his
companions, he will never return, but flee over the mountains to his own
country."

"A trivial mistake, my daughter," said the patriot; "his country would
lie in an opposite direction."

"But could he not change his course?" asked the half-offended daughter.

"Yea, verily, my child, if he should find that he was in the wrong path;
peradventure, this would constitute his first business."

"I can hardly hope for such a happy result, sister," said Shagoth. "The
conniving demagogue will cling to his office until compelled by a
stringent law to abandon it."

"Before many days, the Rab Mag will return," said the erect promenader.
"And will not the king ere long set apart another day for the public
worship of the gods? And if this foreign pretender escapes now, justice
will overtake him then. The vengeance of our deities will not always
slumber, and these worshipers of other gods shall soon know that the best
offices in our government and the best interests of our beloved country
are not to be entrusted to a horde of superstitious foreigners. O my
country! Sons! let me caution you again to be on the watch for these
three rulers. They hold important offices, and such a favorable
opportunity is not to be lightly regarded. O my country, my country!"

. . . . . . .

The day appointed for the dedication of the great image at last arrived.
Its ushering in was hailed by the populace with universal enthusiasm,
marked by shouts of rejoicing. The day was fair and beautiful. No
threatening cloud was visible in the heavens. The metropolis, at a very
early stage, presented one grand scene of activity and preparation. The
soldiery were out by thousands, their glittering panoply dazzling in the
clear sunbeams. Officers of all grades hurried to and fro with excitement
visible on their countenances. Those swarming thousands were evidently
expecting some signal, at which they were ready to march. The word of
command was at last given, and the multitude moved forward.

Onward the mighty concourse moved through the principal thoroughfares,
amid the ringing of bells, the blasts of trumpets, and the waving of
banners, until they arrived in a spacious square in front of the royal
palace. Here they halted.

At last, the massive portals were thrown open, and the king, in a
magnificent chariot, surrounded by an imposing guard, made his
appearance. He waved his hand in the direction of the m