“But fortunes which will never benefit the civilized peoples,” said Mr. Bruce.
“Probably not,” said Mr. Graham, “unless it be ourselves, for I shall surely not leave here without a generous supply of these beautiful gems,” and he and Mr. Bruce proceeded to each gather a bag full of the precious stones, the ladies doing likewise.
At this point Onrai came up and Mr. Bruce asked: “Onrai, do you not use these stones for aught else than for the sling-shots, and ornaments, and decorations?”
“Yes,” answered Onrai. “We find here a peculiar brilliant, which the direct participants in the ceremonies of the Day of Resis wear as an emblem,” and the King here remounted, and the remainder of the party doing so, they started toward the villa in silence, our friends thinking what fortunes they carried in the little bags at their waists, and what immense sensations they would create when these stones were brought before the world.
Two weeks had now elapsed since the night of the visit to the field of diamonds, and our friends were still at the villa near the volcano. This had remained about as active as it had on the night in mention, and our friends had stayed on to see the development of the eruption.
At times the earth would tremble slightly, and at such times the volcano would always become more active. The fall of ashes had become much less in this part of the surrounding country, but this was due to the wind which had blown steadily from the northeast, carrying the cloud of smoke over the country beyond the cliff.
Onrai was daily expecting the arrival of his army of subjects to perform his bidding.
At the end of two weeks, after an exciting day hunting the jungles of this strange new land, the party one day approached the villa, and saw encamped about it thousands of men, elephants and zebras.
CHAPTER XL.
THE CAMP OF THE ONIANS.
Yes, there were thousands of these. The great field on the opposite side of the avenue was completely filled with them and their animals. Tents of beautiful colors spread over the plain, their peculiar shape suggesting scenes of the Orient. These tents were large and roomy, one side being half turned back so as to admit plenty of air; the floor was covered with soft, skin rugs, and in the centre was a small, round table of wood, on which was resting a lamp.