proud and vain, she saw one man kill 

 another for gold. 



Merope was sad and drew back, 

 but having tasted of the knowledge 

 of strange sights, the next night she 

 looked again. As she leaned far over 

 the bar of heaven, Alcyone grasped 

 one hand, and with the other Mei"ope 

 held low the flaming torch. This 

 night she saw happier scenes — chil- 

 dren at play, happy homes and lovers. 



Far out in the forest she saw men 

 with feathers in their hair and skins 

 of animals for clothes gathering about 

 a fire. In the centre of the circle sat 

 Sacarrappa, the greatest brave of all, 

 who, they said, had been brought to 

 the tribe on the back of a gull. 



Long they talked of war, and Merope 

 shuddered till she saw from one of the 

 most distant tepees a young girl steal 

 forth and glide swiftly through the 

 wood. Her little feet clad in soft skin 

 82 



