Chapter XLIX: The Day of Resis

“The Day of Resis” had come, and long before the sun had shed its golden beams on the Temple of On, the people were astir. The tramp of many zebras and the rumbling of chariots could be faintly heard by the adventurers as they lay tossing on their couches, the night having brought them but little rest. They listened with bated breath to the sounds as they floated through the wide arches of the Temple, and wondered what the day would bring forth. That it would be fateful, was certain, for if they did not effect their escape, Enola would become the unwilling bride of the King of On; and what would be the subsequent events? Would they longer be held prisoners, or, would they be allowed to go and come as they saw fit?

But if they failed to get away before the eventful ceremony should take place, would there be any further inducement to leave this beautiful country? Would not Enola be the wife of Onrai, and would not the bonds be binding, having been welded by the laws of this country? Would she not still be the wife of Onrai, even if she should go back to civilization, and would it not be better for her to remain here with the man whom she had been forced to marry? It was a difficult question to answer, and puzzled and troubled, the small party of adventurers rose, and after the morning bath, the last, they hoped, in the Temple, they repaired to the dining hall.

“The night has been a disappointing one in every respect,” said Mr. Graham, as he took a seat by the side of Enola, “for I had hoped that after the suspense and failure of the early evening, we would at least forget for awhile in our sleep. But I see in the haggard faces about me traces of unrest, and I know that we have all spent the night in worrying and in wondering as to what the day would bring forth.”

“The night has been a fearful one to me,” said Enola; “but it has seemed all too short, for I could remember only that with its darkness went all hope of mine.”

“Come, Enola,” said Mr. Bruce, “do not give up entirely. Remember that it is on the eve of this day that you are to marry the King, and there are many hours left us yet in which to escape.”

“No,” said Enola, “I feel that all hope is gone. We will be the central figures of attraction to-day and all eyes will be upon us, thus making it an impossibility to escape.”

“I differ with you,” said Mr. Bruce, “for we have learned that this is the greatest of all days with these people, and the ceremonies of the day may call attention from us, thus giving us a chance to get away. Listen, even now, the avenues seem crowded with the chariots and zebras, and the sandaled feet of the multitude can be heard shuffling over the hard pavement. The day for me has the greatest interest, for I long to fathom its mysteries, but not at the expense of your happiness, Enola, and I will watch every chance, as will all of us, to get you away from the hateful ceremony.”

“I had forgotten, in our trouble,” said Mr. Graham, “that there were secrets to be learned to-day. What can they be?”

“They must be of an exceedingly happy nature,” said Harry, “for I have seen the faces of those who have spoken of the day, light up as if with pleasurable anticipation.”

“Yes,” said Mr. Bruce, “Onrai has said that the day was the happiest one in the lives of the people, and that must mean a great deal, for these people are always happy, or, have been so until the news reached them of the great battle and eruption. Hark,” and as Mr. Bruce ceased speaking, a song rose on the morning air so exquisitely beautiful and grand, that our friends almost held their breath, for fear of losing one note of its delightful harmony. It rose and fell one moment loud and powerful, ringing through the entrance and wide hall of the Temple, and the next dying away almost to a whisper.

“Ah,” said Enola, as the voices ceased, “it is beautiful. Oh, why could not Onrai have left me in peace, so that we might enjoy even yet awhile the delights of this grand country and people.”

“It is indeed too bad,” said Mr. Bruce. “But has Sedai been here this morning?”

“No,” said Mr. Graham, “but it is time that he was. Perhaps he is afraid of losing a chance for escape by coming to us,” but the curtain moves at this moment and Sedai enters.

“We were just speaking of you, Sedai,” said Mr. Bruce. “What are the chances this morning?”

“Better, I think,” replied Sedai. “I was sitting near the stables last night waiting for the watch to sleep, when Ephmer came to me and said:

“‘Listen, Sedai, your friends of the far-away country would escape, for the fair one whom Onrai the King, would marry, can see no happiness in becoming his wife. To-morrow is the Day of Resis, and on that day is the first King of On to marry. But you would escape. I have seen the look of fear and suspense on the faces of your friends since they have again arrived in the city, and I have seen you here day and night watching closely the movements of the men who have been placed to watch your friends. Now listen. I have longed to leave my native land and go to that far-away country, of which I have heard you speak, and I will help you escape. I only ask that you take me with you, and also my friend Shal, of the underground world. I cannot promise to effect your escape, but I will do all in my power to help you. Will you accept my help?’

“I looked at the Onian for a moment, but did not answer, for fear that if I should admit that we were trying to escape, he would report the matter to the King.

“Don’t mistrust me,” he continued, “and I decided to accept his offer. Have I done right?”

“You have,” said Mr. Bruce, “and if this man can help us, he shall see that great world beyond the cliffs to which he has so longed to go.”

“’Tis well,” said Sedai, “Ephmer will be near you to-day during the ceremonies and will explain all to you. I will immediately notify you if an opportunity affords for our escape,” and with this Sedai withdrew.

Onrai was heard outside a moment later, and very shortly he came into the apartment. His face wore a happy smile, as he walked to where Enola was sitting, and taking her hand, said:

“Greeting, Enola. This is the greatest day of my life and the happiest.”

“The day seems strange to me,” said Enola.

“Why strange, Enola,” asked Onrai, his face troubled for the moment.

“Because I cannot realize that in this strange land, so far from our own, and where the customs are so very different, I have found the one whom I am to marry, and that on this day I am to become his wife. I cannot accustom myself to the idea, that is all,” and Enola tried to smile, knowing that she must still keep up the miserable farce in order to avert suspicion.

“The strangeness will wear off with the day’s ceremonies,” said Onrai, “and now the ceremonies are about to commence, and places on the terrace are awaiting you.”

“Then we are about to learn the day’s mysteries,” said Mr. Bruce.

“They are mysteries to you only; to my people, the day’s ceremonies are well-known,” said the King.

“Then why are they never mentioned?” questioned Mr. Bruce.

“Because they are too sacred,” answered Onrai, solemnly, as he left the apartment.

“Ah, they are mysteries still,” said Mr. Bruce, after the King had left. “Not even at this late hour will he explain them to us, but leaves us to learn them ourselves, and that we are willing to do. Let us go to the terrace and there learn what it is which makes the day one of mystery.”

They all now left the dining hall and stepped into the large court. Here attendants were awaiting to conduct them to their seats. Ephmer, who was one of these, stepped up as they approached, and asked:

“Has Sedai spoken?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Bruce, “and we have consented. You will not fail us?”

“I shall do all in my power,” and saying this, Ephmer led the way to the terrace where they found seats awaiting them.

The scene which now met the gaze of the adventurers was strange, yet grand. The populace thronged the court of the Temple, the garden, the avenues leading to it, and even the tops of the villas were crowded with the happy-looking people. Before many of the villas could be seen a square pile of wood about ten feet high. These had been placed during the night, and our friends could but wonder what part these played in the ceremonies of the day. Turning to Ephmer, Mr. Bruce asked:

“Why are these piles of wood placed before some villas and not before others?”

“In these villas with the biers before them, live the principal participants in to-day’s ceremonies,” answered Ephmer.

“What did you call these? Biers?” asked Mr. Bruce, with a puzzled look on his face.

“Yes,” answered Ephmer, “for on these are burned the bodies of those who have this day met their Day of Resis.”

“Burned? Day of Resis? Why, what do you mean, man?” asked Mr. Bruce, and they all looked at the man with troubled faces.

“Only this,” said Ephmer, “that all Onians who have reached the age of sixty-five, since this day last year, will to-day be put to death by the hand of the King.”

Our friends looked at the Onian, as he said this, with fearful wonderment depicted in their faces. Could it be that the man told the truth? Could this race of enlightened people do this thing?

“But why are these put to death?” asked Mr. Bruce, as soon as he could find his voice.

“Because they have reached that time when old age creeps on; and having reached this age, too, they have earned the reward which is rightfully theirs, by having lived a sinless life,” answered Ephmer.

“But why should you kill a man because he has seen his best days?” asked Mr. Bruce, now interested in spite of himself.

“Because we would leave none but the strong and vigorous to bring children into our world, and, also, because our world would become over-populated if the old were not killed. The same law governs our domestic animals.”

And this, then, was the secret, or one of the secrets of the great height, strength and healthfulness of this people, and it also explained the absence of all aged people in this strange land. Yes, such a law could have but this effect, but at what a cost was the beautiful stature and healthfulness acquired?

“But do not those who are to be killed, object?” asked Mr. Bruce.

“Never,” answered Ephmer, “it is the happiest day of their lives. Look at them. The ceremonies are about to commence.”

“I cannot stand this,” said Mrs. Graham, and she and Nellie rising, entered the Temple. Enola also arose intending to go to her apartment, but at that moment the King came on to the terrace wearing a long, crimson robe, and seeing Enola about to retire, said to her: “It is important that you witness the scenes of the day, because hereafter, you will have to perform the same duties which I am this day performing.”

“I cannot look on this wholesale murder,” answered Enola, with a shudder.

“It is the law,” replied Onrai, as he moved away. And Enola again sank into her seat. It was fearful, but what could she or the others do? Nothing.

Suddenly the blare of a trumpet sounded over the city, and the vast throng burst forth in a weird chant which rose and fell in great waves of sound, and almost stopped the beating of the heart with its impressive solemnity. Up the long avenue came a procession of men and women, and across the wrist of each was the gold chain and peculiar diamond, which symbolized the bloody ending of the day. A white bag of goat skin was suspended by a silken cord which encircled the wrist just below the gold band. All were in spotless white with golden girdles and fillets of gold about their brows.

The King, in a crimson robe, accompanied by seven priests, took his place in the court and faced the line of the doomed. At the sound of another trumpet the singing ceased. An onyx pedestal was brought from the Temple and placed before the King. On the pedestal was a shallow basin of gold.

At a given signal the lines of the doomed moved forward, keeping the right foot foremost, and again the chant of the multitude rose higher and higher, growing wilder and wilder, until the front rank of the victims was ranged before the King. He drew from his girdle a glittering dagger, that flashed in the sunlight when he held it aloft, as the doomed men and women thrust out their naked wrists over the golden basin. One swift stroke severed the main artery and the goat-skin bag was instantly drawn up and tied above the wound, scarcely a drop of blood falling into the shallow golden vessel on the pedestal.

Again the flashing dagger was raised in the air as two members of each victim’s family stepped from the throng and assisted the doomed into the chariot which stood waiting. On the faces of the vast throng no horror was depicted, but rather the intent look of serious and solemn interest. Even upon the faces of the victims a beatified look of hopeful expectancy, was the only evidence that they were not to mingle again with their fellow-men, in the duties and pleasures of the Land of On.

For a time Enola was enabled to keep her face turned away from the actual sight of the massacre, but under the influence of that wonderful music, she at last stole one brief glance at the King as the gleaming knife crossed the wrist of a victim, and from that time until the long procession had passed the pedestal of death, she was held as if by the glittering eyes of a serpent.

As the last man received his death-thrust, the King dropped the knife into the basin, and holding aloft both hands, intoned the words of the ceremony which were supposed to justify the deeds of the day, and speed the departing souls into the sublimity of the hereafter. At last Mr. Bruce exclaimed hoarsely:

“It is over!” and he looked up just in time to see Enola fall fainting into Harry’s arms. She was immediately borne to her apartments and was soon revived. As the men left the terrace, there was not a sign to show that the day had been one of dreadful tragedies. No drop of blood, no confusion. Simply the orderly dispersing of the multitude engaged in low-toned conversation.

All now met in Mr. Bruce’s rooms and breathlessly awaited Sedai’s arrival. The news which he would bring from the stables would decide how much or how little of hope they might have, for effecting an escape before Onrai should come.

Suddenly the curtain stirred and Sedai’s face appeared. He beckoned to them to follow, and noiselessly they crossed the starlit terrace and entered the garden. Here they found Ephmer and Shal awaiting them with zebras. Enola was about to mount her zebra when she heard a peculiar cry, and turning she saw the great white body of Gip looming up in the half light and coming toward her.

“Oh, Gip,” she cried, “this is my only regret in leaving On. I cannot take you with me,” and patting the great noble beast, which had saved her life on two different occasions and the lives of her friends, she turned and mounted her zebra and rode away with tears streaming from her eyes, afraid to look back, fearful of the pitiful look on Gip’s face.

Cautiously they picked their way through the park toward the road to the mountains. Along this road, which was used only for bringing the fodder for the stables, Sedai led them, explaining that it joined the main road leading to the cave a short distance from the city. As soon as they reached the main road they urged on their zebras with all speed, for, turning to look back at the city, they could see torches glittering about rapidly and could hear a confused murmur of sounds which indicated that their escape had been detected. Here and there a steady flame shooting straight into the air, denoted the burning funeral pyres of the day’s victims. Sedai motioned them to stop for a moment, and listening intently, he said:

“We are pursued.”

On they flew again over the hard road, through bits of forest, past the shores of small lakes and over green fields. Far ahead they could see the dark forest on the side of the mountain. Through the gate of the mighty wall they sped, and Sedai dismounted to hastily close and barricade it from the inside. Their pursuers would have to climb the wall, or seek one of the other gates and every moment was precious now. They crossed the bridge and plunged into the woods that intervened between them and the cave. The roar of a lion was heard to the right, but they did not hesitate.

The eastern horizon was growing brighter and brighter, and by the time they had passed the forest, the moon had risen high above the mountains. The rapid gallop of zebras could be heard and looking back, they saw a large body of mounted men struggling at the barricaded gate. Finding the gate impassable, they formed a pyramid and in this way the men reached the top of the wall, and then used ropes to let themselves down into the Hunting Reserve.

Harry first reached the secret door, but strove in vain to find the hidden spring. The pursuers were gaining upon them, and Enola, urging her zebra forward, sprang to the ground and, grasping the lever, pressed hard on it, but the stone door of the cave failed to open. Her heart sank within her. She remembered the last revolution it had made, and the difficulty with which she had rescued Sedai from its stony embrace. Could it be that the mechanism was then injured? The mighty spring broken, perhaps? She reeled for a second, as the dreadful possibility suggested itself to her. Then seizing Harry’s rifle she dashed its butt against the lever and the heavy stone door began to revolve.

Sedai, seizing a heavy branch, struck the zebra upon which Mrs. Graham was riding, and the frightened animal sprang through the opening, followed by the one ridden by Nellie. One after another they were driven through, and as the leaders of the pursuing party dashed into the open glade, Sedai drove the last unmounted zebra through the opening. Springing to the ground, the foremost of the pursuers sought to grasp Sedai, but with a swing of his club about his head, the assailant was laid low, and Sedai disappeared. Through the crack of the door, as it swung shut, came a heart-rending cry of “Enola, Enola,” from the King.

Once more, with pale faces and beating hearts, the explorers stood within the great subterranean cavern, which had so nearly been their tomb, but which now was a place of refuge. The hidden City of On had been discovered, its history and its people were known to them, the object of their journey had been accomplished.

After the party had rested, they took their way across the cave, and with the zebras this was found easy to do. These trained animals easily leaped across the break in the bridge, but when it came to the small entrance at the opposite side of the cave, it was feared that they would have to be left here to die, as the hole was too small for them to pass through. Our friends were greatly grieved to think that they would have to leave these noble beasts to die in such a cruel way, in the cave, but there seemed no other alternative, and they dismounted and passed through the hole, but they had not calculated on the training of these animals, and they had hardly stepped into the open air, when one of the zebras came crawling through on his haunches, and shortly after the others followed him. These had been trained to do this, and our friends now remembered having seen them perform this trick on the night preceding the Day of Resis.

It took them but a short time to reach the village of Umsaga, where they found the carriers still waiting for them, and in a few weeks they were again in Zanzibar, and had no difficulty in getting passage to England, from where they sailed for home.

A few weeks after their arrival in New York, a double wedding was announced, and on the evening of the happy day, carriage after carriage rolled to the door of the Graham mansion, depositing richly clad women and courtly men. Under an arch of flowers, a little later, stood four people, arrayed in strange robes of silk, with bands of gold binding their brows and with girdles of gold about their waists.

In the costume of the Land of On, the double wedding was in progress, and in the faces of the women could be read a story of trust and confidence and love supreme, and in those of the men, the satisfaction of proud manhood fitly crowned.

THE END.

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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling. 2. Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.