peace fell upon their neighbors also. And no man did aught to make
them afraid. And others sought to go with these, and thus they became
a great band.

So they chose as their leaders those whose visions were brightest. And
they made for themselves a banner like the white mist flung out from
the mountain-tops at the rising of the sun. They spoke much to each
other concerning the white banner and the peace which filled their
souls.

But as they journeyed along, the dust of the way dimmed the banner, and
the bright visions one by one faded away. At last they came no more.

Then the people murmured and called upon the leaders to grant them some
brighter vision, something that all could see and feel at once--some
sign by which they might know that they were still in his way. "Cause
that a path be opened through the thicket," they said, "and let a white
dove come forth to lead us on; or, let the mists beyond the river part
for a moment, that we may behold the far country beyond."

And one of the leaders standing at the head of the column, clothed in
the morning light as with a garment, raised his staff high in the air.
The sun's rays fell upon it, touching the morning mists with gold, and
threw across them the long shadow of the upraised staff. The shadow
fell far out across the plains, and about it was a halo of bright
light. And all the band looked joyfully at the vision. Adown the
slope of the mountain and out into the plain they followed the way of
the shadow. And all the time the white banner waved at the head of the
column. The people said little to one another, but that little was a
word of praise and rejoicing.