brethren, or surely the sword of Siror will end thy days."

Then the son of Osslab folded his arms, and seemed buried in
black thoughts; nor did he heed the voice of Orna, until again
and again she had implored him to fly.

"Fly!" he said at length. "Nay, I was doubting what punishment
the stars should pour down upon our foe. Let warriors fly.
Morven, the prophet, conquers by arms mightier than the sword."

Nevertheless Morven was perplexed in his mind, and knew not how
to save himself from the vengeance of the king.


Now, while Morven was musing hopelessly, he heard a roar of
waters; and behold the river, for it was now the end of autumn,
had burst its bounds, and was rushing along the valley to the
houses of the city.

And now the men of the tribe, and the women, and the children,
came running, and with shrieks to Morven's house, crying:

"Behold the river has burst upon us!--Save us, O ruler of the
stars!"

Then the sudden thought broke upon Morven and he resolved to
risk his fate upon one desperate scheme.

And he came out from the house calm and sad, and he said: