The reply came from Zonella.
“Ever since the time of the great Mellenda. So we are told. It is the punishment sent by the Great Spirit upon the people for their ingratitude to him.”
“And who was Mellenda?” asked Elwood.
“What! You ask who was Mellenda? But I forgot; of course, you have not been here very long, and cannot know our history and legends.”
“I have been prying about more in your museums than has my friend,” Jack observed, “and I have learned something of Mellenda. But I know nothing of any legend. Pray let us hear it.”
“Yes, tell us about it,” Leonard urged. “I like fine old legends and tales of wonder.”
“Ask the princess to tell you.”
“No, no, Zonella,” Ulama interposed. “You began it; you finish it. Besides, you are more learned in such things than I am.”
“Very well,” Zonella said resignedly. “I can only give it as I know it. If you want further details, you must go to the museum, or ask Colenna, the High Chamberlain, who is a very learned man. Only I do not wish you to ridicule it”—this to the two young men—“for, though I call it a legend, yet it is history; and all our people implicitly believe it. You could not offend them more than by treating it lightly or affecting to disbelieve it. I give you that as a caution, more particularly,” she added, looking mischievously at Jack, “for I know that you are very much inclined to scepticism in such things.”
“I will promise to be very good, and to make no frivolous remarks,” was Jack’s laughing answer.