“Wouldst thou have me quarrel with thee?” demanded Kerœcia, as she held her hand tightly over Yermah’s mouth. He shook his head, and with his hands imprisoned the audacious member.
“Then thou must not abuse my property,” she continued, with an engaging pout.
“Wouldst thou have loved me then?” he asked. Being satisfied with her reply, he added: “There I performed the first labor of initiation.”
“What meanest thou, by initiation? Is it something Akaza teaches thee?”
“Initiation is a task imposed upon me by the Brotherhood of the White Star in my father’s court. When I have finished the labors I shall be of the Brotherhood myself. This is necessary for a Grand Servitor.”
“Tell me of thy journeyings,” she said, nestling close beside him, yet with a coyness and reserve all her own. “Thou hast traveled very far.”
“The second year was spent at[[8]]Memphis, Egypt, where I performed the second labor. Then I went among our colonists in [[8]]Phœnicia; thence to the [[8]]Etruscans, where I learned to work in metals; then among the [[8]]Kelts, where I learned bow-craft; thence to the [[8]]Vikings and the land of the [[8]]Basques. Returning to Poseidon’s kingdom, I set sail for the land of the [[8]]Incas; and from there I came to Tlamco, the last outlying colony of the [[8]]Toltecs, one of the three main tributaries to the Grand Servitor Poseidon. Art thou satisfied?” he asked.
“Not quite. Hast thou loved no one all these years?”
“Yes; and very much,” confidently assented Yermah.
Kerœcia shrank back as if a blow had been dealt her. Everything swam before her, and she was faint and wan.