The country became more cultivated as they proceeded, and men were now seen frequently working in the fields. None of them approached the cavalcade, and none were made acquainted with the sad story of the battle and eruption. And so day after day passed in much the same way as they had on the journey out, the marches being somewhat longer only, and the midday rests somewhat shorter. But the evenings were spent in the cool villas, the nights of prayer being observed now as usual, for with the last body of men who had come to meet them, before leaving the villa near the volcano, had been another priest and attendants, and these were now with the party.
The lake had been reached and its banks followed. All former plans of taking another route back to the city had been abandoned on account of the eruption, and the party was not sorry for this, for the avenue, with its magnificent shade trees and its beautiful surroundings made it an enviable route. The days had passed and with them many miles of the long journey, until on the evening of the ninth day after leaving the villa in the bad lands they were at the point where they had embarked for the island, on the memorable night of the sea-fight. Here they put up for the night at the same villa which had held them once before.
“To-morrow,” said Mr. Bruce, after the evening meal had been disposed of and all had gathered on the terrace for their regular chat before retiring, “to-morrow, if nothing happens, will be our last day’s journey. We will reach the city before noon if we start very early in the morning.”
“I am not sorry that this excursion is so near an end,” said Mr. Graham; “but it has been loaded with adventures and that is what we were looking for when coming here.”
“Yes, but the adventures of the past month or so have none of them been agreeable ones,” said Mr. Bruce.
“I do not agree with you, Mr. Bruce,” said Harry. “I think the last horrible experience has cast a gloom over all of the others, and if it were not for the fearful slaughter of the Onians and our own narrow escape, we would have considered the other adventures as being at least, excitable, if not altogether enjoyable.”
“This land has not seemed the same to me since that fearful day,” said Mr. Bruce.
“I have noticed the change in you,” said Nellie.
“It has made this fair land almost hateful to me and I long to get away from it,” and Mr. Bruce spoke in such a bitter tone, that all looked at him in surprise.
“We have now seen most of the people and their country,” said Mr. Graham, “and it would be well for us to leave as soon as possible, especially as the King has decided that Enola shall marry him on the Day of Resis. By the way, Enola, have you learned anything of Onrai, in regard to this red-letter day?”