bas will
follow thee, for their fetish is good, and they have faith in thee as
leader."

"Yea, O friend," the young prince answered. "Without thee and thy
followers I could never have returned hither. I owe everything to thee,
and to the stout heart of our companion Scarsmere."

"No, old fellow," I protested. "It is your own dogged courage that has
pulled us through so far, not mine. Up to the present all has gone well
with us except the deplorable loss of some of our dark companions,
therefore let us retain our light hearts and meet all obstacles with
smiles."

"I am ready to lead the people against the forces of malice and
oppression at any moment Goliba commands," Omar answered. "No thought of
fear shall arrest my footsteps or stay my hand."

Times without number we discussed the situation in similar strain, until,
on the eleventh day of our voluntary confinement we were startled by a
low tapping on the door.

Each held his breath. Had it been Goliba he would have entered without
any such formality. In silence, we remained listening.

Again the tapping was repeated, louder than before. Drawing our knives
ready to defend ourselves, believing it to be one of the Naya's gaolers,
Kona went forward, unbolted the door and opening it a few inches, weapon
in hand, peered out.

Instantly an exclamation of surprise escaped him, and as he threw wide
open the door, a young girl of about seventeen, with a face more
beautiful than I had ever before seen, entered our cell. This vision of
feminine loveliness entranced us. We all three stood staring at her
open-mouthed.

Dressed in a robe of rich blue silk heavily embroidered with gold, her
waist was confined by a golden girdle wherein were set some magnificent
rubies, and her feet were encased in tiny slippers of pale green leather
embroidered with seed pearls. Her face, slightly flushed in confusion at
finding herself in the presence of the Prince, was pale of complexion as
my own, her clear eyes a deep blue, her cheeks dimpled, her chin just
sufficiently pointed to give a touch of piquancy to a decidedly handsome
countenance. Her hair, of almost flaxen fairness, fell in profusion about
her shoulders and breast, almost hiding the necklets of gold and gems
encircling her slim throat.

Little wonder then was it that Kona's black visage should broaden into a
wide grin in manner habitual when his eyes fell upon anything that
pleased him, or that I should regard her as a mos