’What do you tell me?’ exclaimed Fumenta, evidently utterly amazed. ’Agrando in revolt! Tried to seize you and your party! Is that, then, the reason you are fleeing from him?’ ’Truly, we had no other course open to us, as we were situated. I myself and these companions were cut off from my followers, and we had to make our escape as and how we could. It was a desperate venture, as you know, to cast ourselves loose in the air in such a storm. But it was our only chance. Had we not taken the risk we should have been Agrando’s prisoners. I do not even now know how his traitorous attack turned out. I don’t know whether my followers have got away or have been captured. But this I do know,’ he concluded, looking round proudly, ’there will be a heavy reckoning for all this. My father King Ivanta will be already on his way, by this time, to look for us, and to punish Agrando and his treacherous crew.’ To the astonishment of Alondra and those with him, this speech was received by the whole assembly with a great burst of cheering. Again and again, and yet again, did it ring out. And the shouters, after cheering themselves hoarse, pressed forward and crowded round the ’prisoners,’ seeking eagerly to kiss the prince’s hand, or, failing that, to shake hands with one or another of his companions. Gerald and Jack found themselves suddenly treated with exuberant friendliness by those whom they had regarded but a few minutes before as dangerous enemies. They stared about them, bewildered, not understanding such a sudden change. Alondra was as perplexed as the rest, and his face showed it. Fumenta smiled, and proceeded to explain: ’These followers of mine, rough fellows though they are, to whom Agrando and his tools have given a bad name, are really honest patriots who have been driven into exile to escape from the tyrant,’ he said. ’We have fought against him, and against his bloodthirsty followers, it is true; but otherwise we have harmed no man. And, above all, we have no quarrel with King Ivanta, save in so far as he had been led—by false representations, doubtless—to espouse Agrando’s cause against us. Now, therefore, that you have told us that Agrando has revolted, my friends are delighted, because they know it must lead to the tyrant’s overthrow and to his just punishment. As to the rest, you can command us all, Prince. Every man here will join your standard and fight for you against Agrando. We are ready to offer our aid, our lives, to King Ivanta. We will fight to the death for him against that cruel monster.’ ’We will! We will!’ cried the shouting crowd. ’Long live King Ivanta!’ ’Long live Prince Alondra!’ Just then a messenger entered in breathless haste, and saluting Fumenta, spoke to him aside.