CHAPTER VII.
THE RECOVERY OF THE KING For a moment there was silence, then a great cry arose--a cry of "Our father is dead!" Presently with it were mingled other and angrier shouts of "The king is murdered!" and "He is bewitched, the white wizard has bewitched the king! He prophesied evil upon him, and now he has bewitched him!" Meanwhile the captains and councillors formed a ring about Umsuka, and Hokosa bending over him examined him.
"Princes and Councillors," he said presently, "your father yet lives, but his life is like the life of a dying fire and soon he must be dead.
This is sure, that one of two things has befallen him: either the heat has caused the blood to boil in his veins and he is smitten with a stroke from heaven, such as men who are fat and heavy sometimes die of; or he has been bewitched by a wicked wizard.

Yonder stands one," and he pointed to Owen, "who not an hour ago prophesied that before the sun was down great evil should overtake the king.

The sun is not yet down, and great evil has overtaken him.

Perchance, Princes and Councillors, this white prophet can tell us of the matter." "Perchance I can," answered Owen calmly.
"He admits it!" cried some.

"Away with him!" "Peace!" said Owen, holding the crucifix towards those whose spears threatened his life.
They shrank back, for this symbol of a dying man terrified them who could not guess its significance.
"Peace," went on Owen, "and listen.