“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the new-comer. “Coleola and the Yellow Bloodhound have met again!”
The renegade groaned.
“Spare!” he hoarsely plead. “I will help Coleola slay her enemies.”
The Snake Queen bent eagerly over him.
“Then the Queen of the Snakes and the Yellow Bloodhound bury the hatchet,” she said. “She will help him eat up his enemies; he shall help her crush hers.”
“I will, heaven help me! Where are they?”
“Below the ground,” answered Coleola. “They have driven the braves before them like the strong wind blows the dead leaves away. We will kill the dogs. Can the Bloodhound walk?”
The sudden change in his fortunes drove Bardue to his feet.
“Walk?” he echoed. “I’m as strong now as ever. Lead the way, demoness. I’ve a blade that cries for blood.”
Coleola laughed again, and, springing up, strode into the deeper gloom.