They took even longer to go back than they had to come , for they were tired and footsore with their journey . When they drew near the camp they plucked up their courage , and began to sing a war-song . At this the villagers came flocking to see what spoils the turtles had won , but , as they approached , each turtle seized some one by the wrist , exclaiming : ` You are our spoils ; you are our prisoners ! ' ` Now that I have got you I will keep you , ' said the leader , who had happened to seize his betrothed . Everybody was naturally very angry at this behaviour , and the girl most of all , and in her secret heart she determined to have her revenge . But , just at present , the turtles were too strong , so the prisoners had to put on their smartest slippers and their brightest clothes , and dance a war dance while the turtles sang . They danced so long that it seemed as if they would never stop , till the turtle who was leading the singing suddenly broke into a loud chant : Whoever comes here , will die , will die ! At this all the dancers grew so frightened that they burst through the ring of their captors , and ran back to the village , the turtles following -- very slowly . On the way the chief turtle met a man , who said to him : ` That woman who was to have been your wife has married another man ! ' ` Is that true ? ' said the turtle . ` Then I must see him . ' But as soon as the villager was out of sight the turtle stopped , and taking a bundle containing fringes and ornaments from his back , he hung them about him , so that they rattled as he walked . When he was quite close to the hut where the woman lived , he cried out : ` Here I am to claim the woman who promised to be my wife . ' ` Oh , here is the turtle , ' whispered the husband hurriedly ; ` what is to be done now ? ' ` Leave that to me ; I will manage him , ' replied the wife , and at that moment the turtle came in , and seized her by the wrist . ` Come with me , ' he said sternly . ` You broke your promise , ' answered she . ` You said you would be back soon , and it is more than a year since you went ! How was I to know that you were alive ? '
At her words the husband took courage , and spoke hastily : ` Yes , you promised you would go XXXXX war and bring back some prisoners , and you have not done it . ' '
at for in of since so than through to while