Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-07-26

Island. though he was dark beside the
Greeks.
II have come here. sent by the Sike-
liots who are within the town." he aii-
nounced. ito bring you In by secret
way which only We know Of"
"Why?" the Spartan asked distrust-
fully.
Because we hate the Phoeniclans
for their cruelties. and We believe the
Greeks will treat US merclfully."
"You are a spy" said Phalarls.
frowning.
The Sikeliot shook his head earnest
~.
II 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. ''If you
can restore that boy to me unhurt. !
will give you your freedom and 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 Sigeliot.
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
jingling OF steel on bronze. along q
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 Canaan
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 moon-worshipers as
they swarmed towards the temple Of
the Moons husband. the Melek. who
ate his children.
The votaries Of Baal thronged the
outer court Of the temple, and flowed
through into q cavernous hall. lighted
by q single torch. All at once dull
red glow struggled through the copper
shell Of a huge bull-headed idol. en-
throned 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
of the ritual OF the God, burst forth
from thousand throats. and woke the
Greek boy who lay asleep in the
priests quarter. behind the shrine.
As Lusias sat up and rubbed his
eyes, the high-priest came into his
chamber and offered him cup filed
with some warm brew which gave
forth a 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 a 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 blowing with
bellows at the furnace whose flames
passed up a flue into the body Of the
Idol, Illuminating II. 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 to
the foot Of a fight OF steps between
the knees Of the idol. which led up to
q small platform in front Of its belly.
II was at this moment that Phalaris.
the Spartan, saw the moon-crescent
glitter overhead, as he stood upright
within the city wall on the bottom Of
low tunnel, and grasped at a wooden
ladder let down from above.
Lille a pro -ession Of ants hi earth
stained soldiers res, GU. Of the ground.
finding themselves in a weed-grown
garden over which few huts and
pigsties struggled In all the disorder Of
wretchedness and savagery.
The solemn pillars Of the temple
front showed pale In the dim moon
light. A rush through the court. few
cries followed by thrusts and stabs.
and the flushed Hellenes burst in upon
the Canaanites at their worship.
The vision that met the straining
eyes Of Phalaris. the Spartan. was
boy in q 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 fame.
leaving the work Of massacre to the
troops and their sikeliot helpers. the
general leaped to the front and snatch
ed Luslas 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
leopard-skin robe. struggling In the
grasp of three OF his soldiers. With
out uttering a word Phalaris pointed
to the open door Of the furnace. The
Greeks gave q loud cry Of exultiug
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,