the Bees began to give, they fell back ever more quickly till
their retreat was a rout, and, leaving many stretched upon the ground,
amid the mocking cries of the army they were driven to the fence, by
touching which they obtained peace at the hands of their victors.

The king saw, and his somewhat heavy, quiet face grew alive with rage.

"Search and see," he said, "if the captain of the Bees is alive and
unhurt."

Messengers went to do his bidding, and presently they returned, bringing
with them a man of magnificent appearance and middle age, whose left arm
had been broken by a blow from a kerry. With his right hand he saluted
first the king, then the Prince Nodwengo, a kindly-faced, mild-eyed man,
in whose command he was.

"What have you to say?" asked the king, in a cold voice of anger. "Know
you that you have cost me ten head of the royal white cattle?"

"King, I have nothing to say," answered the captain calmly, "except that
my men are cowards."

"That is certainly so," said the king. "Let all the wounded among
them be carried away; and for you, captain, who turn my soldiers into
cowards, you shall die a dog's death, hanging to-morrow on the Tree of
Doom. As for your regiment, I banish it to the fever country, there to
hunt elephants for three years, since it is not fit to fight with men."

"It is well," replied the captain, "since death is better than shame.
Only King, I have done you good service in the past; I ask that it may
be presently and by the spear."

"So be it," said the king.

"I crave his life, father," said the Prince Nodwengo; "he is my friend."

"A prince should not choose cowards for his friends," replied the king;
"let him be killed, I say."

Then Owen, who had been watching and listening, his heart sick with
horror, stood forward and said:--

"King, in the name of Him I serve, I conjure you to spare this man and
those others that are hurt, who have done no crime except to be driven
back by soldiers stronger than themselves."

"Messenger," answered the king, "I bear with you because you are
ignorant. Know that, according to our customs, this crime is the
greatest of crimes, for here we show no mercy to the conquered."

"Yet you should do so," said Owen, "seeing that you also must ere long
be conquered by death, and then how can you expect mercy who have shown
none?"

"Let him be killed!" said the king.

"King!" cried Owen once more, "do this deed, and I tell you that before
the