e trembled.

"It is my own," said the Wanderer, "though the spear-point in it
was lent me of late, in return for arrows not a few and certain
sword-strokes," and he smiled.

The ancient priest bade the Temple servants retire, and as they went
they heard him murmuring a prayer.

"The Dead spoke truth," he muttered, still gazing from the helmet in his
hand to the Wanderer; "ay, the Dead speak seldom, but they never lie."

"My son, thou hast eaten and drunk," then said Rei the Priest and Master
Builder, "and may an old man ask whence thou camest, where is thy native
city, and who are thy parents?"

"I come from Alybas," answered the Wanderer, for his own name was too
widely known, and he loved an artful tale. "I come from Alybas; I am the
son of Apheidas, son of Polypemon, and my own name is Eperitus."

"And wherefore comest thou here alone in a ship of dead men, and with
more treasure than a king's ransom?"

"It was men of Sidon who laboured and died for all that cargo," said the
Wanderer; "they voyaged far for it, and toiled hard, but they lost it
in an hour. For they were not content with what they had, but made me a
prisoner as I lay asleep on the coast of Crete. But the Gods gave me the
upper hand of them, and I bring their captain, and much white metal and
many swords and cups and beautiful woven stuffs, as a gift to your King.
And for thy courtesy, come with me, and choose a gift for thyself."

Then he led the old man to the treasure-chambers of the Temple, which
was rich in the offerings of many travellers, gold and turquoise and
frankincense from Sinai and Punt, great horns of carved ivory from the
unknown East and South; bowls and baths of silver from the Khita, who
were the allies of Egypt. But amidst all the wealth, the stranger's
cargo made a goodly show, and the old priest's eyes glittered as he
looked at it.

"Take thy choice, I pray thee," said the Wanderer, "the spoils of foemen
are the share of friends."

The priest would have refused, but the Wanderer saw that he looked ever
at a bowl of transparent amber, from the far-off Northern seas, that was
embossed with curious figures of men and gods, and huge fishes, such as
are unknown in the Midland waters. The Wanderer put it into the hands of
Rei.

"Thou shalt keep this," he said, "and pledge me in wine from it when I
am gone, in memory of a friend and a guest."

Rei took the bowl, and thanked him, holding it up to the light to admire
the gold