Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-09-13

island. though he was dark beside the
Greeks.
II have come here. sent by the sil;e-
liots who are within the town.. he an-
nounced. ito bring you In by a secret
way which only We know or"
"Why?" the Spartan asked dlstrust-
fully.
Because we hate the Phoenlclans
for their crueltles. and we believe the
Greeks will treat us merclfully."
"You are spy" said Phalaris.
frowning.
The Sikeliot shook his head earnest
ly.
IL know what has become OF the
young boy whom you sent herald to
enquire for" he declared.
The commanders eyes caught fire.
Speak" he cried eagerly. III you
can restore that boy to me unhurt. |
will give You your freedom and a tai
ent OF silver"
HE was found yesterday at noon. In
the grove OF Astarte. by the high
priest Barnel. And tonight they will,
offer him In sacrifice to the Melek."
One hour after Merix. the SiSeliot,
had stolen Into the camp Of the Greeks
the whole army OF the besiegers was
walking In single file. its weapons
bound round with grass to prevent any
jlngling OF steel on bronze. along
narrow sunken path that ended In
clay.pit Just without the CITY wall.
II was the night OF the new moon.
and the Goddess of the Canaanites
seemed to have stolen forth to listen
to the vows OF her adorers. From the
heart OF the besieged city arose the
wild chant OF the oon-worshipers as
they swarmed towards the temple OF
the Moons husband. the Melek. who
ateShis children.
The votaries OF Baal thronged the
outer court OF the temple, and flowed
through into cavernous hall. lighted
by a single torch. All at once dull
red glow struggled through the copper
shell OF a huge bull-headed idol, en-
.hroned at the upper end, causing the
Melek to stand out before his worship
ers like an image OF blood.
The fearful bowling which was part
NJ the ritual OF the God, burst forth
from a thousand threats, and woke the
Greek boy who lay asleep in the
priests quarter, behind the shrine.
As Lusias sat IN and rubbed his
eyes. the high-priest "nme into his
chamber and offered him a cup filled
with some warm brew which gave
forth sickly. intoxicating scent.
Lusias dared not refuse to drink.
When he had swallowed It his senses
became clouded: the marble floor rock
ed under his feet, and the marble
walls wavered round him like curtains
In draught OF air.
Barnel took him by the hand. and
placed an arm round his shoulders to
steady him, as he drew him gently out
Of the cell. They passed two sweating
temple slaves. who were flowing with
bellows at the furnace whose flames
passed up flue into the body Of the
Idol, Illuminating 1t. A bronze graf
Ing allowed the fame to ascend freely
while preventing the victim from fall
ing down into the Goals.
Too dizzy and confused to tell what
he was doing. Lusias was brought 10
the foot OF a flight OF steps between
the knees OF the idol. which led IN to
4 small platform in front Of itS belly
II was at this moment that Phalaris,
he Spartan, saw the moon-crescent
Glitter overhead, as he stood upright
within the city wall on the bottom Of
ow tunnel, and grasped at a wooden
adder let down from above.
Like a pro ession Of ants hi earth
stained soldiers res OH. Of the ground.
finding themselves In weed-g -ow1
garden over which few huts and
,igsties struggled In all the disorder OF
yretchedness and savagery.
The solemn pillars OF the temple
'ront showed pale in the dim moon
| light. A rush through the court, few
.ries followed by thrusts and stabs,
md the flushed Hellenes burst in upon
the Canaanites at their worship.
The vision that met the straining
eyes OF Phalaris, the Spartan, was a
boy In a white tunic and red vest,
barefooted, with flowers in his hair,
standing aloft like cameo cut against
the blood-red shape OF the colossal
Baal, whose belly gaped suddenly In a
hell of spouting flame.
leaving the work OF massacre to the
troops and their Sikeliot helpers, the
general leaped to the front and snatch
ed LusIas by the foot just as he was
giddily swaying towards the furnace.
Gathering the child In his arms. he
turned and saw q tall, dark priest In q
Ileopard-skin robe, struggling In the
grasp of three OF his soldiers. With
ont uttering a word Phalaris pointed
| to the open door Of the furnace. The
Greeks gave loud cry Of exulting
comprehension, and dragged the high
priest up the steps to the platform,
from whence they hurled him head
| long into the flaming belly Of the
Melek.
Then the bronze door changed down,
- -. A. .hrialr NJ fla aarrifire rang