322 CRADLE TALES OP HINDUISM
And now at last the thirteen years were ended,
and the Pandavas demanded the restoration of
their kingdom. Alas I the chief place amongst
Dritarashtra's counsellors had long been held
by that false knight, his son. The weakness that
had always had place in Dritarashtra's character
had grown with the years, and he was now completely under the influence of Duryodhana. justice
called for the cession of Indraprastha and half
the kingdom. The King's own words were fresh
m all memories. Krishna Himself pleaded in
person that right should be done. Bhishma, as
chief of the kingdom, pointed out sternly the peril
that lay in breaking a pledge, and declaring war
on the allies of Krishna. But the awful fate that
tvorks in the affairs of men had borne everything
before it. Even now it would seem as if Duryodhana might have saved himself and his fortunes
by the simple right. But, infatuated, he refused
to listen, and proceeded with his organisation of
the army and other warlike preparations. Bhishma
himself was compelled by his allegiance to take the
part of commander-in-chief.
The dying minister and warrior must have covered his eyes as he came to this point in his reverie. For the panorama of destruction was still so fresh that it could scarcely present itself in pictures : the trumpets of battle, the neighing of horses, the trampling of elephants, and
