10 THE OMAITA DAILY KKE : SUNDAY , APRIL 10 , 1898.
ELI
THE DOOM OF ZIMBABWE
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD
( Copyright , 18My It. Illiler Haggard. )
CHAPTER XIV.
TUB MARTYRDOM OF ISSACHAR.
It was done , and from the mouths of the
priests and priestesses rose a shrill cry of
triumph , for had not their gods conquered ?
Had not tills servant of the hated I/ord of
Israel been caught by the bait of the beauty
of a prlcstcs of L'oaltla , denying and reject
ing Him ? Was not evil once moro triumph
ant , and must not they , Its ministers , re
joice ?
Again the shadld raised his wand and they
were silent ,
"You have Indeed done well and wisely , "
he said , addrcwslng Azlcl. "Now , take to
wife the divine lady who hns chosen you , "
and ho pointed to Ellssa , who lay fainting
" bo In her love ,
on the ground , "and happy
nlttlng In my seat , which henceforth la
ot'Kl and master
yours , as ruler of the priests
ter of their mysleilcs , forgetting the follies
of jour former faith , and spitting on Its
nltais. Hall to you , nhadlcl , lord of the Ilaal
tls ami chojen of El. Take him , you prlcstii ,
and with him the dlvlno lady , his wife , bear-
Ins them In triumph to their high house. "
"What of the Lovlto ? " naked a voice.
Tlio shadld glanced at Issaclmr , who all
this whllo had stood like ono stricken to the
Houl , woo stamped upon his face and a stare
of horror In his e > cs. "Jew , " he said , "A
had forgotten you ; but you also are on your
trial , who dated against the law to hold
Kecret meeting with the Lady Ilaaltls. Kor
this aln the punishment Is death , nor would
any woman name you hmiband to save you
from It. Still , In this hour of joy wo will
be merciful ; therefore do as your master
did , cast Incense oil the altar , spying Uio ap
pointed words , and go your way. "
"Ilelore I make my altering on yonder nlUr
according to your command , 1 have somu
words to say , 0 , priest of 131 , " otMworod
Issacliar , quietly , but In a voice that chilled
the blood of those who heard It. "First , I
addressed myself to you , Azlel , and to you ,
woman , " and he pointed to KUaia , who hail
ildeii , and leaned trembling upon her father.
"My dream Is fulfllleJ A/lel , you have
iilnnul , Indeed , and must bear the appointed
punlohiuunt of your sin , jet hear a message
of mercy spoken through my lips. Hciauso
you have slimed through love and pity , your
offense Is not unto death , jet thall you sorrow
row for It nil your life's dnjs , and in desola
tion of heart and bltUc-iioa of noul Lhall
en up back to the feet of Him you have for-
( .worn. Woman , your iplrlt Is noble and
j'otir feet nri > uet In the way of righteous
ness , yet through you has this offerui- come ,
ami llierefuio your love shall bear no fruit ,
cor ihall thn blasphemy of your beloved
Bavo youi- Mesh from doom. Upon the earth
there Is ntf hope for you , daughter of Sakon.
Set your eyrs beyond It. for there Is hope.
"Whoro In she who swore our lives away ? "
and ho pointed to Mi-pa.
"Woman , you plotted this that you might
succeed to the throne of DaaltU : hear your
fate : You Khali lUu to sweep the huts aud
bear thu tabes of savages. You , priest. "
'and ho pointed to the shadld , "I read your
heart ; you design to murder this man whom
you greet or. your micccsaor , that you may
usurp his place. I ehow you yours. It
lies In the bellies of the jackals of the
desert. You priests and priestesses of El
and llaaltU , think of my words , and raUu
your loud songs of triumph to your godri
when you youieulves ore their offering , mid
the red flame of the flro bums you up , all of
you rave your s'.na ' , which arc Immortal.
You citizens of an accursed city , look on the
'hilltop yonder and tell me. what do you sec ?
* A sheen of spears , Is It not ? iThcy draw
near to j-our hearts , citizens of cai accursed
city , whereof the very name shall bo forgot
ten , and the nakeil tow era but the source of
wonder to men unborn. And now , priests ,
having tiald my ay , as you bid mo , I make
my offering upon your altar. "
Then , whllo they all stood fearful and
amazed , Issachar the Lovlte sprang forward ,
.oud , seizing the ancient Imago of Baaltls ,
hi ) spat upon It and dashed the priceless
thing ilovn , upon the altar , where It biokc
Intn fragments and was burned with the flro.
" . .My offering Is mnde , " ho ald ; "may Ho
whom 1 servo accept It. Now , after offering
fiiicrlllco , son Azlol , faro you well , "
For a few momenta a silence of horror
and dismay fell upon the assembly as they
KiiztMl nt the shattered mid burning frag
ments of the consecrated Image. Then ,
moved by a common Impulse , with curse- : . )
and yt-lls of fury , the priests and prleytcuses
up runt ; from their seats mid hurled them-
Si'lviti upon Ipsichar , who stood awaiting
them with folilod arms. They nmoto him
with their Ivory rods , they rent and tore
him with their hand ? , worrying him as do 3
worry a fox of the hills , till the lite waa
luMten out of him and ho lay dead. Tlui.i
terrlblj" , bill yet by p-jch a death of mar
tyrdom as ho would have chosen , perished
Issachar Ihe Levlte.
I'liarmed though ho was , Azlcl had sprung
to his aid , but Metem and Sakon , knowing
that hu would but bring about his own du-
etriiutloii , Hung themselves upon him and
lirld him buck. Whilst he was still .strug
gling with them the end came , and Iiaachar
row still forever. Then Azlcl'a ctrength left
him , and presently ho slipped , to the ground
eonselcsj ,
Tliermftpr H teemed to Azlcl that he was
plunged In an emlli'tw and dreadful dream ,
und that through Its turmoil and nhlttlng
-visions ho could continually see the dreadful
death of If.sacOmr and hear hla ctcrn ac
cents prophenylnK woe to him who renounced
the God of his tori'fathers to bow thn knco
to llaal. At length he awoke from that her
ror-haunted Bleep to IInd himself lying In a
titrango chamber. It was night and lamps
burned In the chamber , and by their light
ho saw K man wlioo face ho know mixing
a draught In a glass vUl. So weak was
lie that at first he could not remember the
auau'u name ; then by slow degrees It came
to him.
"Metom , " ho raid , "where am 1 ? "
The Phoenician looked up from his task ,
milled and ans.vereil :
"Where you. should be. prince. In your own
house , thu paluco of the shadld. But you
not speak , for you have been til. Drink
Oils and sleep. "
Azlcl swallowed the draught , and was In
stantly overcome by slumber. When ho
awoke the un was shining brightly through
thu window place , and Us rays fell upon the
nhroud , kindly face of Metem , who was ,
seated on a stool watching htm , his chin
resting on his hand ,
"Tell mo all that has befallen , friend , "
said Azlcl , "since " and ho shuddered.
"Since you wcro married after a new
fashion , and that bigoted but most honorable
fool. Issacbar , went to his reward. Well ,
I will when you have eaten , " answered
Metcm , as ho gave him food. "Flrt't , " ho
said presently , "you have lain hero for three
days , raving In a fever , nursed by myself
and visited by your wife , the Lady Daaltls ,
whenever she could i-scapo from her roll -
ll 'lous duties 11
"Ellssa ! Has she been hero ? "
"Calm yourself , prince. Certainly she has ,
and what la more , fine will be back soon.
Secondly , Ithobal has been as good as hla
word , and Invests the city with a vast army ,
cutting off all supplies and possibilities of
CHcape. It Is believed that ho will try an
assault within the next week , which many
thli'U will bo successful. Thirdly , to ovolJ
that risk. It Is rumored that the priests and
priestesses , nt the Instance of the council ,
are dUcussliiR the wisdom of giving over to
him the person of the daughter of Sakon , on
the plea that her election aa the Lady Baal-
tls was brought abJUt by bribery , and Is
therefore void , as she was not chtscn by the
unaided will of the goddess. " j
"Hut , " said Azlel , "she Is my wife , nc- ]
cordlrz to their religious law. How , then , .
can Blio bo given In marrlago to another ? " |
"Nay , prince , If she Is not the Lady Daal- ,
tls. your husbandshlp falls to the ground
with the rest , for you are not the shadld ,
an cfllco which perchance you ran dispense
with. 'Hut ' all this priestly juggling means
little , "tho tiaith being that the , city In Ita
terror will throw her as a sop to Ithobal ,
hoplns thereby to appease his rage. The
Lady Kllssa knows her danger but here eho
comes to speak for herself. "
As ho spuke thn curtains at the end of the
chnmbjr were drawn , and through them came j
lOllssn. clad In her splendid robes of ofllce ,
und wearing liupon her brow the golden cres
cent of the moou.
"How goes It with the prince. Metcm ? "
rlie asked In her eoft voice , glancing nnx-
lously toward the couch , which was half hid
den In the shadow of the wall.
"Look for yourself , lady , " anewcred the
Phoenician , bowing boOro hr-r.
"Hllss-i , Ellesa ! " rled Azlel , raU-lng him
self and opening hlo anna.
She saw and heard , then with a low cry ,
and owlftly an a nwnllow awcoplng : o Its
nest , she ran to him and was wrapped In
his embrace , nnd thus they Htajed , mur
muring words of love between their kisses.
"In It your pleaouro that I ehunld luve
you ? " asked Metcm , presently , "No ? Then ,
prince , I would have you remember that you
are still weak and ehould not glvo way to
violent emotions. "
I I "Listen , Azlel , " said Hlssa , untwining Ms
anne from about her neck. "Micro Is no
tlmo for tenderness- ; moreover , you stoiiM
sha\v none to ono who Is ft 111 the high
prlci3tc6s of Uaaltls , although In truth bhc
worships her no longer. It was noble of
you Indeed to offer Incense upon yonder al
tar that my llfo might be saved , but when
I prayed you not , I epako from the heart ,
nnd bitterly , bitterly do I grieve that for my
tuko you should have stained your soul with
such a eln. Moreover. It will av.Ul nothing ,
for the doom of the dead prophet lies upon
us and I cannot cseape from deuth , neither
can you recapo remorse , und aa 1 think that
wo.-at of all dealreu , the deslro for the dead. "
"Can wo not still Heo the city ? " asked
Azlel.
"Metcm will tell you that It Is Impossi
ble ; day and night I am watched und
guarded ; also Itlicb.il holds 7.1mboo so firmly
In his net that no rparrow could fly out of
It und ho not know. And them la worse
to tell ; Heloved , they purpose to give mo
. up as a peace offering to Ithobal. Yes , even
my father la In tno plot , for be thinks It
hlu duty to sacrifice hU daughter to save the
town. If , Indeed , It will uvall to save It. "
"Hut you are the Daaltls und Inviolate. "
"In tiucu a thu it the goddeso heMClt wo'lld '
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not bo held Inviolate In Zltnboe , much lens
i her priestess , 'Azlel. This very night they
purpose to seize mo ; yes , Mesa and others
have been chosen for the deed , and offer
mo as a bribe to Hliobal , for ho will take
no other price. "
Azlcl groaned aloud. "It were better that
wo t'hould die , " ho said.
She nodded and answered : "It wcro bet
ter that I should die. Hut hcnr mo , tor I
have a plan and thera Is still hope , though
I very little. Pcrclmnco as you drew near to
Ktmboo by Ihci coast road you may have no
ticed tltreu miles or moro from the gates of
1 the city a shoulder of the mountain almost
overhanging the path on which you trav
eled whcro the rock Is cut away , ( showing
the narrow entrance to a cave cloacO. with
a door of bronze. "
"I caw It , " answered Azlel , "and was told
that there was the meat sacred burying
place of the city. "
"It Is the tomb of the high priestesses of
Baaltla , " went on Ellssa , and "and this day
at sunset I must visit It to lay ntt offering
upon the fihrinu of 'her who was the Baaltls
before me , entering alone , and closing the
pitc , for none may paps In there with mo.
Now the plan la to lay Lands on me ns I
go back from the tomb to the palace , but I
shall not go back , Azlcl. I shall ft ay In
liLISSA UNLOCKED THE GATE.
the tomb nay , do not \.ent not dead. I
have bidden food and water there , enough
for many Oays , and there with the departed
I thall live , till I am of their number. "
MHut It BO , how can It help you , for they
will break In the gates of the place and
drag you away ? "
"If eo , Azlcl , they will drag away a
corpse , and that they will scarcely eire to
present to Ithobal. See , In my breast I have
hidden poison , and here at my girdle hangs
a dagger ; are not the two of them enough
to make an end of one frail life ? Should
they dare to touch me , as I shall tell them
through the bars , most certainly I fhall
drink the bano. or ueo the knife , and when
they know It they will leave mo unharmed ,
trusting to chance to spare mo. "
"You are bold , " murmured Azlel , In ad
miration , "but aelt-murder Is n oln. "
"It Is a sin that I will dare , beloved , aa In
past days I would have dared It for Jeea
cause , rather than bo given living Into the
hands of Ithobal , for to whatever cits ? I may
bo false , to you through llfo and death I
will be true. "
Now Azlol groaned In hU doubt and bitter
ness of heart , then , turning to Metem , asked :
"Havo you aught to Gay , Metom ? "
"Yea. prince , two things , " answered ttio
Phoenician. "First that the I.udy KllEsi Is
ratii Indeed to speak thus openly bcl'ore me ,
\MIO might carry her words to the council or
the priests. "
" .N'uy. Mctero , I am not rash , for I know
that , although you love gold , you will not
betray me , "
"You are right , lady , I shall not , for gold
would bo of little service to me In a city that
Is about to bo taken by storm. Mao I hate
Ithobul , who threatened my life as you did
also , by the way and will do my best .to
keep you from hla cluUbrn. Now for my
second point. It Is that I can see little use
In all this , because Ithobal , being dcfr.\udc <
of jou , will attack , and then "
"And then he may bo beaten , Metcm , for
the citizens will flght for their lives , and
the Prince Azlel here , who la a general
skilled In war , will light also. If he has re
covered his strength "
"Fear iot. El butt. Give me two days and
I will fight to the dratti , " put In Azlel.
"At the least , " she went on , "thlii ixdemo
Rives us breathing time , and who knows but
that fortune will turn , or , If It docs not , I
have no better. "
" "No more have I , " said Metem , "for at
length the oldest fox comes to his last double.
I might escape from this city , or the prince
might escape , or Lady Kllma even might
escape , but I am sure that ttio three of us
could not escape together , eyeing that within
the walla we are watched , and without them
the armlch of Ithobal await us. Oh , Prince
Azlcl , I should have done well to go as I
might have done when you and Issachar
were taken after that mad meeting In the
temple , from which I never looked for any
thing but 111 , but I grow foolish In my old
ago , and thought that I chould like to eee
the last of ycu. Well , GO far we are all
alive , except l : achar , who , although bigoted ,
was still the moot worthy of us , but how long
wo fihall remain nllvo I cannot r ay. Now ,
our best chance la to defeat Ithobal It wo
can , and afterward , In the confusion , to
escape from Zlmboe and Join our servants , to
whom I hive- beat weed to await us In a
secret p'.aco beyond the first range of hills.
Ifo cannot why , then we must go a llttlo
Gconcr than we expected to IIml out who It M
that really shapes the dnstlnlcs of men , anJ
whether or no the sun and moon are the
ch/ir.'otn of Kl and DaaltU. nut , prince , you
turn pale. "
"It la nothing , " said Azlel ; "bring mo
come water , the fever etlll burns In me , "
Metem went to seek for water , while
Klifsa knelt by the couch and pressed her
lover's hand.
" 1 mudi stay no longer , " she whispered ,
% "and , Azlel , I know not how or when wo
ahull ir.fet ar.aln , but my heart la heavy ,
for , alaa ! I think that doom draws near me.
I have brought much rorrow on you , Azlel ,
and yet morn on myself , and I have given
you nothing , except that most common of
all thlngv , a woman's love. "
"That mcst perfect of all things , " he an *
swtrcd. "H > hlch I am glad to have lived to
win. "
"Yes. tout not at the price that you have
j ld for It. I know well what It must have
uoat > ou to cut that Incense on the flame ,
aud I pray to your GcJ , who baus become
< n1y God , to visit the sin of It on my hcaJ
ar.d to leave yours unharmed. Azlcl ! Azlcll
woman or spirit , whllo I have life and me
mory , I am youra , aud yours only ; clcan-
J.afldoA I Joavo you , -and - If we m-iy meet
again In thla or In any other world , clean
and faithful I shall como to you again. Glad
I am to have lived , because In my life I
have known you and you have sworn to love
me. Glad shall I bo to live again If agala
I may know you and hear that oath If not ,
It la elccp I seek ; for llfo without you tome
mo would be a hell. You grow weak and
I must bo KOIIO. Farewell , and living or
< > 3ad , forget mo not ; swear that you will
not forget me. "
"I swear H , " ho answered faintly , "and
God grant that I may dlo for you , not you
ton mo. "
"That Is no prayer of mine. " she whis
pered ; and , bending , she kissed him on the
brow , for ho was too weak to lift his lips to
hers. Then she was gone.
CHAPTER XV.
ELISSA TAKES SANCTUARY.
T.wo hours had gone by and a procession
of prlcstcs-ees might bo seen advancing
slowly toward the holy tomb along the
Tarrow road of rock cut In the mountain
face. In front of the procession , wearing
a black veil over her uroldcred robes , walked
Ellssa with downcast cyca anil hair unbound
In token of grief , while behind her came
Mesa and other priestesses bearing the offer
ings to the Ocad In bowls of alabaster , food
and wine , and lamps of oil and vases filled
with perfumey. Behind these jigalu
marched the mourners , women who sang a
funeral dirge and from tlmo to time broke
Into a wall of simulated grief. Nor , In
deed , was their wee 'as hollow as might bethought
thought , slnco from that mountain path they
could heo the- outposts of the ormy of Ithobal
upon the plain , and 'note with a shudder of
fear the spear heads of his countless thou
sands shining In the gorges of the opposing
heights. It was not for the dead Baaltls
that they mourned that day , but for the
fate that overshadowed them and their city
of gold.
"May the cureo of all the gods fall on
her ! " muttered one of the prlestceses as
fiho tolled fonvartV beneath her load of of
ferings ; "because she la beautiful and pet-
tlsih we must > eo put to the spear or be
come the wives of Ravages , " and she pointed
with her chin , , tOaiEUssa. who walked In
front. Ion In her' ' own thoughts.
"Have patieftce , " answered Mesa at her
side ; "you Knon4tuo plan tonight that proud
girl and false prU-stess shall sleep In the
camp of Ithobal. ' ' ti
"Will he btf .satisfied with that , " naked
the woman , "ailfl leave the city In peace ? "
"It seems so , " lanswered Mesa , with a
laugh , "though Itla strange that a king
should exchange , epljll and glory for a round-
cvcd. thin-limbed tfivl who loves his rival.
Well , let us thank stho gods that made man
foolish tail gate ; \ia women wit to profit
by Ihelr follyn'lr' ' he wants her , let him
take her , for fw will be the poorer by her
IMS. " a
"You at leaJit Will be richer , " said the
other woman , ' 'by , Ihe crown of Baaltls.
Welt , I do not grudge It you. and aa for
the daughter of-Sakon , she shall be Itbobal'
If I tak'j her to'hlni limb by limb. "
"Nay , friend , that Is not the bargain.
Remember , ehe must be delivered to him
without hurt or blemish , otherwise we shall
to sacrilege In vain , lie silent , here le the
cave. " %
Having reached the platform In front of
the tomb , the procession of mourners
ranged themselves about It In a semi-circle.
with the-lr backsto the edge of the cliff
that rcflc sheer for sixty feet or more from
the plain beneath , across which , but at a
llttlo distance from Its foot , ran tbo road
followed by the caravans of merchants In
their journeys to end from ths coaot. Then ,
a hjmn having beta sung , Invoking the
blcaslnga of the gods on the dead priestess ;
ElUsa , as the Lady Baaltls , unlocked the
gates of bronze with a golden key that hung
at her girdle , and the bearers of the bowk
of offerings pushed them Into the mouth of
the tomb , whoso threshold they were not
allowed to pass. Next , with bowed head and
hands crossed , upca her breast , Ellasa en
tered the tomb , and , locking the bronze
gate behind her , took up two of the bowls
and vanished with them Into Its gloomy
depths.
"Why did she lock the gate ? " asked a
pvleis't'Es of Xloia. "It tj not customary. "
"Doubtless bfcauso It waa hw pleasure
HAVE NO PBMl. PRINCE ; LOOK
' ,1 YONDER.
to do so. " nnswfWd Mesa sharply , though
she also wcci < jered\ , why Ellssa had locked
the gate. j
When an hour. ' was gene by and' Ellsfa
had not return , Uer wonder turned to fear
(
and doubt. + /
"Call to the Loily Baaltls , " she said , "for
her prayers artf IcJig , and I fear lest she
should have cdroq to barm. "
So they called , netting their lips against
the bars of tholgate , until presitiUy Kllssa
came cod stood before them.
"Why do you disturb me In the holy
place ? " she aolfj L" '
"
"Ivady , because. they set the night watch
upon the walls,1 * answered Mcea , "and It Is
tlico to return tb the temple , "
"Return , then/ , ! * Kllssa , "and leave mo
In peace. What , you cannot , Mesa ? Nay ,
nod shall I tell you why ? Because you
have plotted to deliver me this night to
those who should lead me as a peace offer
ing to Ithobal , and when you come to them
empty-handed they will greet you with hard
words. Nay , trouble not to deny It , Mesa.
I have taken ancillary In this holy place. "
Now Mfsa pressed her thin llpa together
and answered :
"Those who dare to lay hands upon the
person of the living Baaltls will not sbrl.lk
from seeking her In the company of her
dead sisters. "
"I know it , Mesa , but the gates ere
barred , and hero I have food and drink In
plenty. "
"Gates , however strong , can he broken , "
aaawered the priestess. "So , lady , do not
wait till you are dragged hence like come
discovered slave. "
"Ay , " replied Ellssa with a llttlo laugh ,
"but what If , rather than bo thus dishon
ored , I should chooao to break another gate ,
that of my own lite ? Look , traltresi , here
Is poUou and here is ste l , and 1 swear to
you that , should any tar ft l" nJ upon me ,
by ono or other ot them I will dlo before
their eycw. Then , If you will , bear these
bones to Ithobal , nnJ take his thanks for
them. Now , begone and glvo this mrsuqa
to my father and all those who have plotted
with him , that akice they cannot bribe Itho
bal with my beauty , they will do well to
bo men and to fight htm with their swordd , "
and she turned and left them , vanishing Into
the darkness of the tomb.
Great Indeed was the dismay of the coun
cillors of Zlmboo and the priests who had
plottoJ with them when , on hour later. Mesa
came , not to deliver Ellsaa Into their hands ,
but to repeat to them her threats and mes
sage. In vain did they appeal to Sakon ,
who only nhook his head and answered :
"Of thla I am sure , that what my daugh
ter has threatened that she will certainty
do If you force her to the choice. Uut II
you will not beltevo me , go ask her ami
satisfy yourselves. I know welt what she
will answer you , and I hold that this Is a
judgment upon us , who first made her
DaaltU against her will , and now would dc
sacrilege to her office and violence to her
self. "
So the leaders of them visited the "holj
tomt ) and reasoaod with ElUsa through the
bars , but got no comfort from her , for hc
spoke with them with the vial of poison In
her bosom and the naked dagger In hci
hand , telling them what she had told Mesa
that they had best give up their plot am !
flght Ithobal Ilka men , seeing that , even II
she surrendered herself to them , when he
grew weary of her the war must come al
last.
' 'For ' a hundred years , " she added , "thl <
storm has gathered , and now It must burst
When It has rolled away It will 1xs known
who Is master ot the lanJ , the ancient cltj
of Zlmboe or Ithobal , king of the tribes. "
So they went back as they had come , and
next dayi at the dawn , wttln a bold face bul
heavy hearts , received the messengers ol
King Ithobal and told them their tale. Tfa <
mcssengeis heard and laughed.
"Wo are glad , " they answered , "since we
who are not In love with the daughter ol
Sakon dcelro war and not peace , holding ai
wo do that the tlmo has come when yoi :
upstart white men who have usurped the
land should bo set beneath our heel. Not
do wo think that the task will bo dlfllcult
for surely we have llttlo to fear from a cltj
wlioyo councillors cannot conquer the will
of a. single maid. " <
Then , although In their despair the elders
offered other girls to Ithobal In marrlago as
many as he would , and with them a grcal
bribe In money , the envoys took their leave ,
saying that nothing would avail , slnco they
preferred spear thrusts to gold , for whlcli
they had llttlo use , and Ithobnl , their king ,
had fixed hla heart on one woman alone.
So with a heavy and foreboding heart the
city of Xlmboe prepared Itself to resKst at
tack , for as they had guested , when ho
learned all , the rage of Ithobal was great ,
nor would ho listen to any terms that they
could offer , eave one which they had no
po\\cr to grant that Ellscu should bo de
livered unliarmc-il Into hla hands. Coum.Ha
of war were held , and to theae , as soon aa
ho was sulllclently recovered from his sick
ness , the Prince Azlel was bidden , for he
was known to be a skilled general ; there
fore , though he had been the cause of nuii'li
of their trouble , they sought his aid. Also ,
should the struggle bo prolonged , they hoped
through him to win Israel , and perhaps
Egypt , to their cause. Azlcl'a counsel was
that they should sally out against the nrmy
of Ithobal by night , since he expected to at
tack and not to bo attacked , but to this ad-
vlco they would not listen , for they trusted
to their walls. Indeed , In this Metem sup
ported them , and when the prince argued
with him ho answered :
"Your tactics would bo good enough ,
prince , lfyou had at your back the llona of
Judah or the wild Arab horsemen of the
desert. Cut here you must deal with men
of my own breed , and wo Phoenicians are
traders , not fighting men like rats , we
fight only when there Is no other chance
for our lives , nor do we stillto the first blow.
It Is true that there are some good soldier ?
In the city , but they are foreign merce- '
nartes , and as for the rest , half breeds and
irced slaves , they belong an much to Itho
bal as to'Sakon , and are not to .be truuted.
No , no , let us stay behind our walls , for
they were at least built when men were
honest , and will not betray us. "
Now In Zlmboe there were three lines of
defense : first , ' that of a single wall built
about the huts of the slaves upon the plain ,
then that of a double wall of stone with a
ditch between thrown round the Phoenician
city , and , lastly , the great fortress temple
aiv ! the rooky heights above It , guarded by
may farts within whoso circle the cattle
were herded , which , as It was thought , could
only bo taken with the sword -hunger. .
On the third mormlng after Ellssa had barred
herself within the tomb Ithobal attacked the
native town. Uttering their wild battle crlea
tens of thousands of his warriors , armed
with great spears and shields of ox-hldo
and wearing crests otplumes - upon their
heads , charged down upon the outer wall.
Twice they were driven back , but the work
was In bad repair and too .long to defend ,
so that at the third rush they flowed over
It like lines of marching ants , delving Its
dcfondcrtJ before them to the Inner gates.
In this battle some were killed , but the mcst
of the slaves threw down their nrras and
went over to Ithobal , who spared them , to
gether wild their wives and children.
Through all the night that followed the
generals of Zlmboe made ready for the on
slaught which must come. Everywhere
within the circuit of the Inner wall troops
went stationed , while the double southern
gateway , where Prince Azlel was the cap
tain In command , was built up with loose
blocks ot Bto'io. A while before the dawn ,
jiir-t as the eastern sky grew gray , Azlel ,
watching from his post above the gate of the
wall , heard the savage war song of the
tribes swell suddenly from GO,000 throats
and the measured tramp ot their Innumera
ble feet. Then the day broke , and he saw
them advancing In three armies toward the
three points chosen for attack , the largest
of the armies , headed by Ithobal , tho.klng ,
directing Its march upon the wall gate of
uhlch lie was In command.
It was a ucndrous and a fearful eight ,
that of these hordes of plumed savages ,
their broad spears flashing In the sunrise
nnu1 their fierce faces alight with hereditary
hate and the lust of slaughter. Never had
he seen such a spectacle , nor could ho look
upon It without dreading the Issue of the
war for If they were favages. these foes
were brave as the lions of their own plains
and had sworn by the head of their king
to drag down the sheltering walls of Zlmboe
with their naked hands or dlo to the last
man. Turning his head with a sigh of
doubt , Azlol found Metem standing at bis
side.
"Have you scon her ? " he asked eagerly.
"No. prince. How coulJ I see her at
night when she alts In a tomb like a fox in
hbj burrow ? But I have heard her. "
"What did she say ? Quick , man , tell me. "
"But llttlo , prince , for the tomb Is
watched , und I dared not stay there long.
She sent you her greetings , nnl would have
you know that her heart will bo with -you
In the battle , and her prayer beseech the
throne ot heaven for your safety. Also , she
said that she la well , though It Is lonesome
there in the grave among the bodies of the
dead prlestcsseo of Baaltla , whose spirits , as
she vons , haunt her dreams , reviling her be
cause she desecrates their sepulchre and has
renounced their god. "
"Lcmesome. Indeed,1' said Azlcl , with a
shudder. "But tell me , Metem , bad eho no
other word ? "
"Yes , prince , but not of good omen , for
now. as alwajs , she U sure that her doom
U at hand , and that you two will meet no
moro. Still , she bade mo tell you that all
your life long her spirit shall companion
you , thoush It be unseen , to reelve you at the
last on the threshold of the under world. "
Azlel turned bla head away , and said
presently :
"If that bo eo , may It receive me soon. "
"Have no fear , prince , " answered Metem ,
with a grim laugh , "look yonder , " and ho
painted to the advancing hosts.
"These * walls are strong , and we shall
teat them back , " answered Azlel.
"Nay , prince , for strong walls do not avail
without atrong hearts to guard them , and
these ot the womanish citizens of Zlmboo
and their hired soldiers are whlto with fear ,
I tell you that the phopheclca of Issacbar
the Levltc , made yonder In the temple on
the day of sacrifice , and In the hour of hla
death , bavo taken hold of the people , and
by eating out their valor fulfill themselves.
Men hint at them , tbo women whisper them
In closets , and the very children cry them
In the ftrccta. More ono man last night
pointed to the skits and shrieked that In
them ho saw that fiery sword of doom of
which the prophet spoke , hanging point
downward above the city , whereon all pres
ent vowed they saw It , too. Another tells
how ho met the very eplrit ot Ituachar stalk-
Her Royal Highness ,
The Princess of Wales
& &
-c" "
.
K f'U I
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Ing through the market place , and that
peering Into the eyes of the wraith , as In a
mirror , hcsaw a great flame wrapping the
temple walls , and by the light of it his own
dead iboily.
"This was the priest who struck down the >
holy man yonder In the place of judgment.
Again , when the Lady Mesa did sacrifice last
night on behalf of Uio Baaltls who has fled ,
thu child they oflcrod , an Infant ot six
months , rose from the altar after It was
dead and cried -with the voice ot a man that
bcforo three suns had sot [ la blood should bo
required at their hands. That Is the story ,
and if I do not believe It , this at leapt Is true ,
that the priestesses fled fast from the secret
chamber of death , for I met them as they
ran shrieking In their terror and tearing
their rcibe . But what need Is there to
dwell on omens , true or false , wihen cow
ards man the walls and the spears of Ithobal
shine yonder like all the stars of heaven ?
Prince. I tell you that this ancient city la
doomed , and In It , I fear , wo must end our
wanderings upon earth. "
"So bo It , if it must be , " answered Azlol ,
"at the least I will die fighting. "
"And I also will dlo fighting , prince , not
because I love It , but because It Is bettor
than being butchered In cold blood fay a
cavago with a epcar. Oh , why did you
over chance to stumble upon the Lady Ellsaa
making prayer to Ltaaltlo and lose your
heart to her ? That was the beginning of
the trouble , which , but for those eyes of
hera , would have held off long enough to see
us safe In Tyre , though doubtless soon or
late it must have come. But see. yonder
marches Ithobal at the head of hla guard.
Olvo mo a ibow , the flight Is long , but perchance -
chance I can reach his black heart with
an arrow. "
"Savo your strength , " answered Azlcl ;
"tho range la too great , and presently you
will have enough of tUootlng. " and ho turned
4o talk to the officers of the guard.
( To Bo Concluded Next Week. )
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