strengthening our defences, to preparing so far as
preparation was possible for the position in which we find
ourselves to-day. Althea Pass is almost impregnable. I do
not believe that the Turks will ever pass alive through the
Moranian defiles. Here it is that the final struggle must
take place. It is you, my soldiers, who must bear the great
burden of the fighting. The place of honour is yours, and
the place of honour may be the place of death. It is meet
therefore that I, your King, should be with you. I have
therefore decided to take over the supreme command from your
valiant and respected leader, General Dartnoff, and to lead
you personally into battle. With God's help and your valour
I have every trust and every hope in the future. I need not
remind you that our cause is just and great. We fight for
our homes--I for my palace, you for your homesteads--as
brothers together. We fight for our freedom, for our
womenkind, and the freedom of those who are to come after
us. For my part I pledge myself to this. There shall be no
submission on terms that I will ever accept save those which
leave Theos as free in the future as it is to-day. For your
part I ask you only to quit yourselves like the Thetians of
old, to believe in me and obey, to remember always that God
is with the weak, and He will surely protect us. Strike
hard, obey unflinchingly, and if the whispers of treason
should reach your ears scorn it as did those others who have
fought before you. Do this, and I will lead you to victory."

At dawn a single horseman, attended by a small escort, galloped down
from the shed where the light railway from Theos ended. General
Dartnoff and a little group of officers stood in front of the former's
quarters.

"It is Reist at last," one exclaimed.

But the General shook his head.

"It is the King," he declared. "See he is riding his own horse."

The old battle-cry rang like music in the King's ears as he galloped
down the lines. He was fair to look upon in the faint early sunlight,
bronzed and manly, a born soldier with a dash of the enthusiast. The
men, fresh from reading his proclamation, welcomed him with thunderous
cheers. Their shouts rose to the skies, and Ughtred breathed more
freely. For these were Reist's men, and it was Reist's place which he
must fill.

"Your Majesty is welcome to