The Keepers of the People

949Little by little the leaven of order leavened the Varandals, and they grew a rich people, and merry; for no man felt the pains of hunger. Then on a day the elders were bidden gather together to see the son of the son of Indra, and on his throne in the great hall saw their Prince once more, and standing by his side a black-haired boy, with his father’s face, and the eyes that read the hearts of men. When they left the palace each carried with him a handful of strange grain, and two strange plants, and the rich land grew richer with wheat, the olive and the vine.

950When the boy was twenty he led, on the first day of the year, a thousand trained youths through the pass to harry the Northern tribes. On the last day of the year he led back five hundred skilled warriors, many a one of them bringing with him a maiden of Kafiristan to breed him children of a harder strain. For four years he did the like; every year leading out a fresh band. In the fifth year he went forth alone with his sword, his horse, and seven diamonds, bearing a letter to the head of a great family in England; and no one knew of his going. He was bidden win his way over seas, learn the wisdom of the Western World, and bring back a beautiful girl of his own race to be his wife, and a useful art. A story spread abroad among the Varandals that he in his turn had gone to Indra.

951No long while after the coming back of his son, the Prince of Varandaleel died, leaving to guide those that came after him the Book of the Wisdom of Ralph, Prince of Varandaleel. It begins with the words, “It is expedient that one man die for the people,” and contains all kingcraft, and the art of the building of nations, with as many secrets of the hearts of men as a strong man of wisdom and discernment, ruling a people with absolute power, may learn. In it too are the wonderful adventures of the writer, all that he learned of the working of the minds of women, and how he loved and was loved by them.