Evening star., 1926-11-25
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nIs2e. by EuR~ae Mclean

his mantle. Catching the ldea. the
chief joined in.
Soon they were deep in the pastirle.
The chief. after several skillful
throws. drew out a handful Of small
silver from his pouch, and showed one
Of the largest pieces toward the
soldier.
Antonius scratched his head He
had no money. The chief saw his di-
lemna. and smiled. Reaching over.
he tapped the huge ruby that adorned
the hilt Of the soldiers dagger. Then
he pushed all his money forward in a
heap. and laid beside 1t his own dirk.
his sword and silver anklet that he
wore. Disengaging from his wrist his
broad golden bracelet, he added that
to the pile.
Raising his eyebrows. he challenged
Antonius.
MY ruby is worth more than all
that" said the soldier. But never
mind-a games game"
He made three tosses Of his knife.
Then. intently. he leaned forward to
watch as the chief carefully poised
his own dagger. and threw. The point
missed the embroidered square on
Antonius' mantle by a hairs breadth.
The second toss went squarely in the
center. He had tied the soldiers
skill. so far. The third throw was 10
point in the center
The chief missed.
Without a change of expression he
pushed his money. his ornaments and
his weapons toward Antonius, while
the latter crowed with glee-
III pay you for your mantle and
tunic" he proposed, pointing to those
garments with his finger so the chief
would understand.
60 Ii,
but refused. Instead. with a snap OF
his fingers and flourish. he ordered
his followers to give him their swords
and lances, their daggers and the
ornaments they wore.
They obeyed and gathered more
closely about the gamcsters.
Again Antonius made three casts.
Again the chief followed suit and
lost.
The Arabian frowned. Consider.
ingly. his eyes ran over his four
tribesmen. He reached out slowly.
took the largest Of the warriors by
the wrist, and pulled him forward
With motions, he offered his fol
lower as wager against the heap Of
weapons and gold and silver that lay
beside the soldier
Grinning broadly, Antonius con
sented.
drifted to the side Of the two injured
men, and STOPPING. they watched with
breathless interest as the soldier and
the chieftain cast their daggers.
The Arabian gave sharp eXclama
tion. He had lost once more.
Antonius seized his newly won
slave. and made him stand at his
back
I'm rich again" crowed the soldier
to the men of Jezreel. I've won an
arnory. money. and a. warrior TO
serve me-"
The chiefs face was flushed with
wrath. He jerked two others of his
remaining men before the soldier. and
Sestured that he was ready to resume
play.
He lost and. with a sort of strangled
roar showed his unlucky fellows
toward the victorious Roman.
Antonius shook with glee. The chief
was savagely Offering his remaining
tribesman. The soldier held up his
hand.
TOO much" he said II need only
one"
Reaching behind him, he drew forth
the last two Arabians whom he had
won, and with as graceful a bow as
he could manage. presented them TO
their late master.
1T will be an insult if he refuses
said Ezra. breathlessly. watching.
The chief, however. did not refuse.
His brow cleared. and he beaned
upon his adversary. With much labor
and pain, he rose to his knee and
stopping, laid his hands upon An
torius' knee. The soldier patted his
shoulder.
The trfbesrnen who had been re-
stored to their rightful chief were
breathing heavy sighs Of relief.
But I'm keeping this fellow" An
tonius said. tapping the arm Of the
first Arabian he had won. He'll have
to be my legs, while I'm disabled"
His slave understood. and pros
trated himself. Antonius busily Sc
lected the best of the weapons he had
won. and bestowed them upon his
new servant. One of the daggers he
thrust into his own belt, and, with
many smiles, dropped the silver he
had acquired in the Arabian's pouch.
which Antonius bought from him with
one Of the coins.
Finally, with an expansive gesture,
he returned to the tribesmen the re-
overwhelmed, kissed Antonius upon
both cheeks
If I go out to the desert when |
am well' said the soldier to Ezra. II
shall find fast friends -
There had been a stir among the
refugees as the two men finished
their game. Looking about him. An.
toriius saw that Aaron and Jared had
joined the circle.
The old shepherd stood, leaning on
his staff his heavy oaken rod swing,
ing from his wrist. and a leather
sling wrapped around his arm. His
face was very weary. Jared had sunk
upon the floor. as II exhausted
What news" Antonius asked.
"Herod journeyed through Jezreel
this morning. and word comes that he
is full Of wrath" the shepherd said.
Men say that other troops have been
summoned. and that the men Of the
village are to be sought and slain,
all those who have fed"
He turned. and went to the fire. His
townspeople. exclaiming, hurried after
him.
Antonius looked at them, thought
fully. MY friend he said to the
Arabian. II wish we could understand
one another-for I think we, too, will
have to fight, as allies Of these
people"
Continued in Tomorrow's Starr