t over it, took a pride in adding to the accumulation.

In more modern days it had been a custom amongst the younger and more
forward of the Priests to scoff at this ancient provision, and to hold
that a treasure of gold, or weapons, or jewels would have more value and
no less of dignity; and more than once it has been a close thing
lest these innovators should not be out-voted. But as it was, the old
constitution had happily been preserved, and now in these years of trial
the Clan reaped the benefit. And so with these granaries, and a series
of great tanks and cisterns which held the rainfall, there was no chance
of Phorenice reducing our stronghold by mere close investment, even
though she sat down stubbornly before it for a score of years.

But it was the paucity of men for the defence which oppressed me most.
As I took my way about the head of the Mountain, inspecting all points,
the emptiness of the place smote me like a succession of blows. The
groves, once so trim, were now shaggy and unpruned. Wind had whirled
the leaves in upon the temple floors, and they lay there unswept. The
college of youths held no more now than a musty smell to bear witness
that men had once been grown there. The homely palaces of the higher
Priests, at one time so ardently sought after, lay many of them empty,
because not even one candidate came forward now to canvass for election.

Evil thoughts surged up within me as I saw these things, that were
direct promptings from the nether Gods. "There must be something
wanting," these tempters whispered, "in a religion from which so many of
its Priests fled at the first pinch of persecution."

I did what I could to thrust these waverings resolutely behind me; but
they refused to be altogether ousted from my brain; and so I made a
compromise with myself: First, I would with the help that might be given
me, destroy this wanton Phorenice, and regain the kingdom which had been
given me to my own proper rule; and afterwards I would call a council
of the Seven and council of the Three, and consider without prejudice
if there was any matter in which our ancient ritual could be amended
to suit the more modern requirements. But this should not be done till
Phorenice was dead and I was firmly planted in her room. I would not be
a party, even to myself, to any plan which smacked at all of surrender.

And there as I walked through the desolate groves and beside the cold
altars, the High Gods were please