ombatants to separate the more tenacious.

Thus ended the funeral rites. The slaves of the tribe flung the remnants
of the bonfire into a ditch, and the crowd, seeing the festival over,
before retiring to their villages, held aloft once more their horns
brimming with beer, to drink to the honor of the new-made king.

The principal warriors turned toward the dwelling of the chief to hold
council.

The Athenian traveled beside Alorcus, manifesting astonishment at the
barbaric and warlike customs of the Celtiberians. As he could not
understand their language, the warriors were not alarmed at seeing him
take a seat in the council hall near their new chieftain.

The wizard discoursed at length to Alorcus, amid the respectful silence
of the warriors. Actaeon understood that he was giving an account of
extraordinary events which had occurred in the tribe a few days before
the arrival of the new king. Perhaps some call from friendly tribes,
some fruitful expedition planned by the more venturesome.

He saw the face of Alorcus darken, as if they were telling him something
painful, repugnant to his feelings. The assemblage looked at him
fixedly, betraying in their eyes enthusiasm and agreement with the old
man's words. Alorcus recovered his composure, listening calmly to the
wizard, and when the latter ceased talking, after a long pause, he spoke
a few words and with his head made a gesture of assent.

His rude countrymen received the chieftain's acceptance with ardor, and
rushed from the house in vehement haste to carry the news to those
outside.

When the Greek and the Celtiberian were left alone, the latter said
sadly:

"Actaeon, to-morrow I set out with my people. I begin to serve as
chieftain of the tribe. I must lead it to combat."

"May I accompany you?"

"No. I know not where we are going. My father had a powerful ally whom I
dare not name to you, and this ally calls me without saying why. The
whole tribe displays tremendous enthusiasm for this expedition."

After a pause Alorcus added:

"You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. My sisters will obey
you as if you were Alorcus himself."

"No; since you will not be here, nothing remains for me to do. I have
seen enough in one day to know the Celtiberians. I will return to
Saguntum."

"Happy man, who can return to the Grecian life, to Sonnica's banquets,
to the sweet peace of those merchants! May it never be disturbed, and
may I be able to return th