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 death. Now shall ye hear what they have to say concerning themselves and their faring hither. But, meseemeth, it shall be the woman who is the chief and hath the word in her mouth; for, lo you! the man kneeleth at her feet, as one who would serve and worship her. Speak out then, woman, and let our warriors hear thee.

Then the Maid lifted up her voice, and spake out clear and shrilling, like to a flute of the best of the minstrels: Ye men of the Children of the Bear, I would ask you a question, and let the chieftain who sitteth before me answer it.

The old man nodded his head, and she went on: Tell me, Children of the Bear, how long a time is worn since ye saw the God of your worship made manifest in the body of a woman!

Said the elder: Many winters have worn since my father’s father was a child, and saw the very God in the bodily form of a woman.

Then she said again: Did ye rejoice at her coming, and would ye rejoice if once more she came amongst you?

Yea, said the old chieftain, for she gave us gifts, and learned us lore, and came to us in