“Our friend and brother, Eko Tanga,” continued Yermah, bowing to the Ians as he spoke, “comes with a claim against the decision of our ancestors. He denies the right of the Monbas to cede land to the Azes, since the Monbas came under allegiance to Ian, after the treaty was promulgated, and before the solemn covenant had record. The patient skill and industry of Atlantis has made this a garden spot, and the Ians desire recognition of their pretentions.
“The murmurings of the Monbas have softened the hearts of the Ians, and their king decrees that the Monbas shall be free from tribute and have dominion over the land claimed by them, provided they will release the princess and the high-priestess Kerœcia from bondage.”
Here the Monbas laughed derisively. Even Kerœcia smiled.
“It were unseemly of the Azes to interrupt their Servitor,” said Orondo, sternly, as he sprang to his feet and faced his people determinedly. The rebuke did not fail of effect.
The undulating walls in different portions of Tlamco represented the gyrations of the cosmic serpent, which is matter, and quaintly sets forth man’s incomings to, and out-goings from, material life. On a grand scale, the three points symbolized man’s redemption by harmonizing the three planes of existence. Religious sentiment, as well as race prejudice, had something to do with the hostile feeling prevalent in the factions.
“Sufficient purses have been exchanged to make trade even, but the boundaries still lie in dispute,” continued Yermah.
“Will the Dorado and these people hear me?” asked Eko Tanga, moved to speech.
“The safeguards of courtesy may be trusted thus far,” quickly responded Yermah. “Apply thine ear faithfully that thou mayst comprehend the truth,” he added, as he sat on a level with Kerœcia.
“A matter deserving close attention is the correction of the hazy, indistinct records by which certain lands are ceded,” declared Eko Tanga. “The increase in learning makes the measurements legitimately subject to inquiry, and I crave assistance from the wise men here assembled. All Tlamco reckons from its center, and observes the present houses of the firmament for confirmation. By careful estimate, there is yet some favor due my master from the Monbas. A covenant to remain south of Elias’s cone is all that the king desires. He is content to forego tribute or war service below this mountain.”
It was plain that there were voices in the multitude which favored the Ians. It was known that the Monbas originally came from Ian, and loyalty to fatherland was a sterling virtue of the Azes.