fire! Again mute! ... again oppressed by that strange swelling at
the heart that threatened to break forth in stormy sobs of
penitence and prayer! Instinctively he drew Sah-luma closer to his
side--his breath came thick and fast.. he struggled with all his
might to speak the words ... "One HAS died and risen from the
dead!"--but not a syllable could he form of the desired sentence!

"Thou shalt live again, Sah-luma!" was all he could say in low,
half-smothered accents--"Thou hast within thee a flame that cannot
perish!"

Again Sah-luma's eyes dwelt upon him with a curious, appealing
tenderness.

"Thy words savor of sweet consolation! ..." he said half gayly,
half sadly. "May they be fulfilled! And if indeed there is a
brighter world than this beyond the skies, I fancy thou and I will
know each other, there as here, and be somewhat close companions!
See!"--and he pointed to a small green hillock that rose up like a
shining emerald from the darker foliage of the surrounding trees--
"Yonder is my point of vantage whence we shall behold the sun go
down like a warrior sinking on the red field of battle, the chimes
are ringing even now for his departure,--listen!"

They stood still for a space, while the measured, swinging cadence
of bells came pealing through the stillness,--bells of every tone,
that smote the air with soft or loud resonance as the faint wind
wafted the sounds toward them,--and then they began to climb the
little hill, Sah-luma walking somewhat in advance, with a tread as
light and elastic as that of a young fawn.