A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 176: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A QUEER RACE, 173 happiness await you. And now go, for there is danger in delay. ‘I’ake with you the blessing of an old woman, and ask God for His. ‘The peril is great, and go is the prize, and the omens are good.” | “Come!” said Mab, giving me her hand; and we went out into the darkness. “Whither?” I asked. ““You will see. Quick! If we are late, harm may befall.” She led the way, almost at a run, back into the main road and up the hill, never pausing until we were in the middle of the great square. ‘The Government House was lighted up, and before the entrance, which seemed to be ~ guarded by armed men, was gathered the largest crowd I had yet seen in the island. But nobody recognized us —hardly noticed us, in fact; and giving the crowd a wide berth, we went round to the rear of the building, which we found silent and deserted. It was, however, easy for Mab, who knew all the ins and outs, to gain admittance, and we entered unperceived, by a wicket opening into a corridor which gave access to the great hall, where we could see all that went on without ourselves being seen. Torches of resinous wood, stuck in brackets, threw a lurid light on a strange and picturesque scene. Fifty or sixty armed men, broken up into twos and threes, some walking rapidly to and fro, others violently gesticulating, are engaged in a discussion which evidently excites them to the utmost, but as all talk together it is not easy to distinguish what they say. Suddenly a side door opens, and Amyas Fane flings into the hall. He is followed by Oliver, Field, and other members of the Council of Nine. The clamor ceases, and is succeeded by a silence so in- tense that we might have heard the dropping of the tra- ditional pin. -“*T protest against this decision of the Council,” ex- claims Amyas. ‘‘ They have actually dared to reject me, and nominate Oliver Fane as Queen Mab’s successor. It is infamous. I am her legitimate successor. Her death makes me ipso facto protector of the common- wealth, and I will maintain my rights against all com- ers.” | This declaration is followed by shouts of applause (E(0) mm C JOO q (E(@)