And yet as I looked at their well shaped heads, their

handsome features, and their intelligent eyes, it was

difficult to believe that I was not among my own. It was

only when I took into consideration their mode of living,

their scant apparel, the lack of every least luxury among

them, that I was forced to admit that they were, in truth,

but ignorant savages.

Buckingham had relieved me of my weapons, though he had not

the slightest idea of their purpose or uses, and when we

reached the camp he exhibited both me and my arms with every

indication of pride in this great capture.

The inhabitants flocked around me, examining my clothing,

and exclaiming in wonderment at each new discovery of

button, buckle, pocket, and flap. It seemed incredible that

such a thing could be, almost within a stone's throw of the

spot where but a brief two centuries before had stood the

greatest city of the world.

They bound me to a small tree that grew in the middle of one

of their crooked streets, but the girl they released as soon

as we had entered the enclosure. The people greeted her

with every mark of respect as she hastened to a large hut

near the center of the camp.

Presently she returned with a fine looking, white-haired

woman, who proved to be her mother. The older woman carried

herself with a regal dignity that seemed quite remarkable in

a place of such primitive squalor.

The people fell aside as she approached, making a wide way

for her and her daughter. When they had come near and

stopped before me the older woman addressed me.

"My daughter has told me," she said, "of the manner in which

you rescued her from the men of the elephant country. If

Wettin lived you would be well treated, but Buckingham has

taken me now, and is king. You can hope for nothing from

such a beast as Buckingham."

The fact that Buckingham stood within a pace of us and was

an interested listener appeared not to temper her

expressions in the slightest.