“I am aware that discontent has been flourishing like a poisonous weed in Tlamco. It needed but a spark to fan it to a blaze and I have produced that spark. It is in the suspicion that Yermah is an accursed and lost soul. Thou knowest the tradition concerning other calamities in the dim ages. Fan this flame judiciously, and thou wilt sit in the seat of power.” He would have strained her to his breast again, but she eluded him. She was certain of her hold upon him, and was anxious to strengthen it. “Thou canst not be sure of unqualified support,” she went on. “If thou canst not silence Yermah’s adherents in argument, then thou must resort to arms.” “Thou art my love, and a wise counselor,” he answered, still actuated by gratitude and what he called love. “Go thou to the Camp of Mars, and I will be guided by thee,” he added, aiding her in the readjustment of her mantle. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN THE SHOCK OF CONFLICT AND YERMAH’S OVERTHROW War was undertaken for religious purposes—never for conquest—which accounted for the methods used in stirring up sedition in Tlamco. The object in conquering an outside power was to civilize it; and if captives refused to accept hospitable treatment, they were scattered throughout the country, man for man, and kept under surveillance until reconciled to their positions. No confiscation of property was allowed, and after taking the oath of allegiance, the rebels were returned to their homes. Setos found Imos laboring with Hanabusa and Ben Hu Barabe, who remained loyal to Yermah. These faithful adherents made earnest and eloquent pleas in his behalf; but, finding themselves powerless, withdrew and prepared to defend the city against inevitable attack. It was a semicircular bay, five thousand feet across, which brought the water to Montgomery Street up to the days of ’forty-nine. From a line parallel with what is now Market Street, but a little to the north, was a grand canal, deep and wide enough to accommodate all the commerce of Tlamco. These waters terminated in a basin near the junction of present-day Van Ness Avenue and Market Street, where a circular port of entry was strongly fortified. Leading from this was a broad avenue, which ended in another circular building, half a mile nearer the Observatory, and in a direct line with it. This was, in modern parlance, a bonded warehouse, and was amply protected. The port of entry was in the center of a circle which included Telegraph Hill, Lone Mountain and the Potrero hills, all of which were formidable fortifications. Rincon Hill, south and directly opposite Telegraph Hill, guarded the entrance to the canal, while Yerba Buena Island, on the east, lined with its center. A hostile fleet sailing around Telegraph Hill would be under fire from these forts, and as they came into the canal an assault could be made on them from the ramparts and battlements of Nob Hill.