has scorned Them and so cruelly trodden on
you? Or are you to be still further purged of your pride before you are
ripe for deliverance?"

The old priest broke off with a gesture, and his ragged white beard
sank on to his chest. Promptly a young man, skin clad and carrying his
weapon, elbowed up through the press of listeners, and jumped on to the
platform beside him. "Hear me, brethren!" he bellowed, in his strong
young voice. "We are done with tyrants. Death may come, and we all of us
here have shown how little we fear it. But own rulers again we will not,
and that is our final say. My lord," he said, turning to the old man
with a brave face, "I know it is in your power to kill me by magic if
you choose, but I have said my say, and can stand the cost if needs be."

"I can kill you, but I will not," said Zaemon. "You have said your
silliness. Now go you to the ground again."

"We have free speech here. I will not go till I choose."

"Aye, but you will," said the old man, and turned on him with a sudden
tightening of the brows. There was no blow passed; even the Symbol,
which glowed like a star against the night, was not so much as lifted in
warning; but the young man tried to retort, and, finding himself smitten
with a sudden dumbness, turned with a spasm of fear, and jumped back
whence he had come. The crowd of them thrilled expectantly, and when no
further portent was given, they began to shout that a miracle should be
shown them, and then perchance they would be persuaded back to the old
allegiance.

The old man stooped and glowered at them in fury. "You dogs," he cried,
"you empty-witted dogs! Do you ask that I should degrade the powers of
the Higher Mysteries by dancing them out before you as though they were
a mummers' show? Do you tickle yourselves that you are to be tempted
back to your allegiance? It is for you to woo the Gods who are so
offended. Come in humility, and I take it upon myself to declare that
you will receive fitting pardon and relief. Remain stubborn, and the
scourge, Phorenice, may torment you into annihilation before she in turn
is made to answer for the evil she has put upon the land. There is the
choice for you to pick at."

The turmoil of voices rose again into the wetness of the night, and
weapons were upraised menacingly. It was clear that the party for
independence had by far the greater weight, both in numbers and
lustiness; and those who might, from sheer weariness of strife, hav