m, from this moment, under his
sceptre, the leader of the army.

"Hail, Timuso! To him let us swear allegiance! To him, let us swear
eternal loyalty! Him, let us all hereafter obey!"

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIV.

THE AUTHOR BECOMES A MONARCH UNDER THE GROUND.

When my speech was ended, they all cried out with loud voices: "We will
have Pikil-Su, for emperor." When I heard this, I became terrified, and
begged them, with tears in my eyes, not to forget the fidelity and duty
they owed to the imperial family. But my words were of no use. They all
approached me, and placed the crown upon my head, repeating the
above-mentioned exclamation. I was then carried from the tent and
proclaimed before the whole army, emperor of Quama, king of Tanaqui,
Arctonia and Alectoria, and duke of Kispusianania. Afterwards we made a
triumphal entry into the capital, where prince Timuso, himself
acknowledged me for emperor. Thus, from a miserable, shipwrecked wretch,
I became a great and powerful monarch. I soon married the daughter of
the deceased emperor, for the people still loved and honored the old
royal family. This princess was named Ralac, and

Bloomed, like the new-blown rose
In mellowed, purple-smile.

when I had reduced to order the affairs of the empire, and firmly
established myself on the throne, I thought of new means, by which I
might extend my dominions, and render my power fearful to the whole
subterranean world. I turned my attention to a navy, and soon had a
fleet of twenty ships on the sea.

I soon came to regard myself an under-ground Alexander; and determined
to make myself as famous as he had on our globe. I concluded to sail
first for Mezendore and thence to Martinia. We set sail at that period
of the year, when the planet Nazar is of the middle size, and in a few
days came in sight of the Mezendoric coast.

I immediately sent ambassadors to the imperial residence, of whom was
demanded in the name of the emperor,

"What their purpose; whence they came
Over the foaming billows of the swelling main."

The ambassadors answered:

"Neither misleading stars, deluding winds nor storm
Here brought us; with voluntary will we steered."

and thereupon delivered to the emperor a letter of the following
contents:

"We, Niels Klim, ambassador of the sun, emperor in Quama,
king of Tanaqui, Arctonia, and Alectoria, and duke of
Kispusianania, salute the