For that matter
nearly all of the warriors, including the king himself, were drunk.
In the heart of Ko-tan was no love either for Mo-sar, or Bu-lot, nor
did either of these love the king. Ko-tan was giving his daughter
to Bu-lot in the hope that the alliance would prevent Mo-sar from
insisting upon his claims to the throne, for, next to Ja-don, Mo-sar
was the most powerful of the chiefs and while Ko-tan looked with
fear upon Ja-don, too, he had no fear that the old Lion-man would
attempt to seize the throne, though which way he would throw his
influence and his warriors in the event that Mo-sar declare war
upon Ko-tan, the king could not guess.
Primitive people who are also warlike are seldom inclined toward
either tact or diplomacy even when sober; but drunk they know not
the words, if aroused. It was really Bu-lot who started it.
"This," he said, "I drink to O-lo-a," and he emptied his tankard
at a single gulp. "And this," seizing a full one from a neighbor,
"to her son and mine who will bring back the throne of Pal-ul-don
to its rightful owners!"
"The king is not yet dead!" cried Ko-tan, rising to his feet; "nor
is Bu-lot yet married to his daughter--and there is yet time to
save Pal-ul-don from the spawn of the rabbit breed."
The king's angry tone and his insulting reference to Bu-lot's
well-known cowardice brought a sudden, sobering silence upon the
roistering company.
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