Fifteen Hundred Miles An Hour 40

Fifteen Hundred Miles An Hour 40

"Never before did time pass away so slowly as those few hours that

intervened between noon and sunset on this my wedding-day. Each moment

was flighted with lead, each hour seemed ages to me who impatiently

waited their course to run. All day long the Palace bells, at

intervals, rang out glad bridal tidings, and those of Edos echoed

back the stirring music. The city was _en fête_ to-day. The only

daughter of Gathma's King was beloved of the people, and each man and

woman of Edos, dames and nobles of high degree, strove hard to make

her bridal day replete with joy and happiness. The Palace swarmed

with guests. From near and far they made its stately halls their

rendez-vous or perfumes and fabrics of priceless worth--tributes of

respect and love to the daughter of their King. Then troop after troop

of soldiers entered the Palace gates, many dressed in uniforms and with

accoutrements entirely unknown to me--garrisons from far-off places,

summoned to do honour at the coming ceremony and feast."

 

[1] At last the sun proclaimed the advent of evening, from the

cloudless west, as he sank toward the mountain crests. All interest

now was centred within the magnificent Hall of Ceremonies, a vast

and lofty chamber in the western wing of the Palace. Here a great

throng of guests had assembled to witness the brilliant nuptials. No

word of ours can hope to describe the overwhelming splendours of that

wondrous Hall, as the last rays of the setting sun streamed through

the gorgeously-coloured windows, upon what was literally one blaze of

sparkling jewels. Not a guest was there who did not scintillate with

precious stones, cunningly arranged to harmonise with their rich and

many-coloured raiment. Then the delicate light-blue draperies, that

hung in graceful folds round the entrances, contrasted well with the

slender pillars of gold that shot upwards, fashioned like tree-trunks,

to support the roof. In niches round the walls were arranged groups

of statuary, all carved in the famous flesh-tinted marble, and on

the walls themselves were paintings of fair women and handsome men,

of strange landscapes, of fruits and flowers, of beasts and winged

creatures--all drawn with marvellous skill and exceeding beauty. Nearly

one quarter of this mighty Hall was still empty of people. The guests,

who must have numbered nearly a hundred thousand, were all seated; the

reserved space at the end of the Hall was for those engaged in the

nuptial ceremony.

 

As the sun finally sank behind the mountains, casting the draperies

of night o'er Edos, the great Hall suddenly became illumined with

brilliant light, and almost simultaneously a score of heralds marched

in and blew a lusty blast upon their trumpets of gold. At once a great

silence of expectation seized the gay and laughing guests, and, amidst

hushed excitement, all eyes were turned towards the grand entrance at

the end of the Hall. Shortly the enormous curtains were drawn aside,

and we could see the wide corridor behind them lined on either side

with Royal troops. Then regiment after regiment of soldiers came along,

with colours flying and bands playing triumphant music, each man taking

up his allotted station with marvellous precision, until the entire

space set apart for the coming ceremony was lined with treble rows of

troops, whose armour and trappings shone like silver and gold in the

brilliant light.

 

Scarcely had the soldiers taken up their position, when a long

procession of Virgins, a thousand strong, all clad in pure white

raiment, carrying flowers and branches of some tree emblematical of

Peace, came along, walking fourteen abreast. Nothing could exceed the

loveliness of this maiden throng, as they assembled in a grand galaxy

of beauty in front of the troops. Following the virgins came a hundred

Priests, dressed in black robes and scarlet sashes, bearing incense

and their long golden rods of office. After these came Holy Echri,

attended by four of his sacred brothers; then a high Minister of State,

bearing a cushion, on which were rolls of parchment, seals, and a

sword of gold; and then again another hundred Priests, clad in purple

robes and yellow sashes. Then came all the High Ministers of State,

and representatives of various cities round Edos, accompanied by their

attendants and guards of honour. Following these entered Doctor Hermann

and Sandy, escorted by a posse of guards attached to the Palace, under

the command of our old friend Kaosp, reinstated to rank but a few hours

before.

 

Directly after them came another band of music, playing a march of

exceeding beauty, heralding the approach of the bridegroom-elect,

supported by Temple. Graham's appearance sent a thrill of excitement

through the spectators, and many the fair lady in that brilliant throng

that envied Volinè her good fortune in mating with him. He looked

in the very prime of health and spirits, happy in the full pride of

his handsome manhood; and a mighty cheer broke simultaneously from

a hundred thousand people, who remembered his undying courage at

Remagaloth, and his matchless gallantry on the morning of that very day

in deadly conflict with Perodii.

 

The excitement caused by Graham's arrival had scarcely lulled when the

band of Court musicians entered, playing a triumphal air, followed

by seventy heralds and the body-guard of Royalty. After these came

twenty-five Princesses of Edos, the number being symbolical of the

age of the bride, each strewing flowers as they walked towards the

altar, where Echri and his four attendant Priests stood waiting. Then

excitement and enthusiasm reached their highest pitch as the dear old

white-haired King of Gathma appeared, with Volinè, his daughter, the

bride-elect, leaning upon his left arm, followed by her handmaidens

and another company of Royal troops. As the King and his daughter

entered, every one of that dense, joyous throng rose to their feet, and

deafening shouts of loyalty and welcome seemed as though they would

rend the Hall asunder.

 

The grandeur and brilliancy of the scene, now that the matchless

pageant was complete, beggar all description--the sparkling jewels,

the flashing arms and armour, the solemn-visaged Priests, the hosts

of white-decked virgins, the flower bearers, the musicians, the

soldiers in their many-hued uniforms, the white-bearded Ministers of

State, the handsome men and lovely women, the endless officials and

attendants--all assisting in making one gorgeous picture, one scene of

indescribable beauty, in which the fair and blushing bride shone forth

like a peerless pearl in all her maiden loveliness!

 

All eyes were fixed on Her. And in all truth she merited the universal

tribute of admiration so spontaneously showered upon her. Clothed in a

flowing robe of white and costly fabric, neither silk nor satin, yet

heavier and more beautiful than either, whose folds suggested, although

they covered, the matchless beauty of her faultless form, fastened

on the left shoulder, and studded across the open bosom with gems of

sparkling whiteness, and girdled round the waist with a broad scarf or

sash of the same colour. Embossed upon this costly robe were bunches

of flowers made of lustrous pale-pink gems. Upon her head was a diadem

of the same white fiery stones, and her wealth of hair hung down in

its heavy crimped coils of golden glory. Blushes suffused her cheeks

and contrasted well with her snowy brow, whilst her liquid violet eyes

shone with the passionate tenderness of a new-born subtle desire, as

her white bosoms rose and fell in responsive harmony to the great joy

surging and swelling within her heart! Her white shapely arms were bare

from the shoulder, and round each wrist was a broad bracelet of fine

gold, united by a slender chain of the same precious metal, which hung

down looped nearly to her feet. Every inch a peerless queen she looked

as she stood facing the altar, by her father's side, radiant with

happiness, proud in her conquest, and conscious of her victory, as only

a woman can be who weds the man of her choice for Love.

 

In a few moments the soul-inspiring music ceased, although its strains

were already drowned in the tumult to all but those standing near the

players. Then the heralds again blew blasts upon their trumpets, as a

signal for silence; and as the last echoes of their brazen call died

away, Echri stepped forward and said:

 

"Brethren, we are assembled here to celebrate one of the most solemn

rites of our Holy Church; ye to witness, and I to perform, the ceremony

of marriage between the beloved daughter of our temporal King, and a

man who hath journeyed hither from the star-world Earth, by us called

Ramos. God works His mighty will in divers ways; and in this union of

hearts to-day, we see the beginning of the union of worlds. God, in

wondrous apocalypse, hath promised this united Universe to His now

scattered people, and in His wisdom hath ordained that Ramos and Gathma

shall first be linked together in the chain that is to spread unbroken

round Creation. Throughout Gathma's long and glorious march through

time, no such union as we celebrate to-day hath ever been; it is an

epoch in our history, and is pregnant with importance to the peoples

that dwell on Ramos and on here. More than usual solemnity hath,

therefore, attached itself to this nuptial rite to-day; and it is my

holy duty to inspire thoughts among ye which, although unusual at such

ceremonies as these, are in full keeping with the one we now proceed to

celebrate."

 

"Echri's words produced a great effect, and the breathless silence was

even painfully intense when he ceased to speak. At this point the King

turned towards Echri, saying:

 

"It is scarcely meet of me to interrupt thy holy offices; but, as thou

hast well said, this ceremony stands in our annals alone; and that

being so, I command indulgence."

 

"Proceed, O King, for thy words are wisdom," Echri answered, with white

head bowed in loyal reverence.

 

"Echri, as thou knowest, during all the countless ages of our Royal

race, it hath been the unvarying custom for the sons and daughters of

our ancient and illustrious house to wed with those of high degree.

Our Princes have taken unto themselves Princesses to wife; and our

Princesses have had Princes found them for husbands. Our beloved

daughter shall not break this unchanging edict, for I now create her

spouse, this man from far-off Ramos, a Prince of our Royal race, and

instal him here and now with all the rights, privileges, and dignities

pertaining to such rank."

 

Then addressing Graham, who stood listening to the King's words in

bewilderment, he continued:

 

"Man of Ramos, by the ordeal of Fire, and by the right of conquest,

thou hast well merited the honour and the dignity I do now confer upon

thee. No longer art thou Harry Graham, of Earth or Ramos; henceforth,

as Prince Tihernah, of Edos, shalt thou be known," and taking the gold

sword from the Minister standing by, he presented it to Graham, with

the roll of parchment and the seals confirming the rank to which he had

just been exalted.

 

Graham's few stammering words of thanks were stopped by the King, who,