of age, with deep-set flashing eyes, hooked
nose, and a flowing, grizzled beard. The collar of gold about his neck
showed that his rank was high, but when we noticed a second ornament
of gold, also upon his brow, we knew that it must be supreme. For this
ornament was nothing less than the symbol of royalty, once worn by the
ancient Pharaohs of Egypt, the double snakes of the _uraeus_ bending
forward as though to strike, which, as we had seen, rose also from the
brow of the lion-headed sphinx of Harmac.

As he uncovered, his two companions leapt to the ground and prostrated
themselves before him, crying, "Barung! Barung!" while all three of us
Englishmen saluted, involuntarily, I think, and even the Child of Kings
bowed.

The Sultan acknowledged our greetings by raising his spear. Then he
spoke in a grave measured voice:

"O Walda Nagasta, and you, white men, sons of great fathers, I have
listened to the talk between you and my servants; I confirm their words
and I add to them. I am sorry that my generals tried to kill you last
night. I was making prayer to my god, or it should not have happened. I
have been well repaid for that deed, since an army should not make war
upon four men, even though by their secret power four men can defeat an
army. I beseech you, and you also, Rose of Mur, to accept my proffered
friendship, since otherwise, ere long, you will soon be dead, and your
wisdom will perish with you for I am weary of this little war against a
handful whom we despise.

"O Walda Nagasta, you have breathed threats against the Majesty of
Harmac, but he is too strong for you, nor may the might that can turn a
few bricks to dust and shatter the bones of men prevail against him who
is shaped from the heart of a mountain and holds the spirit of eternity.
So at least I think: but even if it is decreed otherwise, what will that
avail you? If it should please the god to leave us because of your arts,
the Fung will still remain to avenge him ere they follow. Then I swear
to you by my majesty and by the bones of my ancestors who sit in the
caves of Mur, that I will spare but one of the Abati Jews, yourself, O
Child of Kings, because of your great heart, and the three white men,
your guests, should they survive the battle, because of their courage
and their wisdom. As for their brother, Black Windows, whom I have
captured, he must be sacrificed, since I have sworn it, unless you
yield, when I will plead for his life to the