I
The fierce and warlike tribe, called the Huns, who had driven the
Goths to seek new homes, came from Asia into Southeastern Europe
and took possession of a large territory lying north of the River
Danube.
During the first half of the fifth century the Huns had a famous
king named At'ti-la. He was only twenty-one years old when he became
their king. But although he was young, he was very brave and ambitious,
and he wanted to be a great and powerful king.
Not far from Attila's palace there was a great rocky cave in the
mountains. In this cave lived a strange man called the "Hermit of
the Rocks." No one knew his real name, or from what country he
had come. He was very old, with wrinkled face and long gray hair
and beard.
Many persons believed that he was a fortune-teller, so people often
went to him to inquire what was to happen to them. One day, shortly
after he became king, Attila went to the cave to get his fortune
told.
"Wise man," said he, "look into the future and tell me what is before
me in the path of life."
The hermit thought for a few moments, and then said, "O King, I
see you a famous conqueror, the master of many nations. I see you
going from country to country, defeating armies and destroying
cities until men call you the 'Fear of the World.' You heap up
vast riches, but just after you have married the woman you love
grim death strikes you down."
With a cry of horror Attila fled from the cave. For a time he thought
of giving up his idea of becoming a great man. But he was young
and full of spirit, and very soon he remembered only what had been
said to him about his becoming a great and famous conqueror and
began to prepare for war. He gathered together the best men from
the various tribes of his people and trained them into a great
army of good soldiers.