tter, and stood by respectfully
whilst I broke the seal and read it. It was written in great haste, and
signed by the Vladika.

"Come with us now in our nation's peril. Help us to rescue what we most
adore, and henceforth we shall hold you in our hearts. You shall learn
how the men of the Blue Mountains can love faith and valour. Come!"

This was a task indeed--a duty worthy of any man. It thrilled me to the
core to know that the men of the Blue Mountains had called on me in their
dire need. It woke all the fighting instinct of my Viking forbears, and
I vowed in my heart that they should be satisfied with my work. I called
to me the corps of signallers who were in the house, and led them to the
Castle roof, taking with me the young messenger-priest.

"Come with me," I said to him, "and see how I answer the Vladika's
command."

The National flag was run up--the established signal that the nation was
in need. Instantly on every summit near and far was seen the flutter of
an answering flag. Quickly followed the signal that commanded the call
to arms.

One by one I gave the signallers orders in quick succession, for the plan
of search unfolded itself to me as I went on. The arms of the semaphore
whirled in a way that made the young priest stare. One by one, as they
took their orders, the signallers seemed to catch fire. Instinctively
they understood the plan, and worked like demigods. They knew that so
widespread a movement had its best chance in rapidity and in unity of
action.

From the forest which lay in sight of the Castle came a wild cheering,
which seemed to interpret the former stillness of the hills. It was good
to feel that those who saw the signals--types of many--were ready. I saw
the look of expectation on the face of the messenger-priest, and rejoiced
at the glow that came as I turned to him to speak. Of course, he wanted
to know something of what was going on. I saw the flashing of my own
eyes reflected in his as I spoke:

"Tell the Vladika that within a minute of his message being read the Land
of the Blue Mountains was awake. The mountaineers are already marching,
and before the sun is high there will be a line of guards within hail of
each other round the whole frontier--from Angusa to Ilsin; from Ilsin to
Bajana; from Bajana to Ispazar; from Ispazar to Volok; from Volok to
Tatra; from Tatra to Domitan; from Domitan to Gravaja; and from Gravaja
back to Angusa. The line is double.