V.
THE FLIGHT.
Consternation reigned in the palace. The unsuccessful army returned, announcing the escape of Alma and four hundred and fifty of his followers. Amulon, in an angry mood, and the king had had words over the disappearance of Zara. Noah foresaw trouble with her father, and Gideon was one of his best generals. Nor was he mistaken, for along came the sturdy old soldier demanding to see his daughter. Noah explained that the girl was gone, that every effort had been made to locate her, but without avail.
Gideon did not believe it. He thought they were deceiving him. He poured execrations on their heads.
"There is only one fate that awaits a woman that steps inside your palace. Were there not enough, but my daughter must grace your court? She was of a different type, and that was why you coveted her. You have lied to me, for you have something to conceal. A father's curse be on you!"
It was in vain that the king denied any knowledge of Zara's whereabouts. He had been involved in so many intrigues that he was not believed when he spoke the truth.
"Curse you. You will tell me where she is, or I will run you through!" and Gideon drew his sword. "It would be a service to rid the Nephites of such a tyrant."
Noah could have summoned his guards, but Gideon had challenged him as man to man. The king had been a soldier in his youth, but years of dissipation had rendered his flesh flabby and his spirit afraid.
They crossed swords and lunged at each other. A few moments and the king was breathless. Gideon so evidently had the advantage that Noah, in sheer cowardice, turned and fled. He rushed to the temple. With drawn sword Gideon followed him. Through chamber after chamber the king ran. The rooms were superb with their mosaic and metal work, but Noah did not notice any of the decorations, for after him followed grim Nemesis. The two flying figures, one very little behind the other, reached the top of the second pyramid. Noah mounted the steps that led to the top of the tower. This was ascended by a series of ladders, and when he reached the second he kicked the first from under him. When he reached the top his face was purple, and every breath was a pain. He could go no further, and he knew that his respite was short. He looked down from the dizzy height. Then he lost himself in astonishment.
"Let me down!" he screamed. "The armies of the Lamanites are upon us!"
Gideon, deeming this but a ruse, was in no wise deterred in his pursuit.
"I tell you they are spread out in battle array on the plains below! Let me down that I may save my people!" pleaded Noah.
"Save your people? you had better save your own neck," Gideon thought grimly. He went to the parapet and looked over. The king was right, there were the Lamanite phalanxes spread out upon the plain as far as the eye could see.
"Come down and save your people," he called, sheathing his sword. He himself went over and began to beat the alarum drum to call the men to arms. As the old king tottered down there was time for a new fear to supplant the other. None knew better than he how illy his kingdom was prepared for war. He had made his people lovers of pleasure. The standing army was small, and no match for the fierce Indians inured to hardship.
"Call the people together and tell them to bring their families and flee into the wilderness," he commanded. "It were folly to fight them here."
When all the people of the city congregated, Noah, like a good leader, led the flight.
The Lamanites were not slow to discover the tactics, and started out in swift pursuit. They soon overtook the Nephites and the massacre commenced. Noah, maddened by the sight of the blood, bade the heralds command all the men to flee, for they were retarded by the women and children.
"They will not murder the women in cold blood," reasoned the valorous king, "and some of us may be saved while Gideon engages the enemy here."
Like geese that follow their leader, on the spur of the moment many of the men turned and followed the king and his priests, who were in full flight.
After they had gone some distance into the wilderness, they began to come to their senses. One commoner voiced the sentiment of the men when he said, "If our loved ones are slain, it were better that we had perished with them."
"But, at least, after first striking a blow in their defense," added another.
"Let us go back and see if they are dead. And if they are,"—here the speaker looked meaningly at Noah—"we will seek revenge."
"We are a laughing stock and a bye word," said one man who prided himself on his honor.
They were all heartily ashamed of themselves, and, as is always the case under such circumstances, they sought someone on whom to lay the blame. Whereupon, when the king commanded them not to return, it brought their anger to a head. Instead of obeying him, they turned viciously upon him as the cause of all their misfortunes. They overpowered him roughly and bound him hand and foot. Amulon, who at least had the saving grace of loyalty, was the only one who drew his sword in defense of the king. He was run through the side for his pains. The other priests, for their part, seeing themselves so out-numbered, took to their heels.
Amulon, weak from loss of blood, staggered over to a brush heap, and there they let him lie. With presence of mind, he stuffed his shirt into the wound and staunched the flow of blood. He was in a raging fever, and one of the men taking pity on him as he tossed with sleepless eyes, brought him a cup of water.
When night was well advanced, he dragged himself down to a stream and drank deep of the running water. He was conscious of the fact that no one had paid any attention to him. To attempt the escape of Noah, he knew was hopeless. He felt that the king must have help, and have it quickly. Urged on by some power beyond himself, the wounded man arose and staggered out into the jungle.
He found the priests, or rather, they found him wandering in the woods, and Amulon, by his old power of eloquence, rallied them and brought them back. But lo, when they arrived at the place where the Nephites had camped, they were gone, and Amulon feared that in his daze he had mistaken the place. But Himni raised a shout, and they found only too ghastly evidence of the recent presence of the Nephites. The trunk of an immense tree had been partially burned. Lashed to its side was what was left of a man, under whom a fire had been built. One of the priests walked over, and from the ashes picked out the king's signet ring. They had burned Noah to death. Thus had the prophecy of Abinadi been fulfilled.
"His life was as a garment in a furnace of fire."