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(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (B)
6. Knowing how to prepare and interpret personal financial statements is a cornerstone of personal
financial planning.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

7. Financial plans provide direction to annual budgets.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (A)

8. If an individual obtains a loan to purchase a car in June, this loan amount will be included as
income for the month of June.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (B)

9. An individual's auto loan payments are listed as an expense on the income and expense statement.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (A)

10. If an individual lists his or her gross salary in the income portion of the budget, the expenditures
section will include income taxes and social security taxes.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

11. Net income (after taxes) should be used when preparing an income and expense statement.

(A) True

(B) False
Answer : (B)

12. It is best to prepare an individual's personal financial statements at least once a year, ideally
when drawing up his or her budget.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

13. It is recommended that an individual maintains a ledger to summarize all of his or her financial
transactions.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

14. An individual should prepare his or her personal financial statements once in five years.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (B)

15. An individual can maintain his or her personal financial statements using spreadsheet software.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (A)

16. An inability to reach short-term goals will significantly affect one's ability to reach long-term
goals.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

17. An individual is said to have a balanced budget when his or her total income for the year equals
or exceeds his or her total expenditures for the year.
(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

18. The best way to balance one's budget is to increase borrowing.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (B)

19. Budgeting and record keeping are the same.

(A) True

(B) False

Answer : (B)

20. Estimating expenses using actual expenses from previous years and tracking current expenses
make the task of preparing a cash budget easier.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

21. A cash budget has value only if one uses it, reviews it regularly, and keeps careful records of
income and expenses.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

22. In a budget, "fun money" is for family members to spend as they like without having to account
for how it is spent.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)
23. Future value calculations to estimate the funds needed to meet a goal take compounding into
account.

(A) True (B)

False

Answer : (A)

MULTICHOICE

24. A balance sheet describes a person's:

(A) financial position at a given point in time. (B)

financial performance over a period of time. (C)

financial performance at a given point in time. (D)

financial goals over a specific period of time. (E)

financial plans over a period of time.

Answer : (A)

25. Which of the following is true of an individual's income and expense statement?

(A) An individual's income and expense statement describes his or her financial position at a given
point in time.

(B) An individual's income and expense statement measures his or her financial performance at a
given point in time.

(C) An individual's income and expense statement describes his or her financial goals over a specific
period of time.

(D) An individual's income and expense statement measures his or her financial performance over a
period of time.

(E) An individual's income and expense statement describes his or her financial position over a
period of time.

Answer : (D)

26. Which of the following is true of a budget?

(A) It shows the computation of the interest on a loan.

(B) It is a schedule of personal investments.

(C) It is a list of prepaid expenses.

(D) It is a detailed financial forecast.

(E) It is a set of personal financial objectives.

Answer : (D)

27. A budget helps in:

(A) setting financial goals.

(B) calculating discounted cash flows.

(C) giving feedback on the progress of the set plan.

(D) monitoring and controlling spending.

(E) revising depreciation schedules.

Answer : (D)

28. Which of the following is true of budgets?

(A) Budgets are meant for poor people only.

(B) Budgets need expensive software to be effective.

(C) Budgets are forward looking.

(D) Budgets are permanent.

(E) Budgets are unnecessary.

Answer : (C)

29. Annual budgets help in monitoring and controlling income, living expenses, purchases, and
savings on:

(A) a weekly basis.

(B) a yearly basis.

(C) a quarterly basis.

(D) a semi-annually basis.

(E) a monthly basis.

Answer : (B)
30. Which of the following is true of budgets?

(A) Budgets are detailed forward looking financial reports based on expected income and expenses.

(B) Budgets describe a person's financial position at a given point in time.

(C) Budgets measure a person's financial performance at a given point in time.

(D) Budgets describe a person's financial goals over a specific period of time.

(E) Budgets are historical documents that tell an individual how he or she has performed in the past.

Answer : (A)

31. The three parts of an individual's balance sheet are his or her:

(A) income, liabilities, and net worth.

(B) assets, expenditures, and net worth.

(C) assets, liabilities, and expenses.

(D) assets, liabilities, and net worth.

(E) income, liabilities, and assets.

Answer : (D)

32. Which of the following is listed as an asset on an individual's balance sheet?

(A) Bank credit card balances

(B) Education loans

(C) Outstanding medical bills

(D) Checking accounts

(E) Leased automobiles

Answer : (D)

33. When Phil lists his house on his balance sheet, he should record its:

(A) actual purchase price.

(B) depreciated value.

(C) insured value.

(D) deferred price.

(E) fair market value.

Answer : (E)

34. Your is an example of a liquid asset.

(A) home

(B) car

(C) checking account

(D) charge account

(E) life insurance cash value

Answer : (C)

35. Sam and his wife Ann purchased a home in Lubbock, Texas, in 1980 for $100,000. Their original
home mortgage payment was $90,000. The house has a current market value of $175,000 and a
replacement value of $200,000. They still owe $55,000 of their home mortgage payment. In their
current balance sheet, their home will be reflected as:

(A) a $200,000 asset for the replacement value and a $55,000 liability for the outstanding mortgage.

(B) a $200,000 asset for the replacement value and a $90,000 liability for the original mortgage.

(C) a $175,000 asset for the market value and a $55,000 liability for the outstanding mortgage.

(D) a $175,000 asset for the market value and a $90,000 liability for the original mortgage.

(E) a $100,000 asset for the purchase price and a $55,000 liability for the outstanding mortgage.

Answer : (C)

36. is an example of personal property.

(A) Jewelry

(B) A mutual fund

(C) A corporate bond

(D) A charge account

(E) A certificate of deposit

Answer : (A)

37. Which of the following is an example of real property?

(A) Machinery

(B) A computer

(C) An automobile

(D) A garage

(E) Office furniture

Answer : (D)

38. will be listed as a liability on your balance sheet.

(A) A money market deposit account

(B) A checking account

(C) Equipment

(D) The cash value of a life insurance policy

(E) An education loan

Answer : (E)

39. Loans should be recorded as a liability on the balance sheet at their:

(A) original outstanding balance.

(B) year-end outstanding balance.

(C) average outstanding balance.

(D) current outstanding balance.

(E) beginning outstanding balance.

Answer : (D)

40. Which of the following portions of a mortgage loan is recorded as a liability on the balance
sheet?

(A) Interest only

(B) Sum of the interest paid and the outstanding balance

(C) Sum of the interest due and the outstanding balance

(D) Outstanding principal portion only

(E) Principal portion and interest paid

Answer : (D)

41. Sonny and Cher have a net worth of $35,000 and total assets of $200,000. If their revolving
credit and unpaid bills total $2,200, what will their long-term liabilities be?

(A) $115,000

(B) $140,000

(C) $142,200

(D) $162,800

(E) $165,000

Answer : (D)

42. You are solvent if your:

(A) total liabilities exceed your total assets.

(B) total assets exceed your total liabilities.

(C) total assets exceed your equity.

(D) total liabilities exceed your equity.

(E) current liabilities exceed your current assets.

Answer : (B)

43. Which of the following is true of an individual's net worth?

(A) It is the sum of an individual's current assets and his or her current liabilities.

(B) It is the sum of an individual's take-home pay and his or her payroll taxes.

(C) It is the difference between an individual's current assets and his or her current liabilities.

(D) It is the difference between an individual's monthly income and his or her expenses.

(E) It is the difference between an individual's total assets and his or her total liabilities.

Answer : (E)

44. If your , your net worth on the balance sheet will increase from one period to the next.

(A) liabilities increase and assets remain constant

(B) liabilities increase and assets decrease

(C) assets increase and liabilities remain constant

(D) income and liabilities decrease

(E) liabilities and expenses increase

Answer : (C)

45. The income and expense statement examines your financial:

(A) obligations.

(B) performance.

(C) position.

(D) assets.

(E) objectives.

Answer : (B)

46. An income statement includes:

(A) income, liabilities, and net worth.

(B) income, expenses, and cash surplus or deficit.

(C) expenses, net worth, and cash surplus or deficit.

(D) net worth, surplus, and profit or loss.

(E) savings, surplus, and profit or loss.

Answer : (B)

47. You record on an income and expense statement.

(A) the value of your stock portfolio

(B) your installment loan balance

(C) your checking account balance

(D) your cash on hand

(E) your charitable payments

Answer : (E)

48. I should record on my income and expense statement for the period of January 1 to June
30.

(A) an $800 refrigerator I bought on credit on May 30

(B) an outstanding education loan account

(C) jewelry I purchased with an arrangement to pay later

(D) my checking account balance

(E) the groceries I bought and paid for in June

Answer : (E)

49. A cash surplus on an income and expense statement prepared on a cash basis indicates that:

(A) the net worth is equal to zero.

(B) investments are less than the cash balance.

(C) the payments on debts are not met.

(D) the total expense is less than the total income.

(E) income and expense are equal.

Answer : (D)

50. If your statement of income and expense prepared on a cash basis shows a deficit, you have:

(A) increased your debts.

(B) liquidated your investments.

(C) increased your savings.

(D) taken a cash loan on your insurance.

(E) sold some securities.

Answer : (A)

51. When estimating income for the income and expense statement, you should:

(A) use gross income.

(B) include expected pay increases.

(C) adjust expenses for inflation.

(D) use net income less capitalized interest.

(E) use the income received and earned only.

Answer : (A)

52. If your liquid assets equal $15,000 and your current debts equal $50,000, your liquidity ratio is:

(A) 30%.

(B) 70%.

(C) 143%.

(D) 233%.

(E) 333%.

Answer : (A)

53. If your total assets equal $87,000 and your total liabilities equal $10,000, your solvency ratio is:

(A) 11.5%.

(B) 13.0%.

(C) 77.0%.

(D) 87.0%.

(E) 88.5%.

Answer : (E)

54. Which of the following ratios indicates your ability to meet current debt payments with existing
assets that can be converted to cash readily?

(A) Solvency

(B) Liquidity

(C) Cash

(D) Savings

(E) Debt service

Answer : (B)

55. A savings ratio calculated from an income and expense statement represents the:

(A) percentage of gross income saved.

(B) ability to cover immediate debt when there is an interruption in income.

(C) percentage of after-tax income saved.

(D) percentage of tax-deferred income earned annually.

(E) percentage of asset value salvaged.

Answer : (C)

56. Assume that your total income for the current year is $35,000. Your total expenses including
taxes of $5,000 is $30,000. Your savings ratio is:

(A) 7.5%. (B)

10.0%. (C)

12.5%. (D)

13.3%. (E)

16.7%.

Answer : (E)

57. Jacques's total monthly loan payments amount to $1,020, while his gross income is $3,000 per
month. What is his debt service ratio?

(A) 34%

(B) 43%

(C) 50%

(D) 75%

(E) 82%

Answer : (A)

58. Mike and Teresa have a monthly gross income of $5,000. They pay $1,000 per month toward
taxes and $2,000 per month toward various loans. What is their debt service ratio?

(A) 20%

(B) 30%

(C) 40%

(D) 50%

(E) 60%
Answer : (C)

59. Which of the following is a stage in preparing a cash budget?

(A) Calculating financial ratios

(B) Estimating expenses

(C) Calculating depreciation expenses

(D) Finalizing the balance sheet

(E) Preparing the bank reconciliation report

Answer : (B)

60. A cash budget helps you:

(A) monitor and control your finances.

(B) analyze your financial position.

(C) calculate your fixed assets ratio.

(D) calculate your investment turnover ratio.

(E) analyze the use of debt in a capital structure.

Answer : (A)

61. The Wilsons' short-term goals might include:

(A) setting up an emergency fund with three months' income.

(B) buying a house.

(C) sending the kids to college.

(D) planning to retire at the age of 60.

(E) going on a world tour.

Answer : (A)

62. There is a need for budget adjustments when:

(A) income is stable.

(B) account deficits and surpluses balance out.

(C) account deficits are more than surpluses.

(D) a new calendar year begins.

(E) short-term financial goals are achieved.

Answer : (C)

63. The best approach to solve the problem of an annual budget deficit is to:

(A) liquidate more assets than required to meet the budget shortfall for the year.

(B) borrow funds on credit cards.

(C) reduce flexible expenditures on nonessential items.

(D) reduce fixed expenses.

(E) reduce high-priority expenses on the budget.

Answer : (C)

64. What can you do if your budget shows an annual budget deficit?

(A) You can liquidate investments to meet the total budget shortfall for the year.

(B) You can increase low-priority expenses on the budget.

(C) You can invest more in real estate/personal estate.

(D) You can discourage borrowing.

(E) You can shift expenses from the surplus months to the deficit months.

Answer : (A)

65. Your investment advisor wants you to purchase an annuity that will pay you $25,000 per year for
10 years. If you require a 7% return, what is the most you should pay for this investment?

(A) $49,179

(B) $175,590

(C) $201,000

(D) $225,682

(E) $250,000

Answer : (B)

66. Theresa invested $5,000 in an account she expects will earn 7% annually. Approximately how
many years will it take for the account to double in value? (Round the number of years to the nearest
whole number.)

(A) 8

(B) 9

(C) 10

(D) 11

(E) 12

Answer : (C)

67. Jamil invested $9,500 in an account he expects will earn 5% annually. Approximately how many
years will it take for the account to double in value? (Round off your answer to one decimal place.)

(A) 8.8

(B) 9.7

(C) 10.8

(D) 11.4

(E) 14.2

Answer : (E)

68. Phil has $2,000, and he needs it to grow to $4,000 in 8 years. Assuming he does not add any
more money to this fund, what rate of interest would he need to earn? (Round off the rate of interest
to the nearest whole number.)

(A) 6%

(B) 7%

(C) 8%

(D) 9%

(E) 10%

Answer : (D)

69. Michael and Sandy purchased a home for $100,000 five years ago. If its value appreciated at 6%
annually, what is it worth today? (Round the answer to the nearest unit place.)

(A) $100,000

(B) $106,000
(C) $130,000

(D) $133,823

(E) $135,603

Answer : (D)

70. Elena purchased a stamp collection for $5,000 thirty years ago. If its value appreciated at 8%
annually, what is it worth today? (Round the answer to the nearest unit place.)

(A) $17,000

(B) $36,400

(C) $50,313

(D) $123,023

(E) $150,000

Answer : (C)

71. A balance sheet provides a statement of one's financial .

(A) position

(B) performance

(C) goals (D)

ratios

Answer : (A)

72. The first step in financial planning is to .

(A) define one's financial goals

(B) set up a budget

(C) calculate one's liquidity ratio

(D) prepare a trend analysis

Answer : (A)

73. A detailed forecast used to monitor and control expenses is called a(n) .

(A) balance sheet

(B) profit and loss account

(C) budget

(D) income and expense statement

Answer : (C)

74. A is an example of a liquid asset.

(A) fixed deposit of three years

(B) savings account

(C) recurring deposit of two years

(D) retirement account

Answer : (B)

75. A is an example of a tangible asset.

(A) house

(B) patent

(C) copyright

(D) trademark

Answer : (A)

76. Investment assets are required to .

(A) be used in our everyday lives.

(B) increase productivity.

(C) provide a service.

(D) earn a return.

Answer : (D)

77. A(n) is an example of a current liability.

(A) auto loan

(B) credit card balance

(C) mortgage
(D) education loan

Answer : (B)

78. When your liabilities exceed your assets, you are .

(A) solvent

(B) financially sound

(C) retired

(D) insolvent

Answer : (D)

79. When your assets exceed your liabilities, you are .

(A) insolvent

(B) unable to meet your financial targets

(C) solvent

(D) in financial distress

Answer : (C)

80. Your car has a market value of $4,000, while the balance of the loan against it is now $2,500.
Your ownership interest in the car is .

(A) $2,500

(B) $4,000

(C) $6,500

(D) $1,500

Answer : (D)

81. Payments made on your loan obligations should your net worth.

(A) increase

(B) decrease

(C) maintain

(D) eliminate
Answer : (C)

82. The total amount of salary you earn before taxes are deducted is your .

(A) gross pay

(B) after-tax salary

(C) take-home salary

(D) net pay

Answer : (A)

83. You bought a $500 stereo on an installment plan and made two payments of $75 each during the
year. On your income and expense statement for the year, you will show an expense of .

(A) $150

(B) $575

(C) $650

(D) $500

Answer : (A)

84. are difficult to estimate for an upcoming year.

(A) Interest payments

(B) Medical expenses

(C) Rent payments

(D) Insurance expenses

Answer : (B)

85. Total assets on your balance sheet are $6,000 and liabilities are $2,000. Your solvency ratio will
be .

(A) 30%

(B) 33%

(C) 67%

(D) 65%

Answer : (C)
86. The liquidity ratio is designed to show the percentage of you can cover with your
current assets.

(A) annual credit obligations

(B) future years' credit obligations

(C) long-term credit obligations

(D) potential credit obligations

Answer : (A)

87. If your budget shows a deficit, you are required to to balance your budget.

(A) increase your savings

(B) increase your income

(C) increase your expenses

(D) increase your investments

Answer : (B)

88. A cash budget will have value only if it is actually used and .

(A) records of actual income and expenses are kept

(B) spending never deviates from the budgeted amount

(C) it reflects actual financial position

(D) it takes into account only credit transactions

Answer : (A)

89. is the most preferred way for one to deal with budget deficits.

(A) Liquidating one's savings and investments

(B) Borrowing money from one's relatives

(C) Cutting one's low-priority expenses

(D) Increasing one's income

Answer : (C)

90. Once you define your financial goals, you can prepare a cash budget for the
upcoming year.
(A) semi-annual

(B) short-term

(C) quarterly

(D) long-term

Answer : (B)

91. value is the value today of an amount to be received in the future.

(A) Present

(B) Future

(C) Intrinsic

(D) Extrinsic

Answer : (A)

92. The process of finding present value is called .

(A) discounting

(B) calculating

(C) compounding

(D) computing

Answer : (A)

ESSAY

93. Jean and Jim have liquid assets of $3,600 and other assets of $42,800. Their total liabilities equal
$26,000. What is their net worth? (Show all work.)

Graders Info :

Net worth = Total assets - Total liabilitiesNet worth = ($42,800 + $3,600) ? $26,000 = $20,400

94. Rosa and Jose have liquid assets of $5,000 and other assets of $50,000. Their total liabilities
equal $26,000. What is their net worth? (Show all work.)
Graders Info :

Net worth = Total assets - Total liabilitiesNet worth = ($50,000 + $5,000) ? $26,000 = $29,000

95. Construct a balance sheet using the following information. Be sure the format is correct. (Show
all work.)
Cash on hand $ 75
Bank credit card balance 1,200
Utility bill (overdue) 100
Auto loan balance 3,500
Mortgage 75,000
Primary residence 105,000
Jewelry 2,000
Stocks 17,500
Coin collection 2,500
2001 Toyota 7,500

Graders Info :
Assets BALANCE SHEET Liabilities
Cash on hand $ 75 Bank credit card balance $ 1,200
$ 75 Utility bill (overdue) 100
$ 1,300
Stocks $ 17,500
$ 17,500
Primary residence $ 105,000
$ 105,000
Auto vehicles: 2001 Toyota $ 7,500
Jewelry 2,000 Auto loan balance $ 3,500
Coin collection 2,500 Mortgage 75,000
$ 12,000 $ 78,500
(I) $ 134,575 (II) $ 79,800
$ 54,775
$ 134,575

96. Construct a balance sheet using the following information. Be sure the format is correct. (Show
all work.)
Cash on hand $ 500
Bank credit card balance 750
Taxes due 500
Utility bills (overdue) 120
Auto loan balance 6,000
Mortgage 45,000
Primary residence 60,000
Jewelry 1,200
Stocks 6,000
Coin collection 2,500
2001 Toyota 7,500
Auto payment 250

Graders Info :
BALANCE SHEET

Cash on hand $ 500 Bank credit card balance $ 750

$ 500 Utility bill (overdue) 120
Taxes due 500
$ 1,370
Stocks $ 6,000
$ 6,000
Primary residence $ 60,000
$ 60,000
2001 Toyota $ 7,500
Jewelry 1,200 Auto loan balance $ 6,000
Coin collection 2,500 Mortgage 45,000
$ 11,200 $ 51,000
(I) $ 77,700 (II) $ 52,370
$ 25,330
$ 77,700

97. The Harts spend 30% of their disposable income on housing, 5% on medical expenses, 25% on
food, 10% on clothing, 14% on loan repayments, and 8% on entertainment. How much of their
disposable income is available for saving and investment? (Show all work.)

Graders Info :

The disposable income is 100%. The total outlays equal 92%, which is calculated by adding 30%, 5%,
25%, 10%, 14%, and 8%. Therefore, the total disposable income available for saving and investment
= 100% - 92% = 8%.

98. Inflation is expected to be 4% in the coming year. If Mr. Gonza earned $37,000 this year, how
much must he earn in the following year to keep up with inflation and maintain a balance between
his income and his increasing expenditures? (Show all work.)

Graders Info :

To keep up with an inflation of 4% in the coming year, Mr. Gonza must earn $38,480. This is
calculated as $37,000 + (4 percent of $37,000). Alternatively, this can also be calculated as $37,000
× 1.04 = $38,480.

99. Inflation is expected to be 3% in the coming year. If Mr. Gonza earned $45,000 this year, how
much must he earn in the following year to keep up with inflation and maintain a balance between
his income and his increasing expenditures? (Show all work.)

Graders Info :

To keep up with an inflation of 3% in the coming year, Mr. Gonza must earn $46,350, which is
calculated as $45,000 + (3 percent of $45,000). Alternatively, this can also be calculated as $45,000
× 1.03 = $46,350.

100. Jamie wants to have $1,000,000 for her retirement in 25 years. How much should she save
annually if she expects to earn 10% on her investments?

Graders Info :

In the financial calculator, input the value of FV as 1000000, N as 25, i as 10, we compute the value
of PMT equal to 10168.07. Hence, Jamie should save $10,168.07.

101. The Hamptons want to have $1,750,000 for their retirement in 30 years. How much should
they save annually if they expect to earn 8% on their investments?

Graders Info :

The future value that the Hamptons want equals $1,750,000. The time left for retirement is 30 years,
and the interest rate is 8%. In the financial calculator, input the value of FV as 1750000, N as 30, i
as 8, we compute the value of PMT equal to 15448.01. Therefore, the present value of periodic
payments equals $15,448.01.

102. The Flemings will need $80,000 annually for 20 years during their retirement. How much will
they need at retirement if they can earn a 4% rate of interest on their investment?

Graders Info :

In the financial calculator, input the value of PMT as 80000, N as 20, i as 4, we compute the value of
PV equal to 1087226.11. Therefore, the Flemings will need $1,087,226.11 at retirement.
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
by the lips of priestesses and votaries who had worshipped
at that shrine through all the ages since Semiramis; the
feet and legs were worn hollow and out of symmetry by the
osculations of the millions of women who had ascended that
tower to the gorgeous Temple of Istar to prostrate
themselves. The image stretched forth its arm over me
ominously, and the perfumed smoke from the braziers,
whirled up by a breath of the night wind, wrapped around
me a subtle, almost suffocating, fragrance.
Istar slept on with heaving breasts. One chance alone
remained to me—a dash for liberty.

Advancing cautiously a few paces I craned my neck to

satisfy myself that her slumber was not feigned; then, with
a last look upon her, I turned and crept silently away into
the shadow where the stairs descended.

I had just reached them, when a faint rustling behind me

caused me to glance quickly round. In an instant I
recognised the truth. Istar had followed me. With a cry of
rage she sprang upon me, her poniard gleaming in her
hand. Long ago she had vowed to kill me if I attempted to
leave her side, and it was now her intention to carry out her
threat. One fierce blow she aimed at my heart, and in
warding it off the blade gashed my arm. At the same
moment, however, I wrested the weapon from her hand,
and held her tightly by the wrists.

To free herself she struggled violently, but I held her

powerless, when suddenly there was a low, ominous growl,
and Ninep, in defence of her mistress, pounced upon me,
her great claws fixing themselves in my left shoulder.
Instantly I recognised the ferocity of my second adversary,
and releasing Istar, I plunged the long, keen knife full into
the eye of the lioness.

Fortunately my aim proved true, for in a few seconds the

great brute, her brain penetrated, fell back helpless and
dying.

Again Istar, with the fury of a virago, rushed upon me,

declaring that I should not escape. My first impulse was to
kill her. Indeed, I confess I raised my knife to plunge it into
her breast, but next second gripped her by the throat, and
hurled her back upon the pavement where she lay huddled
in a heap, stunned, motionless, and unconscious.

With a final glance at her inanimate form, I secreted the

knife within my silken girdle, then dashed down the stairs—
down, down, through the six deserted temples, tier on tier,
until I reached the silent courtyard, which I hastily crossed
and went to Istar’s private apartment, whence I took a
small tablet of sun-dried clay whereon a message had been
impressed. This I placed in my pouch, and, taking a staff,
set forth to gain my freedom.

In fear each moment lest Istar should regain consciousness,

and raise the alarm, I hurried on through the great
apartments with their colossal sculptures, where scribes and
courtiers, officials and soldiers, were slumbering after the
week’s festivities, and at length gained the head of the
brilliantly-lit flight of steps, the one way by which the royal
palace could be approached.

As soon as I drew near to the head of the broad stairs the

lances of the guards were interlaced from top to bottom. My
passage was barred until I had explained to the two officers
that I was bearer of an urgent message from Istar, and
exhibited to them the tablet bearing her seal. Then only was
I allowed to proceed. At each of the seven gates between
the actual entrance to the palace and the brazen gate of the
city, I presented my credential and was afforded free
passage. In trepidation I approached one of the great doors
of polished brass that closed the entrance to the city, and
again drew forth the tablet. The officer of the watch
scrutinised it long and carefully by the aid of his lantern,
then, finding everything satisfactory, gave orders that the
gate should be opened to pass out a messenger of Istar.
One of the ponderous doors creaked at last, and groaning,
slowly fell back just sufficiently to allow me to pass.

“May Merodach guard thee, messenger,” shouted the officer

as I went forth.

“And thee also,” I answered, as out upon the plain I sped

quickly in the direction of freedom. Behind me the shaft of
white light still streamed from the summit of the Temple of
the Seven Lights; before me were the half-obscured
Mountains of the Mist.

Once I glanced back upon the wonderful centre of a

civilisation unknown to the world, then resolutely I set my
face towards the pole-star, determined to put as great a
distance as possible between myself and those who would
undoubtedly pursue me ere the first saffron streak of dawn
showed the direction of Mecca.
 Chapter Forty Two.
Crooked Paths.

Full of increasing anxiety were the days following my escape

from Ea. At dawn, while high in the shadowy Mountains of
the Mist, I heard the alarm beaten in the distant city below,
and could just distinguish, through the cloud of vapour,
troops of horsemen leaving the brazen gates to scour the
country in search of me. Istar had, no doubt, recovered,
and, perhaps, had declared that I had made an attempt
upon her life. A determined effort would, I knew, be made
to secure me; therefore, having found the path I recognised
as having before traversed, I pushed onward, day by day,
until I reached the ruins of the great temple which had held
me in wonderment when first I had entered that mysterious
realm; then, striking due north, through forest and fertile,
park-like country, I came to a river which I remembered
was not far-distant from the small, half-concealed hole
whence I had emerged. Proceeding along its sedgy bank at
early morning, I came round a sharp bend, espying, to my
amazement, a cluster of tents before me, and held back
only just in time to escape detection. Already my pursuers
were ahead of me! Nevertheless, taking a circuitous route,
and sleeping in a tree that night, my eyes, after long and
diligent search, were gladdened by the sight of the spot I
sought.

As I stood before it, I reflected that, although I had

defeated the evil design of Istar, I was still in a position
equally as perilous as before, because of the raging,
foaming torrent, which, descending from the Lake of the
Accursed through its funnel-like aperture, formed a natural
and insurmountable barrier to my freedom. Ea was indeed
the Land of the No Return.

I had eaten my frugal morning meal, and was about to

leisurely enter the long, natural chamber beneath the rock,
and there decide upon some plan of action, when suddenly
the bright gleam of arms through the greenery attracted my
attention, and a moment later I found myself confronted by
two of Istar’s soldiers, who had evidently been watching
me.

They called upon me to surrender, at the same time

shouting to their comrades; but, without an instant’s
hesitation, I evaded their grasp and scrambling up into the
hole, plunged into the dark fissure and sped quickly along
over rocks and stones, heedless of where I went. Hurrying
footsteps sounded behind me, the voices of my eager
pursuers echoing loudly through the place, causing the flock
of bats and birds nesting there to fly out into the sunlight in
a dense, screaming crowd, while I, dashing onward, fled
like a rat before a ferret.

The chase in the pitch darkness was long, wearying and

desperate. It was a race for life. By their voices I could
distinguish that the soldiers were gradually gaining upon
me; yet, struggling on, now and then falling and cutting my
knees as I scrambled over the sharp rocks, being always
compelled to keep my hands stretched forth lest I should
stun myself against the rough sides of the natural passage.
Still, I was determined to hold out until the last, although
not a single ray of hope glimmered through the dispiriting
gloom. Istar had told me that, as bearer of the Mark of the
Asps, I was doomed. Although I struggled forward I had
been compelled to abandon all hope of returning again to
Azala.
Close behind me were my pursuers, yelling like fiends. The
place sent back weird, unearthly echoes from its uneven,
vaulted roof, yet, in the utter darkness, they could not see
me, but only pressed forward, eager to run me to earth and
ascertain the extent of the strange, unknown grotto.

Suddenly I held my breath, feeling myself treading for an

instant upon air, and uttering a loud shriek when I realised
the truth. I had forgotten the great chasm into which I had
so nearly fallen when last I had passed there, and had now
plunged headlong into it! Down, down, I felt myself falling,
until the fearful velocity with which I descended rendered
me giddy. Those moments in mid-air seemed an hour, until,
after dropping a long distance, I felt a sudden blow on the
back that drove the breath from my body and held me
paralysed. I knew then that I was lost.

When, a few minutes later, I again became conscious, I

heard excited voices far above uttering words of caution. My
shriek had evidently been noticed by my pursuers, who,
surmising that some evil had befallen me, halted, and
feeling their way carefully forward, had discovered the wide
chasm which I had believed unfathomable. I was lying in
soft dust which, preventing any of my bones being broken,
had also deadened the sound when, long ago, I had cast
stones into the pit to ascertain its depth. Slowly I struggled
to my feet, and finding myself uninjured, began groping
about in the darkness to ascertain the accurate dimensions
of the abyss. Half choked by the fine dust, I stumbled
about, with outstretched hands, but could discover neither
sides nor roof, when suddenly a soldier’s robe, which had
been saturated in some oil from a lantern and was flaming,
tumbled down upon the spot where I had fallen. My
pursuers had done this to ascertain the depth of the chasm.
The welcome light revealed to me that, instead of being in
an abyss, I had been precipitated into a lower and larger
cavern, the roof of which was hung with huge stalactites,
glittering with prismatic fire, and of dimensions so
enormous that the fitful glare did not reveal its opposite
extremity.

Fortunately, in my efforts to discover the extent of the weird

place, I had advanced some little distance from the bottom
of the pit, therefore my pursuers saw me not.

“He hath vanished!” I heard one man cry. “Of a verity he is

the Destroyer, the son of Anu, whom to attempt to capture
is as futile as the endeavour to make water run up hill.”

“He sprang into the gulf, and disappeared like a spirit,” cried
another, as he peered over into the yawning chasm. “It was
his intention that we should follow and be dashed to pieces
on the rocks. His cry alone saved us.”

“Come,” I heard another voice exclaim, “let us leave this

noisome abode of Anu, or his hand may wither and destroy
us as it destroyed the Temple of Sin.”

Soon the light died down to glowing tinder, and the voices,
growing fainter, were quickly lost in distant echoes.

I knew I was entombed. To search for any exit seemed

hopeless. Nevertheless, with a supplication to Allah to
lighten his servant’s burdens, I tore a strip from my robe,
unravelled it, and by blowing upon the glowing tinder,
obtained a light for my torch. Then, having improvised
several more torches in case of necessity, I started forward.
On every side was a cavernous blackness, so large was the
natural chamber into which I had fallen. Still I strove on,
determined at least to ascertain its true dimensions.
Presently I raised a loud shout, and listened. In a thousand
distant echoes my voice came back, showing that the
cavern was of wondrous extent. The ground was not
uneven, though here and there were large masses of rock,
thrown up, as if by the same earthquake as had formed the
Lake of the Accursed, and, hurrying forward, I gazed about
me to discover something in the impenetrable blackness on
every hand.

One fact alone gave me courage. The air was good, showing
that somewhere was an outlet to the world above.

Thus, with frantic effort, I struggled on, lighting a second

torch, and keeping straight ahead, until at last, to my
dismay, I was confronted by the damp wall of rock that
formed the end of the cavern. Turning at right angles, I
walked beside this wall to ascertain the width of the
chamber, when, having proceeded about thirty paces, I
discovered a fissure, or tunnel-like passage of considerable
width, which led away into the deep gloom beyond.

Determined, at least, to explore its length, I plunged into it,

holding my torch high above my head. At first it descended
slowly, then rose with gradual ascent, sometimes
narrowing, at others widening, until I again came to a blank
wall of rock.

I had been deceived. It was a mere fantastic cul-de-sac.

A moment’s pause, then, turning with sinking heart, I

retraced my steps a considerable distance until, just before
I emerged into the great cavern again, I became aware of a
second grotto leading out of the natural tunnel wherein I
stood. This I had not before noticed, therefore, with eager
steps, started forward to explore it. Here again the ground
rose, but the cavern was spacious, and leading out of it was
another grotto rising gradually and leading to a third,
slightly narrower, through which I toiled for fully half-an-
hour, burning the whole of my outer robe as torches, until
by accident my light became entirely extinguished. Unable
to rekindle it, I was plunged in darkness that could be felt.
Striving on undaunted, however, my eager hands came at
last in contact with a wall of rock before me; but, scarce
had I made this dismaying discovery, ere I found that the
subterranean burrow took a sudden turn at right angles,
and again ascended sharply.

To my surprise the rocky roof above me became just

distinguishable. A grey light showed ghostly and indistinct.
Then, a moment later, as I mounted the steep ascent, I
saw, straight before me, the blessed light of day, and
uttered a loud cry of relief and joy.

In eagerness I sped forward, rushing out of the cave, the

mouth of which was half choked by brushwood and
brambles, to find that I had actually passed beneath the
Lake of the Accursed, and was beyond the confines of the
Land of the No Return.

Only by a miracle had I escaped death. Of a verity Allah

maketh abundant provision for such of his servants as he
pleaseth, therefore I knelt to return thanks for my
deliverance.

My exit had been made at the edge of the forest, within

actual sight of the towering Rock of the Moon-god, and
having riveted its exact position upon my memory, I
plucked some bananas and ate them, afterwards setting my
face to the north on my long journey back to Kano.

Following the directions given me by my lost friend Yakul, I

searched for the track which he had told me ran through
the great forest to Ipoto, and after some little difficulty
discovered it; then, traversing it for many days amid the
forest gloom, I at length reached the town he had named.
To detail my journey northward is unnecessary. Ever
pressing forward, and without meeting with much
adventure, I swam the Ihourou river, and joining a party of
traders, crossed the rocky country of the Mbelia, passing
beneath the snow-capped summit of the mountain called
Nai, eventually arriving at Niam-Niam. Here I was fortunate
enough to fall in with a caravan bound for Katsena, within
the Empire of the Sultan ’Othman; and three moons after
my escape from Ea I experienced the delight of seeing the
minarets and cupolas of Kano rise dark against the blood-
red sunset.

News I gained in Katsena, however, had caused me most

intense anxiety. Although, as far as I could learn, no
conspiracy against the Sultan had been attempted, yet I
heard from Arab traders in the market-place that Azala, my
beloved, was to be given as bride to the Khalifa, in order to
further cement the friendship between Sokoto and the
Eastern Soudan. It had been arranged months ago, before
the Khalifa’s return to Omdurman, and the date of Azala’s
departure for the east was already past. Therefore, in fear
lest the woman I loved should have already left, under
escort, to become bride of the brutal autocrat, I spurred
forward over the desert to Kano.

My first breathless question of the guards at the gate was of

Azala. She had not left, they answered, but preparations
were complete, and she would go forth, with a large armed
escort, at noon on the morrow. Then I made sudden
resolve, and entered the great Fada to boldly seek audience
of the Sultan ’Othman, the ruler who had forbidden me to
re-enter his Empire on pain of death.
While passing beneath the high, sun-blanched wall of the
harem, on my way to the Hall of Audience, I came face to
face with the dwarf Tiamo, who, on beholding me whom he
thought dead, stood petrified. When I had reassured him,
he briefly explained how he had returned to Azala with
news of my tragic end; how, overwhelmed by bitter grief,
she had become careless of everything, even of her
betrothal to the Khalifa. Hastily I scribbled a message of
reassurance in Arabic to my well-beloved, and the impish
little man hobbled away with it secreted in his gaudy sash,
while I continued my way to crave speech with the autocrat.
After many formalities, I was allowed to approach the divan,
where he sat in his green silk robe, calmly smoking; but as
I advanced his keen eyes recognised my face, and his brow
darkened grimly.

“Well?” he exclaimed in anger, as I bowed the knee before

him. “What seekest thou? Have I not already expelled thee
from this my kingdom?”

“Yea, O Sultan,” I answered. “But I would have a word with

thee in private. I desire to impart unto thee a secret.”

“Of what?” he inquired, with a quick look of suspicion.

“I have witnessed that which the eyes of men have never

before beheld,” I answered, “I have discovered the Land of
the No Return!”

The Sultan started up at my words, and the greatest

sensation was created among his assembled court. For a
moment Azala’s father regarded me keenly; then, uttering a
word, waved his hand, signifying his desire to speak with
me in private. Instantly the crowd of courtiers, slaves,
eunuchs and soldiers retired, and a few minutes later we
were alone.
“Well?” he exclaimed, pulling at his bejewelled pipe
thoughtfully. “Explain unto me thy discovery.”

Seated on the mat before the royal divan, I told him the
whole story; how Azala had rescued me; how I had reached
his daughter a second time, and my strange quest at her
instigation.

When I mentioned the latter his brows knit severely, and

displeasure was betrayed upon his dark face. Then I related
the conversation between the two conspirators who were
plotting to bring about the overthrow of Sokoto, explained
how I had discovered the Rock of the Great Sin, and
described the magnificence and enormous wealth of the
kingdom of Ea. I told him of my adventures within the
mysterious realm, of my captivity in the hands of Istar, and
of the strange wall-picture of Semiramis.

During an hour we conversed together; then, at last, I

referred to Azala’s forthcoming journey to Omdurman, and
hazarded an opinion that she should not be united to one
who was an enemy of his Empire. Upon my words he
pondered deeply, slowly stroked his full, dark beard, but
made no response. Then, not without trepidation, I offered
a suggestion. It was that, in return for Azala’s hand, I would
lead his hosts by the secret way into Ea, and conquer that
wealthy country, which could then be annexed to Sokoto.

He reflected, apparently doubting my ability to lead an

expedition of such magnitude; but after I had explained my
previous experiences as a Dervish soldier, he at last
accepted the terms of my offer, and very soon we had
arranged the details. He would give me, he promised,
twenty thousand men, armed with European rifles, together
with all the cannon which had been captured in a recent
campaign against the French, and the four Maxim guns and
ammunition sent to him as a present a few months before
by the Royal Niger Company. One condition I laid down was,
that I might hold converse with Azala ere I set forth upon
the hazardous undertaking. To this he raised no voice of
dissent, therefore, later that evening, I spent a joyous hour
with my well-beloved in the room I knew so well.

To describe our meeting is unnecessary. Suffice it to say

that, when she set eyes upon me, she burst into a torrent
of tears. Long ago had she mourned for me as one who had
lost his life in attempting to fulfil her wish, and could scarce
believe her eyes when Tiamo had given her the scrap of
paper with my message. I explained my discoveries, my
ambitions, and the generous promise of the Sultan. Then,
after a protracted interview, I bade her farewell until such
time as I could claim her, and departed with her fond kiss
warm upon my lips.

That she watched the preparations hourly from her lattice I

knew, but at sunrise, three days later, all being ready, I set
forth at the head of the Sultan’s army. Tiamo again came
with me as body-servant, our journey over the deserts
being of a far different character to when we had fled like
thieves from Kano. With our green standards flying, and our
bright arms and accoutrements glittering in the sun, ours
was a brilliant cavalcade, every man intensely eager to view
the mystic, unknown land of which story-tellers had told
through countless ages.

By forced marches we reached, within six weeks, the Rock

of the Moon-god, our army augmented by thousands of
black followers from Niam-Niam, and, on making careful
reconnoissance, I soon discovered the natural, tunnel-like
passage whence I had emerged on escaping from Ea.
Taking with me a strong pioneer party, we thoroughly
explored the huge caverns below, fixed lights in various
parts, placed ladders against the wall of rock over which I
had tumbled, and above, at the edge of the chasm,
suspended strong ropes and pulleys for raising cannon,
horses, and heavy material. This work occupied us four
days, but when at length everything was complete, we
found the entrance to the gallery too small to admit horses
and guns. We therefore blew away the rock with some
dynamite, procured long ago from the Niger traders, and
without many mishaps passed through, and at last gained
the fertile Land of the No Return.

The eagerness of the soldiers of Sokoto and our pagan

followers, who had joined us out of curiosity, to penetrate
this strange, legendary land, knew no bounds, and the
excitement on the first night we encamped upon the grass
plain rose to fever heat.

I had sent forward trusty scouts, attired in the garments of

citizens of Ea, copied from my own, lest we should fall into
an ambush, and already had watchers secreted on the
Mountains of the Mist, in full view of the city we were
preparing to surprise.

Well I knew the colossal strength of Ea, “the place with

walls unbreakable,” and when addressing the army after we
had recited the sunset prayer that evening, I disguised not
the fact that the struggle must be desperate.

All were, however, undaunted. Each man announced his

readiness to go forward, bent on conquest.
 Chapter Forty Three.
Doom.

Our assault upon Ea was sudden and unexpected. Under

cover of night we cautiously advanced on our last march,
and having placed our guns in position, halted in readiness.
From the high summit of the Temple of the Seven Lights the
unquenchable Eye of Istar still streamed, white and brilliant.
The giant city was ablaze with lights, as if for another
festival, and at first sight of this colossal centre of a
forgotten civilisation the soldiers, awe-stricken, feared that
our expedition against such a gigantic fortress was
foredoomed to failure.

Before commencing the attack, however, I urged them to

valiant deeds, repeating those words from our Korân which
have given heart to Moslem armies ever since the days of
the Prophet—“If there be a hundred of you that persevere
with constancy, they shall overcome two hundred; and if
there be a thousand of you they shall overcome two
thousand, by the permission of Allah; for Allah is with those
who persevere. It hath not been granted unto any prophet
that he should possess captives until he had made a great
slaughter of the infidels in the earth. Allah is mighty and
wise.”

After many bows and genuflections, my companions rose,

and, mounting, spurred forth, in readiness to their posts. In
silence half-an-hour went by, when, by prearranged signal,
six of the French guns loaded with explosive shell suddenly
crashed forth, at the same instant, sending their deadly
missiles right into the centre of the city, almost as far as
Istar’s palace. We listened. The sound of the explosions
echoed weirdly among the misty heights above.

With such infinite care had we approached that this signal

was the first notification received by the people of Ea of the
presence of enemies. The instant the cannons had roared
forth, our great storming parties spurred across the plain to
certain of the city gates, armed with engines for battering
them in, and charges of dynamite for blowing them into air.
So well guarded, however, were those gigantic walls that,
ere our squadrons could reach the gates, they were assailed
by withering showers of arrows and spears. Indeed, a
moment after we had sent our first shells into the city, the
high, frowning battlements seemed alive with defenders.
Volleys of stones from ancient catapults were showered on
every hand, while bowmen, from the slits in the flanking
towers, discharged upon us a deadly arrow storm.

Our black contingent, with their long bows and poisoned

arrows, quickly turned their attention upon the archers of
Ea. Expert marksmen these pagans were, and at this
moment proved themselves of the utmost value. Each
soldier who showed himself upon the high walls was picked
off with an aim unerring by our archers, behind whom were
the well-drilled soldiers of the Sultan making careful shots
with their rifles, and away upon the high ground at the rear
the cannons kept up their thunder, each shell bursting and
spreading terrible devastation within the city. The constant
explosion of shells and firearms appalled the defenders
beyond measure, for this was their first knowledge of the
art of modern warfare, and, as I afterwards learned, it was
believed that because gunpowder was used by us that Anu
himself, the dread god of Destruction, was directing us, and
against him they were powerless. Nevertheless, the
pugilistic spirit was still fierce within the hearts of those
descendants of the valiant hosts of Semiramis, and they
fought desperately for the defence of their capital and their
goddess-queen. In the lurid glare, shed by the fires caused
by our shells, we could discern huge, cranelike machines
mounted on the walls, discharging at us arrows and volleys
of stones, while other ancient mechanical contrivances
emptied upon our scaling parties great caldrons of boiling
pitch or water.

Throughout that well-remembered night we kept up a

continuous and galling hail of lead upon the city, but with
little effect save that, time after time, we swept away
hundreds of soldiers from the walls and caused
conflagrations in every quarter, the majority of our force
remaining safely beyond the narrow zone of the defender’s
fire. As dawn crept on, times without number our scaling
parties attempted to fix their ladders of rope and cane, but
on each occasion were hurled back, leaving many of their
number dead or dying. The sun rose. Arrows and javelins
fell thick and fast, while, from plain and hill, we poured a
continuous and deadly shower of death-dealing missiles
over those ponderous, time-worn walls. The hundred
enormous brazen gates resisted every attempt of those of
our men who dashed forward to batter them in. Their
thickness and strength were colossal. Whole parties of the
young and dauntless, who rushed across the plain up to the
very walls, dark-faced and determined, were sometimes
swept into eternity even to the last man, by the frightful
showers of jagged arrows and sharp flint stones discharged
from catapults.

Noon came. The breathless hours passed but slowly.

Hundreds of our soldiers and pagan followers were
stretched dead, yet, with the exception of causing a few
alarming conflagrations within the city, we seemed to
achieve but little progress towards victory. Our ability to
project our missiles to far greater distance than the
defenders was of greatest advantage, and our losses in
these earlier hours of the siege were never serious.

Towards sundown, after a long and toilsome day, we

decided to make a sudden and vigorous assault, with our
advance covered by artillery in our rear. The military tactics
of the soldiers of Sokoto were perhaps primitive as
compared with European standards; nevertheless, our men,
at the roll of the war drums, dashed forward in force to
make a strenuous and frantic endeavour to enter the
ancient, mysterious capital. Yet we met again an opposition
so terrific that some of our squadrons fell back appalled,
while others were literally riddled by arrows from the
battlements. Long and valiantly we fought to batter down
the gates or scale the walls, but without avail. Stones,
bullets, spears and boiling liquids fell in showers upon us
from every point. Many fell dead or mortally wounded upon
the sand, and it appeared as though the remainder would
be wiped out, until, with one accord, they beat a hasty
retreat, followed by the cheers and yells of the defenders.

This reverse almost disheartened us.

Each moment the conflict increased in vigour. Although the

soldiers of Ea possessed no firearms, the defence they
made was of a character desperate and remarkable. From
every point our guns blazed away with monotonous
regularity, and our rifles flashed everywhere, yet we
seemed not to effect the slightest impression upon that city
of colossal strength. Every turret, every battlement, shed
showers of arrows and sharp stones which inflicted terribly
painful wounds, while, in reply, our pagan allies let loose
their flights of poisoned darts with unerring and deliberate
aim.
Once an arrow struck me in the forearm, but, fortunately,
inflicted only a slight wound; yet almost at the same
moment Tiamo, who was standing beside me, unfortunately
received another dart, which caught him full in the throat
and stuck quivering there. Instantly I recognised the
terrible nature of the wound, and knew it must prove fatal,
as, alas! it did ere our savage assault terminated. Now that
we had advanced within the range of the defender’s fire,
our loss of life was becoming serious. By the tragic end of
the dwarf I had lost a sincere and genuine friend, and Azala
a devoted slave. I had, however, but short space to keep
beside him, as my presence was urgently required
elsewhere. Therefore, with a few words of comfort, I was
compelled to leave him and ascend to where the guns were
thundering.

The afterglow was burning in the sky, when, looking

forward, I discerned, standing upon the wall, Istar herself,
white-robed, with streaming, unbound hair. Her arms were
upraised as if in the act of encouraging her men, and
directing the defence.

I chanced to be standing beside one of those deadly, rapid-

firing guns captured from the French, and, as I looked, our
gunners sighted their weapon.

“See!” cried one. “That woman there! A little lower. Now!”

Instantly the gun crashed forth. Next second there was a

flash of fire upon the battlement where Istar had stood, and
when the dust and smoke cleared a few moments later a
breach in the wall showed that the shell had blown to atoms
everything within its reach.

It seemed absolutely certain that the woman who had held

me captive must have been killed instantaneously. If she
had escaped, it was little short of marvellous.

Daylight faded, evening crept on, still our bombardment

continued with unceasing vigour. None of us had appeased
our hunger since long before dawn, and few had been able
to snatch a draught from their waterskins. Darkness fell,
and the stars appeared through the choking smoke clouds,
clear cut as gems, when suddenly, to the astonishment of
all, the long shaft of white light, kept burning night and day
at the summit of the Temple of Love, increased in brilliancy,
streaming over the city and plain. Our enemies now used it
as a search-light, such as I had seen on the battleships in
the bay of Algiers, and thus were they enabled to narrowly
watch our movements.

Nevertheless, we were able after considerable effort to

outwit them, for, the fire from the walls having slackened as
darkness prevailed, we sent a large body again forward, our
reinforcements standing formed up in a huge square in
readiness. The squadron sent as pioneers were all picked
men, who, like myself, had seen battle in many parts of
Africa, and were determined to bring matters to a crisis.
Quickly and noiselessly they sped forth, and were lost in the
darkness. While our main body harassed the defenders and
kept them fully engaged, these men worked their way
silently towards the great gate through which my captors
had led me when I had been taken prisoner. Fully half-an-
hour elapsed without a sign. Standing, with eyes strained in
the direction they had taken, I began to fear they had met
with disaster. Indeed, I had already given orders to two
scouts to ride forward and bring back report, when suddenly
there was a bright, blinding flash. The very earth was
shaken by a terrific, deafening explosion, followed instantly
by a second report which awakened the echoes of the
mountains far and wide.
Almost the next moment a great tongue of flame shot up
behind the city wall, revealing the reassuring fact that the
gate, with its huge flanking towers manned by hundreds of
the defenders, had been entirely demolished, and that a
great fire had been started. Loud, exultant shouts rose from
every throat when this truth became realised. Our war
drums rolled loudly, our heavy guns were silenced, and
instantly, ten thousand well-armed and valiant men dashed
forward to spring through the breach and enter the gigantic
city. I headed them, but at the ruins of the gate we found
that half the number of the brave ones who had so
effectively used the dynamite had been slaughtered, and
that a huge, compact body of troops had massed within,
determined to resist our advance. Hence we were compelled
to fight hand-to-hand, while engines of war, like the ancient
mangonels and ballistae, worked over our heads, laying us
low by dozens. A hundred stratagems we had already
practised, but to no avail, therefore, we determined upon
taking the city by sheer force. In numbers, we were vastly
inferior to the defenders, but sight of our firearms held
them terrified.

The mêlée among the heaped ruins of that ponderous gate

was frightful. Bigotry, revenge, love of loot, and all the
voices that unite to hurry men to evil, pressed us forward at
this crisis time. Veterans, who had fought in all the
desperate battles with the French towards the Niger bank,
and away beyond Lake Tsad, were not to be disheartened.
They were desperate and furious.

Still the defenders held out. Their ranks presented the

appearance of a wall of lowered spears.

While we strove on, fearing that this last bold venture might
fail, a loud rattling like musketry sounded in front of us.
Instantly I knew the truth. One of our Maxim guns had at
last been brought into play.

The effect of that most deadly of modern weapons was

appalling. Thrice it spat out its leaden hail, sweeping along
the lines of spearmen from end to end. Then, with loud,
fierce yells of triumph, we poured into the city over the
heaps of bullet-riddled bodies, fighting amid a chaos of
writhing limbs, gashed faces and bleeding, trampled
humanity.

Thus, we at last passed the high masses of Babylonian

masonry, which had once seemed so dark, sheer and
impregnable, and dashed forward into the mystic capital of
Ea, engaging the defenders hand-to-hand in every hole and
corner, while our comrades, having witnessed our success,
sped on after us great bodies of reinforcements, against
whom it was impossible for either citizens or soldiers to
struggle. The darkness of night was dispelled by the red
glare of the fires, as the incendiary’s brand was applied to
wooden structures, while the curses of the vanquished
mingled with wails of the dying and shouts of the victors.

The carnage was frightful.

After an hour’s desperate street fighting, during which time

my garments were torn from off my back in shreds, the
defenders began to cry for quarter, but, although we
granted it, our black allies, drunk with the frenzy of battle,
refused to show mercy, and hundreds of those who had
defended their homes so bravely were impaled by spears,
or laid low by poisoned darts. Many were the ghastly scenes
I witnessed, as, amid that terrible massacre of the
vanquished, we pressed on in force towards the dazzling
House of the Raising of the Head. Again we met with a
determined opposition, which cost us considerable loss ere
we could break it down and ascend the long flight of steps
to the palace itself. On gaining the top, I rushed forward, at
the head of the storming party, into the great pavilion, with
its sculptured walls, and was amazed to find it deserted.

Alone, I dashed away across court after court, until I

reached the entrance of the great hall, wherein stood the
crystal throne. Without ceremony I tore aside the heavy
curtain and entered.

Istar, who had, by some almost miraculous circumstance,

escaped destruction on the city wall, was lounging upon her
seat of royalty, her beautiful face pale as death, her teeth
firm set, and in her eyes a look of unutterable dread. All her
brilliant court had deserted her and fled, leaving her alone
to face her enemies.

As I entered, her gaze met mine, and she rose to her feet
with slow hauteur. I advanced to seize her, but, raising her
shapely, trembling hand, she screamed, “Stand back, thou
son of Anu! Stand back!”

“Thou art now my captive!” I shouted, halting an instant

before ascending the steps of polished silver.

She clenched her teeth, held her breath, and trembled.

With a quick movement, she raised her left hand and placed
it against her velvet cheek. Next instant, I saw a tiny streak
of blood trickle down upon the strings of jewels which
adorned her neck.

Then, horrified, I noticed that in her hand there writhed a

small black asp of the most venomous species. She had
placed its flat head against her cheek and deliberately
allowed it to bite her.

“What hast thou done?” I cried, aghast.

“I, Istar, will never be taken captive!” she answered, with
imperious gesture. “Thou hast brought thine accursed hosts
within my kingdom, broken down my walls, burnt the
Temple of Baal, and entered this my palace to sack it and
break down the foundation-stones of my fathers. Therefore
thou shalt, at least, have no satisfaction in securing me.”

She swayed slightly, and from her grasp the small reptile
wriggled and fell upon the polished pavement, hissing
viciously.

I knew she was doomed, and made a movement to ascend

the steps.

“Ah! don’t touch me!” she shrieked wildly, her wealth of

unbound hair falling in profusion about her shoulders.
“Canst thou not see that the asp’s poison is fatal?” she
gasped hoarsely, her face, with its ugly streak of blood, a
ghastly hue. “Anu hath seized my kingdom. Merodach hath
forsaken me. See!” she cried with difficulty, reeling and
clutching for support at the arm of her glittering throne.
“See! I leave thee! The word of the prophet—is fulfilled!”

Her thin, blanched lips moved, but no further sound

escaped them. Her face was drawn and haggard, her limbs
were convulsed by icy shiverings, and her bejewelled
fingers, hitching themselves in her filmy garments, tore
them in a paroxysm of pain as the deadly venom throbbed
through her blue veins.

She glared at me with a ferocity that showed how desperate

she was.

But only for a moment. Her nerveless hand refused to

support her, and, staggering forward unevenly, she
suddenly threw up her shapely arms, with a wild, shrill
shriek, and fell heavily forward upon the pavement before
the ancient throne of Babylon’s queen.

I dashed up to where she had fallen, and, bending, raised

her fair head and placed my hand upon her white scarred
breast.

Her heart had ceased its beating. Istar, the direct

descendant of Semiramis, the beautiful woman worshipped
as goddess and queen, was dead.

I rose and stood gazing upon her lifeless, prostrate form.

Horror held me dumb. Yet I was conqueror of the most
ancient and remarkable city in the world.
 Chapter Forty Four.
The Talisman.

With lightning speed the news of Istar’s death spread from

mouth to mouth throughout Ea, and all opposition to our
occupation quickly ceased. Priests, eunuchs, populace and
soldiery regarded our entry, and the death of their goddess-
queen, as the fulfilment of the dreaded curse of Anu, and
openly declared that to fight against the decree of the great
Destroyer, supreme on earth, was utterly futile. Hence the
Moslem hosts, acknowledging me as leader, poured into
every part of the once-impregnable city, and proceeded to
seek suitable quarters in the best residences and in the
House of the Raising of the Head, the wonders of which held
them entranced.

During the first few hours the soldiers of the Sultan, with
that inborn love of loot which has characterised every Arab
man-at-arms since the days of the Prophet, sacked the
houses of the wealthy, and would have wrecked the palace
of Istar had I not taken precautions, threatening that any
discovered pilfering would be cast into the lion-pit without
ado. By dint of most strenuous exertion I thus managed to
preserve the palace intact, but our negro allies, on entering
the city, intoxicated by success, had at once become
entirely beyond control, and I fear that many citizens and
their property fared badly at their pagan hands.

As soon as I had arranged for an efficient guard in every

hall throughout the great palace, and had taken precautions
to confine the soldiers of Ea in one quarter of the city, lest
they should return to resume the defensive, I ascended to
the Temple of Love, and there, in presence of three of my
chief officers, extinguished that great light called the Eye of
Istar, as sign of my complete conquest of Queen and
people.

The seething populace of Ea, when they saw that the light
which had burned uninterruptedly for ages no longer shone,
regarded its failure as sign that Shamas and Merodach had
for ever forsaken them, and that city and people had, by
Istar’s death, been given over to the designs of Anu, the
dreaded, and his evil hosts. They remained inert, cowed,
trembling. The luxurious Temple of Love, with its worn
statue of the goddess, presented the same appearance as it
had done on that memorable night after the Feast of
Tammuz, when the Queen slept while I had watched in
silence. Her couch, with its purple cushions, was tumbled,
as if she had recently lain there, and the fresh offerings of
food and wine at the foot of the statue showed that votaries
had recently ascended to prostrate themselves in
conformity with the rigid law of Semiramis.

Leaning over the balustrade, I stood gazing down in wonder

at the magnificence of the city I had conquered, and
watching the breaking of the dawn. Paper being brought at
my command, I sat down and wrote a report to the Sultan,
urging him to come and witness his mysterious, newly-
acquired possession, and at the same time claiming Azala’s
hand. To my well-beloved also I wrote a message of
affection, and these I dispatched in charge of six trusty
messengers, who had acted as scouts, with orders to speed
on the wings of haste back to Kano.

As I again looked down upon the terraces and courts an

imam from the Fada at Kano came forward, and placing
himself at my side, raised his arms and uttered, in a firm,
loud voice, our call to prayer.
Thus, for the first time in the history of Ea, was the Temple
of the Seven Lights used as mosque, and the name of Allah
uttered from its high minaret. Thrice he shouted, with all his
might, those well-known words which cause the Faithful to
bend the knee towards the Holy City wherever they may be,
and the soldiers lounging about the courts below, hearing it,
prostrated themselves and recited their thanks to the One
Merciful with heartfelt fervency. Verily Allah is endued with
indulgence towards mankind; but the greater part of them
are not thankful.

At first, as representative of the Sultan, there was much to

occupy me; but the people, finding our rule unoppressive,
quickly became well-disposed towards us, and soon, the
defenders being disarmed, my task was rendered easy.
Then day followed day—bright, sunny, indolent, never-to-
be-forgotten days of waiting in patience for the coming of
the Sultan.

The high-priests of the Temple of the Seven Lights

undertook the obsequies of their dead Queen, which they
carried out with great pomp and ceremony, the body being
carried by twelve vestal virgins to the summit of the tower
and there cremated, the ashes being afterwards cast to the
winds amid the singing of hymns to the Moon-god and
much weeping and wailing. Still, the fact that upon my
breast was a mark exactly identical with the one she had
borne puzzled me, and during the long period of waiting for
the arrival of the Sultan ’Othman I used every endeavour to
discover some elucidation of the mystery. Soon I grew
impatient, and ofttimes wandered alone through the
magnificent courts, plunged deep in oppressive thoughts.
The non-arrival of the Sultan caused me serious
apprehension that, during our absence, the Khalifa had
attacked Kano. If so, I feared for the safety of Azala. To
distract my attention from the one subject which occupied
me both by night and by day I applied myself diligently to
the study of the gigantic wall-sculptures and inscriptions,
and succeeded in deciphering some exceedingly interesting
records of the luxury in which lived Semiramis and her
successors.

The treasures we discovered within the palace were

enormous. Jewels of great price, which had belonged to the
founder of Babylon herself, golden ornaments of every kind,
many of that antique design shown in the wall-pictures,
dishes and drinking-vessels of gold, golden armour,
bejewelled breastplates, and swords with hilts set with
magnificent gems were stored in great profusion in the
spacious vaults below the palace, while the ornaments worn
by priests, priestesses and high functionaries in the daily
exercise of their religious duties, were all of amazing worth.
Besides these treasures of gems and gold, we discovered a
vault filled to overflowing with the records of the dead
monarchs of Ea, cylinders and square cakes of sun-dried
clay, with cuneiform inscriptions impressed upon them by
the hands of scribes who had lived three thousand years
ago. In later centuries it appeared that a kind of papyrus
had been used by the inhabitants of this world-forgotten
kingdom, nevertheless, all the earlier records had been
impressed upon clay or chipped on stones in like manner to
those discovered beneath the mounds where once stood the
giant cities of Nineveh and Babylon. Through many weeks I
occupied myself with them, the result of my investigations
having been recently given to the world in the form of two
substantial volumes published in Paris.

One day, while engaged in translating a record of the

historic victory of Semiramis over the Ethiopians, neatly
impressed upon a hollow cylinder of white clay, the
commander of the guard entered hastily with the glad
tidings that the cavalcade of the Sultan was actually within
sight, and half-an-hour later I received the great ’Othman
and his daughter in the glittering throne-room where first I
had encountered the Queen whose beauty had been
amazing.

The Sultan’s reception was wildly enthusiastic. War drums

rolled, the conquering green banners of Al-Islâm waved in
the brilliant sunshine, and the soldiers of Sokoto, who had
fought so valiantly, were cheered again and again by the
great escort of their autocratic ruler. Even the vanquished
citizens of Ea lost their sullenness, and having found our
rule beneficent and devoid of the harsh oppression they had
anticipated, united in applauding the conqueror.

Amid ringing cheers he entered the magnificent hall wherein

the luxurious Istar had held sway, and, greeting him at the
steps of the throne, I motioned to him to ascend to the
royal seat of prismatic crystal. This he did, and in obedience
to his desire, Azala and myself followed, standing by him at
either hand.

Then, when quiet had, with difficulty, been restored, he

addressed those present in congratulatory terms, thanking
Allah for the success of our arms, and turning to myself,
publicly declared me worthy the hand of his daughter Azala.

This announcement was followed by thunders of applause.

Outside, firearms were discharged, cannons roared, and
news of our betrothal spread away into every corner of the
city.

When again the Sultan could obtain a hearing, he added

that, having discovered this mysterious kingdom hitherto
unknown, it was but just that its rule should be given into
my hands. Henceforward, he said, I was Governor of Ea,
and as soon as arrangements could be made for fitting
marriage festivity I should be wedded to Azala. Advancing
to the woman I loved, we clasped hands joyously, and her
eyes met mine with an expression full of tender passion.
Then, turning to the Sultan, I acknowledged his gracious
bounty, and declared that now I had Azala at my side I
would spend the remainder of my life in his service as
Governor of this new, far-removed portion of his Empire.

Azala, too, in musical voice, trembling slightly with emotion,

declared that I had successfully fought a fight that few
would have attempted, and others united to heap praise
upon me of so laudatory a character that I confess to
entertaining a desire for its cessation.

After a protracted audience, the Sultan made sign that he

wished to be alone, and when all had withdrawn, except my
betrothed and myself, he turned to me, saying—

“Of a verity, Zafar, thou hast fought a valiant fight. Strange

it is that thou returnest to that which is thine own.”

“How?” I inquired, puzzled at his words.

“Thou bearest the Mark of the Asps,” he answered.

“The same symbol was borne by Istar,” I said. “I discovered

it while she slept.”

“Upon my breast also is the mark,” Azala observed.

“The mysterious emblem hath, of course, puzzled thee,” the

Sultan said, smiling as he addressed me. “Azala hath
ofttimes asked its meaning, but I have rendered no
explanation until now. Because thou art betrothed unto my
daughter, it is but fitting that I should make explanation.
Thou hast witnessed the symbol upon the foundation-stone
of Semiramis, and I have to-day learned that Istar, as
represented in image at the summit of the Seven Lights,
beareth in her hand the asps entwined. The Mark of the
Asps is the Babylonian sign of royal sonship, the symbol
with which the first-born of every ruler since Semiramis
hath been branded.”

“But how came I to bear the mark?” I inquired, eagerly.

“Thou hast heard the oft-repeated story of the man who,

long ages ago, before the great earthquake, succeeded in
eluding the vigilance of the guards at the Rock of the Great
Sin, and escaped into our world.”

“Yea. I have often pondered deeply over that legendary

tale,” I replied.

“It was no legend,” he asserted. “One man did actually

escape from Ea. He was son of the reigning queen, and bore
upon his breast a mark identical with thine. Far and wide he
travelled over the Great Desert, and obeying the injunction
of his ancestor, seared with a white-hot iron the mystic
symbol upon his eldest son. Thus through many generations
was the Mark of the Asps placed upon the breast of the
eldest child of either sex, until a legend became rife that ill
would befall the family if that mark were not impressed. For
ages the practice, descended from father to child, until it
came to thy father, who branded thee.”

“My father!” I cried. “Surely he was not a lineal descendant

of the Queens of Ea!”

“He was. Thy father and myself were brothers, but early in
life we parted in Constantine, I to the south, where I met
with many adventures, becoming commander-in-chief of
the army of Sokoto, and subsequently being placed upon
the royal divan as Sultan. Some years after parting with thy
father I heard that he was dead, and, unaware that he had
a son, I, desiring to perpetuate the family legend,
impressed upon the breast of Azala the mark that thou hast
witnessed.”

“Then it is now easy to account for thine amazement at

finding the mark upon the breast of myself, thy captive in
Kano,” I observed, smiling.

“I had never dreamed of thine existence, and as it was

alleged that evil would accrue if the mark of royalty were
placed on any but the person entitled to it, I banished thee,
in fear, from my kingdom,” he replied. “After I had sent thee
out of Sokoto I became seized with regret, and used every
endeavour to rediscover thee, but without avail. Meanwhile,
it seemeth that thou wert beloved of thy cousin Azala, and
wert striving to elucidate the mystery. Thine efforts have at
last been crowned by success, and assuredly the
expressions of good-will I have uttered towards thee are
genuine.”

“I accept them,” I answered, amazed at this unexpected

revelation. “Thou art brother of my father, and I thy
nephew.”

“It is but just that thou shouldst rule over Ea,” Azala said,
laughing joyously, after she had explained that the marvels
she had revealed in Kano in order to impress me were
produced, as I had suspected, by mechanical means. “The
mark was branded upon me under the misapprehension
that thou didst not exist. But in thee, the Unknown, I have
found a husband; and Ea, thine estate by right, a conqueror
and ruler.”

“Hast thou still an amulet thy father gavest unto thee

before his death?” the Sultan asked, presently.