d the arrest of
Lyone at her palace, Tanje, and has confined her in the
fortress Calnogor as hostage for the good behavior of the
people. He has threatened to put Lyone to death in case her
followers attempt any hostile demonstrations against the
king's authority. We of Egyplosis are committed to the
cause of Her Majesty Lyone, Queen of Atvatabar!

HUSHNOLY."

This was most alarming news! While we had been feasting in inglorious
ease our queen had been arrested and imprisoned! The time for action
had come.

Ere we could deliberate on the best course to pursue, a second message
from Hushnoly arrived, stating that the king, hearing of the outbreak
in Egyplosis, had ordered Coltonobory, the commander-in-chief, to
proceed with his wayleals to Egyplosis, to capture Hushnoly and
disband his followers. This being an open declaration of war, had
precipitated a civil struggle, and the armies both of the king and
queen were being recruited with great excitement on both sides. As for
Kioram, that city had declared for our cause, and the governor was
overjoyed to know that the victory of the _Polar King_ had resulted in
the entire fleet espousing the cause of Lyone.

I questioned Governor Ladalmir on the strength and equipment of both
the king's forces and those willing to support Lyone, and the
probabilities of our cause being successful.

He informed me that the king already commanded an army of half a
million men, composed two-thirds of wayleals and one-third
bockhockids, or flying cavalry, armed with swords, shields and spears
of deadly power. The adherents of Lyone numbered already one hundred
thousand men, who had also proclaimed her queen of Atvatabar,
including five thousand amazons from Egyplosis, who would fight for
their late goddess to the death, all similarly armed.

"The future is doubtful," said the governor; "but with your aid we may
well hope for success. I congratulate you on your splendid victory,
which is already known throughout the kingdom, and will increase our
forces to two hundred and fifty thousand men. It will cheer the heart
of our late goddess to know that she also already possesses a powerful
fleet."

"Do you consider the queen in any immediate danger at the hands of the
king or government?" I inquired.

"Well," said the governor, "at the present stage of affairs it is
difficult to think that either king or Bor