The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-01-30
CHAPTER ".
THE WELCOME OF PHoRENIcE.


The splendid city grew out of the
sea as we approached, and to every
throb of the oars the shores leaped
nearer. | saw the temple where had
beer admitted first Ia manhood; j saw
the pyramid in whose heart had been
initiated to the small mysteries; and
then (as the lesser objects became dis
cernible) / made out the house where
a father and n mother had reared me,
and my eyes became dim as the mem
cries rose.
1t 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 strntagem
paltry and beneath me. Phorenicc
also seemed of this same opinion. for
(as she herself told me later) at the
moment that Tob's galley was report
ed ns having it's flank against the mar
BILE 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 chiefcsi ornament; and
ms soon as she had mounted to her
steed, trumpets gave the order, and
the advance began.
Sitting In the doorway OF n pavilion
by the waters edge, ! saw the sOldiery
who formed the head of this vast CON
course emerge from the great broad
street where II left the houses. They
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 mcr-
chants, the tanners, the spear-makers
and all the other acknowledged guilds,
deliberately attired $50 IL seemed TO
mel that they might make pageant;
and while most walked on foot, there
were some who proudly rode on beasts
which they had tanned into rendering
them this menlal service.
but presently came the two wonders
of all that dazzling spectacle. From
out of the eclipse OF the houses there
than huge bull mammoth. The sight
had sufficient surprise In II almost to
make me start. Many a 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. had seen the huge brutes In
the wild ground. shaggy. horrid. mon
strous; more fierce even than the cave
tiger or the nlve-bear; most dangerous
beast of all that fight with man for
dominion OF the earth, save only for u
few of the greater lizards. And here
was this creature, a giant even among
mnmnoths, yet tame as any we'll
whipped slave, and bearing upon its
back great half-cas.'e of gold,
stamped with the outs;- .:hed bay d,
and bedecked with silver snakes. Its
murderous tusks were gilded, its hairy
neck was garlanded with flowers, and
II trod on In the procession as though
assisting at such pageantry was the
beginning and end Of Its existence.
Its tameness seemed ftting symbol
Of the nasterful strength of this new
ruler of Atlantis.
simultaneously with the mammoth
there came into sIgkt that other and
greater wonder, the mammoth's mis-
tress, the Esnpress Phorenice. TIE
beast took ny ere q TIE hrst, from
lie very unc0ath huGenesa. from its
show OF savsgs powss rsstssinedj but