"I seek Omar, the Prince," she said in a silvery voice, not, however, without some trepidation.
"I am Omar," answered my friend. "Who, pray, art thou, that thou shouldst know of my hiding-place?"
"Thy servant," she said with a graceful bow, "is called Liola, daughter of Goliba, councillor of the great Naya. My father sendeth thee greeting and a message."
"Goliba's daughter!" Omar cried laughing. "And we had drawn knives upon thee!"
"Sheathe them," she answered smiling upon us. "Keep them in your belts until ye meet your enemies, for ere long ye will, of a verity, want them."
"What then hath transpired?" asked the son of the Great White Queen. "What message sendeth our friend Goliba?"
"My father directed me to come hither, for knowing the wife of the Keeper of the Prison I was enabled to pass the sentries where my father would have been remarked," she said. "He sendeth thee word to be of good courage, for all goeth well, and thy cause prospereth. The savages who accompanied thee into our land are all in safety, although the horsemen of the Naya are scouring the country in search of thee and thy companions. In secret, word of thy consent to lead the popular demonstration against oppression and ill-government hath been conveyed to the people even to our land's furthermost limits, and the reports from all sides show that thou art regarded with favour."
"And thou art also one of my partisans—eh?" asked Omar, smiling.
"I am, O Master," she answered blushing deeply. "I will make fetish for the success of thine arms."
"I thank thee, Liola," he answered. "Thou hast indeed brought us good tidings."