the highways.
lonight our pilgrimage ends, for we have won the fight and I am once more in possession of my soul.”
The music of his voice had stilled all the warring elements within each man, and they scarcely breathed for fear of losing that which they felt had entered and warmed them. There was no need for the gin and whisky, which had kept the blood heated, for there was a glow from the eyes of both man and dog which made them warmer than they had ever been.
Putting his hand on the dog’s head, he said:
“Attention. Dakta! It is time to choose.”
Immediately the dog was on its haunches, ears erect, nose quivering and eyes going from man to man.
“I have called you Dakta’s comrades, but you are mine as well — for ‘Lo! the stranger was at your gates and you took him in and bathed and fed him.’
We need helpers, and Dakta shall choose. After she has selected each one for his particular office, we will discuss the work to be done. I will tell you in advance, however, that you will receive greater payment for your services than you have ever had before.”
The men were as graven images.
Then came the command:
“Leader! Dakta!”
With a dignity which was inspiring, Dakta walked around each man, looking, first, intently into each face and then sniffing. Having made the rounds, she walked to the most besotted looking, and putting her paws on his knee, looked up into his face and whined, meanwhile waving in triumph the flag of her tail.
The man at whose knee she stood put out a trembling and hesitating hand, whereupon Dakta crave a little yelp of pleasure, and kissed it, At this the entire attitude of the man changed, and he sat erect, where before his body had slouched, and his head went up until the carriage of the body was that of a ruler, and he arose from his chair and, with eyes alight, followed Dakta to the right hand of the man and seated himself on the floor beside him.
Again came the command:
“Treasurer! Dakta!”
Once more the dog made its rounds, stopping finally in front of a man who had kept his eyes upon the ground. He stirred uneasily at the touch of Dakta’s paws upon his knee, and made a movement as if he would push her away. At that she gave a little cry and jumped into the lap of the man and commenced to lick his face.
The man made no move for a moment, and then suddenly clasped her in both arms and hid his face in her neck.
“Well chosen, Dakta!” said her master.
“Come, comrade, and sit at my left.”
The man rose, still holding Dakta close to his heart, but his head raised high and his eyes straight ahead — and took his place at the left, upon the floor.
Again came the command:
“The Mender! Dakta!”
Wriggling out of the arms of the man who held her, she once more made her rounds, this time stopping before Steve, and whining as if in recognition.
Steve looked down into the animal’s face and said:
“Hell! What are you?”
At this Dakta leaped about him in ecstacy and tugged at his coat, until Steve put out his brawny hand and caressed her head.
Once again came the voice of her master:
“Well selected. Let him sit in front of me, Dakta.”
And dragging Steve by the coat, she brought him in front of her master, who put out his hand and said: “Welcome, Brother.” As the man’s hand touched his, a smile went over the face of Steve and glorified it, and he silently took his place as indicated.
Once more rang out a command: “The Light Bearer! Bring the Light Bearer, Dakta.”
This time Dakta made a flying leap into the lap of Pete, and dog and man gazed into each other’s eyes. Then, as Dakta sprang to the floor, Pete followed her where she led him, to her master, who held out both hands and said:
“My Brother!” And Pete passed around and placed his back next to that of the man. A final command rang out:
“Select the brothers of each!” And Dakta made her rounds, bringing two to sit next to the Treasurer, two next to the Leader, two next to the Mender, and two next to the Light Bearer, coming herself to curl up at her master’s feet.
His eyes traveled over the men seated about him, now all with their heads erect and smiles upon their faces, and joy radiating from them all.
In a voice sweeter than any music, he said:
“Hell becomes Heaven when there is Harmonv!
Is it not so, Brothers?”
The Senses
SEEING: —
From my nest on shore I gaze across the sea to a tiny speck of white which appears on the horizon — a fluttering sail.
Suddenly, a swiftly darting thing of gray — a puff of smoke —
I strain my eyes in vain, but nowhere can be seen a fluttering sail of white or the darting thing of gray.
Only the ever-moving sea, gleaming with light!
FEELING: —
What tragedy has been enacted?
How many souls have silently bid adieu to the sunshine and the sea?
To what home is the news carried?
How many hearts are made to suffer?
How many homes bereft?
TASTING: —
I sit and gaze from my nest on land, but only a wall of gray can I distinguish.
Suddenly upon my lips a taste of salt!
Can it be that I, too, have been submerged and the waters of the sea caress my lips?
Alas! no! for the gray wall fades away and before my eyes is a sunlit sea with nothing in sight and upon my lips only my tears.
HEARING: —
From out my nest I gaze upon the sea. Gray it is, from leaden sky.
A deadly silence — then the tramp of myriad feet.
Suddenly the stillness is shattered by a volley and the last honors of the land are given to my all!!
