Part 24 (1/2)

However, pleased at the discovery of such a place of refuge, they did not stop to examine it, but pa.s.sed onward; the princess first, and the other women followed by the men, who carried articles of food, fuel, or raiment with them. Having reached the uppermost step, they crept through a hole large enough only for one person, and found themselves in one large room, the roof of which was indeed the summit of the rock. In the walls were small loopholes, from which could be seen many miles of country; there was also a large s.p.a.ce in one side for a fire, which was immediately made use of by Chow, who had carried the fuel. Then the guide was sent to fetch other matters, after which they all sat down upon their mats, and partook of hot tea and rice cakes.

”Truly this is a wonderful place,” said Nicholas, who, although he knew that places of refuge were common in all the frontier provinces, had no notion of their real strength and security.

”See,” said the man, pointing to some huge stones near the entrance, and some heavy bars of iron hanging upon the walls, ”should the dogs discover our retreat, they may be crushed as small as tea-dust.”

”Truly they could but starve us out.”

”Not so, n.o.ble youth,” said the man pointing to a ma.s.sive slab of rock; and adding, ”This is a door and leads to another part of the mountain.”

”Truly our ancestors were wise.”

”Necessity made them so, O youth; for two thousand years this border province has been invaded at intervals by the Tartar barbarians.”

When night came on, the men of the party descended to the cavern beneath, the women kept to the turret, and were rocked to sleep by the roaring wind, which brought to them the flame, smoke, and sparks, from below. They, however, were secure, although the enraged rogues had made a bonfire of their village--and they slept.

CHAPTER x.x.xV.

TREACHERY OF THE GUIDE.--THE PRINCESS SEIZED BY ROBBERS.

After a sojourn of three days in this hiding-place their provisions grew short; moreover, it was probable that the enemy had left the village, if, indeed, they had not taken their departure upon the first day; therefore, it was arranged that one of the party should proceed upon a tour of observation, and as the guide not only volunteered, but from his profession seemed to be the most fitting person, he was sent. After an absence of some hours, he brought them the information that not only had the enemy left the neighborhood, but there was plenty of game at hand, the great proof of which was the carca.s.s of a yellow goat that he carried across his shoulders; and so joyful was Nicholas at the news, that he proposed their immediate departure.

”It would not be wise, O my young friend, for these thieves are artful, and may be only lurking near till they can pounce upon us like tigers,”

said the innkeeper.

This advice being reasonable, and, fearing more for the princess than himself, Nicholas readily agreed to remain for a few more days; but then, tired of confinement, and knowing that one small kid would be insufficient, he took his bow in his hands, saying, ”Leave not this place, O Chow, till I return.”

”This may not be, O my master, for while here, there are two men, and a strong room to protect the ladies; among the hills it will be as much as two can do to protect each other from strolling thieves,” said Chow; which reasonable view, being supported by the princess and the innkeeper, Nicholas was compelled, although against his will, to comply with; and so the two youths started off in company.

Along mountain ridges, through valleys, and up steep crags, they toiled for some hours without meeting man or beast. At length, however, as they crossed a small hill covered with trees there was a rustling among the underwood, and they heard the grunt of some animal. ”It is a boar, prepare thy bow,” said Nicholas.

”No, no, master, no; he is running from us,” said Chow, who was upon higher ground and could see better. ”See,” he added, as Nicholas came by his side, ”he is sniffing something good; what can it be?” For a minute they watched the animal, who was quietly sniffing the ground near a small opening of the mountain. ”See, he seeks the entrance, we must not lose him,” said Nicholas; and in another minute the boar fell over with an arrow in his side when, drawing his sword, Nicholas ran up to it. The animal, however, was too quick, for instead of being unduly alarmed at the sudden attack, like a sensible beast, he had, with his teeth, plucked the arrow from his body; an operation he effected so quickly, that before Nicholas could stop, the boar met him half-way, tripped him over, and, placing his huge paws upon the boy's face, would speedily have killed him, but for another arrow which Chow had sent through the brute's thick neck.

”That was a good aim, my brave Chow,” said Nicholas, as he arose, and pa.s.sed his sword through the beast.

”The obstinacy of thy servant in coming with thee was good, O n.o.ble Nicholas.”

”Thou shalt be rewarded with a leg, at least,” said Nicholas.

Thus satisfied with their foraging expedition, they carried the animal between them till they came within a short distance of the refuge, when they stopped to rest; but, starting suddenly Chow said, ”Let us listen;”

and both put their ears to the ground. ”Surely, it is plain, it is the trampling of a large party of horses,” replied Nicholas, rising to his feet and running up a steep hill, ”still there is nothing to be seen, no living being--yet,” he added, ”it was the trampling of horses.”

”It can not be otherwise,” said Chow.

”Let us haste, then, O Chow!” and leaving the carca.s.s of the boar upon the ground, they ran till they reached the cavern. The camel and mules were gone--their worst fears were confirmed; and Nicholas ascended the stairs, followed by Chow, entered the room, when involuntarily placing his hand upon his forehead, as if to a.s.sist his astonished vision, he gave a scream of horror.

As for Chow, for a minute his astonishment deprived him of speech; then, falling upon his face, he exclaimed, ”My beloved mother!”

Well might they be horrified, for the princess and her attendant were absent; the innkeeper, his wife and daughter, and the guide, were bound with cords and gagged, so that they could neither move nor speak.