THE FIGHT FOR VOLINÈ.
The shades of night were beginning to fall as I crossed the garden of
Siccoth-trees, which was a fortunate circumstance for me, as I desired
to see no one, least of all any of my companions, until my nerves felt
steadier, for now they seemed shattered by the trying, terrible strain
which they had undergone within the past few hours. By still further
good fortune I gained the Palace unobserved, except by the guard at the
gates, and a solitary Martial whom I met in one of the corridors near
my own room.
"I flung myself upon my couch and tried to think. But my thoughts were
broken and confused. All that had taken place seemed as a dream. First
one incident and then another of the weird ceremony flashed through my
brain, and vanished; and then all returned together as swiftly, yet in
disordered sequence, until I dropped into a troubled sleep.
"For twelve hours I lay thus, only awaking in the morning to find my
servant Herio bending over me, saying in a voice which sounded as
though it were miles away:
"'Sire! rouse thee; for the King would see thee. Even now he awaiteth
thy coming.'
"'Why, Herio, what is the hour? How long have I slept? Has anyone been
here?--the Doctor?--Mr. Temple?'
"'The tenth hour of the new day soundeth, sire. But one soul hath
entered thy chamber, and he whom thou callest "Doctor." He watched
by thee as thou slept, until midnight, and glanced at thee again at
sunrise for a moment.'
"Quickly eating a light breakfast, and feeling more refreshed and
stronger than I had done for many days, I followed Herio to the
apartment in which the King was awaiting me. Volinè, looking pale
and wan, was seated on the dais on her father's right hand; whilst
below him, much to my surprise and embarrassment, were Temple and the
Doctor. Behind them, a hundred or more of the highest Ministers of
State sat in silence. Blushes stole over Volinè's lovely face as she
smiled on me in welcome. Temple and the Doctor, gazing all the time in
rapt astonishment, bade me a hearty good-morning; and the King, in his
kindliest manner, told me to come and seat myself at his left hand.
"'Already, man of Ramos, have I heard the full story of thy dauntless
courage, yesterday, on the hill Verosi. Our beloved daughter Volinè
tells me of thy fortitude in meeting, wrestling with, and overcoming
Death by Fire. Right nobly hath thou done all that was required of
thee, and thy reward shalt be that for which thy heart hath long
desired, for now do I give thee my daughter to wife.'
"Here the old King stood up, and taking Volinè's hand and mine, placed
them in each other, saying:--
"'In doing this thing I feel that the hand of wisdom hath guided me to
a just atonement, and a wise repentance of my sin in seeking thy life
and thy companions' lives without full cause. Already hath Echri told
me my folly, and of his wondrous vision, in which was declared to him
that with thy advent in Gathma God's promise to unite His scattered
Universe was being fulfilled. Thou art no more man of Ramos only; man
of Gathma, too, hath thou become; and may thy lengthened span of life
be used in binding these two sister-worlds in yet closer unity. I have
but few more words to say. Thou hast an enemy in Edos, by name Perodii.
Long hath he sought thy ruin, by divers means; yea, even at the cost
of Volinè's honour. That the lies he spoke concerning her were bred of
jealousy of thee I now know, and his banishment from our royal presence
is but a just punishment for his sin. But Perodii is of a noble race,
which hath many privileges I may not take away. One of these is that,
being thy rival to the hand of my daughter, he hath the right to meet
thee in single combat to decide the issue between ye. He hath claimed
that right, and, moreover, he hath proclaimed throughout Edos that
to-morrow thou shalt do him battle or be slain by him as a coward. I
ask thy answer to this challenge?'
"'That I will meet him whenever he may choose; for few things would
give me greater pleasure, O King of Gathma, than to satisfy the hatred
that long has lain between us,' I answered, still holding Volinè's hand
in mine.
"'All shall be as thou sayest,' said the King, who, turning to his
ministers, continued: 'Let Perodii hear these things at once, and let
all be set in readiness for the morrow.'
"And then the old King turned to leave the chamber, which was a signal
for the assembled ministers to disperse unto their duties, bidding the
Doctor accompany him to discuss still further the projects which they
had in view. I led Volinè away towards her own apartments, and as we
walked along she said:
"'Harry, thou hast grieved me sorely in respect to this meeting with
Perodii. Have I not already counselled thee to leave him alone?'
"'And be branded as a coward, darling! Would you care to hear your
lover's name bandied about Edos as another name for cowardice? Volinè,
have no fears for me, as I have none for myself.'
"'But Perodii is cunning in the use of arms.'
"'Trouble not yourself, darling; for, with YOU as the issue between us,
there lives no man in all wide Gathma that should overcome me. Besides,
Perodii's insults on you can only be answered for in this manner.
Before Edos he once has lied; before Edos shall he declare himself a
speaker of lies.'
"'As thou wilt, Harry; but my heart will be heavy and comfortless until
this fray is over.'
"'And now, my darling, have you spoken to your father about our
wedding-day?'
"'I have; and he sayeth that it may be chosen by myself.'
"'Then if I overcome Perodii in fair and open combat on the morrow,
will you come unto me? Volinè, let the morrow be our bridal day. Nay,
urge no obstacles, my dear one. Say "Yes," and give me new strength for
the fray.'
"'I will tell thee to-night, when thou meetest me in the arbour of
Siccoth. Now hurry thee away, for there is much that I would do before
the sun hath risen on the morrow.'
"On my way back I met Temple, and he was profuse in his congratulations
on my happiness.
"'Why, Graham, the events of the past four and twenty hours seem like a
dream--even in this strange city of enchantment and wondrous surprises.
Now come along and have a chat. Surely the beautiful Volinè can spare
you for one hour in which you may talk with your friends! To tell the
truth, I feel almost afraid of you now, if all that I have heard is
true.'
"'Well, Mr. Temple, and what may you have heard?' I asked, as we
strolled out of the Palace together, and sat ourselves down under the
cool shade of a broad-leafed shrub.
"'We have heard so much that, really, I scarcely know where to begin in
describing it. Briefly, it is this. That yesterday afternoon Volinè and
yourself went into that three-domed Temple on the hill we saw from the
_Sirius_, and that there you went through some fiendish art of sorcery,
which has professed to endow you with a longer span of life. After what
happened at Remagaloth, I must confess I felt a certain amount of faith
in this Priest Echri's power; but that he can prolong your days, even
to the extent of one, I do not believe----"
"'I think you would, Mr. Temple, had you seen and experienced as much
as I have. Religious ordinances in this world are, as one might expect
them to be, vastly different from any now on Earth. Here in Gathma,
there are Holy Men who appear to be direct agents of a Supreme Being,
and through them Almighty will is manifest. After all, there is nothing
so very remarkable about this; for even in our world, during the days
of the Patriarchs, very similar conditions prevailed. It must be more
than human sorcery or trickery that can send a man through a stream
of molten fire unscathed, unsinged, as I went yesterday, although I
suffered in one brief awful moment all the pain of death in that dread
majestic element. Whether I live to be seventy, or ten times seventy,
time alone can prove; but I have every faith in Echri's power. I can
understand your scepticism; but let the solemn assurances of one who
has seen his potency, and felt his power, change your opinion. How this
wonder was worked, how my body escaped annihilation, or if destroyed
how another so similar in all respects, that I cannot find one tittle
of difference myself, was created, is as much a mystery to me as to
you, as that fair Temple yonder guards its secrets well.'
"'But what good have you really done yourself, Graham, in this thing,
provided all be true?'
"'Increased my span of life at least tenfold, and won the hand of as
fair a woman as was ever conceived!'
"'And sold your soul to evil, I fear.'
"'Then I am content to abide by my bargain, although no thought of such
a compact has ever suggested itself to me. But what is the Doctor's
opinion?'
"'That you must be mad--mad, and blind with love; and that he has never
seen such a rapid change in a man as has taken place in you since you
met Volinè. All interest in your old pursuits seems gone; all feelings
of companionship for us are slipping away. I suppose it is ever so. I
was the same myself in the long ago--when a mistress comes to reign in
our heart, verily in the early days of her power she rules supreme!
I don't think the dear old boy will ever quite forgive you. He has
curious ideas on women; besides, he always insists that all the evil
that has befallen us in Edos was caused by her.'
"'I am afraid 't were useless to deny the soft impeachment, Mr. Temple;
but, after all, Volinè--who, you yourself must own, is peerless amongst
her sex--and I have had little time together, and more than our share
of trials and troubles during our courtship. Wait until I enter the
noble army of Benedicts. All being well, I expect my commission therein
to-morrow, and then you will again find me heart and soul with you in
all your plans. For if I overcome this scamp Perodii--and a greater
scoundrel never drew air--I hope to wed Volinè before the day has
passed. Fancy Perodii challenging me! It is the last trump-card in the
trick of his revenge and hatred; but I think I hold the ace of his
suit.'
"'Then you really mean to fight?'
"'I should rather think I do. I am not quite a fool with the cutlass,
or with the pistol either; and I picked up a few wrinkles in the use of
the dagger when I was engineering some waterworks in Spain, which may
now be of service to me. And if personal prowess alone is to decide
between us, well I will show this braggart, strong as he is, how a
Yorkshireman in good 'fettle' can 'wrastle,' as we say in that fair
county of broad acres and honest hospitality.'
"'Well, I wish you every success, Graham, my boy; every success, and
every happiness; and no one in all Edos will see you lead Volinè to the
altar--that is, if an altar forms a necessary article of the marriage
ceremony in this strange world--with more genuine pleasure than I
shall. I feel that indirectly, and through you, I owe my life to this
girl, in spite of all that the Doctor may say to the contrary; and that
being so, I wish her every happiness too. Besides, this match appears
to find great favour with the King.'
"'Ah, for that I have to thank Echri. It appears that he has had a
vision in which it was declared that the peoples on the family of
planets that circle round the Sun are to be united; and that we having
established communication between Earth and Mars, are fulfilling this
sacred manifestation. This the King has only lately learned from Echri,
and it has done more than anything else to place us high in royal
favour, and to win consent to my union with Volinè.'
"'Well, now, about this fight to-morrow. Have you no idea of the
weapons, conditions of combat, and so on?'
"'None; nor do I want any. But if you should chance to drop on Sandy
Campbell, tell him that I would see him. I should like him near me
to-morrow, just as a sort of henchman like---you understand?'
"'I won't fail to send him if I get the chance, but the Doctor keeps
him more than busy. Only this very morning he packed him off somewhere
or other in search of some insect which, he tells me, is curiously
allied to a beetle of Earth.'
"'Gracious! Poor old Sandy! I have half a mind to pity him in his
search for that illustrious bug.'
"Chatting together thus, the morning slipped quickly and pleasantly
away, until we were summoned to our mid-day meal. Neither the King nor
Volinè was present; and the Doctor, as well, was too absorbed in his
studies to make his appearance. I spent the afternoon posting up my
journals, from which this portion of our narrative has been written;
and in the evening I went unto our trysting-place, there to wait my
loved one's coming.
"Verily the quiet, dreamy beauty of the night in this tropic region
of Mars is beyond all power of description. The atmosphere is balmier
than in the torrid zone of Earth, by reason of the greater remoteness
of the sun; and the absence of all those insect-pests that make life
there unendurable, especially during hours of darkness. Such nights
inspire Love! Such an atmosphere makes the tender, sacred passion glow
with an intensity unknown in higher and cooler latitudes. The air
breathes it; the night-birds sing it; the fountains, in their rising
and falling cadence, echo it from grove to grove; the moons and stars,
scintillating in their ether sea of blue, excite it; even the very
flowers distil it in their ravishing perfume! Ah! 't is a wondrous
thing, this universal Love! A legacy of God, immutable, unchanging
through the unrecorded ages on every sphere where man doth dwell.
Best described as a passion of the night; as its subtle influence is
strongest under a starlit sky; for doth it not droop and languish under
the fierce light and blazing heat of day, requiring softer illuminants
and balmier air to flourish in all its beautiful intensity! No other
feeling evolved by the human mind can compare in tenderness or beauty
with that of first love. He who has not known that incomparable
joy-sorrow, knows not what it is to live; for of all the feelings
that animate the human breast it is at once the most tender, the most
pure, full of innocence, yet heavy with primordial sin, selfish, yet
generous; passionate, yet without lust; divine, yet human!
"But here my reverie in Siccoth's arbour was broken by the foot-falls
of Volinè, and in a few moments she was by my side.
"'Ah, Harry, dear; so thou art communing with thyself, or maybe with
the stars. Dost thou still cherish love for that Mother Earth, shining
so witchingly fair above thee, or for anyone that doth dwell thereon? A
woman?'
"'Nay, nay, my darling,' I answered, drawing her gently to my breast,
and planting a kiss on her lips as I spoke, 'I have no thoughts away
from you. You are the nucleus of them all, their one inspiration. I was
musing to myself on Love--ah! Volinè, even on first love; the tender
passion you, and you alone, have inspired within me. And I mused on the
exceeding beauty of this wondrous thing, and of its universality; until
your footsteps broke the thread of my reverie, and swept away the one
sorrow-cloud that tinged my bliss and transformed it into perfect joy.'
"'And what may this one cloud of sorrow be?'
"'To be separated from you, even for one hour--one moment. My heart is
yearning for the time when we may part no more--when I may proudly call
you mine; MINE for ever!'
"'But is there no one who beckoneth to thee from that star-world
yonder; no memory of one fairer in thy sight than I?'
"'Ah, darling,' I sighed, 'have I not told you that, until I saw you,
I knew not Love; and that the women of my native Earth cannot compare
with you in grace and beauty? I have but a single thought for all those
teeming millions of humanity that people yon shining star, and that one
is for the old father, who parted from me with his blessing when I left
its surface years ago.'
"'And I may never see him! Dost thou know Harry, I have great curiosity
to visit thy native world. All would seem so wondrous strange to me.'
"'And perhaps the day may yet come when I shall take my darling yonder;
for I hear from my companions that great things are being planned, and
that your royal father takes a deep interest in them. But now tell me,
dear one, if to-morrow I may take you to myself for ever? Is the morn
to bring your bridal day?'
"'Ah, thy words have stirred sad thoughts within my heart. To-morrow
thou hast promised to fight Perodii.'
"'And when the fight is over?----'
"'Why, then, if all--be--well,' she sighed, 'thou mayest have thy wish;
for then will I become thy wife,' and she hid her blushing face, and
stole yet closer into my arms.
"'Your words, dear one, make me feel happier than I can say,' and for a
few moments neither of us spoke; and only the loud, fast beating of our
own hearts broke the silence surrounding us.
"'Now, Harry, I must leave thee. I would see my father before the
evening hath passed.'
"'Then, when I see your dear face again, I may leave you no more. You
will not be present at this fray to-morrow?'
"'No, dear Harry, I could not. But I will pray for thee; and when all
is over, and thou art victorious--as I trust thou mayest be--then will
I come to bring thee thy reward. Now, fare thee well; and may all good
fortune attend thee on the morrow,' and trying bravely to conceal her
agitation and her tears, Volinè walked with me through the silver,
sheeny moonlight unto the Palace; where, with a last, sweet kiss, she
left me, and went her way.
"The night was a restless, sleepless one for me; and right gladly
I welcomed the first streaks of what was to prove one of the most
eventful days of my life. I was up with the sun, and the first person I
saw was Himos; and from him I learned particulars of the coming duel.
We were to fight with a peculiar kind of short, broad sword, in a large
arena, where combats of this description were wont to be decided. The
hour for the fray was ten; and the King had signified his intention of
being present, and acting as umpire between us. Then came Sandy--his
face absolutely beaming with delight at the prospect of a little
fighting; and with a due sense of his importance on acting as my second.
"'By bonnie Prince Charlie's memory, Mr. Graham, this is real guid
news. I hear that ye are aboot to ha' a tussel with Peerodii. De'il
tak' him, when ye ha' done wi' him, Mr. Graham, for the muckle harm he
has warked for us; and they do say that we are going to ha' a weddin',
too. Weel, weel, Sandy Cam'bell will step ye a Highland reel, if he do
it without the pipes an' a' that; an' good luck to ye an' your winsome
bride, say I; for she is a bra' fine girl, and enough to turn the heads
of a' who clap their een on her.'
"'Thanks for all your good wishes, Sandy; and should we triumph over
this rascal, you shall dance at my wedding to-night.'
"'Should we triumph, Mr. Graham. De'il a doot aboot it. He's na
fightin' sort.'
"'Well, Sandy, we shall soon know, now, whether there is any real grit
in him or not. But have you heard anything from the Doctor about this
business?' I asked, just out of curiosity.
"'Indeed, an' I have. The Doctor is powerful annoyed; and I heard him
tell Mr. Temple, only last night, that this affair bears out what he
has insisted on a' the time, that ye are daft--love daft; and it was no
guid sayin' anything to ye, for ye were bound to gang ye're ain gait.'
'"Poor old boy! Well, I hope he is in better temper to-day; for we must
have him at the wedding--that is, all being well. And now, Sandy, my
boy, hasten away and learn what you can of the arrangements made for
the fight. I am growing impatient to get it over, one way or the other.'
"'Right ye are, Mr. Graham. Sandy Cam'bell will do the best he can, for
ye ha been a guid friend to me.'
"And so saying, the blunt, yet honest Scot, took himself off in the
highest spirits, rejoicing that for one day, at least, he would be free
from the task of hunting for the Doctor's 'specimens' to engage in
duties more congenial to his tastes.
"I studiously avoided contact with either the Doctor or Temple, taking
breakfast in my own room, from which I did not stir until summoned by
the King's Marshals to accompany them to the arena. I felt in little
mood to talk until this fight was over. Just before their arrival, I
was agreeably surprised by a visit from Irolne, who brought me a single
white flower from her mistress, with the following message:
"'Wear this for Volinè's sake. She loves thee, and prays for him she
loves.'
"The arena was situated in a remote part of the Palace grounds,
entirely strange to me. We could have travelled there by one of those
wonderful 'tubes,' but I preferred to go on foot, thinking that the
walk in the morning air might do me good. This duel between Perodii
and myself had made a great sensation, not only in Edos, but in all
the cities for many leagues around, and, early as was the hour, a vast
concourse had assembled--all of noble birth, or high in station--to
witness the fight. This colossal arena was open to the sky, although
round the sides a kind of awning had been erected over the spectators,
who must have numbered quite two hundred thousand strong. In the centre
was a table on which half-a-dozen short swords were placed, and here I
saw Sandy carefully examining and testing the blades. Already the King
was seated, and by his side were Temple, the Doctor, and a few of the
highest Ministers. I stood with Himos at the entrance to the arena,
concealed from the gaze of the spectators, waiting for the proceedings
to begin; but of my antagonist I had not yet caught a glimpse. Then
Sandy came and helped me to prepare myself for the fight. This I did by
taking off hat, coat, and vest, and with shirt-sleeves rolled up above
my elbows, a scarlet sash bound tightly round my waist, I soon felt
ready, even eager, for the fray.
"We had not long to wait. First came twenty heralds into the arena, and
having sounded a mighty blast upon their instruments, a Marshal stepped
forward, and then a great silence fell as he prepared to speak.
"In a clear, ringing voice, which, owing to some marvellous system of
acoustics, must have been heard to the uttermost parts of this grand
enclosure, he said:
"'Man of Ramos, His Highness Prince Perodii being thy rival to the hand
of our gracious mistress Volinè, the King's daughter, hath called upon
thee to fight with him, so that this issue between ye may be fairly
tried by courage, strength, and the use of swords.'
"Here, followed by faithful Sandy, I walked into the centre of the
arena, bowing to the King, amidst a loud murmur of excitement and
curiosity from the surrounding throng.
"Then followed another deafening blast from the twenty heralds, and
once again the Marshal spoke:
"'Prince Perodii, this man of Ramos, thy rival to the hand of Volinè,
our mistress, hath answered unto thy challenge, and standeth ready, so
that this issue between ye may be fairly tried by courage, strength,
and the use of swords.'
"Then once more amid murmurs of excitement, mingled not a little with
applause from those who evidently were friends of my rival, Perodii,
stripped to the waist, walked proudly and confidently forward from
another entrance towards me, stopping half-a-dozen paces from where I
stood. Each looked fiercely at the other, yet neither spoke. Again a
terrible silence fell as the King rose up and said:
"'Rivals for my beloved daughter's favour, ye have met to fight,
so that the bitter enmity between ye may be closed. May God decide
which is the better man by giving him strength to overcome the other.
Let truth and honour and courage, triumph over lies and shame and
cowardice. Take ye each a weapon, and let my sitting down be the signal
for ye to begin.'
"Then we each stepped forward and took a sword; beautifully finished
weapons, about two feet in length and two inches in breadth, dagger
pointed, and keen as razors on their innermost edge.
"Each with his gleaming naked sword clasped in his right hand then
faced the other, and after a moment's pause, Perodii spoke:
"'So, at last, the hour of my vengeance hath come; and here by my right
of birth and station may I slay thee, and sweep thee from my path. Look
to it, for thy moments now are numbered.'
"'I wait for you, Perodii, and may Heaven defend the right.'
"'Keep thy holy words for thine own comfort, thou boasting, short-lived
fool; but methinks I will cut still shorter thy puny span with this,'
and as he spoke he held aloft the glittering blade.
"'You speak that of which you know nothing, Perodii. My span of life
is now as long as yours; for know you not that I have passed through
holy rites that have endowed me with a fuller measure of years? But
we waste time in profitless talk. Come, put up your sword, and defend
yourself----'
"'Hold! I see Echri's ring upon thy finger. Come, fight fairly. Take
off that cursed relic. We want none of Echri's magic here.'
"'Coward! then you fear its virtues now! Well, I have no wish to take
advantage of you. Here, Sandy, hold this ring, and take care of it
well. I would not lose it for a world'; and so saying, I slipped the
precious talisman from my finger, and turned to give it to Sandy.
"That moment nearly proved fatal to me; for, without warning, Perodii
rushed forward and made a terrible thrust at my unguarded body. But
Sandy was too quick for him, and putting out his foot, he threw the
Prince headlong.
"'Na, na, Mr. Perodii, none o' that here. Ye've got to fight fair and
square, and not tak' a mon unawares.'
"'Coward!' I shouted. 'Get up and defend yourself, or my indignation
may prompt me to slay you where you are.'
"But Perodii, without another word, jumped to his feet again and
attacked me with fury. Our swords flashed like silver in the sunlight
as we parried each other's blows and thrusts, Perodii trying his best
to strike me, I acting on the defensive, having decided to bide my time
until the first frenzy of his attack was spent. Not a sound was heard
save the clashing of swords, and our deep-drawn breaths. Then Perodii,
in one of his mad onslaughts, slipped and nearly fell, but recovered
himself before I had time to drive in a blow; yet a thrilling sigh of
excitement burst from the crowd, who thought that all was over. Again
we drew back, panting for breath, and burning with desire to slay each
other. Again with eyes sparkling in anger we closed, and once more the
flashing, clanging swords sang the song of our hatred. Perodii was
skilled in the use of his weapon, and fought hard, but I think his
courage was only the outcome of his deadly hate, which had worked him
up into an uncontrollable rage. At last I clumsily gave him his chance,
and was too late completely to parry one of his fierce strokes. His
blade glanced off my own, and inflicted a deep, stinging cut in my arm.
Amidst my pain I heard cries of concern from the Doctor and Temple, as
each jumped to their feet; but the King sat calmly looking on. Then we
drew back and stood panting until Sandy had deftly and quickly bound up
my wound, saying:
"'Gang in again, Mr. Graham, he's getting spent; besides, your wound
will stiffen if ye do not keep your arm at wark.'
"Again we closed; and stung to desperation by my smarting wound, and
thoughts of her who lonely and sadly was praying for me, and whose
blood-stained flower still clung, ragged and drooping, to my heart, I
fought and fought like one possessed, driving my antagonist back inch
by inch, step by step, and forcing him to defend himself rather than
to attack me. At last my opportunity came, and, with a rapid twisting
stroke, I wrenched his blade from his hand and sent it spinning and
gleaming into the air, amid a roar of excitement from the onlookers.
But before I could recover myself he closed with me, and then began
a wild, terrible struggle for life. Soon we rolled to the ground
together, and first one and then the other was uppermost and had a
transient advantage. Then we got on to our feet again, struggling
one against the other, swaying now to this side, now to that, until
I clasped him round the waist, and summoning all my strength for one
mighty effort, I bent him nearly double as I would a reed, and hurled
him limp and helpless over my head! Quick as lightning I ran and seized
my sword, and before Perodii could recover or attempt to rise, my foot
was planted on his breast, and my notched and gleaming sword held high
over his throat.
"'God,' I cried, 'has given you into my power; and now will I justly
avenge all the insults you have heaped on me and mine, and wipe out the
wrongs you have done the woman I love!'
"Here Volinè entered, and sat down by her father's side, pale and
trembling, and with tears starting down her lovely cheeks.
"'Mercy, as thou hopest for the same,' Perodii whined in fear, now
thoroughly cowed, and all the fight and courage knocked out of him by
that last, terrible fall.
"'Mercy! What mercy would you have shown me were I in your place?
However, if mercy you really crave, buy your miserable, worthless life
by answering what I ask of you,' I shouted, withdrawing my foot and
letting him rise. 'Now, say that you lied when you conspired against
Kios, and worked his disgrace and banishment to Pamax.'
"'What know ye of Kios?'
"'Speak the words that clear his name, or die,' I thundered.
"'Then, in this, I admit that I swore falsely, and conspired to ruin
an--innocent--man.'
"'Further; you know full well the rest.'
"'And that I did this thing to save myself from his just wrath, having
ruined his only child,' he continued, amidst a growing storm of
indignation.
"'Now will we speak of Volinè; she whom you have so foully wronged and
slandered. Say that you lied in the Hall of Judgment, and to the King.
Say that Volinè's honour is as untarnished as the mountain snow.'
"'Never!' he hissed. 'Thou hast humbled me enough. Curse thee!'
"'I am not here to parley. Say this. By the great God, you shall say it
on your bended knees, or my sword shall sheath itself in your heart,'
I shouted, waxing wroth as I thought of my darling's undeserved
disgrace from the mouth of this scoundrel.
"'My words were lies,' he hissed rather than spoke, as he sank upon,
his knees, forced thereto at the point of my naked sword; and a look
of malignant hatred stole over his face, as he glared at me with his
bloodshot, glittering eyes in impotent rage, like some wild-beast
helpless in the hunter's toils.
"'Now take yourself away, and never again molest me or mine, or dare to
meddle with affairs that do not concern you. I stay me from wetting my
hands in blood upon this, my wedding morn--Volinè's nuptial day shall
not be one of bloodshed, but stainless and happy as my bonny bride
herself. Now, get you gone while the spirit of my mercy lingers--go,
and dare not to cross my path again,' and, amidst shouts of derision
and anger, the vanquished Prince left the arena, and we saw him no more.
"Then the heralds stepped forward again, and blew another blast; and
the Marshal commanded silence for the King to speak. He rose from his
daughter's side, looking supremely pleased and gratified, and said:
"'Man of Ramos, thou hast fought fairly and valiantly, and shown mercy
to a vanquished foe, which doth thee great honour. Thou hast answered
thy rival's challenge as only a brave man couldst; and now most freely
do I give thee my daughter to wife. She shall dower thee ten thousand
times more handsomely than any woman of the star-world, Ramos, thou
hast lately left.'
"'And her husband shall not be penniless, for I hereby promise him
the sum of fifty thousand pounds sterling, as soon as communication
is again established between Gathma and Earth, and he may be able to
present my cheque for that amount,' said Temple, jumping to his feet in
excitement.
"'There are riches here enough for both; but still I admire the spirit
that hath prompted thee to make that remark,' the King answered,
smiling. 'Now let the day that dawned on strife and battle set on love
and peace, for my daughter tells me she hath set the remainder thereof
apart for a bridal feast.'
"Then a great, loud shout went up from the assembled throng, and the
heralds played a song of victory upon their brazen instruments, as
I stood blood-stained and ragged from the fray before the King, the
observed of every eye.
"'Oh, King! I crave one more act of royal grace. Let worthy Kios,
disgraced and wronged without cause, find place again in royal favour;
and I would also ask that brave and gallant Kaosp, a captain in your
guard, be freed from captivity and restored to place. Both these men
owe their downfall to the cunning and the knavery of Perodii.'
"''Tis but justice what thou hast asked, and it shall be done.'
"Then, bowing low to the King and Volinè, I withdrew to put myself in
better array. Temple also came, and was congratulating me heartily on
my victory, when the Doctor made his appearance.
"'Well, Graham,' he began, holding out his hand, 'it did my old heart
good to see how you thrashed that villain. So the poor _Sirius_
is avenged; for this public disgrace to such a man as Perodii is a
terrible punishment. Well done, my friend! But let us see your injury.
Ah! merely a flesh wound; deep, but not dangerous, and will soon heal.'
"'But, Doctor, I thought I was too deep in your disfavour ever to win
any expressions of approval from you again,' I retorted.
"'There, there, Graham, let all differences of opinion be put aside
to-day. I am apt to speak hastily; and old men, with life behind them,
are often too prone to judge the actions of younger men by their own
experience. I withdraw all I have said, and wish, yes, heartily wish,
her and you every happiness. I have too lively a recollection of your
great assistance to my project, both on Earth and during our journey
hither, to grudge you the happiness you have tried so hard to win, and
on which it is evident your heart is fixed. Although my sentiments
regarding women in general may never alter, I shall certainly make an
exception in favour of the wondrous fair lady who is so soon to become
your wife. But mind, Graham, this is the only exception I ever made
during my life's experience of the sex that is as frail as it is fair.'
"'Well and rightly spoken, Doctor,' broke in Temple. 'To-day, of all
others, is a most opportune one to express such opinions. As you say,
we owe a good deal to Graham; and I am sure we all wish him joy and
continued happiness.'
"'I thank you, Doctor, and you, too, Mr. Temple, for your kindly words,
especially for those that relate to the girl I am about to wed. Now,
I am sure you will excuse me; for my place is by her side, after the
hours of suspense she has suffered, since she knew of this fight with
Perodii. We shall meet again, I hope, a little later on, when, perhaps,
I may have the happiness of being supported at the coming ceremony by
two such old and trusty friends.'
"'That you may,' answered the Doctor and Temple together, as I hastened
to Volinè, eager to rejoin my darling, and to soothe her fears away."