the sons of earth. Ye shall tell me
from time to time what the peace and sincerity of my throne requireth
from me, for human prudence alone is far too weak to fight against the
wiles of the deceitful."

I stood beside the royal seat, deep in thought, silently gazing upon the
thousand upturned, grimy faces. It had indeed been a curious turn of
events that had conspired to place my friend upon the throne of an
autocrat, and also to give, into my own unaccustomed hands, the rule and
control of this most magnificent and extensive capital, and all the
wondrous treasures of the royal house of the Sanoms.

CHAPTER XXIX.

A MYSTERY.

FROM the glittering Hall of Audience a forward movement was soon made to
the inner rooms that formed the private apartments of the Naya. Carried
onward by the press of people, I was amazed at the magnificence and
luxury everywhere apparent. The walls were mostly of polished marble
inlaid with gold and adorned with frescoes, the ceilings ornamented with
strange allegorical paintings, and the floors of jasper and alabaster.
But as the irate crowd dashed onward through the great tenantless
chambers they tore down the rich silk hangings and trod them underfoot,
broke up the tiny gold-inlaid tables, and out of sheer wantonness hacked
the soft divans with their swords.

The discovery that the Naya had fled increased the indignation of the
mob, and were it not for the urgent appeal of Kona, who had at once
assumed the commandership, the whole of the magnificent rooms would no
doubt have been wrecked. As it was, however, the good counsels of the
Dagomba head-man prevailed, and wanton hands were stayed from committing
more serious excesses.

Whither the Great White Queen had fled no one knew. To every nook and
corner search parties penetrated; even the sleeping apartment, with its
massive bed of ivory and hangings of purple, gold-embroidered satin, was
not held sacred. Yet nowhere could the once-dreaded ruler be discovered.
Some cried that she had escaped into the city in the guise of a slave,
others that she had descended into the cavern where stood the gigantic
Temple of Zomara.

Another fact puzzled us greatly. From our elevated position we could see
afar off a fierce conflict proceeding near the city gate on that side
where access could be gained only by the steep flight of steps. Once,
when I had looked, I saw that the city was comparatively quiet; now,
however, this conflict had broke