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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。
8
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。