Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-12-25
CHAPTER ~.

THE WELCOME OF PHOREEICE.
The splendid city grew out of the
sea as we approached, and to every
throb of the oars the shores leaped
nearer. I saw the temple where I had
been admitted first to manhood; I saw
the pyramid in whose heart I had been
initiated to the small mysteries; and
then (as the lesser objects became dis
cernible) I made out the house where
a father and a mother had reared me,
and nv eyes became dim as the mem
cries rose.
It has been said that the great should
always collect dignity by keeping
those of lesser degree waiting their
pleasure, though for myself must say
have always thought the stratagem
paltry and beneath me. Phorenice
also seemed of this same opinion, for
las she herself told me later) at the
moment that Tob's galley was report
ed as having its flank against the mar
bic Of the royal quay, at that precise
moment did she start out from the pal
ace. The gorgeous procession was al
ready marshalled, bedecked and wait
ing only for it's chiefest ornament; and
as soon as she had mounted to her
steed, trumpets gave the order, and
the advance began.
Sitting in the doorway of a pavilion
by the waters edge, saw the soldiery
who formed the head of this vast con-
course emerge from the great broad
win - 1of
marched straight across to give me the
salute, and then ranged themselves on
the further side of the square. Then
came to the Mariners Guild. then more
soldiers, all making obeisance in their
turn, and passing on to make room for
others. Following were the mer-
chants, the tanners, the spear-makers
and all the other acknowledged guilds,
deliberately attired $50 it seemed to
meg that they might make a pageant;
and while most walked on foot, there
were some who proudly rode on beasts
which they had tanned into rendering
them this mental service.
But presently came the two wonders
of all that dazzling spectacle. From
out of the eclipse of the houses there
swung into the open no less a beast
than a huge bull mammoth. The sight
had sufficient surprise in it almost to
make me start. Many time during
my life had led hunts to kill the NAM
moth, when herd of them had raided
some village or corn land under my
charge. I had seen the huge brutes in
the wild ground, shaggy, horrid, mon
strous; more fierce even than the cave
tiger or the oave-bear; most dangerous
beast of all that fight with man for
dominion of the earth, save only for a
few Of the greater lizards. And here
was this creature, a giant even among
mammoths, yet tame as any we'll
whipped slave, and bearing upon it's
back a great half-cas.'e of gold,
stamped with the outs:ce.ched hand,
and bedecked with silver snakes. It's
murderous tusks were gilded, it's hairy
neck was garlanded with flowers, and
it trod on in the procession as though
assisting at such pageantry was the
beginning and end of it's existence.
Il Its tameness seemed a fitting symbol
of the masterful strength Of this new
ruler Of Atlantis. ...qt.
simultaneously with the mammoth
there came into sight that other and
greater wonder, the mammoth's mis-
tress, the Empress Phorenice. The
beast took my eye at the first, from
its very ,1ncouth hugeness, from its
show Of savage power restrained; but