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Updated: June 28, 2025
He sought to maintain his place beside her, but she moved so fast, with little apparent effort that it was hard to do so. He had his Winchester and revolver, and he glanced behind to learn whether they were followed. Ziffak had vanished, and no one was in sight. It was well that such was the fact; for he would not have hesitated to shoot down any that might appear.
What was feared was, that in his anxiety to help his comrades, he would run into a peril from which he could not extricate himself. The real hope for the youth was centered on Ziffak. Believing he had gone forth to look after Ashman, they were confident he would speedily get upon his track. If so, he would not permit him to return to the village.
"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Ashman, who was just too late to anticipate their friend. "It is Ziffak who has saved us!" gasped Ariel, shrinking against the side of her lover. The herculean chieftain towered aloft in more imposing proportions than ever as he strode toward the startled couple.
One of the explorers had dared to look upon the face of Ariel and smile. Had he detected her returning it, he would have driven his javelin through her body as she stood beside him. Ziffak gave no hint of what he had observed. The head chieftain was not afraid to brave his brother to his face; but he wisely forbore carrying the quarrel beyond the point of reconciliation.
Many of the warriors scowled at the white men and their two helpers as though they would have been glad to impale them with their spears, but no demonstration was made. Evidently Ziffak possessed unlimited power and was backed by the pledge of the king. Professor Grimcke was the first to step ashore, Ashman and Long following immediately.
It was no place to discuss their plans, in front of the "palace," especially as the natives were beginning to gather around them again, and among them it was certain was more than one who understood the English tongue "as she is spoke." They were waiting for the coming of Ziffak, who was still within. He was their chaperon, and without his guidance, they did not dare to move from the spot.
Out of the door he went as if shot from the throat of a columbiad, with a procession of sinewy-limbed warriors at his heels. All ran as fast as they could, though none were his equal in fleetness. It need hardly be said that Ziffak took mighty good care that he did not pursue the course of Professor Grimcke, and presumably that of his companion who preceded him.
Suddenly she ceased her efforts and looked beyond him with a gasp and such a startled expression, that he knew some unusual cause had produced it. Ziffak, head chieftain of the Murhapas, was a shrewder and more far-seeing man than even his white friends suspected.
But Ashman did not pull trigger. He could not do so without endangering the lives of Ziffak and the king, and as yet the other warriors had made no demonstration against him. But, seeing that the white man did not fire, Ziffak seemed to gather courage and straightened up again.
The king and his daughter Ariel had complexions as fair as the natives of Georgia and Persia, and yet Ziffak, a full brother of Haffgo, was as ebon-tinted as the darkest warrior of the tribe. Since the features of all were similar in a general way the cause was one that could not be explained. It was a moment when the new-comers fully appreciated the value of a friend at court.
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