The Day of Resis

by Lillian Frances Mentor

So hurrying was out of the question, but the zebras, who had had their eyes washed out in the stable, and keen-sighted and sure-footed now, they went along at a good pace, considering the condition of the road. But it was so dark, and they had now proceeded far enough on their journey to expect to meet couriers from the King and party, if there were any left to tell the tale. Torches had been procured at the villa at which they had sought shelter, and lighting these, they carried them high above their heads with good effect. The lights threw weird shadows along the avenue as they picked their way through the debris. The storm seemed not to have touched the avenue or the grand trees bordering it, but had taken a course parallel to this, the outer edge of which had come very close to the southern border of the avenue. It was not, then, the avenue shade trees which occasionally lay across it, but the forest trees which covered the fields on each side. So close, however, had the tornado or cyclone come to the avenue, that some of the branches of its bordering trees had been cut off as with a knife.

Occasionally, in the glare of the torches, a wounded or dead animal would be seen. In one instance, a deer had been killed by a falling tree, and its mate, which had probably been with it at the time, now lay beside its dead licking the eyes and face. Again, a zebra had been torn and lacerated by the fierceness of the storm, and as it saw the lights and the familiar forms of the zebra in the cavalcade, it made a painful effort to rise and follow. Sedai seeing its suffering, dismounted and killed the poor beast, thus putting it out of its misery. The onyx pavement was covered with dead and wounded birds, the storm having played greater havoc among the winged inhabitants, than among any of the other.

At last faint streaks of dawn lighted up the eastern heaven, and gradually it grew lighter, until the great hot sun burst forth, its rays disclosing a scene of fearful devastation. But our friends had but little time to notice all of this. They were looking for the wounded or dead bodies of the King and his party. But look as they might, they could not see either a wounded or dead zebra or elephant, in this part of the avenue. This was probably because these animals had stables, into which they could run if they chose, and as all the buildings were of onyx, and built to stand for centuries, the storm’s violence had no effect on them.

The rescuing party’s progress had necessarily been slow, for they were not only hindered by fallen trees and other debris which strewed the avenue, but a great deal of time had been taken up in looking over the ground carefully, they fearing that if they did not do this, they might pass some of their wounded friends. They had now reached the lake, and the numerous inlets, or bays, which stretched into the mainland for a short distance, showed, from the appearance of their banks, that they had also received harsh treatment by the storm. Near one of these, lay, with its body half twisted in two, one of the sea monsters which had been sucked from the stream and hurled against a neighboring tree. Many fishermen’s boats were strewn along the banks smashed to splinters. The villa in which the King and party had spent the night of prayer, was visited by the rescuers, but the bewildered attendants here could only say that the King and his party had left the morning before, and had not again returned. Then Sedai, and those with him, after exchanging their poor, tired zebras for fresh ones, and after a hasty meal, pushed on. They might reasonably suppose that the party had reached a point at least twenty miles farther to the northwest before the storm broke in its fury; but it might have been that they saw the storm approaching even before those in the city did, and fearing serious consequences had turned back. In this case the rescuers might expect to meet them at any time now and especial care was taken to look behind each fallen tree or pile of debris.

An elephant had been taken along from the last villa in hopes that he might be able to sooner detect their near approach to any of his companions used by Onrai and his party. These animals are very sagacious and their senses are very acute, they being able to hear the slightest noise or see the most minute object, while their scent is only equaled by a bloodhound.

Carefully this great beast picked his way, stepping gingerly over the fallen trees and testing each bridge with his fore legs before venturing to cross it. The distance between the villa and where our friends might expect to be found, if safe, was now half covered and the rescuers had gained heart with each step forward, for if those whom they were seeking were not found within the next few miles, they would know that they were safe. Suddenly the elephant stopped, and sniffing the air gave a sharp, quick cry. Looking to the left the party saw the huge body of an elephant, and beside it that of a woman.

CHAPTER XVI.
ENOLA FOUND.

Onrai had seen Enola slip and fall, and then carried away from him, with the greatest anguish. He stood for a moment gazing at the retreating figure, and saw the noble elephant grasp her. He now thought her safe and started toward her, but the storm caught him in its folds and he was also being hurried before it. But the attendants had been watching him and Enola from the entrance, and seeing him hurried on by the storm, they formed a line by clasping hands, and throwing this human barrier across the terrace they prevented the King from being blown further by the storm, and before he could realize it, he was hurried into the villa and was standing among his friends and attendants. The action had been so quick that he was at first bewildered, but the truth having suddenly dawned upon him, he made a rush for the door.

“Back, man,” said Mr. Bruce, throwing himself across his path. “What would you do? Do you not know that it is sure death to venture forth in this storm?”

Onrai stopped and looked at Mr. Bruce almost scornfully, then said: