And so they went on reproaching poor Koree for having such a strong love that it would not let them rest, and such a foolish one that it would not let them fight.
Koree had nothing to say, but being himself most convinced of his own foolishness, was angry that others agreed with him, and so simply changed the subject.
“Be ready to fight at once,” he said, “as we may be attacked before we have time to decide whether we will fight or not. Between the lake and the Apes we have nothing left but to triumph.”
“It is either to be killed by the Apes or drowned in the water,” said Oko, “and I don’t like either.”
“We’ll kill some apes before we are killed ourselves,” answered Pounder; “at least, I will.”
“Their forces are more numerous than ours,” insisted Oko.
“That being so,” said Koree, who turned every objection into a new device, “we will fight them by stealth, creeping upon them by night, or enticing them into the woods.”
“Let us rather,” said Duco, “attack them openly, and all at once; though we are less numerous we are armed, and have more skill than they.”
“I think,” said Gimbo, “that the Apes will triumph; they walk on all fours, and people can fight better with four feet than with two; besides, it is not right to—”