did not attempt to wander in the
passages, where we must inevitably lose our way, we might ere long ascend
to the city and commence the campaign against the cruel command of the
merciless Naya.

Through eleven long and dreary days we remained in the narrow cell,
drawing our water from a spring that gushed forth from a rock close to
the door, existing on the smallest quantity of food, and scarce daring to
speak aloud lest any of the gaolers should overhear. By day a faint light
came through a narrow chink above, and from the fact that the steady
tramp of soldiers sounded overhead at intervals we concluded that the
chamber must be situated immediately below one of the courtyards of the
palace. At night, however, we remained in perfect darkness, our oil
having been exhausted during the first few hours. Thus we could only
remain sitting on the stone bench like prisoners, inactive, discussing
the probabilities of the serious movement that had been started in favour
of a change of rule.

"The people apparently look to me as their rescuer from this oppression,"
Omar observed one day when we were laying plans for the future. "I will,
if Zomara favours me, do my best."

"It is but right; nay, it is your duty towards your subjects to preserve
the traditions of the Sanoms," I said. "Goliba was right when he promised
he would show us the horrors introduced into Mo, or resuscitated by the
present Naya. We have witnessed with our own eyes expressions of pleasure
cross her countenance as each batch of her subjects cast themselves into
those yawning jaws. Such a monarch, capable of any cruelty, must
necessarily rule unjustly, and should be overthrown or killed."

"I do not desire her death," he said quickly. "All I intend to do is to
free our people from this hateful reign of terror, and at the same time
preserve my mother's life."

"But the time she gave us to quit the country has elapsed," I observed.
"If we are now discovered we shall either be held as slaves, or treated
without mercy--offered as sacrifices to the Crocodile-god, perhaps."

"Not while the people are in our favour," he said. "Once their adherence
to my cause has been tested then we have nought further to fear, for the
opinion of the populace will be found even of greater power than the
military, and in the end it must prevail."

"In the fight that must ensue thou wilt find thy servant Kona at thy
side," the head-man said. "Through fire or across water the Dagom