THE FIRST VICTORY The next moment a tall, handsome man entered the tent; but one look at his pale, anxious face was enough to tell those inside that the news was bad.

So for an instant there was silence; and in the silence, with a deafening roar and a blinding blaze of blue light, came a terrific crash of thunder followed by a sudden fierce pelt of hail upon the taut tent roof.
It sent a shiver through the listeners.

They felt that the storm had broken indeed upon their heads, that danger was close beside them.
Then the King stepped to his wife's side and took her hand, and as he spoke there was a sob in his breath as of an animal who after a long chase finds himself at last driven to bay.
"Come!" he said briefly, "there may yet be a chance for us.

My horse, weary though it be, will suffice for thy light weight.

In the mountains lies possible safety.