Underneath all their apparent fury was a fraternal, conciliatory spirit, causing the insurgents to make only a half-hearted fight against their hereditary leader.
The revolted troops were oppressed by a secret fear that Yermah’s soul was perjured; but this did not overcome their inherent sense of loyalty to him.
“Down with the Mazaleels!” urged Setos, now in the thick of the fight. “Spare not a single apostate! If thou art true-hearted Turghatis, stand by the old beliefs.”
He spurred his horse into the fray, shouting:
“Mazaleel! Mazaleel! Mazaleel! Who loves a Mazaleel?”
“Kill! Slay! Burn! Fire every building! Do duty with torch and sword!” hoarsely commanded Imos, seeing that the lines about the Observatory trenches were wavering. “Who will help me cut a way through to the canal?”
Urged forward by his example and words, a body of warrior-priests threw themselves against Hanabusa’s flank, and succeeded in driving him to the water’s edge. Many of the oarsmen tried to re-embark, but the fleet was on fire and a swift and terrible conflict ensued.
In the meantime, Yermah had stormed the eastern entrance to the Observatory, which finally yielded, and he rode in under the mocking inscription:
“Peace and Good Will Abide With Thee.”
“The victory is ours!” he cried, sheathing his sword, and surveying the Temple of Venus on his left, apparently deserted.