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20

Having so spoken, and with a dignity and force which is

inexpressible, he withdrew; and the Council, having appointed a scribe escriturário, escriba--the monk Cristoferos, whom I had suggested--began its work.

The Archbishop spoke:

"Lords of the Council of the Blue Mountains, I venture to ask you that the answer to the Gospodar Rupert be an instant imediato, urgente 'Yes!' together with thanks and honour to that gallant Englisher, who has made our cause his own, and who has so valiantly rescued our beloved Voivodin from the ruthless implacável impiedoso, cruel hands of our enemies." Forthwith imediatamente the oldest member of the Council--Nicolos of Volok--rose, and, after throwing a searching look round the faces of all, and seeing grave nods of

assent--for not a word was spoken--said to him who held the door:

"Summon the Gospodar Rupert forthwith!" When Rupert entered, he spoke to him:

"Gospodar Rupert, the Council of the Blue Mountains has only one

answer to give: Proceed! Seguir, avançar, ir para a frente Rescue the Voivode Vissarion, whatever the cost may be! You hold henceforth daqui em diante in your hand the handjar of our nation, as already, for what you have done in your valiant rescue of our beloved Voivodin, your breast holds the heart of our people.

Proceed at once! We give you, I fear, little time; but we know that such is your own wish. Later, we shall issue formal authorization, so that if war may ensue seguir-se, suceder, resultar, our allies may understand that you have acted for the nation, and also such letters credential as may be required by you in this exceptional service. These shall follow you

within an hour. For our enemies we take no account. See, we draw

the handjar that we offer you." As one man all in the hall drew their handjars, which flashed as a blaze of lightning.

There did not seem to be an instant's delay. The Council broke up, and its members, mingling with the people without, took active part

in the preparations. Not many minutes had elapsed when the yacht, manned equipar and armed and stored fornecer, equipar as arranged organizar, arranjar, was rushing out of the

creek. On the bridge, beside Captain Rooke, stood the Gospodar Rupert and the still-shrouded form of the Voivodin Teuta. I myself

was on the lower deck with the soldiers, explaining to certain of them the special duties which they might be called on to fulfil. I held the list which the Gospodar Rupert had prepared whilst we were waiting for the yacht to arrive from Gadaar.

PETROF VLASTIMIR.

FROM RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.

July 9, 1907.

We went at a terrific pace down the coast, keeping well inshore perto da costa so as

to avoid, if possible, being seen from the south. Just north of Ilsin a rocky headland juts out, and that was our cover. On the north of the peninsula is a small land-locked bay, with deep water.

It is large enough to take the yacht, though a much larger vessel could not safely enter. We ran in, and anchored close to the shore,

which has a rocky frontage--a natural shelf of rock, which is practically the same as a quay cais, molhe, desembarcadouro. Here we met the men who had come from Ilsin and the neighbourhood in answer to our signalling earlier in the day. They gave us the latest information regarding the kidnapping of the Voivode, and informed us that every man in that

section of the country was simply aflame about it. They assured us that we could rely confiar on them, not merely to fight to the death, but to

keep silence absolutely. Whilst the seamen, under the direction of Rooke, took the aeroplane on shore and found a suitable place for it,

where it was hidden from casual view, but from which it could be easily launched, the Vladika and I--and, of course, my wife--were

hearing such details as were known of the disappearance of her

father.

It seems that he travelled secretly in order to avoid just such a possibility as has happened. No one knew of his coming till he came to Fiume, whence de onde he sent a guarded message to the Archbishop, which the latter alone would understand. But this Turkish agents were evidently on his track all the time, and doubtless the Bureau of

Spies was kept well advised. He landed at Ilsin from a coasting steamer from Ragusa to the Levant.

For two days before his coming there had been quite an unusual number

of arrivals at the little port, at which arrivals are rare. And it turned out revelar-se that the little hotel--the only fairly good one in Ilsin--was almost filled up. Indeed, only one room was left, which the Voivode took for the night. The innkeeper did not know the Voivode in his disguise, but suspected who it was from the description. He dined quietly, and went to bed. His room was at the back, on the ground-floor, looking out on the bank of the little River Silva, which here runs into the harbour. No disturbance was heard in the night. Late in the morning, when the elderly de certa idade stranger had not made his appearance, inquiry was made at his door. He did not answer, so

presently the landlord dono da pensão ou hospedaria forced the door, and found the room empty.

His luggage was seemingly intact, only the clothes which he had worn were gone. A strange thing was that, though the bed had been slept in and his clothes were gone, his night-clothes were not to be found, from which it was argued discutir, argumentar by the local authorities, when they came to make inquiry, that he had gone or been taken from the room in his night-gear, and that his clothes had been taken with him. There was

evidently some grim suspicion on the part of the authorities, for they had commanded absolute silence on all in the house. When they came to make inquiry as to the other guests, it was found that one and all had gone in the course of the morning, after paying their bills. None of them had any heavy luggage, and there was nothing remaining by which they might be traced or which would afford any

clue to their identity. The authorities, having sent a confidential report to the seat of government, continued their inquiries, and even now all available hands were at work on the investigation. When I had signalled to Vissarion, before my arrival there, word had been sent through the priesthood to enlist in the investigation the services of all good men, so that every foot of ground in that section of the Blue Mountains was being investigated. The portmaster mestre do porto was assured by his watchmen that no vessel, large or small, had heft the harbour during the night. The inference, therefore por isso, portanto, was that the Voivode's captors had made inland with him--if, indeed, they

were not already secreted in or near the town.

Whilst we were receiving the various reports, a hurried message came

that it was now believed that the whole party were in the Silent Tower. This was a well-chosen place for such an enterprise. It was a massive tower of immense strength, built as a memorial--and also as a "keep"--after one of the massacres of the invading Turks.

It stood on the summit of a rocky knoll cimo de monte some ten miles inland from the Port of Ilsin. It was a place shunned a evitar intencionalmente as a rule, and the country all around it was so arid and desolate that there were no residents near it. As it was kept for state use, and might be serviceable in time of war, it was closed with massive iron doors, which were kept

locked except upon certain occasions. The keys were at the seat of government at Plazac. If, therefore por isso, portanto, it had been possible to the Turkish marauders to gain entrance and exit, it might be a difficult as well as a dangerous task to try to cut the Voivode out retirar. His

presence with them was a dangerous menace to any force attacking them, for they would hold his life as a threat.

I consulted with the Vladika at once as to what was best to be done.

And we decided that, though we should put a cordon of guards around it at a safe distance to prevent them receiving warning, we should at present make no attack.

We made further inquiry as to whether there had been any vessel seen in the neighbourhood during the past few days, and were informed that once or twice a warship had been seen on the near side of the southern horizon. This was evidently the ship which Rooke had seen on his rush down the coast after the abduction of the Voivodin, and which he had identified as a Turkish vessel. The glimpses of her which had been had were all in full daylight--there was no proof that she had not stolen up during the night-time without lights. But the

Vladika and I were satisfied that the Turkish vessel was watching--was in league aliança, liga with both parties of marauders--and was intended planear, tencionar to take off levar alguém any of the strangers, or their prey, who might reach Ilsin undetected. It was evidently with this view that the kidnappers of Teuta had, in the first instance, made with all speed for the south.

It was only when disappointed there that they headed up north, seeking in desperation for some chance of crossing the border. That ring of steel had so far até agora well served its purpose.

I sent for mandar chamar Rooke, and put the matter before him. He had thought it

out considerar cuidadosamente for himself to the same end as we had. His deduction was:

"Let us keep the cordon, and watch for any signal from the Silent Tower. The Turks will tire before we shall. I undertake encarregar-se de to watch the Turkish warship. During the night I shall run down south, without lights, and have a look at her, even if I have to wait till the grey of the dawn to do so. She may see us; but if she does I shall crawl away at such pace that she shall not get any idea of our speed. She will certainly come nearer before a day is over, for be sure the bureau of spies is kept advised, and they know that when the

country is awake each day increases the hazard perigo, risco (acaso, sorte) of them and their plans being discovered. From their caution cuidado prudência I gather that they do not court captar, atrair discovery; and from that that they do not wish for an open declaration of war. If this be so, why should we not come out to

them and force an issue if need be?"

When Teuta and I got a chance to be alone, we discussed the situation

in every phase. The poor girl was in a dreadful state of anxiety regarding her father's safety. At first she was hardly able to speak, or even to think, coherently. Her utterance was choked, and her reasoning palsied paralisar with indignation. But presently the fighting

blood of her race restored her faculties, and then her woman's quick wit was worth the reasoning of a camp full of men. Seeing that she was all on fire with the subject, I sat still and waited, taking care

not to interrupt her. For quite a long time she sat still, whilst the coming night thickened. When she spoke, the whole plan of action, based on subtle thinking, had mapped itself out in her mind:

"We must act quickly. Every hour increases the risk to my father."

Here her voice broke for an instant; but she recovered herself and went on:

"If you go to the ship, I must not go with you. It would not do for servir me to be seen. The Captain doubtless knows of both attempts: that

to carry me off pegar em, levar as well as that against my father. As yet he is in

ignorance of what has happened. You and your party of brave, loyal men did their work so well that no news could go forth. So long, therefore por isso, portanto, as enquanto the naval Captain is ignorant, he must delay till the last. But if he saw me he would know that THAT branch of the venture risco, aventura, empreendimento arriscado had miscarried falhar, malograr-se. He would gather from our being here that we had news of my father's capture, and as he would know that the marauders would fail unless they were relieved by force, he would order the captive

to be slain."

"Yes, dear, to-morrow you had, perhaps, better see the Captain, but to-night we must try to rescue my father. Here I think I see a way.

You have your aeroplane. Please take me with you into the Silent Tower."

"Not for a world of chrysolite pedra preciosa!" said I, horrified. She took my hand and held it tight whilst she went on:

"Dear, I know, I know! Be satisfied. But it is the only way. You can, I know, get there, and in the dark. But if you were to go in it, it would give warning to the enemies, and besides, my father would not understand. Remember, he does not know you; he has never seen you, and does not, I suppose, even know as yet of your existence. But he would know me at once, and in any dress. You can

manage to lower me into the Tower by a rope from the aeroplane balão. The Turks as yet até agora do not know of our pursuit, and doubtless rely, at all events in part, on the strength and security of the Tower. Therefore por isso, portanto their guard will be less active than it would at first or later on mais tarde.

I shall post father in all details, and we shall be ready quickly.

Now, dear, let us think out the scheme together. Let your man's wit and experience help my ignorance, and we shall save my father!"

How could I have resisted such pleading--even had it not seemed wise?

But wise it was; and I, who knew what the aeroplane could do under my own guidance, saw at once the practicalities viabilidade, exequibilidade of the scheme plano, projecto (método; intriga). Of course there was a dreadful risk in case anything should go wrong.

But we are at present living in a world of risks--and her father's life was at stake. So I took my dear wife in my arms, and told her that my mind was hers for this, as my soul and body already were.

And I cheered her by saying that I thought it might be done.

I sent for Rooke, and told him of the new adventure, and he quite agreed with me in the wisdom of it. I then told him that he would

have to go and interview «ter uma entrevista com» the Captain of the Turkish warship in the

morning, if I did not turn up aparecer, chegar. "I am going to see the Vladika," I said. "He will lead our own troops in the attack on the Silent Tower. But it will rest with you to deal with the warship. Ask the Captain to whom or what nation the ship belongs. He is sure to

refuse to tell. In such case mention to him that if he flies no nation's flag, his vessel is a pirate ship, and that you, who are in

command of the navy of the Blue Mountains, will deal with him as a pirate is dealt with--no quarter descanso, trégua, no mercy. He will temporize, and perhaps try a bluff; but when things get serious with him he will land a force, or try to, and may even prepare to shell the town. He will threaten to, at any rate pelo menos, de qualquer maneira. In such case deal with him as you think best, or as near to it as you can." He answered:

"I shall carry out realizar, levar a cabo your wishes with my life. It is a righteous justificado, honesto, justo task.

Not that anything of that sort would ever stand in my way. If he attacks our nation, either as a Turk or a pirate, I shall wipe him out. We shall see what our own little packet paquete can do. Moreover além disso, any of the marauders who have entered the Blue Mountains, from sea or otherwise, shall never get out by sea! I take it that we of my contingent shall cover the attacking party. It will be a sorry time for us all if that happens without our seeing you and the Voivodin;

for in such case we shall understand the worst!" Iron as he was, the man trembled.

"That is so, Rooke," I said. "We are taking a desperate chance, we know. But the case is desperate! But we all have our duty to do,

whatever happens. Ours and yours is stern; but when we have done it, the result will be that life will be easier for others--for those that are left."

Before he left, I asked him to send up to me three suits of the Masterman bullet-proof clothes of which we had a supply on the yacht.

"Two are for the Voivodin and myself," I said; "the third is for the Voivode to put on. The Voivodin will take it with her when she

descends from the aeroplane into the Tower."

Whilst any daylight was left I went out to survey the ground. My wife wanted to come with me, but I would not let her. "No," said I;

"you will have at the best a fearful tax fardo, taxa on your strength and your nerves. You will want to be as fresh as is possible when you get on the aeroplane." Like a good wife, she obeyed, and lay down deitar to rest in the little tent provided fornecer, proporcionar for her.

I took with me a local man who knew the ground, and who was trusted confiar to be silent. We made a long detour when we had got as near the Silent Tower as we could without being noticed. I made notes from my

compass as to directions, and took good notice of anything that could

possibly serve as a landmark. By the time we got home I was pretty well satisfied that if all should go well I could easily sail over the Tower in the dark. Then I had a talk with my wife, and gave her full instructions:

"When we arrive over the Tower," I said, "I shall lower you with a long rope. You will have a parcel of food and spirit for your father

in case he is fatigued or faint; and, of course, the bullet-proof suit, which he must put on at once. You will also have a short rope

with a belt at either end--one for your father, the other for you.

When I turn the aeroplane and come back again, you will have ready the ring which lies midway between the belts. This you will catch

into the hook at the end of the lowered rope. When all is secure, and I have pulled you both up by the windlass sarilho, molinete, guindaste so as to clear the top, I shall throw out ballast which we shall carry on purpose, and away we go! I am sorry it must be so uncomfortable for you both, but there is no other way. When we get well clear of the Tower, I shall take you both up on the platform. If necessary, I shall descend to do it--and then we shall steer for Ilsin."

"When all is safe, our men will attack the Tower. We must let them do it, for they expect it. A few men in the clothes and arms which

we took from your captors will be pursued by some of ours. It is all arranged. They will ask the Turks to admit them, and if the latter

have not learned of your father's escape, perhaps they will do so.

Once in, our men will try to open the gate. The chances are against them, poor fellows! but they are all volunteers, and will die

fighting. If they win out, great glory will be theirs."

"The moon does not rise to-night till just before midnight, so we have plenty of time. We shall start from here at ten. If all be well, I shall place you in the Tower with your father in less than a quarter-hour from that. A few minutes will suffice to clothe him in bullet-proof and get on his belt. I shall not be away from the Tower

more than a very few minutes, and, please God, long before eleven we

shall be safe. Then the Tower can be won in an attack by our mountaineers. Perhaps, when the guns are heard on the ship of war--

for there is sure to be firing--the Captain may try to land a shore party. But Rooke will stand in the way, and if I know the man and The Lady, we shall not be troubled with many Turks to-night. By midnight you and your father can be on the way to Vissarion. I can

interview the naval Captain in the morning."

My wife's marvellous courage and self-possession stood to her. At

half an hour before the time fixed she was ready for our adventure.

She had improved melhorar, aperfeiçoar the scheme in one detail. She had put on her own belt and coiled the rope round her waist, so the only delay would be in bringing her father's belt. She would keep the bullet-proof dress

intended to be his strapped preso, seguro in a packet on her back, so that if occasion should be favourable he would not want to put it on till he and she should have reached the platform of the aeroplane. In such case, I should not steer away from the Tower at all, but would pass slowly across it and take up levantar, erguer the captive and his brave daughter

before leaving. I had learned from local sources that the Tower was in several stories. Entrance was by the foot a pé, where the great ironclad door was; then came living-rooms and storage, and an open space

at the top. This would probably be thought the best place for the prisoner, for it was deep-sunk within the massive walls, wherein was no loophole abertura, buraco of any kind. This, if it should so happen, would be the

disposition of things best for our plan. The guards would at this time be all inside the Tower--probably resting, most of them--so that it was possible that no one might notice the coming of the airship.

I was afraid to think that all might turn out so well, for in such case our task would be a simple enough one, and would in all human

probability be crowned with success.

At ten o'clock we started. Teuta did not show the smallest sign of fear or even uneasiness, though this was the first time she had even

seen an aeroplane at work. She proved to be an admirable passenger for an airship. She stayed quite still, holding herself rigidly in

the position arranged, by the cords which I had fixed for her.

When I had trued ajustar, afinar my course by the landmarks and with the compass lit

by the Tiny my electric light in the dark box, I had time to look about me. All seemed quite dark wherever I looked--to land, or sea,

or sky. But darkness is relative, and though each quarter and spot looked dark in turn, there was not such absolute darkness as a whole.

I could tell the difference, for instance, between land and sea, no matter how far off we might be from either. Looking upward, the sky

was dark; yet there was light enough to see, and even distinguish broad effects. I had no difficulty in distinguishing the Tower

towards which we were moving, and that, after all, was the main thing. We drifted slowly, very slowly, as the air was still, and I

only used the minimum pressure necessary for the engine. I think I now understood for the first time the extraordinary value of the engine with which my Kitson was equipped. It was noiseless, it was practically of no weight, and it allowed the machine to progress as

easily as the old-fashioned balloon used to drift before a breeze.

Teuta, who had naturally very fine sight, seemed to see even better than I did, for as we drew nearer to the Tower, and its round, open

top began to articulate itself, she commenced to prepare for her part of the task. She it was who uncoiled the long drag-rope ready for her lowering. We were proceeding so gently that she as well as I had hopes that I might be able to actually balance the machine on the top of the curving wall--a thing manifestly impossible on a straight surface, though it might have been possible on an angle.

On we crept--on, and on! There was no sign of light about the Tower, and not the faintest sound to be heard till we were almost close to the line of the rising wall; then we heard a sound of something like mirth alegria, contentamento, but muffled by distance and thick walls. From it we took fresh heart, for it told us that our enemies were gathered in the lower chambers. If only the Voivode should be on the upper stage, all would be well.

Slowly, almost inch by inch, and with a suspense that was agonizing, we crossed some twenty or thirty feet above the top of the wall. I

could see as we came near the jagged line of white patches remendo, camada where the

heads of the massacred Turks placed there on spikes in old days seemed to give still their grim warning. Seeing that they made in themselves a difficulty of landing on the wall, I deflected the plane

so that, as we crept over the wall, we might, if they became displaced afastar, tirar do seu lugar, brush them to the outside of the wall. A few seconds more, and I was able to bring the machine to rest with the front of the platform jutting out beyond the Tower wall. Here I anchored her fore and aft da popa à proa with clamps grampo which had been already prepared.

Whilst I was doing so Teuta had leaned over the inner edge of the platform, and whispered as softly as the sigh of a gentle breeze

"Hist! hist!" caluda!, silêncio! Olhe cá! The answer came in a similar sound from some twenty feet below us, and we knew that the prisoner was alone. Forthwith imediatamente, having fixed the hook of the rope in the ring to which was attached

her belt, I lowered my wife. Her father evidently knew her whisper, and was ready. The hollow Tower--a smooth calmo, fácil cylinder within--sent up the voices from it faint as were the whispers:

"Father, it is I--Teuta!" "My child, my brave daughter!"

"Quick, father; strap the belt round you. See that it is secure. We have to be lifted into the air if necessary. Hold together. It will be easier for Rupert to lift us to the airship."

"Rupert?" "Yes; I shall explain later. Quick, quick! There is not a moment to

lose. He is enormously strong, and can lift us together; but we must help him by being still, so he won't have to use the windlass, which might creak." As she spoke she jerked slightly at the rope, which was our preconcerted signal that I was to lift. I was afraid the windlass might creak, and her thoughtful hint decided me. I bent my

back to the task, and in a few seconds they were on the platform on which they, at Teuta's suggestion, lay flat, one at each side of my

seat, so as to keep the best balance possible.

I took off the clamps, lifted the bags of ballast to the top of the wall, so that there should be no sound of falling, and started the

engine. The machine moved forward a few inches, so that it tilted inclinar-se, enviesar towards the outside of the wall. I threw my weight on the front part of the platform, and we commenced our downward fall at a sharp angle.

A second enlarged the angle, and without further ado dificuldade, esforço, barulho we slid away into the darkness. Then, ascending as we went, when the engine began to work at its strength, we turned, and presently made straight for

Ilsin.

The journey was short--not many minutes. It almost seemed as if no time whatever had elapsed till we saw below us the gleam of lights, and by them saw a great body of men gathered in military array. We slackened abrandar, moderar and descended. The crowd kept deathly silence, but when we were amongst them we needed no telling that it was not due to lack of heart or absence of joy. The pressure of their hands as they surrounded us, and the devotion with which they kissed the hands and feet of both the Voivode and his daughter, were evidence enough for me, even had I not had my own share of their grateful rejoicing.

In the midst of it all the low, stern voice of Rooke, who had burst a way to the front beside the Vladika, said:

"Now is the time to attack the Tower. Forward, brothers, but in silence. Let there not be a sound till you are near the gate; then play your little comedy of the escaping marauders. And 'twill contração de it will be no

comedy for them in the Tower. The yacht is all ready for the morning, Mr. Sent Leger, in case I do not come out of the scrimmage escaramuça, rixa, contenda if the bluejackets arrive. In such case you will have to handle her yourself. God keep you, my Lady; and you, too, Voivode! Forward!"

In a ghostly silence the grim little army moved forwards. Rooke and the men with him disappeared into the darkness in the direction of

the harbour of Ilsin.

FROM THE SCRIPT OF THE VOIVODE, PETER VISSARION,

July 7, 1907.

I had little idea, when I started on my homeward de regresso journey, that it would have such a strange termination. Even I, who ever since my boyhood have lived in a whirl of adventure, intrigue, or diplomacy--whichever it may be called--statecraft, and war, had reason to be surprised. I certainly thought that when I locked myself into my room in the hotel at Ilsin that I would have at last a spell breve espaço de tempo (feitiço, bruxaria), however short, of quiet. All the time of my prolonged negotiations with the

various nationalities I had to be at tension; so, too, on my homeward journey, lest something at the last moment should happen adversely to my mission. But when I was safe on my own Land of the Blue

Mountains, and laid my head on my pillow, where only friends could be around me, I thought I might forget care precaução, preocupação.

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