CHAPTER XXVII. ATHENSI FALLS. After all these events culminating in the rescue of Bob and the disastrous rout of the Janissaries at Korakum, Mr. Hampton decided instead of returning to civilization without having accomplished his main objective—namely, the exploration of the ruins of Korakum and the gaining of entrance to Athensi—to stay and await the result of the revolution. The Korakum expedition had been timed by the Oligarchs to coincide with an attack in force launched through the mountains against Captain Amanassar’s main body of revolutionists in the field. There, too, the Janissaries had been unsuccessful. Though not beaten so decisively as at Korakum, they had been unable to penetrate the strong position held by the rebels and, sullen and alarmed at the unexpected strength of the opposition, they had fallen back to the shelter of the walls of Athensi. In their retreat they carried off all the livestock for miles from the country between Captain Amanassar and the city, stripping the poor peasants of everything, and herding the young men into the city while leaving the children and the old people to live as best they might. Mr. Hampton made a trip to Captain Amanassar’s camp, into which the stricken country people from the devastated districts were making their way, and on his return reported many pitiable sights. The rebel leader’s assurance that the fall of Athensi, in view of the two disasters to the arms of its defenders, was inevitable, caused the American to decide to stay. He was moved by more than an explorer’s interest, moreover. Deeply stirred by the ideals of these young Athensians, sons of a semi-savage race dating from the dawn of time, who were resolved to redeem their country from the rule of the Oligarchs who so long had held it in thrall, he felt that his engineering experience would be valuable in the final siege of the city and that later his knowledge of world affairs would be worth much to Captain Amanassar when the latter and his compatriots came to the point of opening communication with the outside world. Week by week the lines about Athensi grew tighter, with every sally of the Janissaries repulsed. Reports from friends within the city, where the revolutionists had many adherents, continued to reach the rebel camp, and all were to the effect that famine was beginning to raise its head amid the crowded population.