The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-03-28


Az 81. tie years passed on, nor did /.
beng verv little, know any thing OF the
great things that came &c pass in Egypt;
nor 10 II nv purpose here 20 set tbcm out
For I. Harmaohis, will speak only Of those
things WITH which have been concerned.
And as the Tins went or my father and
the teachers Instructed nc in the ancient
learning of aur people add in such matters
appertaiping 10 the gods as II Is meet that
children should know. So / grew strong
and comey, for my hair was black as the
hair Of the divine Nout, and my eyes were
blue as the blue lotus, and my skin was as
the alabaster within the sanctuaries. For
now that these glories have passed from
me may speak of them without shame.
Strong was also. There was no youth OF
my years in Abouthis VINO could stand
against me to wrestle with me, nor could
any throw so far with the sling or spear.
And much i yearned TO hunt the lion; but
he whom / called my father forbade me to
hunt, telling me that my life was of too
great worth to be SO lightly hazarded But
when / bowed myself before him and
prayed he would make his meaning clear TO
me, the old man frowned and answered
that the gods made all things clear in their
own season. For my part, however, went
away wroth, for there was a youth in
Abouthis who with others had slain lion
that fell upon his fathers herds, and, be-
ing envious of my strength and beauty, he
set it about that was cowardly at heart,
in that when went out to huntI slew
naught but jaclsals and gazclles. Now, this
was when had reached my seventeenth
year and was man grown.
1t CHANGED, therefore, that as l went sore
at heart from the presence OF the High
Priest, my father, l met this youth, who
called to me and Knocked me, bidding me
know the country people had told him that
a great lion was down among the rush
es by the banks of the canal which runs
past the Temple, lying at distance OF thir-
ty stadia from Abouthis. And, still mock
ing me, he asked me if l would come and
help him STAY this lion, or would go and sit
among the old women and bid them comb
my side lock. This bitter word so angered
me that was near to falling on him; but
In place thereof, forgetting my fathers say
ing, answered that If hewould come along
Iwould go with him and seek this lion, and
he should learn if were indeed coward
And at first he would not, for, as men know
1t is our custom to hunt tho lion in compa
MES; so it was my hour to mock Thereon
he went and fetched his bow and arrows
and sharp knife. And brought forth my
heavy spear, which had q shaft OF thorn
wood, and at the end thereof a pomegran
ate in silver, to hold the hand from slipping
and together, in silence, we went side b.
side to where the lion lay. When we came
to the place it was near shutdown, and there
upon the mud Of the canal bank, we fount
the lions slot, which ran into thick cluml
of reeds.
Snow, thou boaster," said, "wilt tho'
lead the way into yonder reeds, or shall II
And / made as though / would lead Gh
way.
'Nay, nay" he answered, "be not s.
mad! The brute will spring upon thea an
rend thee Secs / will shoot among tn
reeds Perchance, if he sleeps, il vi
arouse him. And he drew mis- DOW at
venture, ..,
Aud how it CHANGED I know not, but tn
arrow struck the sleeping lion, and, f',c
flash of light from the belly of n clod h
bounded rom the shelter of tho reeds, An
stood before us with br'istling mans and ye
low eyes, the arrow Quivering in his t.sol
He roared aloud in fury, and tho cart
shook
sShoot with the bow" l cried, s'shoG
swiftly ere he springw
But the courage had left the bres t of tn
boaster. His jaw dropped down and b