[Illustration: ZARA]
The Cities of the Sun
Stories of Ancient America founded
on historical incidents in the
Book of Mormon
By Elizabeth Rachel Cannon
Illustrated from paintings by Geo. M. Ottinger and
photographs by the Author
_SECOND AND ENLARGED EDITION_
Salt Lake City, Utah
1911
"Builded on the ruins of dead thrones
Whose temple walls were old when Thebes was new,
On altars whose weird sacrificial stones
With ghastly offerings were crimson through,
Oblivion hides and holds thy secrets fast,
The dust of ages lies upon thy past,
All-wonderful, mysterious Mexico."
CONTENTS.
THE MARTYR.
I. The King's Council
II. The Revel
III. The Execution
IV. The Waters of Mormon
V. The Flight
VI. The Abduction
VII. The Revenge
THE GADIANTONS.
I. The Gossips at the Fountain
II. In the Patio of Miriam
III. The Balcony
IV. The Triumph
GENERAL MORONI.
I. The Capitulation of the Lamanites
II. Moroni Raises the Standard of Liberty
III. Amalickiah
IV. Nemesis Overtakes Amalickiah
AMMON'S MISSION TO THE LAMANITES.
I. Ammon Embarks on a Mission
II. The Cattle Herder
III. The Trance
IV. The Journey
V. In Prison
WEST WITH THE SHIPS OF HAGOTH
I. The Shipwreck
THE CITY IN THE GLOOM.
I. The Last of His Tribe
II. Alone
THE CONQUEST OF Aida
I. The Plot
II. Aida Dances before Akish
III. Fruition
IV. Reaping the Whirlwind
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Zara
Alma Loitered in the Perfumed Gardens
Alma Baptizing in the Waters of Mormon
The Sacrificial Stone
The Lamanite Girl was Pretty
With One Foot Chained to the Rock the Gadianton Robber Fought and
Vanquished Eight Warriors
Hall of the Monoliths, Mitla
Palace Ruins at Mitla
Zorabel
Moroni Raises the Standard of Liberty
Aztec God of War
Amalickiah Sent the Corpse of Her Husband to the Lamanite Queen
Amalickiah Sacked the Coast Cities and Put Hirza to the Sword
Bas-relief of Ancient Warrior
Alla Deriding the Idols
Ruins of the Palace of the Indian King
The Island Chief
The Cliff Dweller's Daughter
The Corn Crib of the City in the Gloom
The Stairs that Lead to the Top of the Pyramid
Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico
Jared was Murdered as he Descended from his Throne
They Brought her Baby Boy in, Dying upon his Shield
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The end justifies the means, so these stories are designed to increase
interest in the Book of Mormon. Hundreds of books have been written
founded on the Bible, and there are some wonderfully colorful accounts
of the founding of Christianity in Judea, Alexandria, and Rome. It is
surprising that more has not been done dealing with the ancient history
of the western world. Several of these stories were first published in
the _Improvement Era_, and acknowledgement is made to that magazine
for the encouragement it extended to the author, who traveled twice to
Mexico and excavated amon the ruins there to gain information at first
hand. If any boy or girl, after perusing these pages, is inspired to
turn direct to the beautiful and simple language of the Book of Mormon
itself, the purpose of "The Cities of the Sun" has been accomplished.
The Cities of the Sun
Stories of Ancient America, Founded on Historical Incidents in the Book
of Mormon.
THE MARTYR.
I.
THE KING'S COUNCIL.
"What now, Amulon? Why so gloomy? Upon my word, you have not smiled for
a week," and King Noah affectionately slapped his favorite's shoulder.
"I'll warrant me it's a woman," continued the king, when the other
vouchsafed no reply, "for nothing else would move you."
"And what if it were?" answered the other moodily. "Would talking about
it mend matters?"
"There is only one cure for a broken heart," and Noah wagged his head
sagely.
"And that is--?"
"Another love."
"H'm."
"Among the thousand women of the court, are there not maids that please
you? Women of all types grace the gardens of the city of Lehi-Nephi.
Would you have a rose, a violet, a magnolia, a lily, a passion flower
or a tulip? Pluck it." And he nodded toward the court of the women.
"Need I remind thee, O King, who art the prince of love, that when a
man wants one woman--"
The king threw back his head and laughed until his fat sides shook.
"And who is the lady that dares withstand the bold Amulon?"
The king's face displayed the first interest it had worn that day,
as he lolled on the crimson cushions that extended before his golden
throne. He and his priests sat in the Hall of the Ambassadors,
adjoining the great stone amphitheatre used for large assemblies. The
hall where the king held his court was richly beautiful with its tiled
floor, its ivory-tinted walls and the great gilded chairs of the thirty
priests who constituted the king's council. All morning they had been
attending to affairs of state, dealing principally with taxes, for
the dissolute king maintained his magnificence with one-fifth of his
people's produce.
The moment was propitious and Amulon hastened to explain. "The maid, O
King, is Zara, the daughter of Gideon, who opposes my suit."
"What, do you court the father? Make good with the girl."
"I cannot. She will have none of me."
For Amulon, who owed his title of favorite to his intrepidity and
unscrupulousness, to acknowledge himself beaten was highly amusing.
"The girl has been a companion to her father and has imbibed his
notions," her lover continued. "If she were moved into another
atmosphere she might change her mind. Association with the gracious
Princess Otalitza would certainly mend her manners."
"So you want--"
"Her brought to the palace."
The king scowled. "Amulon, I can deny you nothing. Let the girl be
brought. But look you," he added quickly, "she is to be in the train of
the princess. Hands off, for awhile, you understand. Her father is a
good soldier, and might cause trouble."
"You will send your orders?" said Amulon, following up his advantage.
"The palanquin shall fetch her today."
Both men looked up. Noises of turmoil and commotion came from the
doorway. Half a dozen soldiers, dragging a limp figure, burst into the
room. They were followed by a howling mob that shouted, "Away with him!
Down with the prophet!"
As they hauled the man over before the dais, the twenty odd priests
leaned forward with interest, while one exclaimed, "It is the Prophet
Abinadi!"
"Aye, Abinadi, whom I found in the plaza reviling thee, O king,"
exclaimed Himni, a priest, from the mob.
Noah looked down upon a tall man with straggling gray hair. In spite
of his manacled hands, the buffetings of the soldiers and the jeers of
the multitude, his thin lips curved in a scornful smile and his defiant
face showed no sign of fear.
"What are the charges?" asked the king.
"He promises bondage and dire calamities to the people, and thy life, O
King, he says, will be as a garment in a flame of fire. Who is this man
that he should judge thee?"
The great, purple veins stood out on the king's forehead and he
exclaimed angrily, "Take him to prison!"
The priests crowded up expectantly, for though Noah was not loved, yet
he was feared; but Omner petitioned, "Let us question this pretender
that we may confound him."
"Yes, surely, the Lord must confide all wisdom to his prophets,"
scoffed Nehor.
So they plied him with questions, and to their astonishment he answered
them boldly. "Why do you, the priests of the Lord, who are supposed to
teach the people, ask these things of me? You cannot teach what you do
not practice. You are wine-bibbers and revelers. You set the example of
sensuousness and law-breaking, and seek not the kingdom of heaven, but
the riches of the world."
The king turned wearily. "Away with this fellow," he said, "and slay
him, for he is mad."
"Touch me not," commanded the prophet, "until I have delivered my
message; then do with me as you will."
He spoke with such dignity and authority that they listened while he
preached with the power of God. He dwelt on the law of Moses, then, a
wondrous light illumining his face, he told them about the Messiah. How
a new star should appear in the heavens and there should be continuous
light for the space of three days, while far across the seas a child
should be born in poverty, of a lowly virgin, and he should be the
Son of God. The child should grow to be a man, despised and rejected
of men. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, who would suffer
himself to be mocked and scourged, and cast out and disowned by his
people. And after working many mighty miracles among the children of
men, he would be crucified and slain. Thus would the spirit triumph
over the flesh and he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead.
"And where will you be, you priest of Satan, on that day?" he cried,
working himself into a frenzy. "I tell you that the wicked shall have
cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth!"
Then he launched into such a fierce denunciation of the court, that
the priests looked at each other aghast, and the king turned a sickly
green. Abinadi lashed himself into a fury as he pictured the torments
of the wicked, until his body swayed with the power of his imaginings.
Calming himself, finally, he commanded: "Repent ye, teach the law of
Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to
come. Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ, the Lord, who
is the very Eternal Father." He ceased speaking.
"Take him away and put him to death."
Then Alma, the sweet-spirited one among the priests, young, but wise in
council, stepped forward, the sunlight glinting on his fair hair.
"This man has spoken the truth, and when, in all the reign of the just
Noah, was a man put to death for speaking the truth?"
"He said that the king's life should be as a garment in a hot furnace,"
cried Himni vindictively.
Amulon, who hated Alma for reasons of his own, smiled as he mockingly
exclaimed, "What! has the gentle Alma turned prophet? Presently we
shall have a pair of them."
The king motioned for the guards to remove the prisoner, and turning on
his heel he leaned affectionately on the arm of Amulon and passed out,
leaving Alma biting his lips with vexation and choking with humiliation.
[Illustration: ALMA LOITERED IN THE PERFUMED GARDENS.]
II.
THE REVEL
A solitary figure crossed the court on the pyramid, where the cluster
of state buildings was located. Although he went toward the palace, he
lagged like an unwelcome guest at a feast. The night was not cold but
he shivered and wrapped his cloak around him. Behind him lay the great
stone amphitheatre, with its tier after tier of seats, vaulted by the
starlit sky. To the north loomed the great temple, surmounted by its
tower. The somber blackness was relieved only by the sacred fire that
burned on top. Ahead of him reposed the royal palace, resplendent as a
jewel in its setting of perfumed gardens. Sounds of music and revelry
issued from the casement, and the guest stopped to take a deep breath
of the sweet night air before he plunged into the hot-house brilliance
beyond.
As he entered the great banquet hall, many eyes turned that way. Alma
had thrown off his cloak, displaying a purple tunic that enhanced the
gold of his hair and the blue of his eyes. His short robe was caught in
at the waist by a girdle of sapphires, and his lower limbs were bare
save for the thongs of buckskin, extending from his sandals, which
were strapped around them. It was not the beauty of the graceful young
cavalier that attracted attention, but the whisper had gone forth that
he was out of favor at court. That was what had brought him there to
face it out, to show he was not afraid. For the most part, the guests
whose brains were not addled with wine were absorbed in their own
affairs, for the hour was late and the diners at the banquet table,
which was heavy with its gold and silver service, were on the last
course. It consisted of dainty dishes of snow, brought on the backs
of men from the distant volcano, delicately flavored with the grated
rind of limes. Goblets brimming with odoriferous wines were constantly
being refilled, but the real revelry was just begun. Before morning the
great jars that stood on the buffet, that extended all around the great
banquet room, would be overturned and emptied. Beside them were baskets
laden with fruit--the gold of the tropics--bunches of purple grapes,
pomegranates, tunas, oranges, pineapples, bananas, achuacates (the
butter that grows on trees) and wild plums.
Above these, on the wall, was a fresco of naiads, while the magnificent
ceiling was of green and gold. Oh, he had an eye for beauty, had King
Noah;--too much for his good. A crowd of musicians played barbaric
music, a troupe of acrobats performed in an ante room, while from the
corridor came peals of laughter.
Alma ran his eye along the table. The king leered into the face of the
ever-present Amulon, while on his left the buffoon, Omo, discoursed
coarse jests. Suddenly Alma's heart stood still and then sickened.
Could that be Zara, the daughter of Gideon, in the party of the
princess? Yes, it was Zara, looking more radiant than ever. What was
she doing in the palace of the king? From the shadow of the curtains he
watched her with troubled eyes. A smile played on her expressive face
and her eyes were bright with excitement. He waited impatiently until
they rose from the table, but before he could get to her she was gone.
A few minutes later she appeared with the dancers. How beautiful she
looked, cream robed, with golden orchids in her hair! The intoxication
of the dance set his blood to throbbing, but he noticed with rising
resentment that he was not the only one interested in the new beauty.
Alma wandered around the hall shunned by all, for it is not wise to
flatter the one on whom the king frowns. He watched his chance, then
went to speak to Zara. She rose to meet him, and there was genuine
pleasure in her tone.
"Why, Alma, I've been looking for you so long."
"Is that what brought you here, my lady?" he asked tensely.
"It was the king's palanquin that brought me here," she answered archly.
His brow lowered. "Perhaps the same conveyance will carry you back?"
"Perhaps."
"Zara, I don't like to see you here."
"Why not? It is glorious! I love the magnificence of the court. It is
breath to my nostrils. I have never lived before."
"Your eyes are blinded by the gilded surface and you do not see the
rottenness beneath. When you know it as well as I--" and he laughed
bitterly. "I cannot understand," he added soberly, "how your father
allows you here, when he objected to me simply because I belonged to
the court, though I hate everything that is connected with it."
"My father--you might know--he did not send me here. I came by the
order of the king."
Alma looked startled. "Do you know what for?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "No one asks his reasons of the king."
"Yes, but there is a reason. You had better go away from here, my lady.
This is no place for you."
"I cannot," she said simply. "Besides, I tell you, Alma, it is not the
place, but the person. A pure-minded person can be good anywhere, the
evil always find means to sate their appetites."
"No one is safe in the palace; you must go away."
"If I should leave, what then? I should be brought back again. You are
satiated with all this. It opens a new world to me. I intend to see
it," she cried, almost angrily.
She turned to talk to some young bloods, who were hovering around her,
and Alma was dismissed. Realizing his failure with the girl, he turned
his steps toward the king. If he were not in disfavor, he might have
her released. At least there was a chance to find out why she was
there, he argued.
He approached the throne, bowed, and murmured, "I have a petition to
make, your majesty."
The king stared coolly past him, as if he did not see him, and went
on talking to Amulon, while Alma retreated, reddening to the ears, as
a titter arose behind palm leaf fans. His disgrace was now complete,
and he thought the next move would be assassins. "Well, Abinadi, you
may have company," he muttered. He wandered aimlessly about in a daze,
finally going to the gaming tables for, though he did not gamble
himself, he hoped to drown his misery in the excitement of the players.
* * * * *
Zara stood in the shadow of the palms at the entrance to the patio.
The revel was beginning to pall on her with its grossness. True,
the musicians had been replaced with others, and as she listened,
the strains of "The Heavens for a Kiss" floated out to her. Many of
the lights were out and what remained burned badly, but they were
sufficient to display sights from which her whole soul shrank. Omo
lay across the end of the table, his bull neck kinked so his heavy
breathing could be heard all over the room. Omner had tipped over a
wine jar, and lay on the floor with his head in a red pool that looked
like blood. Himni was pouring cold water down the neck of a servant
girl, while he explained that it would make her lips red. Mulek's
dominating voice roared above all others. Some callow youths were
trying to sing. Nobody knew where the king was. Most of the girls had
departed, and Zara, for the first time, felt lonely and scared. She
wished Alma would come. She heard a footstep behind her; then a door
pulled to. She listened, thinking it was he.
"So, I have found you at last, my dove!"
She uttered a startled cry and looked up to see the great form of
Amulon towering above her. His eyes glowed like fires in the dark.
"Come!" he coaxed. "How these arms have ached for you!"
"Let me go!" she cried fiercely, struggling, like a frightened bird in
his grasp.
"Fight away, my pretty. My, how tigerish we are! I faith, I believe
that is why I love you!"
"I shall cry for help."
"Who is there to hear you?"
"I shall expose you to the king."
"He will not believe you."
"Then Alma shall intercede in my behalf."
Amulon laughed. "Alma! he is already a doomed man."
"My father shall carry my case before the king!" she cried in a panic.
"Why did the king have you brought here? To grace the train of
Otalitza, when there are a hundred women fighting for the place you
occupy? Why, I say, except at my request? If you spurn me, the king
will claim you. Take your choice."
Seeing the hopelessness of her case, woman's wit, which has been her
chief weapon since the world began, came to her rescue. She slipped up
her arms and encircled his head, kissing his handsome, bruised-looking
lips.
"Amulon," she whispered, "I am not a slave to be coerced. What I do, I
must do of my own free will, without force."
"You are right," he said, won by her speedy capitulation. He instantly
freed her, for he was as generous as he was passionate.
"Your lips are like the desert and your brow is fevered. See, I will
bath it in the fountain." She darted forward, and as he stumbled after
her and fell headlong on the pavement, she did not stop to look back,
but kept right on.
* * * * *
The breeze that precedes the dawn was stirring when a white-robed
figure stole out on the roof garden of the palace. She started back
when, on turning a corner, she was confronted by a man muffled in a
long cloak.
"Zara!"
"Oh, Alma, I am so glad!" and she wrung her hands in relief.
"Why are you here alone at this time?"
"I could not sleep. So many strange things have happened. And you?"
"I could not sleep, either. I searched for you, last night, but could
not find you. Where did you go?"
"To the inner patio."
"With whom?"
"Amulon."
"Amulon! So, that is why you came to the palace?"
"He said as much."
"And I have ruined myself at court through espousing the cause of the
Prophet Abinadi."
"So Amulon intimated."
"Where is he?"
"Down the well, for aught I know. I fled from him, and he gave chase.
He was half drunk and stumbled over the fountain curbing, but whether
he pitched in or not I do not know. I didn't stop to look back."
"He didn't; trust his luck for that. And you? How did you get out?"
"Why, through the court of the lions, of course."
"They might have killed you."
"So I thought; but the king's ocelots are well fed. They did not care
to get up to dine off me in the middle of the night."
The rainbow colors of the dawn of the tropics illumined the sky to
the east, and below, the hills were swathed in pearl gray mist. Alma
breathed deep as he looked at Zara, fresh and radiant as the morning
itself. The fleecy robe she had slipped on parted at the throat, her
dark head was swathed in a pale blue gauze, broidered with silver
stars, and not all the turmoil of the night could disguise the fact
that she was young and glad to be alive. As she lifted a slender,
rounded, white arm to indicate the violet and orange of the horizon,
Alma caught her in his arms.
"Come with me," he whispered, "away from this wicked place. Let me
teach you the principles of Abinadi. Together let us live our lives as
he has taught, in conformity with the will of the Lord."
"Abinadi!" she murmured. "I already believe in him, although he has
taught the strange doctrine that we must return good for evil, instead
of demanding an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But you must
teach me. Alma," she added fearfully, "for there are many things I do
not understand. And this strange doctrine of repentance, that they talk
so much about--"
"The king had better take to heart," Alma finished grimly. "Would that
the scales might fall from his eyes, as they have from mine!"
"He is going to put Abinadi to death?"
"So I fear."
"And you?"
"Oh, I shall take up the work where he left off. I'm afraid his mantle
will fall on unworthy shoulders. I have carefully written down all
his words, and I shall teach them to the people when he is gone. I
consecrate my life to the work. God grant me strength and light to do
it well!"
"Does Abinadi know?"
"Yes; I go now to visit him in his cell."
"Tarry a little, Sir Prophet," she commanded, running her hand through
his yellow hair.
Together they watched the sun rise. The mocking birds sang riotously.
The lavender flowers of the bougainvilaea drooped in the garden, while
from the patio below the air came laden with the heavy odor of the
blossom called "The Perfume of the Night." The lovers did not notice
that with it was mingled the scent of the ill-omened "Flower of the
Dead."
III.
THE EXECUTION.
The great market place was the heart of the city. The streets, like
so many arteries, emptied into its pulsating center. There all the
buying and selling went on. Here was a fruit stand from which a
bronze Lamanitish goddess flicked the flies. Yonder was a clothier's
containing garments of chameleon dyes. There were cafes, candy stands,
butcher shops, fish from the lake, venders of pottery, and makers of
lace. The band played there in the afternoon, and lovers sought the
shade of its arbors in the evening.
This morning something of unusual occurrence was about to happen.
People were running hither and thither. There was a hushed murmur of
excitement among the crowds, which were larger than on any market day.
Four regiments of soldiers were stationed at the comers, while a fifth
was keeping the people back from an open space in the middle of the
square.
"Wherefore the crowd?" asked the countryman who had just brought his
cart of vegetables to the city that morning, of a young man who was
hurrying to the scene.
The other looked at him in surprise, "Why, they are going to burn the
Prophet Abinadi."
"They're not going to burn him alive?"
"How do you think they'd burn him--dead?" he threw back over his
shoulder, as he hurried on.
The crowd was impatient.
"Light the fire, and let us see if this false prophet is pluckily true
to his convictions."
"What are they waiting for?" called another.
There was a blare of trumpets, a blast of martial music, and then the
cry, "Make way for the king!"
On a palanquin, borne aloft on the shoulders of men, surmounted by
a green canopy, reclined the king. As soon as he reached the place
of execution he ordered the soldiers to bring forth the prisoner.
When Abinadi, sustained by the heroism of martyrdom, but very weak
and trembling physically, stood before him, Noah pronounced sternly:
"Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee and thou art worthy
of death; for thou hast said that God himself should come down among
the children of men, and now for this cause thou shalt be put to death,
unless thou wilt recall all the words thou hast spoken evil concerning
me and my people."
With a hunted look in his eyes Abinadi answered: "I will not recall the
words I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true.
I will suffer even unto death. I will not recall my words, and they
shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me, ye will shed
innocent blood, and this shall stand as a testimony against you at the
last day."
The words touched even the callous heart of Noah, and he was half
convinced. He turned to the priests.
"Shall we release him?"
"Death to Abinadi, he has reviled the king!" was the shout.
"Death to Abinadi!"
"Let his God delay the flames!"
"He says we shall all be captives to the Lamanites!"
"Down with false prophets!"
Amid the maledictions, they bound Abinadi to the stake and lighted the
fagots under his feet.
As the flames licked his quivering limbs, and he writhed in agony,
he looked into the faces of the terror-stricken populace and said in
accents thick, "It will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with
all manner of diseases because of your iniquities. Yea, and ye shall be
smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro,
even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts. And in
that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your
enemies."
As the flames mounted higher and higher, and the victim writhed in
agony, a young man, with sunny hair, made his way out of the crowd, for
he could stand it no longer. Henceforth he was the disciple of the dead
prophet, and the blood of martyrdom had won its first convert in Alma.
His was not the only sick heart, for when the agonized victim looked
out of his pain-dimmed eyes and said prophetically to Noah, "Ye shall
suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire," the king called
suddenly, "Ho, take me hence!"
IV.
THE WATERS OF MORMON.
Gloom reigned in the palace and in the heart of Zara. The death of
Abinadi seemed to portend evil. Alma was condemned to death, and
guards were scouting the country for him, for he had disappeared. Zara
was torn with fear, for she expected daily to see him dragged there
in irons. Again she thought he had been secretly murdered, and this
hunting for him was a pretense.
Then a message came to her. She sent for Amulon, who came gladly, for
she had locked herself up in her apartments and refused to see him for
days, while he, whose will was law, chafed like a chained lion. She was
peculiarly gracious, and it was with difficulty he restrained himself,
for his love for this maiden, who was the first who had ever opposed
him, swept him off his feet.
"I have a favor to ask of you. Amulon, as always," she began.
"Which is already granted, if it lies within my power, princess."
"Ever am I more indebted to you."
"What is my lady's latest caprice?"
"You know I am virtually a prisoner here. All of the palace is mine,
but the bird is none the less barred because the cage is gilded. An
aged aunt of mine is dying, and she has sent for me to soothe her
last hours. I would go to her bedside. Will you not ask the king's
permission that I may go?"
Amulon was touched by her earnestness, for ever are strong men weakest
through their strength.
"Go, Zara, and I will be responsible to the king." He stepped to the
door and summoned Mulek. "Do you accompany this lady wherever she goes.
See that no harm approaches, and return her in safety to the palace."
Mulek bowed and retreated.
Zara sallied out accompanied by the giant soldier Mulek. They made
their way to a large house with a stone front. They entered, and passed
through corridor after corridor, until they came to the one that led to
the death chamber.
"You will wait here for me, Mulek?"
"The Lord Amulon said I was not to let you out of my sight."
"But you can't go in there when she is dying!"
"I go where you do," he answered doggedly.
She was in despair. But everyone has his vulnerable point. She began to
plead with him, using all her art, but he only shook his head. She tore
a heavy gold chain from her neck. Three great emeralds hung pendant
from it. The bauble was worth a fortune. She thrust it into his hand,
saying imperiously, "Wait here, I will soon be back."
Before he could recover himself she was gone. His first impulse was to
follow her, but he distinguished the sound of a woman's voice, and it
deterred him.
The giant waited a long time. He paced restlessly around the room. When
the afternoon sun faded into evening he grew alarmed. He rang a bell,
which no one answered. He walked through the deserted halls. He came
back and went to the room of the sick woman. There was no couch there,
and a new light broke in on him. He ran through the house shouting. A
Lamanitish woman, a servant, confronted him.
"Where is Zara, the daughter of Gideon?" he fairly shouted.
She eyed him calmly. "I know of no such a woman."
"I brought her here," he reiterated.
"She is not here," she repeated.
He rushed through the house, but found no trace of her whom he sought.
His first impulse was to flee and escape the anger of Amulon. But on
second thought he decided that would look as if he had connived at her
escape. If he reported at once, she might yet be found. He started on a
run back to the palace.
When he presented himself before Amulon, a sweating, palpitating,
trembling wretch, the courtier gave him one look and then roared,
"Where is the girl?"
"Alas, I know not!" wailed the other. "I turned, m'lord, and she was
gone. Some power of magic--" he dodged a heavy bronze vase that Amulon,
in his rage, hurled, at his head. It crashed into the door beyond and
splintered it.
The chief priest clapped his hands. Slaves appeared.
"Take him," he commanded. "Let him be lashed. Send soldiers to search
the house of Zeezrom, and arrest every one you find there."
All night Amulon paced the palace, and all night rose the shrieks of
Mulek, lashed to the whipping post.
In the meantime Zara, after her escape from Mulek, was being borne
through tall hedges of organ cactus on the outskirts of the city.
Through fields of maguey--the large century plant--until they reached
the prairie where the mesquite grew, they continued their flight.
[Illustration: ALMA BAPTIZING IN THE WATERS OF MORMON.]
Beyond, palm trees were gracefully silhouetted against the sky.
Plantains rattled in the wind. As they neared the oasis, they felt the
dread stillness of the tropic jungle, for the night was coming on. The
rich velvet of the sward was flecked with the wild tulip, and long
mosses cast black shadows in a pool as clear and deep as a woman's eyes.
Such were the Waters of Mormon, where Alma, the sweet-spirited,
baptized believers and taught the gospel of the Savior, thus carrying
on the work of Abinadi.
When the slaves stopped, and Alma saw that the white palanquin bore a
woman, he came forward. Zara slipped lightly out, without assistance,
and ran to meet him.
"Zara!" he exclaimed.
"It is I, Alma." Then she continued breathlessly, "They have located
you. The sentence of death hangs over you and your followers. You must
flee quickly."
"How did you find out?"
"Ever since you went away I have lived on the name of Alma. Every
breath that concerned you my intuition has ferreted out. The armies of
the king have orders to march against you now, for the king fears the
stronghold you are gaining among the people."
"And you came to tell me this! If they knew it, what would they do to
you?"
"I don't know; I'm not going back to find out."
"Not going back?"
"No; I'm going with you--if you will let me."
"Let you, Zara!" A look of glad surprise broke over his face, as he
took her tenderly in his arms. But amid all his joyful exultation,
there was a fear in his heart of hearts. He knew that behind his
cherished one lay luxury and pleasure, and ahead of her was--the desert.
V.
THE FLIGHT.
Consternation reigned in the palace. The unsuccessful army returned,
announcing the escape of Alma and four hundred and fifty of his
followers. Amulon, in an angry mood, and the king had had words over
the disappearance of Zara. Noah foresaw trouble with her father, and
Gideon was one of his best generals. Nor was he mistaken, for along
came the sturdy old soldier demanding to see his daughter. Noah
explained that the girl was gone, that every effort had been made to
locate her, but without avail.
Gideon did not believe it. He thought they were deceiving him. He
poured execrations on their heads.
"There is only one fate that awaits a woman that steps inside your
palace. Were there not enough, but my daughter must grace your court?
She was of a different type, and that was why you coveted her. You have
lied to me, for you have something to conceal. A father's curse be on
you!"
It was in vain that the king denied any knowledge of Zara's
whereabouts. He had been involved in so many intrigues that he was not
believed when he spoke the truth.
"Curse you. You will tell me where she is, or I will run you through!"
and Gideon drew his sword. "It would be a service to rid the Nephites
of such a tyrant."
Noah could have summoned his guards, but Gideon had challenged him as
man to man. The king had been a soldier in his youth, but years of
dissipation had rendered his flesh flabby and his spirit afraid.
They crossed swords and lunged at each other. A few moments and the
king was breathless. Gideon so evidently had the advantage that Noah,
in sheer cowardice, turned and fled. He rushed to the temple. With
drawn sword Gideon followed him. Through chamber after chamber the king
ran. The rooms were superb with their mosaic and metal work, but Noah
did not notice any of the decorations, for after him followed grim
Nemesis. The two flying figures, one very little behind the other,
reached the top of the second pyramid. Noah mounted the steps that led
to the top of the tower. This was ascended by a series of ladders, and
when he reached the second he kicked the first from under him. When he
reached the top his face was purple, and every breath was a pain. He
could go no further, and he knew that his respite was short. He looked
down from the dizzy height. Then he lost himself in astonishment.
"Let me down!" he screamed. "The armies of the Lamanites are upon us!"
Gideon, deeming this but a ruse, was in no wise deterred in his pursuit.
"I tell you they are spread out in battle array on the plains below!
Let me down that I may save my people!" pleaded Noah.
"Save your people? you had better save your own neck," Gideon thought
grimly. He went to the parapet and looked over. The king was right,
there were the Lamanite phalanxes spread out upon the plain as far as
the eye could see.
"Come down and save your people," he called, sheathing his sword. He
himself went over and began to beat the alarum drum to call the men
to arms. As the old king tottered down there was time for a new fear
to supplant the other. None knew better than he how illy his kingdom
was prepared for war. He had made his people lovers of pleasure. The
standing army was small, and no match for the fierce Indians inured to
hardship.
"Call the people together and tell them to bring their families and
flee into the wilderness," he commanded. "It were folly to fight them
here."
When all the people of the city congregated, Noah, like a good leader,
led the flight.
The Lamanites were not slow to discover the tactics, and started out
in swift pursuit. They soon overtook the Nephites and the massacre
commenced. Noah, maddened by the sight of the blood, bade the heralds
command all the men to flee, for they were retarded by the women and
children.
"They will not murder the women in cold blood," reasoned the valorous
king, "and some of us may be saved while Gideon engages the enemy here."
Like geese that follow their leader, on the spur of the moment many of
the men turned and followed the king and his priests, who were in full
flight.
After they had gone some distance into the wilderness, they began to
come to their senses. One commoner voiced the sentiment of the men
when he said, "If our loved ones are slain, it were better that we had
perished with them."
"But, at least, after first striking a blow in their defense," added
another.
"Let us go back and see if they are dead. And if they are,"--here the
speaker looked meaningly at Noah--"we will seek revenge."
"We are a laughing stock and a bye word," said one man who prided
himself on his honor.
They were all heartily ashamed of themselves, and, as is always the
case under such circumstances, they sought someone on whom to lay
the blame. Whereupon, when the king commanded them not to return, it
brought their anger to a head. Instead of obeying him, they turned
viciously upon him as the cause of all their misfortunes. They
overpowered him roughly and bound him hand and foot. Amulon, who at
least had the saving grace of loyalty, was the only one who drew
his sword in defense of the king. He was run through the side for
his pains. The other priests, for their part, seeing themselves so
out-numbered, took to their heels.
Amulon, weak from loss of blood, staggered over to a brush heap,
and there they let him lie. With presence of mind, he stuffed his
shirt into the wound and staunched the flow of blood. He was in a
raging fever, and one of the men taking pity on him as he tossed with
sleepless eyes, brought him a cup of water.
When night was well advanced, he dragged himself down to a stream and
drank deep of the running water. He was conscious of the fact that no
one had paid any attention to him. To attempt the escape of Noah, he
knew was hopeless. He felt that the king must have help, and have it
quickly. Urged on by some power beyond himself, the wounded man arose
and staggered out into the jungle.
He found the priests, or rather, they found him wandering in the woods,
and Amulon, by his old power of eloquence, rallied them and brought
them back. But lo, when they arrived at the place where the Nephites
had camped, they were gone, and Amulon feared that in his daze he had
mistaken the place. But Himni raised a shout, and they found only too
ghastly evidence of the recent presence of the Nephites. The trunk of
an immense tree had been partially burned. Lashed to its side was what
was left of a man, under whom a fire had been built. One of the priests
walked over, and from the ashes picked out the king's signet ring.
They had burned Noah to death. Thus had the prophecy of Abinadi been
fulfilled.
"His life was as a garment in a furnace of fire."
VI.
THE ABDUCTION.
Like nomads the priests wandered into the forest, subsisting on berries
and wild game. One day Omo, the voluptuary, came into camp with what
for him was unusual speed. The men loafing around the camp began to
jeer at him.
"I have seen such a sight--" he began.
"You must have seen something to make you run. He has seen such a
sight--"
"As you would all break your necks to see."
"What have you seen?"
"Women."
"Women!" they muttered.
"Girls--young, beautiful, graceful as gazelles."
"He has been seeing visions."
"Listen. As I lay under a willow, that I might digest my dinner out of
the heat of the sun, I did hear singing and laughter--"
"He was asleep and dreamed it."
"Very cautiously did I crawl out, and there I beheld fifty Lamanitish
maidens--"
"Lamanites! Huh!"
"Fifty Lamanitish damsels, as I did start to say, wreathed with
garlands and bedecked with golden circlets on their arms and ankles,
making merry in the woods. Then they ceased from their sports and sat
them down to picnic out of great hampers. They took out such viands! Ah
me, I have not tasted cooked food in a twelve month! Who knows? I might
have made myself known and been made much of among so many maidens; but
I forebore, and came here to acquaint you with the fact."
A shout of laughter arose. "Come on, boys," volunteered one.
"But Lamanites!"
"I care not," decided Omner. "We are outcasts among our own people, and
we dare not return to Lehi-Nephi. For my part, a Lamanite maid is good
enough to cook my food and live in my tepee."
"Mine, too, if she be good looking. Omner, lead out."
As gaily as a crowd of school boys on a lark, they hurried through the
woods. Others joined them on their way.
After the order of primitive man did they lie in wait for, and carry
off, their mates. After the first panic, the girls, when they found the
white-skinned men were inclined to be wooers, were nothing loth. So the
camp was doubled that night, for the fifty of Omo's imagination had
dwindled to twenty-four.
Also like primitive man, they fought for their mates. A dispute arose
as to who should have a tall, slender girl who wore great golden
ornaments in her black hair. She was well worth fighting for, as
most of the men seemed to think, for the riot soon developed into a
free-for-all fight. It threatened to turn the camp into a hospital,
when Amulon, returning from the hunt, strode in and threw a buck from
his shoulders.
Without more ado he threw himself into the midst of the melee and
separated the opponents. As soon as the combatants saw who it was they
decided to leave the decision with him.
Amulon listened to the story of the day's conquest, and patiently heard
each claim. In the meantime he had casually looked the girl over. She
stood with heaving bosom and scornful lips while the parley went on.
She narrowed her eyes, however, and paid attention when this big,
powerful man, so evidently the master, took a hand.
Finally he announced his decision, "I shall keep her myself."
An ominous murmur arose.
"He struck not a blow, but he seizes the plunder."
Not a man there but knew Amulon would make his claim good, but where he
was sure of his ground he could afford to be politic.
He had exchanged a meaning look with the dark-eyed beauty, so he said
magnanimously, "Come, we will let the girl herself make the choice."
As soon as she understood the import of his words, she went over and
stood up straight and tall by his side.
As with primitive man, the strongest had won out. So Amulon, garbed in
a leopard's skin was wed to the Indian girl in the forest. He did not
know until afterwards that she was Lamona, the daughter of the king of
the Lamanites.
VII.
THE REVENGE.
Alma came in and hung his sickle on the wall. Although he assumed
cheerfulness, his wife, who greeted him brightly over the pile of
colored wool with which she was working, knew that he was sorely
troubled. The room was airy, but simple, in its appointments. The floor
was carpeted with rush mats and bears' skins, while the walls bore
trophies of the chase in the form of antlers and deer heads. The supper
looked inviting, and Alma came to it with the hunger born of hard labor
in the fields.
"I wish you would not work so hard," admonished Zara, laying her work
aside. "Amulon exempted you from labor."
Alma laughed shortly. "Small satisfaction that, to rest in the shade
while I see my brethren toiling in the hot sun, with hard taskmasters
over them. When I refused to be king, I explained that we are all equal
in the sight of the Lord. Now that disaster has come upon us, I am no
better than they. The drivers will not even allow our people to pray
aloud any more."
"Surely Amulon has not forbidden that," gasped Zara, with dilated eyes.
The Lamanites had conquered all the southern provinces of the Nephites.
The latter had only saved their lives by paying tribute of one-half
their substance to their hard masters. At the time he fled from the
armies of King Noah, Alma had traveled with his followers to a land of
pure water where they built the beautiful city of Helem.
When Amulon and the gay priests stole the Indian girls and married
them, King Laman had been wrathful. He sent out spies, located them
where they were living and was getting ready to visit punishment upon
them when his daughter Lamona, the wife of Amulon, came and threw
herself at her father's feet and pleaded for mercy for the white men.
She prevailed and the king of the Lamanites gladly welcomed his big
son-in-law into favor. The head priest of King Noah rapidly resumed his
old place of king's favorite. He introduced his own liberal schemes
with the learning of the Nephites, and King Laman appropriated part of
his kingdom for Amulon and his daughter to rule over. It so chanced
that this province included the city of Helem.
When Amulon, accompanied by his dusky princess, and flanked by the
barbarian armies, marched in, he was much surprised to find that the
inhabitants were the followers of Alma. He found them easy prey, for
their leader commanded them not to shed blood. The new ruler did not
make it any easier for the captives because Alma had been a fellow
priest of his who had won his sweetheart.
"Something has got to be done," pronounced Alma, looking across at his
wife. "The people must break this yoke of bondage, for they cannot
stand it any longer. I want you to unite with me in calling on the Lord
for help."
Zara acquiesced, and when she arose a new light shone on her face as
she rapidly unfolded to him her plan.
"Why don't you reproach me for having brought you to this?" he asked,
drawing her tenderly toward him, for he realized that the task she had
set herself was no easy one.
"Nay, I have been happier here helping you than I ever was before, with
all my luxury. I never realized what a blessing work is!"
* * * * * * * *
Zara went and presented herself before Amulon. With mingled emotions
they looked on one another. Zara noticed that the black-bearded,
handsome man was more dominating than ever. The deep-eyed, dusky
princess by his side was well suited to such a husband. Lamona, for
her part, was curiously interested in her prince's former love. Amulon
marked that Zara had retained her beauty, and looked very little older.
He wondered what this slip of a woman who had preferred a soft-voiced
missionary, could have to ask of him.
"I have a petition to make, my lord," she began, bowing low.
"And that is--"
"That you, your lady, and all your soldiery will dine with us at a
banquet that we have prepared. There is much ill-feeling between the
people and the soldiers. There has been a brutal quarrel or two, and we
would seek to allay the trouble."
Amulon's eyes lighted with pleasure. It was long since he had eaten
at a Nephite board, and he would like to sup with Zara. I think I can
answer for the men.
They will come, like a horse to water. What say you, my girl? He turned
to Lamona.
In thick, musical tones she graciously accepted the invitation.
On the day of the banquet Zara flitted among the wine jars, pouring
into them a concoction brewed of the sleeping herb and the juice of the
white poppy. Practically all of the Helemite's store would be guzzled
down the throats of the thirsty horde in one night. The people of Alma
would drink none. That was a part of the game.
That night at the feast, when the atmosphere was redolent with perfume
and the air vibrant with music, Amulon cornered Zara and with his
compelling gaze fixed on her face demanded that she drink with him
the toast, "For old time's sake," while Lamona watched with jealous
eyes. Fearful that this virile leader would not drink enough for her
purpose, she raised the goblet with quaking hand to her lips. They were
almost driven white by a new fear. What if she herself should go to
sleep in this dire exigency? Already the drugged soldiers were lying
in heaps about the room. Some still kept up the feast, but even these
were too far gone to notice that the halls were being strangely emptied
of Nephites. Already their flocks and herds were being rapidly driven
into the mountains, to be speedily followed by their owners, for the
Helemites were abandoning their homes to their conquerors.
Outside in the starlit night, Zara a second time faced the desert.
Seated on a horse, like another Mary, she fearfully clasped her little
son to her bosom. He was Alma, son of Alma, future high priest of
Zarahemla.
[Caption: THE SACRIFICIAL STONE.]
THE GADIANTONS.
"And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of
Gadianton; * * insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed
from among the Lamanites."
I.
THE GOSSIPS AT THE FOUNTAIN
[Illustration: THE LAMANITE GIRL WAS PRETTY.]
"Hurry with your trifling, and lend me your cup that I may fill my
jars," admonished Abish.
"You are in a hurry, today?" queried Sara lazily. The water in the
fountain was low and it had to be scooped up from the bottom. Sara was
trickling the cool liquid over her fingers quite oblivious to her own
empty water pitchers standing; with gaping mouths on the curb.