Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 28, 2025
He then drew another line in the dirt, not across the mark Akar had made, but parallel to his own body instead, signifying dominance, and made it clear that the wolf could either accept the truce under these terms, or fight him to the death then and there. Akar was curiously gratified by the man-child's response.
When Katie brought the child to the stunned and stricken Donald, saying, "Will ye not look at him, Donald? it is as fine a man-child's was ever seen," he pushed her away, saying in a hoarse whisper, "Never let me see its face. She said it was to be your bairn and not hers. Take it and go. I'll never look on it." Donald was out of his reason when he spoke these words, and for long after.
High up among the branches of a mighty tree she hugged the shrieking infant to her bosom, and soon the instinct that was as dominant in this fierce female as it had been in the breast of his tender and beautiful mother the instinct of mother love reached out to the tiny man-child's half-formed understanding, and he became quiet.
And why did it matter to her anyway? She wanted to break away, and put the whole thing from her mind. But she couldn't. She had to see what he would do. After a time Kataya sensed the man-child's indifference, or at least his unwillingness to yield to her. This did not cool her half-admitted desire for him, but only made it more patient, tactful. She moved to sit in a corner chair, beside him.
The great cat gave a sudden snarl, and dropping its prey, loosed its hold on the tree and leapt down to face him. All done in an instant, and with such angry determination that the man-child's eyes went wide, and he took a step back in spite of himself. The tiger, too, felt a moment of confusion. For here was something not stamped into the racial memory of instinct.
'Son of the hill-tribe, I have made my decision. I have thought long on your words, and on other things you do not know. Understand, I have good reason to mistrust your kinsmen. But Akar tells me you are not like them, and I accept his judgment. He stopped for a moment, genuinely moved by the man-child's countenance: the troubled face, exhausted by hope and fear alike.
Why can't you just leave each other alone? Akar had not understood the words, but their meaning was clear enough. Putting away his pride, he stepped slowly and deliberately toward the man-child's unmoving form. Coming closer he drew a line in the dirt just in front of him, signaling his desire for a truce.
The tiger, who had discovered this place on that first, bitter wandering from the man-child's cave, being drawn by its warmth and shelter, had no need for such questions, and simply accepted the fact. He had returned one time since, and in his animal way reasoned that these, like all hibernating creatures, would not be stirring until the weather turned warm.
And both knew, despite the woman's stubborn optimism, that it would take more than all their courage for the ship to still float brokenly at the morning of calm sea's return. Invaluable time was passing, and Kalus' illness refused to heal. An unfair battle had been joined inside him, one in which will alone was not enough. The man-child's hand was forced, and all power to choose taken from him.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking