CHAPTER XIII.

HOW ARGON WAS DELIVERED FROM PRISON.

Now it befel that there was a great Tartar Baron, a very aged man, who took pity on Argon, saying to himself that they were doing an evil and disloyal deed in keeping their lawful lord a prisoner, wherefore he resolved to do all in his power for his deliverance.  So he tarried not, but went incontinently to certain other Barons and told them his mind, saying that it would be a good deed to deliver Argon and make him their lord, as he was by right.  And when the other Barons had heard what he had to put before them, then both because they regarded him as one of the wisest men among them, and because what he said was the truth, they all consented to his proposal and said that they would join with all their hearts.  So when the Barons had assented, BOGA (which was he who had set the business going), and with him ELCHIDAI, TOGAN, TEGANA, TAGACHAR, ULATAI, and SAMAGAR,—­all those whom I have now named,—­proceeded to the tent where Argon lay a prisoner.  When they had got thither, Boga, who was the leader in the business, spoke first, and to this effect:  “Good my Lord Argon,” said he, “we are well aware that we have done ill in making you a prisoner, and we come to tell you that we desire to return to Right and Justice.  We come therefore to set you free, and to make you our Liege Lord as by right you are!” Then Boga ceased and said no more.

CHAPTER XIV.

HOW ARGON GOT THE SOVEREIGNTY AT LAST.

When Argon heard the words of Boga he took them in truth for an untimely jest, and replied with much bitterness of soul:  “Good my Lord,” quoth he, “you do ill to mock me thus!  Surely it suffices that you have done me so great wrong already, and that you hold me, your lawful Lord, here a prisoner and in chains!  Ye know well, as I cannot doubt, that you are doing an evil and a wicked thing, so I pray you go your way, and cease to flout me.”  “Good my Lord Argon,” said Boga, “be assured we are not mocking you, but are speaking in sober earnest, and we will swear it on our Law.”  Then all the Barons swore fealty to him as their Lord, and Argon too swore that he would never reckon it against them that they had taken him prisoner, but would hold them as dear as his father before him had done.

And when these oaths had passed they struck off Argon’s fetters, and hailed him as their lord.  Argon then desired them to shoot a volley of arrows into the tent of the Melic who had held them prisoners, and who was in command of the army, that he might be slain.  At his word they tarried not, but straightway shot a great number of arrows at the tent, and so slew the Melic.  When that was done Argon took the supreme command and gave his orders as sovereign, and was obeyed by all.  And you must know that the name of him who was slain, whom we have called the Melic, was SOLDAN; and he was the greatest Lord after Acomat himself.  In this way that you have heard, Argon recovered his authority.