t of thy
power with the stars, and thou laughest at the folly of them who hear
thee: wherefore put him to death."

Then the chiefs in the hall clashed their arms, and rushed forth to slay
the son of Osslah.

But he, stretching his unarmed hands on high, exclaimed, "Hear him, O
dread ones of the night! Hark how he blasphemeth!"

Then the crowd took up the word, and cried, "He blasphemeth! he
blasphemeth against the prophet!"

But the king and the chiefs, who hated Morven because of his power with
the people, rushed into the crowd; and the crowd were irresolute, nor
knew they how to act, for never yet had they rebelled against their
chiefs, and they feared alike the prophet and the king.

And Siror cried, "Summon Darvan to us, for he hath watched the steps of
Morven, and he shall lift the veil from my people's eyes." Then three of
the swift of foot started forth to the house of Darvan.

And Morven cried out with a loud voice, "Hark! thus saith the star, who,
now riding through yonder cloud, breaks forth upon my eyes, 'For the lie
that the elder hath uttered against my servant, the curse of the stars
shall fall upon him.' Seek, and as ye find him so may ye find ever the
foes of Morven and the gods!"

A chill and an icy fear fell over the crowd, and even the cheek of Siror
grew pale; and Morven, erect and dark above the waving torches, stood
motionless with folded arms. And hark!--far and fast came on the
war-steeds of the wave; the people heard them marching to the land, and
tossing their white manes in the roaring wind.

"Lo, as ye listen," said Morven, calmly, "the river sweeps on. Haste,
for the gods will have a victim, be it your prophet or your king."

"Slave!" shouted Siror, and his spear left his hand, and far above the
heads of the crowd sped hissing beside the dark form of Morven, and rent
the trunk of the oak behind. Then the people, wroth at the danger of
their beloved seer, uttered a wild yell, and gathered round him with
brandished swords, facing their chieftains and their king. But at
that instant, ere the war had broken forth among the tribe, the three
warriors returned, and they bore Darvan on their shoulders, and laid him
at the feet of the king, and they said tremblingly, "Thus found we the
elder in the centre of his own hall." And the people saw that Darvan
was a corpse, and that the prediction of Morven was thus verified. "So
perish the enemies of Morven and the stars!" cried the son of Osslah