ders, questioning in
turn--

"What for?"

"What for!" I cried, a little angry with her engaging dulness, "Why, to
keep that which the strong hand got, and to get more for those who come
next; navies to sweep yonder blue seas, and armies to ward what they
should bring home, or guard the city walls against all enemies,--for I
suppose, An," I said, putting down my knife as the cheering thought
came on me,--"I suppose, An, you have some enemies? It is not like
Providence to give such riches as you possess, such lands, such cities,
and not to supply the antidote in some one poor enough to covet them."

At once the girl's face clouded over, and it was obvious a tender
subject had been chanced upon. She waved her hand impatiently as
though to change the subject, but I would not be put off.

"Come," I said, "this is better than breakfast. It was the one
thing--this unknown enemy of yours--wanting to lever the dull mass of
your too peacefulness. What is he like? How strong? How stands the
quarrel between you? I was a soldier myself before the sea allured me,
and love horse and sword best of all things."

"You would not jest if you knew our enemy!"

"That is as it may be. I have laughed in the face of many a stronger
foe than yours is like to prove; but anyhow, give me a chance to judge.
Come, who is it that frightens all the blood out of your cheeks by a
bare mention and may not be laughed at even behind these substantial
walls?"

"First, then, you know, of course, that long ago this land of ours was
harried from the West."

"Not I."

"No!" said An, with a little warmth. "If it comes to that, you know
nothing."

Whereat I laughed, and, saying the reply was just, vowed I would not
interrupt again; so she wont on saying how Hath--that interminable
Hath!--would know it all better than she did, but long ago the land was
overrun by a people from beyond the broad, blue waters outside; a
people huge of person, hairy and savage, uncouth, unlettered, and poor
An's voice trembled even to describe them; a people without mercy or
compunction, dwellers in woods, eaters of flesh, who burnt, plundered,
and destroyed all before them, and had toppled over this city along
with many others in an ancient foray, the horrors of which, still burnt
lurid in her people's minds.

"Ever since then," went on the girl, "these odious terrors of the outer
land have been a nightmare to us, making hectic our pleasures, and
filling our p