The open space of the enclosure in front of the palace was filled with a crowd of silent Indians, so many being present that we knew they must have gathered from all parts of the territory.
Our guards led us through the close ranks of these spectators to a clear place near the center, where King Nalig-Nad sat upon a bench with a score of his favorite green chiefs ranged just behind him. At the sides of this interesting group several women, all of whom had green in their tunics1, squatted3 upon the ground. At the king’s feet were the same pretty boy and girl I had seen on my first presentation to the potentate4.
286
But this was not all. In the open space at the right of the king stood Ilalah between two stout5 guards. The girl’s hands were bound behind her back as ours were, but she was no longer blindfolded6. Her proud and beautiful face wore a smile as we were ranged opposite her, and she called aloud in English in a clear voice:
A murmur8 of reproach came from those of the San Blas who understood her speech. The king looked at his daughter with a dark frown mantling9 his expressive10 features.
“And I belong to Ilalah,” replied Duncan Moit, composedly, as he smiled back at his sweetheart.
287
Indeed, I was proud of the courage of all my comrades on this trying occasion. Bryonia and Nux were dignified11 and seemingly indifferent, Uncle Naboth smiling and interested in each phase of the dramatic scene, and the inventor as cool in appearance as if this gathering12 of the nation was intended to do him honor. I do not know how I myself bore the ordeal13, but I remember that my heart beat so fast and loud that I was greatly annoyed for fear someone would discover its rebellious14 action and think me afraid. Perhaps I really was afraid; but I was greatly excited, too, for it occurred to me that I was facing the sunshine and breathing the soft southern air for almost the last time in my life. I was sorry for myself because I was so young and had so much to live for.
Ilalah, it seemed, was to be judged first because her rank was higher than that of the strangers.
The king himself accused her, and when he began to speak his voice was composed and his tones low and argumentative. But as he proceeded his speech grew passionate15 and fierce, though he tried to impress upon his people the idea that it was his duty that obliged him to condemn16 Ilalah to punishment. However that plea might impress the Techlas it did not deceive us in the least. It was father against daughter, but perhaps the king’s hatred17 of the whites had turned him against his first born, or else he preferred that the pretty girl nestling at his feet should succeed him.
288
“Lords and chiefs of the Techlas,” he said, speaking in his native language, “the Princess Ilalah has broken our laws and outraged18 the traditions that have been respected in our nation for centuries. We have always hated the white race, and with justice. We have forbidden them to enter our dominions19 and refused to show them mercy if they fell into our hands. But this girl, whose birth and station are so high that she is entitled to succeed me as ruler of the Techlas, has violated our most sacred sentiments. She has favored and protected a band of white invaders20; she has dared to love their chief, who has lied to us and tricked us; she has even forgotten her maidenly21 dignify22 and run away with him, preferring him to her own people. It is the law that I, her father, cannot judge or condemn her, although it is my privilege to condemn all others. Therefore I place her fate in the hands of my noble chiefs. Tell me, what shall be the fate of the false Techla? What shall be Ilalah’s punishment?”
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The chiefs seemed undecided and half frightened at the responsibility thus thrust upon them. They turned and consulted one another in whispers, casting uncertain looks at the princess, who smiled back at them without a trace of fear upon her sweet face.
Standing24 close beside Ilalah I now discovered our old friend Tcharn, the goldsmith and arrow-maker, whose eager face showed his emotion at the peril25 of his friend. His dark eyes roved anxiously from the girl to her judges, and it was plain to see that he was fearful of her condemnation26.
I myself tried to read the decision of the chiefs from their faces, and decided23 that while Ilalah was doubtless a great favorite with them all, they could find no excuse for her conduct. Their conference lasted so long that the king grew impatient, and his animosity became more and more apparent as he glowered27 menacingly upon the girl and then glanced appealingly at her judges, who tried to avoid his eyes.
290
Finally, however, the conference came to an end.
A tall, lean chief whose gray hairs and the prominence28 of the green stripes in his tunic2 evidently entitled him to be the spokesman, stepped forward and bowed low before the king.
“Mighty Ruler of the Techlas,” he said, “we have weighed well the strange conduct of the Princess Ilalah and desire to ask her a question.”
“The speech of the accused may not be considered,” said the king, gruffly.
“It affects not her condemnation, but rather her punishment,” returned the other.
“Then proceed.”
“Princess,” continued the old man, speaking in a kindly29 tone as he addressed the young girl, “if in our mercy we spare your life will you promise to forsake30 your white chief and yield him and his followers31 to our vengeance32?”
“No!” she answered, proudly.
Her questioner sighed and turned to his fellows, who nodded to him gravely.
291
“Then,” said he, again turning to the king, “we find that the conduct of the Princess Ilalah merits punishment, and the punishment is death!”
The king smiled triumphantly33 and cast a look around the assemblage. Not a man or woman returned his smile. They stood steadfast34 as rocks, and only the little arrow-maker gave way to his grief by bowing his head in his hands and sobbing35 most pitifully.
“We also find,” continued the grave chieftain, breaking the painful pause, “that the law forbids any Techla to lift a hand against one of the royal blood; and especially is that person immune who is next in succession to the throne.”
This statement caused a thrill that could not be repressed to pass through the crowd. The natives looked on one another curiously36, but satisfaction lurked37 in their dark eyes.
I began to like these people. In themselves they were not especially disposed to evil, but their fiendish king had dictated38 their thoughts and actions for so long that they were virtually the slaves of his whims39.
“Therefore,” said the chief, speaking in a firm voice, “who will execute our decree of death upon the royal princess?”
292
“I will!” cried Nalig-Nad, springing to his feet “The king is bound by no law save his own will. The girl is condemned40 to death, and die she shall!”
I looked toward Ilalah. Her face was pallid42 and set but she did not flinch43 for an instant. One fleeting44 glance she gave into Duncan’s face and then turned her eyes steadily45 upon her fierce and enraged46 sire.
The king did not hesitate. He drew the bowstring to his chin, took rapid aim, and loosed the deadly shaft47.
A cry burst from the assemblage, and even while it rang in my ears I saw Tcharn leap into the air before the princess, receive the arrow in his own breast, and then fall writhing48 in agony upon the ground.
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1
tunics
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| n.（动植物的）膜皮( tunic的名词复数 )；束腰宽松外衣；一套制服的短上衣；（天主教主教等穿的）短祭袍 | |
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tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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3
squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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4
potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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6
blindfolded
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| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
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7
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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9
mantling
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| 覆巾 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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14
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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15
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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16
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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17
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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19
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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20
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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21
maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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22
dignify
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| vt.使有尊严；使崇高；给增光 | |
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23
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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24
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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25
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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26
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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27
glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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29
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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30
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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31
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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32
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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33
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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34
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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35
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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36
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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37
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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38
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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39
WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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40
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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41
notched
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| a.有凹口的，有缺口的 | |
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42
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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43
flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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44
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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45
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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46
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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47
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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48
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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