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Chapter XXIII. A Fair Maiden.

The next day we split up into different sections. Jenner stayed in charge of the boat with the majority of the men, and Flick gave a dozen or so permission to go ashore and amuse themselves, if such a thing as amusement were to be found in that dismal city. The captain himself departed for the palace with an escort of four sailors, to learn if possible what was in the mind of Hesperus, and with Harry I climbed up to the temple to see Bertha. I think that Harry also had it in his mind to converse with Myrtea.

After the speech of Basilea at the festival, we were quite assured as to our safety—at all events for the present; but Flick insisted that we should all carry revolvers.

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“‘Prevention is better than cure,”’ he said significantly, as he picked up his own. “I have not the least doubt but that Basilea and Hesperus mean well, for their own ends. Still, there may be trouble, and it is as well to have the means of defence at hand.”

With this admonition, Flick took his departure. We were all on the quay by this time, and Harry and I strolled into the avenue which led to the foot of the temple staircase. We saw the captain marching briskly townwards with his quartette of sailors at his heels, and I may here mention that they walked to the palace of Hesperus. There were no horses in Isk; and, indeed, with the exception of cows, goats, and fowls, there were no other animals in the island. These had all been imported from the mainland, as I afterwards learned, for Nature seemed to have left the isle unfinished. With the exception of a few song-birds and lizards, there was no wild life in plains or forests; everything had been prepared for the development of the animal kingdom, but Nature had stopped short at the vegetable. The original founders of Isk must often have regretted their land of plenty in Africa when they landed at Isk. At that time it must have been as sterile and inhospitable as the sea, whence they escaped.

“Well, Harry,” said I, as we toiled up the stairs, page 261 “we have now been a fortnight here, yet there seems to be no chance of our accomplishing our object. We can't rescue Bertha; we can't steal the statue.”

“So it seems, old chap; at all events, we can't do it without a row.”

“I don't want there to be a row,” said I, impatiently. “We are at a disadvantage. Less than half a hundred Englishmen against fifty thousand negroes! The odds are great.”

“So is the glory,” rejoined Harry, unconsciously quoting Henry V. at Agincourt; “besides, we have a ship full of modern weapons.”

“There is such a thing as a waiting game, Hal. You are all dash and fire—a modern Coeur de Lion; but you must not forget one thing: that should these negroes prison us on board the yacht, we may run short of provisions. They may camp on the quays, and prevent us from landing.”

“I don't think such an idea would enter their heads,” replied Harry, who had a great contempt for the intellect of Isk.

“Perhaps not; but it might enter the head of Basilea.”

“So it might,” he assented thoughtfully. “She's a dangerous old woman.”

“She is; and it is your task to render this tigress less dangerous by cutting her claws.”

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“It's a horrible thing for a man to make love to his grandmother,” said Harry, with a shudder. “I suppose I'll see her to-day.”

“If you do, ask her for a map of the island.”

“Certainly; but for what reason?”

“I'll tell you that when we are on board again. Bring the map with you if you can.”

This Harry promised to do, and as by this time we had arrived at the temple, we walked forward to the portico. Here we found a line of negroes, armed with spears, drawn up, and these refused to allow us to pass. Rather nonplussed, we waited the turn of events, and in a few minutes Myrtea appeared to conduct us into the shrine. She blushed deeply when she saw Harry, and the fire of her face was reflected in his own. It needed no seer to foretell that these young people were within a measurable distance of falling in love. No doubt they would have denied the imputation; but such denial is a true sign that Fate has settled the matter.

“The fair one awaits you,” said Myrtea, in the barbaric dialect, which sounded oddly from her pretty lips. “Follow me.”

The line of negroes divided, and we walked into the great hall, turned to the right, and, after passing through a corridor, we found ourselves in the small room where I had last seen Bertha. She was here page 263 anxiously waiting our coming, and no one was present save Myrtea. With an exclamation of delight, she ran forward and kissed Harry, and afterwards paid the same attention to myself, in spite of the warning glance I cast on her. She saw my look, however, and taking Myrtea's hand, laughed gaily.

“It does not matter,” she said, in the island tongue, so that the girl might understand. “Myrtea is my friend. She will not betray us.”

Myrtea blushed again—she had a very pretty blush—and again her eyes sought those of Harry. What she saw therein caused her to redden still more; and he, satisfied with the effect produced, turned to speak to his sister.

“My dear Bertha, how glad I am to see you!” he said, kissing her again. “What a mercy it is we found you at Isk, and in such good company!” he added, with another glance at Myrtea.

“We can spare no time for idle talk, Hal,” said I, interrupting him. “Every moment is precious, and we must think of some scheme whereby to rescue Bertha.”

“That will be difficult,” she said, shaking her head, with a serious look. “This temple is guarded night and day. And even if you could get me on board the yacht, how can you get the boat through the page 264 chasm? Basilea says that the gates are constantly closed.”

“Flick has arranged all that,” said I quickly. “We intend to blow up the gates.”

“When?”

“I don't know. The captain is arranging some business with the king. I dare say he will propose some plan to-night. Are you afraid, Bertha?”

“I am afraid of Basilea,” she replied, looking anxious. “Everything depends upon her—or upon the volcano.”

“The volcano!” repeated Harry; “what about the volcano?”

“Ask Myrtea,” said Bertha, looking at the girl; “she will tell you about Basilea's strongest ally.”

“Don't quite understand,” said Harry, with a stare; then, turning to Myrtea, he added in her own tongue, “What about the smoking mountain, Myrtea?”

“Ah, the great, the terrible mountain!” replied the girl solemnly. “Basilea controls its breathings at the bidding of the goddess. These many months it has shaken the isle and flamed with red fire. But that the high priestess keeps it quiet, Isk would sink in the sea.”

“You see,” explained Bertha, “there is every chance that the volcano may break out again. page 265 Basilea knows this, and is using the knowledge to forward her own plans. That is why the people obey her so slavishly. If the volcano becomes active, I am afraid not one of us will escape alive.”

“In that case, the sooner we get away from here the better,” said I uneasily. “I tell you I don't—”

Before I could end my speech there was a low rumble below, and the floor heaved so violently as to cast us on the ground. It was an earthquake—the first I had experienced—and the sensation was just as though a wave had passed under the building. Then the ground began to tremble, and the pavement of the room was rent asunder. With one accord we staggered to our feet, and rushed out of the room. I held Bertha by the arm, and passed swiftly through the great hall, out on to the terrace. Thereon the priestesses were huddled together with every sign of terror and dismay; and the negro guards were lying prone in the porch, unable to move from sheer fear. Harry came after me with Myrtea, and on the terrace, amid the group of terrified women, I spoke to him.

“Now is our time, Harry! Let us take Bertha down to the yacht in the confusion.”

“Right!” he said laconically, as we hurried Bertha towards the steps.

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“I hope Basilea is not here,” she muttered, glancing round.

At that moment her arm was seized, and she was torn from my grasp. I turned to face Basilea, who looked terribly angry, and whose eyes flashed like sword-blades. By this time the ground had ceased to tremble, and the women were recovering from their terror. I made a step forward, but at a rapid gesture from Basilea the women closed round Bertha, bearing her backward.

“Do you dare to take away the Queen of Isk?” cried Basilea in a sharp voice. “Oh, daring one, hast no fear of death?”

“I wished to save her from the falling building,” said I, judging it diplomatic to tell a lie, since it would never have done to admit my real reason.

“You would take her from danger to danger,” cried the high priestess. “You would bear her to your devil-ship. Look! look!”

And truly, as she pointed downward to the pool, the sight was not reassuring. The subterranean forces had turned the waters of the port to the colour of milk, and they were seething and boiling like a witch's cauldron. On that opalescent sea danced the black form of the yacht, tossed hither and thither, and straining at her cables as though she were in the grip of a storm. Both Harry and I rushed page 267 forward to look on this startling sight, which threatened to destroy our means of flight; but with a taunting laugh Basilea waved us back.

“It is nought; it will pass,” said she quickly. “In twenty hours the white will turn black again. The mountain will no longer shake the isle; for I have invoked the mighty Venus, and she has chained the monster which she released at my prayer.”

“At your prayer!” we cried, disbelievingly.

“Ay!” she said calmly. “You were plotting destruction, and I prayed to the goddess to send a sign of the terrors which might befall. Fear, then, lest you die!”

Of course I recognized that Basilea, with the subtlety of her sex, had guessed that we were at Isk on an errand inimical to her religion; but I could not help admiring the dexterity with which she had made use of that unexpected earthquake. She noted my astonishment, and with a severe mien motioned that I should descend the stair; but Harry she detained by laying her hand on his arm. What took place between them I did not know, and it was only when Harry joined me half an hour later on the quay, that I learned her purpose.

“Basilea invites me to go daily to the temple,” he said, half frowning, half laughing.

“To see Bertha?”

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“To see her. I suppose the old thing wants to flirt. She threatens to let loose the terrors of the volcano if we attempt to take Bertha away. She's a wide-awake woman, Denis.”

“I know; but we'll find a way to blind her, Hal.”

“Oh, by the way, here's a map of the island,” said Harry, producing a roll of linen from his pocket. “Basilea was reluctant to give it to me, but I managed to persuade her that it was required to make me acquainted with my future home.”

“I'm glad you got it, at all events. Now there will be a chance of our forming some plan of escape.”

“But what use in the map?”

“Every use. Flick wishes to find out the configuration of the east coast, so that he can lie off there, should he be forced to leave the pool.”

“Oh, well, that all depends upon Basilea,” yawned Harry. “But I say, Denis! isn't that Myrtea a little beauty?”

“I saw you thought as much, Harry. Be on your guard!”

“What! do you think Basilea will grow jealous and punish me?”

“No; but I think she will grow jealous and punish Myrtea!”

“Pooh! rubbish!” said Harry, rather perturbed. “What harm could she do to the girl?”

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“Whatever harm enters her head,” I replied sharply. “She is supreme here, remember; so if you don't want to get Myrtea into trouble, leave her alone and devote yourself to the old woman.”

“I wish another earthquake would come and swallow her up!”

“Very likely we'll get more earthquakes than we bargain for,” replied I, looking at the still milky waters of the pool. “I don't like the look of things at all, either above or below.”