“Yet will we not compel any man to go. All shall be free--”
“Thank God!” breathed Allan, with a mighty sigh.
“--Free to stay or go, as they will. Our village is too full, even now. We have many children. It were well that some should make room for others. Those who dare, have our consent. Now, speak you to the people, your people, O Kromno, and see who chooses the upper world with you!”
Once more Allan turned toward the assemblage. But before he had found time to frame the first question in this unfamiliar speech, a disturbance somewhat to the left interrupted him.
There came a jostling, a pushing, a sound of voices in amazement, anger, approbation, doubt.
Into the clear space stepped H'yemba, the smith. His powerful right hand he raised on high. And boldly, in a loud voice, he cried:
“Folk of the Merucaans, this cannot be!”
CHAPTER XIII
THE RAVISHED NEST
“It cannot be? Who says it cannot be? Who dares stand out and challenge me?”
“I, H'yemba, the man of iron and of flame!”