es them strong and wise. The
next one will be given to sixty of the men who carry swords."

"And the next after that?"

"To more of the swordsmen; and so on until they all have had some, and
then the common people will be taken in like rotation, but given a
smaller allowance."

At this juncture, a strange procession moved from the king's house. It
was led by two priests chanting dolefully; behind them walked four men,
armed with curious implements--flails, no doubt. Then came four
warriors, and behind them, firmly bound and completely naked, walked my
young friend, Arthur; after him came six warriors. Arthur's white skin
showed in strong contrast to that of the brown men around him. His face
was very pale, and his eyes, staring wide, swept a quick glance around
for a stray hope.

The group stopped in front of the king; the natives faced and made an
obeisance and awaited further orders. Before all this had been done, a
man in front of me said to another:

"Those hot stones will cool, I fear."

"There is no danger; they will keep their heat a long time. If they
were too hot, they would burn it."

"True."

"They are much too hot now, but it will be some time before they will
be needed."

"Will they use the sword first, as they did with those who had the
jewelry?"

"No; the best part then was spilled. This is a new idea of the king's.
The flails will do just as well and will make it very tender besides.
Our king is a wise man."

By this time young Arthur (the king having given his order) was
surrounded by the armed men, and between him and them were the four who
carried flails. His hands had been bound to a strong post sunk in the
ground. The king raised his hand as a signal, and the four men brought
down their flails with moderate force upon Arthur's naked body. These
implements were heavy, and evidently care was taken not to break the
skin. When the poor fellow felt the blows, he shrank and quivered, but
uttered no sound. They fell again.

What was I doing all this time? What was I thinking? I do not know; but
when the second blows had been delivered and Arthur had cried out in
his agony, I sprang through the encircling line of savages, dashed into
the midst of the group surrounding the prisoner, snatched a sword from
a warrior, leaped upon the king and split his head in twain, turned,
cut Arthur's bonds, caught him by the hand, and fled at full speed with
him into the darkness. Never had been a surprise