It was quite long in words. The half of the palace-front was
covered with picture-writing, and fifty pots of paint were used,
before the weary scribe had done. But the main part of it all
was that there should be no more fighting; and that the two
tribes should give solemn promise to help one another whenever
there was corn-famine or other distress in the lands belonging to
either.
This greatly surprised the Bag-jagderags. They had expected from
the Doctor's angry face that he would at least chop a couple of
hundred heads off-- and probably make the rest of them slaves for
life.
But when they saw that he only meant kindly by them, their great
fear of him changed to a tremendous admiration. And as he ended
his long speech and walked briskly down the steps again on his
way back to the canoes, the group of chieftains threw themselves
at his feet and cried, "Do but stay with us. Great Lord, and all
the riches of Bag-jagderag shall be poured into your lap.
Gold-mines we know of in the mountains and pearl-beds beneath the
sea. Only stay with us, that your all-powerful wisdom may lead
our Council and our people in prosperity and peace." The Doctor
held up his hand for silence.
"No man," said he, "would wish to be the guest of the
Bag-jagderags till they had proved by their deeds that they are
an honest race. Be true to the terms of the Peace and from
yourselves shall come good government and prosperity--Farewell!"
Then he turned and followed by Bumpo, the Popsipetels and myself,
walked rapidly down to the canoes.
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