Scarcely had we entered the great room where the Child of Kings was seated in her chair of state surrounded by all the pomp and ceremony of her mimic court, when the big doors at the end of it were opened, and through them marched three gray-bearded men in white robes whom we saw at once were heralds or ambassadors from the Fung.

These men bowed to the veiled Maqueda and, turning toward where we stood in a little group apart, bowed to us also.
But of Joshua, who was there supported by two servants, for he could not yet stand alone, and the other notables and priests of the Abati, they took not the slightest heed.
"Speak," said Maqueda.
"Lady," answered the spokesman of the embassy, "we are sent by our Sultan, Barung, son of Barung, Ruler of the Fung nation.

These are the words of Barung: O Walda Nagasta! 'By the hands and the wit of the white lords whom you have called to your aid, you have of late done much evil to the god Harmac and to me his servant.

You have destroyed one of the gates of my city, and with it many of my people.

You have rescued a prisoner out of my hands, robbing Harmac of his sacrifice and thereby bringing his wrath upon us.