"That I would do gladly," answered Aziel, "but oh! what a cross-bred
hound you are who thus can seek to torture the heart of a helpless
woman! Have you then no manhood that you can stoop to such a coward's
plot?"

"Fool! it is because of my manhood that I do stoop to it," said Ithobal
angrily. "Doubtless you think that a mad fancy and naught else drives
me to the deed, but it is not so, although in truth my heart--like
yours--chooses this woman to be my wife and none other. That fondness
I might conquer, but look you, of all things living this lady alone has
dared to cross my will, so that to-day even the sentries on their rounds
and the savage women in the kraals tell each other of how Ithobal, the
great king of an hundred tribes, has been baffled and mocked at by a
girl who despises him because his blood is not all white. Thus I am
become a laughing-stock, and therefore I will win her, cost me what it
may."

"And I, king Ithobal, tell you that you will not win her--no, not if you
torture me to death before her eyes."

"That we shall see," said the king with a sneer. Then he called to his
guard and added, "Let this man and his companions be taken to the place
prepared for them."

Now Aziel was dragged from the tent and thrust into a wooden cage, such
as were used for carrying slaves and women from place to place upon the
backs of camels. His soldiers, who had been taken with him, were thrust
also into cages, and, with himself laden upon camels that were waiting,
two cages to each camel. Then a cloth was thrown over them, and, rising
to their feet, the camels began to march.

When they had covered a league or more of ground Aziel learned from
the motion of the camel upon which he was secured, and the sound of
the repeated blows of its drivers, that they were ascending some steep
place. At length they reached the top of it, and were unloaded from the
beasts like merchandise, but he could see nothing, for by now the night
had fallen. Then, still in the cages, they were carried to a tent, where
food and water were given them through the bars, after which, so weary
was Aziel with war, misery and the remains of recent illness, that he
fell asleep.

At daybreak he awoke, or rather was awakened, by the sound of a familiar
voice, and, looking through his bars, perceived Metem standing before
them, guarded but unbound, with indignation written on his face, and
tears in his quick eyes.

"Alas!" he cried, "that I shou