the land of the changing sun-第21章

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en　from　the　firmament。　It　fell　in　the　suburbs　of　Telmantio；　and　many　lives　were　lost。〃

That　was　all；　and　the　figure　vanished。　Presently　Waldmeer　reappeared。　He　seemed　to　be　standing　nearer　the　pit；　for　the　entire　background　was　aflame；　volumes　of　black　smoke　now　and　then　hid　him　from　view；　and　a　thick　shower　of　ashes　and　small　stones　were　falling　round　him。　He　spoke；　but　his　voice　was　drowned　in　a　deafening　explosion；　and　the　whole　landscape　about　him　seemed　afire。　In　the　semi…darkness　hundreds　of　protectors　could　be　seen　struggling　in　the　rushing　water；　moving　stones　and　building　a　dam。　Waldmeer　again　faced　his　far…off　audience　and　spoke：〃Prince　Marentel　has　turned　the　course　of　the　stream。　All　now　depends　on　the　success　or　failure　of　his　final　test　with　explosives；　which　will　take　place　in　about　half　an　hour。〃

〃We　ought　to　go　outside　again；〃　suggested　Bernardino；　as　Waldmeer's　image　disappeared；　〃my　father　might　want　us。〃

Seeing　no　one　in　the　king's　apartment；　they　passed　through　it　to　the　balcony。　Half　the　sky　was　now　covered　with　mingled　fog　and　smoke；　and　the　sun　could　be　seen　only　now　and　then。　A　drizzling　rain　was　fallinga　rain　that　brought　down　clots　of　ashes　and　soot。　But　this　made　no　difference　to　the　throngs　in　the　now　muddy　and　slippery　streets。　They　stood　shivering　in　damp　and　soiled　clothing；　their　blearing　eyes　fixed　hopelessly　on　the　lowering　signs　in　the　west。　Johnston　noticed　a　bent　figure　crouched　against　a　wall　beneath　them。　It　was　Branasko。

〃Who　is　it？〃　inquired　the　princess。

〃Branasko；　the　companion　of　my　adventures；〃　he　replied。

〃Call　him　to　us；〃　she　said　eagerly；　and　the　American　went　down　to　the　Alphian。

As　they　entered　together；　Branasko　uncovered　his　dishevelled　head　and　bowed　most　humbly。

〃You　look　tired　and　sick　and　hungry；　have　you　eaten　anything　today？〃　she　asked。

〃Not　in　two　days；〃　he　replied。

The　princess　called　to　a　frightened　maid　who　was　wringing　her　hands　in　a　corridor。

〃Give　this　man　food　and　drink　at　once；〃　she　ordered；　and　Branasko；　with　a　grateful　bow　and　glance；　withdrew。　Johnston　followed　him　to　the　door。

〃Fear　nothing；〃　he　said。　〃If　the　danger　passes　we　are　safe；　the　king　has　promised　to　pardon　me；　and　he　will　do　the　same　for　you。〃

〃There　is　no　hope　for　any　of　us；〃　replied　Branasko　grimly；　〃but　I　do　not　want　to　die　with　this　gnawing　in　my　stomach；　adieu。〃

〃If　the　worst　comes；　is　there　any　chance　for　us　to　escape　from　here　to　the　outer　world？〃　the　Englishman　was　asking　the　princess　when　Johnston　turned　back　to　them。

〃For　a　few　hundred；　yes；by　the　sub…water　ships；　but　for　all；　no；　and；　then；　my　father　would　not　consent　to　rescue　a　part　and　not　the　whole　of　his　subjects。　He　would　not　try　to　save　himself　or　any　of　his　family。〃

The　clouds　still　covered　the　sun；　but　on　the　eastern　sky　its　rays　were　shining　gloriously。　Ever　and　anon　there　sounded　from　afar　a　low　rumbling　as　if　the　earth　were　swelling　with　heat。

Johnston　left　the　two　lovers　together　and　went　to　the　door　of　the　Electric　Auditorium；　and　over　the　heads　of　the　breathless　crowd　he　watched　the　great　mirror。　After　a　few　moments　Waldmeer　appeared　and　spoke：

〃Prince　Marentel　is　operating　with　great　difficulty。　A　large　quantity　of　his　explosives　has　been　injured　by　water；　but　he　hopes　there　is　enough　left　intact　to　serve　his　purpose。　The　final　explosion　will　soon　take　place。　The　greatest　peril　hangs　over　Alpha。〃

Waldmeer's　reflection　was　becoming　in…distinct；　and　sick　at　heart　the　American　elbowed　his　way　through　the　muttering　crowd　into　the　corridor。　Here　he　met　Branasko；　and　together　they　walked　back　to　Thorndyke　and　the　princess；　who　were　mutely　watching　the　signs　in　the　east。　Just　then　the　sun　slowly　emerged　from　the　cloud。

〃Look！〃　cried　Bernardino　in　horror。　〃The　cloud　is　not　moving；　the　sun　has　not　stopped！　It　is　going　down　and　we　shall　soon　be　in　utter　darkness。　Oh；　it　is　awfulto　die　in　this　way！〃

The　king　had　just　returned；　and　he　over…heard　her　words。　He　came　hastily　to　the　edge　of　the　balcony；　and　gazed　at　the　sun。　The　others　held　their　breath　and　waited。　His　face　became　more　rigid；　he　swayed　a　little　as　he　turned　to　her。

〃You　are　right；　my　daughter；〃　he　groaned；　〃it　is　going　down；　the　cowardly　dogs　in　the　east　have　deserted　their　posts。　It　is　going　down！　It　will　sink　into　a　tunnel　filled　with　water；　and　the　light　of　Alpha　will　be　extinguished　forever。　We　are　undone！　Say　your　prayers；　my　child；　your　prayers；　I　tell　you；　for　an　Infinite　God　is　angry　at　our　pretensions！〃

〃Don't　despair；　father；〃　and　Bernardino　put　her　arms　gently　round　the　old　man's　neck。　〃You　understand　the　solar　machinery；　could　you　not　stop　the　sun？〃

The　eyes　of　the　old　man　flashed。　He　seemed　electrified　as　he　drew　himself　from　her　embrace　and　looked　anxiously　over　the　balustrade　to　a　flying…machine　in　the　street　below。

〃I　might　reach　the　east　in　time；〃　he　cried；　〃yes；　you　are　right；　I　was　acting　cowardly。　The　fastest　air…ship　in　Alpha　is　ready；　and　Nanleon　can　drive　it　to　its　utmost　speed。　If　the　worst　comes；　I　shall　see　you　no　more；　good…bye！〃　He　kissed　her　brow　tenderly；　and　her　eyes　filled　as　he　hastened　away。　Down　below　they　saw　him　spring　lightly　into　the　gold…mounted　car；　and　the　next　instant　the　graceful　vessel　rose　above　the　palace　roof　and　sped　like　an　arrow　across　the　sky　toward　the　east。

A　faint　cheer　broke　from　the　lips　of　the　crowd　which　seemed　suddenly　to　take　new　hope　from　the　king's　departure。　Some　of　them　waved　their　hats　and　scarfs；　and　many　watched　the　air…ship　till　it　had　disappeared　in　the　murky　distance。

〃He　may　not　get　there　in　time！〃　cried　the　princess；　〃it　seems　to　be　going　down　faster　than　it　ever　did　before；　and　he　has　a　great　distance　to　go。〃

The　little　party　on　the　balcony　were　silent　for　a　long　time。　Presently　Bernardino　turned　her　tearful　eyes　to　the　face　of　Thorndyke。

〃The　smoke　and　steam　do　not　seem　so　voluminous；　do　you　think　all　will　go　well？〃

The　Englishman　slowly　shook　his　head。　〃I　don't　want　to　depress　you　more　than　you　are；　but　I　think　at　such　a　time　we　ought　to　realize　the　worst。　It　is　true；　the　clouds　are　not　so　heavy；　and　the　earth…　quakes　are　less　frequent；　but；　unfortunately；　it　is　owing　to　the　fact　that　the　volume　of　water　has　been　turned　away　from　the　pit　into　the　tunnel。　Be　prepared　for　the　worst。　If　your　father　cannot　reach　the　machinery　in　the　east　soon　enough；　our　light　will　go　out；　and；　worse　than　that；　if　Prince　Marentel　should　fail　in　his　next　venture　with　explosives；　all　hope　will　be　gone。〃

〃I　have　never　desired　to　live　so　much　as　now；〃　she　answered；　inclining　with　an　air　of　tenderness　toward；　him。　〃I　never　knew　what　it　was　to　fear　death　tilltill　you　came　to　us。〃

He　made　no　reply。　There　was　a　lump　in　his　throat　and　he　could　not　trust　his　voice　to　speech。　Branasko　and　Johnston　left　them　together　to　go　into　the　Electric　Auditorium。　They　returned　in　great　haste。

〃The　prince　is　ready　for　the　explosion；〃　panted　Johnston。　Thorndyke；　old　man；　this　is　simply　awful！　It　is　not　like　standing　up　to　be　shot　at；　or　being　jerked　through　the　clouds　in　a　balloon。　It　seems　to　me　that　out　there　is　the　endless　space　of　infinity；　and　that　all　the　material　world　is　coming　to　an　end。　My　God！　look　at　that　hellish　fire；　the　awful　smoke　and　that　black　sky！　Oh；　the　blasphemy　of　a　such　a　paltry　imitation　of　the　handiwork　of　the　Creator！　We　are　damned！　I　say　damned；　and　by　a　just　and　angry　God！〃

〃Don't　be　a　fool；〃　said　Thorndyke；　and　he　threw　a　warning　glance　at　Bernardino；　who；　with　staring；　distended　eyes　was　listening　to　Johnston。

〃No；　he　is　right；〃　she　said　in　a　low　tone。　〃I　have　never　seen　your　world；　but　I　know　my　people　must　be　woefully　wrong。　In　your　land　they　say　men　teach　things　about　Infinity　and　an　eternal　life　for　the　soul；　and　that　one　may　prepare　for　that　life　by　living　pure；　and　in　striving　to　attain　a　high　spiritual　state。　Oh；　why　have　you　not　told　me　about　that？　It　is　the　one　important　thing。　I　have　long　wanted　to　know　if　my　soul　will　be　safe　at　death；　but　I　can　learn　nothing　of　my　people。　They　have　always　tried　to　rival　God；　and；　in　their　mad　pursuit　of　perfection　in　science；　they　have　been　reduced　tothis。　That　black　cloud　is　the　frown　of　God；　hose　mad　flames　may　burst　forth　at　any　moment　and　engulf　us。〃

She　uttered　a　low　groan　and　hung　her　head　as　if　in　prayer。　Johnston　and　Thorndyke　were　awed　to　silence。　Never　had　the　Englishman　loved　her　as　at　that　moment。　She　was　no　longer　simply　a　beautiful　human　creature；　but　a　divinity；　speaking　truths　from　Heaven　itself。　He　felt　too　unworthy　to　stand　in　her　presence；　and　yet　his　heart　was　aching　to　comfort　her。

She　raised　her　pallid　face　heavenward　and　extended　her　fair；　fragile　hands　toward　the　lowering　sky　and　began　to　pray。　〃My　Creator；〃　she　said　reverently；　childishly；　〃I　have　never　come　to　Thee；　but　they　say　that　people　far　away　from　this　dark　land；　under　Thy　own　sun；　moon　and　stars　do　ask　aid　of　Thee；　and　I；　too；　want　Thy　help。　Forgive　me　and　my　people。　They　have　been　sinful；　and　vain；　and　thoughtless；　but　let　them　not　perish　in　utter　gloom。　Forgive　them；　O　thou　Maker　of　all　that　existsthou　Creator　of　pain　that　we　may　love　joy；　Creator　of　evil　that　we　may　know　good；　turn　not　from　us！　We　are　but　thoughtless　childrenand　Thy　childrengive　us　time　to　realize　the　awful　error　of　our　hollow　pretensions！　Give　them　all　now；　at　once；　if　they　are　to　die；　that　spirit　which　is　awakened　in　me　by　the　awful　majesty　of　Thy　anger！　Hear　me；　O　God！〃　And　with　a　sob　she　sank　on　her　knees；　clasped　her　hands　and　raised　them　upward。　Thorndyke　tried　to　lift　her　up；　but　she　shook　her　head　and　continued　her　prayer　in　silence。　A　marked　change　had　come　over　Branasko。　He　looked　at　Johnston　and　Thorndyke　in　a　strange；　helpless　way；　and　then；　in　a　corner　of　the　balcony　the　begrimed　and　tattered　man　fell　on　his　knees。　He　knew　not　the　meaning　of　prayer；　but　there　was　something　in　the　reverent　attitude　of　the　princess　that　drew　his　untutored　being　toward　his　Maker。　He　covered　his　face　with　his　hands　and　his　shaggy　head　sank　to　his　knees。

Johnston　hastened　back　into　the　Auditorium。　Returning　in　a　moment；　he　found　the　Englishman　tenderly　lifting　Bernardino　from　her　knees　and　Branasko　still　crouching　in　a　corner。

〃What　is　the　news？〃　asked　Thorndyke。

〃Everything　is　ready　for　the　explosion。　The　prince　seems　only　waiting　because　he　dreads　failure。　The　people　in　there　are　so　frightened　that　they　cannot　move　from　their　seats。〃

Just　then　Branasko　raised　a　haggard　face　and　looked　appealingly　at　the　princess。　She　caught　his　eye。

〃Fear　nothing；　good　man；〃　she　said；　〃the　God　of　the　Christians　will　not　harm　us；　we　are　safe　in　His　hands。　I　felt　it　here　in　my　heart　when　I　prayed　to　Him。　Oh；　why　has　my　father　and　the　other　kings　of　Alpha　not　taught　us　that　grand　simple　truth！　But　before　I　die　I　want　to　leave　this　dark　pit　of　sin；　and　look　out　once　into　endless；　world…　filled　space。〃

A　joyous　flush　came　into　the　face　of　the　Alphian。　His　fear　had　vanished。　She　had　promised　him　safety。　He　bowed　worshipfully；　but　he　spoke　not；　for　Bernardino　was　eagerly　pointing　to　the　sun。

〃Look！〃　she　cried　gleefully；　with　the　merry　tremolo　of　a　happy；　surprised　child。　〃The　sun　is　not　moving。　Father　has　been　successful！　It　is　a　good　omen！　God　will　save　us！〃

It　was　true；　the　sun　was　standing　still。　A　deep　silence　was　on　the　ci