“Lo, the people love me, and I will see that thou art saved for verily thou hast been friendly to me, and done me much service with the king.”
And as he thus spake, Morven opened the door of the house and looked forth, and saw that they were quite alone; then he seized the old man by the throat, and ceased not his grip till he was quite dead.
And leaving the body of the elder on the floor, Morven, stole from the house and shut the gate.
And as he was going to his cave he mused a little while, when, hearing the mighty roar of the waves advancing, and afar off the shrieks of women, he lifted up his head, and said proudly:
“No! in this hour terror alone shall be my slave; I will use no art save the power of my soul.”
So, leaning on his pine staff, he strode down to the palace.
And it was now evening, and many of the men held torches, that they might see each other’s faces in the universal fear.
Red flashed the quivering flames on the dark robes and pale front of Morven; and he seemed mightier than the rest, because his face alone was calm amidst the tumult.
And louder and hoarser came the roar of the waters; and swift rusted the shades of night over the hastening tide.
“Where is the king; and wherefore is he absent from his people in the hour of dread?”
Then the gate of the palace opened; and, behold Siror was sitting in the hall by the vast pine-fire and his brother by his side, and his chiefs around him: for they would not deign to come amongst the crowd at the bidding of the herdsman’s son.
Then Morven, standing upon a rock above the heads of the people (the same rack whereon he had proclaimed the king), thus spake:
“Ye desired to know, O sons of Oestrich! wherefore the river hath burst its bounds, and the peril hath come upon you.
“Learn then, that the stars resent as the foulest of human crimes an insult to their servants and delegates below.
“Ye are all aware of the manner of life of Morven, whom ye have surnamed the Prophet!
“He harms not man or beast; he lives alone; and, far from the wild joys of the warrior tribe, he worships in awe and fear the Powers of Night!
“So is he able to advise ye of the coming danger--so is he able to save ye from the foe. Thus are your huntsmen swift and your warriors bold; and thus do your cattle bring forth their young, and the earth its fruits.