before me in the path of life."

The hermit thought for a few moments, and then said, "O King,
I see you a famous conqueror, the master of many nations. I see
you going from country to country, defeating armies and destroying
cities until men call you the 'Fear of the World.' You heap up
vast riches, but just after you have married the woman you love
grim death strikes you down."

With a cry of horror Attila fled from the cave. For a time he
thought of giving up his idea of becoming a great man. But he was
young and full of spirit, and very soon he remembered only what had
been said to him about his becoming a great and famous conqueror
and began to prepare for war. He gathered together the best men
from the various tribes of his people and trained them into a great
army of good soldiers.


II


About this time one of the king's shepherds, while taking care of
cattle in the fields, noticed blood dripping from the foot of one
of the oxen. The shepherd followed the streak of blood through the
grass and at last found the sharp point of a sword sticking out of
the earth. He dug out the weapon, carried it to the palace, and
gave it to King Attila. The king declared it was the sword of
Tiew, the god of war. He then strapped it to his side and said he
would always wear it.