The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-07
CAPTAIN BEHAJAH
by J. II. Mills.
CHAPTER VII.

Captain Benajah ordered two Chere-
thtes to follow him. one with his
spear and the other with his horse.
while he, on foot and carrying only a
! staff, advanced between the lines for
/ a parley. The Duke of Carnok, sat
! on his horse and sent forward a hide
/ Gus Egyptian giant whom he had
hired.
! The Egyptian was seven feet high
! showed enormous tusks and carried
an immense spear. The Duke and the
old sheill followed in his rear. The
] Egyptian paid no attention to Captain
/ Benajah's call for a parley. But as
soon as he felt himself at suitable dis
lance, he threw his spear at Captain
Benaiah, who lodged and allowed the
heavy spear to bury it's head in the
! sand. Quick as thought the Chereth-
lite drew it out and put it in the
: hand of his Captain. The Egyptian
hardly knew that he had missed his
aim before his own spear was flying
! through the air and through his own
enormous neck. He threw his arms
wildly about and fell forward on the
sand. Captain Benajah was now
aroused and hurled his own spear at
the breast of the Duke; but the Duke
wore a breast-plate and the spear in
stead of penetrating it, knocked the
Duke from his horse. The old sheik
promptly dismounted to help his
friend; but the Cherethites were ready
and the Duke and the sheill were
quickly tied, and Captain Benajah
gave the signal for general charge.
but the unframed hirelings of the
Duke could not stand the onset One
Cherethite was slightly injured. Ten
of the Dukes soldiers were seriously
wounded, forty surrendered and the
remainder scattered over the plain.
Captain Benajah ordered his trum-
peter 10 call in the Cherethites and
said to the Duke: you deserve to die
for your treachery in putting forward
the Egyptian to kill me, but / never
fight prisoner, and if the girls
are restored and have not been insUlted
or mistreated, you may go back to
Your heather home and habits" The
guards brought forward the girls who
declared that they had been treated
with respect and kindness.
The Duke was released and with
his companions returned to his yacht
the Nile to his home.
Heber offered two gentle camels to
carry the girls to Jerusalem, and Cap
tain Benaiah and his Cherethites dined
that day with the Governor of GAIA
which belonged to Israel. The battle
was over and the day was given to
rest and refreshment. Oranges, fig
cakes. pomegranates, fresh fish, and
honey, cheese, beef soup favored with
leeks and mustard, the eggs of quails
floating in rich gravy, sweet cakes
and goats milk, apples, raisins, and
fresh grapes delighted the weary
Cherethites. When the sun was one
hour high, the Cherethites were in
line and the entire party started from
GAIA to Jerusalem. They stopped a
gain for rest and refreshment at the
Jawbone Spring which Samson had
made famous. On the journey, Heber
told Susiana of the presents he had
brought her and that her parents had
consented to their marriage, and that
for convenience she could reside in
Jerusalem and whenever she pleased
might accompany him Damascus
and to the valley of the EuphrateS
Captain Benajah spent most of his
time with Judith; but he had a pair
full duty to perform. Since she had
left Jerusalem, her aged grand moth
er, Bathsheba, had died and been
buried and had willed her home to
Judith. Now Judith loved her
grandmother, and felt unspeakable
desolation, especially as both her par
ents were already dead, but Captain
Benajah was forty years old and knew
how TO comfort her. In due time the
whole party arrived in Jerusalem,
Judith carried. Susiana to her own
home and Captain Benajah reported
to King Solomon. The King was de-
lighted with the report and appointed
sunset Of the third day as the time for
the double marriage. He also sent for
Susiana's father, Mical, and her moth
er, Rachel, to be present. King Solo
mon had spent thirteen years in build
ing his place, and his reception hall
and his dining hall were very large.
At the time appointed, the court,
the friends of the two couples and
many friendly visitors were present.
King Solomon descended from his
splendid throne, took Susiana by the
hand, kissed her, led her to Heber
and said: "Heber, here is your wife;
be kind, faithful and happy. During
her life do not commit the folly of
marrying another. May you be as
happy as Isaac and Rebekak." The
King then returned, took Judith by
the hand and led her to Captain Bena-
iah and said: Captain Benajah, here
is your wife, she is the daughter of
my deceased sister and I feel faith
er's affection for her; be faithful to
her as you have always been to me,
and having only one wife, you will be
able to train your children in righte
BUSINESS" Then Zadok said: so
Lord, God of Israel, Let thy good hand
rest upon these thy servants and help
them to love thee, to love each other
and to bless the human family"
And King Solomon responded, $50
mote it be-"