Oboo, however, was resolved on her death, at least for the moment, and he easily enlisted others in his design. Oola wanted her to die because she had won from her the affections of Oboo (which many others, however, had since obtained). Other women desired her death because she had been their rival for several lovers, and still others merely because she was pretty and popular; so that, between her charms and her offenses, she was in double peril. All, however, urged as a pretext for her death, not their real reason, but the excuse of her treachery; so that the public welfare had to bear the odium of their private jealously. Only those having no interest in her death—the great masses—wanted it on the ground which all alleged. Her death, however, was ordered, and she was brought for execution before the assembled Apes. Several were impatient to tear her to pieces. Oola, fearing that others, by dispatching her, would deprive her of a coveted revenge, made a pass at her, but was restrained by a male ape who had begun to feel an attachment for her. A further delay was caused by a priest who insisted on sprinkling the scene with Swamp water, which, like the return of the ship from Delos, required time, during which, like Socrates, she could still live. [Illustration: SOSEE’S STRATEGY.] Meanwhile she looked around for some means of escape. The chances for this were small, as the last moment had now arrived; but her extremity made action of some kind necessary. While, accordingly, the Apes awaited the signal for her death, and the silence was solemnly intense, she suddenly sprang to her feet, and, with great animation, pointed to the sky, accompanying her movement with a shout. Every eye turned from her, and fixed its gaze on the sky. Those who had been most intently looking at her, and expected to make the first rush upon her, were the first to look away, and wildest in casting about their heads to see what was the matter. There was an instant of general panic; never did so many monkey heads move so rapidly, or in so many directions. Nothing was to be seen, which made the search more intense. Many looked more at the sky than they had ever done before, and some actually believed they saw something, and were overcome by fright; for when people see nothing they apprehend a great mystery. While all eyes were thus fixed on the sky, Sosee, summoning her strength and fleetness, started to run. Swift as the wind, and as noiselessly, she passed away. She went in the direction opposite to that in which they were looking. For awhile her movements were not observed, but were supposed to be part of the panic caused by the dash of all to see something; and it was some seconds before any understood that their captive had broken away, and was running for her life. CHAPTER XXXIX. [Illustration]