"That we might escape! Well, hold on! We'll hurry you down to the citadel. Medical aid—"
"There is no need of that now," whispered Kohrisan. "It is too late for medical aid ... my Lord. I did what I could ... Ramaíya. It was what a man ... a true man ... would have done. Was it not?"
A mist veiled Ramey's eyes, and a tight band knotted about his throat. He answered huskily, "And why should it be otherwise, Kohrisan? You, too, are a true man."
"Nay, my Lord! But a new man."
Then his eyes, contented and proud at the end, rolled suddenly back, thick, Simian lips drew back from bloodless gums, and Captain Kohrisan was gone. Ramey lowered the tiny body from his knee and stood up.
"There died," he whispered softly, "a human heart in a jungle body...."
CHAPTER XX
Children of Legend
"But my Lord Sugriva," argued Ramey desperately, "I see no reason why you should leave Earth now. Our battle is won. Ravana is dead, Vibhishana sits on the throne of Lanka and henceforth there will be peace between Gaanelians, Videlians, and the children of this planet. Your guidance and advice are needed if Earth's civilization is ever to attain great heights. Earth has need of you—"