THE RETURN
Just as the moon was rising Tevico came.
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
He was very tired, for his journey had been a long one, but he was glad
to bring good news to his people and to Lodrix.
The Bear people had come together and were waiting for Tevico.
They were very glad to hear the message for it meant great wealth for
them.
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
They would now have more bronze than any other land tribe.
"Lodrix must be sent home. We must have a messenger," said the chief.
"He must be very strong, for the bronze is heavy."
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
Then he chose one of the strongest of the men, who started off with
Lodrix.
At sunrise, they reached the shore of the lake.
There the Lake-Dweller messenger was waiting with the bronze.
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
Not a word was spoken.
The messenger of the Bear tribe took the bag of bronze, and Lodrix with
the other messenger hurried across the bridge to his home.
There his mother and father and all his tribe were waiting to welcome
him.
They crowded about the chief's hut and listened, as Lodrix told the
story of his capture.
When Lodrix had finished his story, he went into the hut to rest.
He soon fell asleep, tired from his long journey.
Then the chief sent two men to pull up the drawbridge which had been
down since early morning.
He still feared that the Bear tribe would attack them.
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
After this had been done, the chief said to his people: "My son has
returned to us. Now we must think of winter.
"Our fruit-trees have been destroyed by our enemies and we have very
little dried fruit left.
"We will have to hunt and fish every day, that we may have enough food
to last us through the winter."
As the chief was talking, a messenger, who had been sent by the people
of another Lake village, came up.
He said: "Chief, my people offer help to you and your tribe.
"They know that your fruit-trees have been destroyed.
"They have plenty of food to give you if you need it.
"They are glad that your son has been returned to you."
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
This message made the Lake-Dweller people very happy, and before
separating, they planned to come together that night for a feast of
thanksgiving.
At sunset, as they sat eating and drinking, they made a solemn pledge
that some day they would conquer the Bear tribe and get back their
bronze.
That night the moon shone upon them, as they stood with outstretched
arms, praying to it for strength to fulfil their vow.
THE END
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