The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-20

The Doom of Zimbabwe.
me- n. RIDER HAGGARD.
copyright, 1898, BY H. Rider H'''''d''
III.

r-o hours had gone ny anu u 1900
Nor with his rctinue, the ohcers OF inc
pse ~ and many other guests were seated at
al feast made in their honor oy saxon, 'no
t..rror Of the city. The teast was heio N
". largo pillarcd hall OF saxon mousse when
:. hn,It beneath the northern wall oi tno
..-r,o and not moro than IA row PAGES rom its
~ entrance, through "hich' IN case OIL
-, the inhabitants of tho palace coulo ny
- safety. All down the nan were Pi"ceu
NJ ,.horo, sat more than 900 feasters, but
a.. nr,ncipal guests were seated py themselves
INC Nod NJ the hall upon n raised dais.
Among them were saxon himsen' u miuaio'
Amv = stout in build and thoughtful in
80 his daughter ELISA, some 'other NOBLE
Nv. ord n score or wore OF the notables OF
an, city and Its surrounding torri'orios' oho
wv s... strangers Immediately attracted the
ot v ~ .ziel. who was in the place Of honor
,so right Of Saxon. between him and the
pu.so This man was OF large stature
~, .hout 40 years Of age. The magnificence
anu .nr,rc, and the great gold chain set
~ rousb diamonds which hung about his
Wv 'sosing him to be a person of Importance.
nv 49, comnlexion suggested that he was Of
ia r,ce n conclusion which his features did
~. lii for his brow, nose. and cheekbones
.. semitic in outline, while the full, promi-
"', cves and thick, sensuous lips could with
80, certainty he attributed TO the negroid
- In TACT, he was the son Of a native
sss,,n oueen, or chicftainess. and a noble
e.ar,c,an. and his rank was that of absolute
niu, and hereditary chief of n vast and unde-
s,.d territory which lay around the trading
IT.. q, .bc white men. whereof Iimboe was
IN. chief. This King, who was named lthobal,
A., noticed. seemed angry and Ill at ease,
-ho,ber because he was not satisfied with
.o nloce which had been allotted to him at
t.h,s or for other reasons he could not at the
time determine.
~wben tho meats had been removed and the
s,h,ets filled with wine men began to talk, till
,ro,ently SAXON called for silence, and rising,
addressed Aziel.
.pince." he said. Sin the name of this great,
hce city-for free 1t is. though wo'acknowledge
IN. King of Tyre as our suzcrain-I give you
velcome within its gates. Here. far in tho
heart Of Libya. we'have heard of Solomon, the
glorious and wise, your grandfather. and of tho
mighty Pharaoh OF Egypt, whose blood runs
Also within your veins. Prince, we are hon.
ored in your coming. and for the asking what
ever 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 wis
dom. OF wealth, OF war, and Of love. may the
rood grain Of all be garnered in your bosom,
and the wind OF prosperity winnow out the
chat OF them beneath your-feet. Prince, 1
have greeted you as II behooves me to greet the
eon OF Solomon and Pharoah. Now l add a
word. Now I 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.night's moonrisel My daughter was
alone yonder without the walls. and q savage
set on her. p~urposing to bear her away captive.
Aye, and this he would have done, had mot the
Prince here 'given.him battle and. after q fierce
fight, slain him."
mo great deed, broke in the King Ithobal,
TO kill q single savage"
mo great deed you say, King" answered
Saxon. "Ho, guards, bring in the body of the
man and set'it before u.s."
There was q pause. till presently eight men
staggered UP the hall bearing with them the
co'Dse of the savagen:which they threw down on
the edge Of the dais. still covered with the leop.
ard skin mantle.
Behold" said one Of the bearers, withdraw
ING the cloak from the huge,body and pointing
to the sword which transfxed it. he added,
and see what strength heaven gives to the
arms Of Princes"
some OF the guests as were near enough rose
10 look at the grizzly sight then turned to 'offcr
Their congratulations to the conqucror. But
there was one OF. them-the King Ithobal-who
offered none; indeed, as his eyes fell upon the
lace OF the corpse they grew alight with rage.
What ais you, Kingl Are you jealous of
such a blowl" asked Sakon,watching him curl.
ous.y.
speak no more OF that thrust, I pray you,"
said Aziel. "for it was due to the weight of the
man rushing on the sword, which afterward 1
could not lind the.power to dislodge from his
breastbone."
linen l will do1you that service, Prince"
sneered lthobal. and, setting his foot upon the
breast OF the corpse, with a sudden effort of his
great strength he piuckcd out tho sword and
cast II Town upon the table before him.
NOW one might think said Aziel, flushing
win anger, that you. King, who do a courtesy.
mean a challenge. Doubtless, however, It is
"no 10 not understand the manners of this
country -"
Think what you will, Prince" answered
VI entertain but learn.that he who lies dead
.n're' At your hand you say, was none. other
nah the son OF my mothers sister,"
IS SOY replied Azicl, then you are surely
wei. ta OF q cousin who made it his business to
faIish maidens from their homes"
a ' these words Ithobal sprang from his seat.
I SnsaE nand upon his sword, but before he could
hPUah VI uraw II, the Governor, Saxon, addressad
A' ap IN a voice Of command.
the p %I : hinE,' he said, "and remember that
Ia, ddn am mere Is my.guest, as Won arc II
dessr yed" man was your cousin, at least he well
Sinee55'ou 70 die. not by the hand M one osroyai
WSS out by that of the executioner FOR be
Now tai morst or thievcs-a thief of women.
40 Ia " inc; King. how came your cousin here |
Your re a, III nome, since he was not numbered in
n KNOW nH not, Saxon. = answered Ithobal. ..and
was n tthiiotw YOU'D not say. You tell me that he |
ewes n M uniet OF women, which in PhnniGan
feud he, xo lhici, ] say that there is a blood
and Wenmeen me and the man who slew him
prince Sere ne solomon himself. Instead nf n
the dceS VI nis line, he should pay bitterly for
ior u Ifeu. Tomorrow, SAXON, T Win 500 nay, ~
To snaa isave for my own land for I bsvc U ,ynrS n
Inc PSSa a 70 you, Till then, farewell nd ria'
guard. '""'e down the hall. followed by his
the stpn nsp@rturc Of King Ithobal in anger was
why ia Ib me breaking up OF the:feast.
mel' asked ahnht, half-hred chief so angry with
followed Sat nMe, IN a low voice Of Elisa as til sy
me anu he set his dead cousin IN Lid,an
looking St Ea thwartcd him." She answered
kon turned no reply, for at that moment ga. |
anxious. 'Peah 10 MN. and his face was
Inc b crave your pardon. Prince " ho so,d d,ou
such insmlia thhl You should have met with
other man h. at my board. Had il been any