utter so rash a word, for I am poor and valueless in the eyes of
the tribe of Oestrich, and the great in deeds and the grey of
hair alone sit in the council of the wise men.'

"Then the voice said, 'Do my bidding, and I will give thee a
token that thou comest from the powers that sway the seasons and
sail upon the eagles of the winds. Say unto the wise men that
this very night if they refuse to receive thee of their band,
evil shall fall upon them, and the morrow shall dawn in blood.'

"Then the voice ceased, and a cloud passed over the star; and I
communed with myself, and came, O dread fathers, mournfully unto
you. For I feared that ye would smite me because of my bold
tongue, and that ye would, sentence me to the death, in that I
asked what may scarce be given even to the sons of kings."

Then the grim elders looked one at the other and marvelled much,
nor knew they what answer they should make to the herdsman's
son.

At length one of the wise men said, "Surely there must be truth
in the son of Osslah, for he would not dare to falsify the great
lights of heaven. If he had given unto men the words of the
star, verily we might doubt the truth. But who would brave the
vengeance of the gods of night?"

Then the elders shook their heads approvingly; but one answered
and said:

"Shall we take the herdsman's son as our equal? No!"