The news of the coming conference had not been imparted to Mrs. Graham and Nellie and they, happy at Enola’s assured recovery, were quietly dozing in their chairs, the events of the past twenty-four hours having tired them greatly. The watches were now set for the night and the men had retired with the exception of Onrai, who went into the garden and strolled up and down, his arms hanging listlessly by his side and his head bowed as if in deep thought. Was he, too, thinking of that coming conference and of the possibility of the men refusing to heed him, and following their own blind reasoning? Whatever his thoughts were he was completely wrapped up in them and hardly heeded the approaching morn. The eastern heavens grew lighter and lighter, but still Onrai paced the drive, his head bending low and his eyes cast on the ground. The whistle of a bird seemed to rouse him at last, and raising his head and noticing the rosy tints of morn lighting the east, he shook himself and said:
“The battle is fought and I now feel stronger; but it has been cruelly hard.”
A song sung by a thousand male voices, now arose on the morning air, and Onrai, turning toward the lake, exclaimed:
“Oh, I had forgotten. I must meet the people this morning at the lake,” and he started off in that direction.
Mr. Bruce came running from the villa, and hurrying up to the retreating figure of Onrai, said:
“Onrai, you are about to go to your people. They have a grievance with us. Is it not best that we also accompany you, and plead our own defense?”
“No,” said Onrai, “I can better do this myself. I am dealing with a new phase in their character to-day, and I do not know just how I will handle them, but, at any rate, it is best that I should go alone.”
“I would ask one favor of you before you leave,” said Mr. Bruce. “We came to your land uninvited, and it is not right that we should create any disturbance, or destroy the peace of mind which your people have always known. If they demand our departure, and you feel that their demand is just, and this decree is irrevocable, do not hesitate to tell us, and we will leave immediately, although it would grieve us greatly to be compelled to do so, just when we have fully experienced the full delights of your beautiful country, and tasted the pleasures of your hospitality. We cannot understand why they have learned to fear us, but we do not question their motive, in wishing us to leave, if this be so.”
“Fear not,” said Onrai, “Some question of difference has come up probably, which has led them to fear that if you should remain here long, established customs might be changed. By talking on this subject and expatiating on it, it has assumed great proportions, and has seemed of greater importance because of the mystery which surrounds you. They have never been able to understand how you came to our country. They found you on the side of the cliff one morning in the heart of our wild beast range; you had been there overnight, and had been unmolested by the ferocious beasts. This alone made them look on you with awe, and they have never forgotten it. As I have said, it is superstitious fear, which is now urging them on, and we will have to first destroy this.”
“I hope that you may be able to do this completely,” said Mr. Bruce, “for we wish to be friends with your people, and remain a long time with them.”