“As you will,” returned Lacy, becoming more cool every moment. “But remember, we are both on an equal footing now.”
“I would soon show you if we were both free!” exclaimed Owens, hotly.
As if he were understood, a richly decked personage suddenly appeared in the doorway of the purple-hued building and spoke a few words.
To the surprise and joy of Owens, his hands were untied.
Then Lacy was treated in a like manner. The man, who was evidently the king, was just about to make an address to his people in regard to the two strangers from an unknown land, when a startling thing occurred.
Owens made a sudden leap and seized Lacy by the throat.
The men were about of one size and build, and were evenly matched as far as appearances were.
Owens was boiling over with rage, while on the contrary his opponent was perfectly cool and collected.
Lacy had gripped his foe about the neck, and he strove to throw him with all his might.
At the commencement of the sudden encounter between the two men, the inhabitants of the place were thrown into a state of dumfounded amazement.