ting as one. But now we must be wise
and silent, for the Turk is once again at our gates. Alas! the cause of
his former coming may not be, for she whose beauty and nobility and whose
place in our nation and in our hearts tempted him to fraud and violence
is not with us to share even our anxiety."

Here his voice broke, and there arose from all a deep wailing sound,
which rose and rose till the woods around us seemed broken by a mighty
and long-sustained sob. The orator saw that his purpose was
accomplished, and with a short sentence finished his harangue: "But the
need of our nation still remains!" Then, with an eloquent gesture to me
to proceed, he merged in the crowd and disappeared.

How could I even attempt to follow such a speaker with any hope of
success? I simply told them what I had already done in the way of help,
saying:

"As you needed arms, I have got them. My agent sends me word through the
code between us that he has procured for me--for us--fifty thousand of
the newest-pattern rifles, the French Ingis-Malbron, which has surpassed
all others, and sufficient ammunition to last for a year of war. The
first section is in hand, and will soon be ready for consignment. There
are other war materials, too, which, when they arrive, will enable every
man and woman--even the children--of our land to take a part in its
defence should such be needed. My brothers, I am with you in all things,
for good or ill!"

It made me very proud to hear the mighty shout which arose. I had felt
exalted before, but now this personal development almost unmanned me. I
was glad of the long-sustained applause to recover my self-control.

I was quite satisfied that the meeting did not want to hear any other
speaker, for they began to melt away without any formal notification
having been given. I doubt if there will be another meeting soon again.
The weather has begun to break, and we are in for another spell of rain.
It is disagreeable, of course; but it has its own charm. It was during a
spell of wet weather that the Lady of the Shroud came to me. Perhaps the
rain may bring her again. I hope so, with all my soul.

RUPERT'S JOURNAL--_Continued_.

_April_ 23, 1907.

The rain has continued for four whole days and nights, and the low-lying
ground is like a quagmire in places. In the sunlight the whole mountains
glisten with running streams and falling water