etween
the capitals. And Golgothar was sorry.

"If I had a hundred men so strong," said Golgothar, "I would build a
dyke to keep the floods back from the people crowded on the lowlands."

Because he had not the hundred men, now and again the floods came down,
and swept the poor folk out to sea, or laid low their habitations. And
Golgothar pitied them.

"If I had a hundred men so strong," said Golgothar, "I would clear the
wild boar from the forests, that the children should not fear to play
among the trees."

Because he had not the hundred men the graves of children multiplied,
and countless mothers sat by empty beds and mourned. And Golgothar put
his head between his knees in trouble for them.

"If I had a hundred men so strong," said Golgothar, "I would with great
stones mend the broken pier, and the bridge between the islands should
not fall." Because he had not the hundred men, at last the bridge gave
way, and a legion of the king's army were carried to the whirlpool,
where they fought in vain. And Golgothar made a feast of remembrance to
them, and tears dripped on his beard when he said: "Hail and Farewell!"

"If I had a hundred men so strong," said Golgothar, "I would go against
the walls of chains our rebels built, and break them one by one."

Because he had not the hundred men, the chain walls blocked the only
pass between the hills, and so cut in two the kingdom: and they who
pined for corn went wanting, and they who yearned for fish stayed
hungry. And Golgothar, brooding, said his heart bled for his country.

"If I had a hundred men so strong," said Golgothar, "I would go among
the thousand brigands of Mirnan, and bring again the beloved daughter of
our city."

Because he had not the hundred men the beloved lady languished in her
prison, for the brigands asked as ransom the city of Talgone which they
hated. And Golgothar carried in his breast a stone image she had given
him, and for very grief let no man speak her name before him.

"If I had a hundred men so strong--" said Golgothar, one day, standing
on a great point of land and looking down the valley.

As he said it, he heard a laugh, and looking down he saw Sapphire, or
Laugh of the Hills, as she was called. A long staff of iron-wood was
in her hands, with which she jumped the dykes and streams and rocky
fissures; in her breast were yellow roses, and there was a tuft of
pretty feathers in her hair. She reached up and touched him on the
breast