These afforded the _Akka_ a fair protection behind which they could hurl their darts and spears--curiously enough they had never developed the bow as a weapon.
At the opening of the cavern a strong barricade stretched almost to the two ends of the crescent strand; almost, I say, because there had not been time to build it entirely across the mouth.
And from edge to edge of the titanic bridge, from where it sprang outward at the shore of the Crimson Sea to a hundred feet away from the golden door of the abode, barrier after barrier was piled.
Behind the wall defending the mouth of the cavern, waited other thousands of the _Akka_.

At each end of the unfinished barricade they were mustered thickly, and at right and left of the crescent where their forest began, more legions were assembled to make way up to the ledge as opportunity offered.
Rank upon rank they manned the bridge barriers; they swarmed over the pinnacles and in the hollows of the island's ragged outer lip; the domed castle was a hive of them, if I may mix my metaphors--and the rocks and gardens that surrounded the abode glittered with them.
"Now," said the handmaiden, "there's nothing else we can do--save wait." She led us out through her bower and up the little path that ran to the embrasure.
Through the quiet came a sound, a sighing, a half-mournful whispering that beat about us and fled away.
"They come!" cried Lakla, the light of battle in her eyes.

Larry drew her to him, raised her in his arms, kissed her.
"A woman!" acclaimed the O'Keefe.

"A real woman--and mine!" With the cry of the Portal there was movement among the _Akka_, the glint of moving spears, flash of metal-tipped clubs, rattle of horny spurs, rumblings of battle-cries.
And we waited--waited it seemed interminably, gaze fastened upon the low wall across the cavern mouth.

Suddenly I remembered the crystal through which I had peered when the hidden assassins had crept upon us.