ked towards Juanna and sighed.

Leonard sat down and was silent, but many a time both then and in
after-days did he wonder at the nobleness of mind of this savage king,
which enabled him, under circumstances so cruel, to conquer his own
passion and show himself willing to lay down life and throne together,
that he might carry out his vow to protect the woman who had brought him
so much pain and now left him for ever with his successful rival.

At length, looking at the mountain peak above them, they saw its snows
begin to blush red with the coming of the dawn, and just then also they
heard many voices talking within the tunnel, and caught glimpses of
lights flashing through the openings in their rude fortifications. The
priests, who no doubt had been delayed by the procuring of the timbers
which were to serve as battering-rams, and the labour necessary to drag
them up the steep incline of the tunnel, had returned, and in force. A
few more minutes and a succession of dull thuds on the further side of
the ice wall told the little band of defenders that their enemies were
at work.

"The light grows quickly, Deliverer," said Olfan quietly; "I think that
now you may begin to ascend the mountain and take no harm."

"What shall we do with this man?" asked Leonard, pointing to Nam.

"Kill him," said Otter.

"No, not yet awhile," answered Olfan. "Take this," and he handed Leonard
the spear of the third captain, who had left it when he started down the
mountain, fearing that it might encumber him, "and drive him along with
you at its point. Should we be overpowered, you may buy your lives as
the price of his. But should we hold them back and you escape, then do
with him what you will."

"I know well what I would do," muttered Otter, glowering at the priest.

"And now, farewell," went on Olfan in the same calm voice. "Bring more
ice, comrades, or stone if you can see any; the wall cracks."

Leonard and Otter wrung the king's hand in silence, but Juanna could
not leave him thus, for her heart was melted at the thought of all his
goodness.

"Forgive me," she murmured, "that I have brought you grief, and, as I
fear, death to follow grief."

"The grief you could not help, Queen, and be sure I shall welcome death
if he should choose me. Go now, and happiness go with you. May you
escape in safety with the bright pebbles which you desire! May you and
your husband, the Deliverer, be blessed for many years in each other's
love