"Your fate?"

"Yes, from death--that death of horror."

"Death?--horror? What do you mean by horror?" said the Kohen, in an
amazement that was sincere and unfeigned. "I cannot comprehend your
meaning. It seems as though you actually dislike death; but that is
not conceivable. It cannot be possible that you fear death."

"Fear death!" I exclaimed, "I do--I do. Who is there that does not
fear it?"

The Kohen stared.

"I do not understand you," he said.

"Do you not understand," said I, "that death is abhorrent to
humanity?"

"Abhorrent!" said the Kohen; "that is impossible. Is it not the
highest blessing? Who is there that does not long for death? Death is
the greatest blessing, the chief desire of man--the highest aim. And
you--are you not to be envied in having your felicity so near? above
all, in having such a death as that which is appointed for you--so
noble, so sublime? You must be mad; your happiness has turned your
head."

All this seemed like hideous mockery, and I stared at the Kohen with a
gaze that probably strengthened his opinion of my madness.

"Do you love death?" I asked at length, in amazement.

"Love death? What a question! Of course I love death--all men do; who
does not? Is it not human nature? Do we not instinctively fly to meet
it whenever we can? Do we not rush into the jaws of sea-monsters, or
throw ourselves within their grasp? Who does not feel within him this
intense longing after death as the strongest passion of his heart?"

"I don't know--I don't know," said I. "You are of a different race; I
do not understand what you say. But I belong to a race that fears
death. I fear death and love life; and I entreat you, I implore you to
help me now in my distress, and assist me so that I may save my life
and that of Almah."

"I--I help you!" said the Kohen, in new amazement. "Why do you come to
me--to me, of all men? Why, I am nothing here. And help you to
live--to live! Who ever heard of such a thing?"

And the Kohen looked at me with the same astonishment which I should
evince if a man should ask me to help him to die.

Still, I persisted in my entreaty for his help.

"Such a request," said he, "is revolting; you must be mad. Such a
request outrages all the instincts of humanity. And even if I could do
such violence to my own nature as to help you to such a thing, how do
you think I could face my fellow-men, or how could I endure the
terrible punishment which would fall upon