Of One Blood: Or, the Hidden Self

Now clad in royal attire, Reuel tours Telassar with Ai. He marvels at the magnificent city, its architecture, statues, and fertile land. Everything feels familiar to him as “[s]hadowy images of past scenes and happenings flitted across his brain” (110). Reuel asks Ai if they maintain communication with the outside world, and Ai responds that Ababdis, camel-driver on Reuel’s expedition, is a member of the council and informed them about the caravan’s arrival. They reach a square where a crowd is gathered and Ai places a crown on Reuel’s head. Reuel is confused about this honor, yet he is soon raised on a platform and hailed as King Ergamenes. Alone again with Ai and Ababdis, Reuel wonders about the event. Ai tells Reuel that he is Ergamenes, the long expected king of Ethiopia for whom the city was built. Reuel’s birthmark proves his royal Ethiopian ancestry.

Reuel ponders his destiny. He has been hiding his racial identity for a long time but recalls a family tradition about their descent from African kings. He recalls his mother’s occult powers, passed on to him, and the importance she placed on his birthmark. He realizes that his mysticism is “the shadow of Ethiopia’s power” (117).