"Then for this purpose be content to serve awhile under the command of those who have the skill and power which you lack." Still there was no answer.
"Lady," said Orme in this ominous quiet, "you are so good as to make me a general among your soldiers, but will they obey me?
And who are your soldiers?
Does every man of the Abati bear arms ?" "Alas! no," she replied, fixing upon this latter question perhaps because she could not answer the first.

"Alas! no.

In the old days it was otherwise, when my great ancestresses ruled, and then we did not fear the Fung.

But now the people will not serve as soldiers.

They say it takes them from their trades and the games they love; they say they cannot give the time in youth; they say that it degrades a man to obey the orders of those set over him; they say that war is barbarous and should be abolished, and all the while the brave Fung wait without to massacre our men and make our women slaves.