Below them raged the fire, which had spread with incredible fury and speed. All at once there was a terrific noise, louder than the explosion of the largest bomb. David and Ruth looked below them toward the spot where the Bronze King’s Palace had stood. They saw fiery broken fragments falling to the earth like rain; and where the mighty Palace had once stood, there was nothing to be seen save burning desolation and wreckage. The Bronze King, his Palace, his chained Lions and prancing horses had all been annihilated in one huge explosion. The terrific heat had caused such pressure within the Bronze King’s body, whose blood was but fuel and whose flesh but gas, that at last it exploded with a tremendous detonation; and the spot where he had lived in such mighty glory knew him no more. CHAPTER XIII THE BURNING MOUNTAIN On, on through the night they rode, and one by one the stars appeared as the great storm clouds drifted away, borne on the current of friendly winds. “Where are we going?” asked Ruth. “We will let the Horse take us where he will,” said David. “He deserves to have his own way now, having served us so faithfully and so well.” On they flew; and as morning stole into the sky and the stars began to grow pale, the great wingèd creature dropped down nearer to the earth, so that they just skimmed over the tree tops. In a few moments they came to the wonderful crystal pool where David [Illustration: THEY TOLD ONE ANOTHER OF ALL THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE] had waited and watched so patiently a short time before. “Ruth,” he cried in delight, “here we are at the beautiful pool again! We will linger here till noontime and refresh ourselves. It is the most beautiful spot imaginable, and I longed to have you see it.” The Horse settled down on the soft sward, and David and Ruth sprang from its back, glad to feel once more the firm earth under them. They refreshed themselves, drinking of the clear cool water; they rested in the soft moss; they gathered fruit and berries in the woods near at hand. They told one another of all that had taken place; and there was much to relate, much to rejoice over, much to remember, and much to regret. They were so happy that time passed by unheeded, and the great sun touched the horizon before they noticed that the day was spent. “David,” cried Ruth, “the day is gone! and we have done nothing to bring us nearer to the Garden.” “Nothing, save to free you from the Bronze King’s Palace,” answered David laughing. “To-day you were to be his bride.” Ruth shuddered. “It all seems so long ago--I forgot it happened but to-day,” she said. They called their faithful Horse to them and mounted upon his back.