Faster and faster ran the podokos, their long and scale-covered necks stretched far out ahead while their tails lifted correspondingly, much like that of an airplane about to take off.
"Whew! He must be doing all of forty-five," gasped Nelson, while the wind whistled about his ears and snapped madly at the yellow crest of his brazen helmet.
The ride which ensued remained forever fixed in the aviator"s memory.
Like so many shots from a gun the three podokos darted off out of the stables, past a gate guarded by a battery of retortii, whose red plumed cannoneers sprang to attention as the three strangely a.s.sorted riders sped out into the amber, perpetual light of Atlans.
Nelson, on finding his balance, looked about him to receive impressions of immensely tall structures, of pyramids which, like the ziggurats of Sumaria, and Babylon, were surmounted with beautifully proportioned temples.
"Must be at least a million people in this burg of Heliopolis,"
thought Nelson, easing his Winchester.
Hour after hour they sped along, frequently overtaking detachments of troops. Twice they halted to change mounts, though the podokos seemed quite tireless.
At the end of five hours" furious riding, Nelson beheld a dense white cloud low on the horizon.
"What"s that?" he demanded. "Fog?"
"No," Hero John informed him. "Yonder flows the Apida.n.u.s, the boiling river. Not far away to the left lies the frontier fortress of Cierum, where is encamped the Emperor, who will sit in judgment upon thee."
Nelson"s heart sank. He had been so occupied with his fears for Alden that he had not dwelt upon his own precarious position.
Scarcely half an hour elapsed, if Nelson"s wrist watch were running correctly, before he reached the tremendous, swarming camp of Altorius XXII, Emperor of Atlans. Hero Giles proved to be a powerful talisman, for everywhere officers and men alike saluted respectfully and sank on one knee as he pa.s.sed.
"Wait here," he snapped, as the podokos sank obediently to the dust.
"Brother John, do thou guard Friend Nelson while I seek permission of His Serene Splendor to bring the Wanderer into the Presence."
Almost immediately the elder Atlantean returned, a frown on his scarred, rather brutal visage. "Come," he muttered, "but I fear for thee, Friend Nelson; His Splendor is in a savage mood--this raid hath stirred his ire beyond all bounds."
"Nothing like cheering up a patient before he goes into the operating room," thought Nelson, and quietly threw off the safety on his Winchester. "Six shots," he reflected. "Well, if I go, I reckon I"ll take some d.a.m.n good company along."
The aviator was led down a long pa.s.sage, at every ten feet of which was posted an enormous scowling guard, whose spears, retortii and armor were painted a brilliant jade-green. Then a musical, deep-toned gong boomed twice, and Hero Giles halted before an exquisitely wrought door, which, without any apparent propulsion, silently slid back into the ma.s.sive stone walls, revealing a huge, brilliantly lit circular chamber that was hung with emerald-green hangings. In the center, surrounded by a royal guard of n.o.bles in splendidly jeweled armor, was reared a dais, upon which stood a throne that blazed with the most varied collection of diamonds that Nelson could ever have imagined.
"Down on your face," rasped Hero Giles as, in common with his brother, he knelt and then fell prostrate on the cool black marble floor.
"d.a.m.ned if I will," murmured Nelson, and remained erect.
Bolt upright, he looked across the interval and found himself staring into the furious eyes of one of the handsomest men he had ever beheld.
Gripping his Winchester in a kind of "port arms" position, he stood to attention--by some curious kink of the brain reverting to his military days. And so the two men, different as day and night, faced each other. Altorius XXII clad in robes of scarlet, and a glittering cuira.s.se that glowed like the evening sun. His yellow head was truly splendid, reminiscent of that of a young Roman Emperor. The hair, like that of the Hudsonian Heroes, was blond, curly and close cropped. Yes, thought the awed but self-contained American, there was something genuinely imperial about the Emperor"s aquiline visage, for a high intelligent forehead and piercing blue eyes dominated a strong mouth, which was marred by a decidedly cruel twist at the corners. On him, also, was set the stamp of Sir Henry Hudson"s dauntless race.
"Put him is a business suit and a soft gray hat," mused Nelson, "and you would find a dozen like him in any of London"s best clubs."
"Down on thy face, sirrah!" Outraged, the Emperor"s voice rang like the peal of a brazen trumpet through the great pillared audience chamber. The nearest guardsmen held themselves ready, hand on sword hilt.
"No." Nelson"s s.h.a.ggy black head went back as he found his tongue at last. "No, Your Majesty. In America we have our own way of showing respect for authority. I"m an American and, with all respect, I"ll salute you as one."
So saying, his hand flicked up in a sharp military salute to the visor of that Atlantean helmet which he still wore.
"All d.a.m.n foolishness," he silently told himself. "I feel like the lead in a ten, twenty, thirty melodrama. But I suppose it"s got to be done."
The Emperor"s teeth gleamed in a half snarl as he sprang with Jovian wrath to his feet.
"Dog! How darest thou bandy words with us?"
"Have mercy!" hoa.r.s.ely pleaded Hero John as he lay on the floor. "Have mercy, oh Splendor! He is but an ignorant wanderer from the Ice World."
It appeared that the young Hero was something of a favorite, for the masterful, thunder-browed Emperor checked himself and, still glowering, settled back on the diamond throne.
"Ye have my permission to enter and approach."
Whereupon, Hero Giles arose and, with many black looks at his guest, strode forward to briefly explain his presence.
Nelson felt Altorius" blazing blue eyes search his face.
"Then he whom the dog-born Jereboam captured was thy friend?"
"Yes," replied Nelson with dignity, "my best friend. Alden and I have traveled and wandered all over the world together."
"Over the world? The Ice World?" Altorius seemed interested, for he leaned forward, muscle corded arms very brown against the frosty brilliance of the stones studding his throne. He flipped back a scarlet cloak and bent a searching look on the straight, unafraid figure below.
Impatient to reach a decision, Nelson forebore to amplify the Emperor"s a.s.sumption that the outside world was all ice and snow.
"Yes," he said, "from the land of America. I"ve spoken with Hero Giles, Your Majesty"s Captain-General."
"So, then, no doubt, he has told you of the law of our country?"
Altorius" white teeth shown again in the depths of his short, curling beard.
"Perhaps." Nelson was vague, wishing no further amplification.
"The law of Atlans," p.r.o.nounced the Emperor with a frown, "states that a stranger must prove his worth to the State, else he must be put to death. Thank thou thy G.o.ds that thou hast not fallen into the hands of the Lost Tribes, for a.s.suredly thou would perish miserably, as must thy comrade."
"What is the law of Jarmuth?" inquired Nelson, his mind furiously at work.
"Their law states that the stranger within their gates must perish on the altar of Beelzebub, Jarmuth"s blood-hungry demon G.o.d." A momentary expression of sadness crept into the Emperor"s blue eyes and he beat a square, powerful hand on the arm of his throne. "Aye, blood-hungry!
Lack-a-day! But yesterday, six of our fairest maidens crossed the boiling river, never to return."
Nelson was about to speak when from outside came the blast of a trumpet. The a.s.sembled Atlanteans started, paused, and remained silent, listening intently.
Hero Giles looked up, a light kindling in his deep-set eyes. "Yon was an Israelite trumpet."
As the words left his lips there came a hurried rapping at the portal, whereupon the guards sprang forward.