Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-19

lthobai, Savagely, "the tormentor and the
hea6sman alone could satisfy all my deb
| to you. Say, merchant, what return have
you made to me for that camel load oil
| gold you bore hence some few days gomez"
The best of all returns, king" answer
ed Metem cheerfnlly, although in truth he
| began to feel afraid, II have kept nv word
| and fulfilled the command of the king
have made it impossible that the Prince
Aziel should wed the daughter of Saxon"
Yes, rogue, know it, by causing her to
be consecrated Raaltis and thus building a
barrier which even shall find 1t too hard
to climb, since she will scarcely choose me
OF her own will, and to offer violence to the
Baaltis Is a sacrifice from which any man
may shrink. for the curse of heaven fol-
lows 1t. Know, that for this deed 1 am
minded to settle my account with YOU in
fashion you have not thought of. Have
you heard. Phoenician. that the chiefs of
| certain of my tribes love to decorate their
spear shafts 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
ana cunning which had SO often served
him well did not fail him.
Il nave heard that your people have
strange CUSTOMS he answered with a
laugh. but 1 think that even a spear
smart would scarcely gain beauty from my
X,
! of my flesh would make tradesmen and not
warriors of your chiefs Well, let the lest
| pass and listen, king. In all my SCREENINGS
one thought never crossed my mind. nanle-
ly, that you were a man to suffer scrupIes
to stand between you and the woman YOU
would win. You think that now she is a
goddess! Well if that be so-and it is not
for me to say-who could be a filter mate
for the greatest king upon the earth than
a goddess from the heavens? Take her.
King lthobal. take her, and this l will
promise you: That when your armies are
encamped without the walls the priests of
El will absolve you of the crime of aspir-
ing to the fair lips of Baaltis"
The lips of Baaltis,'' broke in Ithobal.
ihink you that shall find them sweet
when another man has rified them? There
are secret chambers yonder in the palace
OF the gods, and doubtless the lew will
md his way there"
Nay, king, for between these two I
have built a wall which he cannot Climb.
the worshiper of the Lord Of Israel may
not traffic with the high priestess of Ash
tofeth; moreover, ! shall bring 1t about
that ere long his face is set seward
DO that and l will believe you, mer-
chant, though 1t would be better if Won
could bring 1t about that his face were set
earthward, as will If l can. Well. this
time spare you, though be sure that if
aught miscarry you shall pay the price
how ! have told you. Now / go to have
speech with these 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
IT have heard" he said humbly. "that
the King 1thobal, the great king. always
pays his debts. and as shall be leaving
Zimboe shortly under his safe conduct. I
desire to close this small account"
commanded that his treasurer should at
tend him. bringing money Presently he
came, and at his bidding weighed out one
hundred ounces OF gold
Ut