l
clasping hands, they began picking their way down among the bowlders to
the spot where they had left their canoe a short time before.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE PURSUERS.

Haffgo, king of the Murhapas, intended to keep his promise to Ziffak,
so far as permitting the explorers to remain in his village until the
morrow, at which time he intended that the men should be allowed to go
in safety.

But the barbarian was very similar to some of us whose resentment grows
with reflection. When he recalled the admiring glances of the handsome
young member of the company towards his beloved Ariel, his anger became
intense, fanned by the strong suspicion that the princess herself felt
some interest in the stranger.

At this critical time, Waggaman put in an appearance. The ruffian was
shrewd enough to see his opportunity, and it took him but a few minutes
to rouse him to the exploding point. He determined that every one of
the whites should die, and he ordered the assault which has already
been described.

As has been explained, the king kept within his home, while the attack
was under way; but since he resided adjoining the structure which was
assaulted, he was aware of every phase of the progress.

His rage has been hinted at because of the repulse of his warriors
directly under his own eyes; but when he came to learn that the youth
against whom his resentment burned so hotly was not within the
building; that the two who had fought so bravely had escaped with their
native helpers; that his own daughter the princess was absent; that she
had been seen fleeing with the white youth in the direction of the
enchanted lake:--when all this became known to the ruler, it may be
said that his fury was such that no language could do it justice. It
is not impossible that the despot felt thus himself, for, without
pausing to give utterance to a few of his imaginings, he made instant
preparations to follow the couple to the region which he never
permitted a white man to look upon.

A native woman had seen the princess pass up the side of the river,
followed a few minutes later by the young man. Her curiosity led her
to watch them. She saw the two meet and stand for some time in loving
converse. Then one of the white men stole behind them and was about to
fire his dreadful weapon, when Ziffak hurled his terrible javelin which
pinned him to the ground. Then the native woman hastened to the palace
to tell the news, but she cou