The prayer of the righteous availeth much." "True, friend," I admitted as he paused for breath, amused to behold a man thus played upon.

"If it is a comfort to you, we all confess it was your voice which put an end to the dancing.

Yet if there is a time for prayer, so there is time also for action, and the latter must be here now.

Whatever adventure awaits us before nightfall, we shall meet it no less bravely if we first have food.

So let us break our fast, and depart from this accursed spot." It was not a cheerful meal, our nerves being still at high tension, and we partook more from duty than any feeling of enjoyment.