escaped as if by a miracle a double peril;
the savage populace would no more have spared your life than would the
stifling dust of the falling houses. Remember this, and tell Hosea also
from me, Bai, that I am sure when he beholds the woe wrought by the magic
arts of one of your race on the house of Pharaoh, to which he vowed
fealty, and with it on this city and the whole country, he will tear
himself with abhorrence from his kindred. They have fled like cowards,
after dealing the sorest blows, robbing of their dearest possessions
those among whom they dwelt in peace, whose protection they enjoyed, and
who for long years have given them work and ample food. All this they
have done and, if I know him aright, he will turn his back upon men who
have committed such crimes. Tell him also that this has been voluntarily
done by the Hebrew officers and men under the command of the Syrian
Aarsu. This very morning--Hosea will have heard the news from other
sources--they offered sacrifices not only to Baal and Seth, their own
gods, whom so many of you were ready to serve ere the accursed sorcerer,
Mesu, seduced you, but also to Father Amon and the sacred nine of our
eternal deities. If he will do the same, we will rise hand in hand to the
highest place, of that he may be sure--and well he merits it. The
obligation still due him I shall gratefully discharge in other ways,
which must for the present remain secret. But you may tell your uncle now
from me that I shall find means to protect Nun, his noble father, when
the vengeance of the gods and of Pharaoh falls upon the rest of your
race. Already--tell him this also--the sword is whetted, and a pitiless
judgment is impending. Bid him ask himself what fugitive shepherds can do
against the power of the army among whose ablest leaders he is numbered.
Is your father still alive, my son?"

"No, he was borne to his last resting-place long ago," replied the youth
in a faltering voice.

Was the fever of his wound attacking him? Or did the shame of belonging
to a race capable of acts so base overwhelm the young heart? Or did the
lad cling to his kindred, and was it wrath and resentment at hearing them
so bitterly reviled which made his color vary from red to pale and roused
such a tumult in his soul that he was scarcely capable of speech? No
matter! This lad was certainly no suitable bearer of the message the
prophet desired to send to his uncle, and Bai beckoned to Hornecht to
come with h