The Keepers of the People

CHAPTER X

RUTH COMES TO VARANDALEEL

1161The little army of Varandaleel had reached a high point of training and discipline. More than two years had passed since Prince Melinsky had talked wildly in his drunkenness of seeking the new El Dorado; and Prince Ralph’s fear, or rather hope, that he would carry out his purpose had died away. It seemed impossible that he should make his way to Varandaleel. But it was expedient that those who in the last five years had grown young men, should be hardened by war; and it was resolved that a raid over the Oxus, if they could get so far, should be made after the next harvest. All through the spring spies had been going to and fro through the surrounding country. On an evening, a month before the harvest, one of them came to the palace with strange tidings: a body of men four thousand strong was marching towards the pass into Varandaleel. Prince Ralph and Colonel Sayers questioned him themselves; and learned to their utter amazement, from the account he gave of them, that they were Russians. There was no doubting it. They lost no time; carried the news to Prince Raleigh; and after a long discussion, decided that Prince Ralph should go on a scouting expedition at once, leaving his father and General Sayers to mobilise the Varandal army.

1162There was no haste: the enemy were miles from the pass, and moving at no great speed. But on the next day more spies came in, bringing word of two more bodies of men, each of them two thousand strong, marching also towards the pass from two other points; and it became clear that they were without doubt converging on it by set plan. Having arranged that the Varandal army should be gathered in three divisions, one at the foot of the pass, one midway between the pass and the palace, one in the little plain before the palace, Prince Ralph set out at sunset with fifty horsemen. He was in a flame of fierce joy at the thought of the fine fighting which was coming.