Of all the invading
force there remained alive only the three who had re-leaped the flames
and those imprisoned in the cave.
There was council that night between Ab and his friends and, as the
easiest way of disposing of the prisoners in the cave, it was proposed to
block the entrance and allow the miserable losers in battle to there
starve at their leisure. But the thoughtful Old Mok took Ab aside and
said:
"Why not let them live and work for us? They will do as you say. This was
the place they wanted. They can stay and make us stronger."
And Ab saw the reason of all this and the hungry, imprisoned men were
given the alternative of death or obedient companionship. They did not
hesitate long. The warmth of the valley and its other advantages were
what they had come for and they had no narrow views outside the food and
fuel question. The valley was good. They accepted Ab's authority and came
out and fed and, with their wives and children, who were sent for, became
of the valley people.
This place of refuge and home and fortress was acquiring an importance.
CHAPTER XXX.
OUR VERY GREAT GRANDFATHER.
And the years passed. One still afternoon in autumn a gray, hairy man, a
man approaching old age, but without weakness of arm or stiffness of
joint, as yet, sat on the height overlooking the village.
Pages:
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289