The warriors advanced on horseback with slack rein, the shield held before the breast, the sword raised high, and they fought like irreconcilable enemies. The closest comrades, brothers at arms, dealt each other tremendous blows, with the enthusiasm of a people which turns fighting into a diversion. They must shed blood to glorify the memory of the deceased with greater pomp. Horses fell at the shock of the encounter and the riders continued the struggle on foot, wrestling body to body, making the shields resound with the force of the blows. When some of the warriors had retired covered with blood, and the combat had assumed the character of a general battle, in which, aroused by the spectacle, the women and children participated, Alorcus ordered the trumpets to sound the retreat, and he hurled himself among the combatants to separate the more tenacious.
Thus ended the funeral rites. The slaves of the tribe flung the remnants of the bonfire into a ditch, and the crowd, seeing the festival over, before retiring to their villages, held aloft once more their horns brimming with beer, to drink to the honor of the new-made king.
The principal warriors turned toward the dwelling of the chief to hold council.
The Athenian traveled beside Alorcus, manifesting astonishment at the barbaric and warlike customs of the Celtiberians. As he could not understand their language, the warriors were not alarmed at seeing him take a seat in the council hall near their new chieftain.
The wizard discoursed at length to Alorcus, amid the respectful silence of the warriors. Actæon understood that he was giving an account of extraordinary events which had occurred in the tribe a few days before the arrival of the new king. Perhaps some call from friendly tribes, some fruitful expedition planned by the more venturesome.
He saw the face of Alorcus darken, as if they were telling him something painful, repugnant to his feelings. The assemblage looked at him fixedly, betraying in their eyes enthusiasm and agreement with the old man's words. Alorcus recovered his composure, listening calmly to the wizard, and when the latter ceased talking, after a long pause, he spoke a few words and with his head made a gesture of assent.
His rude countrymen received the chieftain's acceptance with ardor, and rushed from the house in vehement haste to carry the news to those outside.
When the Greek and the Celtiberian were left alone, the latter said sadly:
"Actæon, to-morrow I set out with my people. I begin to serve as chieftain of the tribe. I must lead it to combat."
"May I accompany you?"