"It is better so," he muttered with finality. He took the other canoe and resolutely turned his back on the scene. He plowed viciously through the water until his mighty arms ached. When he had worn himself out he landed on the opposite shore of the lake.
In the shadow of the giant trees he walked. The hoary cypresses held the secrets of a thousand years, but never before had they witnessed such a struggle in the soul of a man. When the hateful dawn came stealing through the branches, wan and haggard, Ammon sought his cell. Never before had it seemed so bare, nor the hard bed more uninviting. At his order prison doors should break and kings should bow the knee, but the greatest thing that Ammon ever did was to conquer himself, that night.
IV.
THE JOURNEY.
Ammon and the king had been playing totoloque, a game of ball, in the garden. Lamoni sat himself down to rest, for the heat of the day approached.
"Ammon, I would have had you for a son, but I must needs be content to keep you for a friend."
"It is an honor to be counted the friend of the king," he retorted, ignoring the first part of the remark.
"Alla takes it rather hard." An amused twinkle came into the father's eye. "She has been unbearable since you refused her."
"I have consecrated my life to the work of the Lord, Alla is too young and fair a creature to be tied to a somber personage like me."
"Your church is well started here. Let me take you to Nephi to meet my father, the emperor. He would like such a man as you."