"
"You also, my brother, speak of death! I must escape--I cannot
sacrifice my life!"
"Nor shall you," a gentle voice broke in passionately, and Lianor, her
face full of tender compassion, stood before the victim, Panteleone
beside her.
"Follow me," the latter said briefly, drawing the girl's arm through
his. "Trust us, and you will yet be saved."
With joyful hearts the two Indians accompanied their kind protectors,
climbing among the broken gods, higher and higher, until they at last
arrived without the temple, the other side from where the Indians were
assembled.
There they were rejoined by the soldiers and attendants, and the
little party commenced their homeward journey, hoping the wild group
would not discover their presence.
But their hopes were not to be realized; ere they had gone many yards,
the flight of the rajah's widow had been discovered, and with hideous
cries they sought eagerly to find her.
It was not long ere they espied the small party, and full of triumph
dashed toward them.
"Lianor, keep back--leave me to deal with these barbarians!"
Panteleone said hurriedly, and in a minute a deadly fight began
between the Indians and the soldiers.
But what was their strength against more than five hundred strong
warriors? Ere long the brave party was captured, and while Konmia
dragged the terrified girl towards the funereal-pile, the Indians
shrieked aloud in triumphant gladness.
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