When the news did come, a bitter
    wailing arose amongst us; for the news that was signalled ran:

    "The Voivode has been captured by the Turks on his return, and is
    held by them at Ilsin." In an instant the temper of the mountaineers changed. It was as
    though by a flash summer had changed to winter, as though the yellow
    glory of the standing corn had been obliterated by the dreary waste
    of snow. Nay, more: it was as when one beholds the track of the
    whirlwind when the giants of the forest are levelled with the sward. For a few seconds there was silence; and then, with an angry roar, as
    when God speaks in the thunder, came the fierce determination of the
    men of the Blue Mountains:

    "To Ilsin! To Ilsin!" and a stampede in the direction of the south
    began. For, Illustrious Lady, you, perhaps, who have been for so
    short a time at Vissarion, may not know that at the extreme southern
    point of the Land of the Blue Mountains lies the little port of
    Ilsin, which long ago we wrested from the Turk. The stampede was checked by the command, "Halt!" spoken in a
    thunderous voice by the Gospodar. Instinctively all stopped. The
    Gospodar Rupert spoke again:

    "Had we not better know a little more before we start on our journey? I shall get by semaphore what details are known. Do you all proceed
    in silence and as swiftly as possible. The Vladika and I will wait
    here till we have received the news and have sent some instructions,
    when we shall follow, and, if we can, overtake you. One thing: be
    absolutely silent on what has been. Be secret of every detail--even
    as to the rescue of the Voivodin--except what I send." Without a word--thus showing immeasurable trust--the whole body--not
    a very large one, it is true--moved on, and the Gospodar began
    signalling. As I was myself expert in the code, I did not require
    any explanation, but followed question and answer on either side. The first words the Gospodar Rupert signalled were:

    "Silence, absolute and profound, as to everything which has been." Then he asked for details of the capture of the Voivode. The answer
    ran:

    "He was followed from Flushing, and his enemies advised by the spies
    all along the route. At Ragusa quite a number of
    strangers--travellers seemingly--went on board the packet. When he
    got out, the strangers debarked too, and evidently followed him,
    though, as yet, we have no details. He disappeared at Ilsin from the
    Hotel Reo, whither he had gone. All possible steps are being taken
    to trace his movements, and strictest silence and secrecy are
    observed." His answer was:

    "Good! Keep silent and secret. Am hurrying back. Signal request to
    Archbishop and all members of National Council to come to Gadaar with
    all speed. There the yacht will meet him. Tell Rooke take yacht all
    speed to Gadaar; there meet Archbishop and Council--give him list of
    names--and return full speed. Have ready plenty arms, six flying
    artillery. Two hundred men, provisions three days. Silence,
    silence. All depends on that. All to go on as usual at Castle,
    except to those in secret." When the receipt of his message had been signalled, we three--for, of
    course, the Voivodin was with us; she had refused to leave the
    Gospodar--set out hot-foot after our comrades. But by the time we
    had descended the hill it was evident that the Voivodin could not
    keep up the terrific pace at which we were going. She struggled
    heroically, but the long journey she had already taken, and the
    hardship and anxiety she had suffered, had told on her. The Gospodar
    stopped, and said that it would be better that he should press on--it
    was, perhaps, her father's life--and said he would carry her. "No, no!" she answered. "Go on! I shall follow with the Vladika. And then you can have things ready to get on soon after the
    Archbishop and Council arrive." They kissed each other after, on her
    part, a shy glance at me; and he went on the track of our comrades at
    a great pace. I could see him shortly after catch them up,--though
    they, too, were going fast. For a few minutes they ran together, he
    speaking--I could note it from the way they kept turning their heads
    towards him. Then he broke away from them hurriedly. He went like a
    stag breaking covert, and was soon out of sight. They halted a
    moment or two. Then some few ran on, and all the rest came back
    towards us. Quickly they improvised a litter with cords and
    branches, and insisted that the Voivodin should use it. In an
    incredibly short time we were under way again, and proceeding with
    great rapidity towards Vissarion. The men took it in turns to help
    with the litter; I had the honour of taking a hand in the work
    myself. About a third of the way out from Vissarion a number of our people
    met us. They were fresh, and as they carried the litter, we who were
    relieved were free for speed. So we soon arrived at the Castle. Here we found all humming like a hive of bees. The yacht, which
    Captain Rooke had kept fired ever since the pursuing party under the
    Gospodar had left Vissarion, was already away, and tearing up the
    coast at a fearful rate. The rifles and ammunition were stacked on
    the quay. The field-guns, too, were equipped, and the cases of
    ammunition ready to ship. The men, two hundred of them, were paraded
    in full kit, ready to start at a moment's notice. The provision for
    three days was all ready to put aboard, and barrels of fresh water to
    trundle aboard when the yacht should return. At one end of the quay,
    ready to lift on board, stood also the Gospodar's aeroplane, fully
    equipped, and ready, if need were, for immediate flight. I was glad to see that the Voivodin seemed none the worse for her
    terrible experience. She still wore her shroud; but no one seemed to
    notice it as anything strange. The whisper had evidently gone round
    of what had been. But discretion ruled the day. She and the
    Gospodar met as two who had served and suffered in common; but I was
    glad to notice that both kept themselves under such control that none
    of those not already in the secret even suspected that there was any
    love between them, let alone marriage. We all waited with what patience we could till word was signalled
    from the Castle tower that the yacht had appeared over the northern
    horizon, and was coming down fast, keeping inshore as she came. When she arrived, we heard to our joy that all concerned had done
    their work well. The Archbishop was aboard, and of the National
    Council not one was missing. The Gospodar hurried them all into the
    great hall of the Castle, which had in the meantime been got ready. I, too, went with him, but the Voivodin remained without.