7
　　Westoodthere，groupedaboutthebodyofthedeadGrabritin，lookingfutilelydowntherivertowhereitmadeanabruptcurvetothewest，aquarterofamilebelowus，andwaslosttosight，asthoughweexpectedtoseethetruantreturningtouswithourpreciouslaunch——thethingthatmeantlifeordeathtousinthisunfriendly，savageworld。
　　Ifelt，ratherthansaw，Taylorturnhiseyesslowlytowardmyprofile，and，asmineswungtomeetthem，theexpressionuponhisfacerecalledmetomydutyandresponsibilityasanofficer。
　　TheutterhopelessnessthatwasreflectedinhisfacemusthavebeenthecounterpartofwhatImyselffelt，butinthatbriefinstantIdeterminedtohidemyownmisgivingsthatI
　　mightbolsterupthecourageoftheothers。
　　"Wearelost！"waswrittenasplainlyuponTaylor’sfaceasthoughhisfeaturesweretheprintedwordsuponanopenbook。Hewasthinkingofthelaunch，andofthelaunchalone。WasI？ItriedtothinkthatIwas。Butagreatergriefthanthelossofthelaunchcouldhaveengenderedinme，filledmyheart——asullen，gnawingmiserywhichItriedtodeny——whichIrefusedtoadmit——butwhichpersistedinobsessingmeuntilmyheartroseandfilledmythroat，andI
　　couldnotspeakwhenIwouldhaveutteredwordsofreassurancetomycompanions。
　　Andthenragecametomyrelief——rageagainsttheviletraitorwhohaddesertedthreeofhisfellowcountrymeninsofrightfulaposition。Itriedtofeelanequalrageagainstthewoman，butsomehowIcouldnot，andkeptsearchingforexcusesforher——heryouth，herinexperience，hersavagery。
　　Myrisingangersweptawaymytemporaryhelplessness。I
　　smiled，andtoldTaylornottolooksoglum。
　　"Wewillfollowthem，"Isaid，"andthechancesarethatweshallovertakethem。TheywillnottravelasrapidlyasSniderprobablyhopes。Hewillbeforcedtohaltforfuelandforfood，andthelaunchmustfollowthewindingsoftheriver;wecantakeshortcutswhiletheyaretraversingthedetour。Ihavemymap——thankGod！Ialwayscarryituponmyperson——andwiththatandthecompasswewillhaveanadvantageoverthem。"
　　Mywordsseemedtocheerthemboth，andtheywereforstartingoffatonceinpursuit。Therewasnoreasonwhyweshoulddelay，andwesetforthdowntheriver。Aswetrampedalong，wediscussedaquestionthatwasuppermostinthemindofeach——whatweshoulddowithSniderwhenwehadcapturedhim，forwiththeactionofpursuithadcometheoptimisticconvictionthatweshouldsucceed。Asamatteroffact，wehadtosucceed。Theverythoughtofremaininginthisutterwildernessfortherestofourliveswasimpossible。
　　WearrivedatnothingverydefiniteinthematterofSnider’spunishment，sinceTaylorwasforshootinghim，Delcarteinsistingthatheshouldbehanged，whileI，althoughfullyconsciousofthegravityofhisoffense，couldnotbringmyselftogivethedeathpenalty。
　　IfelltowonderingwhatcharmVictoryhadfoundinsuchamanasSnider，andwhyIinsisteduponfindingexcusesforherandtryingtodefendherindefensibleact。Shewasnothingtome。AsidefromthenaturalgratitudeIfeltforhersinceshehadsavedmylife，Iowedhernothing。Shewasahalf-nakedlittlesavage——I，agentleman，andanofficerintheworld’sgreatestnavy。Therecouldbenoclosebondsofinterestbetweenus。
　　ThislineofreflectionIdiscoveredtobeasdistressingastheformer，but，thoughItriedtoturnmymindtootherthings，itpersistedinreturningtothevisionofanovalface，sun-tanned;ofsmilinglips，revealingwhiteandeventeeth;ofbraveeyesthatharborednoshadowofguile;andofatumblingmassofwavyhairthatcrownedtheloveliestpictureonwhichmyeyeshadeverrested。
　　EverytimethisvisionpresenteditselfIfeltmyselfturncoldwithrageandhateagainstSnider。Icouldforgivethelaunch，butifhehadwrongedherheshoulddie——heshoulddieatmyownhands;inthisIwasdetermined。
　　Fortwodayswefollowedtherivernorthward，cuttingoffwherewecould，butconfinedforthemostparttothegametrailsthatparalleledthestream。Oneafternoon，wecutacrossanarrowneckoflandthatsavedusmanymiles，wheretheriverwoundtothewestandbackagain。
　　Herewedecidedtohalt，forwehadhadaharddayofit，and，ifthetruthwereknown，Ithinkthatwehadallgivenuphopeofovertakingthelaunchotherthanbythemerestaccident。
　　Wehadshotadeerjustbeforeourhalt，and，asTaylorandDelcartewerepreparingit，Iwalkeddowntothewatertofillourcanteens。Ihadjustfinished，andwasstraighteningup，whensomethingfloatingaroundabendabovemecaughtmyeye。ForamomentIcouldnotbelievethetestimonyofmyownsenses。Itwasaboat。
　　IshoutedtoDelcarteandTaylor，whocamerunningtomyside。
　　"Thelaunch！"criedDelcarte;and，indeed，itwasthelaunch，floatingdown-riverfromaboveus。Wherehaditbeen？Howhadwepassedit？Andhowwerewetoreachitnow，shouldSniderandthegirldiscoverus？
　　"It’sdrifting，"saidTaylor。"Iseenooneinit。"
　　Iwasstrippingoffmyclothes，andDelcartesoonfollowedmyexample。ItoldTaylortoremainonshorewiththeclothingandrifles。Hemightalsoserveusbetterthere，sinceitwouldgivehimanopportunitytotakeashotatSnidershouldthemandiscoverusandshowhimself。
　　Withpowerfulstrokesweswamoutinthepathoftheoncominglaunch。BeingastrongerswimmerthanDelcarte，I
　　soonwasfarinthelead，reachingthecenterofthechanneljustasthelaunchboredownuponme。Itwasdriftingbroadsideon。Iseizedthegunwaleandraisedmyselfquickly，sothatmychintoppedtheside。IexpectedablowthemomentthatIcamewithintheviewoftheoccupants，butnoblowfell。
　　Sniderlayuponhisbackinthebottomoftheboatalone。
　　EvenbeforeIhadclamberedinandstoopedabovehimIknewthathewasdead。Withoutexamininghimfurther，Iranforwardtothecontrolboardandpressedthestartingbutton。Tomyrelief，themechanismresponded——thelaunchwasuninjured。Comingabout，IpickedupDelcarte。Hewasastoundedatthesightthatmethiseyes，andimmediatelyfelltoexaminingSnider’sbodyforsignsoflifeoranexplanationofthemannerinwhichhemethisdeath。
　　Thefellowhadbeendeadforhours——hewascoldandstill。
　　ButDelcarte’ssearchwasnotwithoutresults，foraboveSnider’sheartwasawound，aslitaboutaninchinlength——
　　suchaslitasasharpknifewouldmake，andinthedeadfingersofonehandwasclutchedastrandoflongbrownhair——Victory’shairwasbrown。
　　Theysaythatdeadmentellnotales，butSnidertoldthestoryofhisendasclearlyasthoughthedeadlipshadpartedandpouredforththetruth。Thebeasthadattackedthegirl，andshehaddefendedherhonor。
　　WeburiedSniderbesidetheRhine，andnostonemarkshislastrestingplace。Beastsdonotrequireheadstones。
　　Thenwesetoutinthelaunch，turninghernoseupstream。
　　WhenIhadtoldDelcarteandTaylorthatIintendedsearchingforthegirl，neitherhaddemurred。
　　"Wehadherwronginourthoughts，"saidDelcarte，"andtheleastthatwecandoinexpiationistofindandrescueher。"
　　Wecalledhernamealoudeveryfewminutesaswemotoreduptheriver，but，thoughwereturnedallthewaytoourformercampingplace，wedidnotfindher。Ithendecidedtoretraceourjourney，lettingTaylorhandlethelaunch，whileDelcarteandI，uponoppositesidesoftheriver，searchedforsomesignofthespotwhereVictoryhadlanded。
　　WefoundnothinguntilwehadreachedapointafewmilesabovethespotwhereIhadfirstseenthelaunchdriftingdowntowardus，andthereIdiscoveredtheremnantsofarecentcampfire。
　　ThatVictorycarriedflintandsteelIwasaware，andthatitwasshewhobuiltthefireIwaspositive。Butwhichwayhadshegonesinceshestoppedhere？
　　Wouldshegoondowntheriver，thatshemightthusbringherselfnearerherownGrabritin，orwouldshehavesoughttosearchforusupstream，whereshehadseenuslast？
　　IhadhailedTaylor，andsenthimacrosstherivertotakeinDelcarte，thatthetwomightjoinmeanddiscussmydiscoveryandourfutureplans。
　　Whilewaitingforthem，Istoodlookingoutovertheriver，mybacktowardthewoodsthatstretchedawaytotheeastbehindme。Delcartewasjuststeppingintothelaunchupontheoppositesideofthestream，when，withouttheleastwarning，Iwasviolentlyseizedbybotharmsandaboutthewaist——threeorfourmenwereuponmeatonce;myriflewassnatchedfrommyhandsandmyrevolverfrommybelt。
　　Istruggledforaninstant，butfindingmyeffortsofnoavail，Iceasedthem，andturnedmyheadtohavealookatmyassailants。Atthesametimeseveralothersofthemwalkedaroundinfrontofme，and，tomyastonishment，I
　　foundmyselflookinguponuniformedsoldiery，armedwithrifles，revolvers，andsabers，butwithfacesasblackascoal。
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　　DelcorteandTaylorwerenowinmis-stream，comingtowardus，andIcalledtothemtokeepaloofuntilIknewwhethertheintentionsofmycaptorswerefriendlyorotherwise。Mygoodmenwantedtocomeonandannihilatetheblacks。Buttherewereupwardofahundredofthelatter，allwellarmed，andsoIcommandedDelcartetokeepoutofharm’sway，andstaywherehewastillIneededhim。
　　Ayoungofficercalledandbeckonedtothem。Buttheyrefusedtocome，andsohegaveordersthatresultedinmyhandsbeingsecuredatmyback，afterwhichthecompanymarchedaway，straighttowardtheeast。
　　Inoticedthatthemenworespurs，whichseemedstrangetome。Butwhen，lateintheafternoon，wearrivedattheirencampment，Idiscoveredthatmycaptorswerecavalrymen。
　　Inthecenterofaplainstoodalogfort，withablock-
　　houseateachofitsfourcorners。Asweapproached，Isawaherdofcavalryhorsesgrazingunderguardoutsidethewallsofthepost。Theyweresmall，stockyhorses，butthetelltalesaddlegallsproclaimedtheircalling。TheflagflyingfromatallstaffinsidethepalisadewasonewhichI
　　hadneverbeforeseennorheardof。
　　Wemarcheddirectlyintothecompound，wherethecompanywasdismissed，withtheexceptionofaguardoffourprivates，whoescortedmeinthewakeoftheyoungofficer。Thelatterledusacrossasmallparadeground，whereabatteryoflightfieldgunswasparked，andtowardalogbuilding，infrontofwhichrosetheflagstaff。
　　Iwasescortedwithinthebuildingintothepresenceofanoldnegro，afinelookingman，withadignifiedandmilitarybearing。Hewasacolonel，Iwastolearnlater，andtohimIowetheveryhumanetreatmentthatwasaccordedmewhileI
　　remainedhisprisoner。
　　Helistenedtothereportofhisjunior，andthenturnedtoquestionme，butwithnobetterresultsthantheformerhadaccomplished。Thenhesummonedanorderly，andgavesomeinstructions。Thesoldiersaluted，andlefttheroom，returninginaboutfiveminuteswithahairyoldwhiteman——
　　justsuchasavage，primeval-lookingfellowasIhaddiscoveredinthewoodsthedaythatSniderhaddisappearedwiththelaunch。
　　Thecolonelevidentlyexpectedtousethefellowasinterpreter，butwhenthesavageaddressedmeitwasinalanguageasforeigntomeaswasthatoftheblacks。Atlasttheoldofficergaveitup，and，shakinghishead，gaveinstructionsformyremoval。
　　FromhisofficeIwasledtoaguardhouse，inwhichIfoundaboutfiftyhalf-nakedwhites，cladintheskinsofwildbeasts。Itriedtoconversewiththem，butnotoneofthemcouldunderstandPan-American，norcouldImakeheadortailoftheirjargon。
　　ForoveramonthIremainedaprisonerthere，workingfrommorninguntilnightatoddjobsabouttheheadquartersbuildingofthecommandingofficer。TheotherprisonersworkedharderthanIdid，andIowemybettertreatmentsolelytothekindlinessanddiscriminationoftheoldcolonel。
　　WhathadbecomeofVictory，ofDelcarte，ofTaylorIcouldnotknow;nordiditseemlikelythatIshouldeverlearn。
　　Iwasmostdepressed。ButIwhiledawaymytimeinperformingthedutiesgivenmetothebestofmyabilityandattemptingtolearnthelanguageofmycaptors。
　　Whotheywereorwheretheycamefromwasamysterytome。
　　Thattheyweretheoutpostofsomepow-erfulblacknationseemedlikely，yetwheretheseatofthatnationlayIcouldnotguess。
　　Theylookeduponthewhitesastheirinferiors，andtreatedusaccordingly。Theyhadaliteratureoftheirown，andmanyofthemen，eventhecommonsoldiers，wereomnivorousreaders。Everytwoweeksadust-coveredtrooperwouldtrothisjadedmountintothepostanddeliverabulgingsackofmailatheadquarters。Thenextdayhewouldbeawayagainuponafreshhorsetowardthesouth，carryingthesoldiers’
　　letterstofriendsinthefarofflandofmysteryfromwhencetheyallhadcome。
　　Troops，sometimesmountedandsometimesafoot，leftthepostdailyforwhatIassumedtobepatrolduty。Ijudgedthelittleforceofathousandmenweredetailedheretomaintaintheauthorityofadistantgovernmentinaconqueredcountry。Later，Ilearnedthatmysurmisewascorrect，andthiswasbutoneofagreatchainofsimilarpoststhatdottedthenewfrontieroftheblacknationintowhosehandsIhadfallen。
　　SlowlyIlearnedtheirtongue，sothatIcouldunderstandwhatwassaidbeforeme，andmakemyselfunderstood。IhadseenfromthefirstthatIwasbeingtreatedasaslave——
　　thatallwhitesthatfellintothehandsoftheblackswerethustreated。
　　Almostdailynewprisonerswerebroughtin，andaboutthreeweeksafterIwasbroughtintothepostatroopofcavalrycamefromthesouthtorelieveoneofthetroopsstationedthere。Therewasgreatjubilationintheencampmentafterthearrivalofthenewcomers，oldfriendshipswererenewedandnewonesmade。Butthehappiestmenwerethoseofthetroopthatwastoberelieved。
　　Thenextmorningtheystartedaway，andastheywereforcedupontheparadegroundweprisonersweremarchedfromourquartersandlinedupbeforethem。Acoupleoflongchainswerebrought，withringsinthelinkseveryfewfeet。AtfirstIcouldnotguessthepurposeofthesechains。ButI
　　wassoontolearn。
　　Acoupleofsoldierssnappedthefirstringaroundtheneckofapowerfulwhiteslave，andonebyonetherestofuswereherdedtoourplaces，andtheworkofshacklingusnecktoneckcommenced。
　　Thecolonelstoodwatchingtheprocedure。Presentlyhiseyesfelluponme，andhespoketoayoungofficerathisside。Thelattersteppedtowardmeandmotionedmetofollowhim。Ididso，andwasledbacktothecolonel。
　　BythistimeIcouldunderstandafewwordsoftheirstrangelanguage，andwhenthecolonelaskedmeifIwouldprefertoremainatthepostashisbodyservant，Isignifiedmywillingnessasemphaticallyaspossible，forIhadseenenoughofthebrutalityofthecommonsoldierstowardtheirwhiteslavestohavenodesiretostartoutuponamarchofunknownlength，chainedbytheneck，anddrivenonbythegreatwhipsthatascoreofthesoldierscarriedtoacceleratethespeedoftheircharges。
　　Aboutthreehundredprisonerswhohadbeenhousedinsixprisonsatthepostmarchedoutofthegatesthatmorning，towardwhatfateandwhatfutureIcouldnotguess。Neitherhadthepoordevilsthemselvesmorethanthemostvagueconceptionofwhatlayinstoreforthem，exceptthattheyweregoingelsewheretocontinueintheslaverythattheyhadknownsincetheircapturebytheirblackconquerors——aslaverythatwastocontinueuntildeathreleasedthem。
　　Mypositionwasalteredatthepost。Fromworkingabouttheheadquartersoffice，Iwastransferredtothecolonel’slivingquarters。Ihadgreaterfreedom，andnolongersleptinoneoftheprisons，buthadalittleroomtomyselfoffthekitchenofthecolonel’sloghouse。
　　Mymasterwasalwayskindtome，andunderhimIrapidlylearnedthelanguageofmycaptors，andmuchconcerningthemthathadbeenamysterytomebefore。HisnamewasAbuBelik。HewasacolonelinthecavalryofAbyssinia，acountryofwhichIdonotremembereverhearing，butwhichColonelBelikassuredmeistheoldestcivilizedcountryintheworld。
　　ColonelBelikwasborninAdisAbeba，thecapitaloftheempire，anduntilrecentlyhadbeenincommandoftheemperor’spalaceguard。Jealousyandtheambitionandintrigueofanotherofficerhadlosthimthefavorofhisemperor，andhehadbeendetailedtothisfrontierpostasamarkofhissovereign’sdispleasure。
　　Somefiftyyearsbefore，theyoungemperor，MenelekXIV，wasambitious。Heknewthatagreatworldlayacrossthewatersfartothenorthofhiscapital。Oncehehadcrossedthedesertandlookedoutupontheblueseathatwasthenorthernboundaryofhisdominions。
　　Therelayanotherworldtoconquer。Menelekbusiedhimselfwiththebuildingofagreatfleet，thoughhispeoplewerenotamaritimerace。HisarmycrossedintoEurope。Itmetwithlittleresistance，andforfiftyyearshissoldiershadbeenpushinghisboundariesfartherandfarthertowardthenorth。
　　"Theyellowmenfromtheeastandnortharecontestingourrightsherenow，"saidthecolonel，"butweshallwin——weshallconquertheworld，carryingChristianitytoallthebenightedheathenofEurope，andAsiaaswell。"
　　"YouareaChristianpeople？"Iasked。
　　Helookedatmeinsurprise，noddinghisheadaffirmatively。
　　"IamaChristian，"Isaid。"Mypeoplearethemostpowerfulonearth。"
　　Hesmiled，andshookhisheadindulgently，asafathertoachildwhosetsuphischildishjudgmentagainstthatofhiselders。
　　ThenIsetouttoprovemypoint。Itoldhimofourcities，ofourarmy，ofourgreatnavy。Hecamerightbackatmeaskingforfigures，andwhenhewasdoneIhadtoadmitthatonlyinournavywerewenumericallysuperior。
　　MenelekXIVistheundisputedrulerofallthecontinentofAfrica，ofallofancientEuropeexcepttheBritishIsles，Scandinavia，andeasternRussia，andhaslargepossessionsandprosperouscoloniesinwhatoncewereArabiaandTurkeyinAsia。
　　Hehasastandingarmyoftenmillionmen，andhispeoplepossessslaves——whiteslaves——tothenumberoftenorfifteenmillion。
　　ColonelBelikwasmuchsurprised，however，uponhisparttolearnofthegreatnationwhichlayacrosstheocean，andwhenhefoundthatIwasanavalofficer，hewasinclinedtoaccordmeevengreaterconsiderationthanformerly。Itwasdifficultforhimtobelievemyassertionthattherewerebutfewblacksinmycountry，andthattheseoccupiedalowersocialplanethanthewhites。
　　JustthereverseistrueinColonelBelik’sland。Heconsideredwhitesinferiorbeings，creaturesofalowerorder，andassuringmethateventhefewwhitefreemenofAbyssiniawereneveraccordedanythingapproximatingapositionofsocialequalitywiththeblacks。Theyliveinthepoorerdistrictsofthecities，inlittlewhitecolonies，andablackwhomarriesawhiteissociallyostracized。
　　ThearmsandammunitionoftheAbyssiniansaregreatlyinferiortoours，yettheyaretremendouslyeffectiveagainsttheill-armedbarbariansofEurope。TheirriflesareofatypesimilartothemagazineriflesoftwentiethcenturyPan-America，butcarryingonlyfivecartridgesinthemagazine，inadditiontotheoneinthechamber。Theyareofextraordinarylength，eventhoseofthecavalry，andareofextremeaccuracy。
　　TheAbyssiniansthemselvesareafinelookingraceofblackmen——tall，muscular，withfineteeth，andregularfeatures，whichinclinedistinctlytowardSemiticmold——Irefertothefull-bloodednativesofAbyssinia。Theyarethepatricians——
　　thearistocracy。Thearmyisofficeredalmostexclusivelybythem。Amongthesoldieryalowertypeofnegropredominates，withthickerlipsandbroader，flatternoses。
　　Thesemenarerecruited，sothecoloneltoldme，fromamongtheconqueredtribesofAfrica。Theyaregoodsoldiers——
　　braveandloyal。Theycanreadandwrite，andtheyareendowedwithaself-confidenceandpridewhich，frommyreadingsofthewordsofancientAfricanexplorers，musthavebeenwantingintheirearliestprogenitors。Onthewhole，itisapparentthattheblackracehasthrivedfarbetterinthepasttwocenturiesundermenofitsowncolorthanithadunderthedominationofwhitesduringallprevioushistory。
　　Ihadbeenaprisoneratthelittlefrontierpostforoveramonth，whenorderscametoColonelBeliktohastentotheeasternfrontierwiththemajorportionofhiscommand，leavingonlyonetrooptogarrisonthefort。Ashisbodyservant，IaccompaniedhimmounteduponafierylittleAbyssinianpony。
　　WemarchedrapidlyfortendaysthroughtheheartoftheancientGermanempire，haltingwhennightfoundusinproximitytowater。Oftenwepassedsmallpostssimilartothatatwhichthecolonel’sregimenthadbeenquartered，findingineachinstancethatonlyasinglecompanyortroopremainedfordefence，thebalancehavingbeenwithdrawntowardthenortheast，inthesamedirectioninwhichweweremoving。
　　Naturally，thecolonelhadnotconfidedtomethenatureofhisorders。ButtherapidityofourmarchandthefactthatallavailabletroopswerebeinghastenedtowardthenortheastassuredmethatamatterofvitalimportancetothedominionofMenelekXIVinthatpartofEuropewasthreateningorhadalreadybroken。
　　Icouldnotbelievethatasimplerisingofthesavagetribesofwhiteswouldnecessitatethemobilizingofsuchaforceaswepresentlymetwithconvergingfromthesouthintoourtrail。Therewerelargebodiesofcavalryandinfantry，endlessstreamsofartillerywagonsandguns，andcountlesshorse-drawncoveredvehiclesladenwithcampequipage，munitions，andprovisions。
　　Here，forthefirsttime，Isawcamels，greatcaravansofthem，bearingallsortsofheavyburdens，andmilesuponmilesofelephantsdoingsimilarservice。Itwasasceneofwondrousandbarbaricsplendor，forthemenandbeastsfromthesouthweregailycaparisonedinrichcolors，inmarkedcontrasttothegrayuniformedforcesofthefrontier，withwhichIhadbeenfamiliar。
　　TherumorreachedusthatMenelekhimselfwascoming，andthepitchofexcitementtowhichthisannouncementraisedthetroopswaslittleshortofmiraculous——atleast，tooneofmyraceandnationalitywhoserulersforcenturieshadbeenbutordinarymen，holdingofficeatthewillofthepeopleforafewbriefyears。
　　AsIwitnessedit，Icouldnotbutspeculateuponthemoraleffectuponhistroopsofasovereign’spresenceinthemidstofbattle。Allelsebeingequalinwarbetweenthetroopsofarepublicandanempire，couldnotthisexhilaratedmentalstate，amountingalmosttohysteriaonthepartoftheimperialtroops，weighheavilyagainstthesoldiersofapresident？Iwonder。
　　Butiftheemperorchancedtobeabsent？Whatthen？AgainI
　　wonder。
　　Ontheeleventhdaywereachedourdestination——awalledfrontiercityofabouttwentythousand。Wepassedsomelakes，andcrossedsomeoldcanalsbeforeenteringthegates。Within，besidetheframebuildings，weremanybuiltofancientbrickandwell-cutstone。These，Iwastold，wereofmaterialtakenfromtheruinsoftheancientcitywhich，once，hadstooduponthesiteofthepresenttown。
　　Thenameofthetown，translatedfromtheAbyssinian，isNewGondar。Itstands，Iamconvinced，upontheruinsofancientBerlin，theonetimecapitaloftheoldGermanempire，butexceptfortheoldbuildingmaterialusedinthenewtownthereisnosignoftheformercity。
　　Thedayafterwearrived，thetownwasgailydecoratedwithflags，streamers，gorgeousrugs，andbanners，fortherumorhadprovedtrue——theemperorwascoming。
　　ColonelBelikhadaccordedmethegreatestliberty，permittingmetogowhereIpleased，aftermyfewdutieshadbeenperformed。Asaresultofhiskindness，IspentmuchtimewanderingaboutNewGondar，talkingwiththeinhabitants，andexploringthecityofblackmen。
　　AsIhadbeengivenasemi-militaryuniformwhichboreinsigniaindicatingthatIwasanofficer’sbodyservant，eventheblackstreatedmewithaspeciesofrespect，thoughIcouldseebytheirmannerthatIwasreallyasthedirtbeneaththeirfeet。Theyansweredmyquestionscivillyenough，buttheywouldnotenterintoconversationwithme。
　　ItwasfromotherslavesthatIlearnedthegossipofthecity。
　　Troopswerepouringinfromthewestandsouth，andpouringouttowardtheeast。Iaskedanoldslavewhowassweepingthedirtintolittlepilesintheguttersofthestreetwherethesoldiersweregoing。Helookedatmeinsurprise。
　　"Why，tofighttheyellowmen，ofcourse，"hesaid。"Theyhavecrossedtheborder，andaremarchingtowardNewGondar。"
　　"Whowillwin？"Iasked。
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。"Whoknows？"hesaid。"Ihopeitwillbetheyellowmen，butMenelekispowerful——itwilltakemanyyellowmentodefeathim。"
　　Crowdsweregatheringalongthesidewalkstoviewtheemperor’sentryintothecity。Itookmyplaceamongthem，althoughIhatecrowds，andIamgladthatIdid，forI
　　witnessedsuchaspectacleofbarbaricsplendorasnootherPan-Americanhaseverlookedupon。
　　Downthebroadmainthoroughfare，whichmayoncehavebeenthehistoricUnterdenLinden，cameabrilliantcortege。Attheheadrodearegimentofred-coatedhussars——enormousmen，blackasnight。Thereweretroopsofriflemenmountedoncamels。Theemperorrodeinagoldenhowdahuponthebackofahugeelephantsocoveredwithrichhangingsandembellishedwithscintillatinggemsthatscarcemorethanthebeast’seyesandfeetwerevisible。
　　Menelekwasarathergross-lookingman，wellpastmiddleage，buthecarriedhimselfwithanairofdignitybefittingonedescendedinunbrokenlinefromtheProphet——aswashisclaim。
　　Hiseyeswerebrightbutcrafty，andhisfeaturesdenotedbothsensualityandcruelness。Inhisyouthhemayhavebeenaratherfinelookingblack，butwhenIsawhimhisappearancewasrevolting——tome，atleast。
　　Followingtheemperorcameregimentafterregimentfromthevariousbranchesoftheservice，amongthembatteriesoffieldgunsmountedonelephants。
　　Inthecenterofthetroopsfollowingtheimperialelephantmarchedagreatcaravanofslaves。Theoldstreetsweeperatmyelbowtoldmethatthesewerethegiftsbroughtinfromthefaroutlyingdistrictsbythecommandingofficersofthefrontierposts。Themajorityofthemwerewomen，destined，Iwastold，fortheharemsoftheemperorandhisfavorites。Itmademyoldcompanionclenchhisfiststoseethosepoorwhitewomenmarchingpasttotheirhorridfates，and，thoughIsharedhissentiments，Iwasaspowerlesstoaltertheirdestiniesashe。
　　ForaweekthetroopskeptpouringinandoutofNewGondar——
　　in，always，fromthesouthandwest，butalwaystowardtheeast。Eachnewcontingentbroughtitsgiftstotheemperor。
　　Fromthesouththeybroughtrugsandornamentsandjewels;
　　fromthewest，slaves;forthecommandingofficersofthewesternfrontierpostshadnaughtelsetobring。
　　Fromthenumberofwomentheybrought，Ijudgedthattheyknewtheweaknessoftheirimperialmaster。
　　Andthensoldierscommencedcominginfromtheeast，butnotwiththegayassuranceofthosewhocamefromthesouthandwest——no，theseotherscameincoveredwagons，blood-soakedandsuffering。Theycameatfirstinlittlepartiesofeightorten，andthentheycameinfifties，inhundreds，andonedayathousandmaimedanddyingmenwerecartedintoNewGondar。
　　ItwasthenthatMenelekXIVbecameuneasy。Forfiftyyearshisarmieshadconqueredwherevertheyhadmarched。Atfirsthehadledtheminperson，latelyhispresencewithinahundredmilesofthebattlelinehadbeensufficientforlargeengagements——forminoronesonlytheknowledgethattheywerefightingforthegloryoftheirsovereignwasnecessarytowinvictories。
　　Onemorning，NewGondarwasawakenedbytheboomingofcannon。Itwasthefirstintimationthatthetownspeoplehadreceivedthattheenemywasforcingtheimperialtroopsbackuponthecity。Dustcoveredcouriersgallopedinfromthefront。Freshtroopshastenedfromthecity，andaboutnoonMenelekrodeoutsurroundedbyhisstaff。
　　Forthreedaysthereafterwecouldhearthecannonadingandthespittingofthesmallarms，forthebattlelinewasscarcetwoleaguesfromNewGondar。Thecitywasfilledwithwounded。Justoutside，soldierswereengagedinthrowingupearthworks。ItwasevidenttotheleastenlightenedthatMenelekexpectedfurtherreverses。
　　Andthentheimperialtroopsfellbackuponthesenewdefenses，or，rather，theywereforcedbackbytheenemy。
　　Shellscommencedtofallwithinthecity。Menelekreturnedandtookuphisheadquartersinthestonebuildingthatwascalledthepalace。Thatnightcamealullinthehostilities——atrucehadbeenarranged。
　　ColonelBeliksummonedmeaboutseveno’clocktodresshimforafunctionatthepalace。Inthemidstofdeathanddefeattheemperorwasabouttogiveagreatbanquettohisofficers。Iwastoaccompanymymasterandwaituponhim——
　　I，JeffersonTurck，lieutenantinthePan-Americannavy！
　　Intheprivacyofthecolonel’squartersIhadbecomeaccustomedtomymenialduties，lightenedastheywerebythenaturalkindlinessofmymaster，butthethoughtofappearinginpublicasacommonslaverevoltedeveryfineinstinctwithinme。Yettherewasnothingforitbuttoobey。
　　Icannot，evennow，bringmyselftoanarrationofthehumiliationwhichIexperiencedthatnightasIstoodbehindmyblackmasterinsilentservility，nowpouringhiswine，nowcuttinguphismeatsforhim，nowfanninghimwithalarge，plumedfanoffeathers。
　　AsfondasIhadgrownofhim，Icouldhavethrustaknifeintohim，sokeenlydidIfeeltheaffrontthathadbeenputuponme。Butatlastthelongbanquetwasconcluded。Thetableswereremoved。Theemperorascendedadaisatoneendoftheroomandseatedhimselfuponathrone，andtheentertainmentcommenced。Itwasonlywhatancienthistorymighthaveledmetoexpect——musicians，dancinggirls，jugglers，andthelike。
　　Nearmidnight，themasterofceremoniesannouncedthattheslavewomenwhohadbeenpresentedtotheemperorsincehisarrivalinNewGondarwouldbeexhibited，thattheroyalhostwouldselectsuchashewished，afterwhichhewouldpresentthebalanceofthemtohisguests。Ah，whatroyalgenerosity！
　　Asmalldooratonesideoftheroomopened，andthepoorcreaturesfiledinandwererangedinalonglinebeforethethrone。Theirbacksweretowardme。Isawonlyanoccasionalprofileasnowandthenabolderspiritamongthemturnedtosurveytheapartmentandthegorgeousassemblageofofficersintheirbrilliantdressuniforms。
　　Theywereprofilesofyounggirls，andpretty，buthorrorwasindeliblystampeduponthemall。IshudderedasI
　　contemplatedtheirsadfate，andturnedmyeyesaway。
　　Iheardthemasterofceremoniescommandthemtoprostratethemselvesbeforetheemperor，andthesoundsastheywentupontheirkneesbeforehim，touchingtheirforeheadstothefloor。Thencametheofficial’svoiceagain，insharpandperemptorycommand。
　　"Down，slave！"hecried。"Makeobeisancetoyoursovereign！"
　　Ilookedup，attractedbythetoneoftheman’svoice，toseeasingle，straight，slimfigurestandingerectinthecenterofthelineofprostrategirls，herarmsfoldedacrossherbreastandlittlechinintheair。Herbackwastowardme——Icouldnotseeherface，thoughIshouldliketoseethecountenanceofthissavageyounglioness，standingtheredefiantamongthatherdofterrifiedsheep。
　　"Down！Down！"shoutedthemasterofceremonies，takingasteptowardherandhalfdrawinghissword。
　　Mybloodboiled。Tostandthere，inactive，whileanegrostruckdownthatbravegirlofmyownrace！InstinctivelyI
　　tookaforwardsteptoplacemyselfintheman’spath。ButatthesameinstantMenelekraisedhishandinagesturethathaltedtheofficer。Theemperorseemedinterested，butinnowayangeredatthegirl’sattitude。
　　"Letusinquire，"hesaidinasmooth，pleasantvoice，"whythisyoungwomanrefusestodohomagetohersovereign，"andheputthequestionhimselfdirectlytoher。
　　SheansweredhiminAbyssinian，butbrokenlyandwithanaccentthatbetrayedhowrecentlyshehadacquiredherslightknowledgeofthetongue。
　　"Igoonmykneestonoone，"shesaid。"Ihavenosovereign。Imyselfamsovereigninmyowncountry。"
　　Menelek，atherwords，leanedbackinhisthroneandlaugheduproariously。Followinghisexample，whichseemedalwaysthecorrectprocedure，theassembledguestsviedwithoneanotherinanefforttolaughmorenoisilythantheemperor。
　　Thegirlbuttiltedherchinabithigherintheair——evenherbackproclaimedheruttercontemptforhercaptors。
　　FinallyMenelekrestoredquietbythesimpleexpedientofafrown，whereuponeachloyalguestexchangedhismirthfulmienforanemulativescowl。
　　"Andwho，"askedMenelek，"areyou，andbywhatnameisyourcountrycalled？"
　　"IamVictory，QueenofGrabritin，"repliedthegirlsoquicklyandsounexpectedlythatIgaspedinastonishment。
　　9
　　Victory！Shewashere，aslavetotheseblackconquerors。
　　OncemoreIstartedtowardher，butbetterjudgmentheldmeback——Icoulddonothingtohelpherotherthanbystealth。
　　CouldIevenaccomplishaughtbythismeans？Ididnotknow。Itseemedbeyondthepaleofpossibility，andyetI
　　shouldtry。
　　"Andyouwillnotbendthekneetome？"continuedMenelek，aftershehadspoken。Victoryshookherheadinamostdecidednegation。
　　"Youshallbemyfirstchoice，then，"saidtheemperor。"I
　　likeyourspirit，forthebreakingofitwilladdtomypleasureinyou，andneverfearbutthatitshallbebroken——
　　thisverynight。Takehertomyapartments，"andhemotionedtoanofficerathissideIwassurprisedtoseeVictoryfollowthemanoffinapparentquietsubmission。Itriedtofollow，thatImightbenearheragainstsomeopportunitytospeakwithherorassistinherescape。But，afterIhadfollowedthemfromthethroneroom，throughseveralotherapartments，anddownalongcorridor，IfoundmyfurtherprogressbarredbyasoldierwhostoodguardbeforeadoorwaythroughwhichtheofficerconductedVictory。
　　Almostimmediatelytheofficerreappearedandstartedbackinthedirectionofthethroneroom。Ihadbeenhidinginadoorwayaftertheguardhadturnedmeback，havingtakenrefugetherewhilehisbackwasturned，and，astheofficerapproachedme，Iwithdrewintotheroombeyond，whichwasindarkness。ThereIremainedforalongtime，watchingthesentrybeforethedooroftheroominwhichVictorywasaprisoner，andawaitingsomefavorablecircumstancewhichwouldgivemeentrytoher。
　　IhavenotattemptedtofullydescribemysensationsatthemomentIrecognizedVictory，because，Icanassureyou，theywereentirelyindescribable。IshouldneverhaveimaginedthatthesightofanyhumanbeingcouldaffectmeashadthisunexpecteddiscoveryofVictoryinthesameroominwhichIwas，whileIhadthoughtofherforweekseitherasdead，oratbesthundredsofmilestothewest，andasirretrievablylosttomeasthoughshewere，intruth，dead。
　　Iwasfilledwithastrange，madimpulsetobenearher。Itwasnotenoughmerelytoassisther，orprotecther——I
　　desiredtotouchher——totakeherinmyarms。Iwasastoundedatmyself。Anotherthingpuzzledme——itwasmyincomprehensiblefeelingofelationsinceIhadagainseenher。Withafateworsethandeathstaringherintheface，andwiththeknowledgethatIshouldprobablydiedefendingherwithinthehour，IwasstillhappierthanIhadbeenforweeks——andallbecauseIhadseenagainforafewbriefminutesthefigureofalittleheathenmaiden。Icouldn’taccountforit，anditangeredme;Ihadneverbeforefeltanysuchsensationsinthepresenceofawoman，andIhadmadelovetosomeverybeautifulonesinmytime。
　　ItseemedagesthatIstoodintheshadowofthatdoorway，intheill-litcorridorofthepalaceofMenelekXIV。A
　　sicklygasjetcastasadpallorupontheblackfaceofthesentry。Thefellowseemedrootedtothespot。Evidentlyhewouldneverleave，orturnhisbackagain。
　　IhadbeeninhidingbutashorttimewhenIheardthesoundofdistantcannon。Thetrucehadended，andthebattlehadbeenresumed。Veryshortlythereaftertheearthshooktotheexplosionofashellwithinthecity，andfromtimetotimethereafterothershellsburstatnogreatdistancefromthepalace。TheyellowmenwerebombardingNewGondaragain。
　　Presentlyofficersandslavescommencedtotraversethecorridoronmatterspertainingtotheirduties，andthencametheemperor，scowlingandwrathful。Hewasfollowedbyafewpersonalattendants，whomhedismissedatthedoorwaytohisapartments——thesamedoorwaythroughwhichVictoryhadbeentaken。Ichafedtofollowhim，butthecorridorwasfilledwithpeople。Atlasttheybetookthemselvestotheirownapartments，whichlayuponeithersideofthecorridor。
　　AnofficerandaslaveenteredtheveryroominwhichIhid，forcingmetoflattenmyselftoonesideinthedarknessuntiltheyhadpassed。Thentheslavemadealight，andI
　　knewthatImustfindanotherhidingplace。
　　Steppingboldlyintothecorridor，Isawthatitwasnowemptysaveforthesinglesentrybeforetheemperor’sdoor。
　　HeglancedupasIemergedfromtheroom，theoccupantsofwhichhadnotseenme。Iwalkedstraighttowardthesoldier，mymindmadeupinaninstant。Itriedtosimulateanexpressionofcringingservility，andImusthavesucceeded，forIentirelythrewthemanoffhisguard，sothathepermittedmetoapproachwithinreachofhisriflebeforestoppingme。Thenitwastoolate——forhim。
　　Withoutawordorawarning，Isnatchedthepiecefromhisgrasp，and，atthesametimestruckhimaterrificblowbetweentheeyeswithmyclenchedfist。Hestaggeredbackinsurprise，toodumbfoundedeventocryout，andthenI
　　clubbedhisrifleandfelledhimwithasinglemightyblow。
　　Amomentlater，Ihadburstintotheroombeyond。Itwasempty！
　　Igazedabout，madwithdisappointment。Twodoorsopenedfromthistootherrooms。Irantothenearerandlistened。
　　Yes，voiceswerecomingfrombeyondandonewasawoman’s，levelandcoldandfilledwithscorn。Therewasnoterrorinit。ItwasVictory’s。
　　IturnedtheknobandpushedthedoorinwardjustintimetoseeMenelekseizethegirlanddraghertowardthefarendoftheapartment。Atthesameinstanttherewasadeafeningroarjustoutsidethepalace——ashellhadstruckmuchnearerthananyofitspredecessors。Thenoiseofitdrownedmyrapidrushacrosstheroom。
　　Butinherstruggles，VictoryturnedMenelekaboutsothathesawme。Shewasstrikinghiminthefacewithherclenchedfist，andnowhewaschokingher。
　　Atsightofme，hegavevoicetoaroarofanger。
　　"Whatmeansthis，slave？"hecried。"Outofhere！Outofhere！Quick，beforeIkillyou！"
　　ButforanswerIrusheduponhim，strikinghimwiththebuttoftherifle。Hestaggeredback，droppingVictorytothefloor，andthenhecriedaloudfortheguard，andcameatme。AgainandagainIstruckhim;buthisthickskullmighthavebeenarmorplate，forallthedamageIdidit。
　　Hetriedtoclosewithme，seizingtherifle，butIwasstrongerthanhe，and，wrenchingtheweaponfromhisgrasp，tosseditasideandmadeforhisthroatwithmybarehands。
　　Ihadnotdaredfiretheweaponforfearthatitsreportwouldbringthelargerguardstationedatthefartherendofthecorridor。
　　Westruggledabouttheroom，strikingoneanother，knockingoverfurniture，androllinguponthefloor。Menelekwasapowerfulman，andhewasfightingforhislife。Continuallyhekeptcallingfortheguard，untilIsucceededingettingagripuponhisthroat;butitwastoolate。Hiscrieshadbeenheard，andsuddenlythedoorburstopen，andascoreofarmedguardsmenrushedintotheapartment。
　　Victoryseizedtheriflefromthefloorandleapedbetweenmeandthem。Ihadtheblackemperoruponhisback，andbothmyhandswereathisthroat，chokingthelifefromhim。
　　Theresthappenedinthefractionofasecond。Therewasarendingcrashaboveus，thenadeafeningexplosionwithinthechamber。Smokeandpowderfumesfilledtheroom。Halfstunned，IrosefromthelifelessbodyofmyantagonistjustintimetoseeVictorystaggertoherfeetandturntowardme。Slowlythesmokeclearedtorevealtheshatteredremnantsoftheguard。Ashellhadfallenthroughthepalaceroofandexplodedjustintherearofthedetachmentofguardsmenwhowerecomingtotherescueoftheiremperor。
　　WhyneitherVictorynorIwerestruckisamiracle。Theroomwasawreck。Agreat，jaggedholewastornintheceiling，andthewalltowardthecorridorhadbeenblownentirelyout。
　　AsIrose，Victoryhadrisen，too，andstartedtowardme。
　　ButwhenshesawthatIwasuninjuredshestopped，andstoodthereinthecenterofthedemolishedapartmentlookingatme。Herexpressionwasinscrutable——Icouldnotguesswhethershewasgladtoseeme，ornot。
　　"Victory！"Icried。"ThankGodthatyouaresafe！"AndI
　　approachedher，agreatergladnessinmyheartthanIhadfeltsincethemomentthatIknewtheColdwatermustbesweptbeyondthirty。
　　Therewasnoansweringgladnessinhereyes。Instead，shestampedherlittlefootinanger。
　　"Whydidithavetobeyouwhosavedme！"sheexclaimed。"I
　　hateyou！"
　　"Hateme？"Iasked。"Whyshouldyouhateme，Victory？Idonothateyou。I——I——"WhatwasIabouttosay？Iwasveryclosetoherasagreatlightbrokeoverme。WhyhadI
　　neverrealizeditbefore？ThetruthaccountedforagreatmanyhithertoinexplicablemoodsthathadclaimedmefromtimetotimesincefirstIhadseenVictory。
　　"WhyshouldIhateyou？"sherepeated。"BecauseSnidertoldme——hetoldmethatyouhadpromisedmetohim，buthedidnotgetme。Ikilledhim，asIshouldliketokillyou！"
　　"Sniderlied！"Icried。AndthenIseizedherandheldherinmyarms，andmadeherlistentome，thoughshestruggledandfoughtlikeayounglioness。"Iloveyou，Victory。YoumustknowthatIloveyou——thatIhavealwayslovedyou，andthatInevercouldhavemadesobaseapromise。"
　　Sheceasedherstruggles，justatrifle，butstilltriedtopushmefromher。"Youcalledmeabarbarian！"shesaid。
　　Ah，sothatwasit！Thatstillrankled。Icrushedhertome。
　　"Youcouldnotloveabarbarian，"shewenton，butshehadceasedtostruggle。
　　"ButIdoloveabarbarian，Victory！"Icried，"thedearestbarbarianintheworld。"
　　Sheraisedhereyestomine，andthenhersmooth，brownarmsencircledmyneckanddrewmylipsdowntohers。
　　"Iloveyou——Ihavelovedyoualways！"shesaid，andthensheburiedherfaceuponmyshoulderandsobbed。"Ihavebeensounhappy，"shesaid，"butIcouldnotdiewhileI
　　thoughtthatyoumightlive。"
　　Aswestoodthere，momentarilyforgetfulofallelsethanournewfoundhappiness，theferocityofthebombardmentincreaseduntilscarcethirtysecondselapsedbetweentheshellsthatrainedaboutthepalace。
　　Toremainlongwouldbetoinvitecertaindeath。Wecouldnotescapethewaythatwehadenteredtheapartment，fornotonlywasthecorridornowchokedwithdebris，butbeyondthecorridorthereweredoubtlessmanymembersoftheemperor’shouseholdwhowouldstopus。
　　Upontheoppositesideoftheroomwasanotherdoor，andtowardthisIledtheway。Itopenedintoathirdapartmentwithwindowsoverlookinganinnercourt。FromoneofthesewindowsIsurveyedthecourtyard。Apparentlyitwasempty，andtheroomsupontheoppositesidewereunlighted。
　　AssistingVictorytotheopen，Ifollowed，andtogetherwecrossedthecourt，discoveringupontheoppositesideanumberofwide，woodendoorssetinthewallofthepalace，withsmallwindowsbetween。Aswestoodclosebehindoneofthedoors，listening，ahorsewithinneighed。
　　"Thestables！"Iwhispered，and，amomentlater，hadpushedbackadoorandentered。Fromthecityaboutuswecouldhearthedinofgreatcommotion，andquiteclosethesoundsofbattle——thecrackofthousandsofrifles，theyellsofthesoldiers，thehoarsecommandsofofficers，andtheblareofbugles。
　　Thebombardmenthadceasedassuddenlyasithadcommenced。
　　Ijudgedthattheenemywasstormingthecity，forthesoundsweheardwerethesoundsofhand-to-handcombat。
　　WithinthestablesIgropedaboutuntilIhadfoundsaddlesandbridlesfortwohorses。Butafterward，inthedarkness，Icouldfindbutasinglemount。Thedoorsoftheoppositeside，leadingtothestreet，wereopen，andwecouldseegreatmultitudesofmen，women，andchildrenfleeingtowardthewest。Soldiers，afootandmounted，werejoiningthemadexodus。Nowandthenacameloranelephantwouldpassbearingsomeofficerordignitarytosafety。Itwasevidentthatthecitywouldfallatanymoment——afactwhichwasamplyproclaimedbytheterror-strickenhasteofthefear-
　　madmob。
　　Horse，camel，andelephanttrodhelplesswomenandchildrenbeneaththeirfeet。Acommonsoldierdraggedageneralfromhismount，and，leapingtotheanimal’sback，fleddownthepackedstreettowardthewest。Awomanseizedagunandbrainedacourtdignitary，whosehorsehadtrampledherchildtodeath。Shrieks，curses，commands，supplicationsfilledtheair。Itwasafrightfulscene——onethatwillbeburneduponmymemoryforever。
　　Ihadsaddledandbridledthesinglehorsewhichhadevidentlybeenoverlookedbytheroyalhouseholdinitsflight，and，standingalittlebackintheshadowofthestable’sinterior，VictoryandIwatchedthesurgingthrongwithout。
　　Tohaveentereditwouldhavebeentohavecourtedgreaterdangerthanwewerealreadyin。Wedecidedtowaituntilthestressofblacksthinned，andformorethananhourwestoodtherewhilethesoundsofbattleragedupontheeasternsideofthecityandthepopulationflewtowardthewest。Moreandmorenumerousbecametheuniformedsoldiersamongthefleeingthrong，until，towardthelast，thestreetwaspackedwiththem。Itwasnoorderlyretreat，butarout，completeandterrible。
　　Thefightingwassteadilyapproachingusnow，untilthecrackofriflessoundedintheverystreetuponwhichwewerelooking。Andthencameahandfulofbravemen——alittlerearguardbackingslowlytowardthewest，workingtheirsmokingriflesinfeverishhasteastheyfiredvolleyaftervolleyatthefoewecouldnotsee。
　　Butthesewerepressedbackandbackuntilthefirstlineoftheenemycameoppositeourshelter。Theyweremenofmediumheight，witholivecomplexionsandalmondeyes。InthemIrecognizedthedescendantsoftheancientChineserace。
　　Theywerewelluniformedandsuperblyarmed，andtheyfoughtbravelyandunderperfectdiscipline。SoraptwasIintheexcitingeventstranspiringinthestreetthatIdidnotheartheapproachofabodyofmenfrombehind。Itwasapartyoftheconquerorswhohadenteredthepalaceandweresearchingit。
　　Theycameuponussounexpectedlythatwewereprisonersbeforewerealizedwhathadhappened。Thatnightwewereheldunderastrongguardjustoutsidetheeasternwallofthecity，andthenextmorningwerestarteduponalongmarchtowardtheeast。
　　Ourcaptorswerenotunkindtous，andtreatedthewomenprisonerswithrespect。Wemarchedformanydays——somanythatIlostcountofthem——andatlastwecametoanothercity——aChinesecitythistime——whichstandsuponthesiteofancientMoscow。
　　Itisonlyasmallfrontiercity，butitiswellbuiltandwellkept。Herealargemilitaryforceismaintained，andherealso，isaterminusoftherailroadthatcrossesmodernChinatothePacific。
　　Therewaseveryevidenceofahighcivilizationinallthatwesawwithinthecity，which，inconnectionwiththehumanetreatmentthathadbeenaccordedallprisonersuponthelongandtiresomemarch，encouragedmetohopethatImightappealtosomehighofficerhereforthetreatmentwhichmyrankandbirthmerited。
　　WecouldconversewithourcaptorsonlythroughthemediumofinterpreterswhospokebothChineseandAbyssinian。Butthereweremanyofthese，andshortlyafterwereachedthecityIpersuadedoneofthemtocarryaverbalmessagetotheofficerwhohadcommandedthetroopsduringthereturnfromNewGondar，askingthatImightbegivenahearingbysomehighofficial。
　　ThereplytomyrequestwasasummonstoappearbeforetheofficertowhomIhadaddressedmyappeal。Asergeantcameformealongwiththeinterpreter，andImanagedtoobtainhispermissiontoletVictoryaccompanyme——Ihadneverleftheralonewiththeprisonerssincewehadbeencaptured。
　　TomydelightIfoundthattheofficerintowhosepresencewewereconductedspokeAbyssinianfluently。HewasastoundedwhenItoldhimthatIwasaPan-American。UnlikeallotherswhomIhadspokenwithsincemyarrivalinEurope，hewaswellacquaintedwithancienthistory——wasfamiliarwithtwentiethcenturyconditionsinPan-America，andafterputtingahalfdozenquestionstomewassatisfiedthatIspokethetruth。
　　WhenItoldhimthatVictorywasQueenofEnglandheshowedlittlesurprise，tellingmethatintheirrecentexplorationsinancientRussiatheyhadfoundmanydescendantsoftheoldnobilityandroyalty。
　　Heimmediatelysetasideacomfortablehouseforus，furnisheduswithservantsandwithmoney，andinotherwaysshoweduseveryattentionandkindness。
　　Hetoldmethathewouldtelegraphhisemperoratonce，andtheresultwasthatwewerepresentlycommandedtorepairtoPekingandpresentourselvesbeforetheruler。
　　Wemadethejourneyinacomfortablerailwaycarriage，throughacountrywhich，aswetraveledfarthertowardtheeast，showedincreasingevidenceofprosperityandwealth。
　　Attheimperialcourtwewerereceivedwithgreatkindness，theemperorbeingmostinquisitiveaboutthestateofmodernPan-America。Hetoldmethatwhilehepersonallydeploredtheexistenceofthestrictregulationswhichhadraisedabarrierbetweentheeastandthewest，hehadfelt，ashadhispredecessors，thatrecognitionofthewishesofthegreatPan-Americanfederationwouldbemostconducivetothecontinuedpeaceoftheworld。
　　HisempireincludesallofAsia，andtheislandsofthePacificasfareastas175dW。TheempireofJapannolongerexists，havingbeenconqueredandabsorbedbyChinaoverahundredyearsago。ThePhilippinesarewelladministered，andconstituteoneofthemostprogressivecoloniesoftheChineseempire。
　　Theemperortoldmethatthebuildingofthisgreatempireandthespreadingofenlightenmentamongitsdiversifiedandsavagepeopleshadrequiredallthebesteffortsofnearlytwohundredyears。UponhisaccessiontothethronehehadfoundthelaborwellnighperfectedandhadturnedhisattentiontothereclamationofEurope。
　　Hisambitionistowrestitfromthehandsoftheblacks，andthentoattempttheworkofelevatingitsfallenpeoplestothehighestatefromwhichtheGreatWarprecipitatedthem。
　　Iaskedhimwhowasvictoriousinthatwar，andheshookhisheadsadlyashereplied：
　　"Pan-America，perhaps，andChina，withtheblacksofAbyssinia，"hesaid。"Thosewhodidnotfightweretheonlyonestoreapanyoftherewardsthataresupposedtobelongtovictory。Thecombatantsreapednaughtbutannihilation。
　　Youhaveseen——betterthananymanyoumustrealizethattherewasnovictoryforanynationembroiledinthatfrightfulwar。"
　　"Whendiditend？"Iaskedhim。
　　Againheshookhishead。"Ithasnotendedyet。TherehasneverbeenaformalpeacedeclaredinEurope。Afterawhiletherewerenonelefttomakepeace，andtherudetribeswhichsprangfromthesurvivorscontinuedtofightamongthemselvesbecausetheyknewnobetterconditionofsociety。
　　Warrazedtheworksofman——warandpestilencerazedman。
　　Godgivethatthereshallneverbesuchanotherwar！"
　　YouallknowhowPorfirioJohnsonreturnedtoPan-AmericawithJohnAlvarezinchains;howAlvarez’strialraisedapopulardemonstrationthatthegovernmentcouldnotignore。
　　Hiseloquentappeal——notforhimself，butforme——ishistoric，asareitsresults。YouknowhowafleetwassentacrosstheAtlantictosearchforme，howtherestrictionsagainstcrossingthirtytoonehundredseventy-fivewereremovedforever，andhowtheofficerswerebroughttoPeking，arrivingupontheverydaythatVictoryandIweremarriedattheimperialcourt。
　　MyreturntoPan-AmericawasverydifferentfromanythingI
　　couldpossiblyhaveimaginedayearbefore。Insteadofbeingreceivedasatraitortomycountry，Iwasacclaimedahero。Itwasgoodtogetbackagain，goodtowitnessthekindlytreatmentthatwasaccordedmydearVictory，andwhenIlearnedthatDelcarteandTaylorhadbeenfoundatthemouthoftheRhineandwerealreadybackinPan-Americamyjoywasunalloyed。
　　Andnowwearegoingback，VictoryandI，withthemenandthemunitionsandpowertoreclaimEnglandforherqueen。
　　AgainIshallcrossthirty，butunderwhatalteredconditions！
　　AnewepochforEuropeisinaugurated，withenlightenedChinaontheeastandenlightenedPan-Americaonthewest——
　　thetwogreatpeacepowerswhomGodhaspreservedtoregeneratechastenedandforgivenEurope。Ihavebeenthroughmuch——Ihavesufferedmuch，butIhavewontwogreatlaurelwreathsbeyondthirty。OneistheopportunitytorescueEuropefrombarbarism，theotherisalittlebarbarian，andthegreateroftheseis——Victory。