Again he ceased his discourse, but still continued to pace up and down the open space under the swaying skeletons on the poles above.
Through the dense press of the Folk murmurs were wandering. Man spoke to man, and many a new thought was coming now to birth among those white barbarians.
The elders, too, were whispering together: “So runs the ancient tradition. So said the ancient man! Can it be true, indeed?”
Stern continued, more and more earnestly, with the sweat now beginning to dot his brow:
“It were too long, my people, to tell you everything about that land of ours above. Only remember it is richer far and far more beautiful than this, your place of darkness and of clouds. It is the ancient home of your fathers in the very long ago. It is waiting for you once again, more fertile and more beautiful than ever.
“My errand is to carry you thither--two or three at a time. At last I shall be able to take you all.
“Then the world will begin to be as it once was, before the great explosion destroyed all but a few of your people, who were my people once. Will any of you--any two bold men--believe my words and go with me? Will any be as brave as--the patriarch?”
He flung the veiled taunt loudly at them, with a raising of both arms.
“I have spoken truth! Now answer!”
He ceased, and for a short minute there was silence. Then spoke Vreenya: