I got into my litter, where my bonds were removed and I was borne along by my bearers beside the king.
“Did the boats escape the storm?” I asked presently.
He nodded.
“Of course. There was less danger to them on the water than to us in the forest.”
“But the reefs—”
“My men are fishes first, and warriors afterward. They are used to storms and do not dread them.”
I did not see how any living thing could withstand the breakers on the reefs, but said nothing more on that subject.
The king was unusually quiet and seemed not to wish to converse with me. I could not well blame him, seeing he had just witnessed the destruction of many of his choicest fighting men.
Dismally enough we made our way back to the Pearl City, where to my satisfaction I was taken to my old room at the back of the temple. I missed Joe, but was glad he was safe with his friends. It was not the room that I cared especially for, but the evidence that I still retained the young king’s good will. Had he ordered me to some other place in close confinement, I might know my end was not very far off.