Page:The Swiss Family Robinson, In Words of One Syllable.djvu/48

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36
THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON

will and kept His laws should go to the Land of Light and Truth. He gave to His Son the right to rule the host that dwelt in the Home of Earth, and set forth to them what they were to do, and all the ills that would come to them if they did not do as they were bid. The Prince told them that ships would be sent from time to time to bring off such as did His will, and take them to the Land of Light.

"At first they were all glad to hear the way in which they were to live, and the terms on which they could reach the Land of Light and Truth. Sad to tell, they soon broke the King's laws, and paid no heed to what they knew to be His will; each, in fact, did as he chose, and thought more of his ease, sloth, or self will, than of the Place of Rest or the Land of Light. Still there were a few who did as they had been taught, and dwelt in peace, in the hope that they would please the King and at last reach the place where He held his court.

"The King was true to his word. From time to time ships came to the Home of Earth, and each bore the name of some dire evil. At last a great ship was sent, the name of which was The Grave, which bore the flag of Death. The flag was of green and black. To the good it was a sign of hope, but the bad were thrown by the sight of it into