Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-12
CHAPTER L.

The sun that shone upon day that was
gathered to the past some 5000 years ago
was setting in full glory over the expanses
of southeastern Africa, the Libya of the
ancients. and its last burning rays fell upon
a cAvalcade of weary men, who. together
with long strings of cAmels, asses and oxen
after much toll. had struggled to the crest
of a line of stony hills, where they halted
to recover breath Before them lay a
plain clothed with sere yellow grass for
the season was winter-bounded by noun
tains of no great height upon whose slopes
stood the city which they had travelled far
TO seek. 1t was the ancient city Zimboe
whereof the lonely ruins are known to us
moderns Zimbabwe.
AL the sight of its fat-roofed houses
dominated by huge circular building of
Ozark stone set upon the side of the oppos-
ing MIL the caravan raised great shout
OF joy They shouted in several tongues. in
the tongues of Phoenicia, of Egypt. of the
Hebrews of Arabia and of the coasts of
AFRICA, for all these people We're Represent
cd among its numbers. Well might they
cry out in their delight, seeing that at
I5nsth: aItsr eiSht months of perilous trav-
eIifS from The coast, they beheld the walls
OF their city of rest, of the golden Ophir off
the Bible Their company had started from
the eastern port numbering LOO men he
sIueS women and children. and of these not
more than half We're left alive Once a
savage tribe had ambushed them. killing
many once the pestilentiai fever of the
ioW!dnds mad taken them so that they had
oIsI OF II by scores. and twice they had
suffered heavily through hunger and thirst
10 say nothing of their losses by the fanes
oi hons. crocodiles and other wild beasts
with which the country swarmed. Nov
tIer toAs were over. and for six months
or perhaps year. they might rest in the
great city, enjoying its wealth its nesh
pots and the unholy orgies which among
people of the Phoenician race were djgni
hed by the name of the worship of the gods
Soon the clamor died away and al
though no command was given, the cara
van started on at speed All WEAKNESS
Iaued from their faces even the very camels
ana asses. worn, as most of them were to
mere skeletons. seemed to Understand tba :
labor and blows were done with. and. for
gettlns their loads. shambled unurped down
tne stony path One man fingered. how
ever Clearly he was a person of rank for
eight or ten attendants surrounded him
70, ne said. Il Will follow presently
And they bowed to the earth and went
Inc man was young. five or sig and
" ehty years Of age, perhaps. and his da RI
skin, burnt almost to blackness hy III
neat OF the sun. together with the fashion
Oh MS short. square-cut beard and of his
garments proclaimed him of Jewish or
- pia I clood. while the gold collar about
ms hand showed that his rank was high
InHeed, this wanderer was none other thar
the Prince Aziel. nicknamed the Everlivine
$3.50 oi curious mole upon his shoulder
nedrlhs resemblance to the crux ansata
Ine symbol of life eternal among tho
Egyptians By birth he was a prsndson
OF solomon. the mighty King of Israel
born OF a royal mother a nrincass 90
Egypt. In stature he was tall bnt Sonai
what SHINY made, having small homes
Iace was oval in shape, the features
pe.he me and sensitive. especially the
mouth; the eyes were large dark and full
or thought. the eyes CT a man with q d.
uhy. FOR the most part indeed they
We're somber and overfuil of Thought I'M,
fire. ' ''iahSe
Azlei. the prince. placed his hand against
his forehead in such fashion as to shade
ms eyes from the rays of the setting SIM
am from beneath its shadow gazed long
ara earnestly at the city of the hill.
Al length / behold thee thanks he tn
Goo. he murmured. for he was wor-
shiper OF Jehovah. and not of his mothers
a .' and 1t is time. for. to speak the
truth am weary of this travelling Now
what fortune shall find within thy walls
on; Iity OF Gold and devil-deserved?
w no can teil?' said quiet voic, at his
eiDow- Perhaps, prince, you will find q
W'Ie or a throne. ora grave"
Aziel started, and turned round to 500 a
man standing at his side. clothed in robes
that had been rich. but vera now torn and
cap In shape not unlike the fez thai is
common IN the east today. The man was on
mlddie age, having grizzled beard Sham
hard features. and quick eyes, which with.
al were not unkindly. He was A Pboeni-
clan merchant of Siion. much trusted Inv
Hiram. the King OF Tyre, who had made
him captain of the merchandise of thia
expedition. 'A
All, Is 1t you. Metem?" said Aziel. 'Whv
DO you leave your charge to return to me %
That L may guard a more precious
charge-yourself. prince" replied the mer.
chant, courteously. Having brought tn,
son OF Solomon 50 far in safety I desire
to hand him safely to the governor of Won.
der city Your servants told me that by
your command they had left you alone
so L returned to bear you company, fol
after nightfall robbers and savages wan.
der without the walls"
Il thank you for your care Metem
though 1 think there is little danger anG
at the worst / can defend myself"
DO not thank me. prince: am a mer
chant. and now, as in the past I protect
you. knowing that shall be paid for it
The governor will give me a great reward
when I lead you to him safely and when