Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-26


so long, was ailing and YEARLY old;
he was so wrapped up in the study
of mysteries, aud the Joy of closely
knowing them, that earthly matters
had grown nauscous to him. and at
any time he might decide to die. The
Pricstly elan uses its own discreet ion
in the election of a new king. but il
takes note of popular sentiments; and
n general who at the critical time
could come home victorious from n
great campaign. which moreover
would release harasscd people
from the constant application of
arms. would be thc idol of the mo-
ment. These things were pointed
on, to me solemnly and in full coun-
ell"
what! they promised you the
throne"
Even that. So You see set out
with q high stake before me. Phor-
cnice ! had never seen, and I swore
to take her alive. and give her 80 be
the sport of my soldiery. I had a
fine confidence in my own strategy
then. Deucalion. Rut the old gods.
in whom trusted then. remained old.
and taught me no new things. I
drilled and exercised my army ac-
cordiug to the forms you and I
learned together. old comrade. and
in many tough fight found to serve
we'll: | armed them with the choicest
weapons we knew of then. with sling
and mace. with bow and spear. with
AK and knife, with sword and the
throwing fire; their bodies | covered
with metal plates: even their bellies
| cared for. with droves of cattle
driven in the rear of the fighting
troops.
Put when the encounter came,
they might have been men of straw
for all the harm they did. Out of
her own brain Phorcnice had made
tire-tubes that cast dart which
would kill beyond two bowShots, and
the fashion in which she handled her
troops dazzled me. They threat
cned us on one flank, they hsrasscd
us on the other. IT was not war as
we had been accustomed to it. It
was a newer and more deadly game,
and had TO watch my splendid army
eaten away as waves eat a sand hill.
Never once did | get chance of
forcing close action. These new tao
tics that had come from Phorence' s
invention were beyond my art to meet
or understand. We were eight to her
one, and our close packed numbers
, only made us so much the more
easy for slaughter. A panic came,
and those who could fled. Myself. |
had no wish to go back and earn the
ax that waits for the unsuccessful
general. I tried to die there fighting
where ! stood. But death would not
come. 1t was fine melee, Deucal-
ion, that last one
And so she took you?"
Il stood with three others, back to
back, with a ring of dead round us.
and ring of the enemy hemming us
/ in. We tainted them to some on. But
at hand-to-hand courtesies we had
shown we could hold our own, and
so they were calling for tirc-tubes
with which they could strike us down
in safety from 4 distance. Then up
came Phorence. What is this to-
do? says. she. we seek to kill Lord
/ Tatho, who led against you says
she. "A fine figure of a man, indeed,
and pretty fighter, seemingly. after
the old manner. Doubtless he is one
who would acquire the newer meth
cd. See, now, Tatho,' says she. III
is my custom to offer those ! van
quish either the sword (Which, be-
lieve me. was never nearer your neck
than now or service under my ban
ner. VIII YOU make choice"
Woman | said, 'fairest that
ever | saw, finest general the world
has ever borne, YOU tempt me sorely
by your qualities, but there is a ira
dition in our clan that we should he
true to the salt we eat. | am the
kings man still, and 80 can take no
service from you
"'rhe king is dead says she. "A
runner has just brought the tidings,
meaning 70 have fallen into your
hands. And | am the empress
WHO made you empress?' I
asked.
THE same most capable hand
that has given me this battle says
she. 1T is capable hand, as you
have seen; it can be kind hand. also.
as you may learn if you choose. With
the king dead. Tatho is masterless
man now Is Tetho in want OF a
mstreSs?'
such glorious mistress as you,
/ ! said, yes And from that moment,
Dcucalion, have been her slave. Oh.
you may froWn; you may get up
from this seat and walk away if you
will. But | ask you this: keep back
your worst Judgment of me, old
friend, till after you have seen Phor-
enice herself in the warm and love-
~ flesh. Then your own ears and
your own senses will be my advo-
Gates, to win me back your old es-
teem."
CHAPTER II.
| BACK TO ATLANTIS
The words of Tatho were no sleep