Some thought of still other things which might be useful in war, and filled their bark knapsacks with so much that, when they were ready to start they were so hopelessly overloaded that they could scarcely move. But they gained experience on the way, and soon learned what to leave as well as what to take, thus acquiring early the soldier’s virtue of learning to throw away. The greedy fellow Oko, already mentioned, wanted them to carry all their stores with them, and he tried to get others to help carry his. “We helped you gather those stores,” said one, “and will not serve you again by carrying them after you have taken them from us.” “I did not take them by force,” he answered. “No,” replied the first, “because you would not fight; but you stole them, or persuaded us to give them to you.” “I always gave you something in exchange.” “True, but it was in each case something worth less.” Oko was the first man that had learned to cheat, his avariciousness being distorted into dishonesty which easily deceived them, since men, though they early learned to resist force, were slow to withstand guile. Being unable to get help in carrying his stores he concluded to stay at home to watch them, when the thought of getting greater stores from the Lali again changed his mind; and his voice was now for war. The preparations thus went on, and all seemed propitious for a successful campaign, when suddenly a tremendous shock was felt. A mountain range in the distance rose to the sky, forming a ridge of the Alps. A roar such as has not since visited the earth reverberated through the country, shaking the air as violently as the first shock shook the earth. The world rocked to and fro like a vessel at sea, tumbling every man to the earth, and rolling him over the ground. It was impossible to stand, or even to lie still. The whole human race became sea sick, and all were, in addition, more frightened than sick. Down came the dug-outs with their contents over the heads of the Ammi, and men and provisions were rolled promiscuously over the ground. Fruits and nuts fell from the trees, and many trees fell with them. There seemed to be no safety for anything on the earth, or even for the earth itself. The land appeared to be going, and all looked for a general collapse. [Illustration: THE CATASTROPHE.] To add to the disaster the Swamp overflowed, and its waters rushed over the settlement of the Ammi, overwhelming everything except the huts that stood on high ground. Several of the men, and many of the women and children, who had escaped being scared to death, were finally drowned; while reptiles and wild beasts again overran the region of the Ammi. All Alligator Swamp seemed emptied upon Cocoanut Hill, and the infant race looked to see their country, like Holland, sink out of sight.