisdean serpent and an Alligator.
Instinctive tactics of displayed strategy. Guacho “sympathy” enlisted
for the weaker party. Reverse. Result of civilized arbitration.
Correliana readily interpreted the satirical import of Mr. Welson’s
comprehensive method of illustration; but questioned if the women of
civilized society had ever in fact given truthful cause for the
expressed venom of his satire. In answer, he referred her to M.
Hollydorf, as a more ready exponent, who would truthfully inform her
whether he had by insinuation libeled the market value of female
“virtue” as a negotiable article of appraisement in the gossiping marts
of fashionable society? Still puzzled, in the absence of the referee,
she applied to Dr. Baāhar for a direct elucidation of the word “virtue,”
which she had so often heard him make use of in conversation. The doctor
in explanation said, that in the highest caste relations of female
association, termed fashionable society, the word virtue was used as a
compendious cloak for the concealment of instinctive gratification,
which remained unblemished in its sanctity of expression, while it
remained impenetrable to the searching eye of scandal.
At this stage of her sophistic bewilderment, the mayorong directed their
attention to the nearest village. The Indian women having discovered
their encampment, were waving their trophies, obtained from involuntary
exchange, with jubilant manifestations of happy elation. At this
exhibition, after a suitable recognition had been made by Jack and Bill,
who waved aloft, from their gun carriage, bunches of bananas, all turned
with thankful expression to the mayorong, who had so earnestly advocated
the conciliatory means adopted, so that he was fain to have recourse to
his animal charges to conceal his emotions. Dr. Baāhar, however, could
not withhold a disdainful expression of chagrin, that the chief of a
wandering tribe, without a pedigree, or a home, should presume to plume
himself upon his approved controversion of national usage that had been
revered from time immemorial as the sanctified source of wisdom.
Correliana turning to the two sailors, whose countenances were moved
with joyful emotions from the Indian women’s grateful demonstrations of
pleasure, asked how it happened that they were able to retain their
destructive presence of mind when forced to evade the Indians’ spears by
a disordered movement? Her slow enunciation of English gave Jack time to
work up his “reckoning” for an answer, which he gave with the blush of
shamefacedness peculiar to the British sailor when accosted by a “lady,”
deepened by the reminder, that to his sensitiveness implied the “white
feather.” “You see, your ladyship, those Indian chaps had been cutting
up their antics so long, we sort o’ lost our lay, but they brought us
too with their spears, so we returned the compliments of the season in
our fashion. Th’of as Bill says, we’d much rather had the dig of the
spear than it should have touched you by our ducking.”
This new source of sensitiveness they had conjured through self-reproof,
from the impression that their bodies might have averted the course of
the spear. But when assured that she was out of their range when she
received the wound, they were greatly comforted. Jack expressing his
relief in the phrase, “things being as they were, it couldn’t be
helped!”
As we proceeded on our way, along the eastern margin of the broad
southeastern valley, our progress was overlooked by the women and
children of the villages, who waved as we passed, our “forage” exchanges
of yesterday, with an evident civilized interpretation of gratitude
expressed in favor of their neighbors. But our supply of provisions
being accommodated to our means of transportation, we could not gratify
the desire that prompted the acceptance of their overtures. Evidently
interpreting the cause, we found upon rounding a hill in advance a herd
of cows panniered with bunches of bananas, plantains, and other edibles
waiting for our acceptance, the donors watching us from the leafy
screens of the hill plantations. The contraband gift—for their male
protectors were evidently absent—was too acceptable, for the prospective
relief of want, to be refused, and the recompense was suited to the full
gratification of the womanly promptings suggesting bestowal.
In descending from a hill in advance, the valley proper of old Heraclea
opened to our view. The plain, under the golden light of the morning
sun, exceeded in beauty of variegation as in extent the famed vega of
Granada, when clothed in the productive vestments of Moorish culture. At
nine o’clock we passed the field fortalice commanding a view of the
valley, and through the river gate those below. It had evidently been
designed for a signal station and barracks for those employed to guard
the ripening crops; the necessity for its erection bespeaking the
inaugurated reign of oppression. The rock used in its construction, as
well as of the bridges, dykes, and bank supports of the canals, was
basaltic. Unlike granite, marble, and other stones used for building, it
had withstood the disintegration of friction and chemical action through
the lapse of ages with scarcely perceptible change. The style of
architecture bore a strong resemblance to that inaugurated by Cestius,
and introduced some sixty years before the Christian era. Our way from
the tower to the hill city of old Heraclea, was a paved roadway
overshadowed with relict growths of trees, whose ancestry had probably
“ennobled” it with shade as an avenue of recreation for the citizens.
Reaching the headland of the city esplanade, its level was gained by a
zigzag ascent of the same breadth with its connecting avenue, its
gradations being easy and of curious construction. Gaining the esplanade
we were surprised to find its dimensions so extensive, as from below we
scarcely conceived its plain would exceed an acre in area, whereas in
reality it afforded a promenade that appeared to approach in length and
breadth a half of a mile. As in the avenue below, the remains of parapet
seats, and protected spaces for trees, were everywhere apparent.
Entering from the esplanade, which extended in narrowed proportion to
the gateway, through the single broad street of the first walled
inclosure built for its protection, we passed to the fora, around which
were the houses of those preferred to its distinctive advantages from
the ruling qualifications reverenced, as godlike, from the fluent flow
of speech. Built in an amphitheatre its walled defense could be made
certain against the united tribes of the aboriginal race without, while
the system of construction combined economy in space and in labor,
giving evidence of emergency from doubtful crisis. The first inclosure
had probably furnished ample space for the accommodation of its
founders. Passing from the nucleus by the nether street of the fora, we
entered the second surrounding, which corresponded in breadth with the
original. The third and last, bespoke the disruptive reign of sensual
gratification, heralding dissolution. Its expanded breadth from wall of
circumvallation to nucleus, must have exceeded the distance of a mile,
the palaces being detached from it by gardens and outhouses, the latter
subserving the purpose devised from original intention. The structures
retained, almost unimpaired, their original perfection; while within
many of the heavier household utensils were found in place, touched
lightly, from the comparative dryness of the climate, by an age of
centuries’ duration. These indications proclaiming the sudden calamity
of successful insurrection, and extermination, were to be seen in every
direction.
Leaving this city solitude, once peopled by the instinctively
thoughtless and “gay,” we gained the summit of the dividing ridge
separating the Betongo from the Vermejo valley. A glance sufficed in
answer for the question of causes that led to the selection of the “New
City’s” site as a safe place for recreative resort. Limited in extent,
and remote from the larger cultivated district, it could not be made
available as a permanent place of residence for the guard of growing
crops; but was naturally adapted for the indulgence of luxurious ease in
a revoltful country, as its walls inclosed sufficient arable land for
the support of a limited number of inhabitants, while its natural and
artificial aids for defense rendered it impregnable against aboriginal
weapons, without taxing the energies of the citizens. Our introductory
glances of admiration were arrested by tokens of recognition which
greeted us from the citizens, who had assembled along the guard walk of
the southern parapet in waiting expectation of our appearance. Their
signals soon informed us of the enemy’s position, which was in a grove
surrounding a temple, and reaching from it to the road of descent at its
escarped junction with the level avenue leading to the city gate.
In consultation for the devisement of means for dislodging them, Dr.
Baāhar, and the curators of sound, still urged the precedent of
classical experience, which advocated the greatest possible destruction
of life when engaged in war with barbarous nations and tribes.
Notwithstanding the pleading appeal inspired by the sight of her
distressed relatives, Correliana manifested strong emotions of
repugnance against the wanton destruction of life, even when the
advocates strengthened their advice by quoting the padre’s experience on
board of the _Tortuga_. Turning to Mr. Welson and the mayorong for their
support, she was relieved by the former’s humorous expression, as he
asked Dr. Baāhar to enumerate the number of generations that had passed,
since his ancestors could urge equally well merited judgment for their
own destruction? Then turning to Mr. Dow he asked whether he would
prefer to seal the fruition of his hopes with slaughter, or the more
lasting effect that would be insured by arousing their superstitious
fears. Although urgently impatient of any delay to the full realization
of his historical source of fame, his respect for the pungent elements
of his questioner’s resources caused him to offer his willing
acquiescence if an effectual plan could be suggested for insuring their
dispersion. Correliana asked the sailors through Mr. Welson if they
could not think of some way to frighten the Indians without injury, as
she could not bear the thought of exposing to death and mutilation the
husbands, fathers and brothers of the women who had bestowed so
gratefully of their means for the relief of those who were descended
from their oppressors. After the two sailors had “put their heads
together to overhaul their lockers,” Jack said, if he knew exactly where
the enemy lay, he could in a giffin fix a shell so that it would scream
like a broadside of devils before it burst; and th’of they were
civilized, and not up to the thing, they would scud like swallows caught
in a gale at sea. The sailors’ invention was adopted, and when
everything was in readiness for all the emergencies that could be
anticipated, the descent was commenced; but notwithstanding the eminency
of danger, admiration gained the sway, attracted by the natural beauties
developed at every turn in our downward course. The skill displayed for
the artificial improvement of the natural advantages, would also have
received like commendation if the means employed had not excited
emotions of abhorrence. For the Indians who accomplished these labors of
Heraclean devisement were in fact the benefactors of their oppressors.
Having arrived at the desired position for the essay of Jack’s “devilish
experiment” the shell was belched forth from the howitzer upon its
frightful mission. Its screaming powers had not been overrated by the
projectors, but it exploded before it had accomplished half of its
intended distance, seemingly in the very midst of the concealed foe, for
the grove became swayingly alive from the panic imparted to its wooded
growths. Moving rapidly forward, a second shell, true to its intention,
accelerated the flight into a rout as wild with dismay as was ever
enacted by congeneric warriors with civilized instincts.
Advancing to the bridge spanning the river moats to either bank of their
conjoined stream, the city gates were open and the parents of Correliana
stood upon the threshold waiting to bestow with tearful gratitude their
acknowledgments for opportune deliverance from the manifold perils to
which they had been subject. After they had bestowed upon their daughter
tokens of affectionate welcome, in which all present joined with kindred
sympathy, we were ushered in and made the centre of grateful attraction.
It soon became painfully apparent from their wan features and tottering
steps, that their vital energies were reduced to the lowest ebb from
over anxiety and the want of suitable nourishment; so we at once
mustered our prepared resources, and became their directing
entertainers. Even the saturnine dignity of Mr. Dow, and the patronizing
sagery of Dr. Baāhar, relaxed under the beneficent influence imparted
from their ministering attentions. When the prætor and tribunes
requested an introduction to the patriarch of the Kyronese, his absence
was first noticed by the members of the corps, Correliana, and his
granddaughters; when in the act of apologizing for his absence and the
elder matrons, they were seen issuing from the temple grove; with their
welcome the gates were closed and the sailors placed in charge. Then the
Heracleans were placed upon the sillias of the horses and
mules,—notwithstanding their earnest protests of ability to walk,—while
each, as they proceeded up the avenue of the latifundium, was attended
with the sympathetic support of the Kyronese and members of the corps.
At the oppidum vera gates, nearly a mile distant from the cinctus, or
outer wall gates, the Heracleans insisted upon dismounting, thankfully
accepting the Kyronese proffers of assistance in rendering service to
the sick. Correliana then directed us to the quarters prepared for our
use, expressing the hope that the condition of her people would afford
ample explanation for whatever was found lacking or amiss for the
assurance of comfort in their accommodations? Having unpacked and
disposed of our instruments and personalities in the house prepared for
us, an evening consultation was held to devise means for the purveyance
of supplies for the nearly famished inhabitants. Feeling certain that
the besiegers were effectually dispersed, the hunting of wild game was
proposed as a dernier for present support.