starting up. "Is it of Liola
that thou bearest news?"

"Alas! no. That she was murdered in the first moments of the conflict is
only too certain," he answered. "The news I bring thee is amazing. While
we were engaged in the struggle for thy throne, thine enemies, the people
of Samory, entered the city and fought side by side with the military!"

"Samory's people here!" we all three cried, starting up.

"They were, but they have departed no one knows whither. Their numbers
were not great, but they sacked and burned several large buildings near
the city-gate and fought desperately to join their allies the troops of
Mo, but were at last prevented and driven back by the people in a fierce
bloody conflict that actually occurred after thou wert enthroned."

Then I remembered having noticed the smoke of the encounter, and how with
others, I had been puzzled.

"But how could they enter our country, and unseen approach the city?"
Omar exclaimed astounded.

"I know not the intricacies of the approaches to Mo save the perilous Way
of the Thousand Steps," Kona replied. "The force may have been the
rear-guard of the army that attacked Mo, and were defeated in the great
chasm known as the Grave of Enemies. If they approached by that means
they must have followed closely in our footsteps, and through the
treachery of spies, been admitted to the city at a time when the
alertness of the guards was diverted by the popular rising."

"Were their losses great in the fight?" Goliba asked.

"Terrible. Whole streets and market-places in the vicinity of the
entrance to the city were found strewn with their dead," the black giant
answered. "Apparently the people discovered the identity of their enemies
and took no prisoners. With the exception of about two hundred survivors
all were killed."

"And the survivors have escaped!" Omar observed thoughtfully.

"Yes. Owing to the lax watch kept at the gate during those momentous
hours, they were enabled to descend the steps to the plain and get clear
away."

"They must nevertheless be still in Mo. They must be found," Omar cried
excitedly. "While they are among us our country will be in jeopardy, for
they will act as spies. Samory hath set his mind upon conquering this our
land; his plot must be frustrated."

"Already have I given orders for a search from the land's most northerly
limits even to the Grave of Enemies, O Master," Kona answered. "All the
men who could be spared from guarding