Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/82

RV 77 (PORTRAIT OF AN EMPEROR) He gave orders that his soldiers were to assemble, in uniform, but without war equipment. While he waited, he mused, "Kingdoms cannot spring up over night like bamboo reeds and retain permanence. An artist cannot draw a picture on the air and expect it to remain. The tiger stalking his prey does not growl; the general stalking his victims does not rattle his armaments. The tiger, growling, does so to keep up his courage. The strutting of a general is for the same reason. Though Duke Bonimet appears well-armed there is weakness somewhere in his equipment. Since it is not with his armaments, perhaps it is with his men. Perhaps his men are hungry and he attempts to feed them on hatred. He must attack somebody, lest his army decide to attack him. A general may overcome his enemies but he is constantly at the mercy of his men. Duke Bonimet will have to strike quickly, for his men evidently are desperate for food."

The Governor smiled. The matter had ceased to be a problem. He would give Duke Bonimet food in abundance to do away with the necessity to strike. He was not at all concerned over his decision to kowtow, for he knew that the snake of avarice never yet had been able to swallow the elephant of abundance.

Duke Bonimet was jubilant when an emissary arrived with a scroll from Chang the Conqueror. The Governor wished to visit the Duke at the city that turns its back upon all others. It was his desire to pay homage RV 77 (77)