The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-21

years of age. The magnificence of his
apparel and the great gold chain set
with rough diamonds which hung about
his neck showing him to be a person
of Importance. His tawny complexion
suggested that he was of mixed race,
a conclusion which his features did
not belle, for his brow, nose, and cheek
bones were Semitic in outline, while
the full, prominent eyes and thick,
sensuous lips could with equal certainty
be attributed to the negrOid type. In
fact, he was the son of a native Afri-
Can queen, or chieftainess, and a noble
Phoenician, and his rank was that of
absolute king and hereditary chief of
q vast and underlined Territory which
lay around the trading cities of the
white men, whereof Zimboe was the
chief. This king. who was named Tho
bal, AZiel noticed, seemed angry and i'll
at ease. whether because he was not
satisfied with the place which fad been
allotted to him at table. or Tor other
reasons he could not at the time deter
mine.
When the meats had been removed
and the goblets filed with wine men
began to talk. till presently Saxon
called for silence, and rising, addressed
Aziel
Prince" ne said, lin the name of
This great free city-for free it is,
though we acknowledge the King of
Tyre as our suZerain-I give you well
come within its gates. Here. fer in
the heart of Liberia, we have heard of
Solomon. the glorious. the wise. your
grandfather, and of the mighty Pha-
raoh of Egypt, whose blood runs also
within your veins Prince, we are hon
ored in your coming. and for the ask
ing 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 wis
dom, of wealth. of war. and of love.
may the good grain Of all be garnered
in your bosom. and the wind of pros
perity winnow out the chaff of them be-
meath y91r feet. Prince, 1 have greet
ed YOU as it behoOVes me to greet the
son OF Solomon and Pharaoh. Now l
add a word. New I greet you as the
father greets 4 man who has saved his
onlF and beloved daughter from death
or shameful bondage. Know you,
friends what this stranger did since
tonieht's moonrise? My daughter was
alone yonder without the walls, and
savage set on her. purposing 10 beat
her away captive. Aye, and this he
would have done had not the Prince
here given him battle and, after fierce
fight slain MIN"
No great deed" broke in the King
Ithobai. ito Kill a single savage"
NO great deed you say. King" an
swered Saxon "Ho. guards. bring in
the body of the man and set il before
us"
There was a pause. till presently
eight men staggered up The hall bear
ing 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,
withdrawing the cloak from the huge
body and pointing TO the sword w5ich
transfixed it, he added. and see what
strength heaven gives to the arms OF
Princes"
Some OF the guests as were near
enough rose to look at the grizzly sight,
then turned to offer their congratula-
tons to the conqueror But there was
one of thenl-the King Ithcbal-who Of
fered none; indeed. 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 cGriously..
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 ! could not
find the power to dislodge from his
breastbone.'
Then l viii do you that service.
Prince" saeered Ithobal. and, setting
his foot upon the breast of the corpse.
with a sudden effort of his great
strength he Dlucked out the sword and
cast it down upon the table before him.
Now one might think said Aziel,
flushing with anger. that you, king,
who do a courtesy, mean a challenge.