Evening star., 1898-03-26
CHAPTER N-Contipued,


upon the plain outside his camp. But still
he did not come; indeed. it was not until
Saxon had dispatched another messenger,
So yipg that he was about to return to the
city. that at length Ithobal appeared az
the head of a bodyguarG of black troops.
Arranging these in line in front of the
camp, he came forward, attended by
twelve or fourteen councillors and gen
erals, all of them unarmed. and halted
Ealf way between his own line and that
of the Phoenicians. but out of bowshot of
either.
Thereon Saxon, accompanied by sim
liar Eumber CT priests and mobiles, among
whom were Aziel and AIeten. all of them
also unarmed, except for the knives in
tEeir girdIes. marched out to meet hiEn
leaving their escort drawn up upon the
Hillside.
Let to business. king" said Saxon
when the formal words of salutation had
passed. for we have waited long upon
your pleasure, and already troops move
out from the city TO learn what has be-
fallen us
DO they, thea, fear that 1 should am
bush ambaSSadOrS?' asked lthobal hotiy.
And for the rest, is il not right that
servants should bide at the door of their
king iii it is his peasure@to open it?"
Il know not what they fear answered
Saxon, but at least We fear nothing for
are too many and he glanced at his
escort, thousand strong, upon the hill
sile. Nor are the citizens of Zimboe the
servants of any man unless he be the
King OF Tyre
That We shall put to proof, SAXON"
said lthoba1; but. say. what does the Jew
with you? and he pointed to AZiel. rs
h also an envoy from Zinlboe?''
Nay. king, answered the prince,
-f.Ilf my gyrl H-ir
isiael. charged me always 10 take note of
the ways OF saVaSes in peace and war;
that l might learn how to deal with them,
ard therefore / sought leave to accom-
p"ny Saxon upon this embassy"
Peace, peace brok= in SAXON This
is no time for gibes. King Ithobal, since
you did not dare to venture within the
walls OF our city, We have come to an
swer the demands you made upon us in
the Hall of Audience. You demanded that
our fortiticatiOns should be thrown down,
and this we refuse, since we do not court
de destruction You demanded that we
should cease to enslave men to labor in
the mines. and to this we answer that
for every man We take will pay tax
10 his lawful chief, or to you as king You
demanded that the ancient tribute should
be doubled. and to this, out of love and
friendship, and not from fear, we assent,
If you will enter into a bond of lasting
peace. since 1t is peace that We seek and
not war King, you have our answer
Net all OF it. Saxon. How of the chief
condition that Lady ELISA. the fair, your
dsughter, should be given me to wife,"
King. it cannot be. for the gods of heav-
Ell have taken this matter from our hands
amounting the Lady Elissa their high priest
eSS''
Then. as / live" answered IthobaI. with
fury, Il will take her from the hands of
the gods and anoint her my dancing wo-
nan. Do you think TO make a mock of me,
you people of Zimboe, whom i have hon
Cr1HI by desiring of lal1phtars in,
marriage? You would trick me with your
priests juggling that you may keep her to
be the toy of yonder princeIing. So be it,
but / tell you that l will tear your CITY
stone from stonesand anoint its ruins with
your blood: yes. your young men shall la
Dor in the mines for me, and your high
born maiden shall wait upon my queens
Listen. you'-and he turned to his generals
let the messengers who are ready start
east and west, and north and south, to the
Chiefs whose names you have, bidding them
to meet me with their tribesmen, at the
time and place appointed. When next I
speak with you. elders of Zinboe, 1t shall
be at the head of hundred thousand war
riors''
Then. king. on your hands be all the in
nocent hVeS that these words of yours have
doomed, and may the weight of their vast
ed blood press you down to ruin and
death. answered Saxon. proudly. but with
pale lips. for something of the fear they
felt for the issue of this war was written
on the faces of all his company, do what
they would to hide it.
Ithobal turned upon his heel, deigning no
reply. but as he went he whispered a word
into the ear of two of his captains, great
men of war. who stayed behind the rest of
his party searching for something upon the
ground Saxon and his councillors also
turned. walking toward their escort, but
AZiei liEgered little, fearing no danger
and being curious to learn what the men
sought.
What do you seek. captains?" he asked
CourteouSy.
"a gold armlet that one Of us has lost"
they answered.
Aziel let his eyes wander On the ground
and not far away perceived the armlet half
hidden In tussock of grass. where. in
deed. IL had been placed.
rs this the ringg" he asked, lifting ii
and holding it toward them.
1T is. and We thank YOU" they answer
ed. advancing to take it.
The next moment. before he had even
guessed their purpose. they had gripped
him by either arm and were dragging him
at full speed toward the camp. Under
standing their treachery and the greatness
Of his danger. he cried aloud for help. and.
throwing himself swiftly to the ground
set his feet against 4 stone that chanced
10 lie in their path in such fashion that
the sudden weight tore his right arm from
the grip of the man that held it. Now
quick us thought, he drew the dagger from
his girdle and. still lying on his back
plunged it into the shoulder of the second
II.
Then he sprang to his feet. and, leaping 10
one side to escape the rush OF his captors
ran like a deer toward the party of Saxon.
who had turned at the sound of his cry
Ithohal and his men had also turned and
sped toward them, but at a little distance
they halted. the king shouting aloud:
II desire to hold this foreigner who is
the cause of war between us. hostage for
Your daughters sake, Saxon. but this time
he has escaped me. Well, il matters not,
for soon my turn will come, and, there
fore II you and he are wise, you will send
him back 10 the sea. for thither alone I
promise him safe conduct" and without
more words he walked to his camp the
gates OF which were closed behind him
Prince Aziel." said Saxon, as they went
toward the city, - II is ill to speak suci,
words to an honored guest, but 1t cannot
be denied that you bring much trouble OH
my head Twice now you have nearly
pertshed at the hands of Ithobal and
should that chance doubtless / must earn
the wrath of Solomon. On your behalf
also. the city of Zimboe is this day plung-
ed into a war that we'll may be her last
since IL IL because you have grown dear TO
her that my daughter refused the suit of
lthobal, and because of his outraged pride
at this refusal that he has stirred up th..
pations against US. Prince. while you re-
main in this city there is no hope of peace
Do not, therefore. hate me, your servant
II pray of you to leave US while there is