ordered the War Leader. His soldiers obeyed."Listen to me," the War Leader began, "your Elder was foolish. I am drawing a
line here on the ground. Any man who will cross it and join us in
battle, no harm will come to him or his family. But any man who will
not, I will give my soldiers liberty with his wife, as many of them as
wish. All you have to do to spare your women is cross this line.
Otherwise, you will be tied to a post in your bedroom and made to watch
what is done."
17 Not one man would move. "Cowards!" screamed the War Leader. "You
would let us shame your women before you would fight? So be it! If
their husbands are such cowards they deserve their fate! After you have
witnessed your wives' shame, I will give you one more chance, in the
morning. But my mercy grows thin."
18 So that night the village women wept as before their men they were
bitterly used. Come morning the men were again brought before the War
Leader.
19 "Well, cowards," he cried, "I will be bothered with you no more. By
law, if you will not join us, you are traitors, and I have the right to
put you to death. After that is done, I will let my men have your
daughters, no matter what their age, and drink up the wine and eat the
provisions in this village. What will it be, cowards?" No man would
move.
20 "Very well," raved the War Leader, "enough is enough. Stake them out
on the ground, get axes and saws. Cut off their arms and legs. Make
their whores watch, then do with them what you will. Before the eyes of
The One God they are cattle, animals. You may do what you will."
21 So as the women screamed and begged for mercy, their men were
chopped to pieces and their clothes were ripped from their bodies as
they were