attraction"--thus Lael proceeded. "On his departure, the questions about
him are countless, and Uel holds nothing back. Indeed, it is more than
likely he has put the whole mart and city in possession of the history
of my adoption by the Prince."

In front of the palace she broke off abruptly: "But see! The landing is
covered with men and women. Let us hurry."

Presently they issued from the garden, and were permitted to join the
Princess.




CHAPTER XIII

THE HAMARI TURNS BOATMAN


The boatmen had taken up some of the marble blocks of the landing, and
planting long oars upright in the ground, and fixing other oars
crosswise on them, constructed a secure frame covered with fresh
sail-cloth. From their vessels they had also brought material for a dais
under the shelter thus improvised; another sail for carpet, and a chair
on the dais completed the stand whence the Princess was to view and
judge the race.

A way was opened for her through the throng, and with her attendants,
she passed to the stand; and as she went, all the women near reached out
their hands and reverently touched the skirt of her gown--so did their