Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-16
CHAPTER vi.
THE DRINKING on TILE CLIP

liz VI 3 w.
Now the Kings word was done, the anger
went out of his eyes and once more his
countenance grew weary. A comman was
issued, and, with the most perfect order,
moving like one man, the regiments changed
their array, forming up battalion upon
battalion in face Of the King, that they
might give him the royal salute as soon as
he had drunk the cup of the first fruits.
A herald stood forward and cried:
"Harken, you Sons of Fire! Harken, you
Children of Umsuka, Shaker of the Earth!
Have any of you a boon to ask of the King"
Men stood forward, and, having saluted,
one by one asked this thing or that. The
King heard their requests and as he nodded
or turned his head away so they were
granted or refused.
When all had done the Prince Hafela came
forward. lifted his spear and cried:
"a boon, King
What is it?' asked his father, eyelng
him curiOusly.
"a small matter, King" he replied. "a
while ago l named a certain woman Mona,
the ward of Hokosa, the wizard, and she was
sealed to me to fill the place of my first
wife, the queen that is to be. She passed
into the House of the Royal Women, and, by
your command, King, it was fixed that l
should marry her according to our customs
tomorrow after the feast of the first fruits
Is ended. King, my heart is changed to-
ward the woman | no longer desire to take
her to wife, and | pray that you will order
that she now be handed back to Hokosa,
her guardian"
You blow hot and cold with the same
mouth, Hafela," said Umsuka, and in love
or war l do not like such men. What have
you to say to this demand, Hokosa?"
Now, Hokosa stepped forward from where
he stood at the head of the company of
wizards. His dress, like that of his COM
panlons, was simple, but in its way strik-
ing. On his shoulders he wore a cloak of
shining suakeskin; about his loins was a
Chnrt Iii. nf tho CANA T1ntprial and round
his forehead, arms and knees were fllets
of snakeskin. At his side hung his pouch
of medicines, and in his hand he held no
spear, but a wand of ivory, whereof the
top was roughly carved so as to resemble
the head of a cobra reared up to strike.
King" he said. 81 have heard the words
of the Prince, and ] do not think that this
insult should have been put upon the Lady
Mona, my ward, or upon me, her guardian
still, let 1t be, for | would not that one
should pass from under the shadow of my
house whittier she is not welcome. With
out my leave the Prince named this woman
as his Queen, as he had the right to do;
and without my leave he unnames her, as
no has the right to do. Were the Prince a
common man, according to custom he should
pay a fine OF cattle, to be held by me in
trust for her whom he discards; but this
is a matter that l leave to you, King"
you do we'll, HokoEa," answered UNI
suka, Ito leaves this to me. Prince, you
would not wish the fine that you should
pay to be that of any common man. With
the girl shall be handed over 200 head of
cattle. More, l will do justice; unless she
herself consents, she shall not be put away.
Let the Lady Mona be summoned"
Now the face of Hafela grew sullen, and,
watching, owen saw a swift change pass
over that of Hokosa. Evidently he was
not certain OF the woman, Presently there
was a stir, and from the gates of the royal
house the Lady Mona appeared. attended
by women, and stood before the King. She
was a tall and lovely girl. and the sun
light flashed upon her bronze-hued breast
| and her ornaments of ivory. Her black
| hair was fastened in a knot upon her neck,
her features were fine and small, her gait
was delicate and sure as that OF an antelope,
and her eyes were beautiful and full OF
pride. There she stood before the King,
looking round her like a stag. Seeing her
thus, owen understood how II came about
that she held two men so strangely different
in the hollow OF her hand. for her charm
was Of a nature to appeal TO both of them
a charm OF the spirit as we'll as Of the
flesh. And yet the face was naughty, a
face that upon occasion might even become
cruel.
You sent for me and / am here, o King
she said. in a slow and quiet voice.
Listen, girl" answered the King, "A