The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-21


possible that the Prince Aziel should
wed the daughter of Saxon
Yes. rogue, | know it, by causing
her to be consecrated Baaltis and thus
building 4 barrier which even ] shall
find il hard to climb, since she will
scarcely choose me of her own VIII,
and TO offer violence to the Baaltis is
a sacrilege from which any man may
shrink, for the curse of heaven follows
it. Know that for this deed I am
minded to settle my account with you
in q fashion you have not thought of.
Have you heard, Pnoenician, that the
chiefs of certain Of my tribes love to
decorate their spear hats with the hide
of white men, and to bray their flesh
into medicine, which gives courage to
the eater?' and he looked toward the
door Of the tent as though he were
about to call the guard.
Now Metem's blood ran cold, for he
knew that this royal savage was not
one who uttered Idle threats. but the
GOODNESS and cunning which had so
often served him well did not fail him.
i save heard that your people have
strange customs" ne answered with q
laugh, but / think that even a spear
shaft would scarcely gain beauty from
my wrinkled hide, and if anything, the
eating of my flesh would make trades
h1-A4 III " VI yOQI
Well. let the jest pass. and listen, king.
IN all my schemings one thought never
crossed M mind, namely. that you
were man to suffer scruples to stand
between you and the woman you would
win. You think that now she is a
goddess, Wen, if that be so-and it is
not for me TO say-who could be filter
mate Cor the greatest king upon the
earth than a goddess from the heav-
20 Ia he inc fll- har-
and this / viii promise you: That when
your armies are encamped without the
walls, the priests OF FL viii absolve
you of the crime of aspiring to the fair
lips of Baaltis.''
THE lips of Baaltis," broke in Tho
bal; think you l shall find them sweet
when another man has rified them?
There are secret chambers yOnder in
the palace of the gods, and doubtless
the Jew will find his way there"
Nay. king, for between these two 1
have built a wall which he cannot
climb; the wOrshiper of the Lord of
Israel may not traffic with the high
priestess of Ashtoreth; moreover, 1
shall bring it about that ere long his
face is set seaward.
DO that and l will believe you, mer
chant, though it would be better if you
could bring il about that his face was
this time l spare you, though be sure
that if aught miscarry you shall pay
the price, how, l have told you. Now
1 go to have speech with the traders of
Zimboe. Why do you wait? You are
dismissed and alive"
Metem looked steadily at the tablets
which he still held in his hand.
4 have heard" he said humbly, that
the King Ithobal, the great king, al
l. AL. - Ar
leaving Zimboe shortly under his safe
conduct, desire to close this small ac-
count"
Ithobal went to the door of his tent
and commanded that his treasurer
should attend him, bringing money.
Presently he came, and at his bidding,
weighed out loo ounces of gold
You are right, Phoenician," he said,
Il always pay my debts, sometimes in
gold, and sometimes in iron. Be care
full that l owe you no more, lest you
who today are paid in gold, tomorrow
may receive the iron weighted out in
the fashion of which I have spoken.
Now, beSone."
Metem gathered up his 100 ounces of
treasure and, hiding them in his robe,
bowed himself from the royal presence
and out OF the thorn-hedged camp.
Without doubt 1 have been in dan
ger" he said to himself, wiDing his
brow. since at one time that black
brute, disregarding the sanctity of an
envoy, had it in his mind to torture and
to kill me. So. so. King IthObal, Metem
the Phoenician is also an honest mer-
chant who always pays his debts, as
you may learn in the market places OF
Jerusalem, of Sidon, and of Zimboe. and
1 owe you a heavy one for the fright
you have given me today. Little of
Elissa's company shall you have if
can help it; she is too good for a mere
savage and if before l go from these
barbarian lands l can set drop of
medicine in your wine. or an arrow in
your gizzard, upon the word of Metem
the Phoenician, it shall be done, King
Ithoba!."
(To Be Continued Next Monday.)