“Besides,” said Koree, “if we hide in the Swamp, they will track us in the snow.”
“There is nothing to do but fight,” said Pounder, who exhibited great courage during all the encounter. “Let us make one desperate effort, and kill as many Apes as we can before dying.”
This seemed their only hope, which was born of despair; and they resolved to make a strong effort though in weakness.
Before exhausting that hope in their own extinguishment, Koree looked sadly upon Sosee, and uttered these words as a last farewell:
“Bitter it is to die now that I have rescued you, and when it would be so sweet to live. But it is more glorious to die after success than if you were still in the hands of the Lali. Since, therefore, we cannot live together, let us die together.”
Sosee, however, heeded not his despairing words, but continued fighting. For scarcely had she gained the ranks of the Ammi when she turned on her pursuers, and was one of the fiercest combatants against them.
“Rally to the fight,” she said, “and don’t give up to die while you have power to kill.”
Her resolution was contagious, so that new spirit was infused into the Ammi; and, had there been more for the contagion to spread among, her words would have proved their salvation; but it was an enthusiasm imparted to the helpless.
While, therefore, they looked to see the enemy rush upon them, bearing with them Death, they were in a mind to receive this double enemy with fortitude.
Suddenly a commotion was observed among the Lali. Apparent consternation seized them, and they seemed about to retire from the field at the moment of their complete victory.