Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-11-11
i. s.-ds .oxa.c h,.-en ,nd Yrsyss.


iy was cleansed. and stop every un-
righteous MOUTH
And when the prayer had ended
and the ceremonies had all been per
formed. the priests withdrew to one
Of the upper rooms to take counsel
how they might deliver Rails from
the hands OF Nlcanor
"He will never suffer himself to be
taken alive" one of them exclaimed
mo. but how will he ever make
his escape from the city, Every gate
Is guarded and every road filled with
soldiers"
Yea. and even now there are sol.
diers securing the city seeking his hi.
ding place"
Cannot we hide him In the ten.
pie.~ exclaimed one. with sudden in
spIration.
Yea. We might" responded anoth-
er of the group. but Razis will no,
come. plead with him that he make
the temple his refuge. but he would
not. saying that IL would only invite
disaster upon Gods house. lie would
rather snffer ten thousand deaths than
bring dehlemcn, or misfortune upon
J the holy temple"
"Ah he Is a good and holy man."
fervidly reioined the high priest. Il
have known the manner Of his life
from his youth up. and always he has
been succorer of his people
Yea. that well know spoke up
one of the younger of tn. group
/ ibid he not minister to the widow and
the fatherless when my mother was
left alone years ago. and was Il not
owing to his encouragement and help
that I was able and willing To follow
the priestly Office even as my father
desired. and as was befitting one of
the tribe OF AARON"
! a noble life indeed he has lived" /"
exclaimed another Ills name Il
worthy a place among the heroes OF
a nation. Nicanor may be able to
take his life. but he can never destroy
the influence Of that life He may
kill the body but the spirit and deyo-
tion Of Rails will continue to go on
to lead the Jews toward God"
Well spoken" heartily responded
the members OF the group. In unison
"Nicanor can rob US Of Rails. but not
the memory OF his life. May God dc
liver him. but II not. his viii be done. A"
The tread Of soldier feet sounded
through the streets OF Jerusalem that
evening as 500 picked men OF Mean
or's army entered the city and
marched toward the tower where II
was reported that Razis had taken
shelter
Deliver Rails into our hands or we
will rage the tower and burn II with
fire." demanded the captain OF the
soldiers.
But only an ominous silence fol.
lowed the request
Men. you know your duty. Charge
the tower"
The great battering ram Numbered
against the heavy door. and fairly
shook the strong tower Again and
again It crashed into the shattered,
shivering wood and the door crushed
and broken from its fastenings. fell In.
Now. men. take him alive. Gold
and plenty OF It. TO the man who de-
livers Rails into the hands of Mean
or. alive shouted the captain.
The doorway was instantly ehoked
with the burly forms OF the soldiers,
with swords uplifted. ready to strike
If need be, but eager to get the man
alive.
There he is." cried one of the sol.
diers. pointing upward toward the
stairway whence Rails stood on the
landing, and instantly a dozen men
sprang forward.
Rails. with sword uplifted, held the
men at bay just an Instant, then quick
as flash he lowered his weapon and
| placing the hilt on the stair before
him. he fell forward. An angry howl
rose in hoarse chorus from the disap-
pointed men.
He has killed himself" they shout.
ed, crowding up the stairway.
But Rails, who had chosen rather
TO die manfully. than 10 come into the
hands OF the wicked NIcanor. and suf.
fer abuse illbeftting his noble birth.
In his haste missed his stroke and
the sword passed harmlessly through
his cloak. He had no time TO recover
his sword now. so leaping up he
sprang boldly up TO the top OF the out
er wall and cast himself down upon
the throng of soldiers below, and they
divining his purpose. sprang back.
Blood gushed like a fountain from his
broken body as It crashed upon the
pavement. but in spite OF his wound.
Rails sprang up, and rushing through
the midst Of the throng he threw him
self over the adjacent precipice. with
his dying breath calling upon the Lord
TO receive him and deliver his people.