" At this moment there sounded from the
enemy's camp a stupendous roar; it was much like laughter; no doubt
the Durobans were jubilant in anticipation of their victory. Fear
seized the Kalayans; they rose like one man, and incontinently fled
far into the sheltering night!
"'Thus ended the war--the last between these happy nations, who,
not very long after, united to form a noble state under one ruler.
It is interesting to note that the original instigators of hostility
did not go without their deserts. The Duroban General, having been
duly tried for a crime against his country, was imprisoned in a
spacious building, the rooms of which were hung with great pictures
representing every horror of battle with the ghastliest fidelity;
here he was supplied with materials for chemical experiment, to
occupy his leisure, and very shortly, by accident, blew himself to
pieces. The Kalayan publicist was also convicted of treason against
the state; they banished him to a desert island, where for many
hours daily he had to multiply copies of his news-sheet--that
issue which contained the declaration of war--and at evening to
burn them all. He presently became imbecile, and so passed away.'"
Piers laughed with delight.
"Whether it ever got into print," said Mr. Jacks, "I don't know.
Your father was often careless about his best things. I'm afraid he
was never quite convinced that ideals of that kind influence the
world.
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