Horror! a fresh piece of intelligence, far more serious, has reached us. In the distribution about to be made, the mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of Munza, the wives whom, according to the customs of the country, he has inherited, are alone included. As for the eighty wives, whose acquaintance we have made, and who, after having belonged to Munza, cannot become the property of his subjects, they are to be beheaded. This is the way in which the potentates of Africa settle their burning questions, heads and difficulties being got rid of together.
Shall we allow Munza to give Madame de Guéran so startling a proof of his love? Shall we stand by as passive spectators of the bloody sacrifice, the gigantic hecatomb he purposes to accomplish? We do not dream of any such thing; every consideration impels us to save these unfortunate creatures, whom one word from us, one unlucky message has condemned to death.
But what are we to say to the King? If we ask for mercy for his wives he will not fail to reply in his usual logical style—
"Their number does not frighten your sister, and she consents to live in my harem?"
Yes, that is sure to be his answer. And, on the other hand, if he kills his wives, will he not be in a position to say—
"The motive you alleged as the ground for refusing my request has now disappeared, and, therefore, you cannot help complying with it."
It is impossible to find a way out of this difficulty, and whilst we are discussing it, the massacre is, in all probability, commencing.
On, then, to the palace, without further delay!
Twenty of our escort, selected by Nassar, were told off to accompany us.
Delange and I seized our most trustworthy pistols and surest rifles.
De Morin alone was almost unarmed.