The daily gazette., 1879-06-30

with Semifamis, and had rescued the
,ravan in which the women were from
an enormous tiger.
"And you," said she to three brothers,
as they passed the throne, shave you no
present to make your queen?"
"No other" replied the first, Zopire,
"than my life to defend her."
"None other," replied the second, Ar
taban, ethan my saber against her ene-
miles,"
"None other" replied the third, Assar,
ethan the respect and admiration which
her presence inspires"
"Slaves," said Semlramis, "it is you
who navs made me the most valuable
presents of the whole court, and l will
not be ungratxful. You have offered me
your sword against my enemies, take
this order, carry it to the general of the
army encamped under the walls of Ba-
bylon; give it 20 him and see what he
will do for YOU. You have offered me
your life for my defense, take this order
10 the governor of the citadel and s, e
what he will do for you. And yeu, who
have offered me the respect and admira,
tion which my presence inspires, take
this order to the commandant of the pal
ace aud see what will be the result"
Never had Semiramis displayed so
much gayety, so much folly and 30 much
grace, and never was Minus so eaptivat-
ed. Nor were her charms lesseued In
his eyes when slave, not having execu-
ted properly an insignificant order, she
commanded his head struck off, which
was imme diately done.
Without bestowing thought on this
trivial matter, Minus still continued 10
converse with Semiramis till evening and
the fete arrived. When she entered the
salon which had been prepared for the
occasion, a slave brought her a plate on
which was the lie ad Of the decapitated
eunuch.
"'Tis WE'LL" said she, after having ex-
amined it. "Place 1t on stake In the
court of the palace, that all may see it.,
and be you there on the spot to proclaim
TO everyone that the man to whom this
head belonged lived three hours ago, but
that having disobeyed my will, bis head
was separated from his body"
The fete was magnificent, sumptous
anquet was prepared in the gardens,
and Semiramis received the homage OF
a with grace and majesty perfectly
regal. She continually turned to and
convers ell with Minus, rendering him
the most distinguished honor.
"YOu are," said she, ga foreign king
come to visit me In my palace; l must
make your visit agreeable to you"
Shortly after the bahQuet was served
Semiramis confound-d and reversed all
rLn Minus was placed at the bottom
or the table. He Yves the first to laugh
at this caprice, and the court following
his example, allowed themselves to be
placed, without murmuring, according
to the will of the queen. She seated
herself near the three brothers Of the
"Are my orders executed" she de-
"Yes," they replied.
The fete was very gay. A slave having
b. % ce of habit, served his king first,
Semiraniis had him beaten with rods.
His cries mingled with the laughter OF
tne guests. Every one was inclined to
merrment. 1t was comedy, in which
each played his part. Toward the end
of the repast, when wine had added to
tue general gayety, Semiramis rose
from her elevated seat and said: "My
lords, the treasurer of the empire has
J. cad me list of those who this morning
have brought me their gifts of cOngratu-
lation on my joyful accession to the
throne. Ole grandee alone Of the court
has failed to bring his gift"
"Who Is it ?" cried Minus, "He must
be punished severely"
at is you yourself, my lord-you who
speak. What have you given the queen
this morning~
Minus rose and came with a smiling
countenance to whisper something In
the ear of the queen.
"The queen is insulted by her servantp
exclaimed Semirams.
II embrace your knees to obtain my
pardon. Pardon me, beautiful queen,
SAID he, "pardon me-" And he added
In lower tone, 81 would that this fett
we're finished"
"You wish, then, that I should abdi-
eate?" said Semiramis. "But mol still
have two hours to reign" and at the
same ktime she withdrew her hand
which The king was covering with kisses
"sucb an insult on the part of a slave
Slave, prepare thyself to die!"
"Silly child that thou art" said Minus
still on his knees, "yet 1 give way to thy
folly. But patience; thy reign Will soon
be over"
"You will not then be angry" SAID
she, in whisper, sat something l an
going to order at this IN oment?"
"No," said he.
"Slaves," "said she, aloud, "seize thii
man-Ninus!"
Minus smiled, and put himself into
the hands of the slaves.
"Tako him out of the salon, lead hin
into Il court of the Seraglio, prepare
verything for his death, and wait my
ORDERS"
The slaves obeyed, and Minus follow
ed them, laughing, into the court of the
Seraglie. They passed by the head of the
disObedient eunuch. Then Semiraml'
placed herself on balcony. Minus had
suffered his hands to he tied.
"Hasten to the fortress, Zopire; you
to the camp, Artaban; Assar, do you Sc
cure all the gates in the palace"
These orders were given in whisper
and executed Immediately.
"Beautiful queen" said Minus, laugh
Ing, "this comedy only wants its de-
nouement; pray, let it be prompt one.'
"I will" said Srmiramis. "Slaves, re-
collect the eunuch-strike"
They struck. Ninua had hardly time
to utter cry when his head fell upon
the pavement; the smile was still upoI
his lips.
"Now 1 am queen of Assyria!" ex.
claimed Semramis, and perish every
ne, like the eunueh n like Minus, who
dal . disobey my orders!''
AN INDIAN FIGHT.