It was a formula which his uncle had taught him, and he had tried it upon a deer and a hedgehog with eminent success.
The Emperor had planned to give them a scare by way of punishment, but now he had no heart for severity. He walked through the bushes whistling. He said not a word as he knelt before them—indeed, the man dared not trust himself to speak. With cries of joy they climbed upon his shoulders and embraced him. Strong rose and slowly carried them through the dark trail. He could not even answer their questions. He. was thinking of their faith in him—of their love, the like of which he had-never known or dreamed of and was not able to understand. Sinth was out with a lantern when they returned. The children were asleep in his arms.
"Sh-h-h! Don't scold, sister," said he, in a voice so gentle it surprised himself. They put the children to bed and walked to the cook-tent. Strong told of all he had heard them say.
"I dunno but you'll have to whip 'em," said Sinth.
Strong was drying the little boots of the boy. He touched them tenderly with his great hand. He smiled and shook his head and slowly stammered, "If we're g-goin't' be g-good'nough t' 's-sociate with them we got t' wh-whip ourselves."
He rose and put a stick of wood on the fire.
"Th-they think I'm m-most as good as God," he added, huskily, and then he went out-ofdoors.
Before going to bed that night he made this entry in his memorandum-book:
"Strong won't do he'll have to be tore down an' built over."