Evening star., 1898-02-19

bones were Semitic in outline. while the
full. prominent eyes and thick sensuous
lips could with equal certainty be attribut-
ed To the negroid type. In fact. he was the
son of a native African queen, or chief
tainess, and a noble Phoenician, and his
rank was that of absolute king and heredi-
tary chief of vast and underlined terri
tory which hay around the trading cities of
the white men. whereof Zimboe was the
chief. This king. who was named lthooal.
Aziel noticed. seemed angry and i'll at ease.
whether because he was not satisfied with
the place which had been allotted to him
at table or for other reasons he could not
at the time determine.
When the meats had been removed and
the goblets filled with wine, men began to
talk. till presently Saxon called for silence,
ard. rising. addressed AZiel.
Prince he said, 'in the name of this
great. free city-for free 1t Is, though we
acknowledge the King of Tyre as our
suzerain--I give you welcome within its
gates Here. far in the heart of Libya
We have heard of Solomon. the glorious
and Use, your grandfather, and OF the
mighty Pharaoh of Egypt, whose blood
runs also within your veins Prince, we
are hOnOred in your coming. and for the
asking whatever this land of gold can
boast is yours. Long may you live May
the favor Of the gods you worship attend
YOU. and in the pursuit of wisdom, of
wealth, of war and OF love. may the good
grain Of all be garnered in your BOSOM
and the wind of prosperity winnow out
Prince. | have greeted you as it behooves
to greet the son of Solomon and
Pharaoh. Now / add a word. Now / greet
you as a father greets the man who has
saved his only and beloved daughter from
death or shameful bondage. Know YOU
friends what this stranger did since to-
nights moonrise2 My daughter was alone
yonder without the walls. and a savage
set ON her. purpoSing to bear her away
captive. Aye. and this he would have done
had not the prince here given him battle
and. after fierce fight. slain him.
No great deed broke in the King Tho
bal ito kill single savage
No great deed, you say king" answer
ed Saxon. 'Ho. guards. bring in the body
OF the man and set it before u.s."
There was a pause. till presently eight
men staggered up the hall bearing with
them the corpse of the savage, which they
threw down on the edge Of the dais still
covered with the leopard skin mantle
Behold. said one of the bearers. with
drawing the cloak from the huge body and
pointing To the sword which transfxed it
he added, and see what strength heaven
gives 10 the arms of princes"
Some OF the guests as were near enou,T,
rose 10 look at the grizzly sight then
turned to offer their congratulations to the
conqueror- But there was one of thern-
the King lthobal-who offered none: in
deed. as his eyes fell upon the face of
the corpse they grew alight with rage
What ails you. king? Are you Jealous
OF such blow" asked Saxon. watching
him curiouSly.
Speak no more of that thrust nr.,
you said Axiel. for ii was due TO the
weight OF the man rushing on the sword
hhlGh a1terward could not find the power
10 dlslodge from his breastbone"
Ihtn ! VIII do you that service, prince
Shecreu lthobal. and. setting his foot upon
'ne breast OF the corpse, with a Sudden
mort OF MS great strength he plucked ont
me sword and cast ii down upon the ia
bic before him e "a
Now, one might think" said Aziel flush
!HS Win anger. that YOU king who do a
courtesy. mean "a Challenge DouhtIess
however, II is | who do not understand the
manners of this country"
mink what you will. prince" answered
me entertain. but learn that he who lies
uead @ I.Sre' Al your hand. you say, was
sister" my 'ii''her
rs it so?'' replied AzieI Then Won arc
surely well rid of cousin who made If .,s
business to ravish maidens from their
AT these words IthobaI sprang from his
seat, laying hand upon his sword. but te-
iore he could speak or draw it, the gov
ernOr, Saxon, addressed him in a voice OF
command
that the prince here is my guest, as YOU
are II that dead man was your cousin,
at least he well deserved to die not by the
hand OF one of royal blood. but by that OF
the executioner. for he was the worst Of
thieves-a thief OF women Now, tell me
KING. how came your cousin here. so far
from home. since he was not numbered in
your retinuer"
Il know not, Saxon" answered Ithobal
and II knew / would not say You tell
me that ne was thief of women. which IN
Phoenician eyes must be a crime indeed
80 be 1T. but thief or no thief / say that
there Is blood feud between me ard the
'ba VINO slsW hims and were he Solomon